bkoganbing During the course of a riot in Los Angeles with the police rather occupied an old time film star from the 50s and 60s is shot to death in her own driveway. The police arrest her two grown kids, Geoffrey Naufts and Shannon Kenny, for the crime. They've retained Joanna Cassidy who at one time was married to a well known private eye.That would be Jim Rockford as James Garner reprises his role from his 70s television series The Rockford Files. They may not be married any more, but Cassidy doesn't doubt his professionalism. These two spoiled Hollywood brats can certainly afford the Rockford price of $100.00 a day plus expenses.The kids are arrested and Joe Santos does the arresting, but later they offer as a defense the fact that their stepfather former ballplayer Joe Campanella sexually abused them while practicing Satanic rituals in his basement. Jim Rockford was definitely one of the more cynical characters that television ever brought us. But even he has his heroes and he refuses to believe all American Joe Campanella could be into Satanism. Especially since he visited Campanella before Campanella makes an admission to it. Then it became on the house after Campanella was found hanging from his basement roof and the cops call it suicide.Stuart Margolin as Angel Martin is back and though he's really not part of the plot every Rockford Files episode was a bit better when he was in it.Garner and Cassidy also worked well together. Garner is a little older with a lot more belly to him. But still the same razor sharp cynical mind. It was a nice return.

blanche-2 "The Rockford Files: I Still Love LA" from 1994 has Jim trying to sell his Malibu trailer in the midst of the riots after the Rodney King verdict, the fires that hop the Pacific Coast Highway and head his way, and a visit from Angel (Stuart Margolin). Then his ex-wife Kit (Joanna Cassidy) appears. Yes, Jim was married and divorced since we last saw him. She wants him to work for her, at the behest of her children, investigating the murder of an old film star and the disappearance of her car. The woman's children are a quick-to- anger Josh (Geoffrey Nauffts) and his sobbing sister Dorie (Shannon Kenny). Ultimately, thanks to a security camera, Dennis (Joe Santos) arrests both of them.The problem occurs when Jim begins working at cross-purposes with Kit, who hired him and is trying to prepare a defense. The kids' stepfather (Joe Campanella), a famous ball player, becomes the subject of unsavory accusations that led to the murder.This is perhaps heavier than the normal Rockford fare, but most of it is handled in the usual Rockford way. You had to feel sorry for poor James Garner - he's limping in the movie. An excuse for Jim's injury is given, but I think it was Garner really limping as he runs and does stairs! The assembled cast does an excellent job, the beautiful Cassidy effectively sparring with Jim, the kids come off as brats, Campanella is distinguished and sad, and Laurence Pressman does a good job as a shady attorney.A sweet ending is followed by a tribute to Noah Berry, Jr.

Resurgum The Rockford files returns after a fourteen year absence. I was not disappointed. The audience gets to see the same great casting and characters that made Rockford Files a great show. Notably absent however are Gretchen Corbett as Beth Davenport and Noah Beery Jr. as Joseph "Rocky" Rockford. Joanna Cassidy takes over as Jim Rockford's lawyer and now ex-wife. I don't know why Gretchen Corbett didn't reprise her role, but Cassidy gave a solid performance. Unfortunately, Noah Beery was not able to appear either. However, Stuart Margolin returns as Angel Martin and is his usual hilarious self."I Still Love LA" covers, in an oblique way, the Menendez Brothers case. Furthermore, it deals with the Rodney King Riots, California wild fires, LA carjackings, and finally earthquakes. However, through it all, Jim Rockford and James Garner, still love LA.

CitizenCaine James Garner was nominated for a screen actor's guild award for this, his return to the popular 70's role: Jim Rockford. He always lends credibility to the roles he plays, no matter what they are. As TV movies go, it's pretty typical. Joe Santos and Stuart Margolin are on hand as usual, and Joanna Cassidy, who has had a workmanlike career, plays the second lead. She starred in a few gems earlier in her career like Blade Runner and Under Fire. In recent years, she's become a mainstay in TV movies. The plot of this Rockford movie starts in typical fashion, but it then goes off in a preposterous direction with its subject matter. Garner always makes it watchable though. There's always a secondary storyline, and in this one Rockford is thinking of moving out of the Los Angeles area. It's a shame that the movie didn't rely on what the series was good at: Good old-fashioned detective work. ** of 4 stars.