Ken Earl Movies

Alan Rudolph wrote and directed this typically off-beat drama. A brief romantic liaison between a wealthy European and an American ballet dancer results in a pair of identical twins, who are separated and raised by others shortly after birth. Henry (Matthew Modine) was adopted by Pete (M. Emmet Walsh), an auto mechanic, and Henry grows up to follow in his Pete's footsteps. Emotionally fragile, Henry is in a relationship with Beverly (Lara Flynn Boyle), a rich but painfully shy woman who is terrified by sex. Henry, however, finds his own sexual appetite increasing, and he becomes involved with Rosie (Marisa Tomei), a prostitute living in his neighborhood. Meanwhile, Henry's brother, Freddy (also played by Matthew Modine), lives in the same city, though they've never met. Freddy is a gangster and hired killer working for crime kingpin Mr. Paris (Fred Ward). While Freddy is cool and confident on the surface, deep down he hates his job and tells his wife, Sharon (Lori Singer), that he wishes he had enough money to quit and move away. As fate would have it, Freddy and Henry's mother, who sank into a severe depression after losing her children and her lover, has died, leaving a substantial fortune to her two sons, who must now meet in order to collect their inheritance. Equinox premiered at the 1992 Seattle Film Festival, though it would not open theatrically until a year later. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Neil Grieve directed this sly, comic low-budget contempro conspiracy commentary. Stuart Bliss (Michael Zelniker), who devises ways to promote surplus military materials, is currently concocting a way to market Geiger counters as an ordinary household item. Arriving home early, he catches his wife Janet (Dea Lawrence) leaving on a mysterious trip. Stuart's suspicions verge on paranoia. Is he being watched? What causes the Geiger counters to react? Should he trust co-worker Ted (Derek McGrath)? Why do other people somehow know personal things about Stuart? Why does company assistant Katerina (also Dea Lawrence) resemble his wife? Shown at the 1998 L.A. Independent Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi