Kristopher Lemche Movies

Picking up where the multitudes of late '90s/early 2000s reality-based television shows left off is the unexpectedly shocking horror film My Little Eye, from director Marc Evans. Five twentysomethings are assembled to live together for a period of six months in a house specially outfitted with a bevy of webcams in order to collect a one million prize. The one major caveat being if anyone abandons the house prior to the end of the six-month period, no one will win anything. After introducing the different characters -- intelligent Danny (Stephen O'Reilly), slacker Rex (Kris Lemche), frat boy Matt (Sean CW Johnson), good girl Emma (Laura Regan), and actress wannabe Charlie (Jennifer Sky) -- the story jumps ahead to the last few days before the scheduled end of the contest. At this point, it becomes apparent that outside forces are somehow manipulating certain events within the house, and the household is sent into chaos as one of the participants is found dead. Another participant receives an ominous note, and shortly thereafter, the remaining participants begin to realize the true intensity of their mortal peril. My Little Eye premiered at the 2002 Locarno International Film Festival. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide

A girl in desperate need of guidance looks for it in all the wrong places in this streetwise drama from Canada. Jude (Liane Balaban) is a bright but troubled teenager growing up in a dysfunctional home in Montreal. Jude became involved with a drug dealer and, in an ill-advised moment, decided to make off with his bankroll. Now she's looking for refuge on the streets, seeking advice from a motley collection of friends living along the city's margins: the huge but good hearted Big Al; Georgie, a hustler whose ambitions overwhelm his tiny body; Clarence (Raymond Cloutier), a kind man with a disturbing sexual attraction to children; and Gabriel, a fellow teenager battling a serious infection she got from a bad tattoo. Nicholas Campbell appears in a supporting role as Jude's father; Campbell and Liane Balaban also played father and daughter in the earlier film New Waterford Girl. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Heralded as the first North American entry in the growing Dogma '95 canon, Canadian director Carl Bessai's riveting urban drama is raw, bare-boned, and bleak. Johnny (Chris Martin) is a street kid with an insatiable appetite to manipulate, charm, and coerce. After swiping a camera from his pal Albert, he soon becomes obsessed with making movies. He demands that his loyal gang of followers risk themselves and others for the sake of the dramatic scenes and for his own naked lust for power. This film was screened at the 1999 Toronto Film Festival and at the Thessaloniki Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide

A literal interpretation of the oft-produced biography of 15th century historical heroine Joan d'Arc, this four-hour television miniseries version of Joan's story is lavishly produced. In a tiny village during the Hundred Years' War, teenager Joan d'Arc (Leelee Sobieski) has been raised by her parents, flinty Peter (Powers Boothe) and Isabelle (Jacqueline Bisset), amidst the wreckage continually wrought by British incursions into the area. A devout girl, Joan experiences visions of St. Catherine, which lead her to believe that she may be the "Maid of Orleans," a mythical figure who will lead France to victory over its enemies. Counseled by local priest Father Monet (Robert Loggia), Joan pursues her destiny in spite of her father's wishes. At first supported only by lowly commoners, Joan comes to the attention of the Dauphin, King Charles (Neil Patrick Harris). Together with his scheming advisor Bishop Cauchon (Emmy-winner Peter O'Toole), Charles uses Joan to unite his quarreling factions. Skeptical but superstitious, Charles' generals, including La Hire (Peter Strauss) are eventually won over by Joan's startling victories. But awaiting Joan is a disastrous Parisian campaign and Charles' betrayal. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide