John Rosenfeld Movies
Dick Van Dyke draws heavily from both his classic 1960s sitcom and his later detective-series vehicle Diagnosis Murder as star of the made-for-cable whodunit Murder 101. Van Dyke is cast as Dr. Jonathan Maxwell, a retired detective who teaches a course on criminology in a small-town college. Though he tends to trip over his own feet and bump into doors with alarming regularity, Maxwell's deductive skills are as sharp as ever, as proven when he is called upon to prove the innocence of Cheryl Collins (Tracey Needham), an investigative reporter charged with the murder of corrupt CEO Nelson Raymond (Tony Denison). It is clear that Cheryl has been framed, but who did the framing? Was it Raymond's vindictive ex-wife Louise (Lisa Thornhill), or his shady business associates Max Arnholdt (Bradford English) and Karl Larch (Camren Argeniano)--or could it be the proverbial Least Likely Suspect? Dick Van Dyke's son Barry Van Dyke, who previously costarred with his dad in Diagnosis Murder, is seen as private eye Mike Bryant, while Barry's son (and Dick's grandson) Wes Van Dyke shows up briefly as one of Dr. Maxwell's students. Clearly intended as the pilot for an ongoing series of Hallmark Channel TV movies, Murder 101 first aired on January 7, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
This Hallmark Channel TV movie is one of a series starring John Larroquette as McBride (no first name), a hard-nosed cop turned compassionate defense lawyer, specializing in "lost causes." On this occasion, McBride's client is one-half of a popular FM radio "shock jock" team, accused of murdering his partner. The cops think they have the suspect dead to rights: Not only did he have motive and opportunity, but a recording exists of the victim's last moments on earth, which were broadcast for all to hear, and which seem to confirm the suspect's guilt. Of course, this being a made-for-cable movie, such airtight evidence can't be trusted--especially when McBride finds out that everyone at the radio station hated the dead man's guts. As in all previous McBride films, the climactic "You done it" scene is staged in flashback form, with McBride himself appearing as a sidelines spectator to the foul play. McBride: Tune In For Murder was first broadcast on August 14, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
After a bad day at work, a man suddenly gets a new job -- as the world's new Heavenly Father -- in this comedy. Bruce Nolan (Jim Carrey) is a television reporter working in Buffalo, NY, who has been growing increasingly dissatisfied with his existence, and after an especially bad day, he flies into a rage and curses God for making his life miserable. To Bruce's great surprise, the Supreme Being Himself (Morgan Freeman) appears, and tries to convince Bruce of the enormity of his task. Bruce, however, isn't buying it, so God gives him a chance to find out what he's up against; God bestows all of his powers on Bruce for a week, to see how he'd handle things. At first, Bruce has a great time bending the world around him to his will, much to the puzzlement of his girlfriend, Grace (Jennifer Aniston), but after six days God stops by to remind Bruce he hasn't done much to make the Earth a better place. Disappointed, God presents Bruce with an ultimatum -- he has one day to improve the world in a concrete way, or God will toss the planet back into the void. Bruce Almighty was directed by Tom Shadyac, who previously teamed with Jim Carrey for Liar, Liar and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jim Carrey, Jennifer Aniston, (more)
A Las Vegas photographer is murdered and his befouled corpse is dumped at a rural "body farm," the location where the CSI team normally studies cadavers of crime victims. Grissom (William L. Petersen) investigates, and as is customary, he finds more than first meets the eye. This time, however, Grissom is working at a disadvantage: several members of his own staff have lodged complaints about his job performance. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Now that a live transmission system has been set up between Voyager and Earth, the crew receives its first Starfleet order in years. Their mission: To search for Friendship One, an Earth probe that has been missing since the year 2067 A.D. Tracing the probe to a planet held in the grip of nuclear-winter radiation, the Away Team is captured by a band of hostile aliens, who hold all humans responsible for their dismal existence. Janeway's (Kate Mulgrew) only hope to rescue her colleagues is to find a new home planet for the aliens -- but this may not be possible for several years to come. As originally conceived, this episode was to have featured James Cromwell in his Star Trek: First Contact role of Zephram Cochran, but Cromwell was unavailable. "Friendship One" initially aired on April 25, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Roxann Dawson
The ER staffers treat three teenagers injured in a fiery car crash while on their way to their prom. An AIDs patient and her son are flown into County General after a fishing mishap. Greene (Anthony Edwards) and Corday (Alex Kingston) grow closer, while Benton (Eriq La Salle) awaits word about the Trauma Fellowship. And amidst all this confusion, the hospital is besieged by obstreperous FBI agents who demand immediate and preferential medical treatment for a wounded stripper -- but is this incredible scenario too "good" to be true? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
This seminal two-part episode features the end to the characters' high school careers. As the Mayor (Harry Groener) prepares for the Ascension, so do Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her friends -- with the help of former demon Anya (Emma Caulfield). Buffy assumes that she has to miss graduation to fight the Mayor, but is amused at finding out that he will give the commencement speech. Hoping to take Buffy's attention off the Ascension, Faith (Eliza Dushka) poisons Angel (David Boreanaz). Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) and Wesley (Alexis Denisof) research a cure and find that Angel must drink the blood of a slayer. Nervous about battling with the Mayor, Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Oz (Seth Green) grow closer. Tired of Oz's distant behavior, Willow urges him to express his panic -- which he does by kissing her. Buffy attempts to sacrifice Faith to save Angel, stabbing her -- but this, of course, is not the end of their rivalry. ~ Rovi





