David Kagen Movies
- 2000
Angel (David Boreanaz) asks Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) and Wesley (Alexis Denisof) to research an abandoned Art Deco hotel called the Hyperion. Little do they know that 50 years earlier their boss was a resident at the very same building. Using the McCarthy hearings as a backdrop, flashbacks reveal the Angel of 1952 to have been an even bigger brooder than now, disconnected from both humans and the vampire world. After unintentionally getting involved in the affairs of a fugitive thief named Judy Kovacs (Melissa Marsala), the '50s Angel discovers the presence of a Thesulac demon in the Hyperion. Feeding off the mistrust and insecurities of the residents, the monster whips them into an angry mob. Judy, terrified of being found out as a criminal, accuses Angel of being a murderer; the crowd strings him up and hangs him, unaware that he's already dead. Angel escapes and tells the Thesulac demon he can have his way with the humans. Fifty years of gruesome murders ensue. Back in the present day, a repentant Angel and the gang stage a final showdown with the still malevolent beast -- and free an elderly Judy Kovacs from her reclusive paranoia. Before the team can leave the hotel, however, Angel makes an announcement; he's turning the building into their new headquarters. Originally broadcast October 3, 2000, on the WB network, "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?" marked season two, episode two of the supernatural comedy drama. The supporting characters of this episode include Denver (Brett Rickaby), a '50s bookstore owner who assists Angel and appears again in "Reprise." ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Originally telecast in two parts, Blind Faith was adapted from a fact-based book by investigative author Joe McGinniss. The scene is Toms River, New Jersey; the year is 1984. Insurance salesman Rob Marshall (Robert Urich) informs the authorities that his wife Maria (Joanna Kerns) has been murdered by a band of marauding thieves. Marshall claims that he and his wife were ambushed at a remote picnic area, and for a while everyone believes the man. But further investigation leads to the conclusion that Maria was the victim of a murder conspiracy, fomented by Marshall himself in order collect his wife's insurance. The climactic trial forces Marshall's three teenaged sons to bear witness against their own father. With grim irony, Blind Faith was first broadcast just before Valentine's Day, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Made for television, Follow Your Heart was first telecast April 2, 1990. Ex-marine David Larson (Patrick Cassidy) is tooling along aimlessly in the middle of Wyoming when his jeep breaks down. Awaiting the verdict from the local repair shop, Larson takes a part-time job as a rest-stop attendant. Not the most outgoing of men, Larson is brought out of his shell when he befriends peppery widow Cloe Sixbury (Frances Sternhagen), her developmentally delayed son (Jace Alexander), and an orphaned Vietnamese girl (Nicole Francois). Deftly blending warmth, humor, and unexpected melodrama, Follow Your Heart is a winner all the way. The film has been rereleased as Walk Me to the Distance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Cassidy, Frances Sternhagen, (more)
When a bodacious doctor assists a married sex researcher in the lab, they begin an affair that she seems to grow obsessed with. Before long, the regretful man realizes that he has snagged a psychopathic nymph who would rather kill him than give him up to his wife. If not already apparent: there is a bit of sexual content in this suspense film. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marc Singer, Lisa Pescia, (more)
- 1987
The docudrama Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8, relates the story of the trial that resulted from the riots that broke out in Chicago during the 1968 Democratic Convention. The majority of the dialogue has been taken directly from court records and archival footage. Michael Lembeck plays the boisterous prankster Abbie Hoffman, who was certainly the most entertaining of the defendants. The main victim of his pranks is Judge Hoffman (David Opatoshu), whose stoic attitude is constantly challenged by the outrageous behavior of the defendants. The cast includes Barry Miller as Jerry Rubin, Robert Carradine as Rennie Davis, Robert Loggia as defense attorney William Hunstler, and other famous politically active actors like Peter Boyle and Martin Sheen. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 1986
- R
- Add Friday the 13th, Part VI: Jason Lives to QueueAdd Friday the 13th, Part VI: Jason Lives to top of Queue
This impressive entry in the popular horror series brings back the relentless killer Jason Voorhees, this time as a supernatural zombie. Tommy Jarvis, now played by Thom Matthews, accidentally resurrects Jason when he impales the killer's corpse with a metal pole during a lightning storm. Numerous murders follow, beginning with Tommy's friend (Ron Palillo) having his heart torn out of his chest by the zombie killer. Implicated in the crimes by a mean-spirited sheriff (David Kagen), Tommy is freed from jail by the sheriff's daughter, spunky Megan (Jennifer Cooke). The cast converges on Camp Crystal Lake, which has been renamed "Camp Forest Green" by superstitious locals, in time for Tommy to send Jason back to the bottom of the lake, if only temporarily. Harry Manfredini's score is among his best, and the makeup by Martin Becker, Gabe Bartalos, R. Chris Biggs, and others is outstanding. Cooke makes an appealing heroine as Megan, although Matthews' Tommy has lost the interesting mental disturbances of previous entries and becomes just another bland hero. Tom McLoughlin's direction is effective, and the film has a memorably funny supporting turn by Bob Larkin as a grumpy drunken caretaker. Alice Cooper sings the title song, "He's Back (The Man Behind the Mask)." Although no classic, this is a solid horror film with a witty script and engaging characters. Jason would rise again to face a telekinetic teen in the disappointing Friday the 13th, Part VII: The New Blood. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jennifer C. Cooke, David Kagen, (more)
- 1986
Using the defective of a Russian ballet dancer as a subterfuge, Soviet intelligence agent Shasta Kovich (William Smith) hires the A-Team to locate and neutralize renegade Russian officer Pedavich (Gene Scherer). Aided by a group of American "Com-symps", Pedavich is planning to set off World War III a stolen satellite doomsday device. So vital is this mission that Hannibal (George Peppard) begs the assistance of his nemesis Gen. Fullbright (Jack Ging)--who agrees to help, but only if the A-Team will surrender to him once the job is done! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
