Sarah Shahi Movies
Though she qualifies as a direct descendant of Middle Eastern royalty -- the great-great-grandaughter, in fact, of a 19th century Persian shah -- Iranian-American Sarah Shahi lived out several offscreen roles exotic enough to rival anything in her lineage. During her adolescence, she enjoyed stints as a USO performer and Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, and graduated from that experience to a successful Hollywood acting career at the behest of Robert Altman, who advised her in 2000 to make a beeline for the West Coast and audition for television pilots. Heeding this advice, Shahi gained national attention a short time later, as Jenny during the first season of the spy series Alias (opposite Jennifer Garner), and -- following guest appearances on Dawson's Creek -- debuted cinematically with a small but memorable role as a (very) willing classroom participant, in the Will Ferrell/Vince Vaughn frat boy comedy Old School (2003). Alongside fleeting appearances in such movies as Legally Blonde 2 (2003) and For Your Consideration (2006), Shahi also played the regular role of Carmen de la Pica Morales on Showtime's lesbian-themed drama The L Word during that program's second and third seasons. After her run on that series, she appeared in the short-lived sitcom Teachers (2006), and then found another regular role the next year on the cop drama Life, playing Dani Reese, partner of main character Charlie Crews (Damian Lewis). ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Mockumentary mastermind Christopher Guest turns his satirical eye away from dog shows, small-town theater, and folk music to offer a hilarious take on Hollywood award season in this comedy focusing on trio of actors whose lives are turned upside down when they discover that their performances in an independent film are generating a sizable buzz in the entertainment industry. Jay Berman (Guest) is in the process of directing his first feature film -- an intimate family drama set in the 1940s and detailing the tempestuous reunion of an estranged Jewish family that is reluctantly drawn together to celebrate Purim at the behest of their dying matriarch. The cast soon comes down with an infectious case of award fever when rumors on the Internet claim that "Purim" stars Marilyn Hack (Catherine O' Hara), Victor Allan Miller (Harry Shearer), and Callie Webb (Parker Posey) may be delivering Oscar-caliber performances. When "Hollywood Now" co-anchors Chuck Porter (Fred Willard) and Cindy Martin (Jane Lynch) perpetuate the buzz on national television, the entire film crew starts to see stars in their eyes. Subsequently convinced that they have a sleeper hit on their hands, unit publicist Corey Taft (John Michael Higgins), talent agent Morley Orfkin (Eugene Levy), and producer Whitney Taylor Brown (Jennifer Coolidge) immediately cave to requests from Sunfish Classics president Martin Gibb (Ricky Gervais) to alter the film so that it may appeal to a larger audience. Now, while "Purim" screenwriters Lane Iverson (Michael McKean) and Philip Koontz (Bob Balaban) are forced to watch helplessly as their original screenplay is plundered in order to cash in on the positive buzz, awards season draws near and the production takes a most unexpected turn. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Balaban, Jennifer Coolidge, (more)
The third season of the hit show, The L Word, follows a group of friends - both gay and straight - through stories of career, family, inner struggle, friendship and romantic relationships. Stars Jennifer Beals, Erin Daniels, Leisha Hailey, Laurel Holloman, Mia Kirshner, Katherine Moennig, Sarah Shahi, Rachel Shelley and Pam Grier.
- Starring:
- Jennifer Beals, Laurel Holloman, (more)
- 2006
The NBC sitcom Teachers was based on the British comedy series of the same name, which first aired in the U.K. in 2001. Whereas the British series was set in Summerdown School in Bristol, the American edition of Teachers took place at Fillmore Middle School in New Jersey. In both cases, the schools were less than prestigious, weighed down by apathetic instructors, "don't give a damn" students, ridiculous and self-defeating rules and regulations, mediocre-to-poor facilities, and miles and miles of bureaucratic red tape. The American Teachers starred Justin Bartha as English teacher Jeff Cahill, a Kotteresque wise guy and iconoclast who eagerly did battle against the educational establishment -- and sometimes his fellow teachers -- in hopes of helping those few students who really cared about learning something to reach their full potential. Sarah Alexander co-starred as Alice, a former Fillmore student who, in a burst of idealism, had returned as a teacher, and for whom Jeff carried a torch. The rest of the cast included Deon Richmond as Calvin Babbet, the school's drama teacher and Jeff's best friend; radio talk-show host Phil Hendrie as the all-but-burned-out veteran teacher Dick; Sarah Shahi as hot new "sub" teacher Tina; Matt Winston as the wheedling, sycophantic instructor Mitch; and Kali Rocha as Fillmore's ineffectual, p.c.-obsessed principal Ms. Wiggins. Executive-produced by reliable sitcom hands Matt Tarses and Bill Wrubel, Teachers debuted March 28, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Justin Bartha, Sarah Alexander, (more)
Two friends who've convinced themselves they would never make a good couple discover they might just be wrong in this romantic comedy. Oliver (Ashton Kutcher) and Emily (Amanda Peet) first met when they were college students sharing a flight from California to New York; Emily spontaneously seduced Oliver on the plane, and they spent the next few days together in the city. When they parted, however, Emily decided not to pursue a relationship with Oliver, even though he was obviously interested. Over the next several years, circumstances kept putting them in one another's paths, and over the years Oliver and Emily became close friends and confidantes. Both are still certain, though, that they're entirely wrong for each other on a romantic level. However, after nearly a decade, with both Oliver and Emily edging into their thirties, they begin to wonder if they've allowed a great opportunity to pass them by. A Lot Like Love also stars Kathryn Hahn, Ali Larter, and Kal Penn. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ashton Kutcher, Amanda Peet, (more)
Season two of Showtime's lesbian-oriented seriocomedy series The L Word finds the formerly blissful relationship between control-freak Bette (Jennifer Beals) and supplicative Tina (Laurel Holloman) on hiatus due to Bette's infidelity, with Tina hiding the fact that she is once again pregnant. Having come out of the closet, Jenny (Mia Kirshner) splits with her husband, Tim (Eric Mabius). Wisecracking Alice (Leisha Hailey) and hyper-defensive Dana (Erin Daniels), who is engaged to her new manager, Tonya (Meredith McGeachie), try to hide their affair from their tongue-clucking friends. And the footloose Shane (Katherine Moennig) avoids getting serious with seductive deejay Carmen (Sarah Shahi), despite secretly harboring feelings for her. In other developments, Bette's straight half sister, Kit (Pam Grier), opens up her own nightclub, The Planet, and urges Bette to mend fences with their father, Melvin (Emmy nominee Ossie Davis), who is dying. Tina, who is disenchanted with Bette, nonetheless enters into a relationship with another domineering woman, Helena (Rachel Shelley), the daughter of influential philanthropist Peggy Peabody (Holland Taylor) and a professional rival of Bette. Jenny begins to date Carmen, thereby unintentionally cultivating Shane's jealousy. And a number of surprises are in store for certain of the characters as the 2005 Gay Pride Festival. The season ends with a funeral, Tina's painful labor throes, and various piquant moments of truth for Bette, Jenny, and Alice. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jennifer Beals, Laurel Holloman, (more)
- 2003
A misdelivered letter has Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) obsessing over an exclusive getaway spa. The brothers know the name of the spa but not the location and are determined to find out. This situation culminates in a mad scheme wherein Niles impersonates Frasier's testy neighbor, Cal. Meanwhile, a chance remark by Daphne (Jane Leeves) puts a crimp in Martin's (John Mahoney) leisure activities. Co-star David Hyde Pierce was injured while filming this episode, but you'd never know it. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hal Sparks, Sarah Shahi, (more)
Three men relive their carefree college years by killing off as many brain cells as possible in this over-the-top comedy. Mitch (Luke Wilson) returns home from a less-than-pleasant business trip one evening to discover his wife, Heidi (Juliette Lewis), involved in a ménage à trois with two blindfolded strangers. Feeling less than welcome at home after this, Mitch rents a house near the campus of a nearby college; two of Mitch's old college buddies, Beanie (Vince Vaughn) and Frank (Will Ferrell), stop by to cheer him up. They soon become regular guests at Mitch's place, despite the fact that Frank only recently wed Marissa (Perrey Reeves), while Beanie and his wife, Lara (Leah Remini), are busy with two kids. Beanie decides to throw a housewarming party for Mitch, and since Beanie sells audio equipment for a living, he's able to trick out the big bash with a massive PA system and an appearance by Snoop Dogg. Mitch soon finds he's the not-entirely-willing proprietor of the school's leading party spot, which raises the ire of Pritchard (Jeremy Piven), a dean at the college who was the target of Mitch, Frank, and Beanie's abuse when they were all students. Pritchard arranges to have Mitch's neighborhood zoned into a student housing district, but Beanie and Frank respond by forming a fraternity and making Mitch's home their headquarters. Mitch, however, is not enthusiastic about the idea, especially as he's trying to impress Nicole (Ellen Pompeo), a beautiful divorcee who is less than enchanted with Frank and Beanie's "party hearty" lifestyle. Old School director Todd Phillips knows more than a bit about the seamy side of fraternity life as director of the infamous unreleased documentary Frat House. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Luke Wilson, Will Ferrell, (more)
- 2003
- PG13
- Add Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde to QueueAdd Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde to top of Queue
Taking home a paycheck that nearly rivals the budget of the first film, Reese Witherspoon reprises the role of Elle Woods in this sequel to 2001's surprise blockbuster Legally Blonde. When she's fired from her job at an upscale law firm for voicing her stance against the testing of cosmetics on animals, Elle heads to Capitol Hill to fight for her cause before Congress, leaving her boyfriend, Emmett (Luke Wilson, reprising his role from the film's predecessor), behind. Once there, she runs into plenty of adversity and red-tape and can't seem to find anyone who will listen to her proposals. While staying at the Watergate hotel though, she meets and befriends an elderly bellman (Bob Newhart in his first theatrical role since 1997's In & Out) who's been around politicians long enough to know the ins and outs of the political machine. With his help, Elle attempts to convince disillusioned U.S. Representative Rudd (Sally Field) to help her get her voice heard in front of the stodgy old coots of the legislative branch. Directed by Charles Herman-Wurmfeld hot off the success of his critically acclaimed indie comedy Kissing Jessica Stein, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White and Blonde boasts a supporting cast led by Jennifer Coolidge (Best in Show, American Pie) and Regina King (Jerry Maguire, Daddy Day Care). ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Reese Witherspoon, Sally Field, (more)
- 2002
Hoping to get his hands on a vital missing page of the Rambaldi document -- and to beat the evil Mr. Sark (David Anders) and his confederates to the punch -- Vaughn (Michael Vartan) prevails upon Sydney (Jennifer Garner) to insinuate her way into the home of sinister SD-6 chieftain Sloane (Ron Rifkin). But Syd is none too keen on this assignment, since it will force her to take cruel advantage of her friendship with Sloane's terminally ill wife, Emily (Amy Irving, in her first series appearance). Meanwhile, Will continues his efforts to expose SD-6 to the public -- and must pay a terrible price in the process. Series producer/director Ken Olin appears unbilled as David McNeil. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
In this first episode of a two-part story, Sydney (Jennifer Garner) tries to come to terms with the revelation that her late mother, Laura, was a KGB assassin. This emotional upheaval, however, is forced to take a back seat when ex-SD-6 operative McKenas Cole (Quentin Tarantino), seeking revenge for having been betrayed by his own organization, captures the agency's Credit Dauphine headquarters. Cole intends to break into the headquarters' explosive-wired vault -- and give master torturer Sloane (Ron Rifkin) a brutal taste of his own medicine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Taking time off from tracking the terrorist who plans to blow up an international seminar in São Paulo, Sydney (Jennifer Garner) reluctant agrees to play private eye for her roommate, Francie (Merrin Dungey), who suspects that her boyfriend, Charlie (Evan Dexter Parke), is seeing another woman. Meanwhile, Syd's father, Jack (Victor Garber), grimly prepares to reveal a terrible secret to his daughter. And Will (Bradley Cooper) tries to unravel the mystery of "Kate Jones," the last person to see Syd's fiancé, David, alive. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Having learned that assassin Martin Shepard (John Hannah) is linked to her past and her mother's death, Sydney (Jennifer Garner) helps Shepard escape from a Bucharest mental asylum. Meanwhile, sinister SD-6 chieftain Sloane (Ron Rifkin) angrily vows to "make an example" of the as-yet-unknown mole in his organization, and Will (Bradley Cooper) discovers the true identity of the elusive "Kate Jones" -- too late to do him, or her, any good. On the brighter side, Charlie (Evan Dexter Parke) tries to make amends to his fiancée, Francie (Merrin Dungey), with a Thanksgiving dinner to end all Thanksgiving dinners. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
While still dealing with personal matters (mainly the trials and tribulations of her best friend, Francie [Merrin Dungey], and Francie's faithless fiancé), Sydney (Jennifer Garner) heads to a Bucharest mental hospital, where she poses as a patient to prevent an assassination. The murderer-to-be, Martin Shepard (John Hannah), has been programmed to kill and is unable to stop himself. Meanwhile, Will (Bradley Cooper) continues to look for the elusive "Kate Jones" in his quest to solve the murder of Danny; new and disturbing information surfaces regarding the fatal automobile "accident" that claimed the life of Sydney's mother; and nerdish SD-6 tech expert, Marshall (Kevin Weisman), figures out that there's a mole in the organization. (Does this mean curtains for Syd's CIA contact, Vaughn [Michael Vartan]?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Her cover blown, Sydney (Jennifer Garner) is trapped in an SD-6 torture chamber by the sinister Sloane (Ron Rifkin), who has arranged an elaborate -- and very painful -- charade in order to coerce a confession from her. Sydney's dad, Jack (Victor Garber), must convince Sloane that she is still loyal to SD-6, but this plan may cost Jack his own life. And amidst all of this melodrama, at least one of the series' characters remembers that Christmas is coming soon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Realizing that her secret-agent father, Jack (Victor Garber), is connected with the murder of her fiancé, Danny, Sydney (Jennifer Garner) agrees to work hand in glove with the CIA as a double agent, to bring down her present employers at SD-6 once and for all. Sydney's first counterespionage assignment involves locating a missing nuclear device and a deadly arms dealer named Anini Hassan (Aharon Ipalé). Elsewhere, Sydney's journalist friend, Will (Bradley Cooper), begins to suspect that she is involved in something other than your average "outside job," while her CIA connection, Vaughn (Michael Vartan), makes a potentially apocalyptic mistake. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
