Ethan Cohn Movies
This adaptation of Ayn Rand's 1957 objectivist novel Atlas Shrugged tells the first installment in the story of a dystopian future in which a collectivist society has forced the great thinkers of the world to go on strike, leaving the functioning world without scientists, engineers, philosophers, or artists. Set against this stark backdrop, a railroad heiress named Dagny Taggart tries to bring her failing company back from the brink with the development of a new alloy to repair breaks in the lines, and hopefully calm the business' vital corporate partnership with an oil company. But with the endless bureaucracy of an evil and corrupt government fighting her at every turn, and her own inept brother battling her for control, Dagny soon finds that in order to set things right in her world, things must be set right in the world at large. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Taylor Schilling, Grant Bowler, (more)
The old saying about "this is where the rubber meets the road" takes on a new and sinister meaning in this black comedy from filmmaker Quentin Dupieux. An old tire appears in a California desert, and under its own power it begins rolling down the road, stopping and starting as it pleases. The notion that the tire can operate under its own power isn't half as remarkable as its other talent -- the tire has telekinetic abilities and can make things explode at will, including human heads. The evil tire goes on a killing spree after its affections for a beautiful woman (Roxane Mesquida) are thwarted, and local lawman Lt. Chad (Stephen Spinella) steps forward to investigate. Meanwhile, a handful of people aware of the tire and its actions are watching it from a safe distance until they're poisoned by a mysterious villain; one of them (Wings Hauser) manages to survive, and is looking for some revenge of his own. Rubber was an official selection at the 2010 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Stephen Spinella, Jack Plotnick, (more)
- 2010
- PG
Director Tim Burton and screenwriter Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King) team up to deliver this visually dazzling take on the classic Lewis Carroll tale. Nineteen-year-old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) is attending party at a lavish country estate when she sees a white rabbit with a pocket watch dart into the bushes. Curious, she follows the rabbit to an enormous tree, and tumbles down a hole that takes her to Underland, a strange world inhabited by anthropomorphic creatures in search of someone to save them from the dreaded Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), who has assumed control of the kingdom by decapitating anyone who dares disagree with her. According to a scroll detailing a historical timeline of Underland -- including events that have not yet taken place -- it is Alice who will set the kingdom free by defeating the Jabberwocky, a powerful dragon-like creature under the control of the Red Queen. But is this Alice the same Alice who appears in the scroll? While some of the creatures of Underland have their doubts, the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) and his friends are certain she's the same girl who previously visited them years ago. When the Red Queen kidnaps the Mad Hatter, Alice attempts to free her friend and locate the one weapon with the power to slay the Jabberwocky, thereby restoring the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) to the throne, and bringing peace back to Underland. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, (more)
Das Experiment screenwriter Mario Giordano works with writer/director Paul Scheuring to craft this remake based on the notorious Stanford Prison Experiment. A team of scientists are conducting a psychological experiment that requires the participation of 20 subjects. The rules are simple: one group of subjects will be assigned the role of prison guards, while the others will be assigned the role of inmates. Though the guards are specifically instructed to maintain order without the use of force, no one is prepared for what happens when mutiny erupts, and civility erodes. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Adrien Brody, Forest Whitaker, (more)
Director Tim Burton and screenwriter Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King) team up to deliver this visually dazzling take on the classic Lewis Carroll tale. Nineteen-year-old Alice (Mia Wasikowska) is attending party at a lavish country estate when she sees a white rabbit with a pocket watch dart into the bushes. Curious, she follows the rabbit to an enormous tree, and tumbles down a hole that takes her to Underland, a strange world inhabited by anthropomorphic creatures in search of someone to save them from the dreaded Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter), who has assumed control of the kingdom by decapitating anyone who dares disagree with her. According to a scroll detailing a historical timeline of Underland -- including events that have not yet taken place -- it is Alice who will set the kingdom free by defeating the Jabberwocky, a powerful dragon-like creature under the control of the Red Queen. But is this Alice the same Alice who appears in the scroll? While some of the creatures of Underland have their doubts, the Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) and his friends are certain she's the same girl who previously visited them years ago. When the Red Queen kidnaps the Mad Hatter, Alice attempts to free her friend and locate the one weapon with the power to slay the Jabberwocky, thereby restoring the White Queen (Anne Hathaway) to the throne, and bringing peace back to Underland. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, (more)
A handful of strangers living on the edge of Los Angeles' sex industry share a terrible secret in this psychological drama. Jimmy (Paul Ben-Victor) is a small-time kingpin in California's underground sleaze empire, and he runs a strip club and peep-show arcade where Tara (Angela Sarafyan) displays her body for paying customers. Tara is working off a sizable debt to Jimmy, and her boyfriend, Jaron (Josh Janowicz), meets with Jimmy's business partner Uncle Lou (Marcus Giamatti) to find out what it would cost to clear her bill. Eager to make some fast money to pay off Jimmy, Jaron teams up with Balery (Brittany Snow), a hooker who wants to get even with an abusive regular customer. One of Jimmy's more unlikely colleagues is Mr. Garrett (Eddie Jemison), a high-school teacher who learns that two of his students, Courtney (Chloe Domont) and Melody (Candice Accola), are attracted to him. Garrett decides to introduce the girls to Jimmy, who wants to lure them into a career in pornographic modeling. And Wes (Clayne Crawford) is a self-centered musician whose career has yet to take off; needing money, he allows his girlfriend, Chantel (Shanna Collins), to earn their keep by working as a streetwalker. Also starring Theresa Russell and James Russo, On the Doll was the first feature film from director Thomas Mignone, who previously distinguished himself making music videos. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Brittany Snow
- 2007
Returning from London, Rory (Alexis Bledel) has a belated Christmas holiday with her family (cue the snow!) Unfortunately, her mind is still on her strained friendship with Lucy, who now "knows all" about her boyfriend Marty's previous relationship with Rory. Meanwhile, Luke (Scott Patterson), still locked in a custody battle over his daughter April (Vanessa Marano), asks Lorelei (Lauren Graham) to write him a character reference--which proves to be yet another wake-up call for Lorelai regarding her not-so-dormant feelings about her former fiance. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
M. Night Shyamalan writes and directs this self-proclaimed, grown-up "bedtime story" about an apartment building superintendent named Cleveland (Paul Giamatti) who discovers a magical sea-nymph named Story (Bryce Dallas Howard) who's been transported to this world and is living in the building's own swimming pool. As this bizarre revelation sinks in, Cleveland becomes enraptured by her other-worldly charm. As he shelters her in his apartment, other inhabitants of the building begin falling into place as representations of characters from an Eastern myth in which these mermaids, or "narfs," co-exist unhappily with more beastly and violent characters. In human reality, the forces of darkness that threaten the heroes of a fairy tale prove to be much more terrifying, and the victory of good over evil is by no means guaranteed. Jeffery Wright, Jared Harris and Mary Beth Hurt co-star, as well as Shyamalan himself, playing the visionary writer Vick. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Paul Giamatti, Bryce Dallas Howard, (more)
- 2005
Although Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Luke (Scott Patterson) have split up, the two quarrelling sweethearts are forced into close proximity by a high-school production of Fiddler on the Roof, for which Luke is building sets and Lorelai is sewing costumes. Meanwhile at Yale, Logan (Matt Czuchry) invites Rory (Alexis Bledel) to dinner with his friends; will she accept, or will she choose instead to spend her time watching Marx Brothers movies with Marty (Wayne Wilcox)? Oh, and did we mention that the mercurial Kirk (Sean Gunn) has gotten himself "married" to a ten-year-old? (It sounds far worse than it is.) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2004
Richard (Edward Herrmann) is devastated when his mother Trix unexpectedly dies (though Marion Ross quickly returns to the series in the new role of cousin Marilyn), but this pales in comparison to Emily's (Kelly Bishop) reaction upon unearthing evidence of how truly and deeply Trix despised her. With her parents in no condition to think straight, it falls to Lorelai (Lauren Graham) to plan the funeral, right down to selecting the guest of honor's underwear. Meanwhile, Luke (Scott Patterson) finds it impossible to keep his problems to himself -- and is rapidly losing customers as a result. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2004
Paris (Liza Weil) launches a romance with the much older professor Fleming (Michael York), a fact that may adversely affect her future at the Yale Daily News; and later, the paper's editor Doyle (Danny Strong) goes ballistic without explanation. Back in Stars Hollow, Lorelai receives more information than she cares to deal with when she spends an evening with Jason (Christopher Eigeman) at his apartment. Luke (Scott Patterson) books Lane (Keiko Agena) and her band for a gig. And disaster reigns supreme when the imperious Michel (Yanic Truesdale) babysits for Sookie's son, Davey. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2004
While spending spring break in Florida, Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Paris (Liza Weil) are unexpectedly reunited with their former Chilton classmates Louise Grant (Teal Redmann) and Madeline Lynn (Shelley Cole), both seasoned veterans of the traditional student bash. Back in chilly Stars Hollow, Jason (Christopher Eigeman) surprises Lorelai (Lauren Graham) with a token of his affection, even as Luke (Scott Patterson) is in sight of a final breakup with Nicole. But it's not a friendly breakup -- "breakup" being literally the case when Luke takes revenge upon Nicole's newest sweetie and ends up in jail as a result. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2004
Richard (Edward Herrmann) wants to reconcile with Floyd Stiles (Lawrence Pressman), father of his business partner Jason (Christopher Eigeman), but this proves difficult for two reasons: Richard now knows of the relationship between Jason and Lorelai (Lauren Graham), and Floyd intends to sue both Richard and his own son for stealing his clients. Meanwhile, Rory (Alexis Bledel) blows her top when she learns that Dean (Jared Padalecki) has no intention of continuing his education. And Dean's wife Lindsay (Arielle Kebbel) finally figures out that her husband's heart still belongs to Rory. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2004
Newly divorced, Luke (Scott Patterson) realizes with startling suddenness that there is only one woman in the world for him (guess who?) Elsewhere, Rory (Alexis Bledel) worries that she might be the cause of the disintegrating marriage of Dean and Lindsay. Luke's daffy sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) and her oafish beau T.J. (Michael DeLuise) decide to tie the knot in Stars Hollow. And when Professor Fleming (Michael York) is rushed to the E.R. with chest pains, Paris (Liza Weil) begins to question the wisdom of continuing her romance with him -- not so much because of the difference in ages, but because she appears to be the latest in a long line of casual campus affairs for the good professor. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2004
Lorelai (Lauren Graham) finally discovers how Luke truly feels about her -- and vice versa -- while both attending his sister Liz's (Kathleen Wilhoite) Renaissance-themed wedding. In other developments, when her date abandons her at a boozy party, Rory (Alexis Bledel) accepts a ride home from her ex-boyfriend Dean (Jared Padalecki), thereby infuriating Jess (Milo Ventimiglia). Lane (Keiko Agena) is paid a visit by her estranged mom (Emily Kuroda) -- a visit that ends as abruptly as it begins. Emily (Kelly Bishop) is hesitant about admitting to Lorelai that Richard (Edward Herrmann) has left her. And Paris (Liza Weil) prepares to fly off to England...but not alone. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2004
Lorelai (Lauren Graham) is so preoccupied with getting the Dragonfly up and running, and Rory (Alexis Bledel) is so busy trying to catch up with her college class work, that the two Gilmores keep missing each other on the phone. Nor is this the only problem facing the main characters in this episode: for example, Lorelai's dad Richard (Edward Herrmann) is shocked when his mother Trix (Marion Ross) suddenly treats him as disdainfully as she does his wife, Emily (Kelly Bishop). And having been kicked out of her own house, Lane (Keiko Agena) is making a total nuisance of herself on the Yale campus. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2004
Author Norman Mailer shows up at the Dragonfly Inn accompanied by an interviewer (played by Mailer's son Stephen Mailer), throwing Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) into a tizzy when he seems to reject her cooking. But Sookie would have been hard to deal with under any circumstances; she's just found out she's pregnant again. In other developments, Rory (Alexis Bledel) prepares to write what she hopes will be an inspirational article about a super-secret Yale society for the college newspaper; and Rory's dad Christopher (David Sutcliffe) once again enters the life of Lorelai (Lauren Graham) -- and once again bearing news of great importance. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2003
To help pay for the Dragonfly Inn, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) set up a catering service, enduring a hellish initiation by agreeing to handle a Lord of the Rings party for a group of surly kids. Meanwhile, Richard (Edward Herrmann) receives a surprising business proposal from young Jason Stiles (Christopher Eigeman, in his first series appearance), the son of an old friend and associate. And at Yale, Rory (Alexis Bledel) copes with the party-animal instincts of Paris (Liza Weil) and the well-meaning interference of grandma Emily (Kelly Bishop). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2003
Strapped for cash, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) reluctantly accepts a job from her mother Emily (Kelly Bishop), agreeing to cater the launch party for dad Richard's new business venture. Unfortunately, Emily proves to be as impossible an employer as she is a parent -- and to top it off, the party is scuttled by Richard's new partner Jason (Christopher Eigeman), in favor of a wild Atlantic City bash. Elsewhere, Kirk (Sean Gunn) stages a "test-run" for his date with Lulu (Rini Bell), his brother's former girlfriend; and Rory (Alexis Bledel) is having difficulty keeping up with her studies, thanks to her irksome roommates. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2003
Lorelei (Lauren Graham) is none too thrilled to find out that her interior decorator was previously hired by Emily (Kelly Bishop). Luke (Scott Patterson) adjusts himself to the rules of the Gilmores' "movie night" (Casablanca is the main attraction, as indicated by the episode's title), even as Lorelei tussles with Luke's cell-phone policy. Meanwhile at Yale, Paris (Liza Weil) squares off against her highly antisocial roomie Janet (Katie Walder); and, still unable to get over her breakup with Jess, Rory (Alexis Bledel) impulsively decides to date a guy who doesn't appeal to her at all. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
