Michael Schultz Movies
After undergraduate work at the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University, Milwaukee's own Michael Schultz attended Princeton, where in 1966 he directed his first play, Waiting for Godot. Schultz joined the Negro Ensemble Company in 1968, which brought him to Broadway in 1969. His breakthrough production was To Be Young, Gifted, and Black, which he restaged for television in 1971. Schultz' earliest film projects combined low comedy with profound social comment (Honeybaby, Honeybaby, Cooley High). Eventually, Schultz would concentrate on such pure-entertainment projects as Car Wash (1976) and Which Way is Up? (1977). He managed to survive the potential career-killer Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1978), continuing to churn out brainless but profitable efforts like Scavenger Hunt (1979) and Disorderlies (1987). As of late, Michael Schultz has been busier on television than in films, piloting episodes of such style-conscious series as Young Indiana Jones and Picket Fences, as well as an abundance of made-for-TV movies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 2006
Just before Christopher (David Sutcliffe) is to join Lorelei (Lauren Graham) for Friday Night Dinner at her parents' house, the couple has a bitter quarrel over Christopher's daughter GiGi (Nicolette Collier). In her usual inimitable manner, however, Lorelai's mother Emily (Kelly Bishop) chooses to ignore how thick the air is at the dinner table. As for Lorelai's own daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel), her reunion with Logan (Matt Czuchry) is a lot less fond than she'd anticipated, thanks to the presence of Logan's sexy new coworker. And elsewhere in Stars Hollow, Taylor (Michael Winters) alienates everyone (again!) by refusing to do anything about a malodorous trainload of spoiled pickles that has derailed just outside of town. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2006
Characterized by many observers as a somewhat down-and-dirtier The O.C., the weekly, hour-long drama series South Beach starred Marcus Coloma as Matt and Chris Johnson as Vincent, two Brooklyn buddies who relocated to South Beach, Miami in hopes of bettering their prospects. Matt was running away from family problems, while Vince seemed to be running away from life itself. Through the auspices of Matt's ruthlessly ambitious former girlfriend Arielle (Odette Yustman), our two heroes get themselves enmeshed in the cutthroat world of professional modeling. Much of the action took place in the upscale Hotel Soleil, owned by Elizabeth Bauer (Vanessa L. Williams), the somewhat contentious mother of Alex Bauer (Lee Thompson Young), who ran the trendy Nocturnal club where Matt and Vincent hung out. Also oiling his way through the proceedings was Robert Fuentes (Giancarlo Esposito), a self-styled "venture capitalist" with strong mob ties. South Beach premiered January 11, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vanessa Williams, Marcus Coloma, (more)
One woman's odyssey through a hellish life of sexual abuse, drug addiction, and crime is resolved in faith in this tough but inspiring drama based on a true story documented by evangelist Bishop T.D. Jakes. Michelle Jordan (Kimberly Elise) was raised by a single mother, Cassie (Loretta Devine), who became involved with a cruel and opportunistic man named Reggie (Clifton Powell). Reggie began displaying an inappropriate interest in Michelle when she was only eight, and at 12 he began violating her on a regular basis. Stung by her mother's denials of Reggie's wrongdoings, Michelle ran away from home and ended up on a dead-end road of drug abuse and prostitution, which led to a stretch in prison for murder. While behind bars, Michelle hears of the teachings of Bishop T.D. Jakes and his work with abused women, and writes the noted preacher in hopes of someday meeting him. To her surprise, Jakes (who plays himself) pays her a visit, and as she shares with him the story of her blighted life, she takes the first steps on the road to emotional and spiritual recovery. Jakes arranges for Michelle to have a three-day furlough from prison so she can attend a revival he's hosting in the area; opting to stay in a half-way house rather than see Cassie and Reggie, Michelle reconnects with many of her old friends during her three days of freedom, including former stripper Nicole (Idalis de Leon), childhood friend and hairdresser Twana (Debbi Morgan), and former boyfriend Todd (Michael Boatman). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine, (more)
- 2003
Bound by the rules of the Confessional, elderly priest Father Madden (Charles Durning) is unable to turn in the person who has tipped him off about a planned bank robbery. The only person who could help the Father solve his dilemma is angel Gloria (Valerie Bertinelli), but he refuses to believe she's whom she claims to be. Ultimately, Gloria and her fellow Heavenly emissaries--including Angel of Death Adam (Charles Rocket) in a return appearance--must infiltrate both the robbers and the cops in order to prevent a horrible tragedy. . .and, incidentally, to reunite two long-estranged brothers. This is the only episode in which series star Roma Downey does not appear. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
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A rare original movie offering from the UPN network, What About Your Friends: Weekend Get-Away focuses on three high school girls: aspiring singer Temple (Keshia Knight Pulliam) and her lifelong friends Alex (Angell Conwell) and Breena (Monica McSwain). Attending a weekend college-scholarship retreat, the three heroines endeavor to gain financial support for their chosen academic fields. Along the way, Temple squares off against longtime rival Doreen (Alexis Fields), Alex is distracted by a handsome frat boy, and Breena tries to prove that she's a lot more mature than her hip-hop image. The film originally aired on May 31, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keshia Knight Pulliam, Angell Conwell, (more)
This two-hour TV movie served as a reunion for the cast of L.A. Law, a popular NBC legal series which originally aired from 1987 to 1994. Virtually all of the series' regulars were back on the job, with the noteworthy exception of Jimmy Smits. Most of the story takes place within the walls of the high-powered McKenzie-Brackman legal firm, which since the retirement of Leland McKenzie (Richard A. Dysart) had been controlled by the rule-bound Douglas Brackman (Alan Rachins). The main plot strand zeroes in on lawyer Michael Kuzak (Harry Hamlin), who in his efforts to save a former client from execution is pitted against his former partner -- and lover -- Judge Grace Van Owen (Susan Dey). Meanwhile, legal eagle Arnie Becker (Corbin Bernsen) is in the throes of a divorce action brought about by his wife (and ex-colleague) Abby Perkins (Michelle Greene); attorneys Stuart Markowitz (Michael Tucker) and Ann Kelsey (Jill Eikenberry) are being defrauded out of their life savings; and Roxanne Melman (Susan Ruttan) copes with the imminent death of her ailing ex-husband. Known variously as L.A. Law: The Movie and L.A. Law: Return to Justice, the film was telecast by NBC on May 12, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
While mourning the death of their sister Prue, Charmed Ones Piper and Phoebe Halliwell (Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano) are surprised by a visit from their mother, Patty (Finola Hughes) -- and even more surprising by the news Patty has brought them. It seems the girls have a half sister whom they have never met: Paige Matthews (Rose McGowan), the daughter of Patty and her Whitelighter (guardian angel) Sam. Now, explains, Patty, the "Power of Three" remains intact, with Paige joining the Halliwell household for more benevolent witchery. This opening episode of Charmed's fourth season was originally telecast as a single two-hour program; it has since been divided into a pair of one-hour shows for syndication. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Krause, Julian McMahon, (more)
- 2000
This year's Halloween assignment for Monica (Roma Downey), Tess (Della Reese) and Andrew (John Dye) is to save expectant parents Annie and Rick Higuerra (Karen Arroyave, Guillermo Diaz) from the clutches of Satan. Annie has already been approached at her place of business by a demonic young man named Dennis (Thomas Dekker), while cash-poor Rick is being tempted to stray from the fold by a sinister bookie named Cal (Jeremy Roberts). Inasmuch as the true identity of these two strangers is obvious from the start, one would think that the three angels would have no trouble thwarting their perennial foe...and one would be wrong! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A domestic drama that explores the dysfunctional dynamics at work beneath an affluent African-American family's veneer of ostensible perfection, Ritual stars Clarence Williams III as patriarch and former '60s student activist Leron Becker. While Becker refuses to believe that anything is wrong with his family, his wife Sylvia (Denise Nicholas) is an alcoholic who forsakes any domestic responsibilities for liquor. Her daughter Teresa (Angelle Brooks) has assumed Sylvia's duties, and fawns over her father with almost unnatural devotion. Meanwhile, son Mason (Shawn Michael Howard) has dropped out of college to "save" his family. Although he dotes upon his mother, Mason, who is gay, is constantly at odds with his father, who claims that Mason's sexuality stems from being a mama's boy. Tensions reach a breaking point when, on Mason's dime, Leron and Sylvia take a vacation to the Bahamas, leaving their son and daughter to duke it out for psychological supremacy in the family. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clarence Williams III, Denise Nicholas, (more)
- 2000
At a secret military base in the American desert, Dr. Harlan Jessup (Ron Perlman) is charge of the experimental "Operation Sandman", in which volunteer soldiers are injected with a new serum that will allow them to operate without sleep for days at a time. Led by senior NCO "Gunny" Riggins (Richard Tyson), the volunteers are trained in Virtual Reality scenarios pitting them against computer-generated terrorist. Midway through the three-week experiment, Captain Jean Farrell (Mary B. Ward) of Psy-Ops arrives to check out the volunteers and, hopefully, give them a clean bill of health so that funding for Operation Sandman will continue. Unfortunately, a few of the volunteers have been experiencing bizarre and terrifying side effects, which Jessup tries to sweep under the rug. But Jean cannot ignore the fact that on at least one occasion, a soldier has been killed by a weapon which doesn't exist! (Virtual Reality. Remember That. Virtual Reality. Real Important. Virtual Reality. Vital to the Plot. Virtual Reality.) When the made-for-TV Operation Sandman premiered on February 11, 2000, the UPN network heavily promoted the appearance of pro wrestler Hardcore Holly--who is bumped off in the first reel! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Diagnosed with terminal cancer, Chicago attorney Susan Morton (Nancy Travis) returns to her home town of California to wait out her final months. She also brings along her 11-year-old daughter Carson (Jamie Renee Smith), in hopes of finding a good home for the girl when the time comes. Unexpectedly, Susan falls in love with Michael Blake (Scott Bairstow), a much-younger busboy; alas, faced with the prospect of "instant" fatherhood, Michael breaks off the engagement. With nowhere else to turn, Susan entrusts Carson's future with her own elderly parents (James Karen, Holland Taylor)...and then Michael returns. Orginally telecast by ABC on January 25, 1999, My Last Love has since been rerun on the Lifetime cable channel as To Live For. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
In this taut drama, a father fights to save his family from the desperate bank robbers who have taken over his newly acquired country home. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mario Van Peebles, Holly Robinson Peete, (more)
- 1997
Granted one hour by Andrew (John Dye) to set his affairs in order before his death, wealthy old Edward Greeley (John McMartin) uses the time he has left to straighten out his spoiled-rotten son Kevin (Charlie Schlatter). After Edward shuffles off his mortal coil, Kevin is shocked to learn that his dad has cut him out of his will. Enter angelic caseworker Tess (Della Reese) in the guise of a lawyer, informing Kevin that he must embark upon a cross-country odyssey in search of one Joseph Wells (whom he's never even heard of!) to claim his inheritance. Along the way, Kevin learns a few sobering life lessons from a philosophical dishwasher who looks a lot like Tess' supervisor Sam (Paul Winfield), and from no less than the Angel of Music, played by singer Keb' Mo'. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Rebelling against her overprotective mother Charlotte (Carol Lawrence), photographer Sara Perkins (Isabella Hofmann) accepts a dangerous assignment in war-torn Bosnia, with Monica (Roma Downey) tagging along as her assistant. Upon her return, Sara fully expects an angry reaction from her mother--but she doesn't expect Charlotte to violently assault her, earning a jail sentence as a result! As it turns out, there is a tragic explanation for Charlotte's irrational behavior--and a surprising explanation for Charlotte's determination to control her daughter's life. Meanwhile, Tess (Della Reese) spends her spare time in a highly mysterious fashion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
In this sequel to the second-season episode "The Feather", Randy Travis and Paul Wittenberg return respectively as hard-bitten but likeable Sam and his mentally challenged younger brother Wayne. When Wayne accidentally breaks the angel for the brothers' Christmas tree, Sam generously offers to buy a new one, and heads into a blinding snowstorm. Hours pass, and Wayne becomes worried that his brother has met with an accident. He is comforted by the arrival of genuine angel Monica (Roma Downey), who mollifies his fears by recalling a similar crisis of faith that occurred to celebrated writer Mark Twain (John Cullum) in 1909. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Perplexed by his father's coldness after he returns from WWI, Indy reminisces about the adventures he had in Greece and Russia. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Originally telecast September 15, 1996, the third-season opener of Touched by an Angel is actually the pilot episode for the spinoff series Promised Land, which debuted two days later on September 17. Down in the dumps because she has failed her most recent assignment, Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey) is referred to the even more desperate plight of laid-off factory worker Russell Greene (Gerald McRaney). Suffering one setback after another, Russell thinks he has hit rock bottom when a promised job in his home town of Chicory Creek fails to materialize. But with the help of Monica and her angelic supervisor Tess, Russell and his family find a new purpose in life when they begin travelling throughout the country bringing help and hope to those less fortunate than themselves. In addition to Gerald McRaney, this episode serves to introduce the entire cast of Promised Land, including Wendy Phillips as Russell's wife Claire, Celeste Holm as his grandmother Hattie, Austin O'Brien and Sarah Schaub as his children Joshua and Dinah, Eddie Karr as his nephew Nathaniel, and Ossie Davis as philosophical family friend Erasmus Jones. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
During a glorious Southern California summer, high school student Benny King (Jermaine "Huggy" Hopkins) is doing time flipping burgers. Benny's father wants him to learn the work ethic, rather than have him sit around the house all summer, dreaming and writing. It's not surprising, then, that when his old friend Durrell (Brian Hooks) comes by with a more attractive alternative, Benny jumps at it. When his family goes on vacation, Benny borrows his father's Mercedes and heads on down to the beach with Durrell. They have told themselves that they are there to sell beach-goers cheap sunglasses, but they are really there to party and hit on the girls. Rap and hip-hop performer Coolio, playing himself, has a brief performance. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jermaine Hopkins, Brian Hooks, (more)
- 1996
Having shown up at the wrong house for her latest assignment, Monica (Roma Downey) innocently finds herself under arrest for drug possession--and when she insists that she is an angel, she ends up in a mental hospital. Monica's court-appointed lawyer Jake Stone (Joe Morton) is a cynical, athestic Vietnam veteran, whose lack of faith colors his attitude toward his client. Likewise having served a tour of duty in 'Nam is Monica's fellow inmate Claire (Cindy Williams)--who also claims to be an angel in disguise! This inspiring episode is a classic example of "what comes around, goes around"...but we don't know that until the very last scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This documentary offers viewers an in depth look at the world of hip-hop and rap music as it chronicles a diverse group of performers preparing to give a major concert at Philadelphia's Armory. Interspersed amongst the preparations are interviews with rappers past and present, looks at their personal lives, commentary on their significance and upon the music, and plenty of concert footage. Featured acts and performers include, Slick Rick, who has been imprisoned for second-degree murder; Snoop Doggy Dog and Tha Dogg Pound, Russell Simmons, Dr. Dre, B.I.G; Melle Mel, LL Cool J, Run-DMC, Da 5 Footaz, YNN and more. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Craig Mack, Dr. Dre, (more)
