Vincent Kartheiser Movies
A native of Minneapolis, MN, Vincent Kartheiser made a name for himself in the late '90s by choosing unlikely fare for an actor who, at the time, had just earned the right to drink legally. Making his screen debut in a bit role in the 1993 tearjerker Untamed Heart, opposite Marisa Tomei and Christian Slater, the blue-eyed, brown-haired Kartheiser subsequently found himself being cast in family fare, most memorably the action-adventure drama Alaska, in which he starred opposite Thora Birch and Charlton Heston (whose son directed the film). The film led to the leading role in the kiddie tech thriller Masterminds, which featured the young actor as a whiz kid who takes on an evil private-school headmaster, played by Patrick Stewart. Kartheiser's next role, however, would be his most defining in terms of establishing his range and presence. Tapped to play Bobby, a drug-addled, homeless street urchin in Larry Clark's Another Day in Paradise, a gritty look at the lives of a pseudo-family immersed in crime, Kartheiser rose to the challenge with a fearless, powerful performance, acting with such established pros as James Woods and Melanie Griffith. The film earned many accolades for the young actor, who then appeared in Strike! (later retitled All I Wanna Do), a barely released comedy set in a 1960s female boarding school. The film featured contemporaries Kirsten Dunst, Gaby Hoffmann, and Monica Keena, the last of whom was co-star of Kartheiser's next project, Crime & Punishment in Suburbia.Screened at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival, Crime & Punishment in Suburbia was a moody, updated take on Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment, set in a modern high school. Kartheiser played Vincent, a reticent teenager obsessed with a girl (Keena) who is slowly going over the edge. The film furthered his reputation as a daring performer uninterested in taking the safe route, a path many actors of Kartheiser's generation followed for higher visibility. After a few little-seen films, Kartheiser next turned up on the supernatural comedy drama series Angel in 2002. In a truly original role, he played Connor, the miraculous human son of vampires Darla (Julie Benz) and the titular Angel (David Boreanaz). Thanks to being reared in an alternate hell dimention, Connor had more than a few chips on his shoulder upon his return to L.A.; his adolescent angst and rebellion was one of the main focuses of the series' fourth season. Returning to film work, Kartheiser went on to star in the well-received coming-of-age drama Dandelion, which was shown at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Jason Clark, All Movie Guide
- 2002
The dark spell Angel (David Boreanaz) cast to force Sahjhan to materialize (see "Forgiving") has unexpected repercussions at the Hotel Hyperion. A client who visits the premises soon perishes after becoming grotesquely dehydrated and downing inhuman amounts of liquid. It turns out he's been infected by slug-like interdimensional parasites who impel their hosts to drink, drink, drink. When the incandescent little slitherers blanket the hotel, it's up to the gang to contain the contagion before all of Los Angeles becomes infected. As usual, it's Fred (Amy Acker) who falls prey to the monsters, leading boyfriend Gunn (J. August Richards) to make a difficult decision to save her. He enlists the help of the alienated Wesley (Alexis Denisof), who advises Gunn to cure Fred by simply feeding her a good, stiff, dehydrating drink of alcohol. Continuing to manifest new powers as a result of her half-demon transformation, Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) helps vanquish the slugs for good. Just then, another threat arrives through the vestigial interdimensional portal -- a teenaged warrior known as The Destroyer (Vincent Kartheiser) who calls Angel by an unexpected name: "Dad." Originally broadcast April 29, 2002, on the WB network, "The Price" marked season three, episode 19 of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Connor (Vincent Kartheiser) and Justine (Laurel Holloman) solemnly decapitate and burn Holtz's body. But the boy returns to the Hyperion Hotel and agrees to live there with his father. He urges Angel (David Boreanaz) to train him, secretly noting all of his dad's fighting tactics. They get the chance to battle side by side for real again when Wolfram & Hart's Linwood (John Rubinstein) launches an attack on the gang while they're at a drive-in, introducing Connor to the wonders of the cinema. Meanwhile, Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) experiences a vision that helps her realize that her feelings for Angel are stronger than she has yet realized. Her boyfriend, Groo (Mark Lutz), comes to the same realization and bids his princess farewell. The Host (Andy Hallett), too, decides to find his fortune elsewhere -- in his case, Las Vegas. Meanwhile, Wesley (Alexis Denisof) engages in a tart, emotionless tryst with evil lawyer Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov). A less cynical romance seems ready to blossom between Cordy and Angel when she arranges to meet him by the ocean to discuss her feelings with him. But on her way there, spirit guide Skip (David Denman -- see "Birthday") shows up and informs her that The Powers That Be have a new task for her on a higher plane. Cursing the Powers' timing, Cordelia accepts her responsibilities and ascends, glowing, into the sky. Meanwhile, Angel descends to the murky depths as crafty Connor shows up at the rendezvous spot and bests his dad in hand-to-hand combat, then welds him into a metal box and drops him into the ocean with a little help from the duplicitous Justine. Back at the hotel, Gunn (J. August Richards) and Fred (Amy Acker) can't help but wonder where everyone's gone. Originally broadcast May 20, 2002, on the WB network, "Tomorrow" marked season three, episode 22 -- the season finale -- of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
Following the acclaim for his 1995 Kids debut, Larry Clark directed this drug-crime drama, set in the Midwest of the '70s. Teen junkie Bobbie (Vincent Kartheiser) shares an apartment with his girlfriend Rosie (Natasha Gregson Wagner) and pal Danny (Branden Williams). Bobbie is injured during an encounter with a security guard but regains his health under the supervision of his dynamic drug-dealer uncle Mel (James Woods). After a successful robbery of speed from an out-of-town doctor's clinic, Bobby, Rosie, Mel, and Mel's melancholy gal Sid (Melanie Griffith) encounter gunplay in a drug deal gone sour. With Mel and Bobby both wounded, they retreat to the headquarters of a gun merchant known as the Reverend (James Otis). When Rosie loses her baby, she slips into a depression and more drug use. Mel recovers and begins planning another heist, but the group is beginning to unravel. Shown at 1998 film fests (Venice, Toronto). ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Woods, Melanie Griffith, (more)
- 2000
- R
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Recalling both The Postman Always Rings Twice (1946) and American Beauty (1999), this teen drama recounts the trials and tribulations of one very dysfunctional family. Roseanne Skolnik (Monica Keena) is a popular high school student who is dating Jimmy (James DeBello), the football captain. She also lives in a family where her embittered mother Maggie (Ellen Barkin) is plotting to murder Roseanne's violent drunken stepfather Fred (Michael Ironside). After a smashed Fred rapes her, Roseanne starts plotting her stepfather's demise too. She ropes her boyfriend into doing the deed, and soon she finds herself under arrest and on trial for the crime. With all of her friends shunning her, she confides in her creepy voyeuristic neighbor. This film was screened at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Monica Keena, Vincent Kartheiser, (more)
Independent filmmaker Mark Milgard makes his feature debut with the coming-of-age drama Dandelion, filmed on-location in Idaho. TV star Vincent Kartheiser plays Mason Mullich, a quiet sensitive boy living in a small town. His mother, Layla (Mare Winningham), is already overworked when his factory worker father, Luke (Arliss Howard), decides to run for city council. Things change for Mason when he meets Danny Voss (Taryn Manning), a young girl who just moved to town with her mother (Michelle Forbes). Their young love affair is complicated by a family accident. Dandelion premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 as part of the American Spectrum program. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vincent Kartheiser, Taryn Manning, (more)
- 1999
Teenage patients pour into the ER after a suspicious explosion in a high school science class. Lawrence (Alan Alda) becomes erratic and violently angry, leading the staff to wonder if the veteran doctor is functioning at full capacity. Elaine (Rebecca De Mornay) hopes to "connect" with her former brother-in-law, Carter (Noah Wyle), before heading to Europe. Dr. Dave (Erik Palladino) gets another much-needed lesson in humanity and humility. Carol (Julianna Margulies) is outraged to discover that pregnant waitress Meg (Martha Plimpton) is shooting heroin. And Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) is finding it increasingly difficult to juggle her workload with her domestic duties. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A young man dies before his time and is given a second chance at life by a helpful angel in this comedy drama. The teen, Eddie, was well on the road to becoming a delinquent. He died when he was hit by a car after fleeing a convenience store where he had just stolen a snack. Howard, a novice angel, arranges for Eddie's resurrection, and while the youth learns to redeem himself, Howard, disguised as a social worker, stays close by. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vincent Kartheiser, David Bowe, (more)
In the small hours of the night, when one man's life explodes into sudden chaos, a simple telephone call to his former best friend will forever change the lives both in ways that neither could have ever anticipated. It's 2:00am, and Terry Seville's telephone is ringing. On the other end of the line, the panicked voice of Terry's high school buddy Craig Blackshear begs for help. It's been a while since Terry and Craig have parted ways, but by the sound of Craig's voice things are looking pretty dire. Upon making the decision to reach out and lend Craig a helping hand, the demons of the past will emerge to spin a complicated web of lies that threaten to turn deadly. One thing is for sure: By morning there will be a new obituary in the New Essex Beagle. The only question that remains now is whose. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vincent Kartheiser, Sarah Carter, (more)
Two young hipsters go to Las Vegas to chase their dreams, but neither is happy with what they find in this dark comedy-drama. Lidda (Kirsten Dunst) is a young woman who hasn't heard in many years from her father Charlie (James Caan), a gambler working the casinos in Las Vegas. On her 18th birthday, Charlie sends her a check as a present, and Lidda, excited to finally hear from her dad again, heads out to Vegas to see him face to face. En route, Lidda picks up Colonel (Vincent Kartheiser), a convenience store clerk who fancies himself a cool hand with a deck of cards. Once in Vegas, Lidda goes looking for Charlie, while Colonel ends up in a high stakes poker game; he wins, but that turns out to be bad luck on his part when he sees how Tony (Robert Miano), the owner of a strip joint, reacts to losing a big hand. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirsten Dunst, James Caan, (more)
The debut season of Matthew Weiner's intense and stylish drama follows the lives of Madison Avenue advertising executives (so-called "Mad Men") in 1960. The series centers on Don Draper (Jon Hamm), the dashing and brilliant creative director for ad agency Sterling Cooper (Season 1 accounts include Richard Nixon's presidential campaign and, appropriately, Lucky Strike, given the cigarettes are smoked in nearly every scene). Don's charms extend well outside of the boardroom and into the bedroom: The married man has a free-spirited lover, Midge Daniels (Rosemarie DeWitt), who's his polar opposite, and a second mistress, Rachel Menken (Maggie Siff), a client whose independence challenges Don's views on women. Don's wife, Betty (January Jones), meanwhile, dutifully fulfills her role as housewife. But when she develops a mysterious ailment that causes her to lose feeling in her hands, she's sent to a psychiatrist to work through her problems. Over at Sterling Cooper, new secretary Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) tries to adjust to life in the boys club with guidance from seen-it-all bombshell secretary Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks). Young account exec Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) also has his eyes on Peggy and quickly begins pursuing her, despite his upcoming nuptials. There's even more bad behavior at the office from skirt chasers Ken Cosgrove (Aaron Staton) and Paul Kinsey (Michael Gladis), loving but imperfect Harry Crane (Rich Sommer) and stuck-in-the-closet art director Sal Romano (Bryan Batt). Partner Roger Sterling (John Slattery) does little to set an example for his employees as he happily indulges in an array of vices and an affair with Joan. Senior partner Bertram Cooper (Robert Morse) is mostly out of touch with the staff, preferring to remain within the sanctuary of his giant office. In the midst of this workplace frivolity, Don learns that the picture-perfect life he's created for himself could be threatened by a secret from his past. ~ Brie Hearn, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, (more)
Following a first-season finale in which housewife Betty Draper (January Jones) comes to the realization that her ad-exec husband, Don (Jon Hamm), may be having an affair, Season 2 dives headlong into the couple's marital strife. Professionally, Don is flying high as a junior partner and creative director at the Sterling Cooper ad agency, but his home life is rapidly deteriorating. After Betty kicks him out for apparent infidelity, Don moves into a hotel and is only able to see his children with Betty's permission. At Sterling Cooper, the long-simmering power struggle between Don and Herman "Duck" Phillips (Mark Moses) reaches a boiling point, as the impetuous director of account services negotiates a deal with a British firm that he believes will finally give him the upper hand. A subtler power play is made by Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss), who seems to have recovered nicely from the shocking birth of her child by married account exec Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser). The product research that Peggy conducted while serving as Don's secretary during Season 1 eventually leads to her promotion as the agency's first female copywriter, and even her own office. Other employees also confront emerging social issues of the day: Creative copywriter Paul Kinsey (Michael Gladis) breaks social taboos by dating a black woman, while art director Salvatore Romano (Bryan Batt) secretly struggles with his homosexuality. And romance remains tricky for secretary Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks) -- whose doctor fiancé proves controlling and abusive-and her ex, Sterling Cooper partner Roger Sterling (John Slattery), who embarks on yet another extramarital love affair with yet another young secretary. ~ Todd Thatcher, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, (more)
- 1997
- PG13
A criminal genius who has carefully planned the ultimate score runs across an unexpected obstacle -- a 16-year-old computer hacker -- in this youth-oriented action-adventure story. Ozzie Paxton (Vincent Kartheiser) is a teenager with a knack for causing trouble; he's been expelled from the Shady Glen School, an exclusive private academy, for pulling one too many pranks on the faculty. Besides, he prefers to stay home with his computer, where for fun and profit he hacks into the systems of computer game designers, downloads new games before they can go on the market, and burns bootleg CD-ROMs that he can sell to his friends. One day, Ozzie's younger sister Melissa (Katie Stuart) talks him into giving her a lift to Shady Glen, where she still attends; looking for a little revenge, he sneaks into the school and intends to have a little fun with their computer system. As it turns out, Ozzie runs afoul of the school's new security chief, former British Secret Service agent Rafe Bentley (Patrick Stewart), who was hired by Principal Maloney (Brenda Fricker) after Ozzie's most recent bit of computer terrorism. But Bentley is not the friend of the law that he seems to be; several of the wealthiest families in America send their children to Shady Glen, and Bentley has a scheme to kidnap ten of the school's richest children and hold them for a ransom of $650 million. Ozzie is caught in the middle of Bentley's kidnapping plot and must now use his computer skills in order to save the children and put Bentley behind bars. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Stewart, Vincent Kartheiser, (more)
- 2000
Preston Tylk (Luke Wilson) is an ordinary guy living in Seattle. When he discovers that his wife, Emily (Mili Avital), whom he adores, is having an affair, he is devastated. Storming out of the house, he returns later to find her brutally murdered. With Emily's lover as the prime suspect, Preston traces the lout to his home, but once he makes it inside, a man attacks him. During the course of their ensuing fight, Preston kills him, only to realize that he killed the wrong guy. Meanwhile, Emily's lover Jonathan (Norman Reedus) begins chasing Preston, and soon both are running from each other and the law. A desperate Preston turns to Dick (Dennis Farina), an aptly named private eye, for help, and together the two try to bring the dastardly Jonathan to justice. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Luke Wilson, Norman Reedus, (more)
- 2001
- R
In rainy Tacoma, WA, Preston Tylk (Luke Wilson) learns that his beautiful wife Emily (Mili Avital) has been unfaithful with a man named Jonathan (Norman Reedus). Preston goes for a walk to consider his future, and when he returns, he discovers Emily's body - she's been strangled to death. After the funeral, Preston figures out who Jonathan is and goes to his house to confront him, where he is attacked by a man who he then bludgeons to death in self-defense. But it's not Jonathan; it's his mentally challenged brother, and the murder was taped on a security camera - which Jonathan now possesses and is using to convict Preston in both slayings. With the help of a private eye named Dick (Dennis Farina), and on the run from the law, Preston tries to recover the tape and clear his name. Meanwhile the enraged Jonathan, innocent of Emily's death after all, chases Preston through the Pacific Northwest to kill him for both slayings. If Preston and Jonathan didn't kill Emily, who did?
~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Luke Wilson, Norman Reedus, (more)
Tom McLoughlin directs the downbeat psychological thriller The Unsaid, released straight-to-video in the U.S. Andy Garcia stars as Kansas psychologist Dr. Michael Hunter who quits his practice following the suicide of his teenage son Kyle (Trevor Blumas). Disturbed by the death, separated from his wife, and lacking the Shelley (Linda Cardellini), Michael is soon approached by social worker Barbara (Teri Polo). She needs him to evaluate her client, Thomas Caffey (Vincent Kartheiser), a traumatised teenage boy who is due for release from a juvenile center. Feeling somewhat compelled to offer his services, Michael discovers the boy's horrible past involving his father, Joseph (Sam Bottoms), who is in prison for murder . ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andy Garcia, Vincent Kartheiser, (more)
More than a decade after 1982's Six Weeks, director Tony Bill once again explored romance, sentimentality, and dying young with Untamed Heart. The film stars Christian Slater as Adam, an shy and awkward busboy who saves waitress Caroline (Marisa Tomei) from being raped in a park late one night. Naturally, the two begin to fall in love. As their relationship progresses, Caroline discovers that Adam has a heart defect, though he claims he has a baboon heart. Rosie Perez also stars as Cindy, Caroline's sassy comic-relief-providing co-worker. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christian Slater, Marisa Tomei, (more)
