Nia Peeples Movies
Lead actress, onscreen from the late '80s. ~ All Movie Guide
A suburban homeowner becomes obsessed with the secretive family next door in this independent drama. Norman (Steven Weber) is an airline pilot who one day discovers he has new neighbors when he hears them moving into a nearby house during the dark of night. While Norman soon learns that Dr. Peoples (Eriq La Salle) is a psychiatrist, he can't figure out much else about him, beyond the fact he only mows his lawn after the sun goes down. Eager to uncover the enigma of the folks next door, Norman becomes friendly with Maria (Nia Peeples), the doctor's wife, and reaches out to their phobic son, Obert (Tyler Posey), but Dr. Peoples himself remains a mystery. As time goes on, Norman also discovers he's not the only one in the neighborhood eager to know more about the mysterious new arrivals. Inside Out was the first feature film for writer and director David Ogden. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Weber, Eriq La Salle, (more)
- 2001
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At long last, taciturn Texas Ranger Cord Walker (Chuck Norris) and Assistant D.A. Alex Cahill (Sheree J. Wilson) have gotten married, as Walker, Texas Ranger launches its ninth and final season. Alas, a pall is cast over the couple's happiness when Walker's closest friend, C.D. (Noble Willingham), is mysteriously killed. More disturbing still is the revelation that C.D.'s death is a part of a campaign of terror waged by a vicious killer who has sprung several other criminals from a maximum security prison, for the purpose of knocking off as many Texas Rangers as possible -- with Walker saved for last. Among the victims of this vendetta is Walker's partner Jimmy Trivette (Clarence Gilyard Jr.), though he manages to survive. In the series finale, Walker and a very pregnant Alex visit Jimmy in the hosptial, where Alex suddenly goes into labor, giving birth to a baby daughter. Once again, however, the couple's happiness may be short-lived -- literally so, when the assassin who has been decimating the Rangers shows up with a grenade strapped to his belt, intent upon blowing everyone whom the audience cares about to kingdom come! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chuck Norris, Clarence Gilyard, Jr., (more)
- 2000
Season eight of Walker, Texas Ranger resolves the cliffhanger finale of season seven, as Cord Walker (Chuck Norris), his partner Jimmy Trivette (Clarence Gilyard Jr.), his fiancée Alex Cahill (Sheree J. Wilson), and his best friend C.D. (Noble Willingham) survive a harrowing plane crash. The trick now is to get back to Dallas in time to prevent elusive serial killer Thomas Openshaw (Stephen McHattie) from being released for lack of evidence. Once this crisis is resolved, Walker and Alex begin a season-long preparation for their marriage, which will occur during the two-part season eight finale (we hope). Meanwhile, Walker's crime-fighting team has taken in two new members: undercover police officers (and masters of disguise) Francis Gage (Judson Mills) and Sydney Cooke (Nia Peeples). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chuck Norris, Clarence Gilyard, Jr., (more)
- 2000
New Orleans music promoter Adam Goodnight (newcomer Cameron Smith) has his checkered past revived when a failed musician, Shoop Summers (old timer Antonio Fargas), takes Adam's new protégé, Kenny Carter (Mister Jones), under his drug-addled wing. Goodnight begins having flashbacks to a time when Shoop was on top of the jazz charts, and he also remembers what happened to end Shoop's productive career -- and end their friendship. Goodnight sees it all happening again with Kenny. Goodnight's beautiful and intelligent girlfriend, Heather (Nia Peeples), is helpless to stop the drama. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nia Peeples, Antonio Fargas, (more)
- 1999
Actors Richard Thomas and Nia Peeples host this program featuring reenactments of possible miracles. Ten different stories are told, including one about a man who nearly drowned, another about a sudden healing event, and one about a group of people suddenly imbued with amazing strength that saved them from almost certain death. Those who survived some of these events recall how they felt when their lives were spared. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
- 1998
For this TV movie, Bob Rafelson directed James Caan as famous shamus Philip Marlowe. The novel Raymond Chandler (1888-1959) was writing during the year of his death remained unfinished until it was completed 30 years later by Spenser author Robert Parker. The British-based, Czech-born screenwriter/playwright Tom Stoppard scripted this telefilm adaptation. In 1963, the middle-aged Marlowe has put on a few pounds and gained a new wife, wealthy heiress Laura (Dina Meyer). In Poodle Springs, California, on the Nevada border, the couple lives in a house given them by P.J. Parker (Joe Don Baker), Laura's father. Framed for murder, Marlowe is bailed out by Laura, and he's soon hired to locate a gambler who owes $100,000. Investigating lowlife photographer Larry Victor (David Keith), Marlowe learns of a blackmail plot involving stripper Lola (La Joy Farr); he follows a trail that leads to a land scheme, while corpses begin to litter the landscape. This was James Caan's first TV role since Brian's Song (1971, later released theatrically), and the whodunit premiered July 25, 1998 on HBO. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Caan, Dina Meyer, (more)
One of the acknowledged masters of the medical thriller, Robin Cook, co-scripted Terminal. Sean O'Grady (Doug Savant) is an intern who begins to wonder about a supposed miracle cancer cure his hospital is dispensing after a young girl dies from the disease. He must overcome a hostile bureaucracy as well as other doctors who are hiding dangerous secrets. This made for television film was directed by Larry Elikann and features Michael Ironside, Nia Peeples, and former Newsradio cast member Khandi Alexander. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Doug Savant
- 1996
When a vengeful husband begins killing everyone associated with his wife, a writer of best-selling crime novels must team up with a beautiful martial arts expert to stop him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Corbin Bernsen, Nia Peeples, (more)
- 1995
This sci-fi thriller takes the Frankenstein story a few steps further and sets it in the near future. Using a variety of human body parts, a scientist (Rutger Hauer) creates Lazarus, a young man (Will Wheaton) with superior mental and physical capabilities. Poor Lazarus would be perfect but for the terrible nightmares that plague him. He does not know of his gruesome origins and so goes to a psychiatrist for answers. But for Lazarus, learning the whole truth may be a dangerous endeavor, not only for him, but for the world. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rutger Hauer, Nia Peeples, (more)
- 1995
In this made-for-TV sequel to Deadlock, Jack Claremont (Stephen McHattie) wants Allie Thompson (Nia Peeples) out of prison, and has a plan to help her escape. Jack has Tony Archer (Esai Morales) framed for murder, and then tells Tony he'll reveal the truth and clear his name if he can help Allie escape. Tony agrees, but it isn't long before he learns that breaking out of prison and staying ahead of the law is no easy task. Deadlocked: Escape From Zone 14 also features Jon Cuthbert and Sarah Strange. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Esai Morales, Nia Peeples, (more)
- 1994
Nia Peeples guest stars as Nefertiti, handmaiden to Egyptian queen Nefertiti. Released from her sarcophagus after 2000 years, Nefertiti swears vengeance against her ex-lover, immortal Roman General Marcus Constantine (James Faulkner). Now a gentle museum curator, Constantine insists that Nefertiti is over-reacting. Duncan (Adrian Paul) promises to protect Constantine by any means available -- even though he himself has fallen in love with Nefertiti. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adrian Paul, Stan Kirsch, (more)
- 1994
Angel though she may be, Monica (Roma Downey) has more than her share of human failings--and that includes a mortal fear of water. Even so, Monica is determined to fulfill her assignment as spirtual guide to Angela Evans (Nia Peeples), a diehard boating enthusiast. Married to US Senate nominee Carter Evans (Obba Babatunde), Angela has never revealed the terrible secret that she was once a call girl. When her former pimp (Rick Rossovitch) threatens to expose her past and destroy her husband's career unless she forks over a huge sum of money, Angela sees no way out but to commit suicide--and Angel of Death Adam (Charles Rocket) sternly warns Monica that she is forbidden to physically intervene! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Kate (Donna Mills) is an alcoholic--and, as is often the case, she is in full denial regarding her illness. Only when she is threatened with mass desertion by her husband, children and best friend does the sullen Kate agree to seek out treatment. A lengthy and often harrowing rehabilitation period with a varied group of recovering addicts seems to have a enlightening effect on Kate, who promises her loved ones--and herself--that she has taken her last drink. Thus is established the tension that permeates the final half of the made-for-TV My Name Is Kate, for which Donna Mills pulled double duty as star and producer. The film made its initial ABC appearance on January 24, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The first of a number of sequels to the highly successful western mini-series Lonesome Dove featured few of the same actors as the original, nor was it based on a novel by Larry McMurtry. In this outing, onetime Texas Ranger Call (Jon Voight, replacing Tommy Lee Jones) heads a group of cowboys leading horses from Texas north to Montana. Along the way, Call again meets Clara Allen (Barbara Hershey, taking over for Anjelica Huston), the love of his late partner McCrae's life. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Voight
- 1993
Karate-champion-turned-movie-star Chuck Norris was ideally cast as the title character in the contemporary Western series, Walker, Texas Ranger. Introduced as a two-hour TV movie on April 21, 1983, the weekly, hour-long CBS series starred Norris as Cordell Walker, who worked out of the Dallas office of the Texas Rangers with his youthful partner, Baltimore-born former football pro Jimmy Trivette (Clarence Gilyard Jr.). While Jimmy, like his superiors, preferred to rely upon modern crime fighting techniques -- computers, forensic science, strict adherence to civil liberties and due process -- the impassive, taciturn Walker was generally of the opinion that criminals were subhuman scum, worthy only of a slug in the face or a kick in the groin. Kicking, in fact, was a Walker specialty, notably whenever he came within close proximity of a locked door or bolted window. Though she didn't always approve of his methods, Walker's off-and-on girlfriend, assistant D.A. Alex Cahill (Sheree J. Wilson), admired his strong sense of justice and fair play, especially when protecting those weaker than himself. Too, Alex found Walker extremely handy whenever she got kidnapped, which seemed to happen at the rate of once every other week! Despite his loyalty to his friends, those close to Walker remained so at their own risk, inasmuch as the bad guys were not above hurting them to get to him. Others within Walker's orbit included his old pal C.D. Parker (Noble Willingham), a former Ranger who, after being invalidated out of the service, opened up a restaurant; Uncle Ray Firewalker (Floyd Red Crow Westerman), the sagacious old Native American who raised Walker from childhood and had taught him the value of restraint and contemplation -- unless of course, violence was absolutely called for; Carlos Sandoval (Marco Sanchez), an undercover detective who owed his life to Walker; and Walker's former martial arts student Trent Malloy (James Wlcek), who owned a karate school (and who, teamed with Carlos Sandoval, was briefly spun off into his own TV series, Sons of Thunder). During the series' final seasons, undercover Rangers Francis Gage (Judson Mills) and Sydney Cooke (Nia Peeples) linked up with Walker's team. In the course of events, Uncle Ray Firewalker passed away; C.D. Parker was killed by a band of elusive assassins who intended to work their way up to Walker in their efforts to knock off every Texas Ranger in Dallas; and in the series' seventh season, Walker and Alex became engaged, with wedding bells ringing at the end of season eight and the birth of a baby daughter in the final episode. After ending its CBS run on July 28, 2001, Walker, Texas Ranger launched what was apparently an endless rerun cycle in syndication and on cable. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chuck Norris, Clarence Gilyard, Jr., (more)
- 1990
In this entry in the long-running mystery series, Perry Mason represents a former student who is accused of murdering a singing star. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1989
William Katt, Catherine Oxenberg and Nia Peeples star in this comedy about an advertising agency who are about to lose their biggest client, the Saltaire Swimwear Company, until they come up with a brilliant idea -- create a swimsuit model talent search. Saltaire loves the idea and the media eats it up, but the contestants prove to be more trouble than anyone expected. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The Nasty Boys refers not to a rock group but an elite corps of law enforcement officers. This fact-based TV movie is set in August, 1986. The place is drug-ridden North Las Vegas, Nevada. Unable to stem the drug trade by orthodox means, the police department organizes a group of "commando cops", who swoop down on the narcotics kingpins while garbed in identification-obscuring ski masks. These guerilla tactics worked beautifully in 1986, though the hooded vigilantism inherent in so extreme a police procedure has subsequently triggered racial tensions in some large cities. In 1989, however, The Nasty Boys was regarded as a merely a slam-bang piece of entertainment. It was designed as the pilot for a potential TV series, and was given a "sure-fire" network lead-in with the premiere episode of Baywatch (Baywatch clicked; The Nasty Boys clunked). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
Although the weekly, one-hour musical drama series Fame was still one of the most popular syndicated series in America as it entered its sixth season, the show's budget was beginning to outstrip its profits, and thus the difficult decision was made to end production once the season wrapped. This, however, didn't stop the producers from continuing to infuse the cast with new blood, nor from staging spectacular singing and dancing numbers, frequently with top guest stars taking part in the proceedings. The season opener "Back to Something New" brings us up to date on two recently departed regulars: Ms. Elizabeth Sherwood, longtime English teacher at New York's High School for the Performing Arts, has become a successful author of racy romantic novels, while dance major Christopher Donlon has graduated and gone on to professional work. New students include brash British-born musician Ian Ware (Michael Cerveris), spunky Maxie (Olivia Barasch), and neurotic Miltie Horowitz (Robert Romanus). Likewise, the faculty is increased by one when Mr. Paul Seeger (Eric Pierpoint), a disillusioned actor turned cab driver, signs on as the new drama teacher. And in one of the season's most surprising and disturbing developments, gifted musical student Nicole Chapman (Nia Peeples) is killed in a car accident. Inarguably the series' most celebrated episode is "Reggie and Rose", in which student Reggie Higgins (Carrie Hamilton) encourages the school's recently laid-off cafeteria lady Rose to enroll as a student. Rose is played by Carol Burnett, real-life mother of Carrie Hamilton, with whom she duets in a rousing rendition of Irving Berlin's "We're a Couple of Swells). And in the series finale "Baby, Remember My Name", several former series regulars are reunited for a gala production number with the current students and faculty members: among these returnees are Erica Gimpel, Cynthia Gibb, Carol Mayo Jenkins, Valerie Landsburg, P.R. Pauland Lee Curreri. And on this high note, Fame comes to a close, but not before collecting its seventh Emmy award, bestowed upon costumer Nanrose Buchman for her contributions to the episode "All Talking, All Singing, All Dancing." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Debbie Allen, Carlo Imperato, (more)
- 1985
Still riding high as one of the most-watched dramatic series in off-network syndication, Fame eases into a fifth season on the air, with 25 brand new episodes. Three of the series' longtime favorites have moved on to other things. Doris (Valerie Landsburg) has graduated from New York's High School of the Performing Arts; former dance major Leroy Johnson (Gene Anthony Ray) is now a faculty member; and obstreperous vice-principal Morloch (Ken Swofford) has been transferred to another school, but not before being forced to atone for his past selfish misdeeds in the series' Yuletide episode, which--surprise, surprise--is a rehash of Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." Morloch's replacement is Principal Dyrenforth (Graham Jarvis), not nearly as anal-retentive as his predecessor but almost as clueless. Also, Loretta Chandler joins the cast as new student Dusty Tyler. Midway through the season there is another cast turnover, as drama student Holly Laird (Cynthia Gibb) leaves school to take a role in a daytime soap opera; at the same time, a round of auditions yields two more additions to the student body, Reggie Higgins (played by Carrie Hamilton, the daughter of Carol Burnett) and Kate Riley (Page Hannah), the sister of Darryl Hannah). Though Fame was pretty much grounded in reality during its first seasons on the air, the show has gotten to be mighty whimsical by this time. Case in point is the episode "His Majesty Donlon", an outrageous "Prisoner of Zenda" takeoff in which dance student Christopher (Danny Hufsey) switches places with his lookalie, Prince Freddie of Vatonia; and later, Chris overcomes "Stage Fright" with some assistance from the ghost of Elvis Presley (Robert Firth). Then there's "Holmes Sweet Holmes", in which the traditional bump on the head transforms would-be comedian Danny (Carlo Imperato) into celebrated detective Sherlock Holmes. More believable chords are struck as Danny faces the possibility of being forced to change his professional name to get an Equity card in "Leroy and the Kid"; ultra-ethical music professor Shorofsky (Albert Hague) may well have to compromise his values for the sake of his students in "Selling Out"; dance student Jesse (Jesse Borrego) is tempted to rejoin his former street gang in "Savage Streets"; and a staging of "Huckleberry Finn" causes racial friction between Danny and Leroy in "A River to Cross." A number of interesting guest stars dot the landscape of Fame's fifth season, among them stars-to-be Don Cheadle, Bebe Neuwirth, Kathleen Wilhoiteand Dermot Mulroney. Among the better-known guest performers are Russ Tamblyn, making the first of several appearances as a burned-out choreographer; veteran western actors Myron Healey and Leo Gordon, cast respectively as a faded cowboy idol and a disgruntled movie villain; and Kevin McCarthy as a quixotic substitute teacher who sends his students forth on a quest for Absolute Truth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Debbie Allen, Carlo Imperato, (more)
- 1984
Far more popular in syndication than it had ever been on the NBC network, the weekly musical drama series Fame returns with a fourth season of 25 hour-long episodes. New to the student body of New York's High School of the Performing Arts this season are a young, pre-superstardom (and pre-"wardrobe malfunction"!) Janet Jackson as multitalented Cleo Hewitt; Nia Peeples as singer-dancer Nicole Chapman; and Jesse Borego as Jesse Velasquez, ex-street gang member, gifted dancer, and soon to be the protégé of senior student Leroy Johnson (Gene Anthony Ray). This season also introduces a new after-school hangout for the kids: Lou's Lanes, owned and operated by genial Lou Mackie, played by B-picture cult figure Dick Miller. In the season opener, the school's two zaniest students, aspiring playwright Doris (Valerie Landsburg) and would-be comic Danny (Carlo Imperato), begin dating. Later on, stalwart recurring player Ann Nelson is elevated to costar status in the role of ditsy school secretary Mrs. Berg. Also, officious vice principal Morloch (Ken Swofford) continues to mold the school's gifted pupils into his antiquated idea of "perfect" students, most memorably by introduced ROTC classes to the curriculum in the episode "Tomorrow's Children", inasmuch as Joan Baez is guest star on this occasion, and the musical numbers include highlights from "Hair", guess how long ROTC remains on campus! In other episodes, Anthony Newley guests as Doris' childhood idol, TV actor Trevor Kane; the teachers strut their stuff in the obligatory faculty variety show; Jesse is revealed to be an illegal alien, requiring an "instant" marriage to the pliable Doris; chubby tuba student Dwight (David Greenlee) falls hard to Holly; Danny goes the "Cyrano de Bergerac" route with Nicole on behalf of Jesse; Holly has a bout with anorexia due to problems at home; and former series regular Erica Gimpel returns to the role of Coco Hernandez--just long enough to qualify for her diploma in an episode that also features Milton Berle (NOT as one of the students!) As in seasons past, two of the Season Four episodes are comprised of footage from recent live "Kids from 'Fame'" concerts: "Heart of Rock and Roll" and "Heart of Rock and Roll". And with "School is Out", the series' only "clip show" comprise of highlights from past episodes, the fourth season of Fame comes to a close. Oh, and did we mention that the series managed to pick up yet another Emmy award, this one for Jim McElroy's videotape editing? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Debbie Allen, Carlo Imperato, (more)
- 1982
A music store proprietor helps a group of teenagers develop a rock band in this musical. ~ All Movie Guide
A blind CIA agent on the verge of retirement is given back his eyesight for forty-eight hours in order to complete one final mission, only to discover that the danger is greater than he ever could have anticipated, in this slam-bang action extravaganza starring Naughty by Nature hip-hopper Anthony "Treach" Criss. Connors (Criss) has earned quite a reputation around the CIA for his bravery in the face of danger and honorable heroics; unfortunately his high profile actions have also found him making some high profile enemies as well. When Connor discovers that he was never meant to return from his latest mission, he enlists the aid of a beautiful doctor (Nia Peeples) in turning the tables on his would-be killers and seek revenge on the high-ranking officials who would attempt to orchestrate his demise. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anthony "Treach" Criss, Nia Peeples, (more)
Lovely Sandy Kennington (Barbara Niven) would seem to have it all -- a burgeoning career, a loving young son, and a husband who makes more than she does. But hubby Edward (William R. Moses) has emotionally withdrawn from Sandy in the months following a tragic automobile accident in which their daughter was killed. His reticence troubles Sandy, who seems helpless to do anything about it. Then one day Edward comes home a changed man -- romantic, affectionate, and eager to talk about Sandy's possible transfer to New York City. There's only one problem: Edward is chained to a chair in a suburban basement, held hostage by gun-toting tough gal Beth Jenkins (Nia Peeples). So who is that man who looks like Edward making love with Sandy? ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William R. Moses, Barbara Niven, (more)
- 1994
- R
Sexual harassment and revenge are the themes of this thriller. A secretary is murdered in a New York office building. In L.A. Ashley, who works for an advertising agency, is at an office party.There she surreptitiously has sex with a fellow employee. Michael Miller just moved from New York to be the new marketing head. With him he brings his pregnant wife and his daughter Emily. Soon after his arrival he begins harassing Ashley culminating in an attack in an elevator. She goes to court charging him with sexual harassment, but because she has a reputation for making it with others in the office, loses. Despondent, she offs herself in a car crash. Ashley's sister is livid and decides she will avenge her sister's death by ruining Michael. First she gets a job at the agency. Next she seduces Michael and video tapes him making love to her. Mayhem ensues when she repeatedly blackmails him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Bauer, Tahnee Welch, (more)
