Mike Farrell

Based on a comic-book story by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, "For the Man Who Has Everything" is that rarest of rare Justice League Unlimited episodes, giving center stage to the series' three biggest stars. It's Superman's birthday, so Batman and Wonder Woman head to the Fortress of Solitude to surprise their comrade. Upon arrival, the pair finds that Superman has already been surprised by a gift from the evil Mongul -- a parasitic plant that has immobilized the Man of Steel. As Batman and W.W. struggle to free their fellow Leaguer, the comatose Superman experiences what life would have been like had Krypton never exploded and had he remained on the planet as Kal-El -- with a very familiar-looking wife named Loana, and a "dream son," Van-El. ~ All Movie Guide

Based on Brian Cruver's first-person book, Anatomy of Greed, this strident TV movie chronicles the rise and fall of the notorious Houston-based Enron Corporation in the early years of the 21st century. The film is related from the perspective of Cruver himself (played by Christian Kane), here depicted as a brilliant but naïve young trader who, after being hired by Enron, was dazzled and seduced by the company's "get rich quick by whatever means necessary" credo. The obscenely extravagant "Enron Culture" (represented by endless office parties and nubile young ladies) was built upon the backs of the company's stockholders and lower-echelon employees -- and, when everything inevitably crashed and burned in the spring of 2002, it was the "little people" who suffered the most. Although several real-life personalities are portrayed in the film, among them Enron CEO Ken Lay (played Mike Farrell), executive Jeff Skilling (Jon Ted Wynne), and conscience-stricken whistleblower Sherron Watkins (Jan Skene), many of the characters are composites, chief among them the mysterious, sinister Enron higher-up "Mister Blue" (Brian Dennehy), whose primary function is to spout blatantly mercenary exposition. Due to budget restraints, The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron was filmed not in Houston but in Canada; and thanks to copyright restrictions, the company's famous "slanted E" logo is considerably altered onscreen. The film made its CBS debut on January 5, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The fact-based story of an unconventional physician who attempted to heal patients with laughter, based on his own book and mixing equal doses of scatological humor and pathos. Robin Williams stars as Hunter Adams, a troubled young man who commits himself to a mental institution in the late 1960s. His experiences there convince Adams to become a doctor, and he enrolls in medical school, where he is appalled at the cold, clinical professionalism that alienates patients from their caregivers. Determined to provide emotional and spiritual relief as well as medicine, Adams clowns around for his patients, getting to know them personally. Although his efforts seem to work wonders and the hospital nursing staff is grateful for the levity Adams provides, his methods alienate his uptight roommate Mitch (Philip Seymour Hoffman) as well as the staff and faculty of his school. Adams perseveres, however, even starting his own low-cost rural clinic called the Gesundheit Institute, and wooing a pretty fellow student, Carin (Monica Potter). Tragedy strikes, and Adams' career is put in jeopardy, forcing him to defend his style and philosophy before a board of jurists determined to bar him from practicing medicine. Patch Adams (1998) was produced by former M*A*S*H (1972-83) star Mike Farrell, who met the real-life Adams when the offbeat doctor served as an advisor to the actor's popular TV series. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

A once loving, devoted mother changes dramatically after suffering major head trauma during an auto accident. This made-for-television drama is based on a true story and follows the family as they try to cope with their mother's drastic transformation -- caused by severe damage to the area of the brain that controls impulses. The control for the need for sex was particularly damaged, and soon she is behaving in a most unseemly matter. Before long, her sexual craving destroys her family, and only her father remains loyal to her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Narrated by Mike Farrell, this film takes a hard look at the problem of ritual child abuse in America. As different cults continue to take root across this country, the instances of the use of children in their rituals grow. This film talks with parents, therapists, children, and law enforcement personnel to shed light on this growing problem and explain warning signs and prevention. ~ Rob Ferrier, All Movie Guide

Framed for a murder he did not commit, a detective is sent to a prison where each day's survival is a victory. Sickened by the brutality he encounters there, he plans his escape, knowing that only on the outside will he be able to prove his innocence. ~ Mark Hockley, All Movie Guide

In this drama, a divorced dad fights for visitation rights with his daughter after she and her mother are relocated to an unknown locale as part of the Federal Witness Protection program. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The made-for-cable Incident at Dark River stars Mike Farrell as a working-stiff family man. When his daughter falls ill, Farrell discovers to his horror that the girl is suffering from toxic poisoning. A local battery factory has been polluting the area with its deadly waste, but when Farrell tries to take legal action, he finds that the law favors the factory. Albert Rubin's slowly paced script leans towards "bad guy vs. good guy" rather than shades of gray, but it successfully hits all the right emotional buttons. The presence of well-known environmentalist Mike Farrell in this sincere, medium-budget effort is a prime example of putting one's money where one's mouth is. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this detective drama, a private gumshoe takes so many little cases that he can barely afford to support his wife and kids. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Fans of outdoor adventures amid breathtaking scenery and, in particular, fans of dangerous athletic stunts and skiing will particularly enjoy this straightforward New Zealand film. In the story, a world-class skier from Telluride, Colorado accepts an invitation to ski the uncrowded slopes of New Zealand. There, he gets involved in such local pastimes as skiing on active volcanos and glaciers, and he enters into a local skiing competition that is to winter sports what the Iron Man competition is to summer sports: they ski, climb mountains, race kayaks, and then race on foot to the finish line. Hearty outdoor "I dare you" stuff, with nary a villain or an internal conflict in sight; those desiring more emotionally involved films should look elsewhere for their entertainment. The director's 1977 ski documentary, Off the Edge, was nominated for an Academy Award that year, so he knows how to film skiing. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide