Kathleen Wilhoite Movies
Sturdy, dependable actress Kathleen Wilhoite adroitly tackled supporting roles in American films from the early '80s (amid her late adolescence) onward. She began with feature work, in pictures of somewhat dubious quality, such as the 1983 exploitationer Private School, the disappointing Sidney Lumet thriller The Morning After (1986), and the disastrous superhero saga Brenda Starr (1993). Wilhoite scored, however, on the small screen with three memorable series portrayals: Rosalie Hendrickson on L.A. Law, Chloe Lewis on ER, and Liz Danes on Gilmore Girls. She returned to features in 2007, with a supporting role in the quirky Michael Douglas comedy The King of California. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Michael Douglas stars as a treasure-hunting eccentric in this Alexander Payne-produced comedy from director Michael Cahill. Recently released from a mental institution and reunited with his teenage daughter, Miranda (Evan Rachel Wood), Charlie (Douglas) decides there's century's old gold buried near their lower-middle-class neighborhood, and sets out on an obsessive quest to find it. Along the way, the estranged parent and child rekindle a long-lost bond with each other. Featuring a score by David Robbins, King of California screened at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Douglas, Evan Rachel Wood, (more)
- 2007
Taking charge of Lane's baby shower while Rory (Alexis Bledel) prepares for an important job interview, Lorelei (Lauren Graham) finds herself stuck in the middle of another battle of wills between Lane (Keiko Agena) and her traditionalist mother Mrs. Kim (Emily Kuroda)--yet still finds time to form a strong bond with the expectant mother. Meanwhile, Rory tries to provide emotional support for Logan (Matt Czuchry) during his legal problems, but he seems to prefer commisserating with his male buddies in Las Vegas. And Luke (Scott Patterson) makes a huge purchase as part of his campaign to bond with daughter April (Vanessa Marano). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2007
Emily's efforts to curtail Richard's diet is the topic of conversation at Friday Night Dinner--much to the relief of Lorelei (Lauren Graham), who would rather not discuss her breakup with Christopher. Elsewhere, at a birthday dinner for Logan (Matt Czuchry), Rory nervously seeks advice from Logan's dad Mitchum (Gregg Henry), while the "birthday boy"himself digests some bad news about a recent business venture. And Luke (Scott Patterson) gets a taste of "family togetherness" while temporarily bunking with new parents T.J. (Michael DeLuise) and Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2007
Rory's graduation party is quite a spectacle, involving virtually everyone in Stars Hollow. During the festivities, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Christopher (David Sutcliffe) are briefly reunited, and Logan (Matt Czuchry) shows up to propose marriage--and this time he won't leave until he gets an answer. Characteristically, Rory (Alexis Bledel) agonizes over her answer, which when it finally is given proves to be quite a surprise. Meanwhile, a sullen Luke (Scott Patterson) is convinced that Lorelei's drunken declaration of love was merely a case of the liquor doing all the talking. This episode marks the final apparances of series regulars Liz Weil, Matt Czuchry and Danny Strong. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2007
In the series finale of Gilmore Girls, Rory (Alexis Bledel) has shed herself of Logan and is planning a summer post-graduation trip with Lorelai (Lauren Graham). Those plans are abruptly shelved when Rory is offered a dream job as a political reporter--an event prologued by a surprise meeting with her idol, CNN correspondent Christian Amanpour. Faced with the inevitability of life without her daughter, Lorelai tries to keep busy so she won't break down. Elsewhere, the likelihood of a heavy rain finds Luke (Scott Patterson) making extra-special preparations for Rory's outdoor graduation party--and in the process, Lorelei at long last comes to her senses regarding her relationship with Luke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2006
To cheer up Rory (Alexis Bledel), who is brooding over the absence of Logan (Matt Czuchry), Lorelei throws an intimate party with an Asian theme. But Rory's depression only grows deeper, especially after she learns about the midnight tryst between her mom and her biological father Christopher (David Sutcliffe). Luke (Scott Patterson) isn't happy about the Lorelei-Christopher situation either, and he makes no secret of his anger. Elsewhere, Lane (Keiko Agena) returns from her train wreck of a honeymoon in a seminal state of pregnancy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2006
They've only been hitched for a few weeks, but Lorelai (Lauren Graham) is already beginning to second-guess her marriage to Christopher (David Sutcliffe). Painfully aware of this, and realizing that Stars Hollow is still "pulling" for Lorelai's ex-fiance Luke (Scott Patterson), Christopher goes to great lengths to ingratiate himself to the locals during the town's big knit-a-thon--thereby setting himself up for yet another spectacular social blunder. Elsewhere, Rory (Alexis Bledel) finally rips into Marty (Wayne Wilcox) for his abominable behavior since he began dating her college friend Lucy(Krysten Ritter). And a baby son is born to T.J. (Michael DeLuise) and Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite), inspiring Luke to finally demand equal parental rights to April (Vanessa Marano). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2006
It's hardly a holly-jolly Christmas for Christopher (David Sutcliffe), now more convinced than ever that Lorelai (Lauren Graham) married him only to get over her relationship with Luke (Scott Patterson). Thus, when Emily (Kelly Bishop) plans to have the couple repeat their vows at a lavish party, chances are that neither Lorelai nor Christopher will even show up. Elsewhere, Luke begins legal action to claim partial custody of daughter April, then has a public confrontation with Christopher which does a neat job of shattering the town's Yuletide cheer (to say nothing of the Town Square decorations!) And Lucy (Krysten Ritter) finally finds out about the "history" between Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Marty (Wayne Wilcox). This episode was directed by series regular Jackson Douglas (Jackson Melville). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2006
Health issues dominate this episode, as Lorelai (Lauren Graham) becomes Emily's (Kelly Bishop) chauffeur after the latter's eye surgery, and Rory (Alexis Bledel) tends to Logan's every need upon his return from the hospital. Though physically on the mend, Logan (Matt Czuchry) suffers emotionally when he reads a scathing newspaper interview granted by his father Mitchum. Elsewhere, Luke (Scott Patterson) finds out that his sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) is pregnant; Jackson (Jackson Douglas) and Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) must quickly dispose of a marijuana crop left behind by his former employees; and a surprise gift from her parents knocks Lorelai for a loop. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
The only good news that Rory (Alexis Bledel) receives this week comes from the unlikeliest of sources: her biological father Christopher (David Sutcliffe). Meanwhile, Luke (Scott Patterson) continues adjusting to the fact that he's the father of 12-year-old April -- and also continues to avoid telling Lorelai (Lauren Graham). Elsewhere, Luke's wacky sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) goes "Martha Stewart" for Thanksgiving; and Lane's band is on the verge of breaking up as Brian (John Cabrera) seethes with jealousy over the song that Zach (Todd Lowe) has written for Lane (Keiko Agena). Carole King returns in the role of bookstore manager Sophie. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Sentenced to 300 hours of community service (beginning with a term as a member of a road crew picking up trash), and informed of the engagement of her mother Lorelei (Lauren Graham) to Luke Danes (Scott Patterson), Rory (Alexis Bledel) feels more lonely and isolated than ever. Likewise suffering from a void in her life after her falling out with Rory, Lorelai adopts a dog from Miss Patty, naming the mutt Paul Anka. And while helping to fix up Lorelai's house (or, to be more precise, her shelves), Luke's boorish brother-in-law T.J. (Michael DeLuise) once again puts his foot in his mouth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
As punishment for helping the Avatars, Leo (Brian Krause) has his memory wiped clean and sent back into the world to start helping people all over again. Although he doesn't know exactly who he is or what has happened, Leo is still expected to make a crucial choice: either permanently remain a Whitelighter Elder or lose his powers, become a mortal, and live with Piper (Holly Marie Combs). Unfortunately, Leo is unable to assist Piper at a time he is needed most: she has lapsed into a coma after a demon attack. As she hovers between life and death, Piper experiences a spectral vision of a former love (welcome back, Julian McMahon!). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Krause, Dorian Gregory, (more)
- 2004
Based on a true story, this harrowing made-for-TV drama centers upon a New Hampshire family headed by ebullient suburban mom Brenda Geck (Kirstie Alley). Much beloved in her community for her many philanthropic enterprises, not least of which is the adoption of several abandoned children, Brenda outwardly seems to be the perfect matriarch of the perfect household. Tragically, nothing can be further from the truth: The bipolar Brenda cruelly and violently manipulates those under her roof to do exactly what she wants, including shoplifting and arson--and God help anyone who gets in her way. Only when her adopted daughter Marie (Denna Milligan), who may have been impregnated by Brenda's biological son, and whose birth mother Nadine (Kathleen Wilhoite) has been held prisoner in the Geck cellar for decades, manages to escape Brenda's clutches is the outside world apprised of the sordid facts. Astonishingly, no one is willing to believe Marie's story--no one, that is, except prosecutor Philip Rothman (Will Patton), and even he is stymied by the beleaguered Nadine's unwillingness to say anything negative about the Gecks! Family Sins first aired March 14, 2004 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kirstie Alley, Deanna Milligan, (more)
- 2004
While Rory (Alexis Bledel) is in Rome with her grandmother Emily (Kelly Bishop), her mother Lorelai (Lauren Graham) reluctantly relays a message from Rory to Dean (Jared Padalecki) -- a letter intercepted by Dean's jealous wife Lindsay (Arielle Kebbel). Unable to properly cope with her emotional problems, Lorelai is acting like a tyrant at the Dragonfly Inn, driving Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) and Michel (Yanic Truesdale) crazy. Meanwhile, Luke returns after a grueling experience with the Renaissance Faire; and now that Dave is gone, budding musician Lane (Keiko Agena) finds herself attracted to another member of the band. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- 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, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Unhappy about the relationship between Rory (Alexis Bledel) and Dean (Jared Padalecki), Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) briefly reunite to find a more "suitable" beau for their granddaughter (whether she likes it or not). As for Rory's mom Lorelei (Lauren Graham) her hopes for a quiet dinner with Luke (Scott Patterson) are dashed by the misbehavior of Luke's sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) and her husband T.J. (Michael DeLuise)--who, horror of horrors, have moved next door to Luke! And Zach (Todd Lane) begins to have second thoughts about his romance with Lane (Keiko Agena) after sampling the tyranny of Lane's uber-conservative mother (Emily Kuroda). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A troubled young boy suffering at the hands of his abusive older brother seeks solace in the arms of a traveling burlesque circus singer in this surreal, true crime thriller that follows in the tradition of David Lynch's Blue Velvet and marks the acting debut of former Faith No More frontman Mike Patton. Jimmy (Jak Kendall) is a small-town dreamer who only seems to find peace while walking the candy-colored boardwalk of the traveling circus that has recently rolled into town. Emotionally shackled by his mother Eleanor's (Karen Black) religious fanaticism and physically intimidated by his alcoholic brother, David (Mike Patton), Jimmy leads a meek life of servitude and submissiveness from which he is powerless to escape. Upon glimpsing the exotic beauty of sultry singer Sandra (also Black), Jimmy furtively strikes up a friendship with the woman despite ominous signs that she is being held captive behind the microphone by sadistic circus ringmaster Frank (also Patton). When David goes missing and the horrors of Jimmy's home life are mirrored by the suffering of Sandra in the most unexpected ways, the perceived peace of small-town Kansas is forever shattered by the terrifying truth behind the wholesome, white picket-fence facade of suburbia. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Patton, Karen Black, (more)
- 2004
Luke (Scott Patterson) isn't happy when his zany sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) returns to Stars Hollow for her high school reunion -- and, making matters worse, Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) shows up demanding the return of his car (which has been stolen!). Elsewhere in town, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) can't bring herself to tell her parents about her relationship with Jason (Christopher Eigeman). Meanwhile at Yale, Rory (Alexis Bledel) is an unwilling contributor to the strenuous efforts by Paris (Liza Weil) and Jamie (Brandon Barash) to avoid one another. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
The title of this episode is barely relevant to its action, beginning with the visiting Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) having unpleasant confrontations with Luke (Scott Patterson) and Lorelai (Lauren Graham) -- all the while trying to avoid a similar confrontation with Rory (Alexis Bledel). Elsewhere, Luke has a lot of trouble adjusting to his sister Liz's new boyfriend, T.J. (Michael DeLuise in his first series appearance). And Emily (Kelly Bishop) prevails upon Lorelai and Jason (Christopher Eigeman) to pretend to be a couple at a charity event -- unaware that the couple has long since stopped pretending. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
This is the first episode of a two-part "crossover," to be concluded on ER's sister series Third Watch on April 29, 2002. After getting a disturbing phone call from her sister, Chloe (Kathleen Wilhoite), Susan Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) flies to New York, desperately hoping to locate both Chloe and Chloe's daughter, Suzie. Lewis enlist the aid of several Third Watch regulars, including police officers Faith Yokas (Molly Price) and "Bosco" Boscorelli (Jason Wiles), and paramedics Alex Taylor (Amy Carlson) and Kim Zambrano (Kim Raver). Back in Chicago, Abby (Maura Tierney) starts drinking again; Pratt (Mekhi Phifer) tries to make time with Chen (Ming-Na); and Elizabeth (Alex Kingston) considers staying with Greene (Anthony Edwards) during his final days. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Based on a true story, My Sister's Keeper stars Kathy Bates as Christine, who since childhood has suffered from a debilitating mental illness. Spending most of her life in and out of various institutions, Christine has long yearned for independence, but is unable to wrest free of her controlling mother, Helen (Lynn Redgrave). Upon Helen's death, her other daughter, Judy (Elizabeth Perkins), a successful, self-absorbed art director who has deliberately distanced herself from her family, is appointed trustee of the troubled Christine. The rest of the film chronicles Judy's frustrated efforts to balance her sister's needs with her own, and Christine's ongoing ambition to stand on her own two feet. Though the filmed studiously avoids false sentiment and pathos, it still manages to touch even the hardest of hearts. Adapted from a book by Margaret Moorman, My Sister's Keeper was first seen as a CBS "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentation on January 27, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kathy Bates, Elizabeth Perkins, (more)
- 2001
Chris (voice of Seth Green) gets a paper route so he'll be able to buy a birthday present for his junior high crush. He earns enough money to buy the girl a bottle of perfume. "It'll make you smell like Elizabeth Taylor," he tells her. "I guess that means you'll smell like bourbon and Vicodin." Things go downhill from there. Later, Chris witnesses a convenience store robbery. When he goes to the police station to pick the culprit out of a lineup, Peter (voice of Seth MacFarlane) idiotically reveals Chris' identity to the hoodlum. When the bad guy escapes from jail, the feds show up to put the Griffins in the witness relocation program. They're sent to Bumblescum, a tiny town in the Deep South. Their new home is a decrepit shack. "I bet if we fixed it up a bit," Lois (voice of Alex Borstein) enthuses, "it could be a piece of crap." Inside, they find a jar with a hand in it in the basement, and an unfunny Jeff Foxworthy (voice of Ralph Garman) in the closet. Peter is repeatedly attacked by raccoons. He rigs up the station wagon like the General Lee from The Dukes of Hazzard, and Stewie (MacFarlane) learns to play the banjo, which makes him "feel so deliciously white trash." Chris makes a new friend, Sam (voice of Kathleen Wilhoite), who appears to want more than friendship from him. But Peter runs afoul of the locals when he critiques a Civil War reenactment in which the South wins, and things get even more dangerous when the FBI agents inadvertently reveal Chris' location to the robber. This episode features the vocal talents of Brian Dunkelman, Dakota Fanning, and Waylon Jennings. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2000
It's Christmas time again, and angels Monica (Roma Downey), Tess (Della Reese) and Andrew (John Dye) are on their traditional Yuletide assignment. The three angels become involved in the trials and tribulations of the Benson family, whose son Cody (Christopher Marquette) suffers from Tourette's Syndrome, and whose dad Joe (Richard Lineback) is serving prison time for accidentally killing a teenager in a fit of anger. Things aren't going so well for mom Kathy (Kathleen Wilhoite) either; thanks to a campaign of hatred engineered by the mother (Ann Bosler) of Joe's victim, Kathy is the town pariah, unable to keep a job or even walk down the street without being barraged with angry words. The mission on this occasion is not only to help the Bensons, but also teach a few lessons in forgiveness and tolerance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Rage, jealousy, murder, and Eastern European automotive engineering combine in this offbeat black comedy. Verplanck, NY, is a small town north of Manhattan that has the dubious distinction of being the Yugo capital of America; the ill-fated import compact was first test-marketed in Verplanck, and nearly everyone in town drives one. So no one finds it unusual when a yellow Yugo is seen floating in the river, though seeing someone trapped inside is out of the ordinary. Verplanck's chief of police, Wyatt Rash (Danny De Vito), discovers that the deceased driver was a prominent local citizen, Mona Dearly (Bette Midler), and the evidence suggests that Mona's death was no accident. But the investigation into Mona's murder is hampered by one rather significant detail: nearly everyone in town hated Mona and wanted her dead. She alienated her son Jeff (Marcus Thomas) and his business partner Bobby (Casey Affleck). Bobby's girlfriend Ellen (Neve Campbell) (who is also Rash's daughter) is convinced that Mona would have tried to drive a wedge into their relationship. Mona's husband Phil (William Fichtner) couldn't stand her and fell into an affair with Rona (Jamie Lee Curtis), the waitress at the local diner. And even Rash's sidekick, Deputy Feege (Peter Dobson), spent too much time on the wrong end of Mona's temper to care that she's dead. Before long, the question is no longer who is a suspect, but who isn't? Drowning Mona was directed by Nick Gomez, who earned positive notices for his independent films New Jersey Drive and Illtown. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, (more)
