Con O'Neill Movies

Adapted from Nick Moran and James Hicks' critically-lauded stage play, Telstar tells the remarkable tale of eccentric, London-based songwriter/producer Joe Meek (Con O'Neill), whose innovative recording techniques ushered in a bold new era of rock 'n' roll in the late 1950s. Tone deaf and musically illiterate, Meek nevertheless had a lifelong obsession with music and a knack for producing. Though Meek's tireless work ethic ensured a tumultuous relationship with his band, his ramshackle, apartment recording studio provided just enough space to record, and experiment with such cutting-edge techniques as sampling and distortion. Meanwhile, his landlady Mrs. Shenton does her best to put up with the racket, and his main backer Major Wilfred Banks (Kevin Spacey) provides the cash to produce such hits as "Be-Bop-A-Lula", " Johnny Remember Me", and, of course, "Telstar". ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

In this sequel to John Dahl's acclaimed thriller, Bridgette Gregory (Joan Severance) is hiding out in Spain when she sinks her claws into an unscrupulous British businessman; meanwhile, she has to stay a few steps ahead of a bounty hunter who wants to bring her to justice. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

In this TV miniseries based on the 1749 Henry Fielding novel, kindly Squire Allworthy (Benjamin Whitrow) adopts an infant boy left at his home after unmarried Jenny Jones (Camille Coduri) is paid by the real mother to admit that the child is hers. Having lost his own children in infancy, then his wife, Allworthy pours all his love on the little chap, names him Tom after himself and Jones after his supposed mother, and raises him on his vast estate in Somersetshire in Western England. By this time, Jenny Jones has left for another part of England without disclosing the name of the real mother, Allworthy's own sister, Bridget, who lives with the squire. Meanwhile, Bridget (Tessa Peake-Jones) marries money-hungry Captain Blifil (Con O'Neill), who dies of a stroke after Bridget gives birth to a child, William. William and Tom grow up together. A nasty wretch, William (James D'Arcy) despises Tom (Max Beesley) and constantly plots against him. Although Tom is good-hearted, he has a mischievous streak. However, whenever he gets into trouble, it is usually to help others. As young men, Tom and William vie for the affections of beautiful Sophia Western (Samantha Morton), daughter of wealthy landowner Squire Western (Brian Blessed). Although she loves Tom, her father wants her to marry Allworthy's nephew, Blifil, to unite the Western and Allworthy estates. After Tom has a fling with a gamekeeper's daughter, Molly Seagrim (Rachel Scorgie), she becomes pregnant and Tom dutifully accepts responsibility for fathering the child. Later, though, he discovers that Molly has had many lovers. But it's too late. Tom's misadventures -- as well as Blifel's machinations against him -- convince Squire Allworthy to disinherit him and cast him out. Tom strikes out for the seacoast. Sophia later follows him. While encountering many adventures during his travels, Tom learns the truth about himself from a schoolteacher who had employed Jenny Jones as a servant. Eventually, Sophia goes to London, and all of the principal characters -- learning of her presence there -- also end up there. The climax reveals the ultimate fate of Tom and Sophia and the heir of the Allworthy estate. ~ Mike Cummings, Rovi

In this made-for-British-TV mystery, Inspector Morse and his sidekick Lewis fly Down Under to locate a key witness against a gang of burglars. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

British playwright Willy Russell (Shirley Valentine, Educating Rita) adapts his play Stags and Hens for the screen and, with director Mike Ockrent, who also directed the stage production of Educating Rita, succeeds in conveying the cocky-eyed and aimless textures of working-class Liverpool ("It's like Beirut without the sun" one character points out) in Dancin' Thru the Dark. In this atmosphere-laden character piece, Linda (Claire Hackett) is out cavorting with her friends on the night before her wedding at a Liverpool nightery. But then her husband-to-be and his friends arrive to celebrate at the same joint. As if that weren't enough coincidence to go around, pop singer Peter (Con O'Neill), Linda's ex-boyfriend, and his rock band arrive in town to play a gig -- and it happens to be at the same club. Then Linda's past and future come together like two smashing beer mugs. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi