Sherman Augustus Movies

A psychotic madman with a penchant for sadistic riddles and impossible timelines corrals three unsuspecting individuals into a deadly game in which death draws closer with every second in director Robby Henson's dark, labyrinthine thriller. When the mysterious serial killer known as the Riddle Killer orders naïve seminary student Kevin Parson (Marc Blucas) to confess an unknown sin from his past, the clock soon begins to tick for this future man of the cloth. Fortunately for Kevin, police profiler Jennifer Peters (Justine Waddell) is determined to capture the elusive murderer before he strikes again. A well-known author who specializes in the subject of serial killers, Jennifer was scarred for life when she was previously targeted by the Riddle Killer and forced to watch as her brother was brutally murdered right before her eyes. As Jennifer and Kevin join forces to catch the Riddle Killer and end his murderous killing spree, Kevin's childhood friend Samantha (Laura Jordan) -- a former FBI agent-turned-insurance investigator -- returns to protect her friend, even if it means risking her own life. Now, with the minutes ticking away as Kevin struggles to recall the childhood sin that threatens to bring about his untimely demise, the three desperate souls journey into a grim world where your closest friend could be your worst enemy. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

A clumsy criminal is put in a position where he not only has to save his own skin, but that of his girlfriend in this comedy with strong undercurrents of romance. Jerry Welbach (Brad Pitt) is a low-level Mafia "mechanic" whose ineptitude is countered by frequent (but unpredictable) bursts of dumb luck. Jerry's girlfriend Samantha (Julia Roberts) wants him to get out of the business, and after his latest blunder lands capo Arnold Margolese (Gene Hackman) in jail, so does mid-level crime kingpin Bernie Nayman (Bob Balaban). But Bernie insists that Jerry do one last errand for the mob before they let him find employment elsewhere -- he has to go to Mexico and recover a rare and very valuable pistol, which is said to be cursed. While Samantha objects to Jerry taking the assignment, he isn't in much of a position to argue; Jerry heads south of the border, while Samantha, in a huff, sets out for Las Vegas. Once in Mexico, Jerry finds the pistol easily enough, but making his way back to the States proves to be an unexpected challenge. Meanwhile, Jerry's superiors want insurance that he'll return with the goods, so they hire Leroy (James Gandolfini), a hitman, to kidnap Samantha and hold her hostage until Jerry comes back. However, Samantha and Leroy quickly strike up a friendship, and she soon learns the gunman has a sensitive side he doesn't show to the world -- along with a few other secrets. The Mexican marked the first screen pairing for mega-stars Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt -- though, given the film's narrative arc, they play only a handful of scenes together. The film was directed by Gore Verbinski, who won awards for his work in commercials before breaking through with the quirky family comedy Mouse Hunt. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Based on a novel by Linda Fairstein, the made-for-TV Final Jeopardy stars Dana Delany as prosecuting attorney Alexandra Cooper. During a visit to Alexandra's Manhattan apartment, her best friend, an actress, is murdered. At first wondering why anyone would want to kill her friend, Alexandra arrives at the horrifying conclusion that she herself was the intended victim -- and that the killer is prepared to try again at any time. Billy Burke costars as Mike Chapman, who after being dragged into the murder investigation, falls in love with Alexandra, a plot complication that could very well end in tragedy for at least one of the parties involved. Final Jeopardy premiered April 9, 2001 on ABC. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Cicely Tyson guest stars as frail but feisty septugenarian Abigail Jackson, who is urged by Monica (Roma Downey) and the angels to consider moving into a posh retirement community. Terrified at "losing" his mom (even though he's got a family of his own), Abigail's pathologically dependent son Phillip (Sherman Augustus) will stop at nothing to prevent her from moving into the community--even going so far as to freeze the old woman's bank account! All this intrigue is played against a secondary story about a brilliant but reclusive artist named Lois (Tonea Stewart), who is coaxed out of her shell by an ebullient graffiti artist named Ramone (Rick Gonzales). Series star Della Reese (Tess) wrote the script for this episode, using her married name. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The life of teenager Eric Sutter (Nick Stahl) is forever changed for the worse when he is arrested for attacking a neighbor woman with a knife--the case being "sealed" when the victim positively I.D.s the hapless Eric, who has harbored a crush on the woman for months. Anxious for a conviction, the police use only the evidence that will bolster their case in prosecuting Eric, while the media has a field day stirring up public resentment against the boy. Too, Eric's surly, rebellious attitude seems calculated to tighten the noose around his neck. Only Eric's mother Margaret (Marilu Henner)and her loyal boyfriend David (Matt McCoy) believe in the boy's innocence, and together they tirelessly fight for justice against all odds. Originally broadcast by ABC, the fact-based My Son is Innocent first aired May 6, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Jessica (Angela Lansbury) agrees to write a mystery scenario for a new interactive video game created by an eccentric electronics genius. While sampling the game's "virtual reality" mode, Jessica witnesses what appears to be a murder. Sure enough, the game's inventor has been killed is "real" reality--and the suspect list nearly sends Jessica into overload! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Based on a true story, once again we have a tale of a battered homemaker who seeks help from the deaf ear of bureaucracy when she feels that she must protect herself and her children from her abusive husband. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi