John Bowe Movies
Shaun of the Dead star Kate Ashfield headlines this tightly-wound psychological thriller adapted from author Nicci French's novel about romance gone wrong, and the devastating repercussions that follow. For Miranda Cotton (Ashfield) it was just a brief fling, but for Brendan Block (David Tennant) it was so much more. When Miranda broke up with Brendan she figured he would eventually move on. Three weeks later Miranda's younger sister Kerry announces that she has just landed a new boyfriend, and his name is Brendan Block. Now, all of Miranda's friends are dying, and she's convinced that Brendan is the killer. Realizing that the only way to beat her manipulative ex-lover at his own game is to somehow turn the tables on him, Miranda puts her life on the line to prove that Brendan is killer the police are searching for. Should her plan backfire Miranda will most certainly die, and should she fail her sister will pay the ultimate price. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Tennant, Kate Ashfield, (more)
- 2000
Set in the titular district northwest of London that has long been heavily populated by Irish immigrants, County Kilburn opens as young bartender Mickey (Ciaran McMenamin) is working his last week on the job at the Waggon & Horses. Alone behind the bar thanks to the sudden death of the pub's owner, Mickey spends much of his time mulling over problems with his girlfriend and begins to suspect that there's more to life than hawking booze. During his last week -- the film is split into sections by days -- he is joined at various intervals by a series of regulars that includes Johno (Rick Warden), an old school friend who has a secret concerning his longtime unemployment; Black Jack (John Bowe), whose nasty misogyny may be a cover for something he's hiding; crotchety, laconic Mr. Bollox (Norman Rodway), so named because of his propensity to use the word; and Billy (Simon Sherlock), a slick car salesman. The pub's quiet routine is interrupted by the arrival of Sue (Georgia Mackenzie), an old schoolmate on whom both Mickey and Johno once had a crush. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ciarán McMenamin, Rick Warden, (more)
A corporate lawyer on the brink of collapse finally snaps when a typical road-rage incident sends him spiraling into a murderous fury in this pressure-cooker tale of slow-burning tension starring Sin City and Inside Man's Clive Owen. With demands at both work and home weighing heavily on his tired shoulders, attorney Michael Anderson (Owen) is a ticking time bomb just waiting to explode. When the moment comes and Anderson does finally snap, the result is a chilling act of intentional violence that sparks headlines across the city. Now determined to cover up his actions and duck the consequences of his impulsive brutality, Anderson sinks ever deeper into a soul-corrupting world of dangerous deception that threatens not only to consume him but his unsuspecting friends, family, and co-workers as well. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
The epic saga of the Queen of Egypt gets yet another retelling in Cleopatra, a four-hour, two-part spectacular produced for television. Leonor Varela plays Cleopatra, the Egyptian monarch who uses her wisdom, charm, ruthlessness, and seductive powers to work her way into the heart (and bed) of Roman leader Julius Caesar (Timothy Dalton). But Cleopatra shifts her romantic alliances to Marc Anthony (Billy Zane) just in time for Caesar's death and Anthony's rise to the throne. When Rome goes to war, however, Cleopatra realizes that she can only remain in power for so long, eventually making a late date with an asp when things get especially grim. This is at least the 12th film based on Cleopatra's life (the best-known being the infamously expensive 1962 version starring Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton). Produced by Hallmark for NBC television, this version first aired as a two-part miniseries in May 1999. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leonor Varela, Timothy Dalton, (more)
In this historical drama produced for British television, the Poldark family faces the many crises of the moment as Great Britain struggles through the dark days of 1810. Ross Poldark (John Bowe) is a Member of Parliament as England wages war against France and the throne is held by a King who has gone mad; Ross joins the Army on the field of battle, while his wife Demelza (Mel Martin) and his children Jeremy (Ioan Gruffudd) and Clowance (Kelly Reilly) all pray for his safe return. While the family's feud with George Warleggen (Michael Attwell) smolders in Ross's absence, Jeremy falls into an alliance with Stephen Cravenson (Nicholas Gleaves), a noted smuggler and ne'er-do-well; Clowance also finds herself tied to Cravenson as they become romantically involved. This version of Poldark followed the popular mini-series of the same name that was produced in 1975. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Bowe
- 1996
The Prince and the Pauper, Mark Twain's novel about adventure and intrigue in the court of Henry VIII, has been adapted countless times for films and television. In 1996, a six-part miniseries version was seen in the United Kingdom. As ever, the story was predicated upon the astonishing resemblance between Prince Edward, heir to the British throne, and Tom Canty, the low-born son of a scoundrelly thief (both parts were played on this occasion by Philip Sarson). Of the many subplots, the one taking up most of the screen time dealt with the combined efforts of Edward and Tom to restore the property and reputation of discredited nobleman Miles Herndon (James Purefoy). The story ended with the hapless Tom, posing as the Prince, very nearly being crowned king in Edward's absence. The Prince and the Pauper was adapted for television by Julian Fellowes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Philip Sarson, James Purefoy, (more)
Helen Mirren delivers a standout performance in this TV miniseries as Jane Tennison, a London police detective. Tennison is trying to track down a sex-crazed killer who is murdering prostitutes, while at the same time doing battle with her male colleagues for her fair share of respect and responsibility on the force. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Helen Mirren, Tom Bell, (more)
- 1992
The made-for-cable film Stalin relates the story of the ruthless Soviet dictator and his tyrannical rule. Robert Duvall gives an excellent performance as the dictator and the photography is beautiful, as are the sets, since much of the movie was shot on location in Russia. The screenplay also does a good job of detailing Stalin's aggression, not only on his citizens, but also his young wife (Julia Ormand). Nevertheless, the story is very detailed and viewers need to pay close attention in order to make the film a rewarding experience. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Duvall, Julia Ormond, (more)
- 1988
The first directorial effort of British screenwriter Paul Greengrass, Resurrected is based on a true story that came to light during the Falklands War. David Thewlis plays an Army private who, after being listed as missing and presumed dead, wanders back into camp, a victim of amnesia. The army, embarrassed at the situation and not fully believing the boy's story, downplays Thewlis' return. His British home town had planned to give him a hero's welcome, but a newspaper story has intimated that the boy was a deserter. The general consensus is that it would have been better if Thewlis had really died, thus saving his neighbors from embarrassment. With no one, not even his parents, willing to believe the amnesia story, Thewlis is persona non grata, and to add to his troubles he is severely beaten by several of his former army buddies. An ironic coda caps this unpleasant glimpse at the darker side of human nature. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Thewlis, Tom Bell, (more)
- 1985
Anthony Burgess translated and adapted this staging of Edmond Rostand's 19th century theatrical classic. Derek Jacobi (of I Claudius) fame stars as Cyrano de Bergerac, the ski-nosed poet, philosopher and swordsman. Believing that the beautiful Roxanne will shrink from his ugliness, Cyrano woos her by proxy, feeding the handsome but empty-headed Christian the honey'd words of love that will win the lady's heart. Jacobi is given powerhouse support by the Royal Shakespeare Company, including the exquisite Sinead Cusack as Roxanne. Videotaped for British television, Cyrano de Bergerac was telecast in America on selected PBS and cable-TV outlets. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Derek Jacobi, Sinéad Cusack, (more)
Andy Warhol was a phenomenon who warrants a lot of explaining: a completely colorless mega-star celebrity, and a kind of LaBrea Tarpit for a vivid and talented collection of oddballs in the New York scene. He fostered their continued degeneration into weird lifestyles and heavy drug use; and at the same time acted as their mentor, agent, and sponsor. One artist who came to be part of Warhol's "scene" was Jean Michel Basquiat, an antisocial street-bum who went from writing graffiti on alley walls to being the toast of New York City's art world. This film biography chronicles the progression of Basquiat (Jeffrey Wright) and his progression from living in cardboard boxes to penthouses, his romances, his drug use, and his death in 1988 at age 27. Along the way, he never stopped detesting the rich, including art agent Bruno Bischofberger (Dennis Hopper), and he never lost his naivete. Warhol (David Bowie) picks up some of the pieces as Basquiat lurches through the art scene. Cameo appearances by Tatum O'Neal and Courtney Love add spice to this interesting film. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeffrey Wright, Michael Wincott, (more)
The Living Daylights represents the first appearance by Timothy Dalton as "Bond...James Bond." Based very, very loosely on an obscure Ian Fleming short story, the film finds Bond assigned to aid in the defection of KGB agent Jeroen Krabbe. 007 must prevent an unknown sniper from killing Krabbe before he can reach the West. The mysterious assailant turns out to be the luscious Maryam d'Abo, who like practically everyone in the film except Bond is Not All That She Seems. The plot wends its way through a scheme to trade several million dollars' worth of diamonds for weapons, which will be shipped off to mercenaries worldwide. The climax takes place high above the clouds in a cargo plane loaded with opium. Dalton would play Bond one more time in License to Kill (1989) before handing the franchise over to Pierce Brosnan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Timothy Dalton, Maryam D'Abo, (more)
