Jason Carter Movies

The seven-hour TV miniseries Ellis Island was adapted from a novel by Fred Mustard Stewart. Per its title, the film is a mosaic of subplots involving several European immigrants who passed through New York's Ellis Island before taking up residence in the Big Apple. Most of the characters are based on real people, notably the Irving Berlin-like musician played by Peter Riegert. Co-stars Faye Dunaway, Richard Burton (in his last film role) and Ann Jillian were honored with Emmy nominations. Ironically, this essentially American saga was largely filmed in London. Originally telecast November 11, 13, and 14, 1984, Ellis Island was re-edited and re-telecast in the summer of 1986, just in time for the Statue of Liberty Centennial. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Director Bruce Beresford has safely stayed within the domain of the Bible and not strayed into patches of Hollywood fiction in this routine version of the story of David (Richard Gere). For that reason, anyone unfamiliar with Biblical history might be puzzled by the episodic presentation of David's life. In the opening scenes, Samuel condemns Saul and anoints the young David as his heir, and in fairly quick succession David slays Goliath, incurs Saul's jealous wrath, leaves, and, much later, comes back to rule after Saul has died. Once David is on the throne, Bathsheba and then Absalom enter into the picture. Interspersed are brutal scenes of fighting, but not much in the way of motivation for David's complex behavior. Gaps in the narration or unclear motivation may be the result of trying to cover too many events in a 114-minute running time. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide

In this finely observed low-key drama, Alan Brandon lives by himself. Compared to his employee Bernard, he's practically upper-crust, but in reality he is just a small property holder. He has had his eye on Bernard's abused wife and teen-aged older daughter for some time and has yearnings for some kind of romantic contact with them. For a variety of reasons, Alan lets Bernard go and hires his wife Maud instead as his housekeeper. Meanwhile, Maud's older daughter has been carrying on a lackluster affair with Raif, an apparently parentless lad who lives in the town postmistress' house. When she discovers that she is pregnant, the last thing that she thinks of is marrying the boy, who could very well be the illegitimate son of a local priest. In typically British fashion, nobody admits to his or her real feelings, and fantasies abound. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

An unflinching drama of frustrated ambition and troubled siblings, Georgia examines the relationship between a self-destructive, would-be rock singer and her sister, a successful folk musician. Sadie (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is the younger, more troubled sister, a wild child with a taste for reckless behavior, from her dangerous romances to her attachments to drugs and alcohol. Hopping between low-rent clubs, Sadie struggles to make it from gig to gig, delivering rawly emotional performances that lack technical skill. Her repeated career failures drive her further into addiction, sending her life into a downward spiral. Ultimately, she is forced to seek help from her sister Georgia (Mare Winningham), who is everything Sadie is not: married, financially secure, and blessed with a smooth voice that has won her popular success. A clash of seemingly opposite personalities follows, as Georgia attempts to help Sadie without becoming damaged herself. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide

With G'Kar having returned to civilian life, he is replaced on B5 by Na'Far (Stephen Macht), a Narn representative of the ruling Centauri. While contending with an association of cargo pilots, Sheridan and Ivanova make contact with an alien probe, which offers B5 a daunting choice: All the combined knowledge of the universe --- or total destruction. And Londo's strained relationship with Vir bodes ill for everyone concerned. First telecast during the week of November 20, 1995, "A Day in the Strife" was written by J. Michael Straczynski. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

"Point of No Return" was the blanket title for the third-season episodes of Babylon 5. The first installment in this saga, "Matters of Honor," was written by series creator J. Michael Straczynski, who went on to script every episode during the 1995-96 season. Things get under way as Captain Sheridan heads to Vorlon, there to thank Ambassador Kosh for saving his life. Back on B5, Earthforce Special Intelligence officer Endwai (Tucker Smallwood) investigates the strange ship encountered by Lt. Keffer, while a rift delevops in the relationship between Londo and Morden. As the episode rushes to its conclusion, Sheridan mans a Minbari-Vorlon vessel to confront a dangerous new enemy: the Shadows. Jason Carter joins the cast as Ranger Marcus Cole. "Matters of Honor" first aired the week of November 6, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Walter Koenig returns as B5's pesky nemesis, Psi Cop Bester. On this occasion, Bester and the crew are obliged to form an uncomfortable alliance. The mission: to capture and neutralize Lindstrom (George Gerdes), the dealer of a dangerous telepathic drug. Main complication: G'Kar may be on the verge of becoming addicted to the deadly "dust." Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Dust to Dust" was first syndicated during the week of February 5, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Appalled by the civil unrest on Earth, Sheridan declares Babylon 5 as an independent state. As President Clark summons his forces to seize control of B5, Delenn asks Minbari for help. A Ranger arrives with news that throws Delenn for a loss. And that is all that can be said without giving away the many plot surprises in "Severed Dreams." Written J. Michael Straczynski, this episode won the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation. In America, it was first made available for syndication during the week of April 1 , 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Sheridan receives distressing news from archaeologist Dr. Kirkish (Nancy Stafford): The Earth had formed an alliance with the Shadows. Rushing to Ganymede, Sheridan hopes to destroy a downed Shadow vessel before its technology can be used for evil purposes. Meanwhile, the civilian population of the Earth is under the thumb of the Nightwatch. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Messages from Earth" debuted the week of February 19, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Psi Cop Bester (Walter Koenig) again solicits the help of his erswhile foe Captain Sheridan. This time, Best wants to stop a transport ship which is smuggling Shadow weapons. While Bester faces possible censure from his own colleagues, G'Kar faces a different challenge when he asks to join the Conspiracy of Light. And the Interstellar Network News returns to the air despite opposition from President Clark. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Ship of Tears" first aired the week of April 29, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Vir returns to Babylon 5 for an arranged marriage with Centauri woman Lyndisty (Carmen Thomas). His surprise at this development is nothing compared to his dismay upon learning that he has been targetted for assassination by the Narn. And Sheridan asks Delenn out for a date, which doesn't quite go as planned. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Sic Transit Vir" was first broadcast in the US during the week of April 15, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The final five episodes of Babylon 5's third season were originally shown in England from August 19 to September 22, 1996, but the American syndication service PTEN did not wish to "throw away" these episodes during the low-rated late summer months. Thus, viewers in the US did not see the season's final story arc until September, beginning with the telecast of "Walkabout" during the week of September 30, 1996. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "Walkabout" finds Captain Sheridan and telepath Lyta Alexander (Patricia Tallman) preparing to exploit the Shadows' newly-discovered "achilles' heel" to mount a counteroffensive against the enemy. Meanwhile, Dr. Franklin heads DownBelow to determine his true purpose in life. Erica Gimpel appears as Cailyn, a beautiful singer who will have a profound effect on the introspective Franklin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

"War Without End" was one of the few two-part stories in the Babylon 5 canon. In Part One, Michael O'Hare returns as Ambassador Sinclair, who pays a final visit to B5 for the purpose of revealing the fate of Babylon 4 (last seen in the 1994 episode "Babylon Squared"). In the course of the story, Delenn makes a confession that ties a number of dangling plot strands from previous episodes --- but there are even more suprises still to come. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, Part One of "War Without End" was first made available to American television during the week of May 13, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide