Debra Christofferson Movies
As the final war between Good and Evil looms two powerful avatars divided by fate share one mission. For Ben Hawkins and Brother Justin, the race is on to find the elusive Henry Scudder--and the fate of the world depends on who finds him first.
- Starring:
- Nick Stahl, Clancy Brown, (more)
An attempt to carry the nostalgic torch of such efforts as St. Elmo's Fire and Return of the Secaucus Seven into the new millennium, albeit with an unexpectedly criminal twist, former assistant to Steven Spielberg Marc Fusco makes his directorial debut with this ensemble drama. Bored and disillusioned by their professional lives after living it up in college, a group of friends reunite a year after their graduation and attempt to recapture the spontaneity of their more carefree days by staging a bank robbery. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlotte Ayanna, Ethan Embry, (more)
1934. The Dustbowl. The last great age of magic. In a time of titanic sandstorms, vile plagues, drought and pistilence - signs of God's fury and harbingers of the Apocalypse - the final conflict between good and evil is about to begin. The battle will take place in the Heartland of an empire called America. And when it is over, man will forever trade away wonder for reason. See the conflict of good vs. evil played out against a pair of vivid and unusual backdrops: a traveling carnival working the American Dustbowl circuit, and an evangelical ministry in California.
- Starring:
- Nick Stahl, Clancy Brown, (more)
The Oprah Book Club best-seller by Janet Fitch makes it to the big screen in this adaptation from British director Peter Kosminsky. White Oleander recounts the traumatic adolescence of Astrid Magnusson (Alison Lohman), who finds herself an orphan after her short-fused, enigmatic artist mother Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) is carted off to prison on murder charges. Astrid first finds herself in the care of Starr (Robin Wright Penn), a garish, born-again mother of two with a gruff but sensitive boyfriend (Cole Hauser). From there, she's shunted back to a state-run facility, where she tangles with other troubled teens and finds temporary solace in the arms of Paul (Patrick Fugit), a dough-faced comic book artist with dreams of moving to New York City. Astrid then lucks into a living arrangement with a successful but insecure actress (Renee Zellweger) who offers her unconditional love. But Ingrid's stifling influence continues to haunt her daughter, whether through the occasional prison visit or via manipulative letters to Astrid's caretakers. White Oleander received a Gala North American premiere at the 2002 Toronto Film Festival before reaching multiplexes later that fall. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alison Lohman, Michelle Pfeiffer, (more)
Four twentysomethings map out a bold but very risky plan to change their lives in this independent drama. Trevor Logan (Ethan Embry), Alec Nichols (Peter Facinelli), Casey Shepard (Scott Foley), and Samantha Parkes (Charlotte Ayanna) are four close friends who met while they were all attending college in Eugene, OR. Trevor is an aspiring musician and actor, Alec aspires to a career in finance and isn't above bending the rules to get what he wants, Casey is the son of bohemian parents who has a fondness for travel and a desire to teach kids, and Samantha has rejected her father's workaholic ways and hopes to make a career out of community service. After graduating, the four friends move to Los Angeles, but they discover that life in the real world is a good bit harder than they ever expected. As all four experience their own frustrations and setbacks as they try to make a place for themselves in the world of work, Alec comes up with a daring but dangerous plan to gain financial independence for life -- robbing a bank. Rennie's Landing was screened in competition at the 2001 Seattle Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Facinelli, Ethan Embry, (more)
- Starring:
- Bonnie Bedelia, Nancy McKeon, (more)
Produced for the TNT cable network, this is the last in a short series of TV movies starring Burt Reynolds as retired police detective Logan McQueen. Something of a bargain-basement Die Hard, the plot is set in motion when a disturbed, vengeance-seeking Vietnam veteran named Arlin Flynn (Keith Carradine) takes over the landmark California hotel where congressman Robert Sinclair (David Rasche) is delivering a speech, then kidnaps Sinclair's family. The situation becomes personal for maverick former cop McQueen when his ex-partner Charlie Duffy (Charles Durning) is also kidnapped while trying to negotiate with Flynn. Despite the many deadly booby traps set in and around the besieged hotel by the crazed but clever villain, McQueen endeavors to defuse the crisis and rescue the hostages himself. Directed by longtime Burt Reynolds crony Hal Needham, Hostage Hotel first aired November 14, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Burt Reynolds, Charles Durning, (more)
- Starring:
- Calista Flockhart, Courtney Thorne-Smith, (more)
Gore Verbinski, the TV-commercials director responsible for the Budweiser frogs, directed this Adam Rifkin screenplay about two brothers (Nathan Lane and Lee Evans) who inherit a string factory and a decaying country home after the death of their father (the late William Hickey, in his last role). After moving in, they learn that the house has historical architectural importance and is valued in the millions. However, they are constantly tormented by a mouse within the walls. They engage in cartoon-like combat against the rodent, but it manages to outwit the brothers in successive situations. Both live and animatronic mice portray the title role, and some scenes assume the mouse's point of view. The film is dedicated to William Hickey. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nathan Lane, Lee Evans, (more)
After her nervous breakdown, Diane (Kim Delaney) agrees to seek out professional help. Geri Turner (Debra Christofferson), the "kinky" assistant whom Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) had transferred from the department, is the main suspect in a hanging which may have resulted from a session of rough sex. A murder at a construction site reveals a larger conspiracy. And Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) draws closer to the convalescing Gina (Lourdes Benedicto). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
When Simone (Jimmy Smits) and Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) reopen a old case in which a man may have wrongly been sent to prison, the detective who originally worked the case isn't too happy. Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) runs against Gotelli (Carmine Caridi) in the union-delegate election. Simone probes further into the murder committed in the building he inherited, and again contends with the resentment of Henry Coffield (Willie Garson). And it looks like Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) has a slight edge over Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) in the "battle of the bulge." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Detective Stu Morrissey (Conor O'Farrell) thinks that a father knows more than he's letting on about a missing baby. Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) makes a bet that he can lose more weight than Sipowicz (Dennis Franz). Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) campaigns to be elected the squad's union delegate. Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) has a run-in with Henry (Willie Garson) when a woman is killed outside the building Simone inherited from Henry's aunt. And Bobby and Dianne Russell (Kim Delaney) talk over their relationship. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The fourth season of NYPD Blue begins with a clean-and-sober Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) finally coping with the death of his son Andy Jr., but obsessing over the care given his baby boy, Theo -- so much so that it seriously affects his work. On the verge of proposing to Diane Russell (Kim Delaney) -- who, like Sipowicz, is still trying to get over her booze habit -- Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) inherits an apartment building and immediately clashes with the eccentric nephew (Willie Garson) of his benefactor. A body in a trunk shows up in the wrong precinct, causes all sorts of red tape. And Greg Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) decides to go on a diet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) and Simone's (Jimmy Smits) investigation of a limo driver's murder leads to a vice ring. Henry (Willie Garson), the nephew of the woman from whom Simone inherited an apartment building, finally reveals what he knows about a murder that occurred just outside the building. Diane (Kim Delaney) has trouble explaining to Simone that she has been assigned to get the goods on handsome hoodlum Jimmy Liery. The sexually promiscuous Geri (Debra Christofferson) is "kicked upstairs." And a kidnapping plot is foiled by a new member of the precinct, Detective Jill Kirkendall (Andrea Thompson, in her first series appearance). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
While in New York on an art-collecting expedition, a European princess is attacked and left comatose. Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) thinks that the princess' husband (Ian Buchanan) might know more than he's willing to admit about the crime. In other developments, a female member of the precinct makes a shocking proposition; Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) continues to lose weight; newly elected union delegate Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) must exercise discretion when faced with the possibility that one of the 15th's cops is a bigamist; and recovering alcoholic Diane (Kim Delaney) is assigned to an undercover case that threatens to push her off the wagon again. Future Law & Order: SVU star Christopher Meloni makes the first of several appearances as underworld operative Jimmy Liery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Initially resistant to joining a carpool, Al proves more receptive when his travelling companions turn out to be a trio of toothsome lingerie models (Jane Abbott, Shannon K. Dunn, Debra Christofferson). Things take a sharp turn for the worse when Al and the girls are chosen to represent a "Clean Up Chicago" campaign. Meanwhile, "Verminator" Kelly (Christina Applegate) somehow wins the Employee of the Month award. Watch for a throwaway gag involving unlamented former regular Shane Sweet--not to mention a lengthier perusal of onetime Penthouse model Sandra Korn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the tradition of Mel Brooks, this Italian comedy offers an episodic parody of classic thrillers and horror movies. Film includes cameos from several stars including Mel Brooks, John Astin, Larry Storch, Phyllis Diller, John Carpenter, and John Landis. The story begins as director Ezio Greggio is being stabbed ala Psycho in his shower. Before he dies he recaps the events leading to his death. The scene was L.A. and FBI rookie Jo Dee Fostar has been assigned to interview psycho inmate Dr. Animal Cannibal Pizza. Meanwhile Fostar's girlfriend swipes $400,000 bucks from her boss and ends up hiding in the Cemetery Hotel, run by Antonio Motel. Inspector Balsam investigates cases of dead hotel victims. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dom DeLuise, Ezio Greggio, (more)
When a portly pouting wife gets jealous of her hubby and suspects he's cavorting with a Playboy pin-up gal, she enrolls in the same workout club to spy on the gal, which provides for some routine laughs. ~ All Movie Guide

- 1991
- Add The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw to QueueAdd The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw to top of Queue
The fourth of Kenny Rogers' Gambler TV movies, 1991's The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw is regarded by many Western diehards as the best. This time, gambler Brady Hawkes is en route to a high-stakes poker game in San Francisco. His travelling companions are a trouble-prone frontier Romeo (Rick Rossovich) and a feisty ex-saloon gal (Reba McEntire). Never mind that: The real attraction of Luck of the Draw is its enormous guest-star lineup of famous TV cowboy heroes of yore: Gene "Bat Masterson" Barry, Hugh "Wyatt Earp" O'Brien, Brian "The Westerner" Keith, Chuck "The Rifleman" Connors, Jack "Maverick" Kelly, Clint "Cheyenne" Walker, David "Kung Fu" Carradine, and "Virginian" co-stars James Drury and Doug McClure. The first portion of this two-part movie concentrates on setting up the plot; Part two is the card game itself, preceded by a boxing match refereed by Bat Masterson (Gene Barry). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kenny Rogers, Reba McEntire, (more)
This episode focuses on Blue Moon employees Bert Viola (Curtis Armstrong) and Agnes Dipesto (Allyce Beasley). Bert wants to attend a Viola family reunion, but Agnes has been sequestered with the jury for the murder trial of one John Gibson--and of course, Agnes is the sole holdout who believes in Gibson's innocence. Out of desperation, Bert decides that the only way to get Agnes out of the jury room is to solve the murder himself! In a dream sequence, the Moonlighting regulars are recast as the principals in John Gibson's alleged crime. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this light, standard comedy about four sailors (D.W. Brown, Peter Ellenstein, Patrick Houser and Chip McAllister) out for a fun weekend in Los Angeles, the men have several misadventures in Watts, at Venice Beach, and at a strip bar before they start to meet a few women who actually find them interesting. The former gang member (McAllister) meets an jazzercise instructor, the class clown (Brown) meets his distaff parallel, the nerd (Ellenstein) meets a thinking young woman, and the sports hero (Houser) meets his counterpart. The fun and interest lie in the telling, and so most of the time is spent on the way to the final pairing off. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- D.W. Brown, Peter Ellenstein, (more)





















