Carlton Cuse Movies
- 2005
As any college theater student will tell you, the title of this episode translates as "god from the machine," a theatrical device whereby everyone's problems are solved by a single, miraculous and highly unlikely climactic act of divine intervention. In this case, the deus ex machina is literally a "machine" -- an airplane found in the forest that may or may not prove a means of escape for the survivors. But there's more to the story than that, especially when an extended flashback reveals some traumatic events from Locke's (Terry O'Quinn) past. As an adult, Locke made contact with his biological father, whom he'd never known, and the two started to bond, but there was more to the situation than there seemed to be. In other events, Sawyer (Josh Holloway) is suffering from extreme headaches, and Jack (Matthew Fox) and Sayid (Naveen Andrews) come up with a solution that he most certainly does not like. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Swoosie Kurtz, Kevin Tighe, (more)
- 2005
Is Shannon's (Maggie Grace) life really placed in danger by a secret shared by her brother, Boone (Ian Somerhalder), and the enigmatic Locke (Terry O'Quinn) -- or is someone merely overreacting? Whatever the case, there are a few unsavory facts about the siblings' past relationship that come to light in this episode. Elsewhere, that apparently prehistoric island beast is due for a return "appearance." And while Hurley (Jorge Garcia) plans to repay Jin (Daniel Dae Kim) for past favors, Jin's wife, Sun (Yunjin Kim), accidentally reveals a secret while gardening with Kate (Evangeline Lilly). ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Mesure, Kelly Rice, (more)
- 2004
The runaway hit of ABC's 2004-2005 TV season, the weekly, hour-long drama series Lost began at a point that in any other case may have been an ending: a passenger jet was torn apart in mid-air, crashing on an uncharted Pacific Island. Stripped of all vestiges of the civilized world, the 48 survivors were forced to fend for themselves in their new tropical surroundings, which departed from the "norm" for similar castaway dramas by boasting a bizarre and frequently incomprehensible topography, not to mention a most unusual variety of wildlife -- include at least one polar bear! Among the principal survivors were Dr. Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox); fugitive Kate Ryan (Evangeline Lilly); has-been rock star Charlie Pace (Dominic Monaghan); the reclusive and mysterious John Locke (Terry O'Quinn); hot-tempered and self-serving James "Sawyer" Ford (Josh Holloway); chauvinistic Korean husband Jin Kwon (Daniel Dae Kim) and his much-put-upon wife, Sun (Yunjin Kim); resourceful former Iraqi Republican Guard Sayid (Naveen Andrews); estranged siblings Shannon Rutherford and Boone Carlisle (Maggie Grace, Ian Somerhalder) -- she's a bitch, he's a control freak; dad Michael Dawson (Harold Perrineau) and his sullen young son, Walt (Malcolm David Kelley); roly-poly comic relief Hugo "Hurley" Reyes (Jorge Garcia); and very pregnant Aussie Claire Littleton (Emilie de Raven). Forced to rely upon one another to stay alive, this diverse group shares a number of sinister secrets and oft-unsavory interrelationships, with the truth behind each character revealed piecemeal via flashbacks and little-unexpected twists of plot. Adding to the suspense, at least during the series' first season, was the apparent presence of a person not on the passenger list, who seemed determined to bump off the hapless castaways one by one, and a mysterious, terrifying yet unseen monster-like creature. Co-created by J.J. Abrams of Alias and Felicity fame, Lost debuted on September 22, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
A vehicle for Romeo Must Die star Russell Wong, the weekly, 60-minute adventure series Black Sash cast Wong as Tom Chang, a former San Francisco cop who returned to his homeland in disgrace after being wrongly imprisoned for years in a Hong Kong jail. Hoping to find a new purpose in life, Tom became a martial arts instructor for a group of young trainees, also outcasts from society. Among Tom's pupils (who treated their teacher like a father-confessor, a relationship he did nothing to discourage) were street-smart Bryan (Ray J), shy Allie (Sarah Carter), abused-teen Trip (Corey Servier), and vengeance-seeking Tory (Missy Peregrym). All the while, Tom hoped to reconnect with his estranged daughter, despite a court order forcing him to remain 100 yards away from the girl. Black Sash made its WB network bow on March 30, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Hong Kong action-movie superstar Sammo Hung keeps the kicks flying in this TV action farce about a Chinese lawman (Hung) brought to Los Angeles to join forces with detective Louis McGray (Louis Mandylor) and detective Dana Doyle (Tammy Lauren). It's not long before this trio has the bad guys on the run. Filmed in Van Nuys, this series premiered September 16, 1998 on CBS. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sammo Hung, Tammy Lauren, (more)
- 1990
Dana Delany and William Russ play a poor-but-proud married couple with three children. Dana has made a promise to a dying relative to take care of said relative's four kids. And now, she and her husband are saddled with the additional responsibility, which turns out to be a grueling, rewarding and tear-jerking experience. Promise to Keep was "inspired by a true story," as most TV movies of this ilk claim to be. The film was shot on location in Charleston, South Carolina. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dana Delany, William Russ, (more)
Down and Out in Beverly Hills is an updated remake of the 1932 Jean Renoir film Boudu Saved From Drowning. Philandering businessman Dave Whiteman (Richard Dreyfuss) rescues scraggly tramp Jerry Baskin (Nick Nolte) from drowning himself in Dave's swimming pool. Much against his will, Jerry is invited to enjoy the hospitality of Dave, his social-climbing wife Barbara Bette Midler, and their sexually ambivalent son Max (Evan Richards). The hapless hobo bonds only with the family dog Matisse, which fascinates Barbara to the point that she's willing to share her bed (and a few other things) with him. Dave is twice cuckolded when Jerry makes out with the maid (Elizabeth Pena), with whom he has been carrying on a torrid--and noisy--affair. He plans to wreak revenge on the tramp, but several plot twists result in Dave and Jerry becoming bosom companions. Little Richard appears as the family's easily irritated next door neighbor. Down and Out in Beverly Hills was the R-rated film which compelled the Disney Company to create its adult-oriented Touchstone Films division. The property was later cleaned up for TV consumption and converted into a short-lived Fox Network sitcom. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nick Nolte, Richard Dreyfuss, (more)
Patsy Cline was one of the first great female stars of country music, and her best-known hits (such as "Sweet Dreams" and "Walking After Midnight") not only broadened the audience for country but brought a new sophistication to the Nashville sound. Cline was at the peak of her popularity when she died in a plane crash in 1963, and Sweet Dreams is a biopic which examines her life and career, with a particular focus on her troubled relationship with her second husband, Charlie Dick. Cline (played by Jessica Lange) is unhappily married and playing small-time gigs in West Virginia when she meets Dick (Ed Harris), whose charm and aggressive self-confidence catch her attention. In time, Cline leaves her husband to marry Dick, and she gives up music to focus on raising their children. But after Dick goes into the Army, Cline begins singing again, and after joining forces with manager Randy Hughes (David Clennon), Cline becomes a rising star on the country music scene. However, Cline's success fuels her self-confidence, much to Dick's annoyance, and he becomes increasingly abusive (both physically and emotionally) as she attempts to assert her independence. Rather than attempt to re-create Patsy Cline's vocals, Jessica Lange instead opted to lip-synch with Cline's original recordings. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jessica Lange, Ed Harris, (more)
