Ian Heath Movies

Legendary country singer Willie Nelson) is accused of murdering his crooked road manager Sonny Cross (David Anderson). Asked by Lt. Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford) to investigate, Monk (Tony Shalhoub) has trouble upholding his objectivity: it seems that Nelson was the favorite performer of Monk's late wife Trudy. Alas, it looks bad for Willie, thanks to evidence provided by a blind woman named Wendy Mass (Jackie Richardson). Meanwhile, Monk's assistant Sharona (Bitty Schram) finds a new boyfriend named Jason--who has a very curious (and highly antisocial!) hobby. Without giving away the ending, it can be noted that the episode's highlight is the climactic guitar-and-clarinet duet between Willie Nelson and Tony Shalhoub. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

An Emmy-winning adaptation of Lucy Maud Montgomery's novel by the same name, this is a Canadian TV production which follows the life of a feisty young girl who is adopted by a bachelor farmer and his sister who have decided to adopt a boy and have several surprises due them when Anne arrives. Part of a series that goes through her winning a place in their hearts and home, it continues on through her youth and the blossoming of young love. This particular episodes deals with her first tentative encroachments into social functions and dealing with the loss of a loved one. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi

This moving docudrama on a man whose courage raised $20,000,000 for a worthy cause is also an honest look at the nature of determination. When Canadian Terry Fox was diagnosed with cancer in 1977, his right leg was amputated and rather than simply battle depression, Fox decided to run his own cross-country marathon (5,150 miles) to raise money for cancer research. His parents, his doctor, and his friends opposed the idea but he persisted, convincing a friend with a camper to come along with him (or he could never have made the run). Fox starts at the Atlantic Ocean off Newfoundland, and with only a few supporters and very little fanfare, begins his odyssey. The amputee's human failings are clear: he is egocentric, impatient, short-tempered, and verges on the suicidal in forcing his endurance to the limit. As Fox's mental and emotional state is stretched at the beginning of the run, his friend driving the van has to call on his own reserves to stay with him. No one pays very much attention to Fox as he moves slowly through Quebec, but by the time he reaches Ontario, the Canadians start to notice his heroic effort. The Ontario Cancer Society representative, Bill Vigars (Robert Duvall), moves in like a steamroller to set up more sponsors, media events, and receptions. Fox is suddenly forced into the limelight, having to give speeches in front of huge audiences for the first time in his young life (he is 21). About half-way through his now well-publicized journey, Fox collapses and it becomes clear that his dream will have to end -- but not before he inspired millions of others to donate to cancer research. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi