David Herman Movies
A uniquely talented, popular character actor/comedian who has provided voices for characters in such popular animated television series as Futurama and King of the Hill, funnyman David Herman is perhaps best known for his role as the unfortunately named Michael Bolton in Beavis and Butthead creator Mike Judge's popular live-action feature Office Space (1999). The New York City native joined the cast of television's MADtv shortly after graduating from LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts in 1992. Early roles in such features as Let It Be Me (1995), however minor, quickly proved that he was more than just a funny face. Vocal work on King of the Hill introduced the rising comic star to Mike Judge, and when Judge was preparing his live-action feature debut, he turned to Herman to play the role of frustrated cubicle-dweller Michael Bolton. The winning performance earned Herman the recognition that vocal work alone could not, though he still continued to voice characters on Futurama and Invader ZIM. Supporting roles in Dude, Where's My Car? and Table One (both 2000) found Herman's film career continuing to flourish, and after taking the lead in director Jon Favreau's made-for-television feature Life on Parole (2003), he joined actors John Goodman and Orlando Jones in providing vocal work for the animated series Father of the Pride in 2004. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide- 1972
- R
A group of cheerleaders attempt to sap the energy of the opposing football team before a game. The film earned a sequel, Revenge of the Cheerleaders. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephanie Fondue, Denise Dillaway, (more)
The second of three films by co-writer/director Oliver Stone to explore the effects of the Vietnam War (Platoon and Heaven and Earth are the others), Born On The Fourth Of July tells the true story of Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise), a patriotic, All-American small town athlete who shocks his family by enlisting with the Marines to fight in the Vietnam War. Once he is overseas, however, Kovic's gung-ho enthusiasm turns to horror and confusion when he accidentally kills one of his own men in a firefight. His downfall is furthered by a bullet wound that leaves him paralyzed from the chest down. He returns home, spends an appalling, nightmarish stint in a veterans' hospital, and follows an increasingly disillusioned and fragmented path that ultimately leaves him drunk and dissolute in Mexico. However, Kovic somehow turns himself around and pulls his life together, becoming an outspoken anti-war activist in the process. The film is long but emotionally powerful; many consider it Stone's best work and Cruise's best performance. Both were nominated for Oscars, as was the film itself, but only Stone, who co-wrote the film with Kovic from the latter's book, won for Best Director. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Cruise, Raymond J. Barry, (more)
- 1989
- R
Adam Horovitz, of Beastie Boys fame, plays a troublesome teen who is shipped off by his wealthy parents to an institute for "problem" youths. This is the sort of place where any sign of rebellion is dealt with in draconian fashion. The strapped-down Horovitz tells his life story to psychiatrist Donald Sutherland. In flashback, we see a fairly docile young Horovitz, whose chance involvement in a rumble instigated by gang leader Don Bloomfield leads to an arrest. Appearing in court, Horovitz is railroaded into the institute by his father, more as a means of getting even with his divorced wife than out of any concern for his son. Sutherland tries to help, but Horovitz betrays the doctor's trust once too often. Only by extricating himself from the influence of Bloomfield does Horovitz have any chance for redemption--and only by undergoing a domestic reversal of his own is Sutherland truly able to aid the boy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donald Sutherland, Adam Horowitz, (more)
- 1995
- PG13
Wanting to learn some dance moves in order to cut a mean rug with his beloved at their upcoming wedding, a young man finds nothing but trouble after he starts taking lessons from a gorgeous teacher. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
As its title suggests, this release from Widowmaker Films is comprised of real-life uncensored clips of gruesome and disturbing executions. Intended for adult audiences only, the program features car-bombings, firing squads, concentration-camp footage, and other grizzly acts of cruel and unusual punishment. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
The first season of King of the Hill opens with its pilot episode, in which suburban Texas redneck Hank Hill is falsely accused of child abuse when his chubby son Bobby turns up with a black eye, and Luanne Platter, niece of Hank and his wife Peg, moves in with the Hills after her mom is carted off to jail for knifing Luanne's dad. Luanne wastes no time linking up with motorcyle-driving Buckley, whom she dates while pursuing a career as a cosmetician. In later episodes, substitute teacher Peg wrestles with the embarrassment of teaching her son's sex education class; a snipe hunt turns sour; and in the series' first utilization of guest voices from the world of country music, Willie Nelson can be heard in the episode "Hank's Got the Willies"; and another singer, Chuck Mangione, makes his inaugural series "appearance" in "Luanne's Saga." Other highlights amongst King of the Hill's first 12 episodes are "Hank's Unmentionable Problem," cited by co-creator Greg Daniels as his favorite episode; "Westie Side Story," in which the Laotian Souphanousinphones move into Hank's neighborhood; and "Shins of the Father," introducing the character of Hank's loud, hyper-judgmental war veteran father Cotton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, (more)
Author, educator, and philosopher Dr. Timothy Leary was wildly controversial throughout his life, so it came as no surprise he would also choose a controversial way to die. Timothy Leary's Last Trip documents Leary's life and career, from his days at West Point through his years as an LSD guru (he coined the phrase "Tune in, turn on, drop out") to his final days as he prepared for his death by broadcasting his last days over the internet. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Those tuning in as the animated redneck sitcom King of the Hill began its second season may have noticed that the characters have been slightly redesigned; made to appear more appealing and less grotesque. The season opener is "How to Fire a Rifle Without Really Trying," one of several installments in which macho Hank Hill is publicly embarrassed by his "not quite right" son Bobby. Other episodes include the Halloween entry, wherein a character who's even more conservative than Hank has everyone believing that the holiday is the Devil's work and that Hank is a Satanist for setting up a haunted house; a touching half hour in which Bobby's self-esteem shoots up when he is hired as a photographer's model (for overweight children's clothes); and Hank's loss of an important propane contract when he and his family don't measure up to a client's image of "the typical Texan." Ultimately, Hank loses his job with Strickland Propane, forcing him into the humiliating position of working for motorcycle bum Buckley at the local Mega Lo Mart. Also: Hank and Peg Hill's niece Luanne inaugurates a Christian TV puppet show, "The Manger Babies"; Peg learns several years after the fact how her hubby Hank really got mono back in high school; Hank's obnoxious father Cotton plots to steal the leg of General Santa Ana; Luanne's homicidal mom Leanne is released from prison; and the intensely inarticulate Boomhauer aspires to drive in the NASCAR race. The season literally ends with a bang when the Mega Lo Mart is destroyed in a propane explosion -- and viewers won't find out who survives the disaster until the beginning of season three. Guest voices heard during season two of King of the Hill include Wallace Shawn, James Carville, John Ritter, Burt Reynolds, Stockard Channing, Carl Reiner, Tammy Wynette (as Hank's mom Tilly), Troy Aikman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Paul Rodriguez, and John Amos. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, (more)
Season three of King of the Hill begins by resolving the cliffhanger ending of season two; specifically, did anyone survive the propane explosion at the Mega Lo Mart? The good news is that practically everyone emerged intact, although Luanne, niece of series protagonists Hank and Peggy Hill, has lost her hair and eyebrows (inspiring her to become "the second Sinead O'Connor"). The bad news is that Luanne's store manager boyfriend Buckley has been killed, though he will ultimately return in ghostly form to advise Luanne to give up beauty school and enroll in junior college. In other developments this season, the Hills' son Bobby begins dating "an older woman" (he's 12, she's 14); Peggy Hill finds out about the clandestine relationship between Native American masseuse John Redcorn and Nancy Gribble, the wife of Hank's pal Dale Gribble (Who, despite seeing sinister conspiracies at every turn, fails to notice his own wife's peccadillos!); the men of the neighborhood attend a "lawn mower focus group"; Hank's inability to get Peggy pregnant proves doubly embarrassing when Hank's obstreperous dad Cotton announces that his trophy bride DeeDee is expecting; mooning over his divorce (for the past three years), Bill Dauterive begins taking on the personality -- and the wardrobe -- of his ex-wife Lenore; substitute teacher Peg is fired for spanking one of her students, and later finds out that one of her former charges is on death row; and Bobby may be forced to marry Luanne. Closing out the season is Peggy's ill-fated decision to do something daring and unexpected on the occasion of her 20th anniversary -- namely, take up skydiving. Guest voices heard during King of the Hill's third season include Sarah Michelle Gellar, William H. Macy, Erik Estrada, Mary Kay Place, Billy Bob Thornton, Dwight Yoakam, Matthew McConaughey, and Mary Tyler Moore. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, (more)
Season three of King of the Hill had ended with the fate of Peggy Hill literally up in the air when, while skydiving, her chute failed to open. Season four begins with Peggy in a full body cast -- and it will be several episodes before she will make a full recovery. (Who knew that cartoon characters could sustain serious injuries?) Also on the docket this season: Hank Hill's obnoxious dad Cotton becomes the proud papa of a baby boy courtesy of his young trophy wife DeeDee -- a baby whom Cotton contemptuously names "Good Hank." Taking over his recuperating wife's substitute teacher duties, Hank runs afoul of Tom Landry Middle School's zero-tolerance policy. The Hill family's Thanksgiving trip is "fowled up" when airport security mistakes a frozen turkey for a bomb. Hank and Peggy's son Bobby accidentally sees his cousin Luanne "nekkid," and later launches a standup comedy career. Confirmed conspiracy theorist Dale Gribble goes "oh-wow" on psychedelic mushrooms, while Dale's wife Nancy tries to end her affair with John Redcorn. (An infidelity which everybody in town but Dale knows about!) The Y2K computer-crash scare hits Arlen. Barber Bill Dauterive "borrows" an American flag from the Army base where he works. Peggy finally comes to terms with her big feet when they become the "stars" of an Internet fetish site. And in a two-part story, Hank is promoted to manager of Strickland Propane, only to be implicated in the mysterious death of his sexy co-worker Debbie. Guest voices heard during King of the Hill's fourth season include Randy Travis, Clint Black, Lisa Hartman, Martina McBride, Vince Gill, Charlie Daniels, Wynonna Judd, Mac Davis, Meryl Streep, Don Meredith, Drew Carey, Heather Locklear, Kathleen Turner, Reese Witherspoon, Andy Dick, Maura Tierney, Tony Danza, Teri Garr, and Sydney Pollack. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, (more)
Peter Gibbons (Ron Livingston) is a computer programmer working for Initech in Houston. Every day, he and his friends Samir (Ajay Naidu) and Michael Bolton (David Herman as not THAT Michael Bolton), suffer endless indignities and humiliations in their soulless workspace from their soulless boss, Bill Lumbergh (Gary Cole). For Peter, stuck in his cookie-cutter apartment with paper-thin walls and IKEA furniture, every day is worse than the one before it -- so every day is the worst of his life. To cap it off, Initech has hired a pair of "efficiency experts" to downsize the company. One Friday night, Peter's soon to be ex-girlfriend Anne (Alexandra Wentworth) forces him to go to an occupational hypnotherapist to relieve work stress. While Peter is under hypnosis, the therapist keels over and dies. As he never snaps out of his hypnotic state, Peter has a new outlook on life. If something annoys him, he just ignores it or walks away from it. He is completely relaxed and enjoying life for the first time in a long time. On Monday, Peter skips work and sleeps in. He gets up for lunch and drives down to a restaurant next to his office and asks the waitress he's had a crush on, Joanna (Jennifer Aniston), on a date. When Peter stops into the office to pick up his organizer, he's called in to talk to the efficiency experts. Relaxed and friendly, Peter charms them as he describes everything wrong with the office, including his boss. Even as Peter now appears at work only as the mood strikes him, the experts decide he's management material and give him a promotion even as they lay off the hardworking Samir and Michael. Peter then convinces his friends to exact revenge on Initech based upon an idea from Superman III. Not everything works out quite as planned. Office Space originated from writer/director Mike Judge's first animated short of the same name, created in 1991. The short was about Milton (reproduced in the film by Stephen Root), a damaged office drone whose complaints and threats about his sufferings go unheeded. ~ Ron Wells, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, (more)
The startling effects of chemically induced short-term memory loss provide the backdrop for this resinous teen comedy. Jesse (Ashton Kutcher) and Chester (Seann William Scott) are two hard-partying dudes who wake up after a very long night on the town to discover they've forgotten the presents they bought for their girlfriends Wanda (Jennifer Garner) and Wilma (Marla Sokoloff), twins who are more than a bit miffed that the stoners they've come to tolerate appear to have forgotten their anniversary. The presents are in Jesse's car, but they're so fuzzy on the details of the previous 24 hours that they have no idea where they left said automobile. Jesse and Chester set out to find their wheels, and along the way they discover that they had an even more eventful evening than they imagined, as strippers, aliens, a suitcase full of money, and a kitchen full of pudding become important pieces in the puzzle of the missing car. Dude, Where's My Car? also stars Hal Sparks, Kristy Swanson, Kevin Christy, and Fabio; it was written by Philip Stark, previously a writer for the TV series That 70's Show, which also features Kutcher in its cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ashton Kutcher, Seann William Scott, (more)
- 2000
The partnership between Gunn (J. August Richards) and Angel Investigations deepens when the streetwise vampire hunter asks for help in dealing with a demon named Deevak (Alan Shaw), who has begun taking over the criminal underworld in his neighborhood. Angel (David Boreanaz) and the gang accompany Gunn to a meet up with an underworld informant, but the guy chickens out. Later, Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) -- plagued by visions of Gunn in mortal danger and unable to contact Angel or Wesley (Alexis Denisof) -- attempts to save Gunn from the evil Deevak, but ends up in the center of a fracas at a house party plagued by unwanted demonic guests. Eventually, Deevak is revealed to have been the trailing the gang all along, but in disguise. Angel and Wes arrive just in time to assist Cordy and Gunn in a climactic battle. Meanwhile, former client David Nabbit (David Herman -- see "War Zone") gives Angel some financial advice on his acquisition of the Hyperion Hotel (see "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?") and Angel is plagued by erotic dreams about Darla (Julie Benz), unaware of her recent resurrection or the fact that she is physically present in his room as he slumbers. Originally broadcast October 10, 2000, on the WB network, "First Impressions" marked season two, episode three of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
When a rich software mogul (David Herman) hires Angel (David Boreanaz) to find out who's blackmailing him with pictures of his visit to a demon brothel, Angel's investigation takes him to the vampire-infested inner city. There, he comes into contact with a group of homeless vampire hunters who refuse to believe that a creature like Angel could be anything but evil. He escapes their clutches only by momentarily kidnapping Alonna (Michelle Kelly), the sister of the hunters' leader, Charles Gunn (J. August Richards). When war erupts between the hunters and a particularly nasty vampire nest, Alonna is turned into a vampire -- and she almost turns her brother, too. Angel, Wesley (Alexis Denisof), and Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) help defeat the vampires, but Gunn and his gang remain squatting in their digs, vowing to continue their fight. Originally broadcast May 9, 2000, on the WB network, "War Zone" marked season one, episode 20 of the supernatural comedy drama. This episode includes the first appearance of J. August Richards as Gunn, who would become a regular character in season two. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Wesley (Alexis Denisof) attempts to translate the Scrolls of Obearsain after Angel (David Boreanaz) stole them from Wolfram & Hart (see "Blind Date"). Eventually, he learns that a key word, "shanshu," means "to die" and interprets the passage as a prophesy that Angel, the "vampire with a soul," will die. When Angel acts nonplussed at the news, his friends worry that he has become callous after so many years among the undead. Meanwhile, Wolfram & Hart enlist a powerful demon named Vocah (Todd Stashwick) to sever Angel's ties to the Powers That Be. It kills the oracles, drives Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) mad with a continuous, painful vision, and blows up the headquarters of Angel Investigations while stealing back the ancient scrolls. Angel once again turns to Gunn (J. August Richards) for help, this time to watch over Cordy and the injured Wesley. The spirit of one of the oracles helps Angel track down Vocah, who is using the scrolls to preside over a mystical ceremony with the Wolfram & Hart lawyers. Angel interrupts the ceremony and kills Vocah, then severs the hand of Lindsey McDonald (Christian Kane) when he attempts to burn the scrolls. Later, with everyone recovered from their tribulations, Wesley takes another crack at translation and learns that "shanshu" actually means "to live." It seems that Angel may one day become mortal again. Back at Wolfram & Hart, a snarling creature lurks in a cage -- Darla (Julie Benz), Angel's slain vampire sire, brought back from the dead as an instrument of vengeance. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
The fifth season of King of the Hill opens as the Hill family of Arlen, TX eagerly prepares to meet then-governor George W. Bush, in an episode ironically titled "The Perils of Polling." In later episodes, Peggy Hill gets into a fierce blood-donating competition with her Laotian neighbor, Minh; Bobby Hill turns 13 and has a vicious attack of puberty; Arlen's Thanksgiving celebration is blighted when mention is made of the cannibalism in the history of John Redcorn's Native American tribe; Hank Hill's obstreperous father Cotton moves out of his retirement home; big-hearted barber Bill Dauterive is victimized by a wheedling juvenile delinquent; a trip to Austin on the occasion of Bill's birthday ends up disastrously when Hank moons former Texas governor Ann Richards; Hank learns to his horror that he isn't a native Texan; and Peggy and Bobby become hopelessly addicted to charcoal-grilled burgers. Also: Hank befriends a pretty co-worker and finds himself accused of being a pimp; the Hill's niece Luanne signs up for her church's "born again virgin" program, prompting an unexpected confession from Peggy; and Dale Gribble's wife Nancy turns 40, loses her job as a TV weather girl, and tries to sue a cigarette company for making her homely. In the season finale, Bobby poses as a high school student, thereby enmeshing himself in a plan to get the rock group No Doubt to play at the prom. Guest voices heard during King of the Hill's fifth season include Carl Reiner, James Brown, Terry Bradshaw, Howie Long, Amy Hill, John Ritter, Jack Carter, Ellen Barkin, Tom Poston, Snoop Dog, Renée Zellweger, Lisa Kudrow, Owen Wilson, and Robert Stack. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, (more)
Film producer Michael Scott Bregman makes his debut as a writer/director with the straight-to-video crime comedy Table One. Jimmy (Stephen Baldwin), Rowdy (Michael Rooker), Xavier (Luis Guzman), and Norman (David Herman) are four friends struggling to make it in New York City. They pool their resources together to open a restaurant, hoping it will increase their chances of meeting women. When they come up a little short on money, they unwittingly take out a loan from a mobster (Burt Young). When the restaurant fails, the mob owners decide that a nudie bar would be more profitable. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Baldwin, Michael Rooker, (more)
Season six of the animated redneck sitcom King of the Hill begins as 13-year-old Bobby Hill, unable to enroll in the Arlen YMCA's boxing class, takes the next available slot in a women's self-defense class, convincing his macho dad Hank all the more that Bobby "ain't right." In other episodes, Hank's substitute-teacher-spouse Peggy takes her students on a field trip to Mexico and ends up being arrested for kidnapping; a carpenter with the initials J.C. performs a miracle during the Christmas episode; the incomprehensible Boomhauer gives Bobby advice on how to handle women, but proves even more tongue-tied than usual when he himself falls in love for the first time in his life; Peggy foments a feminist rebellion at a Renaissance fair; Hank wins the privilege of carrying the Olympic torch through his neighborhood; military-post barber Bill Dauterive steals a tank when he finds out the Army has been using him for a guinea pig; still unaware that Native American John Redcorn is the real father of his son Joseph, conspiracy theorist Dale Gribble becomes convinced that Joseph is actually a space alien; Hank becomes the token white at an all-Asian country club; and the Hills' niece Luanne joins a Stepford-like sorority. In the season's two-part finale, the Hills head to Japan so that Hank's war veteran dad Cotton can make amends to the wife of a soldier that he killed -- and Hank discovers that he has a Japanese half-brother! Guest voices heard during King of the Hill's sixth season include Gary Busey, Bruce Jenner, Laura Dern, Alan Rickman, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill, Jeff Goldblum, Ed Asner, Megan Mullally, Laura Linney, and Keith Carradine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, (more)
- 2002
Redneck reactionary Hank Hill should by rights be delighted that his "not right" son Bobby has a new girlfriend named Jordan as King of the Hill launches its seventh season; unfortunately, Jordan's parents are the "progressive" kind -- and if there's anything that Hank is opposed to, it is progress! In later episodes, Hank's barber buddy Bill joins the International Federation of Competitive Easting; Peggy Hill's new hairdo literally makes Hank sick just before Thanksgiving; Hank accidentally cuts off the finger of his conspiracy theorist buddy Dale Gribble; Peggy opens a combination bookstore and gun shop; the owner of a pork sausage empire obsessively forces a fashion makeover upon the Hills' niece Luanne (in an episode titled "Pigmalion"); John Redcorn wants Hank to take Joseph (who is John's biological son) on a "vision quest," while Joseph's supposed dad, Dale, still doesn't know what has been going on between his wife Nancy and the redoubtable Redcorn; Bobby is sent to a politically correct boot camp; Peggy is forced to use insecticides after going on a pro-ecological kick; and a black handyman accuses the Hills' dog of racism. The season ends with an episode wherein Bobby's tarot card hobby attracts the attention of a bizarre coven. Guest voices heard during King of the Hill's seventh season include Debra Messing, Eliza Dushku, Milla Jovovich, Elizabeth Perkins, Kid Rock, Lucy Liu, Allison Janney, Michael Keaton, Tom Arnold, George Foreman, Bruce Dern, Carmen Electra, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Kennedy, Bernie Mac, and Janeane Garofalo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, (more)
