Mädchen Amick Movies
A student of dance, music and art as a child in Reno, Nevada, Madchen Amick decided to focus on acting as a teenager, and shortly thereafter, she got her major break in David Lynch's innovative TV series Twin Peaks (1990). After moving to L.A. at 16, Amick appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation and Baywatch, and mounted a small role in The Borrower (1991), John McNaughton's ill-fated gorefest about a roving alien of ere-shifting appearance who rips heads from his victims and uses them as his own. Amick became famous, however, as waitress Shelly Johnson, one of several beautiful young small-town women harboring terrible secrets, on the much-praised and memorably-eccentric Twin Peaks. More a succès d'estime than a long-running hit, Twin Peaks still seemed poised to jump-start the careers of the principal actors, including Amick. Alas, this expectation failed to materialize. Her performance in Lynch's feature/prequel Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992), however, became a de facto cameo. Although Amick followed Twin Peaks with starring roles in the Stephen King horror fest Sleepwalkers (1992), and as the femme fatale in the neo-noir Dream Lover (1994), she worked more consistently in B-films, including the romantic comedy French Exit (1995), sci-fi thriller Bombshell (1996) and TV movies such as Love, Cheat and Steal (1993). Amick returned to 1990s series TV twice in two high-profile failures, CBS' Central Park West (1995) and ABC's 1998 edition of Fantasy Island - not exactly high-prestige assignments.Nevertheless, by the early 2000s, the actress began her ascension to greater prestige and recognition with a few guest appearances on the prime-time dramedy The Gilmore Girls (as Sherry Tinsdale). Circa fall 2007, Amick also landed second billing in the prime-time series drama Viva Laughlin. In that program, the actress plays Natalie Holden, the wife of a young entrepreneur (Lloyd Owen) trying to realize his dream of opening up a casino in Laughlin, Nevada. ~ Lucia Bozzola, All Movie Guide
- 1989
This made-for-TV film served as the pilot for the internationally popular adventure series Baywatch. David Hasselhoff stars as Lt. Mitch Buchanan, the man in charge of the LA County lifeguard squad at Malibu beach. Future series regulars spotlighted herein are Shawn Weatherly as Jill Riley, Parker Stevenson as Craig Pomeroy and Erika Eleniak as Shauni McLain. Not that it should matter to the film's "babewatchers," but there is a plot-a "Fatal Attraction"-style thriller involving a woman scorned. And, as bonus, there's a thriller explosion-at-sea vignette. Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier was first telecast April 23, 1989, some six months before the premiere of the series proper. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
This sci-fi thriller is set in Los Angeles. The year is 2010 and the mega-corporation Nanolabs is feverishly preparing to market its latest medical marvel: a microscopic "engine" that can regenerate organic tissue at a cellular level and thereby provide the first real cure for cancer. Unfortunately, back in the lab, young scientist Buck Hogan (Henry Thomas) becomes increasingly concerned, as animal subjects implanted with the machines begin dying at an alarming rate. He voices his worries to the company CEO, but he is too interested in reaping the product's profits and decides to release the unsafe substance anyway. Later, Buck is captured and knocked out. When he awakens, he discovers himself sans one kidney. In its place is a biodegradable sack filled with acid that will kill him if he doesn't get the antidote. The one who performed this ghastly deed, has even more evil plans for poor Buck who, before the story ends, will end up a human time bomb with very few seconds left on his life clock. If Buck cannot stop it, he will not only die, but the deadly new cancer cure will be released, thereby endangering the entire city. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Thomas, Mädchen Amick, (more)
In this romantic comedy, recovering chemotherapy patient and cartoonist Gus Kubicek (Steve Guttenberg) is made over into every woman's fantasy man by his romance-novelist sister, Lizzie (Shelley Long). As Gus succeeds in sweeping the attractive reporter Emily Pear (Jami Gertz) off her feet, he must struggle with his desire to tell her the truth about who he really is and his fear of rejection. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Guttenberg, Jami Gertz, (more)
A man discovers that what he doesn't know can hurt him, especially when it comes to his wife, in this suspense drama. Ray Reardon (James Spader) is an architect who has just gone through a messy divorce; while his friends sing the praises of the single life, Ray would prefer to settle into a life of middle-class domesticity with a home, wife, and family. Ray meets a beautiful but mysterious woman named Lena (Madchen Amick) at a party, and for him it's love at first sight; while she remains elusive, Ray pursues her avidly, and before long he proposes, even though he doesn't know her especially well. A few years later, they're seemingly happily married with children. But Lena's behavior starts to become erratic and depressive, and she is no longer willing to account for where she's been or what she's been doing. Ray is convinced that Lena has been having an affair and begins doing some research into her past; he soon discovers her previous life bears little resemblance to what she told him and that she's been lying to him about nearly every part of her history and their relationship. Lena contends that she's just "a regular screwed-up person," but in time, Ray realizes that there's a purpose behind her duplicity: she's trying to convince people that he is insane. Dream Lover was the directorial debut of screenwriter Nicholas Kazan. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Spader, Mädchen Amick, (more)
- 2001
Three guys from New Jersey decide they need some male bonding with their fathers -- whether their fathers like it or not -- in this independent comedy. When his grandfather dies, Richie Gallo (Scott Baio) finds himself thinking about his relationship with his family, and realizes that he barely knows his aging father Jimmy (Dean Stockwell). Richie discusses his emotionally distant relationship with his dad with his pals Al (Carlo Imperato) and Philly (Thomas Calabro), and they confess they aren't much closer to their own fathers -- and their fractured family lives have had an impact on their less-than-stable relationships with women. Richie decides they should get closer to their dads before it's too late, so Richie, Al, and Philly fast-talk their fathers Jimmy, Charlie (Joe Viterelli), and Phil (Alex Rocco) into joining them for a long weekend getaway of family bonding, though the older men are hardly enthusiastic about the idea. Star Scott Baio co-wrote the screenplay for Face to Face, which was based on a story he wrote with Adam Ferrara and fellow cast member Carlo Imperato. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dean Stockwell, Alex Rocco, (more)
- 1991
The "first time" usually refers to romance in TV movies of this nature. Corin Nemic is an impressionable young Jewish kid who falls hard for girl next door Cheryl Pollak. Ah, but this is San Antonio in the early 1960s, and Pollak is Catholic. Before you can say "Bridget Loves Bernie" (or even "Abie's Irish Rose") the two young spooners are stymied by parental pressure. It is the girl who takes the initiative in quelling the fears and doubts of the grown-ups, while shy Corin stands by in moonstruck admiration. For the Very First Time is nearly stolen by Donovan Leach (son of rock singer Donovan and sister of actress Ione Skye), who plays a beatnik artist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
In this old-fashioned screwball comedy, two Hollywood screenwriters have numerous disastrous, heated encounters before they realize the obvious and find romance. It all begins in catastrophe-ridden LA after yet another earthquake. Zina is driving her car on the freeway when she runs into Davis while trying get out from under a cracked overpass. They start out civil enough but soon find themselves fighting tooth and nail over who is at fault. Later the two instant enemies find that they run into each other wherever they go, be it a trendy restaurant or a major party. When they both begin vying for the opportunity to write the same script, the fireworks begin in earnest. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 2003
This remarkable episode drifts back in forth in time as Lorelai (Lauren Graham) awaits the birth of Sherry's baby while recalling her own pregnancy with Rory (Alexis Bledel) -- and the events leading up to her initial break with Rory's dad (and Sherry's ex) Christopher (David Sutcliffe). Meanwhile, Luke (Scott Patterson) goes on his first date with sexy lawyer Nicole (Tricia O'Kelley), and Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) and Dean (Jared Padalecki) have another verbal set-to; and Paris (Liza Weil) makes an editorial decision at the "Chilton Franklin" which is guaranteed to infuriate Rory. Chelsea Brummet and Philip Van Dyke are seen as the younger Lorelai and Christopher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Much against her better judgment, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) accompanies Rory (Alexis Bledel) to the baby shower being held in Boston for Christopher's insufferable "ex" Sherry (Mädchen Amick). Meanwhile, back in Stars Hollow, everyone is abuzz over Miss Patty's (Liz Torres) new boyfriend, whom she met at a funeral. The Town Loner demands the right to hold a protest demonstration downtown, even though no one knows exactly what he's protesting. And Luke's (Scott Patterson) suspicions are aroused when Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) suddenly comes up with enough money to buy a car. (By the way, the episode's title refers to a highly cathartic experience for both Lorelai and Rory). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
An eco-terrorist (Joel West) and his band of trigger-happy hoodlums kidnap scientist Sara Levitt (Mädchen Amick) to secure her assistance in deploying a devastating virus that could kill everyone on Earth should it fall into the wrong hands. Whoops, it just did. But soldier-for-hire Marcus Poynt (Daniel Bernhardt) and his gun-toting mercenaries are on the way to the jungle to save Dr. Levitt and the world, if they can only get past the violent diamond smugglers who are in their way. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joel West, Mädchen Amick, (more)
A crazed murderer is playing strange games with his victims in this psychological thriller. Nick Roos (Lou Diamond Phillips) is a police detective who is on the trail of a serial killer, who, before murdering his victims, tortures them with a bizarre variation on the old word game "Hangman." One of the first victims of the killer was found dumped in the home of Dr. Grace Mitchell (Madchen Amick), a psychiatrist whose career had recently been derailed by a scandal in her personal life. Mitchell made more than a few enemies when it became known she was having an affair with one of her patients, and several of the killer's victims have ties to Mitchell and her associates, and while Roos doesn't believe Mitchell is the killer, he believes someone is trying to tie the crimes back to her. Hangman also features Vince Corazza and Robert Harley. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lou Diamond Phillips, Mädchen Amick, (more)
- 1997
Timid Annie O'Keefe (Mädchen Amick) undergoes a successful heart transplant operation. While recovering, Annie undergoes a curious change in personality. The reason? It seems that the heart donor, outgoing socialite Suzanne Hawks (Monique Parent), had been murdered, and her killer is still at large. Gradually taking over Annie's brain and body, the down-but-not-out Suzanne is determined to bring her murderer to justice. Essentially a tour de force for the versatile Mädchen Amick, the made-for-cable Heartless was initially telecast by the USA network on November 5, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mädchen Amick, David Packer, (more)
- 1990
A made-for-TV effort from horror director Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre), this supernatural thriller is ostensibly based on the novella of the same name by Cornell Woolrich -- but the title is pretty much where the similarity ends. The plot involves a possessed Aztec ceremonial cloak (once used to line a sacred burial chamber) which poisons the soul of anyone who wears it. An improbable string of events sees the cloak turned into a little slip of a dress -- donned by several different women, but worn to evil perfection by Madchen Amick (Twin Peaks's Shelly). I'm Dangerous Tonight features colorful supporting performances from Anthony Perkins and R. Lee Ermey. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Good thing they told us this Jury Duty: The Comedy; we might have thought it was Jury Duty: The Term Paper. This comedy salad features a whole slew of TV luminaries--Alan Thicke, Bill Kirchenbauer, Lynn Redgrave, Heather Locklear, Tracy Scoggin, Reginald VelJohnson etc.--playing judge, jury, defenders and prosecutors in an embezzlement case. The clue as to the film's sobriety level is the fact that Bronson Pinchot plays four roles: Sanford, Arthur Lloyd, Jorge Jimenez, and Magda. Highlights include a mid-trial pizza delivery, a faulty oxygen tank, and a kid holding up a "Hi Mom" sign for the benefit of the courtroom cameras. This dumb-but-lovable TV movie first aired January 15, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Five years ago, the husband of Jean Brooks (Mädchen Amick) purportedly committed suicide. Thus, Jean is startled when ex-cop-turned-private eye Eddie Fate (Andrew Walker) shows up with the news that her husband has been alive all these years -- and has only recently been murdered. A trip to Chicago opens Jean's eyes to her husband's motives for his deception (which didn't start out as sinister, but sure ended up that way) -- and places her own life in peril, courtesy of an insane sister-in-law and some slimy-looking drug dealers. Filmed in 2004 under the title Jean's Fate, Lies and Deception was first seen on Canadian TV a few weeks before its April 25, 2005, American cable debut on the Lifetime channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mädchen Amick, Andrew Walker, (more)
- 1994
A woman's greed wreaks havoc on those in her life in this made-for-cable movie. Madchen Amick stars as Lauren Harrington, the seemingly perfect and beautiful wife of Paul (John Lithgow). What Paul doesn't know is that Lauren set up a former boyfriend (Eric Roberts) and sent him to jail as part of a million-dollar scheme -- and he's ready for some payback. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Lithgow, Eric Roberts, (more)
The division between a suburban father and his superspy alter ego breaks down after an implant in his brain begins to malfunction, leaving his two identities fighting for dominance. ~ Brie Hearn, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christian Slater, Yara Martinez, (more)
In this thriller, a serial killer with a difference meets the law in an unexpected way. A murderer is on the loose whose deadly obsession is dismembering women who attend law school; a beautiful female lawyer decides something must be done, and offers herself as bait to lure the criminal into a trap. But it turns out that the fiend is more clever than anyone expected, and he seems to have friends in high places who don't want him to be caught. Psychopath stars Madchen Amick as the attorney in danger and also features Bruce Dinsmore and Chris Mulkey. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Initially titled The Colony, this made-for-TV thriller offers the nightmarish scenario of thousands upon thousands of verminous rats swarming over a posh Manhattan department store. Inevitably, the dirty rodents threaten the entire city, and it is up to such hardy souls as hero Jack (Vincent Spano) and heroine Susan (Madchen Amick) to prevent this catastrophe. As The Rats, the film was originally slated for broadcast on September 17, 2001. For reasons that should be obvious, the Fox Network felt it would be more diplomatic to shelve the film for a while--for 367 days, to be exact, so it would not appear to be a tasteless exploitation of the first "9.11" anniversary. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Daveigh Chase, Shawn Michael Howard, (more)
A small-time crook who worships Steve McQueen gets in over his head in French music video director Dominique Forma's debut feature, Scenes of the Crime. Lenny (Jon Abrahams of Scary Movie) is about to be married, but he skips his own bachelor party to drive for thug Rick (Peter Greene), who, unbeknownst to Lenny, is planning a kidnapping. The kidnapping plot goes awry, and Lenny ends up alone in the van, holding the soft-spoken victim, Jimmy (Jeff Bridges), at gunpoint. Jimmy turns out to be a powerful criminal himself and warns Lenny that there will be dire consequences if he isn't released unharmed. While Jimmy's partner (Bob Gunton) negotiates his release with Rick's boss (Loyd Catlett), Jimmy's slimy bodyguard, Seth (Noah Wyle of E.R.), tries to figure out a way to resolve the situation himself. As the van sits parked on a city street, the couple that runs the nearby deli (Morris Chestnut and Madchen Amick) and a senile old man who lives nearby (R. Lee Ermey) become involved in the tense standoff. Based on an anecdote Forma heard in a seedy bar, Scenes of the Crime was shown in competition at the 2002 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Bridges, Jon Abrahams, (more)
Stephen King wrote his first original screenplay for this horror gore fest that features cameos by directors Clive Barker, Joe Dante, Tobe Hooper, John Landis, and King himself (playing a cemetery attendant). The story concerns a twilight people named "sleepwalkers" --creatures similar to vampires and werewolves whose faces turn animalistic whenever they are frightened or angry and who require the lifeforce of a virgin to survive. A single-parent sleepwalker family, consisting of Mary Brady (Alice Krige) and her son Charles (Brian Krause), have taken up residence in a small Indiana town. Charles has expressed a romantic interest in the attractive Tanya Robertson (Madchen Amick), a girl in his high school literature class. Mary wants Charles to lure Tanya home so that she can suck out her life force, but it appears that Charles has fallen in love with her --that is, until their first date, at a picnic at the cemetery. There Charles changes from a shy romantic suitor into a brutal and violent force, slapping Tanya around and attempting to rape her. But Tanya wards off his advances by plunging a corkscrew into his torso. Charles staggers back home to mother, where she nurses him back to health. Then Charles and his mother seek vengeance upon the Robertson family. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Krause, Mädchen Amick, (more)
- 1989
The Enterprise is assigned to escort a young alien princess named Salia (Jaime Hubbard) to Daled Four. Wesley develops a crush on the girl, much to the displeasure of her guardian Anya (Paddi Edwards). Little does Wesley know that Anya possesses a secret power that could destroy him and the rest of the crew. Originally telecast February 26, 1989, "The Dauphin" was written by Scott Rubinstein and Leonard Mlodinow. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
- R
John McNaughton's flawed but interesting follow-up to Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer languished in distribution limbo for years before its brief theatrical run and subsequent video release. It presents a completely different breed of killer: an alien criminal who is exiled to life on Earth in human form. As if that weren't punishment enough, the creature's human guise is susceptible to frequent head-eruptions, creating the constant need for replacement heads. This leads to a grim and violent series of episodes in which the creature pops the tops of various citizens, ranging from a kindly, homeless eccentric (Antonio Fargas) to a lascivious doctor (Tony Amendola)... at one point, he even "borrows" the head of a dog! Following the trail of discarded heads are two cops (Rae Dawn Chong and Don Gordon), who eventually begin to suspect they're not dealing with the M.O. of the average serial killer. A few creative plot twists (particularly at the conclusion), grim atmosphere and generally good performances enliven this one-note material, which nevertheless fails to measure up to the harrowing, character-driven horror of McNaughton's acclaimed debut feature. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rae Dawn Chong, Don Gordon, (more)
