Stephen Lovatt Movies

A handful of strangers turn into rivals when they line up for an unusual competition in this comedy-drama from Australia. An auto dealership eager to drum up some publicity stages a contest in which some lucky person will drive away with a brand new SUV. All you have to do to win is be the person who keeps their hand on the car the longest, which turns out to be a greater endurance test than most folks expect -- in one such contest, the winner had to stand with their hand on the vehicle for a bit more than five days. One of the people who lines up for the contest is Tom (Craig Hall), a charming but arrogant salesman who is hooked on contests and will do almost anything to win. One of the other competitors is Jess (Melanie Linskey), a single mother and meter maid who wants a new car for her handicapped son. Tom pegs Jess as a lightweight who doesn't stand a chance against him, but it's the chance to prove him wrong (and the fact she needs the SUV a lot more than Tom) that keeps her in the contest far longer than anyone expects. Writer and director Anthony McCarten adapted Show Of Hands from his own novel. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Xena (Lucy Lawless) squares off against the Olympian gods in a battle to the death, with the survival of both sides in the balance. At the same time, Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) swears to avenge the death of Joxer (Ted Raimi) at the hands of Xena's daughter, Eve, and never mind that Eve has cast off her evil former identity as Livia, the Bitch of Rome. And Gabrielle's own departed daughter, Hope, makes an appearance -- in a manner of speaking. This was the final episode of Xena: Warrior Princess' fifth season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this Halloween episode, Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) and Iolaus (Michael Hurst) are summoned to Dacia by King Vlad (Jeffrey Meek), who claims he wants to rid his domain of vampires. The two Grecian strongmen are aided by one Galen (Stephen Lovatt), who can't understand why his sister Nadia (Tiffany DeCastro) vanished after a visit to Vlad's castle. Ultimately, the horrible truth dawns upon our heroes: Vlad and Nadia are the vampires of Dacia -- and Hercules and Iolaus are next on their "bite" list. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

While rescuing a group of slave girls from a warlord, Xena saves the life of an old man (Tom Atkins) who has helped her fend off the villains. The oldster subsequently claims to be Atrius -- Xena's long-lost father. Ensuing events convince Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) that Xena should stay as far away from Atrius as possible. Alas, before long Xena has reverted to her Warrior Princess ways, fully prepared to kill all the occupants of a village -- including Gabrielle. Can this be the handiwork of the duplicitous God of War Ares (Kevin Smith), who still has his own special plans for Xena? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi