Jeffrey Combs Movies
Initially stunning audiences with his wild-eyed portrayal of psychotic Dr. Herbert West in the over-the-top 1985 splatter-comedy Re-Animator, actor Jeffrey Combs made a name for himself in films based on the works of legendary horror author H.P. Lovecraft and such Star Trek spin-offs as Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and Enterprise. Born in Oxnard, CA, in 1954, Combs was raised in nearby Lompoc. After graduating from high school in 1972, he entered the world of acting by attending numerous theatrical schools and performing in repertory theater. Frequently appearing in such venues as the Mark Taper Forum and South Coast Repertory, Combs made his film debut in Whose Life Is It Anyway? (1981), which was followed by supporting roles in Honky Tonk Freeway (1981), Frightmare (1983), and The Man With Two Brains (1983). Still performing frequently on-stage during this period, Combs was approached by a young director named Stuart Gordon and asked if he would be interested in appearing in an adaptation of a Lovecraft story. Attracted by the strong script, the actor agreed. Released in 1985, Re-Animator shocked and nauseated audiences into uncontrolled laughter with its outrageous violence and imaginative set pieces. Combs' manic portrayal of a mad doctor who claims to have discovered the key to immortality immediately earned him a place in the lexicon of horror history as one of the great screen psychos.Subsequently re-teaming with Gordon for yet another Lovecraft adaptation, From Beyond (1986) proved to be a disappointment when it was released in a truncated form. Knowing that the excess of Re-Animator would be difficult, if not impossible, to top, Combs and Gordon remained undaunted, collaborating on such efforts as Robot Jox and The Pit and the Pendulum (both 1990). Released that same year and directed by Gordon-cohort Brian Yuzna, Bride of Re-Animator didn't quite live up to fan expectations, although ultimately proved to be an entertaining sequel by remaining loyal to the tone and content to its predecessor. Subsequently working with such horror stylists as Fred Olen Ray (The Phantom Empire [1986] and Cyclone [1987]) and Full Moon's Charles Band (Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth [1991] and the Dr. Strange-influenced Doctor Mordrid [1992]), Combs continued to build a dedicated cult following who remained eager to see what the quirky actor would attempt next. Continuing to appear in Lovecraft-based films, he also branched out with a role as a hitman in Love and a .45 (1994) and as actor Montgomery Clift in the made-for-TV Norma Jean and Marilyn (1996). A seemingly natural teaming with New Zealand splatter-king Peter Jackson also resulted in a hilarious turn as an unstable FBI agent in The Frighteners (1996). Combs' career took an unexpected turn later that year. Having previously lost the role of Commander William Ryker in Star Trek: The Next Generation to Jonathan Frakes, he returned to the Star Trek fold when Frakes (as director) cast him as Weyoun in an episode of Deep Space Nine. Returning in various capacities later, Combs would become the first actor to play three different characters in a single season of any Star Trek series. His popularity in the franchise growing, he was later cast in a recurring role in the subsequent Enterprise series. Simultaneously continuing to appear in such features as I Know What You Did Last Summer (1998), House on Haunted Hill (1999), and Yuzna's long awaited Faust: Love of the Damned (2001, channeling Bruce Campbell), Combs fans were thrilled to hear that he would be returning to the role of Herbert West in Beyond Re-Animator (again helmed by Yuzna) in late 2003. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
In this remake of William Castle's campy 1958 classic, an eccentric millionaire named Steven Price invites a diverse group of people to a reputedly haunted mansion that was formerly the site of an insane asylum. Steven offers his guests $1,000,000 each if they can spend the entire night at the old house without fleeing in terror. It sounds simple enough, but when those stories about ghosts haunting the mansion turn out to be true, the guests may no longer opt to stick around. In this version, Steven is played by Geoffrey Rush, and his guests include Jeffrey Combs, Taye Diggs, Peter Gallagher, Chris Kattan, and Bridgette Wilson; Famke Janssen plays Evelyn Price. Sadly, this remake does not feature the original's memorable special-effects gimmick, "Emergo," an inflatable plastic skeleton that rolled on wires through the theater during showings. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Geoffrey Rush, Famke Janssen, (more)
- 1998
As suggested by its title, this Deep Space Nine episode invokes memories of the Akira Kurosawa classic The Seven Samurai (or at least its American remake, The Magnificent Seven). The plot is set in motion when Quark's mother Ishka (Cecily Adams) is captured by the Dominion. Organizing a motley band of Ferengi warriors, Quark sets out to rescue his mom, fully intending to honor his species' traditions by bargaining rather than battling his way into the enemy camp. Iggy Pop guest stars as Ishka's Vortan captor Yelgrun. First telecast on January 1, 1998, "The Magnificent Ferengi" was written by Ira Steven Behr. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
- R
- Add I Still Know What You Did Last Summer to QueueAdd I Still Know What You Did Last Summer to top of Queue
I Know What You Did Last Summer was one of the two teenaged horror movies responsible for bringing the horror genre into the 90's (the other being Wes Craven's Scream). Both of those films came from the pen of screenwriter Kevin Williamson, and both of them generated sequels. I Still Know What You Did Last Summer is the continuation of Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt), a tortured college co-ed who accidentally almost killed a man and left him for dead one night. One year later, that man, named Ben Willis, came back to kill all of Julie's friends. Now, another year later, she still suffers from nightmares over the horrible incidents. When Julie's roommate Kate (Brandy) wins an all-expenses paid trip to the Bahamas on a radio promotion by guessing the capital of Brazil, she decides to take her roommate Julie, her boyfriend (Mekhi Phifer), and their new friend (Matthew Settle) on the retreat. Once there, they discover that besides being the rainy season, they were also followed by Julie's nemesis who is still seeking revenge. Slowly the islanders turn up murdered, leaving Julie no choice but to explain her past actions to her friends and fight to stay alive. It will entail the final showdown between her and Ben Willis once and for all. ~ Chris Gore, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze, Jr., (more)
Darin Scott made his directorial debut with this neo-noir crime drama set in South Central L.A. and featuring Cynda Williams in a dual role. Back in L.A. after serving time on drug charges, Daryl Allen (Bokeem Woodbine), who narrates, plans to open a nightclub, and a pal offers to bankroll the business. Daryl drives his buddy to the bank, unaware he's taking part in a robbery. He's sent back to the slammer for a long stretch, and during that period his girlfriend (Cynda Williams) marries. Released after five years, Daryl is unemployed when he meets Vanessa Dietrich (Williams), who gets him work as a limo driver. Vanessa and Daryl are targets of a hitman, and Vanessa tells Daryl she suspects her ex-lover Ahmad (Basil Wallace). What Daryl doesn't know about Ahmad and Vanessa may turn out to be his undoing. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bokeem Woodbine, Cynda Williams, (more)
- 1997
First telecast September 29, 1997, Deep Space Nine's sixth-season opener takes place three months after the crew was forced to surrender DS9 to the Dominion/Cardassian alliance. Now ensconced on the Defiant, Sisko and his crew continues to wage a bloody battle against the enemy, but it seems to be a losing proposition. Federation Admiral Ross (Barry Jenner) removes Sisko from his command, then assigns him to lead a mission to destroy the facility where the drug that keeps the Dominion's Jem'Hadar troops alive is stored. Meanwhile, back on Dominion-controlled DS9, Odo manages to cause a rift between Weyoun (Jeffrey Combs) and Dukat (Marc Alaimo). "A Time to Stand" was written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Still on board the Dominion-controlled DS9 (now renamed Terok Nor), Kira, Jake, Rom, and Odo continue their campaign to turn the Cardassians against the Dominion and vice versa. When Odo rejects Kira's latest strategy, she begins to doubt his loyalty. It turns out that she has good reason to do so: Odo is now under the control of the female shapeshifter (Salome Jens) who'd stripped him of his changeling powers in a previous episode. Written by Rene Echevarria, "Behind the Lines" originally aired October 20, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Heading directly into what seems to be a suicide mission, Sisko and the Defiant crew grimly press onward, still determined to wrest Deep Space Nine away from the Dominion. Despite the assembled forces of 1,000 Dominion vessels, the Defiant manages to break into the wormhole, enabling Sisko to come within firing range of DS9. Fully expecting a battle to the death, he is surprised to learn that he has several allies amongst the Dominion hierarchy. This pivotal episode was written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler and originally aired November 3, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
As the Federation continues suffering heavy losses, Sisko embarks upon a bold plan to recapture Deep Space Nine from the Dominion. Meanwhile, back on the imprisoned space station, Rom is sentenced to death for sabotaging a Dominion mission. Through it all, the tenuous relationship between Dominion leaders Weyoun and Dukat continues to disintegrate, as virtually all of the other characters in this continuing "space opera" weave significantly in and out of the proceedings. Originally broadcast October 27, 1997, "Favor the Bold" was written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
In the previous season's "Doctor Bashir, I Presume," the truth about Bashir's past was made public. Now that the cat is out of the bag, he is asked to work with four other savants, who, like himself, have been genetically engineered. It is Bashir's mission to help the foursome enter normal society, but as is often the case on Deep Space Nine, things don't proceed precisely as planned. Written by Rene Echevarria from a story by Pam Pietroforte, and directed by onetime Happy Days co-star Anson Williams, "Statistical Probabilites" was originally telecast November 24, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Michael Dorn directed this episode, which originally aired June 9, 1997. A depressed Sisko can't seem to shake his deep blue funk, especially when Kai Winn arrives on the station to negotiate with the Dominion. Hoping to lift his dad's spirits, Jake Sisko goes to herculean lengths -- including the depletion of Nog's life savings -- to purchase a mint-condition Willie Mays baseball card. This aptly titled installment was scripted by Ronald D. Moore, from a story by Trudy Clark and Scott Neal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
As was the case in seasons past, the fifth season of Deep Space Nine ended with a crisis situation, as the crew prepares for a devastating Dominion/Cardassian attack. Once again, Sisko tries to forestall the attack by closing off the wormhole, but his efforts are futile. Meanwhile, Odo and Kira put aside their blossoming relationship in the face of imminent destruction, Jake accepts a job as a war correspondent, and Worf proposes to Dax. As the episode hurtles to a close, the unthinkable happens, and the crew surrenders DS9 to the Dominion. Those watching "Call to Arms" during its original June 16, 1997 playdate would have to wait until the following season to witness the outcome of this particularly complex story. "Call to Arms" was written by Ira Steven Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Lawrence Pressman guest stars as Tekeny Ghemor, a legendary Cardassian dissident who Kira has always regarded as a surrogate father. Now dying, Ghemor reveals secrets to Kira that she may use against her people's enemies. In the course of this ritualistic soul baring, Kira begins experiencing painful memories of her real father, and of his death at the hands of the Cardassian leaders. Scripted by Robert Hewitt Wolfe from a story by Edmund Newton and Robbin L. Slocum, "Ties of Blood and Water" debuted April 14, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Blacklisted by the Ferengi Commerce Authority, Quark returns to his home planet hoping to find comfort and solace in the arms of his mother Ishka (Cecily Adams). But things quickly turn sour when Quark discovers that Ishka is having a clandestine romance with Ferengi leader Grand Nagus Zek (Wallace Shawn). At first shocked by this indiscretion, the enterprising Quark soons figures out a way to turn the situation to his advantage. Originally broadcast April 21, 1997, "Ferengi Love Songs" was written by Ira Steven Behr and Hans Beimler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
