Bryan Cranston Movies
A familiar face to a nation of television viewers thanks to his role as the more-than-slightly demented father on the popular FOX sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, longtime stage and screen actor Bryan Cranston has had a rich and varied career, lending his talents to everything from anime voice work (Armitage III and Macross Plus) to daytime television (as an original cast member of Loving). His commanding but off-kilter presence and quirky charm have easily provided Cranston with the necessary range to essay such diverse roles, and the longtime actor can always be counted on to inject a healthy dose of personality into his performances, no matter how large or small the role may be.Though the San Fernando Valley native made his television debut as a commercial actor at the age of eight, it wasn't until college that Cranston truly realized his calling as an actor. Following college graduation, Cranston's passion eventually drew him to Daytona Beach, FL, where the burgeoning actor appeared in such community-theater productions as Barefoot in the Park and Death of a Salesman. In 1982, he joined the cast of the then-new soap opera Loving, and though he would only remain with the daytime drama for a short time, appearances in Airwolf and Hill Street Blues, among various other series, found the actor maintaining a notable presence on television. Following a series of supporting feature performances, Cranston moved back to the small screen with a regular role in the 1988 sitcom Raising Miranda. In the years that followed, he would frequently shift between film (Clean Slate) and television (The Louie Show) while supplementing his income with voice-over work for such popular anime series as Armitage III.
Supporting performances in such high-profile features as That Thing You Do! and Saving Private Ryan helped to increase the busy actor's recognition factor, and in 1999, Cranston wrote, produced, directed, and starred in his first feature film, a low-key drama entitled Last Chance. Though the film failed to gain much attention, Cranston was soon receiving numerous positive notices for his Emmy-nominated role as the hapless father in the breakout television hit Malcolm in the Middle. His performance alternately eccentric and endearing, Cranston injected the role with the perfect balance of fatherly weirdness and down-to-earth charm, and the series embarked on a healthy run. In the years that followed, Cranston became an increasingly familiar face to television and film viewers, and in addition to offering vocal work for the short-lived animated television series Clerks, he would contribute to such family-friendly fare as 'Twas the Night and The Santa Claus Brothers. After taking the lead in the 2003 made-for-television feature Thanksgiving Family Reunion, Cranston could be spotted opposite screen legend Kirk Douglas in the 2004 drama The Illusion. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1986
In Boston, Jessica agrees to serve as honorary chairperson at a charity tennis tournament where her former student Carol (Linda Hamilton) is one of the players. It so happens that Carol is the girlfriend of a much-hated tennis star, who ends up being blown to bits by a bomb planted in Carol's car. At first, it appears that Carol was the intended target of the bombing, but when a second murder occurs, she ends up accused of both crimes--and as everybody knows by now, no relative of Jessica Fletcher can ever be guilty of anything, least of all murder! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The 1987 portmanteau comedy feature Amazon Women on the Moon lampoons several film genres in general and the 1954 sci-fi cheapie Cat Women of the Moon in particular. Other sketches in Amazon Women include an opening bit with Arsenio Hall; a vignette titled "Son of the Invisible Man" wherein a naked Ed Begley Jr. runs around in full view of the nonplussed supporting cast; the It's Alive parody "Hospital", which offers the spectacle of Michelle Pfeiffer giving birth to Mr. Potato Head; and a Siskel & Ebert takeoff, featuring Arche Hahn as a TV viewer whose entire life is given a "thumbs down." Directed by several hands, including Joe Dante, Carl Gottleib, Peter Horton, John Landis, and Robert K. Weiss, Amazon Women on the Moon also features a satire of the Kroger G. Babb school of "sex hygiene" exploitation cheapies, with syphilis victim Carrie Fisher being counseled by unctuous doctor Paul Bartel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosanna Arquette, Ralph Bellamy, (more)
A small community must band together in order to oust the criminals running their town in Big Turn Around. Legion (Rick Le Fever) thinks he has a small South Western town under his thumb; he smuggles drugs, guns, and even people through it and over the border with Mexico. What he doesn't know is that a humble priest (Ernest Borgnine) and a down-on-his-luck doctor (Bryan Cranston) are hatching a plan to take their community back once and for all. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Based on a true story, the two-part TV movie I Know My First Name Is Steven tells the tragic story of Steven Stayner. At age seven, Steven was kidnapped by two men who held him captive in a tiny shed for seven years. One of the men, a habitual child abuser named Kenneth Parnell, sexually assaulted Steven on an almost daily basis during the boy's ordeal. At age 14, Steven finally was able to escape and return to his family. But we are shown that Steven's safe return was far from the happy ending it appeared to be. He's forced to adjust to a family he'd never really known, to convince himself that his parents had never forgotten him, and to put his seven-year hell behind him. While I Know My First Name Is Steven ends on an upbeat note, the real Stayner died in a motorcycle accident only a few months after this film was first telecast in May 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
- R
Set in the further reaches of the galaxy, this sci-fi horror film, a cross between Forbidden Planet and Alien, tells the story of a spaceship commander's battle to protect the universe against the terrifying mutation-causing virus that threatens to wreak havoc upon the planet Phabton. The creatures created by the disease are nearly unstoppable so Commander Steve Kreiger has his hands full. The irony of the situation is that the sharp-fanged virus monsters came about as the result of Phabton scientist's attempts to create a virus to destroy the deadly Delta-Five virus ravaging the planet. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marc Singer, Laura Tate, (more)
- 1990
Jessica (Angela Lansbury) serves as narrator for tonight's story, which centers around working-class private eye Frank Albertson (a pre-Politically Incorrect Bill Maher) and his wife Sunny (Faith Ford). After years of sponging off Frank and Sunny, Frank's uncle Charlie (John Finnegan) suddenly inherits a fortune--and just as suddenly disappears. Later on, a mangled corpse is found on a local railroad track, whereupon Frank attempts to claim the body as that of Uncle Charlie.. However, there seems to be several other people interested in claiming the corpse--and the aforementioned inheritance--themselves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Two business rivals, a domineering careerwoman (Mary Crosby) and her rival (Peter Scolari), make life hard for each other while scratching their way to the top. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Scolari, Mary Crosby, (more)
- 1991
Dead Silence begins with a spring-break spree and ends with a chain reaction of duplicity. Three inebriated college girls, driving along a lonely road, strike and kill a pedestrian. Rather than ruin their futures, the girls cover up their crime, vowing one another to silence. But months later, the body is discovered, and the ladies find that one among them is planning to incriminate the others. Originally networkcast as a Fox Night at the Movies, Dead Silence is distinguished by its second-generation star lineup: Martin Sheen's daughter Renee Estevez and Robert Mitchum's granddaughter Carrie play two of the coeds. The third is played by Lisanne Falk, who isn't related to Peter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
A computer with a mind of its own is the subject of this made-for-television thriller. Set sometime in the future, the film tells the story of a female writer who goes to a secluded cabin to work. She decides to take a programmable male android with her for company. She changes his programming to suit her specific needs but gets more than she bargained for when the android gets his own ideas on what she wants. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- 1994
This unique, erotic film is a compilation of four separate vignettes done by four different artists. The first episode, "Let's Talk about Love," focuses on a phone-sex worker, Rosie, who finds herself attracted to a regular caller. The story focuses upon their conversations and upon the revenge she exacts from him after she learns the truth. In the second, "Taboo Parlor," two lesbians plan to go out and make it with a man. They go to Taboo Parlor, a local club which is managed by Hilde and Franz. In the third episode, "Final Call," a teacher who gets attacked on a train begins a relationship with her rescuer. The fourth episode, " Wonton Soup," examines an Australian-born Chinese man and his ex-girlfriend from Hong Kong, who reunite after years apart. In an effort to reconnect, the man prepares an evening of gourmet food and Chinese sexual techniques for the ex-girlfriend. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bryan Cranston
Dana Carvey plays a private detective who forgets everything when he goes to sleep at night, waking up each morning with a "clean slate," in this hit-and-miss comedy that plays like a companion piece to the much funnier Groundhog Day. Pogue (Carvey) is afflicted with his unique form of amnesia after getting injured in a car explosion. With the aid of a mysterious woman (Valeria Golino) who allegedly died in the bombing, he must find a priceless coin and evade the murderous clutches of the mobster (Michael Gambon) who executed the explosion and who wants to silence Pogue before he can testify against him. Carvey fares reasonably well in his role, but the best moments are provided by Pogue's dog, a one-eyed Jack Russell named Barkley who makes a habit out of running into things headfirst. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dana Carvey, Valeria Golino, (more)
- 1995
In this fluffy romantic comedy, Miranda Castillo, a Latin American woman, comes to LA as a mail-order bride where she is to marry Raul, an executive for a uniform manufacturer. The trouble begins when Raul's close buddy and colleague, Gib Nash, falls in love with Miranda and she with him. Raul is not at all happy at being jilted, and neither is Gib's fiancee, who is also his employer. Miranda has troubles of her own, especially when the US government tries to deport her. Fortunately, she is assisted by a caring INS agent. It is later revealed that she had been tortured as a political prisoner in her native country. In addition to dealing with his tangled love life, Gib's company must decide whether they will buy products made in other countries by non-unionized companies. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1995
The title of this episode refers to a character called The Jimmy who constantly refers to himself in the third-person in addition to making odd-looking athletic shoes. When Kramer attends a benefit for handicapped adults, fresh from getting Novocain at the dentist's office and decked out in a pair of The Jimmy's shoes, crooner Mel Torme mistakes him for one of the guests-of-honor. Meanwhile, Elaine inadvertently finds herself making a date with The Jimmy, George's sweating makes him look guilty at work, and Jerry suspects the copies of Penthouse magazine in his dentist's waiting room have affected the behavior of the doctor and his assistant. Bryan Cranston, later of FOX's Malcolm in the Middle, reprises the role of dentist Tim Whatley and "The Velvet Fog," Mel Torme, appears as himself. Originally airing March 16, 1995, "The Jimmy" was the 17th episode shot for the show's sixth season, despite being the 18th one shown. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Posing as a journalist, Monica (Roma Downey) is assigned to write a story about Sheriff John Mackey (John Amos), who is regarded as a hero for his actions during a hostage crisis in which both the gunman and Mackey's partner were killed. Under intense pressure to measure up to his father's standards, Mackey's son Matthew (Bumper Robinson) cheats on his US Naval Academy entrance exams, then tries to kill himself so his dad will never find out. As Matthew hovers between life and death, Monica endeavors to bring redemption to both father and son, a task that requires Sheriff Mackey to face up to his own failings--and his own self-serving lies. This is the final episode of Touched by an Angel's abbreviated first season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
This week, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) is visiting the set of "Floppieville", a TV puppet show based on one of her children's stories. But it isn't kid stuff when the designer of the puppets finds out that someone is profiting from his ideas without proper credit or remuneration. Inevitably, a murder takes place--with one of the smiley-face Floppieville puppets as the weapon! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Yes, this is the one in which George's current girlfriend uses the phrase "yada yada" -- and drives George (Jason Alexander) crazy by leaving out the important details between the "yadas."Tim Whatley, Jerry's dentist (played by Malcolm in the Middle's Bryan Cranston) converts to Judaism, and Jerry suspects that his only motivation may be the ability to get away with telling Jewish jokes. Meanwhile, Kramer (Michael Richards) and his actor friend Mickey (Danny Woodburn) fight over which girl they'll get on a double date. And Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) thoroughly louses up the chances for her married friends Beth (Debra Messing) and Arnie (Stephen Caffrey) to adopt a child. This is also the episode in which real life marrieds Robert Wagner and Jill St. John turn up at the end (as Mickey's parents, Dr. Abbott and Mrs. Abbott) and accuse Jerry of being an "Anti-Dentite."
. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
The strike at the bagel place ends after 12 long years -- but will Kramer (Michael Richards) go back to his old job? In trying to blow off a guy in a bad denim jacket, Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) may also blow her chances to win a free sub sandwich. George (Jason Alexander) harks back to the all-purpose "Festivus" holiday created by his dad to cover both Christmas and Hanukkah. And Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) finds out that his new girlfriend is "two-faced" -- that is, her looks alter radically depending upon the time of day, the lighting, and the location. (And speaking of location, wait till you see what the bagel place does to Elaine!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Captain Sheridan and Delenn summon their forces for a final showdown with both the Vorlons and the Shadows. Londo's ruthlessness pays off when he receives a promotion in the Royal Court of Centauri. And as G'Kar struggles to escape, Centauri Emperor Cartagia (Wortham Kimmer) has his own rendezvous with destiny. Written by J. Michael Straczynski, "The Long Night" was syndicated to American television during the week of January 27 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, (more)
- 1998
President John F. Kennedy issued the challenge to America in a speech to Congress in 1961: Land a man on the moon within the decade. This HBO mini-series, produced by Tom Hanks, chronicles the story of NASA's efforts to carry out the vision. In episode six, the goal is in sight, as astronauts Michael Collins, Neil Armstrong, and Buz Aldrin take off on a historic flight to the moon, and Neil Armstrong makes that "one small step for a man" onto the moon's surface. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
Originally aired on HBO and directed by Apollo 13 star and space enthusiast Tom Hanks, among others, From the Earth to the Moon explores the ups and downs of space travel, beginning with President Kennedy's famous speech before Congress on May 25, 1961, and chronicling the journey to putting the first man on the moon. This highly acclaimed, Emmy-nominated, 12-episode series is available in a six-tape VHS set and a four-disc DVD set. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Andrews, Bryan Cranston, (more)
Steven Spielberg directed this powerful, realistic re-creation of WWII's D-day invasion and the immediate aftermath. The story opens with a prologue in which a veteran brings his family to the American cemetery at Normandy, and a flashback then joins Capt. John Miller (Tom Hanks) and GIs in a landing craft making the June 6, 1944, approach to Omaha Beach to face devastating German artillery fire. This mass slaughter of American soldiers is depicted in a compelling, unforgettable 24-minute sequence. Miller's men slowly move forward to finally take a concrete pillbox. On the beach littered with bodies is one with the name "Ryan" stenciled on his backpack. Army Chief of Staff Gen. George C. Marshall (Harve Presnell), learning that three Ryan brothers from the same family have all been killed in a single week, requests that the surviving brother, Pvt. James Ryan (Matt Damon), be located and brought back to the United States. Capt. Miller gets the assignment, and he chooses a translator, Cpl. Upham (Jeremy Davis), skilled in language but not in combat, to join his squad of right-hand man Sgt. Horvath (Tom Sizemore), plus privates Mellish (Adam Goldberg), Medic Wade (Giovanni Ribisi), cynical Reiben (Edward Burns) from Brooklyn, Italian-American Caparzo (Vin Diesel), and religious Southerner Jackson (Barry Pepper), an ace sharpshooter who calls on the Lord while taking aim. Having previously experienced action in Italy and North Africa, the close-knit squad sets out through areas still thick with Nazis. After they lose one man in a skirmish at a bombed village, some in the group begin to question the logic of losing more lives to save a single soldier. The film's historical consultant is Stephen E. Ambrose, and the incident is based on a true occurance in Ambrose's 1994 bestseller D-Day: June 6, 1944. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Hanks, Edward Burns, (more)
When dreams collide in a small café located in the dry California desert, a woman and a man must decide between giving up on their past or gambling on an uncertain future in this quiet romantic drama from director Bryan Cranston. A woman who has lived in the wilderness feels as if she has been stripped of all her aspirations in life, but when she makes the acquaintance of a man who has lived his entire life as defined by his dreams, she may find the courage and inspiration to start anew and truly live life to its fullest. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2000
- R
John Ritter stars in this three-part horror anthology as Bob Carter, a real estate salesman trying to sell a home to a pair of young newlyweds. But each of the three available houses has been the site of a grisly murder, and Bob insists on recalling the grim details of each case for his potential customers. In the first story, when a man discovers his wife is having an affair, the cheating wife and her lover murder the husband, but he gets his revenge from beyond the grave. The second story concerns a little girl who finds a lost monkey and insists the family adopt it as a pet. Her father, however, discovers the monkey has a demonic mean streak. And finally, a teenager who has been having horrible visions of brutal murders has to convince his psychiatrist that they may have a basis in fact. Also starring Bryan Cranston, Carmine Giovinazzo, and Rachel York, Terror Tract was released on DVD as a video double-feature with the inventive slasher variant Cherry Falls. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Ritter, Bryan Cranston, (more)
