Mark Saks Movies
- 2005
Set in New York, the weekly, hour-long dramedy Related was another of the WB network's bids to replicate the popularity of their earlier Gilmore Girls. Upon the announcement by their widowed father (Tom Irwin) that he was about to marry his longtime fiancée (Christine Ebersole), the four "couldn't be more different" Sorelli sisters reunited under the same roof. Oldest sister Ginnie (Jennifer Esposito) was a lawyer who'd just become pregnant; Ann (Kiele Sanchez), a therapist, had recently ended a lengthy relationship with her boyfriend (Dan Futterman); Marjee (Lizzy Caplan), a professional party planner, desperately needed a new place to live after being booted out of an illegal sublet; and Rose (Laura Breckenridge) was a will-o'-the-wisp who hadn't yet decided between becoming a doctor or an avant-garde actress. Despite the friction brought about by their highly individualistic personalities, the Sorelli girls could be counted upon to stick together when it really mattered. Co-created by Marta Kauffman (Friends) and Liz Tuccillo (Sex and the City), Related underwent several major revisions between the pilot episode and the series proper, not least of which was the removal of Laura San Giacomo (Just Shoot Me) in the role of Ann Sorelli. As originally conceived, Ann was to have been the oldest of the Sorelli sisters, but as the project developed, it was clear that Ginnie Sorelli was emerging as the "leader" and surrogate mother of the bunch; hence, Ginnie was made the oldest, and San Giacomo bowed out of the cast in favor of the younger Kiele Sanchez. Related debuted October 5, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jennifer Esposito, Kiele Sanchez, (more)
- 2003
The third live-action TV series based on Edgar Rice Burroughs' immortal "King of the Jungle" (there had also been a few cartoon series and innumerable theatrical features), the WB network's Tarzan offered a few new up-to-date spins on the classic canon. Orphaned in the jungle as an infant, John Clayton (played by male model Travis Fimmel) was raised by apes and came to maturity as the resourceful Tarzan. All this changed when John/Tarzan was captured by his uncle, billionaire industrialist Richard Clayton (Mitch Pileggi), and flown to New York City, there to take his rightful place as the heir apparent of the vast Greystoke business enterprises. As uncomfortable as Tarzan felt in his new civilized surroundings, it was nothing compared to the discomfiture expressed by Richard Clayton's sister, acid-tongued publisher Katherine Clayton (Lucy Lawless), who wished that Tarzan would return whence he came so that she could take over Greystoke. At last fed up by all the inter-family squabbling and backstabbing, Tarzan escaped to the concrete jungle known as Manhattan, where he befriended feisty female NYPD detective Jane Porter (Sarah Wayne Callies). Ultimately, Me-Tarzan teamed with You-Jane to track down elusive criminals, while Jane's detective boyfriend, Michael Foster (Johnny Messner), and her official partner, Sam Sullivan (Miguel Nunez Jr.), expressed dismay at the girl's newfound bravado -- and while Jane's younger sister, aspiring actress Nicki Porter (Leighton Meester), lolled around awaiting her next "damsel in distress" assignment. The new Tarzan swung into view on October 5, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Travis Fimmel, Sarah Wayne Callies, (more)
- 2000
Craig T. Nelson stars as Jack Mannion, a policeman brought in to fight crime in the nation's capital in this television drama series. After a controversial but successful stint as chief of police in Newark, NJ, Mannion makes a positive impression on Deputy Mayor Mary Ann Mitchell (Jayne Brook) and is hired to do the same job in Washington, D.C. But the D.C. police's Chief of Patrol, Joe Noland (Roger Aaron Brown), isn't quite as impressed with his new boss, whose tough exterior is leavened with a broad sense of humor. Don Baker (John Amos), D.C.'s mayor, often butts heads with the new chief of police, who takes a firm stand against internal corruption and doesn't shrink from placing responsibility on his own officers. Working alongside Mannion are statistics clerk Ella Farmer (Lynn Thigpen), public affairs director Nick Pierce (Justin Theroux), and Irish beat-cop David McGregor (David O'Hara). The District premiered on the CBS television network on October 7, 2000. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Craig T. Nelson, Jayne Brook, (more)
- 1998
In this TV family drama series set in NYC's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood, Eileen McCallister (Jill Clayburgh) is the matriarch who oversees the working-class Irish-Catholic McCallister clan, along with her husband Simon McCallister (John Spencer). The focus is on their five grown children -- priest Kevin (Tate Donovan), union organizer Liam (Sam Trammell), police detective Bobby (Justin Louis), addicted Amanda (Bonnie Root), and bond trader Fiona (Charlotte Ross). A sixth sibling died at some point in the past. Combining marriage melodramas, pregnancies, politics, police procedures, and spiritual struggles, this family soap opera is a slightly overcooked Irish stew. Filmed in New York, the series premiered October 16, 1998 on NBC. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jill Clayburgh, John Spencer, (more)
- 1998
- R
- Add Went to Coney Island On a Mission From God...Be Back By Five to QueueAdd Went to Coney Island On a Mission From God...Be Back By Five to top of Queue
Richard Schenkman, who debuted with the disappointing The Pompatus of Love (1996), returned with this comedy-drama, set on the streets of Brooklyn. When young Richie (Rafael Baez) vanishes, rumor has it that he went insane at Coney Island, so pizza guy Stan (Rick Stear) and pawnshop clerk Daniel (Jon Cryer, who co-scripted with Schenkman) spend a winter's day searching for their childhood friend through the deserted amusement park. They encounter a variety of locals in their wanderings, while flashbacks fill in the story of past events, including Stan's alcoholic escapades which ended his relationship with Gabby (Ione Skye). Shown at the 1998 L.A. Independent Film Fest. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jon Cryer, Rick Stear, (more)
Albert Brooks wrote, directed, and stars in this philosophical comedy about a man having a hard time making a case for himself in the afterlife. When advertising executive Daniel Miller (Albert Brooks) finds himself in a fatal car crash minutes after taking delivery on a new BMW, he's whisked away to Judgment City, where the recently dead are put on a sort of trial to decide their fate. If in your time on Earth you were able to face your fears and learn from your mistakes, you get to move on to a life in a better world. However, if you didn't, you have to go back to Earth and try again. As he spends the next several days watching various episodes from his life, Daniel gets the impression he doesn't stand much of a chance of moving on -- and his representative, Bob Diamond (Rip Torn), seems to have little confidence in his case. In the meantime, he frequents Judgment City's many restaurants (where the food is delicious and you can eat all you want without gaining an ounce), pays a visit to the Past Life Pavilion, and meets Julia (Meryl Streep), who seems so kind, sweet, and noble that her advancement is practically assured. Daniel and Julia fall in love, but what's going to happen if they don't end up in the same place? Albert Brooks and Meryl Streep make a witty and engaging romantic team in Defending Your Life, and Shirley MacLaine appears in a highly appropriate cameo. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep, (more)
- 1990
In this comedy drama, three women meet each other in a divorce attorney's waiting room and soon become fast friends as they try to help each other through the pain of their crumbling marriages. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
In Cover-Up, an espionage thriller, someone attacks a U.S. military installation in Israel and steals a secret "package" destined for the CIA. Mike Anderson (Dolph Lundgren) is in the country to report on the incident, and he runs into old acquaintances: the military attache, and his old romantic interest Susan (Lisa Berkely). Meanwhile, Susan has become engaged to the attache. Lou (Louis Gossett Jr.), a military official, is trying to cover up some of the facts regarding the raid, and when Mike begins to get too close to the truth he becomes a target. Cover-up has all the ingredients of a top-flight action adventure, but it is ruined by the wooden performance of Lundgren in the central role and a convoluted, overly complicated plot. However, the film moves with great pace and energy and should please action fans. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dolph Lundgren, Louis Gossett, Jr., (more)
- 1988
In a film originally made for television, a detective accidentally involves himself with a female con artist who is planning a $12 million diamond robbery. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
