Michael de Lano Movies

The CSI team is called in after four monks are shot to death at close range while worshipping in a Buddhist temple. As Grissom (William L. Petersen) looks into this possible hate crime -- and also advises Sara (Jorja Fox) to be more respectful of the dead than usual -- Catherine (Marg Helgenberger) dolefully reopens a homicide case in which her best friend was killed. It seems that the man convicted of the crime has sworn on his deathbed, and before the cameras of a TV news program, that he is innocent. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In Stakeout, cop Richard Dreyfuss fell in love with Madeline Stowe, the woman he and his partner Emilio Estevez were watching during a police stakeout. Stowe's back in Another Stakeout, but her part is fleeting and unbilled. On the other hand, we get plenty of Dreyfuss and Estevez, still both as cantankerous and obnoxious as ever. This time, our two heroes are in search of a Mafia witness who has disappeared after an attempt on her life. While holed up in a judge's mansion, staking out the apartment where the woman may or may not return, the pair are subject to the comic aggravation of DA's assistant Rosie O'Donnell, who's brought her "darling" little rotweiler along for company. Another Stakeout works a little harder for its laughs than its predecessor; the best scenes go to Ms. O'Donnell and to nonplussed supporting players Dennis Farina and Marcia Strassman. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

It's a personal matter for Hunter as he investigates the death of young heiress Allegra Bryant (Kim Morgan Greene), who was apparently pushed from a high-rise window. Hunter had once dated Allegra, whom he recalls as a vibrant, fun-loving woman without an enemy in the world. It gradually and painfully becomes clear to the detective that Allegra's "murder" may not have been a murder after all. Featured in the role of Father Michaels is British actor Tony Jay, formerly a star of the mammoth production "Nicholas Nickelby" and later a prolific cartoon voiceover artist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

McCall (Stepfanie Kramer) takes a sudden leave of absence to prevent her former partner, embittered renegade cop Gus Trancus (David Ackroyd), from fulfilling a contract as a professional hit man. Owing her life to Trancus, McCall hopes that she can stop him before he completely ruins his life--but she may be fighting a losing battle. Meanwhile, Hunter (Fred Dryer) is not only saddled with wimpy Sgt. Terwilliger (James Whitmore Jr.) as temporary partner, but he's also having a great deal of trouble getting the higher-ups off his back long enough to locate Dee Dee and keep her from harm. Arthur Rosenberg makes his first series appearance as Captain Lester Cain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When millionaire Wilson MacLeish, an extremely unpopular man who was notorious for his cruel practical jokes, is reported killed in a plane explosion, a surprised Magnum (Tom Selleck) learns that he has inherited MacLeish's estate--as well as an extra $50 million. Unfortunately, Magnum has also inherited a would-be murderer; MacLeish has left behind a tape recording, accusing one of his heirs (though not by name) of planning his death, and warning Magnum that he's next on the list. As the story progresses, Magnum begins to wonder if MacLeish was telling the truth, or if he is being set up for the practical joke to end all practical jokes! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

An episode of the television series, in which Buck tries to free an unjustly jailed woman, who mistrusts him, while being pursued by an android guard. ~ All Movie Guide

After Grand Prix driver and self-avowed "health nut" Kevin Bannon dies in car crash, Quincy (Jack Klugman) performs an autopsy and discovers that the victim's body was riddled with amphetamines. Having been assured by car mechanic Chick Thomas (Simon Oakland]) that Kevin never took a drug in his life, Quincy believes that the man was murdered. Also taking a vested interest in the case is spunky insurance investigator July Fellner (Cassie Yates). This episode was originally scheduled for October 5, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Originally made for television, this western concerns three unjustly convicted female prisoners. While being transported to prison, their guards die of water poisoning and a former contract killer helps them survive. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide

This wonderfully cheesy TV movie-of-the-week stars Tony Franciosa as a detective hot on the trail of a murderer whose mutilated and predominantly male victims are found encased in silken cocoons. He eventually tracks the killer's path to Los Angeles, where he discovers her true identity -- a woman who was bitten by black widow spiders as a child, who has developed the ability to transform herself into a gigantic spider-monster (as portrayed by a not-too-convincing rubber puppet). An odd diversion for director Dan Curtis, with a 1950's monster-movie mentality incongruous with his earlier TV features. The cast -- comprised of many familiar TV faces -- try to play their roles straight, despite the overall impression that the whole thing is a silly put-on. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Crocker (Kevin Dobson) reluctantly, and regretfully, launches an investigation of his old high school pal Benny Morino (James Sutorius). An ex-convict, Benny had promised to go straight, but is now suspected of extortion and murder--and his lavish lifestyle and hair-trigger temper would seem to be proof of his guilt. Brad Dexter, best remembered as one of The Magnificent Seven in that 1960 film classic, appears as the head of a particularly insidious protection racket. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After a routine heist, two-bit car thief Artie Fowler (Mark Alaimo) is killed in cold blood. Kojak suspects that there's something bigger than a standard robbery going on--especially after Artie's girlfriend Maria (Lara Parker) lets slip that an upcoming "caper" will make fools of the authorities. It turns out that a $500,000 heist is in the works, masterminded by mob leader Hugh Jellicoe (Paul Lambert) and an unknown party whose theatrical bravado astonishes even the professional crooks. Future Dallas costar Ken Kercheval appears in a significant role. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Chasing down an erratic motorist, Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) end up issuing a citation to a driver who is blind drunk--and stark naked. Elsewhere, the two cops try to determine the source of $12,000 found by a youngster. And finally, Jim and Pete clean up the latest in a long line of auto-theft rings. Appearing in the role of J. Simmons is Sidney Miller, a multitalented performer who for several years was primary director of the original Mickey Mouse Club. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This martial arts actioner stars former light heavyweight World Kickboxing Association champion Don Wilson as a lawyer who loses his wife and son at the murderous hands of drug dealers when the two accidentally find themselves in the midst of a drug deal. Decker, the lawyer, was also there, but is suffering from a form of amnesia and cannot recall the names or faces the police need to make arrests. Repeated trips to a therapist do not help, but then Decker runs across another drug deal in progress and kicks the crud out of the dealers. The violence triggers a dim memory and he discovers the more drug-dealers he beats up, the sharper his memory. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide