April Grace Movies

Recovering from a failed away team mission, Riker awakens in sick bay to discover that 16 years have passed. After encountering such oddities as an aged Dr. Crusher, a visorless Geordi, a full-commander Worf and a Ferengi crewman, Riker comes to grips with the fact that his memories of the past decade and a half have been wiped out by a virus. It is hardly a comfort when he further learns that he is now Captain of the Enterprise, and as such is expected to negotiate a tricky truce with the still-dangerous Romulans. Originally telecast November 16, 1990 (though most local stations didn't offer it until November 17), "Future Imperfect" was written by J. Larry Carroll and David Bennett Carren. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Like many other Next Generation episodes, this one offers two seemingly unrelated subplots which, by fadeout time, become inextricably linked. One story strand finds Geordi getting the chance to meet the "real" version of Dr. Leah Brahms (Susan Gibney), who he had previously recreated on the Holodeck. In the other subplot, the crew becomes a collective surrogate mother to a newborn alien "energy creature" whose mother Picard was forced to destroy. Originally aired March 16, 1991, "Galaxy's Child" was scripted by Maurice Hurley from a story by Thomas Kortozian. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Captain Picard tries to settle a centuries-old war between the Kriosians and the Voltans. As part of the treaty arrangements, the beautiful Kamala (Famke Janssen) is chosen by her people as a peace offering. Picard's diplomatic mission is sorely compromised when he falls in love with Kamala. Further complicating matters, the duplicitous Ferengi insinuate themselves into the negotiations. Written by Rene Echevarria, Gary Perconte, and Michael Piller, "The Perfect Mate" was first telecast May 2, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine began its seven-season run with this two hour episode. The episode harked back to the classic 1990 Next Generation season-ender "Best of Both Worlds," wherein the insidious Borg took over the mind and shape of Captain Jean-Luc Picard to launch an attack on the Federation. Three years later, Benjamin Sisko, survivor of the Borg attack, is assigned as commander of Deep Space Nine, a run-down former Cardassian space station in Bajoran territory. Sisko's first assignment is to oversee repairs of Deep Space Nine, but as the story progresses, he finds that he has been predestined to repair the tattered remnants of Bajor's ruined economy. Patrick Stewart guest stars in his familiar role of Captain Picard, who the embittered Sisko holds responsible for his own wife's death. Written by Rick Berman and Michael Piller, "Emissary" was originally telecast on January 2, 1993. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Angie is the study of a believable Italian-American woman who takes an honest look at herself and sees she's on a predictable path that will soon include an altar and a baby carriage. "There's gotta' be more!" she feels, and she's one gal with courage enough to find the answer. Geena Davis stars in this worthwhile effort. ~ All Movie Guide

Todd Haynes presents a revisionist take on the paranoia thriller with this story of a Southern California housewife who suddenly falls victim to an inexplicable, apparently incurable illness. Carol White (Julianne Moore) lives with her husband and son in suburban comfort until she collapses one day, for no apparent reason. Her condition worsens in the weeks that follow, as she suffers from coughing fits, exhaustion, and spontaneous nose bleeds, triggered by sources as disparate as car exhaust, cologne, and the sun. Failing to find any medical explanation for her maladies, her doctor refers her to a psychiatrist, who suggests that her physical ailments are psychosomatic -- a theory echoed by her callous and increasingly frustrated husband. At her wits' end, Carol withdraws to an expensive New Age retreat for sufferers of "20th century disease," where the community's guru (Peter Friedman) champions a dubious regimen of diet, climate control, introspection, and self-love. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide

Bobby (Jimmy Smits) and Jill's (Andrea Thompson) investigation of a Korean grocer's murder is complicated when the victim's son offers a reward for the killer. In another case, Andy (Dennis Franz) and Diane (Kim Delaney) are both affected in different ways while probing the possibility that a nine-year-old girl was raped by a mentally challenged youth. And in off-duty developments, Andy is reluctant to undergo necessary eye surgery, while Diane wonders if her last rendezvous with Bobby has resulted in a pregnancy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The husband-and-wife team of Mary Cybulski and John Tintori (creators of the acclaimed short Manhattan Dinner) directed this Will Kern screenplay which he adapted from his 1992 play Hellcab about a winter's day in the life of a Windy City driver, beginning at 6am in 20 below zero degree weather. Johnny (Paul Dillon) is that rare type of cab driver who will drive anywhere and pick up anyone, and during the 14 hours compressed here into 95 minutes, he ferries about some two-dozen passengers, including a rape victim (Julianne Moore), a hyped-up drug runner, a pregnant woman, and holiday shoppers. Johnny is frustrated that he can't seem to make genuine connections with his passengers or help them. Instead, he can only observe a rear-view image mirroring the passing parade of humanity. Shown at Austin's 1998 South By Southwest Filmfest. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson followed his critical and commercial breakthrough Boogie Nights with this wildly ambitious story of lives intertwining on a single day in California's San Fernando Valley. Earl Partridge (Jason Robards), a successful producer of television game shows, left his wife when she contracted cancer to marry the younger and more beautiful Linda (Julianne Moore). Now, Earl has cancer himself, and Linda spends her day fetching medicines and trying to deal with the imminent death of her husband, whom she has only now come to love. Earl asks his nurse Phil (Philip Seymour Hoffman) to arrange a meeting with his estranged son, Frank Mackey (Tom Cruise), known for his self-help program "Seduce and Destroy," in which he preaches the importance of male sexual prowess; he cared for his mother after Earl left her, and he has no desire to see his father again. Earl's best-known show is hosted by Jimmy Gator (Philip Baker Hall), who also learns that he is dying. Jimmy's show pits bright adults against unusually smart kids; one of Jimmy's child contestants, Stanley (Jeremy Blackman), arrives late for a taping after being left stranded by his father Rick (Michael Bowen), who is supported by his more successful son. Meanwhile, Donnie Smith (William H. Macy), who was a champ on Jimmy's show as a child, is not having as much luck as an adult; he's just lost his job and needs to pay for some expensive dental work. Jimmy wants to reconcile with his estranged and emotionally fragile daughter Claudia (Melora Walters), who despises him and who will become involved with well-meaning police officer Jim Kurring (John C. Reilly), who has been desperately lonely since his divorce three years ago. Magnolia reunites much of the cast and crew of Boogie Nights and features eight original songs by singer/songwriter Aimee Mann and a musical score by Jon Brion. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In the spirit of his Oscar-winning Good Will Hunting, Gus Van Sant directs this tale of the unlikely bond that develops between an aging, reclusive novelist named Forrester (Sean Connery) -- who hasn't written anything since winning a Pulitzer Prize decades earlier -- and Jamal (Rob Brown), a 16-year-old with a hidden desire to be a writer. When Jamal is cited for his athleticism in basketball by an elite Manhattan prep school, he is forced to adapt to an environment far from his South Bronx upbringing, and a small mishap leads him to the eccentric, uneasy Forrester. After their initial apprehension of each other, they begin to fuel each other's fire for writing, and become unlikely friends despite their ages and backgrounds. Forrester's devotion to Jamal becomes enhanced when he must defend allegations of plagiarism enforced by Professor Crawford (F. Murray Abraham), jeopardizing Jamal's future. The film also features Anna Paquin, Busta Rhymes, and Zane Copeland, Jr.. ~ Jason Clark, All Movie Guide

Resuming its first-season run after a six-week hiatus, The O.C. picks up shortly after the disastrous "vacation" in Tijuana. As Marissa (Mischa Barton) recovers from her drug overdose, her mother, Julie (Melinda Clarke), accuses Ryan (Ben McKenzie) of causing Marissa's pain -- oblivious to the fact that it was Julie's divorce from Jimmy (Tate Donovan), along with Marissa's boyfriend Luke's (Chris Carmack) betrayal, that set Marissa off. Meanwhile, Ryan's "foster father," Sandy (Peter Gallagher), is faced with a daunting workload at his new job, and Sandy's wife, Kirsten (Kelly Rowan), is none too thrilled with her husband's co-worker Rachel Hoffman (Bonnie Somerville). As the episode draws to a close, Ryan's fall enrollment in Newport's prestigious Harbor High School is placed in jeopardy, not least by the school's highly judgmental dean, Dr. Kim (Rosalind Chao); and Marissa faces the likelihood of being sent away from the O.C. permanently. ~ All Movie Guide

An ordinary man with an extraordinary gift must save the planet from evil in this action-packed fantasy. Unknown to most people, the world is crowded with spirits both good and evil who walk among us in human guise. One of the few who can see these spirits is John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), but the responsibility of his vision is more than he can stand, and he tries to kill himself. Saved from death, Constantine must now atone for his actions by acting as a guardian in the middle ground between Paradise and Hell. Constantine also makes the acquaintance of Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz), a police detective who becomes aware of his unusual gift while looking into the death of her sister; he leads her into the unknown world of the spirits and soon circumstances demand that they join forces in a desperate bid to save humanity from evil. Constantine also features Tilda Swinton, Peter Stormare, and Gavin Rossdale, the latter best known as the lead singer of the rock group Bush. Michelle Monaghan (Made of Honor) was originally in the film (cast as a half-breed demon) but director Francis Lawrence cut her scenes. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A politically savvy 15-year-old learns the true nature of politics after accepting the position of youth campaign spokesman for a determined congressman in the feature directorial debut of 20-year-old actor-turned-director Luke Eberl. When Congressman Lawrence Connor (Steven Weber) speaks before an assembly of high-school students during his run for the Senate, the enthusiastic and well-informed response that he gets from 15-year-old student Owen (Alex D. Linz) results in an invitation to join the campaign as Connor's youth spokesman. Subsequently exploited in a tireless campaign that includes television commercials, posters, radio advertisements, and speaking engagements, Owen is prompted by his growing distaste for the cut-throat world of politics to reconsider his career or risk losing his innocence. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide