Dinah Lenney Movies
Sensing that Murphy (Candice Bergen) still needs some assistance readjusting to her "FYI" job, producer Miles (Grant Shaud) helpfully assigns Murphy's co-anchor, former beauty queen Corky (Faith Ford), to help her research an upcoming story about a corporate CEO. By accident, Corky manages to stumble onto the fact that the CEO sidelines in drug-smuggling. Outraged that she has been upstaged by a novice (and a younger and prettier one at that!), Murphy has no qualms about taking credit for the story...at least not at first. Dinah Lenney appears as the 3rd in a long line of Murphy Brown secretaries. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Another of Disney's Touchstone Pictures rehashes of a lightweight French farce, Three Fugitives goes the trend one better by importing French director Frances Veber to supervise a shot-for-shot remake of his French original Les Fugitifs. Nick Nolte stars as a bank robber named Lucas, recently released from prison, who ambles into a bank to open up a checking account. Into the bank enters the inept Ned (Martin Short), who tries to rob the place and takes Lucas hostage. The police, knowing Lucas's criminal history, assume Lucas and Ned are pulling the heist together. With no choice in the matter, Lucas is compelled to engineer their getaway. Complicating the situation further is Ned's six-year-old daughter Meg (Sarah Rowland Doroff), who has been mute since the death of her mother. With his bank account depleted, Ned has robbed the bank to get money to send Meg to a special school. Meg loves her father, but finds herself drawn to the gruff Lucas. As the three go on the lam from the cops, the trio of misfits bond as a makeshift family. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nick Nolte, Martin Short, (more)
In this glossy L.A. crime drama by Mike Figgis, Andy Garcia stars as Sgt. Raymond Avila, a cop who just joined the Internal Affairs division of the L.A.P.D. An investigation into police corruption has led Avila and his partner, Sgt. Amy Wallace (Laurie Metcalf), to Officer Dennis Peck (Richard Gere). Avila suspects something about Peck from the beginning; his influence and dominance over others seems to extend further than the reach of his badge. When officers who wish to testify against Peck start dying, the depth of his corruption becomes increasingly clear; at his disposal, he has an army of cops and criminals alike. He even agrees to assassinate a sleazy businessman's own parents, and humiliates the businessman while they make the deal. In his drive to dominate others, Peck attempts to seduce almost every woman around him and is obsessed with children and fatherhood. Peck is most dangerous when the investigation threatens his territory and his extended family; he stalks Avila and turns him against his wife (Nancy Travis). ~ Jonathan E. Laxamana, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Gere, Andy Garcia, (more)
In the first episode of a two-part story, Kelly (Christina Applegate) is cheated out of a chance to appear on public access TV. In retaliation, she borrows 35 bucks and assembles her own Access series, "Vital Social Issues 'N' Stuff with KELLY", replete with a live band and a round table of female airheads. So successful is Kelly's video effort that a major network (no, not Fox) evinces interest in picking up the show for the Big Time. Katey Sagal (Peggy) does not appear in this episode, nor does Amanda Bearse (who served as director)show up in her familiar "Marcy D'Arcy" character--though Bearse can be fleetingly seen in the Access show "Short Haired Women in Banking." On the other hand, Matt LeBlanc makes a return appearance as Kelly Bundy's dimwitted male counterpart Vinnie Verducci. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The title character, a manic depressive prone to very irrational behavior (Richard Gere), is hospitalized for treatment. While there, the psychiatrist responsible for his rehabilitation (Lena Olin) becomes involved with him and cannot stand to allow his check-out. ~ John Bush, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Gere, Lena Olin, (more)
Robert A. Heinlein's 1951 novel The Puppet Masters comes to the screen 43 years later. Sharp-eyed viewers will recognize similarities to Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but Heinlein's book came first. Parasitic space aliens invade the Midwest, taking over the bodies of humans and manipulating these unfortunates to do their bidding. US security agent Donald Sutherland and his team of troubleshooters attempt to squash the extraterrestrial scheme before everyone in the world is turned into Howdy Doody. Adding an extra layer to this familiar scenario is the fact that Sutherland doesn't get along with everyone on his side-in particular, he has a lot of trouble relating with his son Eric Thal. Stuart Ormes' perfunctory direction is not up to the standard set by the actors and special effects. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donald Sutherland, Eric Thal, (more)
In this semi-improvised comic drama from maverick filmmaker Henry Jaglom, Gena (Victoria Foyt) is a businesswoman starting to creep into middle age. She thinks she might be pregnant, and she isn't sure how she feels about it: she wants to have children, and her body's clock is starting to tick rather loudly, but she's uncertain if this is the right time to start a family. Just as important, she's not sure who the father is, and she is torn between the two suspects. James (Matt Salinger) is sweet, stable, and a little boring, while Anthony (Eric Roberts) is exciting but arrogant and not terribly dependable. While Gena waits to hear from her doctor about the results of her pregnancy test, she attends a baby shower for one of her co-workers, where the women discuss their feelings about having children -- some want them, some don't, some aren't sure. Meanwhile, the hostess throwing the shower has her own problems; her husband is deep in debt and may have to sell their house to pay his bills. Jaglom co-wrote Babyfever with his wife (and star) Foyt -- appropriately enough, not long after the couple had their second child. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Victoria Foyt, Matt Salinger, (more)
Despite orders from Hicks (CCH Pounder), Benton (Eriq La Salle) is determined to stay awake throughout a 48-hour shift, with potentially disastrous results. Elsewhere, a terminally ill patient (Sanford Meisner) is inadvertently given a brief "reprieve" by Carter (Noah Wyle). Ross (George Clooney) is surprised when Carol (Julianna Margulies) drops by -- during Ross' intimate dinner with Diane (Lisa Zane). And Greene (Anthony Edwards) may lose out on a terrific job opportunity if he can't iron out his domestic problems with Jenn (Christine Harnos). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Rule-bound Dr. Kayson (Sam Anderson) again incurs the wrath of Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) when he orders the early release of a heart patient named Vennerback (Michael Monks). But when Vennerback is brought back to the ER in critical condition, it is Lewis who is held responsible for the tragedy that follows. Elsewhere, Benton (Eriq La Salle) adopts a somewhat nasty method to stem the constant complaints of his student, Carter (Noah Wyle); and Lewis' pregnant sister, Chloe (Kathleen Wilhoite), announces her intention to move to Texas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Benton (Eriq La Salle) tries to save the life of a 13-year-old gang member who's already been declared dead, thereby creating even more friction amongst the ER staffers. Meanwhile, "floating" nurse Rhonda (Jill O'Hara) continues to make disastrous mistakes. And on the domestic front, Greene (Anthony Edwards) worries that Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) may be dating Morganstern (William H. Macy), while Carter (Noah Wyle) grows ever closer to Keaton (Glenne Headly). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
As their premature baby son struggles for his life in the ICU, Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Carla (Lisa Nicole Carson) mull over their future. Increasingly paranoid after being beaten by an unknown assailant, Greene (Anthony Edwards) purchases a gun. Anspaugh (John Aylward) is upset that Carter (Noah Wyle) wants to abandon surgery in favor of emergency medicine. Romance re-enters the lives of Ross (George Clooney) and Carol (Julianna Margulies). And troubled teenager Charlie (Kirsten Dunst) is back. This was the final episode of ER's third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The ER staff is galvanized by the brutal beating of Greene (Anthony Edwards) in the men's room. Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) is forced to make several difficult decisions involving the three men in her life. Carol (Julianna Margulies) accuses Ross (George Clooney) of giving preferential treatment to the child of a wealthy and influential family. Carter (Noah Wyle) and Benton (Eriq La Salle) forget their differences long enough to work together during a kidney transplant. And everyone is entranced by a sexy novel that has popped up mysteriously at the admittance desk. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Pomerantz (Jami Gertz) refuses to put a woman with Down's syndrome on a heart-transplant list; Greene (Anthony Edwards) and Doyle (Jorja Fox) try to persuade her to change her mind. Now that he is of legal age, Jad Houston (Chad Lindberg), suffering from terminal cystic fibrosis, insists upon being taken off life support -- but Jad's mother (Veronica Cartwright) won't hear of it, forcing Ross (George Clooney) to act as "mediator" between life and death. And the relationship between Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) and Fischer (Harry J. Lennix) becomes more serious. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Should Doug Ross (George Clooney) honor the wishes of 17-year-old Jad Houston (Chad Lindberg), terminally ill with cystic fibrosis, who wants to be allowed to die -- or should Ross bow to the legalities of the situation and do everything he can to save the boy's life? In other developments, Greene (Anthony Edwards) giddily sets up three dates on the same night; Haleh (Yvette Freeman) takes over the duties of the suspended Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies); and Carter (Noah Wyle) relishes the opportunity to perform an appendectomy on his longtime nemesis Benton (Eriq La Salle). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Frances Sternhagen makes her first appearance as Carter's enormously wealthy grandmother, Millicent, whom Carol (Julianna Margulies) approaches for a contribution toward her new free clinic. Meanwhile, Carter (Noah Wyle) tries to hide his silver-spoon upbringing from class-envious Del Amico (Maria Bello). Back at the ER, budget cuts imposed by the management group Syngergix force Weaver (Laura Innes) to lay off several staffers -- including Jeanie (Gloria Reuben). Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Corday (Alex Kingston) have a tense argument over procedure. And Ross (George Clooney) gets some very bad news. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Carol (Julianna Margulies) suspects Ross (George Clooney) of flirting with Elizabeth Corday (Alex Kingston). Weaver (Laura Innes) makes a number of controversial policy changes. Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Carla (Lisa Nicole Carson) argue over circumcising their son, Reese. Jeanie's (Gloria Reuben) ex Al (Michael Beach) is forced to reveal that he is HIV-positive when he is injured on the job. Greene (Anthony Edwards) strikes out with Heather Morgan (Caitlin Dulany). And in keeping with the title of this episode, Jerry (Abraham Benrubi) nearly destroys the ER's waiting room with a patient's rocket launcher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Ross (George Clooney) wants to trick Carol (Julianna Margulies) with a surprise marriage -- but is instead surprised by Carol, and none too pleasantly. Newly revealed facts about the business methods of Syngergix causes a rift between Weaver (Laura Innes) and Ellis West (Clancy Brown). Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) forms a strong bond with Anspaugh's (John Aylward) ailing son, Scott (Trevor Morgan). And Carter (Noah Wyle) tries to come to grips with the fact that his cousin Chase (Jonathan Scarfe) is a heroin addict. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies) and Lynette Evans (Penny Johnson Jerald) try to dissuade a wounded street-gang member (Jermaine Montell) from escaping the ER to seek out vengeance. On a more personal note, Carol thinks she may be pregnant with Ross' (George Clooney) baby. Elsewhere, the apparently clueless Lucy (Kellie Martin) again incurs the wrath of Carter (Noah Wyle). Corday (Alex Kingston) has second thoughts about interning when she is ordered around by Romano (Paul McCrane). And Weaver (Laura Innes) is a candidate for the office of emergency-medicine chief. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This ER episode eschews the usual "multiple-subplot" format to focus on a single plot line involving little Corinna (Nicolette Little), a seven-year-old victim of a car accident. Inasmuch as the girl has an extremely rare blood type, it is necessary to locate her missing father -- a task that falls to Carter (Noah Wyle) and Lucy (Kellie Martin), who embark upon an odyssey through Chicago that takes them from Wrigley Field to a forbidding back alley. As time runs out for Corinna, Benton (Eriq La Salle) is forced into an unorthodox surgical procedure. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Carter (Noah Wyle) is pressed into service as tour guide for the family of Ruth Johnson (Anne Pitoniak), who was born at Chicago's County General exactly 100 years ago. Meanwhile, Carol (Julianna Margulies) cares for eight-year-old stalker victim Wilson (Jesse James Unterthiner); Benton (Eriq La Salle) has second thoughts about a cochlear implant for his son, Reese; and the relationship between Benton and Corday (Alex Kingston) reaches an impasse. Originally telecast as the 100th episode of ER, "Good Luck, Ruth Johnson" is catalogued as number 101 in the series' syndication package. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Ross (George Clooney) has just about given up trying to revive an 18-year-old who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on Christmas Eve, but Carter (Noah Wyle) wants to keep trying. In other ER developments, a pregnant 13-year-old must decide if she wants to keep her baby. Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Romano (Paul McCrane) have a physical confrontation after a night of escalating mutual animosity. And can it be that the "perfect" Dr. Amanda Lee (Mare Winningham) is a seriously disturbed woman? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) concludes that Scott Anspaugh (Trevor Morgan) will need a bone-marrow transplant. A distracted Benton (Eriq La Salle) injures a pedestrian with his car. Morganstern (William H. Macy) returns to the ER after recovering from his heart attack. Carol (Julianna Margulies) learns a disturbing secret about a 16-year-old female patient. Del Amico (Maria Bello) tends to Karen Fun (Kimberly Russell), whose fourth pregnancy may end in miscarriage like the previous three. And Corday (Alex Kingston) performs a risky procedure on a patient -- without securing permission from anyone. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Carter (Noah Wyle) is in for a surprise when he asks Del Amico (Maria Bello) out. Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) tries to help Scott Anspaugh (Trevor Morgan) decide whether or not to undergo experimental cancer treatment. Benton (Eriq La Salle) exceeds his authority by finishing an operation for an incapacitated Morganstern (William H. Macy). Carol (Julianna Margulies) may not be able to fund her free clinic. And Weaver (Laura Innes) and Greene (Anthony Edwards) clash over Ross' (George Clooney) qualifications to be Pediatrics attending physician. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The ER swings into action when an abortion clinic is bombed. Ross (George Clooney) tries to save teenaged mother Zoe (Sally Livingstone) and her unborn baby, while Del Amico (Maria Bello) is asked to complete an abortion. Corday (Alex Kingston) is startled when she learns who is among the bombing victims -- and even more so when she finally realizes how she feels about Benton (Eriq La Salle). And a tragic personal loss casts a pall over the staffers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
When the wife (Swoosie Kurtz) of televangelist Emmitt Chambliss (Gary Grubbs) is brought into the ER suffering the aftereffects of a recent face-lift, Chambliss draws up plans to telecast a fundraiser from the hospital. Elsewhere, Ross (George Clooney) and Carol (Julianna Margulies) put their careers on the line by performing an experimental treatment on six-month-old meth addict Josh McLean instead of returning the baby to his mother. Romano (Paul McCrane) reacts strongly to the relationship between Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Corday (Alex Kingston). And HIV-positive Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) may have contacted pneumonia. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

















