Kim Murphy Movies
Two strangers (Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher) find themselves hitched after a wild night of Las Vegas shenanigans in this 20th Century Fox comedy. Jack Fuller (Kutcher) is a single Manhattanite who can never quite commit to a permanent, long-term relationship and repeatedly hears from his lovers that he "isn't serious boyfriend material." Employed by his father (Treat Williams) at a local furniture business, Jack spends his workdays goofing off by watching sporting events behind dad's back. Joy McNally (Diaz) is faring slightly better; a young, polished urbanite, she juggles a demanding job as a trader on the NYSE with a marital engagement to the impressive Mason (Jason Sudeikis), but has modified her entire life and all of her interests to please her intended.
Coincident with Mr. Fuller's decision to fire his son, Mason severs his engagement to Joy; as a result, both Jack and Joy hit the skids at around the same time and decide to cut their losses by heading out to Vegas. The two accidentally bump into one another when a computer mix-up at the hotel puts them in adjoining rooms; though they begin their acquaintanceship by bickering endlessly, they end up spending a long, drunken night on the town together, and when the sun rises and Joy comes to, she discovers that she unwittingly married Jack in the middle of the night. Alas, just when the two are about to call it quits by filing for divorce after the shortest marriage in history, Jack tosses a coin into a Vegas slot machine and hits a three-million-dollar jackpot -- which naturally pits the newlyweds against one another in an attempt to claim the full share of the money. A conservative local judge, R.D. Whopper (Dennis Miller), then adds the final twist by refusing to grant a divorce until Joy and Jack have given married life a fair shake. In time, the marrieds may just discover that this union isn't as far off the mark as they initially thought. Dennis Farina, Queen Latifah, and Zach Galifianakis round out the supporting cast. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Coincident with Mr. Fuller's decision to fire his son, Mason severs his engagement to Joy; as a result, both Jack and Joy hit the skids at around the same time and decide to cut their losses by heading out to Vegas. The two accidentally bump into one another when a computer mix-up at the hotel puts them in adjoining rooms; though they begin their acquaintanceship by bickering endlessly, they end up spending a long, drunken night on the town together, and when the sun rises and Joy comes to, she discovers that she unwittingly married Jack in the middle of the night. Alas, just when the two are about to call it quits by filing for divorce after the shortest marriage in history, Jack tosses a coin into a Vegas slot machine and hits a three-million-dollar jackpot -- which naturally pits the newlyweds against one another in an attempt to claim the full share of the money. A conservative local judge, R.D. Whopper (Dennis Miller), then adds the final twist by refusing to grant a divorce until Joy and Jack have given married life a fair shake. In time, the marrieds may just discover that this union isn't as far off the mark as they initially thought. Dennis Farina, Queen Latifah, and Zach Galifianakis round out the supporting cast. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, (more)
Adapted from acclaimed author Richard Matheson's influential novelette of the same name, Constantine director Francis Lawrence's I Am Legend follows the last man on Earth as he struggles to survive while fending off the infected survivors of a devastating vampiric plague. A brilliant scientist who raced to discover a cure for the man-made virus as humanity came crumbling down all around him, Robert Neville (Will Smith) was inexplicably immune to the highly contagious superbug. Now the entire population of New York City -- and perhaps the world -- has been transformed into carnivorous bloodsuckers that fear the light and live solely to spread their contagion to any remaining living creature that crosses their path. It's been three years since civilization came to an end, and the loneliness has taken a devastating toll on Neville. By day he scours the city for food and supplies while sending out desperate radio messages in hopes that someone might respond, and by night he attempts to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus by experimenting with his own blood. But time is running out for Neville as the legions of infected watch his every move from the safety of the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. They, too, long to learn the secret that lurks in Neville's blood, though they will have to take caution while attempting to procure it because Neville will sooner die attempting to slay every last one of them than willingly giving up a single drop. Previously adapted for the screen in the 1964 Vincent Price frightener The Last Man on Earth and the 1971 Charlton Heston action film The Omega Man, Matheson's novelette also served as the inspiration for George A. Romero's groundbreaking zombie classic Night of the Living Dead. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Will Smith, Alice Braga, (more)
A regular guy finds out just how hard breaking up can truly be when attempting to call it quits with a clingy female crime fighter who doesn't want to let love die in director Ivan Reitman's super-powered romantic comedy. Matt Saunders (Luke Wilson) was looking for love when he first met pretty brunette Jenny Johnson (Uma Thurman), and at the time it seemed as if he may had finally actually found it. Jenny isn't just your typical girl, though, because despite her outwardly normal appearance she is actually a powerful superhero dedicated to ridding the streets of crime. Her outward strength betrays a deep-rooted insecurity, too, and when Jenny begins to become a bit too possessive for Matt's laid-back taste, the troubled boyfriend does his best to end the relationship amicably. They say that breaking up isn't easy to do, however, and when your girlfriend is a superhero, that sentiment holds twice the truth as it does under any normal circumstances. Matt is determined to get on with his life, though, and as his budding romance with beautiful co-worker Hannah (Anna Faris) begins to get serious, jealous Jenny scornfully slips into G-Girl mode to prove that hell hath no fury like a woman superhero scorned. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Uma Thurman, Luke Wilson, (more)
A college student and aspiring radio personality finds his obsession with Woody Allen's Annie Hall may be hindering his love life in director Van Flesher's heartfelt tribute to the master of the neurotic comedy drama. Max is a college student whose love of Annie Hall is beginning to border on unhealthy. Though his friends are quick to point out the main hurdle preventing Max from connecting with the opposite sex, the obsessive cinephile himself is in a constant state of denial. When Julie, the one and only fan of Max's late-night radio show, begins to take a romantic interest in Max, it finally dawns on the lovelorn broadcaster just how wild he has allowed his rampant film fanaticism to run. Now, in order to find true love, the man who loved Annie Hall will be forced to kiss his fictional sweetheart goodbye and take a chance on real life. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Lundy, Sara Downing, (more)
- 2001
Jack (Kiefer Sutherland) transmits the thumbprint to a lab, but they can't find a match. Teri (Leslie Hope) tells Jack about Kim's (Elisha Cuthbert) phone call, and Jack asks her and Alan (Richard Burgi) to wait for Kim at the furniture store. Mandy (Mia Kirshner) apologizes to Ira (Michael Massee) for Bridgit's (Kim Murphy) demands. Ira calls Rick (Daniel Bess) and Dan (Matthew Carey) for an update on Kim. Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) meets with Carl (Zach Grenier), some kind of PR guy, and tells him there's a story out that the senator's son Keith (Vicellous Reon Shannon), killed the man who raped his daughter. Carl promises to take care of it. Jack tells Jamey (Karina Arroyave) about Walsh's allegations, and has her confirm that the key card came from Nina's (Sarah Clarke) computer, while he keeps Nina occupied by asking about her relationship with Tony (Carlos Bernard). Once the origin of the card is confirmed, Jack accosts Nina, demanding to know who she's working for. Nina pleads her innocence. Kim (Elisha Cuthbert) and Janet (Jacqui Maxwell) manage to temporarily escape from Rick (Daniel Bess) and Dan (Matthew Carey). With the boys hot on their trail, they get unexpected help from Larry (Keram Malicki-Sanchez), a street hustler. They manage to get their hands on a cell phone, and Kim puts in an urgent call to her mother. But as the girls race off, Janet gets hit by a car, and Kim is caught. After Ira transfers another million dollars into their account, Bridgit gives up the ID card, and pays dearly for her greed. Jack learns that the weekend the key card was created on Nina's computer, she was away with him. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Tony (Carlos Bernard) wants to know what happened between Mason and Jack (Kiefer Sutherland). Nina (Sarah Clarke) comes up with a cover story. Mandy (Mia Kirshner) touches down, and hides the ID she took from the photographer on the plane. Teri (Leslie Hope) and Janet's (Jacqui Maxwell) dad, Alan York (Richard Burgi), get to the furniture store, but the kids are long gone. Walsh (Michael O'Neill) meets a frightened agent, who gives him a card key encoded with classified information about Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), which he says was created by the mole in CTU. Before Walsh can act on the information, the agent is killed, and he finds himself pinned down by unseen gunmen. He calls Jack for help. Mandy meets with Ira Gaines (Michael Massee) and he pays her for the ID, which her partner is bringing. At Gaines' hideout, Mandy sees Jonathan (Rudolph Martin), who's been surgically altered to look just like the photographer. Jack reaches Walsh, and helps him kill two of the gunmen. Jack cuts the thumb off of one corpse, for identification purposes. Bridgit (Kim Murphy), Mandy's partner, shows up at the hideout, but won't give up the ID until Gaines doubles their money. Secret service agents show up at Palmer's hotel room and tell Sherry (Penny Johnson) about the threat against his life, but the senator has taken off on his own. Walsh is killed after giving Jack the key card. Jack gets away, and transmits info on the card to Jamey (Karina Arroyave), who tells him that the card came from Nina's computer. Rick (Daniel Bess) and Dan (Matthew Carey) order Kim (Elisha Cuthbert) to call her mother and say she's okay. Dan smashes Janet's arm with a tire iron when Kim refuses. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
A young woman gets a startling perspective on how the other half lives in this teen-oriented thriller. Adrien Williams (Lori Heuring) is a troubled working-class college student who on the advice of her doctor takes a summer job at a posh country club. Brittany Foster (Susan Ward) is one of a group of wealthy students who while away their summer break with nighttime parties and days at the beach. Brittany takes a liking to Adrien and introduces her to her social circle, to the displeasure of her close friend Kelly (Laurie Fortier). Adrien also gets to know Matt Curtis (Matthew Settle), a tennis pro with whom Brittany is infatuated; when Adrien and Matt begin a relationship, Adrien learns the hard way that the rich kids can quickly turn vengeful and deadly. Along with Orpheus and In Between, The In Crowd was one of three films directed by Mary Lambert scheduled for release in 2000. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lori Heuring, Susan Ward, (more)
- 2000
One of two sci-fi/fantasy series that premiered October 27, 2000, on UPN (see separate entry for Freedom), Level 9 was co-created by executive producer John Sacret Young and mystery novelist Michael Connelly. The series is based on the not-entirely-incredible premise that the next generation's security leaks, federal crimes, and international crises will be the handiwork of rogue computer hackers. What is needed, then, is a highly skilled team of "technological enforcers" to take on the new breed of cyber-crooks. The members of the top-secret government agency Level 9 include Annie Price (Kate Hodge), Jerry Hooten (Romany Malco), Jargon (Esteban Powell), Roland Travis (Fabrizio Filippo), Joss Nakano (Susie Park), Sosh (Kim Murphy), and Wiley (Max Martini). Appearing in the pilot episode is Tim Guinee as Detective John Burrows, whose plot function is promptly taken over by the "maverick" Wiley. Burdened with surprisingly unlikable characters, Level 9 has to rely upon its story values and top-level special effects. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fab Filippo, Kate Hodge, (more)
- 1998
Oprah Winfrey co-produced this psychological drama, a TV movie remake of the acclaimed black-and-white low-budget ($180,000) 1962 David and Lisa. The original earned $1 million in its first run and also earned Oscar nominations for director Frank Perry and screenwriter Eleanor Perry, who adapted the story from the case history by Theodore Isaac Rubin. The script for the remake is credited to director Lloyd Kramer, Eleanor Perry, and Rubin. Emotionally disturbed teenager David (Lukas Haas), a genius with a fear of being touched, is taken by his mother to an institution where he encounters compassionate psychiatrist, Dr. Jack Miller (Sidney Poitier) and free-spirited teen Lisa (Brittany Murphy), who speaks in rhyme. Although Miller makes a supreme effort with David, it's Lisa who succeeds in reaching out to David and making contact with him, quelling his demons with love. The remake relocates the story from the East Coast to the West Coast, where it was filmed in Los Angeles locations (Venice, Los Feliz). The telepic premiered November 1, 1998 on ABC. When this remake was filmed, Rubin was still a practicing psychiatrist in New York at the age of 75. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sidney Poitier, Lukas Haas, (more)
A group of teenagers telling ghost stories while stranded in the middle of nowhere sets the scene for this collection of horror tales. A girl is terrorized by a psycho she "met" on the internet, a biker makes the mistake of visiting a haunted farmhouse, and some folks in an RV finds monsters along the highway. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Glamorous TV-tabloid host Morgan Bell (Shanna Reed), a glamorous glad-hander, shares a terrible secret with her dowdy producer-sister Claudia (Darlene Cates)--a secret that has determined the course of both their lives. The tension reaches the crisis level when Morgan accuses Claudia of causing the heart attack of a woman who'd been confronted by her illegitimate daughter during a live telecast, Monica (Roma Downey) must bring faith and forgiveness to both sisters, a task that can only be accomplished by an emotional confession of past misdeeds before a nationwide audience! This is the final episode of Touched by an Angel's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Sinbad offers some unusual advice on how to make friends in this wacky comedy. Kevin Frankin (Sinbad) is a guy who dreams of starting his own business. However, getting it off the ground is another matter altogether, and soon Kevin discovers that the two loan sharks who fronted him money want to be paid, and paid promptly, otherwise Kevin will be spending some time in the hospital. On the run through an airport, Kevin is trying to find a way out when he overhears Gary Young (Phil Hartman) wondering where his friend is. It seems that Gary has arranged a reunion with an old friend from childhood, but since he hasn't seen him in 25 years, he has no idea what he looks like today, beyond the fact that he's black. Kevin fits the bill that far and claims to be Gary's long lost buddy, which Gary buys hook, line, and sinker. Gary seems to enjoy bonding with his old friend, and Kevin likes staying at Gary's fine home (and raiding his large icebox), but Kevin discovers that impersonating a stranger is a lot more complicated than he expected after he's forced to perform oral surgery and give a speech at a grade school "Career Day" presentation. However, this is all small potatoes on the "oh, no" scale when the loan sharks track Kevin back to Gary's home in the suburbs. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sinbad, Phil Hartman, (more)
