Paul Schulze Movies

Don's mysterious past comes back to haunt him; Peggy celebrates her new work success, but not all of her colleagues and co-workers are pleased or impressed; Salvatore's relationship with a client is questioned. ~ Ray Stackhouse, All Movie Guide

To those who have grown up with the radio and TV versions of the old Lone Ranger series, this retro TV-movie adaptation will appear as if it has just landed from another planet. Gone are such familiar trappings as "The William Tell Overture," the bushwhacking Butch Cavendish Gang, the title character's backstory as a genuine Texas Ranger, and faithful Indian companion Tonto's Pidgin English. Instead, the viewer is offered a wall-to-wall rock score; a twentysomething hunk of a Boston law student named Luke Hartman (Sebastian Spence) who morphs into the Lone Ranger; an equally youthful and remarkably articulate Tonto (Nathaniel Arcand) who dabbles in mysticism and has a hottie sister named Alope (Anita Brown); authentic 19th century dialogue such as "I love you guys!"; and even a skinny-dipping sequence. Yes, the Lone Ranger still rides a white stallion named Silver and fills his guns with silver bullets; yes, he still sports a mask; and yes, he dedicates his life to being a "champion of justice" after the brutal murder of his Ranger brother. Otherwise, it's "Hi Yo, Dude!" in this radical rethinking of The Lone Ranger, which debuted February 26, 2003, on the WB network. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After thwarting last season's attempted nuclear attack on Los Angeles, Day 3 finds Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) again fighting to protect the city, this time from a weaponized virus. But Jack is also battling a personal demon -- a heroin addiction he picked up while working undercover in a drug-smuggling ring run by terrorist Ramon Salazar (Joaquim de Almeida). At Jack's side throughout Day 3 is his daughter, Kim (Elisha Cuthbert), who took a desk job at CTU in the time between Seasons 2 and 3. Complicating matters is Kim's relationship with Jack's new partner, Chase Edmunds (James Badge Dale), whom she has been secretly dating. Further CTU romance is found between agents Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard) and Michelle Dessler (Reiko Aylesworth), whose working relationship has blossomed into marriage. But it's a rocky union that's tested throughout Day 3, by everything from charges of terrorism to exposure to a deadly virus. Following the dissolution of his marriage to the first lady, President David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) is deep into his reelection campaign. But privately he is still grappling with the lingering effects of the viral attack carried out by assassin Mandy (Mia Kirshner) during Day 2's final moments. New to the series is Chloe O'Brian (Mary Lynn Rajskub), a CTU senior analyst whose computer skills prove helpful during Jack's mission this season and beyond. Day 3 also features the first appearance of Wayne Palmer (DB Woodside), who serves as the new chief of staff for his older brother. While lacking in major guest stars, Day 3 does feature Zachary Quinto (Heroes) as rookie computer analyst Adam Kaufman, and Daniel Dae Kim (Lost), who returns for a second go-round as CTU agent Tom Baker. ~ All Movie Guide

A lot of people are pissed off when Tony (Carlos Bernard) reveals that the terrorist threat and Jack's (Kiefer Sutherland) "rescue" of Ramon (Joaquim de Almeida) were all part of an elaborate sting operation. Jack left a video explaining his actions, which is played for Palmer (Dennis Haysbert). Jack is going undercover with the Salazar brothers again, in an effort to buy a deadly weaponized virus on the black market. Palmer leaves Tony in charge, and warns him that there will be serious consequences if Jack's plan doesn't work. Palmer's problems with Anne (Wendy Crewson) and Ted Packard (Conor O'Farrell) go away, albeit in unpleasant fashion, and Anne ends their relationship. Jack arrives at Hector's (Vincent Laresca) compound. Ramon still doesn't trust him, so Hector has to try to convince his brother to wait until they make the lucrative deal for the virus before they kill Jack, who's in contact with the dealer, Amador (Greg Ellis). When they get a moment alone, Claudia (Vanessa Ferlito) angrily confronts Jack about reneging on his promise to take her away when he busted Ramon. Jack's plans are further complicated when Chase (James Badge Dale) arrives in Mexico, and is quickly captured by Hector's men. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide

Rage, jealousy, murder, and Eastern European automotive engineering combine in this offbeat black comedy. Verplanck, NY, is a small town north of Manhattan that has the dubious distinction of being the Yugo capital of America; the ill-fated import compact was first test-marketed in Verplanck, and nearly everyone in town drives one. So no one finds it unusual when a yellow Yugo is seen floating in the river, though seeing someone trapped inside is out of the ordinary. Verplanck's chief of police, Wyatt Rash (Danny De Vito), discovers that the deceased driver was a prominent local citizen, Mona Dearly (Bette Midler), and the evidence suggests that Mona's death was no accident. But the investigation into Mona's murder is hampered by one rather significant detail: nearly everyone in town hated Mona and wanted her dead. She alienated her son Jeff (Marcus Thomas) and his business partner Bobby (Casey Affleck). Bobby's girlfriend Ellen (Neve Campbell) (who is also Rash's daughter) is convinced that Mona would have tried to drive a wedge into their relationship. Mona's husband Phil (William Fichtner) couldn't stand her and fell into an affair with Rona (Jamie Lee Curtis), the waitress at the local diner. And even Rash's sidekick, Deputy Feege (Peter Dobson), spent too much time on the wrong end of Mona's temper to care that she's dead. Before long, the question is no longer who is a suspect, but who isn't? Drowning Mona was directed by Nick Gomez, who earned positive notices for his independent films New Jersey Drive and Illtown. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This convoluted crime drama offers a haunting view of the violent and ruthless world of three Miami drug dealers: Dante, his lover Micki and Cisco. Though only in their mid-'20s, all three are veterans in the field and have made their fortunes selling heroin to upper-middle-class clients at the city's hottest nightspots via teenage couriers. The operation is overseen by a friendly but crooked-to-the-core policeman. Together the threesome has fashioned a stable, well-ordered world that borders on respectability, but that world is shattered when Dante learns that former partner Gabriel is getting out of prison and has sworn his vengeance upon the three who he believes framed him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this crime comedy, a wastrel is helping his girlfriend move into a new apartment and accidentally stumbles into a drug theft gone awry that leaves his girlfriend dead and him literally holding the bag. Within that bag is a fortune in illegal narcotics and Jerry realizes that he has no choice but to take the dope and split. In desperation he goes to his pal Christy who sends him to stay with his con-artist aunt Rose who quickly cheats Jerry at cards. Later Rose's son Angie shows up and tries to convince his ma to toss Jerry out. She refuses. In time, Jerry and Angie become friends. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Two estranged brothers discover that family secrets can have a high value on the wrong side of the law in this crime drama. Jack McCallister (Seymour Cassel) is an aging career criminal whose luck is about to give out; Jack and his henchmen are ambushed by police in the midst of a major robbery, which leaves Jack severely injured and his accomplices dead. Jack manages to hide the $500,000 from the robbery before he makes his way to his death bed, where he speaks with his two sons, George (Treat Williams) and Michael (Paul Schulze). George has followed Jack's example as a thief, though his violent recklessness suggests that his career will not be as long as his father's, while Michael makes ends meet as a con man, selling burial plots that don't exist to the elderly and gullible. George and Michael have never gotten along and don't trust each other, but before Jack dies, he gives each of his sons an important clue as to where his final windfall is hidden. If they are to find the money, George and Michael will have to put aside their differences and help each other, but of course they're not the only ones in town looking for the missing half-million. Handgun was the first theatrical feature for television director Whitney Ransick and also features Michael Rappaport, Frank Vincent, and Michael Imperioli. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A midtown auto accident leaves two people dead. The subsequent investigation reveals that one of the "victims," a woman, was placed in the driver's seat after the accident -- and that she was raped before she died. Ultimately, city councilman Spencer Talbot (Anthony Heald) is charged with the crime. He manages to beat the rap, but tireless Assistant D.A. Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) has another ace -- and another charge -- up his sleeve. This episode represents a reunion between former I'll Fly Away co-stars Sam Waterston and Regina Taylor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When an African-American honors student is found murdered, detectives Logan (Chris Noth) and Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) dig up evidence that the dead girl was stealing from her family to support a drug habit. The number-one suspect is the girl's sleazy crack-dealing boyfriend, but for reasons that defy explanation, he will not plea-bargain with the D.A.'s office. Meanwhile, the search goes on for the missing murder weapon -- or has it been deliberately hidden by a hitherto unsuspected party? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Adam Arkin guest stars as George Costas, the Greek-immigrant owner of a New York jewelry business. After killing two intruders in his store, both of whom had long police records, Costas pleads self-defense: "They shoot at me, I shoot back, I killed them." But as all the facts come to light, the D.A.'s office arrives at the conclusion that Costas had appointed himself judge, jury, and executioner long before anyone pulled the trigger. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Writer-director Hal Hartley's first feature -- shot in less than 12 days in his backyard for a mere $200,000 -- is a dry and dark comedy about the dangerous undercurrents that exist below the surface of normal middle class existence. Over the credits, Josh (Robert Burke), a man garbed in black, is seen hitch-hiking back to his Long Island home. People ask him, "Are you a priest?" and Josh responds, "No. I'm a mechanic." Back in Long Island in the town of Lindenhurst, beautiful and somber 17-year-old Audry (Adrienne Shelly) is busy worrying about the forthcoming apocalypse. Josh arrives in Lindenhurst and is hired by Audry's father (Chris Cooke) as a mechanic at his garage. But Audry's father worries about him, particularly when he falls in love with Audry. Her father's problems compound when Audry dumps her old boyfriend and rejects an invitation to attend Harvard. The whole town is now gossiping about Audry's new boyfriend, with rumors spreading that Josh is a mass murderer who killed two members of the family of local waitress Pearl (Julia McNeal). Pearl tells Audry, "He seems like a nice man." Audry responds, "Even though he killed your father and your sister?" Audry finally makes her father happy when she tells him she won't see Josh again, but dad's relief is short-lived when Audry informs him she's moving to New York to become an underwear model. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide