Ethan Suplee Movies
Widely recognized for his brief but memorable role as the frustrated viewer of those annoying, colorful, semi-psychedelic 3-D eyesores in director Kevin Smith's Mallrats (1995), actor Ethan Suplee voiced the frustration of legions of optically challenged shopping mall patrons with his futile efforts to cross his eyes and conquer the illusion that was once the plague of shopping malls everywhere.Born in his hippyish parents' Manhattan home, moving to L.A. and then Vermont, Suplee spent most of his childhood in L.A. and, as with many other actors, began to realize his love for acting early in life through school plays and drama projects. Lacking a sense of direction after graduating from high school, Suplee was prompted by friend and fellow actor Giovanni Ribisi to attend acting classes; Suplee took his friend's advice. Frustrated at his teacher's lack of promotion and encouragement, Suplee dropped out after one year and soon landed his first major role, as a recurring character on the television sitcom Boy Meets World in 1994. After making his feature debut in Mallrats, Suplee stuck mainly to the big screen, with diverse roles in such films as Desert Blue and the controversial American History X (both 1998). Frequently appearing in later Kevin Smith efforts, as well as comedies like Road Trip (2000) and Evolution (2001), Suplee also appeared in the drama Blow (2001), and with Denzel Washington in both Remember the Titans (2000) and the emergency room hostage drama John Q. (2001). ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Though he was a mere 11 years old during Season One of Boy Meets World), somehow Cory Matthews (Ben Savage) is just the right age to enter John Adams High School at the outset of Season Two. Thinking that he has at last rid himself of his least favorite teacher and biggest nemesis Mr. Feeny (William Daniels), Cory is appalled to learn that Feeny is now the high school principal--and if that wasn't bad enough, our hero must also deal with school bully Harley (Danny McNulty) and his dimwitted flunkies Frankie (Ethan Suplee) and Joey (Blake Sennett). Making Cory's transition to the ninth grade somewhat easier is his supercool new teacher Jonathan Turner (Anthony Tyler Quinn), who wears a leather jacket, rides a cycle to school, and spouts poetry (notably "The Odyssey", which has special significance in this episode). Danielle Fishel is now a regular in the role of the mercurial Topanga Lawrence. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Shawn (Rider Strong) tries to cement his reputation as Adams High School's resident prankster by changing the name of principal Feeny (William Daniels) to "Weeny" in the school paper. This makes trouble for Cory (Ben Savage) when Mr. Feeny, aware that our hero knows who's responsible for the typo, threatens to suspend him unless he squeals on Shawn. Likewise suffering for Shawn's capriciousness is student newspaper editor Molly (Jill Novick), whom Cory's brother Eric (Will Friedle) has a yen for--at least until he meets manipulative southern belle Desiree (Sydney Bennett). As usual, the plot complications are closely linked with the book that Cory has been assigned in class--in this instance, The Scarlet Letter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
With two girlfriends too many--namely Linda (Haylie Johnson) and Stacy (Molly Morgan)--Shawn (Rider Strong) suggests that he and Cory (Ben Savage) take turns dating them. Cory is merely to act as Shawn's "beard", while Shawn tries to decide which girl he really wants. Unfortunately, the girl Shawn prefers wants nothing to do with him--but Cory is crazy about her. This plot, coupled with a subplot involving an argument between Cory's parents over household spending, is somehow connected with Mr. Turner's current class study of the Cuban Missile Crisis! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Attending a "make-out" party, Cory (Ben Savage) can't work up the nerve to kiss Topanga (Danielle Fishel), whereupon he vows never to go out on a date again. After finding out that older brother Eric (Will Friedle) is at the center of Cory's panic attack--Eric had pressured him to "go the distance" when he had the chance--Alan (William Russ) and Amy (Betsy Randle) advise the boy to take Topanga to a place where the pressure to perform is off and no kissing is required. Thus, Cory escorts Topanga to what he thinks is a "safe" social gathering...where everyone ends up making out anyway. "Agooblah!" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
When his sister Amy (Lily Nicksey) advises him to try the "polite" approach with girls, Cory (Ben Savage) begins dating a young lady named T.K. (Danielle Harris). Soon after, and much to his surprise, Cory is being treated with utmost courtesy by none other than school bully Harley Keiner (Danny McNulty). What our boy doesn't know is that T.K. is actually Harley's sister--a fact that may result in horrific consequences when Harley wrongly believes that Cory is "moving too fast" with the girl! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Cory (Ben Savage) is amazed when Melissa (Johna Stewart-Borden), one of the popular kids in school, invites him to a "cool kids" party--but doesn't invite Shawn (Rider Strong). Alas, it turns out Melissa's dad forced her to issue the invitation, and Cory is no cooler than he was before. Even worse, the "shunned" Shawn is having a terrific time at another party where the REAL cool kids are hanging out. And back at home, Alan (William Russ) frets over getting old--if he isn't careful, he'll soon be past forty! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Kevin Smith's follow-up to his unexpected hit Clerks details the pointless story of T.S. (Jeremy London) and Brodie (Jason Lee), two suburban New Jersey slackers who decide to head to the mall in search of solace after being dumped by their girlfriends (Shannon Doherty and Claire Forlani, respectively). There the two young men machinate to appear on a game show being staged and also manage to meet comic-book magnate Stan Lee. However, complications arise when the girls show up. ~ Jeremy Beday, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shannen Doherty, Jeremy London, (more)
- 1995
Unaware that his parents Amy (Betsy Randle) and Alan (William Russ) are planning a 20th anniversary party, Eric (Will Friedle) decides to throw a "rave"on the same day at the same time. When Cory (Ben Savage) finds out, he suggests that Eric combine the two parties without allowing his parents to catch on--a scheme that works for about, oh, three minutes. The final sequence could be called "The Monkees Meet the Partridge Family"--the musical group that Cory organizes to play for his parents is comprised of Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones and Peter Tork, and their manager is ol' "Reuben Kincaid" himself, Dave Madden! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Tough guy Frankie (Ethan Suplee) prevails upon Cory (Ben Savage) and Shawn (Rider Strong) to help him win the heart of a girl named Gloria (Mathea Webb)...or else. Trouble is, Gloria is already the girlfriend of even tougher guy Harley--and he'll reduce Cory and Shawn to a heap of bloody rubble if he finds out what they're doing. Meanwhile, Cory's dad Alan (William Russ) gets in trouble for buying his wife Amy (Betsy Randle) a "utility" gift as an anniversary present. Yes, both of these storylines are linked together by episode's end--but you'll have to watch to find out how! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
It's the first day of school again as Boy Meets World launches its third season. Having spent the entire summer trying to work up the nerve to ask out his classmate Topanga (Danielle Fishel), Cory (Ben Savage)--who somehow has aged two years since last we saw him!--feels betrayed when he is beaten to it by his best friend Shawn (Rider Strong), leading to a showdown in the apartment Shawn shares with teacher Jonathan Turner (Anthony Tyler Quinn). And Eric deals with the devil--specifically, tough guys Frankie (Ethan Suplee) and Joey (Blake Sennett)--to drum up business for the school film society's screening of Paint Your Wagon. New to the cast are Lindsay Ridgeway, taking over from Lily Nicksay in the role of Cory's sister Morgan, and Alex Desert as Eli Williams--and keep an eye out for a very young Brittany Murphy as Topana's best friend Trini. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Angry because some girls won't date him because of his "lowlife" reputation as a trailer-park resident, Shawn (Rider Strong) decides to live up--or down--to that reputation by hanging out with school bully Harley and his flunkies. Consequently, Shawn not only begins cutting classes, but also drifting away from his best friend Cory (Ben Savage). After weighing the advice of several authority figures, Cory elects to "rescue" Shawn by standing up to Harley--which may be the equivalent of committing suicide! Elsewhere, Jason (Jason Marsden) tries to give Eric (Will Friedle) a crash-course in ice skating, which explains how Nancy Kerrigan came to be tonight's special guest star. In this episode and this episode only, Kenny Johnson and not Danny McNulty is seen as Harley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Consulting the school's new guidance counselor Devon (Amy Leland), Shawn (Rider Strong) explains that he's not trying harder because he's not going to college, so what's the use? In an effort to show she understands what he's going through, Devon replies that she once felt the same way and decided to take time to consider her future, which she did during a trip to Europe. Unfortunately, Shawn hears only the "trip to Europe" part and begins drawing up plans to run off to Paris! In other developments, former school bully Harley (Danny McNulty) busts out of reform school for a showdown with the heir to his "throne", Griff Hawkins (Adam Scott); trouble is, no one cares. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
While delivering past-due book reports to the home of their teacher Mr. Turner (Anthony Tyler Quinn), Cory (Ben Savage) and Shawn (Rider Strong) stumble across Turner's class schedule, enabling them to determine when he plans to give the next pop quiz. As a result, the boys are able to cram for the quiz, which they pass with extremely high grades. It isn't long before Cory and Shawn begin suffering the pangs of conscience, but when they confess to Mr. Turner they're in for quite a suprirse. Meanwhile, school tough guys Frankie (Ethan Suplee) and Joey (Blake Sennett), leaderless since top bully Harley was sent to reform school, seek out a replacement so they can retain their "flunkey" status. (Note: this episode was intended as the series finale, but at the last minute Boy Meets World was renewed for a third season). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
In order to have at least one extracurricular activity to his credit, Cory (Ben Savage) joins the school wrestling team, supremely confident that he won't have to do anything because there's no one else in his weight class. All this changes when school bully Joey "the Rat" (Blake Sennett) joins the team and Cory is forced to wrestle with him. Their rivalry ultimately triggers a grudge match in front of the entire school--with celebrities Robert Goulet and Yasmine Bleeth announcing the event! (At what point did Boy Meets World become a fantasy?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Upset that tough-guy Frankie (Ethan Suplee) is hanging around with a bad crowd, Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) suggests that Cory (Ben Savage) and Shawn (Rider Strong) try to keep Frankie on the straight-and-narrow. Instead, the opposite happens: Thanks to their association with Frankie, Cory and Shawn now find themselves much feared by all the younger kids in school! Of course, there's a moral and a "surprise" revelation lurking within this situation, so stay with the episode until the end. Meanwhile, Mr. Turner (Anthony Tyler Quinn) is upset when his wealthy ex-girlfriend Melanie (Eliza Coyle), who'd spurned him because he'd given up a life of luxury to become a teacher, returns to town. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Cory (Ben Savage) and Shawn (Rider Strong) intend to take advantage of the fact that Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) has given the key to his cabin in the Poconos to Alan (William Russ) and Amy (Betsy Randle). Getting their mitts on the precious key, the boys sneak off to the cabin with plans of having a special skiing weekend with a pair a cute girls. Unfortunately, their only company turns out to be Mr. Feeny himself. Meanwhile, Eric (Will Friedle) and Frankie (Ethan Suplee) square off in the longest billiard game in recorded history--15 hours, to be exact! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Cory (Ben Savage) manages to commit himself to two different events at the same time. Having promised to attend Topanga's sweet-sixteen party, Cory nonetheless agrees to attend a wrestling match in which Frankie's dad Vader (Leon Allen White) squares off against Jake "The Snake" Roberts. Hoping to get himself out of this jam, Cory devises a scheme to be in both places at once--just like Fred did in a 1962 episode of The Flintstones! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Cory (Ben Savage) and Shawn (Rider Strong) are given a thought-provoking Thanksgiving weekend assignment: to show how class divisions between rich and poor are causing all the problems in Rwanda. Unexpectedly, the boys receive some first-hand experience in this matter when both of their families attend Thanksgiving dinner at the trailer-park home of Shawn's parents. And in another development, Frankie's brother Herman (E.J. DeLaPena) wants to start dating Cory's sister Morgan (Lindsay Ridgeway). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Shareen Mitchell makes her first series appearance as Virna, the "runaway" mother of Cory's friend Shawn (Rider Strong). When Virna reappears after a year's absence, Cory (Ben Savage) tries to reunite her with her son Shawn and husband Chet (Blake Clark)--who really want this reunion, but are reluctant to make the first move out of fear that Virna might run off again. Cory also finds time to pay homage to Brenda (Loretta Jean), the cafeteria lunch lady, who has unexpectedly passed away. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Four lifelong friends struggle to make the uncomfortable leap from adolescence to adulthood in this independent comedy-drama. Jimmy (Gabriel Olds) lives in the same Midwestern town where he was born; while Jimmy has always been bright, he's never had much use for academics, but his post-high-school career as a roofer is starting to make him wonder if college is such a bad idea. His best friend Trevor (Alan Tudyk) is busy with his romantic problems, owing to a frustrating relationship with a beautiful but flighty Amy (Kellie Overbey), a waitress who enjoys telling strangers about her sex life. Madeline (Jennifer Crystal) comes home from her first year at college looking for a summer job, and finds one; unfortunately, it's cleaning and painting the city's municipal swimming pool. And Jimmy and his pal Reid (G. Riley Mills) find their roofing jobs are threatened by a strike at the factory that provides most of the town's jobs. When Jimmy is forced out of the roofing business, he finds himself taking work as a scab laborer at the plant, which has unexpected -- and unpleasant -- consequences. 35 Miles From Normal had its world premiere at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
After a pair of films about hipster slackers, the work of writer-director Kevin Smith matured and gained critical respect with this low budget, independent comedy-drama about love, sex and the fine line between the two. Ben Affleck stars as Holden McNeil, a New Jersey comic book writer who is roommates with his best friend and professional partner, artist Banky Edwards (Jason Lee). Their hit comic book series, "Bluntman and Chronic," is loosely patterned after a pair of acquaintances, Jay (Jason Mewes) and Silent Bob (played by Smith), two characters already familiar as supporting players in several Smith films. Into Holden's life comes Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams), a lesbian and fellow comic book creator who quickly becomes a close friend, although Holden is powerfully attracted to her. Eventually, Alyssa realizes that she is attracted to Holden as well and they begin a physical relationship, much to the consternation of Banky, whose ire over losing his best friend to a lesbian seems to border on romantic jealousy. After he learns something about Alyssa's sexual past, however, Holden's immature response to his new knowledge destroys both his romance with Alyssa and his friendship with Banky. Chasing Amy (1997) was the third film in what Smith referred to as his "New Jersey series," films set at least partly in the Garden State and featuring the Jay and Silent Bob characters. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Affleck, Joey Lauren Adams, (more)
A cold-blooded jewel thief seduces an innocent Death Valley girl longing to escape her bleak surroundings in this thriller, which proves temptation can come in all forms. In the aftermath of a jewel heist gone awry, Samantha leaves her dying boyfriend at the scene of the crime. Later, when Samantha's truck breaks down in the scorching heart of Death Valley, young, innocent June approaches her and the pair strikes up a fast friendship. Though June is immediately drawn to Samantha's free spirit, it doesn't take long for the murderous thief's dark side to emerge and plunge the pair into a harrowing journey from which there may be no return. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Barry Del Sherman, Brett Harrelson, (more)
- 1998
It's Graduation Day, and although Cory (Ben Savage) does not want Topanga (Danielle Fishel) to go off to Yale, he hides his true feelings and tells her that it's okay. Meanwhile, Shawn (Rider Strong) feigns indifference to the whole graduation process, and Eric (Will Friedle) tries to persuade Mr. Feeny (William Daniels) to give up his retirement plans. In addition to offering return visits by former series regulars Blake Soper (Joey), Ethan Suplee (Frankie) and Lee Norris (Minkus), this fifth-season cliffhanger finale of Boys Meets World is highlighted by an unexpected proposal of marriage--all the more surprising when one considers the person who is proposing! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Tony Kaye made his feature directorial debut with this dramatic exploration into the roots of race hatred in America. In a shocking opening scene, teen Danny Vinyard (Edward Furlong) races to tell his older brother, neo-Nazi Derek (Edward Norton), about the young blacks breaking into his car in front of the house, whereupon Derek gets his gun and with no forethought shoots the youths in their tracks. Tried and convicted, Derek is sent away for three years in prison, where he acquires a different outlook as he contrasts white-power prisoners with black Lamont (Guy Torry), his prison laundry co-worker and eventual pal. Meanwhile, Danny, with a shaved head and a rebellious attitude, seems destined to follow in his big brother's footsteps. After Danny writes a favorable review of Hitler's Mein Kampf, black high-school principal Sweeney (Avery Brooks) puts Danny in his private "American History X" course and assigns him to do a paper about his older brother, who was a former student of Sweeney's. This serves to introduce flashbacks, with the film backtracking to illustrate Danny's account of Derek's life prior to the night of the shooting. Monochrome sequences of Derek leading a Venice, California gang are intercut with color footage of the mature Derek ending his past neo-Nazi associations and attempting to detour Danny away from the group led by white supremacist, Cameron (Stacy Keach), who once influenced Derek. Director Tony Kaye, with a background in TV commercials and music videos, filmed in L.A. beach communities. Rated R "for graphic brutal violence including rape, pervasive language, strong sexuality and nudity." ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, (more)
Morgan J. Freeman directed this comedy-drama that takes place in the desert town of Baxter Beach, California, where the locals, lookers, visitors and slackers include dreamer Blue (Brendan Sexton III), pipe-bomb babe Ely (Christina Ricci), all-terrain-vehicle champ Pete (Casey Affleck), nerdy Sandy (Sara Gilbert), TV star Skye (Kate Hudson), and chubby Cale (Ethan Suplee). Blue's dad, who had hoped to bring water to the town, died mysteriously in a hotel fire, leaving an abandoned water slide, and Blue hopes to fulfill his father's dream by completing the water slide attraction. Actress Skye is just passing through with her father, a pop-culture prof. (John Heard), but they're forced to stay in town after a truck-spill leads to a quarantine and the presence of both an FBI agent (Michael Ironside) and an EPA agent (Aunjanue Ellis). Skye gets caught up in local fun and games (orange baseball, potato cannon salvos), while her dad reminisces about the '60s with UFO fanatic Caroline (Lucinda Jenney). Shown at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kate Hudson, Christina Ricci, (more)
