William Beck Movies
People's hero, war hero, romantic hero and leader of the world's most famous resistance group...Robin Hood is known and loved by millions around the world. His fight against a corrupt government and greedy officials is something we all can connect with. Fun, modern and intelligent, the BBC's Robin Hood is guaranteed to appeal to today's sophisticated viewers and is set to be as popular as the new Doctor Who. Sharp, witty scripts by Dominic Minghella and a striking new look set the tone as the BBC updates this popular legend for all the family.
- Starring:
- Jonas Armstrong, Lucy Griffiths, (more)
- 2003
A spin-off of the 2001 TV movie of the same name, the British action-adventure series Red Cap was devoted to the exploits of the U.K. Army's Special Investigation Branch, a team of "military detectives" who pulled off elaborate sting operations to thwart the enemies of democracy. In other words, it was Mission: Impossible with uniforms and an accent. During the series' first season, the dramatic tension was enhanced by the fact that the seven-person SI team consisted of six men and one woman, compelling Sgt. Jo McDonagh (played by former EastEnders regular Tamzin Outhwaite), who had to go out of her way to prove that she was just as good as the other "guys." Created by Patrick Harbinson, Red Cap debuted over BBC1 on January 7, 2003, and was brought to the United States via the BBC America cable service beginning July 6 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tamzin Outhwaite, Douglas Hodge, (more)
British filmmaker John MacKenzie directs the crime thriller Quicksand, based on the book by Desmond Lowden. Michael Keaton plays Martin Raikes, a New York banker who goes to Monaco to investigate some questionable transactions. He discovers that the shifty bank account belongs to film producer Lela Forin (Judith Godrëche), whose next movie stars former action star Jake Mellows (Michael Caine). The production company turns out to be closely associated with a group of gangsters who wish Martin was out of the picture. They frame him for murder and make it look like his bank received a profit. Martin and Lela team up against the gangsters. Quicksand was released straight-to-video in Europe. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Caine, Michael Keaton, (more)
Eddie Murphy once again finds himself exchanging both wisecracks and gunfire in this comic action-thriller. Scott Roper (Murphy) is a hostage negotiator with the San Francisco Police Department; Roper has his own way of doing things, which doesn't always mean following department proceedure, but he's good at his job and has the respect of his colleagues. Roper has been given a new partner, Kevin McCall (Michael Rapaport), a former SWAT team member whom Roper is training in the fine art of handing dangerous criminals with words as well as weapons; in his spare time, Roper tries to smooth out his stormy relationship with his girlfriend, Ronnie Tate (Carmen Ejogo), and deal with his addiction to gambling. However, Roper has his hands full when Michael Korda (Michael Wincott), a psychotic criminal, claims some hostages in the midst of a jewel heist. Roper finds it hard to be cool and detached in dealing with Korda, since the thief killed a cop who was one of his best friends, and one of the people taken by Korda happens to be Ronnie. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Eddie Murphy, Michael Rapaport, (more)
In this film by director Francis Ford Coppola, Robin Williams stars as Jack, a boy who is growing normally, but at many times the normal rate. In a bizarre flashback, we see that he was born when his mother was only ten weeks pregnant. Kept out of school for years, the neighborhood children consider him a freak, and generally avoid him. He is finally required to go to public school, and we catch up to him as he enters the fourth grade for the first time, a 10-year-old boy who appears to be a fully grown man in his 40s. His classmates tease him mercilessly until they begin to see the advantages of having him around. He must also have some grown-up feelings to go along with his grown-up body, because he asks his teacher out for a date. When she refuses him, he goes off into town and gets into adult-type trouble as he courts nightclub denizen Dolores Durante (Fran Drescher) over the objections of her boyfriend. Teacher Lawrence Woodruff (Bill Cosby) tries (with some success) to help Jack cope with his situation. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robin Williams, Diane Lane, (more)
