Michael R. Elliott Movies

Writer/director Russell DeGrazier makes his feature debut with this dark tale of four twentysomethings and the destructive relationships between them. Originally titled Stalk, the film concerns the decidedly ungentlemanly behavior of Matthew (The In Crowd's Matthew Settle), part-time alternative-newsweekly columnist, part-time rude-boy radio talk-show host, and full-time torch-carrier for ex-girlfriend Liz (Gretchen Mol). In keeping with her "been there, done that" stance on their relationship, Liz objects to Matthew's obsessive displays of affection (parking his car outside her apartment for hours on end, attempting to break down her door). Luckily, two forces intervene: her friend Corey (Samantha Mathis) and her current boyfriend, Matthew's editor Garrett (Tom Everett Scott). In a chance meeting at a local watering hole, Corey befriends the tortured Matthew, and the two begin an intensely carnal relationship that not only distracts him from stalking Liz but also -- as an added bonus -- makes Liz jealous. Unfortunately, Garrett is still worried that Liz's loose-cannon ex might still be hung up on her, so he begins his own cat-and-mouse game with Matthew. Attraction premiered at the 2000 Toronto International Film Festival. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide

Though some observers feel that the made-for-cable Dangerous Waters was merely a derivation of the earlier theatrical feature River Wild, be assured that the later film includes a few novel and unanticipated twists. While on a rafting trip with her kids and her newboyfriend Bob (Matt McCoy), river expert Sarah (Connie Selleca) is waylaid by escaped convicts searching for stolen money. Earlier, Sarah had rescued an unconscious man, who may or may not be connected with the crooks. Whatever the case, Bob takes charge of the situation, apparently playing for time by claiming he knows the location of the money--mainly because he's the one who hid it. A deadly game of cat-and-mouse between captors and captives develops, followed by an even more harrowing excursion down the rapids and towards safety. Throughout it all, however, Sarah cannot help but wonder what Bob is up to--and why? First telecast by the Fox Family channel on February 7, 1999, Dangerous Waters was filmed under the title Imminent Danger, and still goes by that name in reruns. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When an ex-con manages to schmooze her way into being a high-priced nanny for a rich family, she promptly tries to control the family's two adorable moppets. Unfortunately for her, the kids are none too keen on starting an early career in a sweat shop, and with Home Alone-like aplomb, they manage to thwart her intentions. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide

A handful of brave survivors must contend with an unusual sort of post-apocalyptic crisis in this science fiction drama. The earth has been decimated in the wake of World War III; while massive thermonuclear attacks wiped out most of the major cities, an experimental biological weapon was released that spread two artificial viruses, one of which would infect men and another which would infect women. When the two viruses are brought together during sexual intercourse, the result is instant and painful death for both parties, and the deadly spread of this weapon has meant that humanity as we know it is doomed to eventual extinction. However, Calloway (Richard Lynch), the leader of a battalion of all-male ravagers who plunder the post-nuke plains for whatever they can find, discovers a community where men, women, and children are actually living together in something resembling civilization. It seems that a scientist was able to develop a serum that rendered the twin viruses harmless; however, the inventor is killed as Calloway and his men raid the village. The inventor's son, Joe Knight (Bryan Genesee), survives, and he must learn the secrets to his father's formula. He gets some unexpected help from McCabe (James Brolin), a renegade peacekeeper on the run from Calloway, and Shara (Kehli O'Byrne), who with McCabe is eager to discover the formula for the serum and begin repopulating the world. Roger Corman served as executive producer for this project. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Angel of Destruction stars female martial-arts expert Maria Ford in the title role. In the tradition of the "B" westerns of Yore, Ford sets out to avenge her sister's murderer. She's essentially a woman of peace, though she leaves a lot of her opponents in pieces. There's gore galore before she corners the killers, and it is for this reason, rather than the frequent glimpses of the leading lady's bare torso, that the film is rated R. The saving grace of Angel of Destruction, for non-chopsocky fans, is the fact that Maria Ford actually has a soupcon of acting ability. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Anxious to quit smoking, a married couple tries hypnosis. When their opportunistic children see how well it works, they decide to use the techniques to improve the quality of their lives. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Alex (Theresa Russell is a government agent who trades sex for state secrets. Will (Scott Glenn) is a taciturn demolition expert troubled by a violent past. When the two find themselves being pursued by the same nefarious spy ring, bullets start flying and bedsprings start creaking. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide

This made-for-TV western stars Kelly Preston as Rebecca Carver, who is travelling west with her husband Matthew (Charles Powell), trying to outrun the draft for the Civil War. Needing to rest for the night, they stop at a trading post run by Barkley (Dan Haggerty), where they encounter a pack of buffalo hunters as well as several Cheyenne braves who seem to know Barkley well. Worried that there could be trouble and afraid of the Indians, Matthew warns the hunters about the Cheyenne, which soon leads to a furious battle leaving only two survivors -- Rebecca and Hawk (Pato Hoffmann), a Cheyenne warrior who was severely injured in the fighting. With no one to protect her, Rebecca realizes that her survival may depend on Hawk, so she nurses him back to health; the two make their way across the prarie as they try to escape the bitter onset of winter, and find that their mutual distrust soon grows into love. Roger Corman served as executive producer. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this futuristic kick-boxing outing set in the next century, astronaut Laker Powell comes back from his latest mission and discovers that his brother, a pro kick-boxer has been slain. It is a violent time and the police are too overwhelmed with cases to pay much attention, so he decides to investigate the case himself. He soon finds himself having to use his own considerable kickboxing skills to survive the grim streets. The film features harsh language, graphic violence, nudity, and sexual situations. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Scott Valentine stars as an assistant D.A. who has an affair with an office intern (Vanessa Angel), who is the homicidal niece of his ill-fated boss. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide

In this martial arts thriller, a repo man accidentally brings back the wrong car and finds himself in deep trouble with the LAPD, both national security organizations, and a ring of international gun runners. When someone kidnaps the repo man's daughter, he uses his fists of fury to get bloody revenge. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this martial arts actioner a brave fighter travels from LA to Honolulu to the Southeast-Asian jungle to get revenge upon those who murdered his brother. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide