John Doman Movies

Inspired by the real-life events that followed the untimely 1988 death of William Shue (brother of cast members Elisabeth and Andrew Shue and executive producer John Shue) the feel-good sports drama Gracie unfolds in 1978 New Jersey. 15-year-old Gracie Bowen (newcomer Carly Schroeder) is still reeling from the passing of her brother Johnny (Jesse Lee Soffer), a star player on the high-school soccer team. When Gracie defies nearly everyone's wishes by vowing to replace Johnny under the aegis of cantankerous Coach Colasanti (John Doman), it irritates her parents (Elisabeth Shue, Dermot Mulroney) -- who encourage her to stick to activities better-suited to her gender -- and her best friend, Jena (Julia Garro), who warns her that athletic women are often considered "lesbos." The young woman persists, however, and wins the hearts of her most strident detractors, surmounting one obstacle after another and racing toward certain victory. Karen Janszen and Lisa Marie Petersen co-scripted; Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) directs, lacing the soundtrack with pop standards from that era, with Aretha Franklin's "Rock Steady" used as Gracie's training anthem. Dina Goldman created the film's meticulous 1970s production design. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

David Simon's masterful social commentary went back to school, quite literally, in the fourth season, which focuses on Baltimore's crumbling education system. A relevant link to its first three seasons is supplied by Roland "Prez" Pryzbylewski (Jim True-Frost), who left the police department to become a teacher at Edward Tilghman Middle School, a hardscrabble institution on life support that services a low-income, drug-infested neighborhood. (Incidentally, Prez's career path is similar to one of the series' producers, Ed Burns). His eighth-grade math class includes a close-knit quartet of friends -- Randy Wagstaff (Maestro Harrell), Michael Lee (Tristan Wilds), Duquan "Dukie" Weems (Jermaine Crawford) and Namond Brice (Julito McCullum). The wisecracking Brice is ignominiously selected to be part of a university experiment studying at-risk kids, which counts a former police commander, Bunny Colvin (Robert Wisdom), as a consultant. Out on the corners, Marlo Stanfield (Jamie Hector) strengthens his grip on the city's West Side narcotics trade once dominated by the Barksdale gang, and with his cold-blooded lieutenants, Chris (Gbenga Akinnagbe) and Snoop (Felicia Pearson), devises an ingenious method to hide the collateral damage of his ascent from the law. This sleight-of-hand bedevils detectives Freamon (Clarke Peters), Greggs (Sonja Sohn) and Bunk (Wendell Pierce). The trio are flummoxed by the lack of victims that would surely coincide with Marlo's ever-widening domain, a savage power grab that also threatens the relative peace of the New Day Co-Op under East Side pooh-bah Proposition Joe (Robert F. Chew). Meanwhile, the Democratic primary in the city's mayoral campaign pits the entrenched African-American incumbent, Clarence Royce (Glynn Turman), against Councilman Tommy Carcetti (Aidan Gillen), a scrappy politico with a savvy campaign manager in Norman Wilson (Reg E. Cathey), but a long shot to become Charm City's first white chief executive in years. ~ Joe Friedrich, All Movie Guide

A high school basketball player from Indiana finds his fate careening down an increasingly uncertain path when his family moves to Newark, New Jersey in his senior year and he befriends an inner city basketball phenomenon who may be able to lead them to the state championships. Indiana teen Josh Sendler (Douglas Smith) expected to spend his senior year surrounded by lush cornfields, so when his family moves to Newark it feels like world is suddenly turned upside down. There, on the concrete courts of New Jersey, Josh makes the acquaintance of a talented young basketball player named Antwon (Kevin Phillips). Together, Josh and Antwon form a formidable team on the court, a team that could accomplish great things if it wasn't for the racism that's about to set these streets ablaze. Will Josh and Antwon's friendship prove strong enough to endure the challenges that lit ahead and lead them to true victory? Wyclef Jean provides original music for this gritty sports drama from director Phil Bertelsen. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

A group of disparate characters look for understanding and compassion in the midst of a lonely holiday season in this comedy drama. Rose (Susan Sarandon) is a middle-aged divorcée whose mother is in the hospital with an advanced case of Alzheimer's disease; while Rose wants one more chance to tell her mother that she loves her, the woman doesn't even know who she is anymore. Mike (Paul Walker) is a police officer who has become the obsessive focus of an elderly waiter, Artie (Alan Arkin), who is convinced Mike is the reincarnation of his late wife. Meanwhile, Mike is engaged to marry the beautiful Nina (Penélope Cruz), but he's so consumed with jealousy and suspicion that she's not sure if she can go through with the wedding. And Jules (Marcus Thomas) is a street hustler who has only one fond memory of Christmas -- ending up in an emergency room, where the staff was holding a party. Jules wants to relive the experience, and is even willing to injure himself to do so. Noel was the first directorial effort from actor and playwright Chazz Palminteri. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A woman's body is fished out of the East River, and evidence at the crime scene points to a missing football player. Also intimately involved in the case is the athlete's brother, Sean Ridgeway (Craig Walker), and his parents Howard and Miriam (John Doman and Lizbeth Mackay). This episode is distinguished by two facts: It was broadcast on a Thursday night, rather than the usual Law & Order Wednesday slot, and it was the subject of a Newsday article, written by a journalist who'd been hired to appear as an extra. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Kovacs' (Goran Visnjic) car accident and disastrous misdiagnosis has left a patient with profound brain damage. While Weaver (Laura Innes) suffers from the side effects of her "secret" pregnancy, Abby (Maura Tierney) covers for her at the ER. The heightened security measures at County General ensnare Pratt (Mekhi Phifer), who is packing a gun -- thereby placing Carter (Noah Wyle) in an unenviable position. Gallant (Sharif Atkins) squares off against the mercenary young bride (Sofia Milos) of an elderly patient (Patrick Cranshaw). And Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) keeps a suicide watch on a self-admitted child molester. Edward Asner makes the first of several appearances as Dr. James McNulty, the crusty head of a storefront clinic. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Setting the tone for all seasons to come, season one of HBO's The Wire divides its attention equally between cops and dealers, offering a fascinatingly objective overview of the Baltimore drug scene. The weekly, hour-long series also pays homage to its spiritual predecessor, Homicide: Life on the Street (both series were created by Tom Fontana), by basing its debut episode (originally telecast June 2, 2002) on the same book (by David Simon) that inspired the earlier program. After drug dealer D'Angelo Barksdale (Larry Gilliard Jr.) beats a murder rap, Detective James McNulty (Dominic West) vows never to let D'Angelo out of his sight, hoping that the criminal will lead him to an even bigger fish -- namely, D'Angelo's uncle, drug kingpin Avon Barksdale (Wood Harris). McNulty's task is complicated by a variety of things, including the corruption and dissension within the police department -- which in turn hampers the effectiveness of the man leading the investigation of the Barksdale empire, Lt. Cedric Daniels (Lance Reddick). Meanwhile, Avon Barksdale and his second-in-command, Stringer Bell (Idris Elba), are likewise bedeviled with their own personal and professional problems as they gear up to do battle against their underworld rivals. Throughout the series' first 13 episodes, police officers and criminals alike are seen to possess their own curious codes of honor and rules of conduct, allowing viewers to empathize with both the hunter and the hunted (without, of course, ever completely siding with the "bad guys"). And though the season finale is titled "Sentencing," it is clear that the story is far from over. ~ All Movie Guide

Abby's (Maura Tierney) bipolar mother, Maggie (Sally Field), testifies in court as to her competency, with surprising results. Back at the ER, Weaver (Laura Innes) is shocked to learn that her latest patient, a homeless derelict (Bette Ford), is actually "Princess Taffeta," Weaver's favorite kiddie-show host. Benton (Eriq La Salle) treats a repeat heart patient, his former teacher Carl Ferris (Roger Robinson). Palladino's (Erik Palladino) turbulent past catches up with him. And Carter (Noah Wyle) treats a young girl whose boyfriend has been trying to abort her baby through "natural" means. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Ross Partridge directed this unconventional American indie flick that starts as a mystery but soon unfolds into an existential tale of life and faith. Joe Weldon (Jon Littlefield) is a hard-drinking cop working the beat in a small town in upstate New York. His life is in utter shambles: his wife dumped him, his kids are afraid of him, and he regularly blacks out from drinking too much. Yet when he learns of an unknown dead man recently dragged out of the Hudson River, Joe tries to find redemption by finding out more about the case. Carrying only a Bible, a telephone number, and a toothbrush, the corpse possessed few clues as to his life. Later, the dead man's past is uncovered; his name was Hap (Joel Garland), a corpulent idiot savant who lived in the backwoods and had the mysterious habit of waiting on a bridge that spans Interstate 84. But for whom? The search leads to a pair of shady characters: Vinny (Kevin Dillon) is a feckless family man and a sleazy hustler who befriends the hulking giant and then coerces him into working for his low-rent wrestling outfit; Freddy (Harley Cross) is a young punk who harassed Hap. As the film unfolds, all three of these desperate souls are changed, and in some sense redeemed, by Hap's death. This film was screened in the new filmmakers' section of the 2000 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide

Weaver (Laura Innes) is off suspension and back on the job. Greene's (Anthony Edwards) father (John Cullum), suffering from terminal cancer, is checked into the ER with pneumonia. Carter (Noah Wyle) continues having difficulty coming to grips with the attack that injured him and killed Lucy. Abby (Maura Tierney) is caught in the middle of a bitter domestic dispute that may have fatal results for a young leukemia victim in dire need of a bone marrow transplant. And while Carol (Julianna Margulies) draws closer to Kovac (Goran Visnjic), Benton's sister Jackie (Khandi Alexander) doesn't think much of the romance between Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Cleo (Michael Michele). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A woman finds a whole new world opens up to her when she learns to stand up to the man who beats her in this independent drama. Patty (Erika Eleniak) is a woman involved in an abusive relationship who decides to take boxing lessons to better protect herself when her boyfriend becomes violent. While practicing at a health club, Patty attracts the attention of June (Aunjanue Ellis) and Fred (John Doman); she's a female boxer and he's a promoter who books fights at local clubs. Both June and Fred think Patty might have what it takes to go pro, and they introduce her to Tommy (James Colby), a trainer who runs a local gym and who helps Patty get into fighting shape. In June, Patty finds a friend who gives her a good reason to get away from her boyfriend, and she begins a slow but steady climb up the ladder of the women's boxing circuit. The Opponent was the first feature for writer and director Eugene Jarecki. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A woman is killed and her rare coin collection is stolen; could her drugged-out son have had anything to do with it? In other cases, ex-cop turned private detective Mike Roberts (Michael Harney) tips off the squad to the upcoming robbery of a truck from the company which currently employs Mike. Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) makes no secret of his disdain for Roberts, who seems on the verge of telling him something important. It is up to John Irvin (Bill Brochtrup), still recovering from the death of Dolores Mayo, to figure out what Mike was trying to say -- and it may have some bearing on Dolores' demise. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Teri Garr guest stars as patient Celinda Randlett, who claims to possess the incredible power of seeing "inside" people. In other developments, everyone in the ER finds out that Carol (Julianna Margulies) is pregnant with twins; Weaver (Laura Innes) brings in an abandoned child; Benton (Eriq La Salle) gets more bad news; a teenager (Corey Parker Robinson) whom Carter (Noah Wyle) previously mentored returns as a patient; and Lucy (Kellie Martin) is becoming more and more dependent upon Ritalin. Two romances -- one new, one renewed -- cap this episode, the last of ER's fifth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide