Felix Enriquez Alcala Movies
The untold story of the Battlestar Pegasus comes to the screen in this special, two-hour episode of Battlestar Galactica detailing the transformation of Major Kendra Shaw into a fearless tool of war known as a "razor." As the Cylons prepare to launch a genocidal attack on the Twelve Colonies, Major Kendra Shaw (Stephanie Jacobsen) arrives on the Battleship Pegasus reporting for duty. In the aftermath of the devastating attack, Major Shaw is trained by Admiral Helena Cain to employ suicidal fighting tactics and commit atrocious war crimes against her own people. Any sense of hesitation or doubt is methodically stripped away from Major Shaw, rendering her a living weapon driven by murderous instinct. But such a weapon can ultimately do as much damage as it does good, and it isn't long before this severe form of warfare takes a heavy psychological tool on the tormented Major Shaw. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2007
The NBC cop drama Raines starred Jeff Goldblum as the title character, eccentric LAPD homicide detective Michael Raines. Haunted by the death of his former partner Charlie Lincoln (Malik Yoba, Raines found himself in frequent contact and conversation with Raines' ghost (or so he thought). These spectral visitations segued neatly into Raines' peculiar talent: the ability to "talk" to the spirits of the victims whose murders he was investigating. The detective's visions of these victims were determined by the amount of information he had on hand; thus, the ghosts were constantly "morphing" before his eyes as he uncovered additional clues. For example, upon learning that a recent victim was a prostitute, Raines began envisioning the dead woman--whom had previously appeared before him in the form of a virginal girl-next-door--with more garish makeup and an expanded bustline! Although Raines' modus operandi was, to say the least, unorthodox, he invariably got results, and the ghosts that haunted him invariably vanished (and stopped annoying him) once the case was solved. Featured in the cast was Matt Craven as Raines' exasperated superior Capt. Daniel Lewis, Linda Park as Raines' overworked new partner Michelle Lance, Dov Davidoff as antagonistic collegue Remi Boyer, Nicole Sullivan as sarcastic-but-supportive civilian coworker Carolyn Crumley, and Madeleine Stowe as Raines' sympathetic-but- skeptical psychiatrist Dr. Samantha Kohl. Conceived in the tradition of such earlier quirky "procedurals" as Cold Case and Monk, Raines debuted March 15, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Goldblum, Matt Craven, (more)
- 2006
Having endured a lifetime of strange allergic reactions, 16-year-old Melinda (Michelle Trachtenberg) is placed in a scrupulously sterile environment after undergoing a heart transplant. Why, then, has Melinda gone into an apparently allergic shock at home and suffered heart failure at the clinic? Foreman is puzzled by this situation, but House (Hugh Laurie) thinks that the reason may have something to do with Melinda's fiercely protective mother (Mel Harris). Meanwhile, House and Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard) try to live under the same roof without either one of them resorting to murder! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Made for cable, Walkout is the true story of a little-known but profoundly significant moment in the history of the Latino community in East Los Angeles. In 1968, Lincoln High School honor student Paula Crisostomo (Alexa Vega), outraged at the shabby treatment afforded Chicano students in the L.A. school system -- including habitually lowered expectations, poor facilities, a total absence of bilingual courses or textbooks, unfairly administered penalties for slight infractions, demeaning corporal punishment, and out-of-hand refusal to write letters of recommendation to choice colleges -- challenges the authority of her elders for the first time in her life by organizing a mass student walkout at five barrio high schools. Mentored by dedicated young teacher Sal Castro (Michael Pena), Paula and her fellow student activists intend to make their protest a peaceful one, but the L.A. cops typically use brute force to quell the "radicals." Even when it seems that the school board will capitulate to the Chicano students' demands, the kids are betrayed (there's an undercover police officer in their midst) and the leaders of the walkout are threatened with lengthy prison sentences on trumped-up "conspiracy" charges. It will not spoil the ending of the film to reveal that the students are ultimately successful; as directed by actor Edward James Olmos (who also plays one of the school board members), the dramatic thrust of the story is the lasting effect that the protest has on its participants -- especially the idealistic Paula Crisostomo. Executive producer Moctesuma Esparza, who'd been one of the original walkout organizers back in 1968, spent a full two decades getting this story on film; Esparza is played by Bodie Olmos, son of the director, while Esparza's daughter Tonantzin Esparza is seen as Vickie Castro. Also, Paula Crisostomo's daughter Marisol Crisostomo-Romo is seen as Mita -- and in addition, several of the former student activists are interviewed during the closing credits, or appear as extras in the crowd scenes. Produced for HBO, Walkout originally aired on March 18, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alexa Vega, Michael Peña, (more)
- 2005
Despite overwhelming evidence, elderly Jenny Rogers (Melinda Dillon)--whom the SVU team suspects of dealing in illegal painkillers--insists that her son Kevin (Matt Schulze) is not physically abusing her. Even after Jenny's daughter-in-law Carol (Christine Elise) turns up murdered, the old woman refuses to "betray" her son. In his efforts to learn the truth behind Jenny's tragically misguided loyalty, Detective Stabler (Christopher Meloni) must also wrestle with his own domestic problems. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Tommy (Matt Gerald), Julien's (Michael Jace) old partner, gets word that his ex-wife and son have been found murdered in their home. A detective from Wilshire division, where the crime was committed, is questioning Tommy as though he were a suspect. This enrages Vic (Michael Chiklis), who sees it as a territorial pissing match between the Wilshire captain and Aceveda (Benito Martinez), so Vic gets Julien and Danny (Catherine Dent) to join him in going "off the grid" to find the killer. This leads to some complications, as they find out that Tommy may actually have been involved in the deaths. Danny threatens to report them to Aceveda when Vic's tactics go too far. Vic also learns that Corrine (Cathy Cahlin Ryan) has more than a professional relationship with Matthew's (Joel Rosenthal) therapist, Owen (Vincent Angell). Aceveda orders Dutch (Jay Karnes) to give a press conference about the serial rapists, despite his protestations. Forced to talk to the press without having made much headway in the case, Dutch decides to bait the rapist by questioning his virility. It seems to work, as the criminal contacts a reporter, offering to talk with Dutch face to face, on camera. Aceveda gets an unhappy visit from his wife, Aurora (Camilia Sanes), who, unaware that he's recently been sexually assaulted, wonders why he hasn't come home for a few days. The Strike Team and the Decoy Squad team up again, this time to catch local thugs who have been assaulting gay hustlers. When Shane (Walton Goggins) asks why he's been singled out to go undercover as a decoy, Trish (Nicki Micheaux) tells him that none of the other cops "look gay enough." ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2003
Catherine (Marg Helgenberger) is determined to prevent a sexual predator, who has broken into the apartments of several single women and terrorized the occupants without actually harming them, from crossing the line into physical assault -- or even murder. On another front, Sara (Jorja Fox) investigates when her DA friend Melissa Winters (Elizabeth Mitchell) undergoes surgery to remove the bullet she received in the attack that killed her husband three years earlier. And Grissom (William L. Petersen) continues to suffer from a hereditary hearing loss. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
After seeing the auditor's report on the Barn, Chief Bankston (Ron Canada) tells Aceveda (Benito Martinez) he wants the unit cut by 20 percent, and he wants Aceveda to give him a list of names by the end of the day, so Aceveda is forced to neglect his city council campaign with the primary looming. Julien (Michael Jace) unwisely takes his "sexual reorientation" sponsor to see Tomas (Brent Roam), which results in an assault, Tomas' arrest, and his outing of Julien in front of some unsympathetic uniforms. Danny (Catherine Dent) tries to defend Julien, but the homophobic cops start to harass him. Mackey (Michael Chiklis) is getting skittish about the money train because the Armenians are changing their routine. Mackey pays a visit to Corrine (Cathy Cahlin Ryan) that ends badly when he learns she's changed the locks on the house. He and Shane (Walton Goggins) help Dutch (Jay Karnes) and Claudette (CCH Pounder) investigate the disappearance of a teenage boy, which Dutch links to the kidnappings, rapes, and murders of two other local teens. Mackey works closely with the boy's father (Roy Fegan), who turns out to know much less about his son's life than he thinks he does. Claudette gets into another fracas with Mackey as she ponders Bankston's offer to let her run the Barn after Aceveda resigns. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2003
After seeing the auditor's report on the Barn, Chief Bankston (Ron Canada) tells Aceveda (Benito Martinez) he wants the unit cut by 20 percent, and he wants Aceveda to give him a list of names by the end of the day, so Aceveda is forced to neglect his city council campaign with the primary looming. Julien (Michael Jace) unwisely takes his "sexual reorientation" sponsor to see Tomas (Brent Roam), which results in an assault, Tomas' arrest, and his outing of Julien in front of some unsympathetic uniforms. Danny (Catherine Dent) tries to defend Julien, but the homophobic cops start to harass him. Mackey (Michael Chiklis) is getting skittish about the money train because the Armenians are changing their routine. Mackey pays a visit to Corrine (Cathy Cahlin Ryan) that ends badly when he learns she's changed the locks on the house. He and Shane (Walton Goggins) help Dutch (Jay Karnes) and Claudette (CCH Pounder) investigate the disappearance of a teenage boy, which Dutch links to the kidnappings, rapes, and murders of two other local teens. Mackey works closely with the boy's father (Roy Fegan), who turns out to know much less about his son's life than he thinks he does. Claudette gets into another fracas with Mackey as she ponders Bankston's offer to let her run the Barn after Aceveda resigns. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Chiklis, CCH Pounder, (more)
Executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, the ten-episode, 20-hour miniseries Taken was one of the most ambitious projects undertaken by cable TV's Sci-Fi Network, ultimately costing 40 million dollars -- a price that proved well worth it, inasmuch as the series posted the network's highest-ever ratings. Covering a period from 1947 to the present, the story focused on three different families, each of whom was profoundly affected by extraterrestrial visitation. The Keys family was headed by WWII bomber pilot Russell Keys (Steve Burton), who spent virtually his entire adult life haunted by his "close encounter" with aliens. The Clarkes were originally represented by lonely Texas waitress Sally Clarke (Catherine Dent), who was impregnated by a charming stranger (Eric Close) who turned out to be an alien survivor of the Roswell crash. And the lives of the Crawfords were dictated by ruthless Army officer Owen Crawford (Joel Gretsch), who was determined to prove that the government had covered up the truth about Roswell by dedicating his life to tracking down all space aliens and their half-human descendants. The story was narrated by Allie Keys (Dakota Fanning), a "hybrid" child of the present day, whose story determined the outcome of the final episodes. Boasting impressive computer-generated special effects and eye-popping facial makeup, Taken was seen over a two-week period, beginning December 2, 2002, and ending on December 13. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dakota Fanning, Alonso Oyarzun, (more)
- 2002
Tensions of a mostly racial nature erupt between two African-American staffers at the ER, the mild-mannered Michael Gallant (Sharif Atkins) and the outspoken Gregory Pratt (Mekhi Phifer). Pratt foments the hostility when he interferes in Gallant's treatment of a suicidal soldier. But when a hypochondriac (Diane Delano) is refused treatment by Dr. Kayson (Sam Anderson) for what seems to be a genuine ailment, Pratt holds his tongue -- with fatal consequences for the patient. Now it is Gallant's turn to unleash his anger at Pratt, a confrontation with long-ranging ramifications. Elsewhere, a distracted Weaver (Laura Innes) makes a disastrous error while demonstrating flu shots on a TV news program, and Carter (Noah Wyle) again confronts Abby (Maura Tierney) about her alcohol problems. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
After a five-year absence, Sherry Stringfield returns to ER in the role of Dr. Susan Lewis -- the same week that series regular Erik Palladino makes his farewell appearance as Dr. Dave Malucci. In Chicago to interview for a job at another hospital, Lewis drops into County General to see her former "crush" Greene (Anthony Edwards) -- and is offered a position in County's ER when Weaver (Laura Innes) fires one employee and kicks another one "downstairs." Naturally, Lewis welcomes the chance to come home -- but what will Greene's current spouse, Elizabeth (Alex Kingston), think? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Patients brought into the ER include pugnacious retirement-community residents Walter (Tom Bosley) and Earl (Tom Poston), each of whom regards himself as God's gift to women. Elsewhere, Weaver (Laura Innes) and Legaspi (Elizabeth Mitchell) reconfirm their romantic relationship. Back at work, Greene (Anthony Edwards) is obviously having problems related to his brain-tumor operation. Corday (Alex Kingston) must overcome her crippling panic attacks in the operating room. Carter (Noah Wyle) admits his drug problems to his heroin-addict cousin Chase (Jonathan Scarfe). And Kovac's (Goran Visnjic) treatment of a patient working in an illegal sweatshop inadvertently leads to a case of arson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Romano (Paul McCrane) surprises everyone when he promotes his longtime nemesis Elizabeth Corday (Alex Kingston) to associate chief of surgery. Returning from his mother's funeral, Greene (Anthony Edwards) is plunged into an argument with Weaver (Laura Innes) over a patient who is to be resuscitated. New second-year resident Malucchi (aka "Dr. Dave," played by Erik Palladino), manages to rub the entire staff the wrong way, especially Carter (Noah Wyle) during a medical crisis at a construction site. And can it be that Benton (Eriq La Salle) is not truly the biological father of little Reese (Matthew Watkins)? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Things get off to a deceptively light-hearted start as popular professional wrestler Kornberg (Nils Allen Stewart) is brought into the ER with a twisted knee. But the story quickly turns deadly serious when, stuck in the middle of a street riot, Carter (Noah Wyle) is forced to man the wheel of the paramedic ambulance -- and in so doing sparks an even worse situation when he accidentally runs over a youngster. Meanwhile, Carol (Julianna Margulies), still mooning over the departed Ross, receives confirmation of her pregnancy. And Lucy (Kellie Martin) comes face to face with an intransigent Asian family who refuse to let their mother know that she is in dangerously declining health. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
In this supernatural thriller TV series, set in NYC, Detective Ezekiel Stone (Peter Horton) murdered his wife's rapist, was killed on duty, and was then sent to Hell by the Devil (John Glover). After 113 evil escapees flee the netherworld and return to Earth, Zeke gets a second chance. If he can track them down, he might make it to Heaven. Filmed in L.A., this series premiered October 6, 1998 on Fox. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Horton, John Glover, (more)
- 1998
Made for television, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three is adapted from the suspense novel by John Godey, previously filmed as a theatrical feature in 1974. The earlier version was highlighted by the verbal cat-and-mouse game between a cynical veteran NYPD detective, played by Walter Matthau, and a world-weary master criminal, played by Robert Shaw. The remake offers two detectives, Piscotti (Edward James Olmos and Ray (Lorraine Bracco), who match wits with a man calling himself Mr. Blue (Vincent D'Onofrio), who has masterminded the hijacking of a New York subway car. As his cohorts hold the 14 passengers hostage, Mr. Blue demands a $5 million ransom, to be delivered in one hour, or else the captives will be killed one by one. Though the dark humor which pervaded the 1974 version is largely absent here, the remake pulls off the neat trick of being highly suspenseful and subtle and low-key at the same time. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three debuted February 1, 1998, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward James Olmos
- 1997
Should Doug Ross (George Clooney) honor the wishes of 17-year-old Jad Houston (Chad Lindberg), terminally ill with cystic fibrosis, who wants to be allowed to die -- or should Ross bow to the legalities of the situation and do everything he can to save the boy's life? In other developments, Greene (Anthony Edwards) giddily sets up three dates on the same night; Haleh (Yvette Freeman) takes over the duties of the suspended Carol Hathaway (Julianna Margulies); and Carter (Noah Wyle) relishes the opportunity to perform an appendectomy on his longtime nemesis Benton (Eriq La Salle). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Martial arts star Steven Seagal stars in this action drama as Jack Taggart, an undercover agent working for the Environmental Protection Agency. When an EPA representative is murdered in a small Appalachian community, Taggart is sent in -- posing as a handyman working with a Christian relief agency -- to find out what happened. Taggart discovers that Orin Hanner (Kris Kristofferson), a powerful local businessman, has been illegally dumping toxic waste which has been leading to serious health problems among children in the area; it seems that the murdered agent knew too much and was killed to keep him quiet, a scenario the unscrupulous Hanner would be all too willing to repeat. Taggart becomes involved with Sarah Kellogg (Marg Helgenberger), a woman whose father also died under circumstances that trace back to Hanner. Harry Dean Stanton co-stars as Cotton, former member of The Band Levon Helm plays a preacher, and country music stars Travis Tritt and Randy Travis appear as themselves. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Seagal, Marg Helgenberger, (more)
- 1997
Carol (Julianna Margulies) suspects Ross (George Clooney) of flirting with Elizabeth Corday (Alex Kingston). Weaver (Laura Innes) makes a number of controversial policy changes. Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Carla (Lisa Nicole Carson) argue over circumcising their son, Reese. Jeanie's (Gloria Reuben) ex Al (Michael Beach) is forced to reveal that he is HIV-positive when he is injured on the job. Greene (Anthony Edwards) strikes out with Heather Morgan (Caitlin Dulany). And in keeping with the title of this episode, Jerry (Abraham Benrubi) nearly destroys the ER's waiting room with a patient's rocket launcher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this made-for-TV movie, a former lap dancer befriends a well-off young man who's investigating the murder of his family and the disappearance of his father. When Ivy Leaguer Tim Faulkner (Patrick Muldoon) finds his sister and mother dead, he can't locate his father. He soon learns that his dad may have been involved with the Mob. But despite eyewitness testimony that his father drowned, Tim skips town to look for him anyway. He soon meets Meredith (Tori Spelling), a bubbly good-time girl who helps him stay one step ahead of the authorities who are also trailing his father. Meanwhile, violent crook Mariano (Richard Belzer) keeps tabs on the boy, hoping Tim will lead him to Mr. Faulkner, who owes him a large sum of cash. As Tim's search continues, he gets closer to the truth -- and grows closer to Meredith. So why is she behind his back taking phone calls from Mariano? Originally broadcast on NBC in 1996, Deadly Pursuits aired again in 1999 and subsequently joined several other Spelling vehicles in frequent rotation on the Lifetime cable channel. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Benton (Eriq La Salle) is removed from a round of surgery because no one on that shift wants to work with him. In other developments, Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) and her sister, Chloe (Kathleen Wilhoite), lock horns over custody of little Suzy; Ross (George Clooney) treats eight-year-old Jeremy (Kevin Duran), who has been traumatized by witnessing his mother's murder; and Carter (Noah Wyle) spitefully prevents Dale Edson (Matthew Glave), the college friend and ex-lover of Harper Tracy (Christine Elise), from performing an appendectomy. On a happier note, Greene (Anthony Edwards) successfully re-enters the dating pool. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
In his zeal to prove his value to the ER and impress Harper (Christine Elise), Carter (Noah Wyle) loses his first patient, a barfly named Ed. Meanwhile, Carol (Julianna Margulies) and Shep (Ron Eldard) work together to subdue a drug-crazed patient, and Ross (George Clooney) copes with a four-year-old Asian child suffering from AIDS. And perhaps inevitably, the ongoing conflict between Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) and Weaver (Laura Innes) reaches another crisis point, compelling Lewis to go over Weaver's head and file a complaint with Greene (Anthony Edwards). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Rosemary Clooney (aunt of series regular George Clooney) returns as a mysterious mental patient wandering the halls of the ER singing Christmas songs. Likewise invested with the Yuletide spirit is Benton (Eriq La Salle), who upon finding an organ-donor card among the effects of a brain-dead patient, begins informing potential recipients. Unfortunately, Benton has spread the "good news" too soon; the donor's wife (Amanda Rogers) refuses to okay anything until she gets a second opinion about her estranged husband's chances for survival. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Roy Larson (John Wesley Shipp), the macho-man partner of Janice Licalsi (Amy Brenneman), is suspected of using steroids and ordered to take a drug test. Assistant DA Sylvia Costas (Sharon Lawrence) carries a torch for Sipowicz (Dennis Franz), but he continues to keep his distance. The death of an informant causes trouble for Roberts (Michael Harney) -- and, later, for Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) and Medavoy (Gordon Clapp). And Laura (Sherry Stringfield) wants to re-open a tricky murder case, much to the dismay of her ex-husband, John Kelly (David Caruso). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
