Lori Triolo Movies

Debuting over the CTV network on January 23, 1998, the hour-long Canadian drama series Cold Squad was a precursor in both style and substance to the American weekly Cold Case. The series involved the concerted efforts of a dedicated Vancouver detective unit to reopen and (hopefully) solve unsolved murder cases, some of them several decades old. Julie Stewart headed the cast as Sgt. Ali McCormick, the unofficial head of the squad. There was a great deal of personnel turnover during the series' seven seasons on the air, with a complete supporting-cast overhaul at the beginning of Season Three (see the huge cast list below). The winner of eight Gemini Awards, the 98-episode Cold Squad ended its Canadian run on June 4, 2005; it was picked up for syndication in the United States on September 15, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Based on a book by Dean Koontz, who also served as one of the executive producers, this Canadian telefilm directed by Yves Simoneau (Mother's Boys) concerns a young psychology student named Chyna Shepherd. She's played by Molly Parker (who was so wonderful in the 1996 cult film Kissed) as a troubled woman with a frightening past, which is seen in disturbing flashbacks. Chyna attempts to exorcise her own demons by rescuing a 15-year-old girl named Ariel (Tori Paul) from the brilliant but completely insane serial killer Edgler Vess (John C. McGinley). Vess has kidnapped Ariel and is holding her captive in his remote cabin, and only Chyna can save her. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide

Originally aired as an epic mini-series, Doomsday Rock was the first revival of "what-if-an-enormous-(insert appropriate astral body)-hit-the-Earth" movies. Essentially a sub-genre of the disaster movie, the story centers on the struggle of one main character to save the planet while simultaneously presenting on-going vignettes following the predicaments of secondary characters. Famed astronomer Dr. Paul Sorenson has been studying the ancient paths of comets for most of his career; he knows that comets and large meteorites have hit our planet before and believes such impacts caused the mass extinctions of the past. According to his latest calculations, a large comet is due to collide with our planet very soon. Unfortunately, nobody but his daughter, also a respected researcher and astronomer, believes him. Desperate to save humanity from mass extinction, Sorenson and his few followers commandeer an nuclear silo. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

This Canadian film is director Mina Shum's second feature. Nadine (Moira Kelly) is on her first day at a new job, working in a bank, when there's a holdup. But the job also brings about a romance with co-worker Jonathan (Sebastian Spence). Five years later, the romance has gone sour, and Nadine is attracted to a newcomer in town, Tass (Josh Hamilton). When Tass robs the bank, Nadine is abducted. With the cops and Jonathan in pursuit, they skip town, heading for China City so Tass can visit his hospitalized mother. Moira Kelly provides the voiceover narration. Shum shot in British Columbia. The title is a reference to Drive He Said, directed by Jack Nicholson in 1970. Shown at 1997 film festivals (Toronto, Vancouver). ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Helmed by Anthony Harvey, director of the early-70s cult classic They Might Be Giants, this made-for-television romantic drama stars Anthony Quinn and Katherine Hepburn. The pair of aging movie stars appropriately play a pair of aging movie stars named Michael Reyman and Marion Bennett. For decades the two held intense animosity toward one another, but in their golden years they begin to realize that perhaps they've simply been trying to mask their feelings of love. Jason Bateman and Jami Gertz head up the supporting cast. The film was originally broadcast on CBS, March 13, 1994. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide