Richard Fancy Movies

A twentysomething misfit dedicates his life to giving the drummer some, even when the drums are only imaginary, in this comedy written and directed by comic Ari Gold. Power (Gold) grew up in a small mining town in New Mexico, where his father (Michael McKean) always imagined his son would one day join him in digging copper from the earth. But Power has a dream of playing the drums, and since he doesn't have a drum kit, he's become a master of "air drums," flailing his arms in the manner of Neil Peart or Keith Moon against a huge but nonexistent set of traps. Power's desire to become the world's greatest air drummer doesn't earn him much respect at home, so he travels to Mexico, where he learns of an air-drumming competition in Newark, NJ. Power hits the road for the garden state and meets Carlos (Steven Williams), a master air drummer who becomes his guide in the art of not really playing. Power also gets some much-needed encouragement from Annie (Shoshannah Stern), a sweet born-again girl living upstairs from him. But when Power learns that his father back home is leading a strike to save jobs for the employees at the local copper mine, winning the title becomes a matter of defending the honor of his family and his hometown, and he dedicates himself to defeating arrogant country music star Dallas Houston (Adrien Grenier), who is favored to win. Adventures of Power also stars Jane Lynch, Travis Johns, and Jimmy Jean-Louis. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The mysterious and unexpected death of an iconic Hollywood star may be just the tip of an iceberg of scandal in this showbiz drama based on a true story. George Reeves (played by Ben Affleck) was a journeyman actor who had played a small role in Gone With the Wind and appeared onscreen with the likes of James Cagney, Rita Hayworth, and Marlene Dietrich, but his career was not exactly booming when he was cast as comic-book hero Superman in a 1951 B-movie, Superman and the Mole Men. A year later, the producers of the movie launched a syndicated Superman television series with Reeves returning as "The Man of Steel." The show became a major hit, and Reeves was a star at last. However, on June 16, 1959, to the shock of many, Reeves was found dead of a gunshot wound. Police soon declared Reeves' death a suicide and closed the case, but his mother (Lois Smith) refused to believe her son took his own life, and hired Louis Simo (Adrien Brody), a private detective, to find out the truth about her son's passing. Simo found that many Hollywood insiders did not care to cooperate as he researched the Reeves case, but his digging uncovered plenty of evidence suggesting the actor did not take his own life, and he also revealed one of Reeves' deepest secrets -- while he was engaged to marry a pretty young starlet, Leonore Lemmon (Robin Tunney), Reeves was also carrying on an affair with the beautiful Toni Mannix (Diane Lane), the wife of Eddie Mannix (Bob Hoskins), a powerful and ill-tempered executive at MGM. While the producers of Hollywoodland based their story on factual accounts of the investigation into the death of George Reeves, they were denied permission to use the Superman logo and the familiar introduction to the Adventures of Superman television show by the respective copyright holders. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Steve Martin wrote the screenplay and served as co-producer for this screen adaptation of his short novel, which takes a witty but bittersweet look at a young woman and the two men involved with her. Mirabelle Buttersfield (Claire Danes) is an aspiring artist in her mid-twenties who, after graduating from college, moved to Los Angeles, where she works at the glove counter of an upscale department store. Mirabelle's job is simple and not demanding, but it doesn't pay especially well, and she finds herself struggling to get out from under a growing mountain of debt from student loans and credit cards. One night, while doing her laundry, Mirabelle meets Jeremy (Jason Schwartzman), a scruffy but likable would-be musician who makes ends meet selling guitar amps. While Jeremy is obviously infatuated with Mirabelle, she isn't sure how she feels about him, especially after she meets Ray Porter (Steve Martin), a man in his fifties whom she meets at the store. Ray is independently wealthy, intelligent, and charming, and after asking her out on a date he sweeps her off her feet. However, while Mirabelle quickly falls for Ray and he's generous to a fault with her, he refuses to commit exclusively to her and suggests they should both see other people, a prospect that no longer holds much appeal for her. Shopgirl received its world premiere at the 2005 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Noted hip-hop producer DJ Pooh, who co-wrote the urban comedy Friday, makes his directorial debut with this comedy-drama. A young African-American man is enjoying his freedom after his second stretch in prison. Under the "three strikes and you're out" law, another brush with the police could mean life behind bars, so he's determined to stay out of trouble. He quickly learns, however, that trouble has a way of finding him, no matter where he goes. DJ Pooh also stars in 3 Strikes, alongside N'Bushe Wright and Brian Hooks. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

What better subject for a screen comedy than the life and times of confessed Unabomber Theodore "Ted" Kaczynsky? This documentary parody traces Kaczynsky's life from his traumatic childhood and socially inept college days to his retreat from academia into factory work and eventual exile into the woods, concluding with his famous reign of terror, mailing bombs to perceived powermongers of the academic/industrial complex (boy, it sure SOUNDS funny so far). Ted is dotted with staged "interviews" from Kaczynsky's family and acquaintences (including Edie McClurg as his mother and Kaitlin Hopkins as the closest thing Ted had to a girlfriend) and recreations of important events in his life (such as the night Kaczynsky was invited to a campus pot party). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

"Serenity now" are the control words that George's dad, Frank (Jerry Stiller), is supposed to utter every time his blood pressure rises. Conversely, Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) finally learns how to lose his temper -- and it isn't pretty. In other developments George (Jason Alexander) is invited to join Frank's latest business enterprise, selling computers -- bringing him in very close contact with his old enemy Lloyd Braun (Matt McCoy). Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) discovers her "shiksappeal" when a young Jewish boy tongue-kisses her during his bar mitzvah. And Kramer (Michael Richards) takes on "Anytown, U.S.A." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Ross (David Schwimmer) look forward to a reunion with their high-school chum Gandolf, aka "the party wizard." When Gandolf fails to show, the boys grimly vow to party on by themselves. Meanwhile, Rachel's (Jennifer Aniston) climb to the top is sidetracked by her boss, Joanna (Alison La Placa), and Monica (Courteney Cox) is given the opportunity to write a food-critic column -- which results in a conflict with two different people in her life. Oh, and did we mention the van with the flashing nipples? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Oliver Stone, the most outspokenly political American filmmaker of the 1980s and '90s, directs this epic-length biography of Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the U.S., who was re-elected by a landslide in 1972, only to resign in disgrace two years later. Taking a non-linear approach, Nixon jumps back and forth between many different periods and events, from Nixon's strict upbringing at the hands of his Quaker mother, through the many peaks and valleys of his political career, to his downfall in the wake of the Watergate scandal. The facts of his life are blended with supposition and speculation to create a portrait that is often critical of the man's policies but displays an unexpected compassion toward his failings as a human being. Anthony Hopkins stars as Nixon, Joan Allen plays his long-suffering wife Pat, Mary Steenburgen portrays his mother Hannah, Bob Hoskins is cast as J. Edgar Hoover, Powers Boothe plays Alexander Haig, Paul Sorvino portrays Henry Kisinger, and Ed Harris plays E. Howard Hunt. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Fine special effects, eclectic casting, and the freeze-frame-worthy, clothing-free debut of a blonde bombshell made this cheesy science fiction/horror hybrid a cut above its B-grade roots. At a top-secret Utah facility headed up by Dr. Xavier Fitch (Ben Kingsley), scientists have created "Sil" (Natasha Henstridge), a half-human, half-alien product of experiments with DNA codes obtained from beyond the stars. Unfortunately, Sil has escaped. Her primary objective is to mate, and, with the ability to transform herself into an incredibly powerful alien creature, puny humans can't stop her. So Dr. Fitch calls in a quartet of specialists (Forest Whitaker, Michael Madsen, Marg Helgenberger, and Alfred Molina), to attempt Sil's capture. At the same time, Sil is leaving a trail of mostly male corpses in her hormonal wake. The organic-flavored alien designs for Species were provided by H.R. Giger, the artist responsible for the memorable creatures and spaceships of Alien (1979). When MGM decided to cut the spectacular "train birth" sequence in the interest of budget-trimming, Giger personally financed this $100,000 showcase of his work. Those who look closely will notice that "Young Sil" is played by future Dawson's Creek star Michelle Williams. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Mickey Rourke stars as a Western outlaw bent on revenge in this made-for-cable movie. Rourke is convincing as the evil Colonel Graff, the leader of a criminal gang of Wild West thugs. After a robbery gone wrong, the gang members start getting killed one by one, and the survivors don't know who to trust. Dermot Mulroney, who stars as Graff's sidekick Eostis, is one of several strong supporting cast members. ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi

A woman who believes in a troubled child must go against the law in order to help her in this made-for-TV drama, inspired by a true story. Six-year-old Caitlin is a deeply disturbed child whose violent and disruptive behavior prevents her from attending school or day care with other youngsters. However, special-education teacher Maggie Barnard (Cathy Lee Crosby) senses that there is a great intelligence in Caitlin, and she believes Caitlin can be taught if someone can find out how to reach her. However, not everyone Maggie works with agrees with her assessment, and as she attempts to break through the walls of anger and abuse that surround Caitlin's mind, she must also do battle with a system that sometimes does more harm than good to kids. Based on a true story, Untamed Love also features John Getz, Gary Frank, and Frank Novak. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

In this broad but hilarious spoof of the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings, Murphy is dragged before a Senate Committee after she files a story on the personal spending habits of government officials. Mercilessly grilled by a panel of fatuous politicians, Murphy does her best to defend her First Amendment rights, even in the face of a "Contempt of Congress" charge (with possible jail time!) It will not require the services of a political historian to figure out who such characters as "Senator Dennehy" and "Senator Hyden" are really supposed to be! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

On the eve of his graduation from Starfleet Academy, Wesley Crusher is involved in a fatal in-flight accident. Though he knows the truth behind the tragedy, Wesley is reluctant to tell all for fear of hurting his friends in the Academy. As his fate is determined during a hearing, the crew of the Enterprise arrives to offer character testimony. Ray Walston guest stars as the elderly Academy groundskeeper Boothby. First telecast on April 4, 1992, "First Duty" was cowritten by Ronald D. Moore and Naren Shaker. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi