Chad Morgan Movies
- 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
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)
- 2000
Originally staged on Broadway in 1953 and filmed two years later, William Inge's Pulitzer Prize-winning romantic drama Picnic went before the cameras a second time in 2000 as a made-for-TV movie. Josh Brolin stars as Hal Carter, a handsome and impecunious drifter who shows up in a tranquil Kansas town to pay a visit to his wealthy pal Alan Benson. Hal's arrival coincides with the town's upcoming Labor Day festivities, so naturally he is invited to stay a while. Alan soon regrets welcoming Hal into his community when the charismatic drifter falls in love with Alan's fiancée, Madge Owens (Gretchen Mol) -- and the feeling is definitely mutual. Meanwhile, Hal's presence awakens the dormant passion between two of the town's middle-agers -- spinsterish schoolteacher Rosemary Sydney (Mary Steenburgen) and her erstwhile beau Howard Bevans (Jay O. Sanders) -- and also has a disturbing effect upon Madge's mom, Flo (Bonnie Bedelia), and kid sister, Millie (Chad Morgan). Though lacking the star power embodied by William Holden and Kim Novak in the 1955 movie version of Picnic (and also bereft of that film's Oscar-winning musical score), the TV remake nonetheless possesses its own special charm, thanks to the deft directorial hand of Czech filmmaker Ivan Passer. The "new" Picnic aired over the CBS network on April 16, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bonnie Bedelia, Josh Brolin, (more)
- 1999
There's more trouble in store for Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) when the couple makes a pact to be totally honest with one another. This policy (note that we didn't say "the best policy") is tested to the breaking point when Cory and Topanga attend the first-ever dinner party held by Jack (Matthew Lawrence) and Rachel (Maitland Ward). Before long, all of the guests are playing the "honesty game"--and not surprisingly, the truth REALLY hurts. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
- R
Susan Skoog wrote and directed this coming-of-age tale set in a New Jersey suburb during the early '80s and seen from the viewpoint of sensitive, rebellious teen Anna Stockard (Liza Weil), who is passionate about art. Anna lives with her obnoxious kid brother and her lonely divorced mom Carol (Kathryn Rossetter), a bitter woman who dates a wealthy but elderly man in hopes escaping future poverty. With little acceptance at home, Anna is eager for life and she hangs out with her party-loving pal Brenda (Chad Morgan), revealed to be a victim of sexual abuse. Anna loses her virginity to another artist wannabe, someone who has interested her since childhood. Anna's constant partying results in a low grade point average at school, and despite the encouragement of her art teacher, failed artist Mr. Chaminsky (Frederic Forrest), Anna is insecure about her talent. Her attitude and lifestyle are beginning to seem like drawbacks to her dream of going to New York to study at Cooper Union. Soundtrack includes numerous pop tunes of the period, including David Bowie, The Ramones, Patti Smith, Iggy Pop, and Blondie. Shown at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Liza Weil, Chad Morgan, (more)
- 1996
Beverly Hills 90210 star Tori Spelling and Star Trek: Voyager actress Jeri Lynn Ryan headline this made-for-TV movie about a hardworking college student who thinks she's found the answer to her financial and self-esteem issues when she falls into the lifestyle of a high-priced escort. Lonely, plain-Jane, cash-strapped Joanna Halbert (Spelling) attends university classes while also helping out at the bakery run by her no-nonsense, widowed mother, Teri (Susan Blakely). When her classmates jokingly leave Joanna's name and number on the voicemail of a Malibu escort service, Joanna finds her curiosity piqued. After finding a new best gal pal in the form of the vivacious escort Kimberly (Ryan), Joanna soon finds herself working for Kimberly's boss, Ron Tamblin (Scott Plank), who promises her that she doesn't have to sleep with the clients she "dates." Soon, Joanna is dressing like a grown-up, stepping out with fabulous men -- and getting paid hundreds of dollars a night for her trouble. This secret double life soon, however, takes a toll on Joanna's relationships with her mother, her friends and her would-be beau, Jack (Barry Watson). Although Joanna chooses to sleep with one of her clients, she refuses to sleep with another. But when Ron threatens to fire her, she acquiesces, and soon Joanna finds herself going on more dates where the sex is not only compulsory, but kinky. When she tries to quit, violence ensues, ultimately leading Joanna to criminal court, where she must defend herself against a charge of attempted murder. After first airing on CBS in 1996, Co-Ed Call Girl enjoyed a second life on cable, including the Lifetime network. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tori Spelling, Susan Blakely, (more)
- 1979
A London newspaper correspondent travels to the colorful town of Dimboola, Australia to write a story, and has many delightful experiences with the locals in this charming, exceptionally well-filmed comedy. For him, the fun begins when he sees that a major wedding is about to occur. For a lark, he dresses up as a woman and crashes the bride's shower. Next he goes to the bawdy stag party and learns all sorts of interesting secrets about the bride and groom. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Spence, Natalie Bate, (more)
Set between the years 1949 and 1956, Newsfront tracks the destinies of two brothers, their adventures and misadventures placed in the context of sweeping social and political changes in their native Australia. Both of the protagonists are newsreel photographers. Frank (Gerard Maguire) is constitutionally resistant to change, while Len (Bill Kennedy) welcomes any alterations in his own life and in the world around him. The film fluctuates between black and white and color, between actual news footage and reconstructed events. Newsfront is what The Way We Were might have looked like on a tiny budget with a cast of unknowns. The film represented a laudable feature-film directorial debut for one-time documentary filmmaker Philip Noyce. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bill Hunter, Wendy Hughes, (more)
