Keiko Agena Movies
Gilmore Girls begins its seventh season with a new executive producer David S. Rosenthal and a new network (CW, which of course was the successor to the series' former stamping grounds, WB. Alas, Season Seven will turn out to be Season Last: unable to come to financial terms with series stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel (Lorelai and Rory Gilmore, respectively) the network will bring the series to an end with its 153 rd episode on May 15, 2007. It is said by some observers that this move has been implemented so that CW can clear its decks of its "aging" properties to develop its own new series; others opine that the show never really recovered from the 6th- season defection of Gilmore Girls creators Dan Palladino and Amy Sherman-Palladino, and that its ever-declining (though still respectable) ratings are the true reason for the cancellation. Whatever the case, plans to extend the series past its seventh season with thirteen additional episodes will be quietly scuttled--though the "official" finale is open-ended enough to warrant a sequel or a reunion special somewhere down the line. It cannot be denied that, no matter what the future may hold for Gilmore Girls, the series is still both willing and able to deliver plenty of "bang for the buck." The seventh season begins right where the sixth season ended, as Lorelai agonizes over her one-night stand with her former lover (and father of daughter Rory) Christopher Hayden (David Sutcliffe) following her breakup with her foot-dragging fiance Luke Danes (Scott Patterson). Though Lorelai will marry Christopher during a romantic Parisian getaway, it is clear that her heart still belongs to Luke--and he knows it. Meanwhile, Rory prepares to graduate with a journalism degree from Yale while carrying on a frustrating long-distance romance with Logan (Matt Czuchry), the son of millionaire publisher Mitchum Huntzberger (Gregg Henry). Rory also aquires a brace of new--and typically eccentric--friends in the form of Lucy (Krysten Ritter) and Olivia (Michelle Ongkingco). In other key developments, Lorelai's father Richard (Edward Herrmann) suffers a heart attack, which results in her mother Emily (Kelly Bishop) becoming even more insufferable than usual; Rory's friend Lane (Keiko Agena) returns from her disastrous honeymoon with musician Zach (Todd Lane) with the proverbial "bun in the oven"; Rory interviews for a prestigious reporting job with "The New York Times", but ultimate opts for what she considers a higher purpose in life; and, emboldened by the example of new parents T.J. (Michael DeLuise) and Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite), Luke demands that his former girlfriend Anna (Sherlyn Fenn) to be granted equal parental rights vis-a-vis their daughter April (Vanessa Marano). As all climaxes gather for the Grand Finale, Lorelei divests herself of her new husband Christopher just in time for a reconciliation with Luke, an event fueled by a drunken night on the town and a soulful karaoke rendition of a Dolly Parton tune. And just as all of Stars Hollow is celebrating Rory's graduation, who should appear from the blue but Logan Hertzburn, with a Very Important Question on his lips. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Picking up where the previous season left off, season six of Gilmore Girls begins as Stars Hollow innkeeper Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) takes the initiative in her love life by proposing marriage to taciturn diner owner Luke Danes (Scott Patterson). Although he accepts, his subsequent hemming and hawing whenever the subject of a wedding date is brought up will dictate much of the action this season, culminating in a jaw-dropping cliffhanger finale involving Christopher Hayden (David Sutcliffe), who as everyone knows, is the father of Lorelai's college-age daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel).
Unfortunately, Lorelei and Rory aren't on speaking terms as the season begins, mainly because Rory has decided to drop out of Yale University -- and, incidentally, has run afoul of the law for the first time in her life, requiring her to perform 300 hours' community service. Happily, Rory finally agrees to return to Yale, taking over the editor's post at the campus newspaper when her roommate Paris (Liza Weil) is ousted in a "coup." Throughout the season, the relationship between Rory and her wealthy student boyfriend Logan Huntzberger (Matt Czuchry) is a shaky one, especially after she learns of his various infidelities while speaking to the bridesmaids at his sister's wedding. Rory and Logan are reunited when she nurses him back to health after he is seriously injured in a stunt performed for the secret campus clique "The Life and Death Brigade." However, the couple's future is placed in jeopardy when Logan's father, powerful publisher Mitchum Huntzberger (Gregg Henry), forces the boy to take a job at his London newspaper. In other season six news, Lorelai's estranged parents Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) have decided to give their marriage a second chance -- and, much to their daughter's dismay, have elected to move to Stars Hollow; Lorelai's business partner Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) again copes with her responsibilities of new motherhood; Luke's ditsy sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) becomes pregnant by her oafish husband T.J. (Michael DeLuise); and Rory's rock-musician friend Lane Kim (Keiko Agena), now reconciled with her conservative mother Mrs. Kim (Emily Kuroda), weds Zach (Todd Lowe), a member of her band, in the oddest ceremony of the 2005-2006 season. This year represents Gilmore Girls' last stand on the WB network; henceforth, the show would be seen on the brand new CW hookup. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Unfortunately, Lorelei and Rory aren't on speaking terms as the season begins, mainly because Rory has decided to drop out of Yale University -- and, incidentally, has run afoul of the law for the first time in her life, requiring her to perform 300 hours' community service. Happily, Rory finally agrees to return to Yale, taking over the editor's post at the campus newspaper when her roommate Paris (Liza Weil) is ousted in a "coup." Throughout the season, the relationship between Rory and her wealthy student boyfriend Logan Huntzberger (Matt Czuchry) is a shaky one, especially after she learns of his various infidelities while speaking to the bridesmaids at his sister's wedding. Rory and Logan are reunited when she nurses him back to health after he is seriously injured in a stunt performed for the secret campus clique "The Life and Death Brigade." However, the couple's future is placed in jeopardy when Logan's father, powerful publisher Mitchum Huntzberger (Gregg Henry), forces the boy to take a job at his London newspaper. In other season six news, Lorelai's estranged parents Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) have decided to give their marriage a second chance -- and, much to their daughter's dismay, have elected to move to Stars Hollow; Lorelai's business partner Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) again copes with her responsibilities of new motherhood; Luke's ditsy sister Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite) becomes pregnant by her oafish husband T.J. (Michael DeLuise); and Rory's rock-musician friend Lane Kim (Keiko Agena), now reconciled with her conservative mother Mrs. Kim (Emily Kuroda), weds Zach (Todd Lowe), a member of her band, in the oddest ceremony of the 2005-2006 season. This year represents Gilmore Girls' last stand on the WB network; henceforth, the show would be seen on the brand new CW hookup. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Blood may be thicker than water, but it doesn't hold a candle to hairspray, as we learn in this urban comedy. Angela (Kellita Smith) is a successful hairdresser who operates her own salon based in Los Angeles. One day, Angela gets an unexpected visit from her sister Peaches (Mo'Nique), who runs a beauty shop of her own in Baltimore. The family reunion turns out to not be as happy as Angela may have hoped -- Peaches is trying to stay a step ahead of IRS agents who want to collect 50,000 dollars in back taxes, while also avoiding Marcella (Gina Torres), a fellow hair stylist who wants to take over Peaches' shop. Despite their differences, Angela and Peaches join forces in hopes of finding a way to get the bill paid and take Marcella out of the picture. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mo'nique, Kellita Smith, (more)
As season three of Gilmore Girls gets under way, it seems apparent that single mom Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham) must abandon all hope of marrying Christopher Haden (David Sutcliffe), the father of Lorelai's teenaged daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel). The pain of this realization is mitigated somewhat as Lorelai's attraction to café owner Luke (Scott Patterson) grows stronger -- even though she is less aware of this than the people around her. In other developments in the rural Connecticut community of Stars Hollow, Rory applies to Harvard, convincing her boyfriend, Dean (Jared Padalecki), that their relationship is doomed and driving him into the arms of another woman. Rory then gravitates to town reprobate Jess (Milo Ventimiglia), much to Lorelei's dismay. Equally dismayed is Rory's snooty classmate Paris (Liza Weil), who has a mini-breakdown when her own application to Harvard is rejected. As it turns out, Harvard is not on Rory's plate either; she decides to enter her dad's alma mater, Yale, even as Jess (who has flunked out of high school) and Dean (who has proposed to his current sweetie) drift out of her life...maybe. In the season-three finale, Lorelai and her business partner, Sookie (Melissa McCarthy), decide to open up a new bed-and-breakfast after the Independence Inn closes down, and Rory delivers an unforgettable commencement address at the Chilton Prep graduation ceremonies. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, (more)
- Starring:
- Keiko Agena
It took a great deal of intestinal fortitude for the WB network to schedule the first of its "prestige" drama series, Gilmore Girls, opposite the NBC powerhouse Friends on Thursday night. But the gamble paid off: a critical success virtually from the outset, Gilmore Girls gradually built up a loyal following which assured WB some of its best ratings of the year. The series was set in the town of Stars Hollow, CT, home of 32-year-old single mother Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Martin) and her 15-year-old daughter, Rory (Alexis Bledel). Having never married Rory's irresponsible father, Christopher Hayden (David Sutcliffe), and long estranged from her wealthy parents, Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop), Lorelai had been forced to go it alone in life, ultimately landing a good job as manager of Independence Inn, a Star Hollow landmark since 1779. She had also done a good job raising her straight-A student daughter, Rory -- though because of the close proximity of their ages, the relationship was more sister-sister than mother-daughter. As the first season opened, Rory was poised to enter the prestigious Chilton Prep School in nearby Hartford. The tuition cost obliged Lorelai to swallow her pride and seek out funding from her parents, who agreed to foot the bill on one condition: that Lorelai mend her relationship with them and once again become part of their lives. This condition was primarily set up by Lorelai's mother, who had plans to mold young Rory into the "perfect" granddaughter that her own child had never been.
In the tradition of Northern Exposure, Gilmore Girls was populated with a large and colorful supporting cast, ranging from lovable eccentrics to not-so-lovable drama queens. The staff at Independence Inn included pompous French concierge Michel Gerard (Yanic Truesdale) and klutzy but talented chef Sookie St. James (Melissa McCarthy). Not far from the inn was the diner run by curmudgeonly Luke Danes (Scott Patterson), who, as the season wore on, revealed that he'd had a long-standing crush on Lorelai. The self-appointed "leader" of Stars Hollows' merchant class was Taylor Doose (Michael Winters), owner of the town's main grocery store and employer of Rory's off-and-on boyfriend Dean Forester (Jared Padalecki). Others in town included Rory's best friend, Lane Kim (Keiko Agena), whose efforts to assert her blossoming womanhood were constantly being thwarted by her super-strict Korean parents; busybody dance instructor Miss Patty (Liz Torres); supercilious Babette Dell (Sally Struthers) and her husband, Morey (Ted Rooney); and funky handyman Kirk Gleason (Sean Gunn), a classic example of "still waters run deep." At Chilton, Rory ran smack-dab into a maelstrom of snooty snobbery and calculated cattiness personified by Paris Geller (Liza Weil), editor of the school paper. Halfway through season one, Lorelai began dating Rory's English teacher, Max Medina (Scott Cohen) -- a relationship that nearly cost Max his job. Complicating matters was the return of Rory's prodigal father, Christopher, who was still unwilling to make a permanent commitment to Lorelai -- or was it the other way around? Likewise on the romantic front, Rory found herself caught in the middle of the tempestuous relationship between the jealous, spiteful Paris and the trouble-prone Tristan DuGrey (Chad Michael Murray). The first season of Gilmore Girls ended on a cliffhanger as Lorelai pondered whether or not to accept Max Medina's marriage proposal. There was, however, no doubt that critics and fans alike had thoroughly taken Gilmore Girls to their hearts. ~ All Movie Guide
In the tradition of Northern Exposure, Gilmore Girls was populated with a large and colorful supporting cast, ranging from lovable eccentrics to not-so-lovable drama queens. The staff at Independence Inn included pompous French concierge Michel Gerard (Yanic Truesdale) and klutzy but talented chef Sookie St. James (Melissa McCarthy). Not far from the inn was the diner run by curmudgeonly Luke Danes (Scott Patterson), who, as the season wore on, revealed that he'd had a long-standing crush on Lorelai. The self-appointed "leader" of Stars Hollows' merchant class was Taylor Doose (Michael Winters), owner of the town's main grocery store and employer of Rory's off-and-on boyfriend Dean Forester (Jared Padalecki). Others in town included Rory's best friend, Lane Kim (Keiko Agena), whose efforts to assert her blossoming womanhood were constantly being thwarted by her super-strict Korean parents; busybody dance instructor Miss Patty (Liz Torres); supercilious Babette Dell (Sally Struthers) and her husband, Morey (Ted Rooney); and funky handyman Kirk Gleason (Sean Gunn), a classic example of "still waters run deep." At Chilton, Rory ran smack-dab into a maelstrom of snooty snobbery and calculated cattiness personified by Paris Geller (Liza Weil), editor of the school paper. Halfway through season one, Lorelai began dating Rory's English teacher, Max Medina (Scott Cohen) -- a relationship that nearly cost Max his job. Complicating matters was the return of Rory's prodigal father, Christopher, who was still unwilling to make a permanent commitment to Lorelai -- or was it the other way around? Likewise on the romantic front, Rory found herself caught in the middle of the tempestuous relationship between the jealous, spiteful Paris and the trouble-prone Tristan DuGrey (Chad Michael Murray). The first season of Gilmore Girls ended on a cliffhanger as Lorelai pondered whether or not to accept Max Medina's marriage proposal. There was, however, no doubt that critics and fans alike had thoroughly taken Gilmore Girls to their hearts. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, (more)
Eric Koyanagi made his feature directorial debut with the triple plot threads weaving throughout this comedy. Romantic coffeeshop worker Isaac (Dustin Nguyen), hoping for his ideal woman, is taken aback by leather-lady Thaise (Tamlyn Tomita). Actor Troy (Garrett Wang), fed up with casting directors seeking Oriental stereotypes, faces further problems with his longtime girlfriend Cleveland (Lindsay Price). Rastafarian Slim (Darion Bosco), who smokes joints and recites Bob Marley, joins his gal Casey (Keiko Agena) to take evasive actions when they are menaced by a gun-toting heavy. Koyanagi links his episodes with ethical treatise re the quest for happiness. Shown at the 1998 LA Independent Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Darion Basco, Dustin Nguyen, (more)
Carter (Noah Wyle) is pressed into service as tour guide for the family of Ruth Johnson (Anne Pitoniak), who was born at Chicago's County General exactly 100 years ago. Meanwhile, Carol (Julianna Margulies) cares for eight-year-old stalker victim Wilson (Jesse James Unterthiner); Benton (Eriq La Salle) has second thoughts about a cochlear implant for his son, Reese; and the relationship between Benton and Corday (Alex Kingston) reaches an impasse. Originally telecast as the 100th episode of ER, "Good Luck, Ruth Johnson" is catalogued as number 101 in the series' syndication package. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
















