Trevor O'Brien
The true story of the football team that proved sometimes second chances can make a difference comes to the screen in director Phil Joanou's tale of self-respect and social responsibility on the gridiron. Sean Porter (The Rock) is a detention camp probation officer who oversees the inmates at Camp Kilpatrick in Los Angeles and isn't willing to simply write off the violent offenders who have been placed in his care. Though their prospects for the future are decidedly bleak, Porter is convinced that if he can just get through to his adolescent inmates they may finally be able to turn their lives around and make amends for the mistakes of their past. When Porter's proposal of forming a high-school-level football team at Camp Kilpatrick meets with skepticism and resistance in the highest ranks, the determined coach puts his career on the line to prove that even convicted criminals can acquire the tools needed to build a brighter future when given the proper motivation and the means of doing so. Inspired by filmmaker Jac Flanders' 1993 documentary of the same name, Gridiron Gang features a screenplay penned by In the Line of Fire scribe Jeff Maguire, and features a supporting cast that includes Leon Rippy, Kevin Dunn, and Detroit-born rapper-turned-actor Xzibit. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- The Rock, Jade Yorker, (more)
- 2002
Allen and Janice Lowry (John Heard, Patricia Kalember) discover that their only child Erica (Jennifer Brox) has leukemia, and needs an immediate bone-marrow transplant. Unfortunately, neither parent completely matches Erica's DNA; if only she had a sibling who was willing to be a donor. Just when the situation is at its bleakest, who should arrive at the Lowry's doorstep but 16-year-old Robbie (Trever O'Brien), who claims to be Alan's illegitimate son. This turns out to be true--and sadly, it is also true that Robbie's embittered mother Debbie (Sherry Hursey) flatly refuses to allow her son to be tested as a donor. It is up to Monica (Roma Downey) and the angels to not only melt Debbie's hard heart, but also save the Lowrys' now-fractured marriage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Produced specifically for the Disney Channel, this extreme-sports family film stars Trevor O'Brien as Andrew Carson, a kid with a knack for motocross racing. While preparing for a big race, Andrew's family pools all their resources together to help ensure his win. But when Andrew breaks his leg before the race, the O'Briens are forced to look for a solution. Alana Austin also stars as Andrew's twin sister, Andrea, who poses as Andrew in an attempt to win the race and save the family. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alana Austin, Mary-Margaret Humes, (more)
- 1999
Although actor-director-producer Michael Landon died of pancreatic cancer in 1991, his life and career remained indelibly etched on the collective consciousness of America for many years afterward, as witness this warts-and-all TV biopic written and directed by Michael Landon Jr. Although it is clear throughout that the younger Landon loved and adored his father, the film is unstinting in its depiction of the emotional damage wrought upon the boy when, at age 15, his parents were divorced. In fact, it is the elder Landon's infidelities (and his almost casual selfishness) that galvanize the storyline, creating a schism between father and son that would not be repaired until the two Landons came to terms during Michael Sr.'s long and painful terminal illness. To be fair, the film allows Michael Sr. to score points vis-à-vis his tireless dedication to his work and his sincere efforts to be a loving and protective father to his enormous family. John Schneider is cast as the elder Landon, with Joel Berti as the adult Michael Jr., Cheryl Ladd as his mother (and his dad's second wife) Lynn, and Julie Condra as Michael Sr's third wife Cindy, a makeup artist whom the actor had met on the set of Little House on the Prairie (is it any surprise that Lynn comes off far more sympathetically than Cindy in the context of the film?) Michael Landon, the Father I Knew premiered May 23, 1999 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this youthful fantasy, a 12-year-old boy is unfortunate enough to have his wish granted to have a golden touch. At first it is a fine talent indeed. However, the dark side of his power appears when he accidentally turns his beloved grandmother into a solid gold statue. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Trevor O'Brien, Ashley Cafagna, (more)
- 1996
This made-for-TV drama covers fifteen years, from WW2 to the mid-1950s, in the lives of farm couple Gordon and Jean Holly (Richard Thomas, Annabeth Gish). A daughter of privilege, Jean had married Gordon much against her parents' wishes, whereupon the couple took charge of a ranch in California, where they raised their children. Throughout their marriage, the Hollys not only faced the disdain of their loved ones, but also the prejudices and misunderstandings of their neighbor. And why? Because both Gordon and Jean Holly were totally blind, and thus regarded by the standards of their era to be "unworthy" of parenthood and self-reliance. Based on the novel by Susan Vreeland, What Loves Sees first aired September 22, 1996, on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In this tender made-for-TV drama, four children are effectively orphaned when they are deserted by their mother. With nowhere else to go but some institution, the kids manage to locate their estranged grandmother. A bitter, and seemingly cold-hearted loner, the woman reluctantly takes the waifs into her farmhouse. They then do their very best to ingratiate themselves and make her love them. Unfortunately, this grandmother has a very tough outer shell and it will take plenty of hard work on the part of the kids. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anne Bancroft, Kimberlee Peterson, (more)
