Patrick Levis Movies
An eighteen year old aspiring doctor finds her life suddenly pulled in two opposing directions in this period romantic drama starring Erin Cottrell and Scout Taylor-Compton. Eighteen year old Belinda Tyler (Taylor-Compton) lives in the quiet western town of Anderson Corner. As the turn of the 20th Century draws near Belinda recognizes that she must begin to build her future. While campaigning to convince the local physician to grant her an apprenticeship, Belinda suddenly finds her attentions drifting towards a handsome New York lawyer. Before long Belinda is hopelessly in love with the dashing newcomer, but she knows that all he wants is a traditional family. Is it possible for a girl to have more than one dream in life, and even if so, is it realistic to believe you can truly have everything you ever wanted? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Erin Cottrell, Dale Midkiff, (more)
- 2001
The second of two made-for-TV biopics on the same topic (the first was Side by Side: The True Story of the Osmond Family), Inside the Osmonds was co-produced by Jimmy Osmond and Dick Clark, and as such can be regarded as reasonably accurate, if a tad on the hokey side. Matt Dorff's teleplay recounts the rise in popularity of the singing Osmond clan, from their humble beginnings in Utah onward. The act is strictly stag -- that is, it consisted largely of the Osmond Brothers -- until siblings Donny and Marie break out and matriculate to superstardom. Perhaps inevitably, the Osmond juggernaut begins to collapse under its own weight, due to dissension, jealousy, and the questionable financial escapade of the singers' father, George (played by Bruce McGill). The story ends in a tune-filled concert re-creation, featuring the real-life Osmonds (or as many as could be assembled herein). Standouts in the cast are Thomas Dekker and Patrick Levis as the younger and older Donny Osmond, Janaya Stephens as Marie, and Veronica Cartwright as the siblings' mother, Olive; there are also adequate Hollywood casting-service approximations of musician/politician Mike Curb and the Osmonds' longtime TV director Jack Regas. The abruptness of the continuity suggests that the film was originally much longer than its present two hours. Largely filmed in Toronto, Inside the Osmonds made its ABC network debut on February 5, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce McGill, Veronica Cartwright, (more)
- 2001
Yet one more derivation of Malcolm in the Middle, the WB Network sitcom Maybe It's Me went into production under the less sensitive but more amusing title Maybe I'm Adopted. The "Me" in question was 15-year-old Molly Stage (Regan Dale Neis), a resident of "the smallest town in the smallest state," who did her best to survive life with her nutty family: soccer-coach dad Jerry (Fred Willard), super-stingy mom Mary (Julia Sweeney), Christian-rocker brother Grant (Patrick Levis), punkish sibling Rick (Andrew Walker), spawn-of-satan twin sisters Mindy and Cindy (played by real-life twins Daniella and Deanna Canterman), and eccentric (to say the least) Grandma Harriet (Ellen Albertini Dow). That grand old trouper Dabbs Greer was seen as goofy old Grandpa Fred. Series creator Suzanne Martin claimed that the Stage clan was based on her own family; if so, the poor woman deserves all our sympathy. Part of a Friday-night WB comedy block, Maybe It's Me debuted on October 5, 2001, its original September 21 premiere date preempted by continuing coverage of the World Trade Center tragedy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Reagan Dale Neis, Julia Sweeney, (more)
Based on a true story, this made-for-cable drama concerns Justin Yoder (Frankie Muniz), a 12-year-old boy who is confined to a wheelchair. Despite his handicap, Justin is an outgoing kid with a sense of humor and a taste for adventure, and his older brother's accomplishments as an award-winning athlete spark his ambition to find a sport in which he can excel. Justin thinks he has found just such an activity in the local soap-box derby competition, but he finds he has to combat red tape and prejudice before he can compete in the race. Produced for The Disney Channel, Miracle in Lane 2 also stars Patrick Lewis, Roger Aaron Brown, and Molly Hagan. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Muniz, Patrick Levis, (more)
- 1998
A young rollerblader is torn between money and his personal morality in this family friendly made-for-TV movie. Andy Brinker (Erik Von Detten), known to his friends as "Brink," is a teenager who lives for in-line skating. Andy and his skating buddies skate for the sheer love of the sport, and view professional skaters with no small degree of suspicion. However, when Andy's family falls on hard times financially, he wants to do something to help, and after Andy is approached by Val Horrigan (Sam Horrigan), the manager of a team of pro skaters, he decides to swallow his pride and sign up. Andy's friends think he's betrayed his principles, and begin to shun him. What's worse, Andy soon learns just how corrupt and underhanded Val can really be, and he has to decide if bringing in a few bucks for his family is worth having to deal with someone so inherently dishonest. Brink first aired on The Disney Channel on August 29, 1998. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Erik Von Detten, Christina Vidal, (more)
