Zach Galligan Movies
New York native Zach Galligan didn't rise to superstardom along with some of the other prominent teen actors of the 1980s, though he has developed a more than respectable cult following in the direct-to-video genre circuit, most of which stems from his breakout role in Gremlins (1984). Poised for success after Gremlins' surprise popularity, Galligan began appearing in a slew of television features, including the highly rated suicide drama Surviving (1985), opposite fellow newcomer Molly Ringwald, and PBS' The Prodigious Mr. William Hicks (1987), which featured Galligan in the title role as a turn-of-the-century prep-school troublemaker. Galligan returned for The Return of Hickey and Hickey and Company, and received critical nods for both performances. In 1990, the young actor reprised his role as Billy Peltzer for Gremlins 2: The New Batch, which, unlike the vast majority of horror film sequels, was received relatively well by genre fans and open-minded critics. Unfortunately, Galligan never quite gained back his momentum after the release of Gremlins 2, and he spent the '90s trying his luck in genres ranging from slapstick comedies to erotic dramas; despite small roles alongside more established actors, Galligan was never quite able to come into his own. Nevertheless, Galligan's television performances (including supporting roles on Star Trek: Voyager, Melrose Place, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, and 2003's feature-length sci-fi drama Momentum) have received a much warmer reception, and he is known among casting agents for his solid work. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
Throughout his life, physics professor Zach Shefford (Grayson McCouch) has regarded his telekinetic gifts as a curse rather than a blessing. This sentiment is obviously not shared by ruthless Pentagon agent Raymond Addison (Louis Gossett Jr.), who recruits Shefford for a dangerous mission in which his "second sight" talents will be taxed to the utmost. It seems that, back in 1977, Addison had overseen Project Momentum, wherein dozens of telekinetics were brought together ostensibly for the purpose of benefiting mankind. But the project got out of hand when the participants' powers became too powerful and deadly, forcing Addison to kill them all. However, one of the participants, Adrian Geiger (Michael Massee), managed to escape, and is now at large, with a vast telekinetic army at his beck and call. It is Shefford's job to infiltrate Geiger's camp and finish the job that Shefford had started. Upon falling in love with fellow telekinetic Tristen (Nicki Aycox), Shefford finds that his loyalties are wavering -- and begins to suspect that the villains in this particular melodrama may in fact be the heroes, and vice versa. The made-for-cable Momentum premiered July 26, 2003, on the Sci-Fi Channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Grayson McCouch, Louis Gossett, Jr., (more)
When tragic circumstances bring five old friends back to their hometown, revisiting their favorite childhood vacation home seems like a great way to mourn the recent death in their lives. None of them, however, are privy to the fact that a mysterious colony of mutant flies have been breeding in the house during their long absence. Within hours of their arrival, the reunited friends become ill-fated hosts for the flies reproductive cycle -- once the eggs have been laid within their bodies, hope for survival is nil. Infested features Zach Galligan and Amy Jo Johnson, as well as Lisa Ann Hadley, Daniel Jenkins, and Robert Duncan McNeill. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zach Galligan, Lisa Ann Hadley, (more)
This romantic action film stars Richard Grieco as a double-crossing drug dealer in a dangerous relationship. His girlfriend, Stephanie, eventually finds love with another man, but the young couple is forced to risk their own lives in hopes of facing the dangers threatening to bind them to street life forever. Angie Everhart, Andrew Dice Clay, and Ice-T are also featured. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
A robot cop goes rogue in this sci-fi actioner from prolific director Jim Wynorski. John Laughlin stars as Stark, the cyborg lawman in question. On the run from his keepers, Stark finds refuge with Grace (Carol Alt). Adding some tension and intrigue to the situation is the fact that Grace has murdered her husband. Along for the ride is Corey Feldman as the leader of the team sent to hunt down Stark. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carol Alt, John Laughlin, (more)
This variation on the themes of 9 to 5 (1980) and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990) presents one philandering man as the target of revenge for all scorned women everywhere. When Brian Hartley (Zach Galligan) has been unfaithful yet again to his fiancée Linda Alissio (Teri Hatcher), he shows up at her Malibu beach house expecting to beg for and receive forgiveness. Except that this time, Brian is going to get the lesson of his life. Lisa's housemates Kim (Lara Harris) and Sharon (Tracy Griffith) take him hostage, tying him to a bed. For three days, the trio of vengeful women inflict Brian with a series of psychological tortures, including using his credit cards, shaving him with a rusty razor, getting him fired from his job, and forcing him to watch a home shopping cable channel. When they're convinced that Brian will sin no more, they put him in a skirt and release him. Brian's got a few surprises for them, however. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zach Galligan, Teri Hatcher, (more)
- 1988
Made for television, Return of Hickey is the sequel to 1987's The Prodigious Mr. William Hicks. Both films were based on Owen Johnson's turn-of-the-century "Lawrenceville Stories." Zach Galligan returns as William "Hickey" Hicks, prep-school prankster supreme. Back at Lawrenceville after a period of suspension, Hickey intends to resume his agenda of elaborate practical jokes. This time, however, he is challenged by a imaginative new student (Nicholas Rowe), who has vowed to out-Hickey Hickey. Return of Hickey was originally telecast February 3, 1988, on PBS' American Playhouse. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
This PBS American Playhouse presentation is based on one of the many "Lawrenceville Stories" by Owen Johnson (which also served as the basis of the 1950 MGM feature The Happy Years). Zach Galligan stars as William Hicks, something of a legend at turn-of-century Lawrenceville Boy's School because of his elaborate pranks and practical jokes. This term, however, uptight housemaster Tapping (Robert Joy) has vowed to catch young Hicks in the act of horseplay. "Hickey" considers this threat to be a flung gauntlet, and thus plans his most spectacular prank ever. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1986
A six-hour adaptation of Danielle Steel's best-selling novel, the ABC miniseries Crossings began on board a transatlantic ocean liner in 1938. In the course of a truly eventful sea voyage, a torrid romance developed between powerful American steel magnate Nick Burnham (Lee Horsley) and Liane DeVilliers (Cheryl Ladd), the wife of French ambassador Armand DeVilliers (Christopher Plummer). This indiscretion would ultimately embroil both characters in the political intrigues leading up to WWII, with a rousing denouement in Nazi-occupied France just after America's entry into the war. To give the project a semblance of verisimilitude, several prominent historical figures flitted in and out of the action, notably Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Delano Roosevelt and France's Marshal Petain. Even so, most of the audience's interest was focused on the antics of Nick Burnham's hot-to-trot wife Hilary, played by Jane Seymour. Billed near the bottom of the huge cast was future Cheers and Frasier star Kelsey Grammer as "Craig Lawson." Partially filmed on the old British liner Queen Mary (then dry-docked as a tourist attraction), Crossings originally aired from February 23 to 25, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cheryl Ladd, Lee Horsley, (more)
- 1985
Originally telecast in a three-hour network slot, Surviving is virtually two films in one. In the first 90 minutes, we see the identity crises and outside pressures that propel a "normal" teenaged boy (Zach Galligan) and a "disturbed" teenaged girl (Mollie Ringwald) into committing suicide together. The second portion of Surviving explores the emotional residue left behind by the youngsters' deadly pact. Specifically spotlighted are Zach's parents (Len Cariou and Ellen Burstyn), who feel that Molly goaded their boy into killing himself; and Molly's parents (Paul Sorvino, Marsha Mason) who are consumed with guilt over not catching on to the warning signs of their daughter's despair. Though the acting is overly ripe at times, Surviving never loses dramatic focus throughout its 150 minutes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
Though purportedly set in Argentina, Jacobo Timerman: Prisoner Without a Name, Call Without a Number was rather obviously filmed in and around New York. Roy Scheider stars as the real-life Timerman, a Jewish Argentinian journalist who speaks out against the repressive government. In response, the authorities imprison and torture Timerman, then place him under house arrest for 18 months. Liv Ullman costars as Timerman's wife, who gives him the courage to persevere. Veteran scenarist Budd Schulberg was so taken aback by the changes made in his script that he had his name removed from the credits, in favor of the alias "Oliver P. Drexell Jr." The viewer will be likewise put out; advertised as a sociological masterpiece in the tradition of The Life of Emile Zola, Jacobo Timerman looks more like a cheapjack, cardboard product from the Dark Ages of live television. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
According to 1982 statistics, there were 250,000 cases of gonorrhea amongst teenagers every year. Among the youthful victims of this disease (at least according to this powerful ABC Afterschool Special) is 17-year-old Kristin Sorenson (Lori-Nan Engler), who apparently contacted gonorrhea during a summer romance. What does this crisis bode for Kristin's future -- not to mention the future of her summer boyfriend -- and that of everyone with whom both teens have come in contact since their brief indiscretion? ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lori-Nan Engler, Zach Galligan, (more)
A man thinks he's found the woman of his dreams until he discovers someone else already had the same idea in this romantic comedy-drama with a primarily Hispanic cast. Mike (Jaime P. Gomez) is employed at a psychiatric hospital in California, where he meets Gabriela (Seidy Lopez), a young woman who is also working there while she completes her degree. Mike finds Gabriela to be sweet, charming, intelligent, and very beautiful, but there's a problem -- Gabriela has a fiancé, Pat (Zach Galligan). While Pat and Gabriela's relationship is hardly perfect -- she's very busy with work and school, and he's very devoted to his career -- Gabriela takes it very seriously, and Mike tries to resign himself to the fact that he and Gabriela are never going to be anything more than friends. But as they spend more time together, sparks begin to fly between Mike and Gabriela, forcing her to choose one man over the other. Completed in 2000, Gabriela found a distributor in 2001, when it was picked up by the independent distribution firm Power Point Films. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jaime Gomez, Seidy Lopez, (more)
Detective Blair Valdez (Mario Van Peebles), a corrupt loose cannon on the police force, endangers his girlfriend Izabel (Nicollette Sheridan) when police officials -- and deadly serious mobsters -- find out about his ongoing money laundering scheme that is taking profits from both organizations. He turns for help to his old friend Ethan Lang (Zach Galligan), a burned-out former cop who is now a mild-mannered college professor, but Blair's increasingly violent tactics make salvation impossible. Blair spirals into danger and corruption, and he takes everyone in his wake with him.
~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mario Van Peebles
- 1997
- R
Beware! Though the title may inspire thoughts of a cherubic being aiming arrows at would-be lovers, the subject matter of this low-budget psychological thriller is anything but romantic. Jennifer has recently left her lover and moved to L.A. to live with her wild sister Susan and work in a bookstore. There she meets the charming, handsome Eric and develops a big crush. They begin seeing each other and romance develops. Too bad, for Jennifer has no idea that beneath his wonderful exterior, Eric is an obsessive monster, one who has killed before and will surely kill again before the last reel unspools. Eric also has an equally deadly sister, one who would kill to resume her incestuous relationship with Eric. Fortunately for Jennifer, her old beau, Richard decides he wants her back. He doesn't think Eric is so wonderful and thus begins his own investigation. The coincidental (?) murder of Jennifer's sister, also sets Detective Thompson on the case. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zach Galligan, Ashley Laurence, (more)
The sequel to Warlock, this film features the return of the evil warlock (Julian Sands) who is on a quest to search out and obtain a set of six magical runestones needed to summon the Devil to Earth. However, a group of powerful druids have become aware of the sinister plans afoot, and it is up to them to defeat the warlock and prevent Armageddon. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julian Sands, Chris Young, (more)
Don't worry: former porn queen Traci Lords was "of age" when she starred in Ice. Lords and Phillip Troy play a husband-and-wife team of thieves who steal a fortune in diamonds. Problem is, they've stolen it from a mob kingpin. Before the film's halfway point, Lords is going it alone, running helter-skelter across the country from the mob boss' gunmen with the "ice" in tow. Inasmuch as this is a chase film, it's altogether appropriate that the screenwriter of Ice is one Sean Dash. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
- R
The man with the granite mug (Ray Sharkey) appears as Stoneface, a crook who has stashed his ill-gotten loot in the trunk of a Rolls-Royce which two unsuspecting guys have "borrowed" from one of their uncles. The fellows, of course, are unaware that there is loot in their car trunk; they're on their way to a modeling contest where one guy's girlfriend is a hot model. The two bozos soon get involved in an all-out chase when Stoneface wants his dough back. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1991
- R
In this thriller, poet Thierry Martin (Judge Reinhold) takes over the family business, abandoning both his art and his sex life, much to the dismay of his wife, Zandalee (Erika Anderson). However, when Thierry's painter friend Johnny Collins (Nicolas Cage) comes to town, his fling with Zandalee could prove more complicated than he imagined. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nicolas Cage, Judge Reinhold, (more)
- 1991
- R
In the sequel to Waxwork, young Mark Loftmore (Zach Galligan) and his girlfriend Sarah (Monika Schnarre) manage to escape the deadly wax museum before it is destroyed. However, one deadly wax hand escapes destruction and follows Sarah home, murdering her stepfather before she manages to destroy it. When Sarah is accused of the murder, she and Mark must travel back in time to stop the still-present evil. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zach Galligan, Sophie Ward, (more)
