Jonathan Slavin Movies
Walt Disney Pictures resurrects one of their time-honored franchises with Race to Witch Mountain, a family-oriented sci-fi adventure that tells the story of two alien visitors (AnnaSophia Robb and Alexander Ludwig) whose search for their spacecraft gets them caught up in an adventure with a cab driver (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) and a UFO specialist (Carla Gugino). As the group races toward the mysterious mountain in the Nevada desert that has mystified scientists and paranormal researchers for years, the government, gangsters, and an extraterrestrial bounty hunter attempt to prevent them from reaching their intended destination. Should the two planetary travelers fail in recovering their ship, an alien invasion will be launched against the entire planet. The original 1975 picture Escape to Witch Mountain was followed by the sequel Return From Witch Mountain, as well as a 1995 made-for-TV remake. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dwayne Johnson, AnnaSophia Robb, (more)
- 2006
Returning early from maternity leave, Bailey (Chandra Wilson) is anxious to repay a favor to Addison (Kate Walsh) by treating her for a delicate "feminine" problem. Izzie (Katherine Heigl) grows ever fonder of heart-transplant patient Denny (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), much to the dismay of Alex (Justin Chambers). After spending the night (and morning) together, George (T.R. Knight) and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) can't stop quarrelling at the workplace; and in a later development, George falls downstairs--and into the hands of attractive orthopedic surgeon Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) in her first series appearance). The arrival of Mark Sloan serves only to remind Derek (Patrick Dempsey) of why he broke up with Addison. And Burke (Isaiah Washington) can't help but notice something wrong in the relationship between an aneuryism patient and his future bride. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A gay man takes an experimental medication designed to make him heterosexual in this provocative independent drama. Plain-looking, unlucky in love, and approaching middle age, Tim (Jonathan Slavin) isn't very happy with the shallow hedonism of the gay world. He pines for his straight best friend Don (Mike Begovich), whose occasional willingness to accept drunken oral sex marks the closest thing to a date Tim's enjoyed in years. When news breaks of a drug trial for a miracle pill that will turn homosexual men straight, Tim jumps at the chance to enroll. His decision alienates him from Joey (Scotch Ellis Loring), his good-time-guy pal, and from Don, whose company he must shun in order to bolster the drug's effectiveness. As the treatment progresses, Tim tries out hetero sex with Sally (Susan Slome), a co-worker who's been in love with him for years. But when he spurns Sally for a better-looking new girlfriend who knows nothing of his gay past, Tim's final link to his previous life is severed. Ultimately, though, a crisis among his old friends drags Tim back into their orbit, putting his entire course of treatment in jeopardy. The debut feature from writer/director John Baumgartner, Hard Pill played the festival circuit before airing on Logo, the nascent, Viacom-owned gay cable network. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jonathan Slavin, Scotch Ellis Loring, (more)
Cute but geeky high-school student Samantha Martin (Hilary Duff) is knocked off her feet by her father's untimely death, which leaves his diner and Samantha's well-being in the care of Fiona (Jennifer Coolidge), Sam's thoroughly wicked stepmother. Not one to take on such menial tasks as dishwashing and mopping floors, Fiona exploits Sam's dependence as a method of hoisting any dirty work off her own shoulders. School is hardly a break for Samantha, particularly when Shelby (Julie Gonzalo) is around; spoiled, wealthy, and popular, Shelby treats Samantha nearly as badly as Fiona does. Samantha's life is irrevocably changed, however, by two events: a makeover of epic proportions and a sudden electronic correspondence with a mysterious young man. Due to a misplaced cell phone and a series of fateful coincidences, Samantha and her Prince Charming develop a romance through text messages and e-mails, and ultimately promise to meet face-to-face at the biggest school dance of the year. Of course, getting there doesn't go smoothly, and Samantha may miss her chance to meet her dream date -- none other than Austin (Chad Michael Murray), the most popular boy in school. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hilary Duff, Jennifer Coolidge, (more)
- 2003
The bodies of teenagers Toby Wellstone and Jill Frommer are found a half-mile apart in the Hell's Gate region of Death Valley. The curiously arranged evidence suggests that the teens died in a Romeo-and-Juliet suicide pact, but Sara (Jorja Fox) and Warrick (Gary Dourdan) refuse to rule out the possibility of murder. Meanwhile, Grissom (William L. Petersen), Catherine (Marg Helgenberger), and Nick (George Eads) investigate when equestrian trainer Lori Hutchins is trampled to death by a horse -- on a private 747 jet, bound from Belgium to Las Vegas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
Invited to contribute to their college website, Chandler (Matthew Perry) and Ross (David Schwimmer) refuse to take the assignment seriously. In fact, the giddy pair end up penning a mock obituary for Ross. The fun and laughs come to an end when the alumni hold a memorial service for Ross, where the "guest of honor" is appalled to find out what people really think of him (or is it, "thought of him"?). Meanwhile, Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) has trouble making her breakup with Mike (Paul Rudd) permanent, and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) has an "argument" with baby Emma. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Rudd, Ivana Milicevic, (more)
- 2001
Realizing that Danny (Rick Schroder) and Diane (Kim Delaney) are too tense and high-strung to continue working together, Fancy (James McDaniel) assigns each of them to a different case. While on assignment, Diane again runs into her old nemesis Denby (Scott Cohen), who may be using a courier service for an illegal operation. And after tracking down Sid Thompson (Phil LaMarr), a suspect in two brutal subway murders, Danny completely loses it and beats Thompson to a pulp -- thereby seriously damaging his case against the alleged perp. At this, Andy (Dennis Franz), who has tried to keep Danny on an even keel, angrily washes his hands of his partner. The episode comes to an explosive conclusion when Denby shows up at the precinct for a final showdown with the relentless Diane. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Marc Forster directs this chilling psychological drama about a young mother trying to come to terms with the loss of her first born. Angie (Radha Mitchell) and her husband Russ (Justin Louis) live a quiet suburban life. At the film's opening, Angie, along with her best friends Judith (Catherine Lloyd Burns) and Barbie (Megan Mullally), who also happen to be pregnant, gleefully discuss morning sickness and baby showers. After her textbook delivery to a healthy boy, the doctor pulls Russ aside and whispers something in his ear. Angie's worst fears are confirmed when she learns that her child suddenly died, a victim of sudden infant death syndrome. In spite of loving support from her husband and friends, Angie quickly spirals into a deep depression and begins developing morbid obsessions, such as going to morgue to examine her baby, visiting the place where her child's toys are buried, and watching children at play in the park. Shot on digital video, the film features an intense emotionally immediacy. This film was screened at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Radha Mitchell, Megan Mullally, (more)
With a little help from the commander of the Starship Enterprise, two geeky sci-fi buffs venture into the final frontier -- finding a steady girlfriend -- in this satiric comedy. Mark (Eric McCormack) and Rob (Rafer Weigel) are two guys in their late 20s who are emotionally stuck in adolescence; they're obsessed with science fiction, comics, and collectable toys, and they aren't especially graceful or successful in their relationships with the opposite sex. While both have actually been able to turn their obsessions into careers -- Mark edits a sci-fi fanzine, while Rob works at a film production house -- both feel the need for guidance as they approach 30. As children, they used to imagine themselves being counseled by William Shatner, whose role as Capt. Kirk on Star Trek elevated him to the status of a deity in their eyes. To their amazement, one day Mark and Rob meet Shatner in a bookstore and actually strike up a friendship with him, only to discover that he is just as confused about life, women, and work as they are (though he does confess his burning ambition to produce a new version of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar in which he plays all the characters himself). Emboldened by his new friendship with Capt. Kirk -- wait, make that William Shatner -- Rob begins pursuing a romance with Claire (Audie England), a fellow sci-fi fan who is pretty, charming, and a few steps up on the maturity ladder from himself. But this is bad news for Mark, who isn't at all happy to be losing his best friend to some girl. Free Enterprise was the first feature for writer/director Robert Meyer Burnett and screenwriter Mark A. Altman, who freely (and rather bravely) admit that the lead characters are based upon themselves. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rafer Weigel, Eric McCormack, (more)
- 1996
In the conclusion of a three-part story, Jonathan Clayton (Mitchell Ryan) is still in charge of Sandpiper Air, forcing Joe (Tim Daly) and Brian (Steven Weber) to dance to his tune. Expected to deliver a progress report to Clayton's board of directors, his son Cord (Jonathan Slavin) inexplicably vanishes from sight, compelling Joe and Brian to speak in his place. At the same time, Helen (Crystal Bernard) learns the real reason behind Cord's disappearance -- and it does not bode well for the Hackett brothers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In the second episode of a three-part story, Joe (Tim Daly) and Brian (Steven Weber) have lost control of Sandpiper Air and are now merely hired hands for the new owner, Jonathan Clayton (Mitchell Ryan). When Clayton announces the need for a "big idea" to improve Sandpiper's business, Joe and Brian's longtime business rival Roy (David Schramm) comes up with a "perfect" promotion. As a result, the Hackett brothers end up as tour pilots for the popular country singing duo of Tammy and Nina Todd (Karen Kilgariff, Cynthia Sikes) -- or do they? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
In the first episode of a three-part story, Sandpiper Air's only plane is repossessed. Facing financial ruin, Joe (Tim Daly) and Brian (Steven Weber) try to float a loan from visiting businessman Jonathan Clayton (Mitchell Ryan). Trouble is, Clayton has no interest in making investments. He is, however, very interested in buying Sandpiper outright -- but what will happen to Joe and Brian if he does? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Glamorous TV-tabloid host Morgan Bell (Shanna Reed), a glamorous glad-hander, shares a terrible secret with her dowdy producer-sister Claudia (Darlene Cates)--a secret that has determined the course of both their lives. The tension reaches the crisis level when Morgan accuses Claudia of causing the heart attack of a woman who'd been confronted by her illegitimate daughter during a live telecast, Monica (Roma Downey) must bring faith and forgiveness to both sisters, a task that can only be accomplished by an emotional confession of past misdeeds before a nationwide audience! This is the final episode of Touched by an Angel's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
A malfunctioning air conditioner and an overload of patients bedevils the ER during a stifling heat wave. In other developments, Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) is thrown off balance by a visit from her young, irresponsible sister, Chloe (Kathleen Wilhoite). Carol (Julianna Margulies) is upset by Doug's (George Clooney) girl friend du jour. And when Greene (Anthony Edwards) brings his daughter, Rachel (Yvonne Zima), to work, she realizes with startling suddenness that her dad is far from omnipotent. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
