Brian Klugman
Ed Stone's bittersweet drama Griffin & Phoenix concerns Griffin (Dermot Mulroney), a divorcee suffering from cancerous lesions in his chest that give him a life expectancy of less than two years. He falls in love with academic advisor Phoenix (Amanda Peet), and the pair decide to 'live life to the fullest' by fulfilling all of Griffin's childhood fantasies, from painting water towers to sneaking into movies to hopping freight trains. But a secret of Phoenix's threatens to damper the joy of their time together. Sarah Paulson, Blair Brown, Alison Elliott and Lois Smith co-star; John Hill authored the script. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dermot Mulroney, Amanda Peet, (more)
A college student and aspiring radio personality finds his obsession with Woody Allen's Annie Hall may be hindering his love life in director Van Flesher's heartfelt tribute to the master of the neurotic comedy drama. Max is a college student whose love of Annie Hall is beginning to border on unhealthy. Though his friends are quick to point out the main hurdle preventing Max from connecting with the opposite sex, the obsessive cinephile himself is in a constant state of denial. When Julie, the one and only fan of Max's late-night radio show, begins to take a romantic interest in Max, it finally dawns on the lovelorn broadcaster just how wild he has allowed his rampant film fanaticism to run. Now, in order to find true love, the man who loved Annie Hall will be forced to kiss his fictional sweetheart goodbye and take a chance on real life. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gary Lundy, Sara Downing, (more)
A long-lost fright flick with the power to unleash the silver screen's greatest terrors threatens to turn the ghouls loose once again after being re-discovered by a curious young monster fanatic in director David S. Cass' heartfelt tribute to 1950's-era sci-fi and horror films. Ageing film director Dexter Brisbane (George Kennedy) has witnessed firsthand the power that his film "Monsters on the Loose" truly has, and after seeing his celluliod horrors take human form when the film was first released, he hid it in his attic and vowed never to screen it again. When the ailing Dexter hires Shelley Stoker (Linda Blair) to be his personal nurse and Shelley's son Tim (Tim McCallum) makes the discovery of a lifetime, it's only a matter of time before "living-ghost" Revenant, malevolent store-front dummy Manikin, and toothy were-rat Vermin leap from the screen to torment the living once again. Thankfully the bad guys aren't the only ones with the power to make the leap from fantasy to reality, and with a little help from screen sheriff Jay Forrest (Adam Baldwin), young Tim and his friends may be able to ensure that this screening of "Monsters on the Loose" doesn't go from limited run to extended engagement. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Linda Blair, Adam Baldwin, (more)
In the concluding half of NYPD Blue's ninth-season finale, a baffling case involving an apparently murdered 12-year-old child takes yet another twist when a surprising new suspect looms on the horizon. Meanwhile, another homicide case is investigated, this one involving a man named Larry Tyner (Ted Marcoux), who claims to be a serial rapist despite the fact that everyone who knows Larry thinks the world of him. And still reeling from a plethora of personal crises and setbacks, Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) draws up papers to make certain that his son Theo (Austin Majors) will have a legal guardian "just in case." Finally, John Clark Sr. (Joe Spano) admits that he loves his son John Jr. (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) -- to everyone but John Jr. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Henry Simmons
KACL manager Kenny (Tom McGowan) figures that Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) could improve his following amongst younger listeners if he agrees to appear on the station's public-service program "Teen Scene." Confidentially, Frasier gears up for questioning from the show's panel of high-school journalists. Unfortunately, the show's host has nothing but contempt for Frasier, and as a result, our hero ends up a laughing stock to listeners of all ages. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the first half of Frasier's ninth-season opener, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) finds himself on familiar territory as he is torn between two loves: Claire (Patricia Clarkson), with whom he'd vacationed in Belize in the series' season-eight finale, and Lana (Jean Smart), a troublesome but undeniably fascinating lady from his past. As he mulls over the dilemma, Frasier reflects upon all the loves of his life -- including (in dream sequences), his ex-wife Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) and his Cheers inamorata Diane Chambers (Shelley Long). Originally telecast as a one hour-special (and moved from September 18, 2001, to September 25 due to network coverage of the 9/11 tragedy), this episode has since been reedited as two half-hours for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In this follow-up to the previous episode "Semi-Decent Proposal", Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) has fallen for Claire (Patricia Clarkson), the attractive friend of cynical divorcée Lana Gardner (Jean Smart). Hoping to take advantage of the situation, Lana offers to fix Frasier up with Claire--but only if he will agree to tutor Lana's son Kirby (Brian Klugman). Alas, Kirby refuses to hunker down to his studies unless Frasier arranges at date between him and Roz (Peri Gilpin). This episode and "A Passing Fancy" were originally telecast in tandem as a single, one-hour "special." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the concluding half of Frasier's ninth-season opener, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) continues mulling over the past loves of his life as he tries to choose between his current amours Claire (Patricia Clarkson) and Lana (Jean Smart). In a surrealistic climax, virtually all of Frasier's women from past episodes (most of them played by the actresses who originated the roles) converge upon him -- including his late mother. Originally telecast as a one hour-special (and moved from September 18, 2001, to September 25 due to network coverage of the 9/11 tragedy), this episode has since been reedited as two half-hours for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Jean Smart reprises her Emmy-winning role as Frasier's former high- school crush Lana Gardner (who was given a different character name in her first appearance -- a name that had to be altered for legal reasons). Now a successful and overbearingly cynical real-estate agent, Lana still believes that Frasier worships at her feet and to that end maneuvers him into escorting her to her own "surprise" party. Upon arrival, however, Frasier only has eyes for Lana's friend, Claire (Patricia Clarkson). This episode was originally shown back-to-back with the thematically similar episode "A Passing Fancy." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Once again, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) must bargain with his crafty and cunning former student Kirby (Brian Klugman). This time, both Frasier and Niles (David Hyde Pierce) converge upon the boy, in hopes of glimpsing (and hopefully sampling) a rare bottle of wine owned by a rich relative of Kirby's current girlfriend. Meanwhile, grumpy Martin (John Mahoney) balks at wearing his new blood-pressure monitor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
A recent college graduate tragically, yet somewhat hilariously, hooks up with a group of rich, risk-taking crowd that delights in violence and chemical abuse. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Esteban Powell, A.J. Buckley, (more)
The fine line between investigating a character's feelings and wanting to kill yourself gets played for laughs in this dark comedy. Matt (Jamie Harris) is a screenwriter whose career is not going especially well and whose personal life is dwindling into nothingness. Matt starts talking with his friends about suicide, and nearly all of them become deeply concerned, convinced his depression has taken him over the edge. Matt insists to all around him that his questions about killing himself are merely part of his research for a script about a man who has turned suicidal. But his ex-girlfriend Amanda (Alison Eastwood) is the only one that seems to believe it. Suicide, the Comedy is dominated by close relatives of the rich and famous; Jamie Harris is the son of Richard Harris, Alison Eastwood is Clint Eastwood's daughter, and Chad Lowe, brother of Rob Lowe, appears in the supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jamie Harris, Alison Eastwood, (more)
- Starring:
- Carmine Giovinazzo, Jake Busey, (more)
After the success of Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and television's Dawson's Creek, screenwriter Kevin Williamson made his directorial debut with this screwball thriller in which an honor roll student and two friends kidnap their witchy teacher. Although her single mom (Lesley Ann Warren), a waitress, struggles to make ends meet, aspiring writer Leigh Ann Watson (Katie Holmes) works hard, avoids sexual temptation, and focuses on her studies. She hopes to make valedictorian and earn a scholarship to college -- and get away from her dead-end hometown. As her senior year draws to a close, however, she's dogged by harsh grades from her vituperative history instructor, Mrs. Tingle (Helen Mirren). On the same day she finds out that she's still in second place behind fellow valedictory candidate Mary Beth Carter (Liz Stauber), Leigh Ann must endure Mrs. Tingle's fierce criticism of the final project into which she's poured her heart. After commiserating with her best friend, aspiring actress Jo Lynn Jordan (Marisa Coughlan), and hunky stoner Luke Churner (Barry Watson), Leigh Ann runs even further afoul of Mrs. Tingle; Luke stashes an advance copy of the teacher's final exam in Leigh Ann's backpack and Tingle discovers it, promising to turn Leigh Ann in for cheating and ruin her chances of a better life. When the three teens turn up at Tingle's house to try to reason with her, Luke and Jo Lynn manage to accidentally kidnap Mrs. Tingle. Soon the three students are keeping their teacher a prisoner, trying to figure out how to blackmail her into silence while maintaining the illusion that nothing strange is going on. Teaching Mrs. Tingle was filmed under the name "Killing Mrs. Tingle," but the title was changed after a rash of real-life high school killing sprees made the headlines. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Helen Mirren, Katie Holmes, (more)
Carol (Julianna Margulies) comforts a security guard (Michael Rapaport) as he lies dying from severe chemical burns. The other staffers tend to a young man (Keith Bogart) who fell 75 feet into the Chicago river. Also part of the ER caseload is an elderly couple who may or may not have AIDs, and a heroin-addicted infant named Josh McLean. And elsewhere, Benton (Eriq La Salle) is none too happy that Carla (Lisa Nicole Carson) has invited her boyfriend to Reese's baptism. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
After the Huntington Hills High graduation ceremony, the fun gets underway at the graduation party where an assortment of jocks, geeks, prom queens, bimbos, headbangers, and nerdy misfits unload four years' worth of emotional baggage at a house where the hostess (Michelle Brookhurst) loses control of her guests. Writer wannabe Preston Meyers (Ethan Embry) has been in love with Amanda (Jennifer Love Hewitt of Party of Five) since the first time he saw her during their freshman year. His tormented infatuation with Amanda has intensified throughout high school and culminates at the party, where Preston must now seize this final opportunity to proclaim his love for her before he leaves the next day for Boston. Preston decides to make his move at some point during the party, a particularly auspicious occasion since Amanda has just been dumped by her super-jock boyfriend, Mike Dexter (Peter Facinelli), who wanted freedom to pursue his testosterone-charged fantasies with college women. Cringing at this ludicrous love triangle is Preston's introverted pal and confidante, Denise Fleming (Lauren Ambrose). When Denise runs into her ex-childhood friend Kenny (Seth Green), the two begin sexual experimentation behind the closed bathroom door. Geeky science-fiction fan William Lichter (Charlie Korsmo) devises a plan to ruin Mike's stud reputation and publicly humiliate him and his meathead buddies -- sweet revenge for four years of agony. Former Huntington Hills graduate Trip McNieley (Jerry O'Connell) tells Mike about the terror awaiting in college where "Guys like us are a dime a dozen." Yearbook Girl (Melissa Joan Hart of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch) wants everyone to sign her cherished volume of memories as the partying teens attempt to move into the uncertain future. Party house exteriors were shot on Rubio Street in Altadena, California, and other California locations included Johnnie's Broiler in downtown Downey, Dutton's Book Store in Reseda, Marshall High School in Los Feliz, and Union Station in LA. With more than 70 speaking parts, this film is the directorial debut of the scriptwriting team of Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jennifer Love Hewitt, Ethan Embry, (more)


















