Vincent Guastaferro Movies
- 2000
In this dark comedy-drama, Trip (Nathan Anderson) walks into the kitchen of his parents' house to discover his mother (Gathering Marbet) is lying on the floor, stabbed to death. His father (Jack Wallace), meanwhile, is relaxing in the living room, waiting for his buddies to show up for their weekly poker game. It doesn't take Trip very long to figure out that Dad killed Mom, presumably over her usual objections to his playing cards with the boys. Trip, however, isn't quite so blasé as his father about this incident, and as the game gets under way, he begins asking questions of his father and dropping hints to the guests in hopes that someone will catch on to what Dad has done. Jacks or Better, the debut feature from writer and director Robert Sidney Mellette, had its world premiere at the 2000 Dances With Films independent film festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Wallace, Nathan Anderson, (more)
- 1995
Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) and Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) pose as Hassidic Jews in hopes of nabbing a gang specializing in stealing Torahs. Though Lt. Fancy (James McDaniel) doesn't like the way Det. Morrissey (Conor O'Farrell) is handling a case involving several seemingly random stabbings, Fancy can't help but notice that Morrissey is getting positive results. And speaking of "positive," that's the same verdict reached in Sylvia's (Sharon Lawrence) pregnancy test. Meanwhile, Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) continues to recover from his gunshot wounds. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Simone (Jimmy Smits) manages to catch a suspected serial rapist, but his triumph is short-lived. After a violent confrontation with her battling parents, Diane (Kim Delaney) has trouble remaining sober. The victim of a shooting has been attacked several times and doesn't know why; investigating this mystery, Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) is teamed with Lesniak (Justine Miceli) -- who makes a show-stopping revelation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) has problems on several fronts. First off, he and Bobby Simone (Jimmy Smits) are investigating the disturbing murders of two children; second, his pregnant wife, Sylvia (Sharon Lawrence), is going through big-time bouts of morning sickness; and third, he doesn't like the fact that Diane (Kim Delaney) has gone off the wagon -- and has turned to Bobby instead of Andy for support. Elsewhere, Lesniak's (Justine Miceli) "private" revelation of her homosexuality is the talk of the precinct. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
When serial killer George Putnam (Tim de Zarn) is shot down and killed at the precinct station, the suspects range from the father of Putnam's last victim to the members of a support group. Simone (Jimmy Smits) and Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) arrest a surly Romanian immigrant (Richard Schiff) as a suspected carjacker -- unaware (at least at first) that their prisoner may be a terrorist. And on the romantic front, Dana (Debra Messing) again tries to woo Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) away from her sister Donna (Gail O'Grady), while the once-burned Lesniak (Justine Miceli) is reluctant to pursue her relationship with her partner Martinez (Nicholas Turturro). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Although the corrupt Borough commander Haverell has been forcibly retired, Haverell's replacement, Clifford Bass (Larry Joshua), proves to be just as big a bureaucratic pain in the neck to Lt. Fancy (James McDaniel). Bass' interference bogs down the investigation of a woman's charges that her ex-husband murdered her daughter. On other fronts, Simone (Jimmy Smits) is distressed to learn that a childhood friend is mixed up in a mob-controlled nightclub. And Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) and Lesniak (Justine Miceli) go after a "cosmetic" con artist. Guest star Shirley Knight won an Emmy award for her performance as Agnes Cantwell. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
The owner of a gay bar is killed and a suspect is hauled in. The pregnant wife of Lt. Fancy (James McDaniel) goes into a very difficult labor. Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) investigates when a neighbor breaks out in a rash, ostensibly the result of a curse invoked by a crooked fortuneteller. And Dan Breen (Peter Boyle), the AA sponsor for Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz), ignores Andy's advice and pays a visit to his disturbed son Danny (Enrico Colantoni) -- with tragic results. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Recognizing his problem, Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) attends an open AA meeting. Donna (Gail O'Grady) has high hopes when she learns that Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) has again left his wife. Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) sparks racial tensions when, after shooting a black motorist, he is unable to prove that the man drew on him first. And seeking spiritual solace, Janice (Amy Brenneman) confesses to a priest (Dean Norris) that it was she who killed mobster Marino. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
It's an evening of togetherness as Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) and Sylvia Costas (Sharon Lawrence) move in together, and Donna Abandando's sister Dana (future Will & Grace star Debra Messing) moves in with Donna (Gail O'Grady) and Greg Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) -- whereupon Dana starts putting her on moves on Greg. In other developments, Simone (Jimmy Smits) has trouble believing the confession of his friend's son (Adam Hann-Byrd) regarding a school shooting. And while Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) and Lesniak (Justine Miceli) prepare to file charges against a man who knowingly transmitted HIV to his girlfriends, one of the man's victims grimly prepares her own brand of justice. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Dan Breen (Peter Boyle), Sipowicz's AA sponsor, is beaten up by his own son (Enrico Colantoni). Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) and Simone (Jimmy Smits) follow the slimmest of clues when the charred body of a pregnant prostitute is found. And Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) and Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) aren't altogether convinced when a two-bit con man (Paul Ben-Victor) insists that he was the brains behind a pawnshop robbery. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) comes to the rescue when a fellow cop dies -- and not in the line of duty -- in the apartment of Andy's prostitute friend Lois (Shannon Cochran). Lesniak (Justine Miceli) is harassed on the job by her former boyfriend -- also a cop. And in the midst of investigating the death of a baby in a drive-by, Kelly (David Caruso) is called on the carpet by the IAB's Cmdr. Haverill (James Handy) for past dereliction of duty. This highly rated episode represents the final NYPD Blue appearance of David Caruso. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
NYPD Blue begins its second season with 15th Precinct police officer Janice Licalsi (Amy Brenneman) on trial for the killing of mob functionary Marino. Despite having suppressed evidence that would have incriminated Janice, Detective John Kelly (David Caruso) testifies on her behalf -- and outside chambers, Kelly tells Robin Wirkus (Debrah Farentino) of his innermost feelings. Elsewhere, the squad investigates a series of robberies targeting drug dealers, and Andy Sipowicz, (Dennis Franz), busy on a case involving a battered wife, must agree to signing a contract with his AA sponsor, Dan Breen (Peter Boyle), before renewing his romance with another recovering alcoholic. With this episode, Gail O'Grady (Donna Abandando), Gordon Clapp (Greg Medavoy), and Sharon Lawrence (Sylvia Costas) graduate from recurring-characters to full "series regular" status. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Robin Wirkus (Debrah Farentino) is upset by the terms of her late husband's will, which will provide for Kelly (David Caruso) so long as he keeps an eye on Robin. Elsewhere, the discovery of the "wrong" corpse leads to a murder conspiracy involving a hotelier and a concierge. And Sipowicz's (Dennis Franz) teenaged son, Andy Jr. (Michael DeLuise), faces a drug charge. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) goes after a private eye who may be cheating his client by feeding him with false hopes about his missing child. The father of a 13-year-old murdered in the street seeks out justice on his own when the killer injures LaSalle (Wendy Makkena) and escapes. Will this incident hurt LaSalle's chances of landing a job at a local equal-employment-opportunity office? Real-life NYPD commissioner Raymond Kelly appears, uncredited, as himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
The nervous witness to a murder committed by the Cepeda brothers proves to have good reason to be scared. Meanwhile, Kelly (David Caruso) tries to find out if his ex-wife, Laura (Sherry Stringfield), is being stalked. As these two plot strands are woven together by a sting operation involving an incarcerated Mob hit man, Roberts (Michael Harney) seeks out Kelly's help in securing work as a private bodyguard. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Roy Larson (John Wesley Shipp), the macho-man partner of Janice Licalsi (Amy Brenneman), is suspected of using steroids and ordered to take a drug test. Assistant DA Sylvia Costas (Sharon Lawrence) carries a torch for Sipowicz (Dennis Franz), but he continues to keep his distance. The death of an informant causes trouble for Roberts (Michael Harney) -- and, later, for Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) and Medavoy (Gordon Clapp). And Laura (Sherry Stringfield) wants to re-open a tricky murder case, much to the dismay of her ex-husband, John Kelly (David Caruso). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) looks for the person who mugged a disabled (but as it turns out, far from helpless) Vietnam veteran. Along the way, he has another run-in with Assistant DA Sylvia Costas (Sharon Lawrence). While moonlighting, Kelly (David Caruso) finds out that his wealthy friend's sweetheart is playing around -- which leads to deeper complications. Suffering from stress, Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) nonetheless continues juggling the affection of his wife and his girlfriend, Donna (Gail O'Grady). There's also a surprise wedding in the offing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Now back on active duty, Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) disagrees with Detective Walker (Robert Breuler) over the guilt of a robbery-homicide suspect -- but uncharacteristically keeps his mouth shut. Though no longer moonlighting as the bodyguard of wealthy Susan Wagner (Wendie Malick), Kelly (David Caruso) nonetheless issues a harsh warning to Susan's abusive husband -- who subsequently turns up dead. Kelly's estranged wife, Laura (Sherry Stringfield), prepares to join the narcotics division of the DA's office. And Laura's neighbor Goldstein (David Schwimmer), now a neighborhood hero for his shooting of a mugger, becomes increasingly, and dangerously, paranoid. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Facing corruption charges because of past Mob ties, the father of officer Janice Licalsi (Amy Brenneman) takes drastic action. Confined to a desk while recovering from his wounds, Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) demands that Fancy (James McDaniel) return him to street duty. While helping Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) investigate a murder involving a pair of career-criminal brothers, Kelly (David Caruso) moonlights as a security guard for Susan Wagner (Wendie Malick), who is being abused by her wealthy husband. And Goldstein (David Schwimmer) wants to recover the gun he used to shoot his assailant. This was the first NYPD Blue episode to carry the "viewer discretion" warning in the pages of TV Guide. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Visiting his drug-addicted brother Roberto (Mark Adair-Rios), detective Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) finds out that Roberto's landlord is a crooked cop who is shaking down his tenants on behalf of the Mob. After one of the tenants is murdered, Martinez wants to take action against the bad cop, but Kelly (David Caruso) intervenes. Meanwhile, newly appointed ADA Laura (Sherry Stringfield) turns up the heat on Giardella (Robert Costanzo). And the 15th Precinct is bedeviled by an inveterate practical joker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Just as they're closing in on the Mob, Kelly (David Caruso) and Fancy (James McDaniel) are ordered to turn off the heat. Though Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) will recover from his shooting, he may not be able to remember who tried to kill him. As Kelly's soon-to-be-ex-wife, Laura (Sherry Stringfield), prepares to go into private law practice, her neighbor Goldstein (David Schwimmer) arms himself against the possibility that he'll be mugged again. And despite orders to kill Kelly, Janice (Amy Brenneman) knocks off the man who ordered the hit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
NYPD Blue was already off and running in its debut episode, in which Detective John Kelly (David Caruso), in the middle of an acrimonious marital breakup, is faced with the loss of his partner, Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz). Kelly's wife, Laura (Sherry Stringfield), is working on her divorce papers with her neighbor Josh "4B" Goldstein (David Schwimmer), who is subsequently the victim of a mugging. Meanwhile, the burned-out Sipowicz gets in dutch with the IAB for putting too much heat on mob boss Giardella (Robert Costanzo), whose partner, Marino (Joe Santos), wants Kelly dead. As the episode draws to a close, Kelly has launched a romance with the woman who may turn out to be his assassin -- and Sipowicz pays a terrible price for his ruthless treatment of Giardella. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Martinez (Nicholas Turturro) takes on the case of a phony ATM machine. Lt. Fancy (James McDaniel) and his wife (Tamara Tunie) must give up a foster child to its natural mother, a recovering drug addict. Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) and Kelly (David Caruso) investigate the scene of a mob killing, finding evidence that may prove damning to Janice (Amy Breneman). And during a hostage crisis, Laura (Sherry Stringfield) again comes in contact with the man who murdered Giardella before her eyes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Christmas may be a little late for Lt. Fancy (James McDaniel), who faces the wrath of Borough Commander Haverill (James Handy) -- until Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) unexpectedly come to the rescue. Elsewhere, the Yuletide season is rudely interrupted by the kidnapping of a wealthy young girl, and by Janice's (Amy Brenneman) ever-deepening involvement with the Mob. Things aren't quite so bleak for Martinez (Nicholas Turturro), who receives a very special gift. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Suffering from a toothache, Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) ends up trying to talk a distraught dentist (Raymond Singer) out of committing suicide. LaSalle (Wendy Makkena) is given her first assignment: track down a rapist, whose latest victim is far from cooperative. Prostitute Lois (Shannon Cochran), who was instrumental in nailing Giardella, again touches base with Sipowicz. Janice's (Amy Brenneman) new partner, Roy (John Wesley Shipp), is interested in her, but not in the way one might think. And the unit is faced with the likelihood that a cross-dressing killer is at large. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
