Matthew McGrory Movies
The seven-and-a-half-foot-tall American actor Matthew McGrory has a mild-mannered speaking voice and a composed screen presence. Growing up in suburban Pennsylvania, McGrory played drums and studied at Widener University. His proportions earned him media exposure when he was named as having the largest feet in the world (size 29 1/2) by the Guinness Book of World Records in 1992. Since then, he has warmly embraced his status and participated in various radio, television, and film projects.On television, McGrory has appeared on various talk shows, from Oprah to Howard Stern. As a guest star, he's made memorable appearances on FOX's Malcolm in the Middle, the WB's Charmed, and HBO's Carnivàle. MTV audiences may recognize him from the Marilyn Manson music video for "Coma White" and the Iron Maiden music video for "Wickerman." In 1999, he made his film debut in the low-budget horror movie The Dead Hate the Living. Other big-screen roles followed in Bubble Boy, Men in Black II, and House of 1000 Corpses, and in the short film Apple Jack. His major breakthrough came in 2003 as the gentle giant Karl in Tim Burton's warm family drama Big Fish. As Karl, McGrory got a chance to showcase his calm, dreamy demeanor with a real speaking part. Big Fish was nominated for several Golden Globes and an Oscar. Projects for 2004 include Geofrey Hildrew's Big Time and Drew Sky's Planet of the Pitts. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
Jake Gyllenhaal, the young star of the critically well-received October Sky (1999), follows up that film with this offbeat comedy. Gyllenhaal stars as Jimmy Livingston, a teenager with an immune system deficiency who has spent his entire life living in a plastic bubble under the doting, overprotective care of his mother (Swoosie Kurtz). Jimmy is in love with his next-door neighbor Chloe (Marley Shelton), so when he learns that she has left for Niagara Falls in order to be married, he's devastated. He quickly assembles a portable "bubble suit" and sets out on a 2,755.8-mile odyssey in order to stop her and proclaim his affection. Along the way, Jimmy experiences a number of adventures, including encounters with freaks, bikers, rock stars, and a cult. Bubble Boy is a comic riff on the classic TV movie The Boy in the Plastic Bubble (1976), which starred a young John Travolta. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jake Gyllenhaal, Swoosie Kurtz, (more)
Taking his cue from such 1970s horror classics as The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) and The Hills Have Eyes (1977), animated rocker Rob Zombie goes celluloid with the throwback shocker House of 1000 Corpses. Running low on gas as they travel the highways of America in search of the ultimate roadside attraction, a group of teens pull into Captain Spaulding's (Sid Haig) museum of oddities (which also offers fried chicken and gasoline) only to become obsessed with uncovering the mystery of a legendary local maniac known only as Dr. Satan. When an attractive and mysterious hitchhiker subsequently offers to give the thrill seekers a personal tour of Dr. Satan's old stabbing grounds, a breakdown forces them to take refuge with a group of menacing oddballs as a fearsome storm rages outside. As the evening progresses and the backwoods hosts' Halloween festivities become ever more threatening, the teens soon realize that the legend of Dr. Satan may hold a bit more contemporary weight than any of them had previously thought. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, (more)
- 2003
Emerging from the mansion's plumbing system, the legendary Lady of the Lake (Danielle Bisutti) solicits the aid of the Charmed Ones to protect the enchanted sword Excalibur. As a result, innumerable strange characters -- possessing powers ranging from evil to really evil -- show up at mansion, hoping to pull the fabled sword from the fabled stone. As it turns out, the only one capable of pulling it off (or should that be "pulling it out"?) is Piper (Holly Marie Combs), who now must locate Excalibur's rightful owner before the sword's power overwhelms and destroys her. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Krause, Dorian Gregory, (more)
Tim Burton directs the fantasy drama Big Fish, based on the book Big Fish: A Novel of Mythic Proportions by Southern writer/illustrator Daniel Wallace. Billy Crudup plays William Bloom, a young man who never really knew his dying father, Edward (Albert Finney) outside of the tall tales he told about growing up, making his way, and meeting his mother (played as a young woman by Alison Lohman and in older age by Jessica Lange). During Edward's last days, William and his wife Josephine (Marion Cotillard) hold bedside vigil as the old man recollects elaborate memories of his youth (in which he is played by Ewan McGregor). Still doubting the the legends and folklore, William makes a journey to meet a mysterious woman (Helena Bonham Carter) from whom Edward had bought property. Steve Buscemi and Danny De Vito also star. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, (more)
- 2004
The Spider Demon (Jodi Lyn O'Keefe), who appears once every century to feed upon the most magicially powerful being on earth, kidnaps and cocoons our gal Piper (Holly Marie Combs). In his efforts to protect his future mother, Whitelighter Chris (Drew Fuller) is himself infected by the Spider Demon's venom. As Paige (Rose McGowan), Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), and Leo (Brian Krause) prepare to go to the rescue, Leo makes a disturbing discovery about Chris. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Krause, Drew Fuller, (more)
Directed by the prolific Rob Zombie, The Devil's Rejects is a sequel of sorts to 2003's House of 1000 Corpses, and picks up several weeks after House left off. This time, the clash revolves around the tribe of violent lunatics and decidedly valueless family members of the original film, who have come to be known as the "Devil's Rejects." After learning of the extended family's horrific attacks, a SWAT team is sent to take them into custody; all but their crazed Mama escape. In addition to creating a full-fledged media circus, this sends the sociopath housemates on the run, and they initiate a deadly road trip. Meanwhile, Mama has to deal with a violent, vengeful sheriff (William Forsythe). The Devil's Rejects features Bill Moseley, Sid Haig, Sheri Moon, Michael Berryman, and Ken Foree, among other cult horror regulars. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, (more)
