Ted Rooney Movies
- 2007
Rory (Alexis Bledel) escorts Logan to Stars Hollows' annual Spring Fling--which, thanks to the shortsightedness of Taylor Doose (Michael Winters), has been transformed into a "Hay Bale Maze" (it makes more sense on the screen than in print!) Lorelai (Lauren Graham) is none too pleased about the situation at hand, believing that Logan is far too immature to enter into a lasting relationship with her daughter. In other developments, Rory is torn between accepting a plum job with a Providence newspaper or trying for a fellowship; and Lorelai and Luke (Scott Patterson) experience that long-awaited Defining Moment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2007
Rory's graduation party is quite a spectacle, involving virtually everyone in Stars Hollow. During the festivities, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Christopher (David Sutcliffe) are briefly reunited, and Logan (Matt Czuchry) shows up to propose marriage--and this time he won't leave until he gets an answer. Characteristically, Rory (Alexis Bledel) agonizes over her answer, which when it finally is given proves to be quite a surprise. Meanwhile, a sullen Luke (Scott Patterson) is convinced that Lorelei's drunken declaration of love was merely a case of the liquor doing all the talking. This episode marks the final apparances of series regulars Liz Weil, Matt Czuchry and Danny Strong. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2007
To help Rory (Alexis Bledel) get over her nervousness concerning her graduation, Lorelai takes her daughter out on a shopping and dining binge. Luke (Scott Patterson) joins the ladies along the way, and they all end up at a karoake bar, where Rory manages to get Lorelai drunk. What follows is a boozy but sincere rendition of a Dolly Parton song in which Lorelai reveals the depth of her feelings for Luke. Meanwhile, Zach (Todd Lowe) is offered a job opportunity that may separate him from his family for several months; and Logan (Matt Czuchry demands an answer from Rory. This episode marks the last appearance of Vanessa Marano as April Nardini. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2007
In the series finale of Gilmore Girls, Rory (Alexis Bledel) has shed herself of Logan and is planning a summer post-graduation trip with Lorelai (Lauren Graham). Those plans are abruptly shelved when Rory is offered a dream job as a political reporter--an event prologued by a surprise meeting with her idol, CNN correspondent Christian Amanpour. Faced with the inevitability of life without her daughter, Lorelai tries to keep busy so she won't break down. Elsewhere, the likelihood of a heavy rain finds Luke (Scott Patterson) making extra-special preparations for Rory's outdoor graduation party--and in the process, Lorelei at long last comes to her senses regarding her relationship with Luke. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2006
Just before Christopher (David Sutcliffe) is to join Lorelei (Lauren Graham) for Friday Night Dinner at her parents' house, the couple has a bitter quarrel over Christopher's daughter GiGi (Nicolette Collier). In her usual inimitable manner, however, Lorelai's mother Emily (Kelly Bishop) chooses to ignore how thick the air is at the dinner table. As for Lorelai's own daughter Rory (Alexis Bledel), her reunion with Logan (Matt Czuchry) is a lot less fond than she'd anticipated, thanks to the presence of Logan's sexy new coworker. And elsewhere in Stars Hollow, Taylor (Michael Winters) alienates everyone (again!) by refusing to do anything about a malodorous trainload of spoiled pickles that has derailed just outside of town. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Rory (Alexis Bledel) faces her upcoming 21st birthday with sadness, resigned to the fact that mother Lorelei (Lauren Graham) will not attend. Meanwhile, her grandfather Richard (Edward Herrmann) wants Rory and to make up with Lorelai -- but only so that Rory will be persuaded to return to Yale. Meanwhile, the depth of the relationship between Rory and Logan (Matt Czuchry) continues to be a source of anxiety for both Richard and his wife Emily (Kelly Bishop). Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright appears as herself (in a nightmare sequence!). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
The day after the big wedding fracas, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) desperately searches for Luke (Scott Patterson), hoping to make things up with him -- but he isn't buying, at least not just yet. Meanwhile, the troublesome Taylor (Michael Winters) has divided the town into two camps, one pro-Lorelai, one pro-Luke. And back at Yale, Rory (Alexis Bledel) seeks out Logan (Matt Czuchry) in hopes of giving their budding relationship a boost; unfortunately, Rory may be unable to maintain a proper poker face during Logan's card game. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Barry Levinson directed this comedy in which success has a rather surprising effect on two old buddies. Nick Vanderpark (Jack Black) and Tim Dingman (Ben Stiller) are best friends and next-door neighbors who work together at a sandpaper factory. Nick and Tim often find themselves wishing for something more from life, and Nick has a habit of dreaming up harebrained get-rich-quick schemes that usually end in disaster. Tim is particularly appalled by Nick's latest idea, "Vapoorizer," a cleaning product which will make pet feces magically disappear, but to their shock, it turns out to be an incredible success, and before long Nick is wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. Tim, however, is still the same guy getting by in suburbia he's always been, and soon Tim finds himself bitterly resentful of his old friend. As Nick gets richer, Tim gets angrier, and he develops a drinking problem. One night, in a bar, Tim meets an eccentric drifter (Christopher Walken) who offers him some not-so-friendly advice on getting even with his old friend. Envy also stars Rachel Weisz and Amy Poehler as Tim and Nick's much-put-upon spouses. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Stiller, Jack Black, (more)
- 2004
Flamboyant Hailey Nichol (Amanda Righetti) finds out the hard way that she is not entirely welcome in the Newport home of her sister, Kirsten (Kelly Rowan), and brother-in-law, Sandy (Peter Gallagher). Seth (Adam Brody) and Anna (Samaire Armstrong) are nervous about revealing their relationship to Summer (Rachel Bilson). And while attending a concert where Rooney is performing, Oliver (Taylor Handley) gets into big trouble; will Ryan (Ben McKenzie) come to the rescue despite Oliver's suspiciously close friendship with Marissa (Mischa Barton)? ~ All Movie Guide
- 2003
In the third-season finale of Gilmore Girls, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) make their first tentative moves toward purchasing a new bed-and-breakfast called the Dragonfly Inn -- but they may not be able to afford the place thanks to an unanticipated financial setback. Elsewhere, Chilton Prep valedictorian Rory (Alexis Bledel) delivers a commencement address that will never be forgotten. Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) come through with a graduation gift that proves to be more beneficial to Lorelai than to Rory. And Luke (Scott Patterson) prepares to embark upon an ocean cruise with his lady love Nicole, little suspecting what is in store for both of them! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
Season four of Gilmore Girls begins as Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel) return to Stars Hollow after spending the summer backpacking through Europe. Lorelai's very good friend Luke (Scott Patterson) has likewise kept busy the past summer, getting married to -- and separated from -- his latest amour Nicole. With only three days at her disposal, Rory assembles what is necessary to launch her freshman year at Yale University, while Lorelai's business partner Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) tries to balance her work as co-owner of the new Dragonfly Inn with her impending motherhood. And elsewhere, hurt feelings dictate the curious behavior of Lorelei's mother Emily (Kelly Bishop) and all-purpose town curmudgeon Taylor Doose (Michael Winters). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Former co-stars of the TV sitcom Head of the Class teamed up to write the story and script for this teen comedy. When junior high-school student Jason Shepherd (Frankie Muniz) realizes that his class paper has been ripped off and turned into a hit motion picture called "Big Fat Liar," he takes matters into his own hands. Along with his best friend, Kaylee (Amanda Bynes), Jason travels to Los Angeles, where he intends to confront Hollywood big shot Marty Wolf (Paul Giamatti), the sleazy producer responsible for ripping him off. When he's unable to get Wolf to do the right thing, Jason subjects the showbiz power broker to a series of humiliating pranks and stunts designed to make an honest man out of him. Big Fat Liar co-stars Lee Majors and Amanda Detmer. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Muniz, Paul Giamatti, (more)
A retired detective must battle former colleagues and his own failing health in order to bring a murderer to justice in this action drama produced and directed by its star, Clint Eastwood. Terry McCaleb (Eastwood) was one of the best and most thorough detectives at the FBI's Southern California office, until a massive heart attack sidelined him from police work for good. Following a heart transplant which saved his life, McCaleb has resigned himself to living quietly on a houseboat for the rest of his days, observing a strict health regimen prescribed by his cardiologist, Dr. Bonnie Fox (Anjelica Huston). However, McCaleb is persuaded to take on one last case through the insistence of a woman named Graciela Rivers (Wanda De Jesus). Rivers's sister was murdered in cold blood by a mugger, and her heart was used for McCaleb's transplant; now, Rivers wants McCaleb to find her sister's killer. McCaleb agrees to take on the case, but he quickly discovers his weakened physical condition makes the rigors of handling an investigation far harder and more difficult than its ever been before; he also can no longer drive a car, and must persuade his oddball friend from the marina,Buddy Noone (Jeff Daniels), to ferry him around town. Before long, despite these drawbacks, McCaleb discovers evidence which suggests the murderer may be a serial who uses random street robberies as a cover, but he finds that Ronaldo Arrango (Paul Rodriguez) and John Waller (Dylan Walsh), the police detectives assigned to the case, are not especially interested in sharing the glory (or their legwork) with the former FBI point man. Blood Work was adapted from the novel by Michael Connelly; Brian Helgeland wrote the screenplay. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clint Eastwood, Jeff Daniels, (more)
- 2002
Lorelai (Lauren Graham) is determined to win Stars Hollow's annual 24-hour dance marathon, if only to stifle the obnoxiousness of perennial champion Kirk (Sean Gunn). With no one else available, Lorelai chooses Rory (Alexis Bledel) as her partner, a gesture which leads to trouble when Rory spots Jess (Milo Ventimiglia) and Shane (Jessica Kiper) together at the dance -- and this, in turn, leads to a shocking public outburst by Dean (Jared Padalecki). And elsewhere on the romantic front, Paris (Liza Weil) can't concentrate on an upcoming Chilton social event when her heartthrob Jamie (Brandon Barash) unexpectedly arrives in town. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel) are placed in an awkward position when they agree to attend three different Thanksgiving dinners -- and things get even more awkward when they also agree to show up at Emily and Richard's house. The only way out of this social dilemma is to actually consume four dinners within a 24-hour period, beginning with the deep-fried repast at the Kim household. Then it is off to the home of Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) and Jackson (Jackson Douglas), thence to Luke's diner. Finally the ladies arrive at the Elder Gilmores' house -- where Lorelai has a hissy fit upon discovering that Rory has applied to Yale. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Reese Witherspoon stars in this romantic comedy, the feature film debut of award-winning Australian director Robert Luketic. As a ravishing Miss Hawaiian Tropic, sorority president, and calendar girl, Elle Woods (Witherspoon) is a big hit on the campus of her sun-drenched Los Angeles college. She's also got the perfect boyfriend in Warner Huntington III (Matthew Davis), a wealthy East Coast blue blood. Fearing that his snooty friends and family will never accept the bubble-headed Elle, however, Warner dumps her before heading off to graduate law school at Harvard University. Determined to win back her man, Elle enrolls in the same imposing institution, quickly becoming an object of scorn and ridicule, especially to Warner's old prep school flame (Selma Blair). Despite her penchant for malls, makeup, and tanning, Elle is no dummy and is soon showing elite Ivy League snobs a thing or two about class, self-confidence, and courtroom victory. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Reese Witherspoon, Luke Wilson, (more)
- 2000
Intergalactic con artists Dela (Kaitlin Hopkins) and Mobar (Greg Daniel) hit upon a scheme to cheat various unfortunates out of crucial supplies. Using a seemingly endless array of disguise materials, the two crooks pose as Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and other members of the Voyager crew. In order to avoid arrest for the crimes committed by their lookalikes, the crew volunteers to capture Dala and Mobar -- only to be hoodwinked themselves! "Live Fast and Prosper" originally aired on April 19, 2000, thereby breaking a month-long rerun cycle on Star Trek: Voyager. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roxann Dawson
The personal lives of five exotic dancers go under the microscope in this drama, the first American feature from director Michael Radford. Eddie (Robert Wisdom) is the manager of a strip club in suburban California known as the Blue Iguana, where he keeps an eye on the women who make their living dancing for his customers. Stormy (Sheila Kelley) is an attractive, thick-skinned woman who is getting old enough to realize her days as a dancer may be numbered. Jo (Jennifer Tilly) likes to think of herself as the Blue Iguana's star attraction, though her career may hit a detour now that she's learned she's pregnant. Angel (Daryl Hannah) is a sweet, but immature woman, who tries to deal with her fear of being unloved by adopting a child. Jasmine (Sandra Oh), an aspiring poet, tries not to get settled into a career as a stripper, while being encouraged in her writing by coffeehouse owner Dennis (Chris Hogan), who features spoken word performers. And Jesse (Charlotte Ayanna), the youngest of the performers, expresses her desperate need for approval in her desire to please the customers. Dancing at the Blue Iguana received its world premiere at the 2000 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlotte Ayanna, Daryl Hannah, (more)
- 1998
Greene (Anthony Edwards) ponders becoming the EMT medical director on a part-time basis. Benton (Eriq La Salle) worries that his son, Reese, may be hearing-impaired. Elizabeth Corday's father (Paul Freeman) arrives from England, and asks Elizabeth (Alex Kingston) to join his practice back in the old country, while Weaver (Laura Innes) offers the counter-suggestion that Elizabeth start over as an intern to learn American methods. And Carter's (Noah Wyle) first attempt to be the RA in the medical-school dorms isn't all that successful. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld) confronts Uncle Leo (Len Lesser), who claims "senior citizens' rights" when he shoplifts at a bookstore. Meanwhile, George (Jason Alexander) learns the terrible consequences of taking a big book to the store's bathroom. Kramer (Michael Richards) and Newman (Wayne Knight) combine their talents to open a rickshaw service in the heart of New York (all they need now is a rickshaw). And Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) strives to avoid the designation "office skank" by pretending she is dating the man she made out with at a party, Zach (Jonathan Penner), who also happens to have a drug habit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Several weeks after being assaulted and beaten, Greene (Anthony Edwards) returns to work, but it is obvious that he is the worse for his horrendous experience. When Carla (Lisa Nicole Carson) goes into premature labor, Benton (Eriq La Salle) can only stand by helplessly and wait. Carter (Noah Wyle) considers giving up his dreams of being a surgeon so that he can continue with ER work. And Ross (George Clooney) isn't about to let Carol (Julianna Margulies) have a quiet birthday. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
As their premature baby son struggles for his life in the ICU, Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Carla (Lisa Nicole Carson) mull over their future. Increasingly paranoid after being beaten by an unknown assailant, Greene (Anthony Edwards) purchases a gun. Anspaugh (John Aylward) is upset that Carter (Noah Wyle) wants to abandon surgery in favor of emergency medicine. Romance re-enters the lives of Ross (George Clooney) and Carol (Julianna Margulies). And troubled teenager Charlie (Kirsten Dunst) is back. This was the final episode of ER's third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Fearing that something may be wrong with Carla's (Lisa Nicole Carson) unborn baby, Benton (Eriq La Salle) illegally obtains a copy of her ultrasound. Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) finds that she has much in common with would-be suicide patient Suzane Alner (Gia Carides). Anspaugh (John Aylward) refuses to operate on a dying patient, but Carter (Noah Wyle) has other ideas. And Ross (George Clooney) contends with a determined young lady who refuses to miss her senior prom -- even if it kills her. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Carol (Julianna Margulies) suspects Ross (George Clooney) of flirting with Elizabeth Corday (Alex Kingston). Weaver (Laura Innes) makes a number of controversial policy changes. Benton (Eriq La Salle) and Carla (Lisa Nicole Carson) argue over circumcising their son, Reese. Jeanie's (Gloria Reuben) ex Al (Michael Beach) is forced to reveal that he is HIV-positive when he is injured on the job. Greene (Anthony Edwards) strikes out with Heather Morgan (Caitlin Dulany). And in keeping with the title of this episode, Jerry (Abraham Benrubi) nearly destroys the ER's waiting room with a patient's rocket launcher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Benton (Eriq La Salle) gives British surgeon Corday (Alex Kingston) a crash course in American ER procedures and later helps Carla (Lisa Nicole Carson) choose a name for their baby. Carter (Noah Wyle) and Del Amico (Maria Bello) are assigned to train two new med students, with Carter drawing the "short straw." Greene (Anthony Edwards) is handed a subpoena in the wrongful-death suit filed by the Law family. And Weaver's (Laura Innes) authority -- and imperiousness -- increases while Morganstern (William H. Macy) recovers from his heart attack. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
