Thomas Hauff Movies
- 2009
- PG
- Add Amelia to Queue
Hilary Swank and Richard Gere star in director Mira Nair's biopic tracing the life of famed aviator Amelia Earhart -- who made history in 1932 by becoming the first woman ever to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Five years later, as Earhart attempted to fly around the world, the pilot and her plane simply vanished after crashing into the Pacific Ocean. Christopher Eccleston and Ewan McGregor co-star in the Avalon Pictures production. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hilary Swank, Richard Gere, (more)
Director Atom Egoyan explores the concept of cyberspace as a place for redemption in this drama about an adolescent boy named Simon (Devon Bostick) who reinvents his life on the Internet. Before long, Simon's deeply personal journey provokes strong reactions from around the globe. Rachel Blanchard and Scott Speedman co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Arsinée Khanjian, Scott Speedman, (more)
Filmmaker Atom Egoyan -- a longtime onscreen collaborator with the gifted young actress Sarah Polley (The Sweet Hereafter) -- executive-produced Polley's directorial debut, Away from Her, starring Julie Christie, Olympia Dukakis, Michael Murphy, and Wendy Crewson. Adapted by Polley from a short story by Alice Munro, this small-scaled two-character drama concerns Grant (Gordon Pinsent) and Fiona (Christie), a long-married couple, well into their golden years, who are much in love and connected to one another on every level. "Soul mates" in the purest sense of the term, the two feel a sense of ease and tranquility in their rural home. But when Fiona's memory begins to slip away and she insists on being taken to a rest home, the decision stirs up torrents of guilt and regret in Grant's heart. The rules of the center only complicate matters, as they forbid visitation and communication with Fiona for an interminable period of time. He determines to support his wife at all costs, even if must happen at the expense of his own peace of mind. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Julie Christie, Gordon Pinsent, (more)
One of the most unabashedly profane (albeit honest) TV movies ever produced for "basic" cable, A Season on the Brink is based on John Feinstein's book about the 1985-1986 Indiana Hoosiers' basketball season. Brian Dennehy heads the cast as the controversial, combative, chair-tossing Hoosiers coach Bobby Knight, whose motto is "The only two words you need to know to play basketball at Indiana: Yes, Sir!" Driving his players mercilessly, and making verbal mincemeat of fans and reporters alike, Knight isn't interested in winning any popularity contests -- he is only interested in winning games, which he does with intimidating frequency. Along the way, Knight's abrasive style has profound effects on two of his best players, Daryl Thomas (Michael James Johnson) and Steve Alford (James Lafferty) -- not to mention Bobby's assistant coaches and family members. Videotaped footage of actual games is incorporated into the dramatized re-enactments, with mixed but generally effective results. A Season on the Brink was simulcast over ESPN and ESPN2 on March 10, 2002, with the original TVMAL-rated version airing on the former service, and a "laundered" TV14LV-rated version running on the latter channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Dennehy, Duane Murray, (more)
- 1997
The tragedy of Alzheimer's Disease is at the core of this heart-tugging made-for-cable drama, starring veteran actors Richard Kiley and Eva Marie Saint. Diagnosed with Alzheimers, the brilliant doctor Gerald Klooster (Richard Kiley) would sooner die immediately than endure the agony of a progressively failing memory. Thus, he asks his loved ones to do him one final favor and assist him in committing suicide. Everyone, including Gerald's wife Ruth (Eva Marie Saint), is willing to go along with this plan--everyone that is except his youngest son, who kidnaps the old man before his last wish can be granted and brings legal action against his mom. Based on a true story, Time to Say Goodbye? first aired over the Lifetime channel on September 1, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
Lacey Chabert was still the darling of the television series Party of Five when she accepted the leading role in this suspenseful TV movie. When the biological mother of adoptee Jenny Newhall (Chabert is murdered, Jenny's adoptive father Greg (Gregory Harrison) immediately falls under suspicion. This tragic set of events rocks the small, tranquil town in which the Newhalls live to its foundations, ultimately laying bare a number of unpleasant and long-hidden secrets. Making matters worse, Greg Newhall all but confirms his "guilt" when he escapes custody--but who is the actual culprit? (You'd be surprised--or at least, that's what the film producers hoped!) Based on a novel by Patricia McDonald, When Secrets Kill first aired over CBS on April 6, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
This Canadian black comedy features lots and lots of gore as it chronicles the activities of a group of strange killers living in a warehouse apartment. The film opens with Jane, a tall woman dressed in black leather as she rapes and photographs her victim, a man in a business suit. Enter Donny and Clem, two dim-witted brothers, carrying a human head in a plastic bag. They tie up the poor business man and then argue about whether they should slice him up or burn him with a blow torch. The boys' mother firmly believes that Clem is the Messiah. Jane is Donny's girlfriend. The brothers are in trouble with another psycho killer in a red rubber suit who demands they give him $50 thousand bucks or suffer the consequences. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1992
John Wayne Gacy was a respected member of his suburban Illinois community -- he was an active member of several service organizations, ran his own business, and entertained children as Pogo the Clown in his spare time. But Gacy had a terrible secret, and before he was finally brought in by the police, he had raped and killed over 30 young men and buried them beneath his house. To Catch a Killer is a made-for-TV movie that examines Gacy's life and crimes, and Joe Kozenczak (Michael Riley), the cop who finally brought John Wayne Gacy (Brian Dennehy) to justice. The supporting cast includes Margot Kidder and Meg Foster. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Dennehy, Michael Riley, (more)
John Cusack and James Spader play against type in Kevin Wade's morality play, directed by Herbert Ross. Spader plays Tim Gerrity, a well-heeled WASP blueblood, who has dedicated his life to justice and public service. Engaged to Diana Stiles (Imogene Stubbs), the daughter of a powerful senator (Richard Widmark), Tim seems to have a rosy future ahead of him. Enter Peter Burton (John Cusack), Peter's working-class roommate at the University of Virginia. Peter, a ravenous and devouring go-getter, is out to climb the political ladder at any cost. He sees Tim and latches onto him. Their friendship blooms at the university and continues afterwards, with the weak-willed Tim constantly deferring to the antagonistic and aggressive Peter. But they finally come to blows on skis when Tim finds out that Peter has bedded Diana, who has decided to drop Tim for his lack of ambition. When Peter blackmails Senator Stiles to secure a House seat, Tim rouses himself from his lethargy to fight Peter politically. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Cusack, James Spader, (more)
- 1989
- PG13
Where has director Michael Anderson been since Logan's Run? Earning his keep on such slick TV-style time-fillers as Millennium. Kris Kristofferson plays the head of an official committee investigating the head-on collision of two commercial jets. A thorough analysis reveals the presence of a weapon of unknown origin in the wreckage; it is also pointed out that some of the victims' watches are running backwards. This, coupled with the cryptic warnings by flight attendant Cheryl Ladd to drop the investigation, prompts Kristofferson to burrow further and uncover the truth: Ladd is a sentinel from 1000 years in the future, who has come back to the 20th Century to help repopulate her dying civilization. Plot pegs and obstacles are in the hands of such sideline characters as enigmatic professor Daniel Travanti and amiable android Robert Joy. Millennium was adapted by John Varley from his own story Air Raid. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kris Kristofferson, Cheryl Ladd, (more)
Josh Morgan (Ron White) is a veteran rodeo cowboy who must care for his young son Shane (Zachary Ansley) after the death of his wife Lucy (Rebecca Jenkins) in this family drama. The two move to the ranch left to them by Shane's grandfather, but Josh can't hold a job, and Shane is in the throes of adolescent angst. Neighbor Lindsay Sutherland (Janet-Laine Green) is the veterinarian who tends to Shane's injured horse and brings father and son closer together. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ron White, Zachary Ansley, (more)
- 1987
- PG
Climb is an authentic-looking reenactment of a treacherous 1953 mountain-climbing expedition. Dr. Karl Herrligkoffer (James Hurdle), whose half-brother was killed in 1932 while attempting to scale the 26,000-foot Himalayan peak Nanga Parbar, leads a German/Austrian expedition up the same mountain two decades later. Herrligkoffer's volatile partner in this mission is headstrong mountaineer Herman Buhl (Bruce Greenwood). The film is as much a story about the conflict of temperaments between Herrligkoffer and Buhl as it is about the climb itself. Donald Shebib wrote and directed this Canadian-made "open air" adventure. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Greenwood, James Hurdle, (more)
William Friedkin, a product of television, returned to the small screen to direct the made-for-TV feature C.A.T. Squad. The titular acronym stands for Counter Assault Tactical. The heroes and heroines are fitted out with state-of-the-art hardware and weaponry that would make the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles pale with envy. Captained by Joe Cortese, the squad is assigned to an anti-terrorist mission, the goal of which is to protect a top-secret laser project. Filmed in Canada and Mexico, C.A.T. Squad was plagued by a tiny budget that grew tinier with each passing day. Friedkin had hoped to include an elaborate car chase in the manner of his earlier French Connection, but the money ran out before the vehicles could gas up. First telecast August 27, 1986, C.A.T Squad was followed by a TV movie sequel, C.A.T. Squad: Python Wolf. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
- PG
Based on a true story, this film follows the trials and tragedies that befall Walter Reamer (Tom Skerritt) and his wife, Olive (Ellen Burstyn), as they struggle to create a home and raise a family in the brutal Canadian frontier of 1919. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ellen Burstyn, Tom Skerritt, (more)
- 1979
This provocative Canadian drama observes the aftermath of a passionate incestuous affair between a brother and sister. Afterwards the two are appalled and split up. The brother heads for the city where he gets involved with another woman. Soon after moving in with her, he discovers that his sister is also in the city and that she has become a prostitute. He begins searching for her in the worst areas of town. During his journey he meets a variety of sleazeballs and scumbags until at last the siblings are reunited and able to make peace with each other. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Thomas Hauff, Paully Jardine, (more)
- 1977
This drama is based on the classic novel by W. O. Mitchell. In the story, two boys (Brian Painchaud and Douglas Junor) growing up in the Depression a small Saskatchewan town, must confront the hard facts of life as they mature. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Painchaud, Douglas Junor, (more)
