Jim Shield Movies
- 2002
The Kent family brings a teenager whom Martha (Annette O'Toole) accidentally struck with her car into their home. The teen turns out to be lad named Ryan James (Ryan Kelley), who has the power to read minds -- and who was fleeing from his homicidal stepfather at the time of the accident. Ryan's plight is peripherally linked with the efforts made by fertilizer mogul Lionel Luthor (John Glover) to persuade his own son, Lex (Michael Rosenbaum), to accept a new job in Metropolis. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Tired of Logan's (Michael Weatherly) obsessive single-mindedness, Max (Jessica Alba) takes leave of "Eyes Only" -- and gives up all thoughts of romance with Logan. This situation is dramatically altered by the intervention of international blood-smuggler Gerhardt Bronck (James Kidnie), who takes desperate measures to expose the identity of "Eyes Only." Meanwhile, Max's friend Original Cindy (Valarie Rae Miller) gets the lowdown on Normal's (J.C. MacKenzie) new girlfriend. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The true story of the formation of the Texas Rangers provides the backdrop for this youth-oriented Western. In 1875, after the Civil War, Leander McNelly (Dylan McDermott) organizes the Texas Rangers to battle the outlaws terrorizing Texas, notably crime kingpin John King Fisher (Alfred Molina). With a team of experienced gunmen (Robert Patrick and Randy Travis) and enthusiastic but green recruits (James Van Der Beek, Usher Raymond, and Ashton Kutcher), McNelly and his Rangers bring law and order to the wild Texas plains; McNelly must also keep order among his charges when two rangers fall in love with the same woman, Caroline Dukes (Rachael Leigh Cook). Tom Skerritt and Vincent Spano are also featured in the supporting cast; the screenplay, adapted from a script by John Milius, was at one time set to be filmed by Sam Peckinpah, shortly before the legendary Western director's death in 1984. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Van Der Beek, Dylan McDermott, (more)
Still in their infancy when their parents were divorced, Kelly and Chris McClain (Michelle Trachtenberg) grew up in the city with her mother, while their cowboy father Charlie (Peter Strauss) remained in the wide open spaces. When their mom is murdered, the girls are court-ordered to live with their dad, and are bitterly resentful over the fact. For his part, Charlie is taken aback by Kelly and Chris' hostility, but is willing to try to mend fences between himself in his daughter. Curiously, the mystery as to who killed the girls' mother--and why--is all but forgotten as the film focuses on the emotional impact of Charlie's reunion with his long-estranged family, with special emphasis on the relationship between Charlie and oldest daughter Kelly. Filmed under the title Cowboy Dad, A Father's Choice made its CBS network bow on January 12, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
