David Neale Movies
Originally titled American Meltdown, this speculative made-for-cable melodrama begins as a group of six terrorists, bearing names like Khalid, Shafig, and Ziad, take over a nuclear power plant in San Juan. It turns out that the terrorists' actions are merely symbolic, and that no real harm is intended -- but things get tragically out of control, and soon the military and the government are in full spin mode to gloss over and wash their hands of a deadly nuclear meltdown that threatens to destroy everything within driving distance of the plant. In a virtual reprise of his characterization in the TV series 24, Arnold Vosloo portrays the head of the terrorists, who are more "home grown" than anyone is willing to admit. The film is shot in a punchy, fast-cut, hand-held "breaking news" style, alternating dizzily between color and black-and-white to give it a documentary feel. Meltdown was presented by the FX cable channel on June 6, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Greenwood, Leslie Hope, (more)
Director Dominic Sena follows up his stylish action film Gone in 60 Seconds (2000) with this high-tech thriller. John Travolta stars as Gabriel Shear, a charismatic spy who plots to steal a multi-billion-dollar fortune in illegal government funds. In order to make his scheme work, however, Gabriel needs some help from a computer hacker, which is where Stanley Jobson (Hugh Jackman) comes in. Stanley has been paroled from prison after serving a lengthy sentence for penetrating the FBI's cyber-surveillance operations. Issued a restraining order that keeps him away from computers and living penniless in a trailer park, Stanley wants only to be reunited with his daughter Holly, who's in the custody of his ex-wife, now remarried to a pornographer. Gabriel and his partner Ginger (Halle Berry) offer Stanley the chance to get his child back in exchange for his help, but the hacker soon realizes he's a pawn in a larger operation than the high-tech bank heist he thought he was perpetrating. In the meantime, a dedicated federal agent (Don Cheadle), the same man who once arrested Stanley, is trying to expose Gabriel's operation. Swordfish also stars Sam Shepard and Zach Grenier. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Travolta, Hugh Jackman, (more)
- 2001
This episode takes place a decade into the future: The SG-1 team has been de-activated by the new President, the Goa'uld has been defeated, and all earthly diseases have been eradicated. This has come about thanks to the advanced technology of the Aschen, a seemingly benign alien race. But when the now-married Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) is given false information about her inability to bear children, it becomes obvious that the Aschen pose a sinister threat. The former SG-1 team members must send a message to their younger selves in the year 2000 to preserve the future of Mankind. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Seriously injured in the auto accident that killed her husband, Clare Miller (Dana Delany) has a bizarre near-death experience while on the operating table. Confined to a wheelchair after the tragedy, Clare suddenly discovers that the dream may have been no dream at all: She now has the power to heal. First curing her own physical infirmities, Clare moves on to heal others who are suffering. Unfortunately, these "miracles" are limited: Clare seems totally unable to heal the emotional problems that have distanced her from her friends and loved ones, problems that only seem to be getting worse. First telecast by ABC on March 15, 1999, the made-for-TV Resurrection is a remake of the 1980 Ellen Burstyn film of the same name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dana Delany, Brenda Fricker, (more)
As youngsters, twin brothers Max and Steven survived the car accident in which their parents were killed. At that point, Max was taken in by relatives and raised in comfort in security -- while the more seriously injured Steven remained in the hospital, where he grew to manhood harboring a twisted, vengeful soul. Now an adult, Max (Jack Wagner) is a successful, happily married business executive. Insanely jealous, Steven (also Jack Wagner) hatches a sinister scheme to "steal" Max's life by kidnapping his brother and taking his place -- in both the boardroom and the bedroom. Originally telecast by ABC on January 5, 1997, the made-for-TV Echo has been released abroad as Deadly Echo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Wagner, Alexandra Paul, (more)
