Amy Acker Movies
A frustrated seminary student weighs the prospect of life as a family man against a future in the clergy after meeting a beautiful volunteer while conducting missionary work on the Gulf Coast of Louisiana. Peter (Jacob Pitts) is just two years into his seminary studies when he begins to suspect that a life in the priesthood is not for him. Convinced by Father Tew (Frank Langella) to weight his options while accompanying devout classmate Gilbert (Matthew Carey) on a mission to the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, Peter discovers that his decision isn't going to be easy after at his destination and meeting impassioned volunteer Jill (Amy Acker). Jill is precisely the kind of girl Peter has always dreamt of, attractive and idealistic, while no-nonsense social justice advocate Father Behnke (Alan Arkin) encapsulates everything that the disillusioned seminary student wanted to be when he first began training to become a man of the cloth. Later, as the eccentric Father McIlhenny (Orson Bean) returns from performing missionary work overseas, Peter finds that the more he acts like a priest the more he entices the lovely Jill. As each character comes to a crucial crossroads in life, the decisions they make will set the course that ultimately guides them to true fulfillment. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jacob Pitts, Amy Acker, (more)
- 2003
Holy Thomas Wolfe! The same team responsible for the "retro" TV movie Surviving Gilligan's Island (including executive producer and former Gilligan co-star Dawn Wells) were responsible for this nostalgic hark back to the classic Batman TV series of the late '60s. In rehashing the creation and popularity of Batman, screenwriter Duane Poole draws heavily upon the autobiographies of stars Adam West (Batman) and Burt Ward (Robin, the Boy Wonder) -- with special emphasis on Ward's recollections of the Dynamic Duo's alleged sexual escapades both on and off the set. To avoid a dry recitation of names, dates, and statistics, the producers contrive to "bookend" the flashback sequences with a campy present-day plot line, wherein the 74-year-old Adam West and 56-year-old Burt Ward (as themselves) team up to locate the original Batmobile, which has been stolen from under their very noses at a gala auto show. An unknown enemy of the two actors plants a series of cryptic clues, leading West and Ward on a picturesque journey back to Hollywood, with memorable stopovers at a roadside bar and a restored movie palace along the way.
Every so often, the veteran performers pause to remember significant events from their Bat-past (including the adulation of fans, battles with network censors, egotistical flare-ups on the set, and their own marital breakups), while in fine old Batman tradition an unseen narrator (whose identity is sublimely significant to the story line) delivers warnings of impending doom. Also keeping in the spirit of the original series are the bizarre, off-center camera angles, the onomatopoeic "Bam!," "Pow!," and "Zowie!" superimpositions during the fight sequences, the steady stream of inside jokes (including a running gag involving Adam West's notorious stinginess), and the amusing cameo appearances by former "special guest villains": Frank Gorshin, Julie Newmar and Lee Meriwether. A bit of Pirandello wafts into the proceedings as well, whenever either West or Ward cheerily comments on the fact that he realizes he's only acting in a TV movie, or that a commercial break is overdue. Though it strains much too hard for laughs at times, the film at least deserves credit for trying to be different from the usual run of TV biopics. Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt made its CBS Bat-bow on March 9, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Every so often, the veteran performers pause to remember significant events from their Bat-past (including the adulation of fans, battles with network censors, egotistical flare-ups on the set, and their own marital breakups), while in fine old Batman tradition an unseen narrator (whose identity is sublimely significant to the story line) delivers warnings of impending doom. Also keeping in the spirit of the original series are the bizarre, off-center camera angles, the onomatopoeic "Bam!," "Pow!," and "Zowie!" superimpositions during the fight sequences, the steady stream of inside jokes (including a running gag involving Adam West's notorious stinginess), and the amusing cameo appearances by former "special guest villains": Frank Gorshin, Julie Newmar and Lee Meriwether. A bit of Pirandello wafts into the proceedings as well, whenever either West or Ward cheerily comments on the fact that he realizes he's only acting in a TV movie, or that a commercial break is overdue. Though it strains much too hard for laughs at times, the film at least deserves credit for trying to be different from the usual run of TV biopics. Return to the Batcave: The Misadventures of Adam and Burt made its CBS Bat-bow on March 9, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
As its final season began, Angel had already established a tone and theme for the year. In "Home," the final episode of season four, the titular vampire hero (David Boreanaz) had agreed to take over the Los Angeles branch of demonic law firm Wolfram & Hart. Vowing to put the firm's vast resources to work in the fight against evil, Angel and company effectively sold out -- with the best of intentions. Parent series Buffy the Vampire Slayer had recently spent its own final season developing an extended metaphor about the "war on terror." Now, Angel sets out to explore a subtler form of evil: the slippery slope of compromised idealism. Given the WB network's continued lack of faith in the show (the fifth season almost didn't happen and the sixth never did, despite a nice ratings bump) critics pointed out that Angel's decision to fight from within the belly of the beast served as a metaphor for the show's quest to tell compelling scripted stories on broadcast TV. Angel spent the season making compromises, so its producers had to settle for smaller budgets and self-contained episodes. They also had to bring Buffy alumnus James Marsters on board as a cast regular, despite his character's heroic death in the Buffy finale. With a ghostly Spike installed as Angel's gleefully snide conscience and rival, the writers brought in several other new and returning characters. Ditzy vampire bombshell Harmony (Mercedes McNab) stepped in as Angel's secretary and the show's central comic relief, while the smarmy Eve (Sarah Thompson) and the affable Knox (Jonathan M. Woodward) served as Wolfram & Hart's human faces.
As for the show's remaining mainstays, Angel romanced a werewolf named Nina (Jenny Mollen) and, along with Spike, came to terms with his feelings for his ex-girlfriend Buffy. (Much to fans' disappointment, though, Sarah Michelle Gellar did not reprise her signature role.) Street-smart demon hunter Gunn (J. August Richards) made a Faustian pact with Wolfram & Hart's senior partners and paid the price for his moral ambivalence. Scientist Fred (Amy Acker) found her soul shattered and her body colonized by an ancient demon named Illyria. Wesley (Alexis Denisof) went off the deep end when Illyria snuffed out his new romance with Fred. Only Lorne (Andy Hallett), the green-skinned empathic demon, got short shrift on the plot points, his presence reduced to the occasional quip or helping hand. This made room for a steady parade of guest stars. For the 100th episode, former Buffy and Angel regular Charisma Carpenter once more brought the caustic and beautiful Cordelia Chase to life. Vincent Kartheiser twice reprised his role as Angel's son, while Buffy vet Tom Lenk helped the fang gang keep tabs on their old friends from Sunnydale. The most unexpected guest of all came in the form of Christian Kane, whose scheming Lindsey McDonald resurfaced to set the stage for a finale that ended as abruptly and heroically as the series itself. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
As for the show's remaining mainstays, Angel romanced a werewolf named Nina (Jenny Mollen) and, along with Spike, came to terms with his feelings for his ex-girlfriend Buffy. (Much to fans' disappointment, though, Sarah Michelle Gellar did not reprise her signature role.) Street-smart demon hunter Gunn (J. August Richards) made a Faustian pact with Wolfram & Hart's senior partners and paid the price for his moral ambivalence. Scientist Fred (Amy Acker) found her soul shattered and her body colonized by an ancient demon named Illyria. Wesley (Alexis Denisof) went off the deep end when Illyria snuffed out his new romance with Fred. Only Lorne (Andy Hallett), the green-skinned empathic demon, got short shrift on the plot points, his presence reduced to the occasional quip or helping hand. This made room for a steady parade of guest stars. For the 100th episode, former Buffy and Angel regular Charisma Carpenter once more brought the caustic and beautiful Cordelia Chase to life. Vincent Kartheiser twice reprised his role as Angel's son, while Buffy vet Tom Lenk helped the fang gang keep tabs on their old friends from Sunnydale. The most unexpected guest of all came in the form of Christian Kane, whose scheming Lindsey McDonald resurfaced to set the stage for a finale that ended as abruptly and heroically as the series itself. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Boreanaz, James Marsters, (more)
A gifted forger and confidence man attempts to stay one step ahead of the lawman determined to bring him to justice in this comedy-drama from Steven Spielberg, based on a true story. Frank W. Abagnale Jr. (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a 16-year-old high school student who finds himself emotionally cut adrift when his mother, Paula (Nathalie Baye), leaves his father, Frank Abagnale Sr. (Christopher Walken), after Frank Sr. falls into arrears with the Internal Revenue Service. One day at school, Frank Jr. attempts to pass himself off as a substitute teacher, and easily makes the subterfuge work. His small-scale success gives Frank some ideas, and he soon discovers bigger and more profitable ways of hoaxing others, passing himself off as an airline pilot, a doctor, and an attorney. Along the way, Frank learns how to become a master forger, and uses his talent and charm to pass over 2.5 million dollars in phony checks. Frank's increasingly audacious work soon attracts the attention of Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), an FBI agent who is determined to put Frank behind bars. Frank seems to enjoy being pursued by Carl, and even goes so far as to call Carl on the phone to chat every once in a while. While posing as a doctor, Frank falls in love with Brenda Strong (Amy Adams), a sweet girl working as a candy striper. When Frank asks Brenda to marry him, he decides to assume a new identity to impress her father, Roger (Martin Sheen) -- who happens to be the District Attorney of New Orleans, LA. Catch Me If You Can was based on the autobiography of the real Frank W. Abagnale Jr., who has a cameo in the film and today works on the side of the law as a top consultant on preventing forgery and designing secure checking systems. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, (more)
As it began its fourth season, Angel was missing several of its key players -- not just onscreen, but also behind the scenes. Show co-creator David Greenwalt had departed, leaving Jeffrey Bell to assume the duties of show-runner after an abortive stint by David Simkins. (Meanwhile, co-creator Joss Whedon was busy overseeing the final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the short-lived space drama Firefly.) As for Angel's actual characters, the titular vampire hero (David Boreanaz) was trapped at the bottom of the ocean. Leading lady Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) had ascended to a higher plane, supposedly to serve The Powers That Be. Lounge-singing demon Lorne (Andy Hallett) had left for greener pastures -- or so he thought -- while darker-than-ever Wesley (Alexis Denisof) was still estranged from his friends. That left do-gooders Gunn (J. August Richards) and Fred (Amy Acker) to babysit the secretly traitorous Connor (Vincent Kartheiser) and wait around for word from their allies. Picking up where the previous season's extended story line had left off, the show's writers spent several episodes reuniting their ensemble only to unleash an A-list apocalypse upon them. By the time new villain The Beast (Vladimir Kulich) arrived to wreak havoc on Los Angeles and temporarily blot out the sun itself, viewers had settled in for a story line even darker and more epic than the previous season's. Now critically adored after years as an underdog, Angel still didn't attract an audience large enough to elicit faith from the WB network. The show continued to jump around the schedule and even sat out large chunks of sweeps months. All this despite a carefully negotiated return to Buffy crossovers and the return of fan-favorite character Faith (Eliza Dushku). By the time the WB and Joss Whedon's Mutant Enemy production company finally negotiated a fifth season -- with smaller budgets, more bite-sized story lines and the addition of Buffy refugee James Marsters to the cast -- changes were already afoot. The arrival of Jasmine (Gina Torres), the season's über-villain, had recast much of the Angel mythos into a dark fable of free will vs. celestial manipulation. And the casualties of Angel's battle with Jasmine included actors Vincent Kartheiser and Charisma Carpenter, both of whom were written out of the regular cast. Longtime fans were horrified at Carpenter's ouster; she had returned to film the season finale just weeks after giving birth to her first child, only to find out it was her last episode. But, with Buffy the Vampire Slayer no longer in production and Marsters preparing to reprise his fan-favorite role, Angel looked poised for a ratings bump. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, (more)
- 2001
Immediately after the events of "Through the Looking Glass," princess Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) learns that although the head and body of the Host (Andy Hallett) have been separated, he won't actually die until his body is desecrated. With help from Loren's quite animated noggin and the Groosalugg (Mark Lutz), she manages to rescue the rest of the Host's body from the defilement chamber and have it smuggled -- unharmed -- back to the Deathwok Clan. Meanwhile, Wesley (Alexis Denisof) and Gunn (J. August Richards) get involved in the battle between the warriors of the repressive Covenant of Trombli and some human rebels. Elsewhere, Fred (Amy Acker) and Angel (David Boreanaz) survive an attack from the Covenant's warriors and reconnect with Wes, Gunn, and the rebels. Wes now firmly in charge, he plans a stealth attack on the Covenant despite his certainty that some of his men will die -- and the knowledge that Angel will have to revert to his uncontrollable demon form to battle the Groosalugg (Mark Lutz). Back at the castle, a smitten Cordy learns from Groo that when they consummate their passion, her visions will pass into his half-demon body. Committed to her sacred task, she reluctantly refuses to "cum-shuk," then suffers a vision of Groo battling a monster, unaware that it's actually Angel he'll fight. The rebels attack, Groo and Angel duke it out non-fatally, and Angel gains control of his demon half. In the end, the Covenant is overthrown, democracy is established in Pylea, and Cordy bids her otherworldly lover goodbye. Thanks to the combined intellectual firepower of Wes and Fred, the team (including a fully restored Loren) returns to earth -- where Willow (Alyson Hannigan) informs them of Buffy's death. Originally broadcast May 22, 2001, on the WB network, "There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb" marked season two, episode 22 of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
If Angel's second season explored a darker tone and longer story lines with varying degrees of critical and ratings success, its third season could almost be regarded as the beginning of a single, two-year narrative. Individual episodes focused on new characters such as super-scientist Fred (Amy Acker), who became a key player at Angel Investigations; established characters such as Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter), whose very life was threatened by her supernatural visions; and the title character himself (David Boreanaz), who had to deal with the death and resurrection of yet another of his ex-girlfriends. But with parent show Buffy the Vampire Slayer having defected from the WB network to rival UPN, Angel was no longer part of a two-hour Tuesday "Buffyverse" block. Crossover-free, it became its own show, and two words sum up its newfound independence: Darla's pregnancy. The return of Angel's vampire paramour (Julie Benz), pregnant with Angel's human son, set the stage for the show's entire third and fourth seasons. Darla once again received a shot at redemption. Angel was suddenly cast into a new role, that of father and protector. Manipulated into betrayal, Wesley (Alexis Denisof) became a pariah and took up with evil lawyer Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov). Angel's son, Connor (Vincent Kartheiser), was kidnapped to a hell dimension by vengeful vampire hunter Holtz (Keith Szarabajka) only to return, mere weeks later, fully grown and with a chip on his shoulder. By the end of the third season, the characters had scattered: Angel was trapped in a watery tomb, the victim of his son's betrayal; Cordelia had ascended to a higher plane to serve The Powers That Be; and Lorne (Andy Hallett) had skipped town for a gig in Vegas. That left lovebirds Gunn (J. August Richards) and Fred (Amy Acker) to wonder what would become of Angel Investigations -- a question that would be answered over the course of the entire fourth season. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, (more)
- 2001
With Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) apparently in power (see "Over the Rainbow"), Angel (David Boreanaz), the Host (Andy Hallett), and the others are set free. The Deathwok Clan Mother, aka Loren's mom (Tom McCleister), expresses her hatred and shame over her wayward offspring, but cousin Landokmar (Brody Hutzler) bonds with fellow warrior Angel, even asking him to officiate at a feast. The party turns out to be the execution of kidnapped refugee slave Fred (Amy Acker). Angel refuses to participate, and they escape into the wilderness. When marauders attack, Angel transforms into a savage demon and inflicts serious injuries on both the attackers and Gunn (J. August Richards). Wesley (Alexis Denisof) surmises that on Pylea, the human and demon halves of a vampire are out of balance. Nevertheless, with Fred's help, Angel eventually transforms back to normal and retreats with the girl to her cave hideaway. Meanwhile, back at the palace, princess Cordy gets uppity and soon learns that she's merely the tool of the powerful Covenant of Trombli, a band of manipulative demon priests with ties to Wolfram & Hart. She is told she must "cumshuk," or mate, with a fearsome warrior known as the Groosalugg (Mark Lutz), but he turns out to be a handsome, earnest, and human-looking hunk. Despite her relief at Groo's appearance, Cordy gets another nasty shock from the Covenant; they remind her who's in charge by delivering the Host's head to her on a platter. Originally broadcast May 15, 2001, on the WB network, "Through the Looking Glass" marked season two, episode 21 of the supernatural comedy drama. This four-part saga continues in "There's No Place Like Plrtz Glrb." ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Immediately after the events of "Belonging," Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) makes her way through the Host's home dimension, Pylea, a multiracial, medieval society where human "cows" are enslaved and forced to perform menial labor until they die. Abducted and sold to a miserly wench, she communicates illegally with an escaped "cow" who turns out to be Fred (Amy Acker), the student physicist who disappeared five years ago from Los Angeles. Back on earth, Angel (David Boreanaz) and the Host (Andy Hallett) search for ways to save Cordelia. Although Loren is loathe to return to his home world, a psychic friend (Persia White) convinces him it's his destiny. Gunn (J. August Richards), too, has issues about heading to another world from which he may never return. His neglect of his old street crew has left him guilt-wracked, especially after one of them died. In the end, he and the Host both pitch in with Angel and Wesley (Alexis Denisof) as they hop in Angel's car and open another portal. When they get to the other side, Angel is delighted to discover that on this world of two suns, neither one burns him. Unfortunately, the realization that the group's magic-tome ticket back to earth didn't make the journey with them puts a damper on any celebration. Captured by demons, the visitors are brought before the queen of this realm, Cordy, whose visions have convinced the populace that she is the messiah for which they've been waiting for generations. Originally broadcast May 8, 2001, on the WB network, "Over the Rainbow" marked season two, episode 20 of the supernatural comedy drama. This four-part saga continues in "Through the Looking Glass." In a brief subplot, two new Wolfram & Hart lawyers, including uber-bureaucrat Gavin Park (Daniel Daye Kim), are introduced. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) is transported involuntarily to the unfriendly home dimension of the Host (Andy Hallett) in this first installment of a four-episode Angel season finale. When a monstrous Drokken crashes through a portal at the Caritas karaoke bar, the Host turns to Angel (David Boreanaz) for help in tracking it down. Evasive about the creature's origins, the Host is found out when the gang inadvertently open up another portal through which steps Landokmar of the Deathwok Clan (Brody Hutzler), a warrior who turns out to be the Host's cousin. It seems the Host grew up in a repressive medieval dimension in which music did not exist; he escaped to Los Angeles a mere five years ago, shaming his family back home. Landok helps the gang track the Drokken, which Angel kills, earning the other dimensional warrior's respect. Along the way, the group learns that a librarian and physics student nicknamed Fred (Amy Acker) disappeared five years earlier through a portal similar to the one used by Landok and the Drokken. When Wesley (Alexis Denisof) and the others use a magic tome to open a portal so the wounded Landok can return home for treatment, Cordy gets sucked through inadvertently. Originally broadcast May 1, 2001, on the WB network, "Belonging" marked season two, episode 19 of the supernatural comedy drama. The saga continues in "Over the Rainbow." Amy Acker, who guest stars briefly in this episode and more extensively in the next three, would become a regular cast member in season three. The formerly nameless Host is here revealed to prefer the moniker Loren. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
