Michael Dempsey Movies
- 2006
In most Monk episodes, the sanity of obsessive-compulsive detective Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) is a matter of debate. This time, however, it is Monk's police colleague Lt. Disher (Jason Gray-Stanford) who is suspected of temporary insanity. While under sedation in a dentist's chair, Disher sees--or thinks he sees--dentist Dr. Bloom (Jon Favreau) commit a murder. Unfortunately, no one believes Disher's story, not even his superior Captain Stottlemeyer (Ted Levine), and as result the lieutenant quits the force in disgust. Determined to prove that he was not hallucinating under the influence of anesthesia, Disher asks Monk (Tony Shalhoub). Before the story has reached its conclusion, Monk has uncovered a complex scheme involving stolen bank certificates--and has left himself wide open (or is it "open wide"?) for a painful dental demise right out of Marathon Man. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Directed by Paul Abascal, Paparazzi chronicles the aftermath of four paparazzi photographers whose search for the all-important "perfect shot" ends in a tragic car accident. Movie star Bo Laramie (Cole Hauser) is understandably furious when, thanks to the notorious celebrity-chasers, his wife, Abby (Robin Tunney), is seriously injured, and his eight-year-old son is paralyzed. After the accident, Bo dedicates his life to putting a stop to a paparazzo's deadly overzealousness. Chris Rock, Matthew McConaughey, Mel Gibson, and Vince Vaughn are reported to be featured in cameo appearances. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cole Hauser, Robin Tunney, (more)
- 2001
Having suffered through two years of the painful visions bequeathed to her by Doyle (see "Parting Gifts"), Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) finds that the premonitions are taking an ever heavier toll, both emotionally and physically. Her horrific vision of an apparently happy family man plunging a knife into his eye. It turns out he was the recipient of a cursed transplant from a predatory organ bank run by Wolfram & Hart. Lawyer Lindsey McDonald (Christian Kane) soon receives a new hand from the very same institution and learns that the appendage has an evil mind of its own. Crossing paths at demon karaoke bar Caritas, mortal enemies Lindsey and Angel (David Boreanaz) are urged by the Host (Andy Hallett) to work together on the case. They soon uncover the organ bank, which is full of living and half-dead involuntary donors -- including an old buddy of Lindsey's. He and Angel kill the hard-luck cases and save the rest. Lilah Morgan (Stephanie Romanov), on the basis of the firm's magnanimous biological gift to her rival, is convinced that she's going to be knocked off and Lindsey promoted. But, once again disgusted by his firm's tactics (see "Blind Date"), Lindsey quits, taking with him enough sensitive documents to protect himself from any sudden "accidents." Lilah gets the job, and Angel and Lindsey part, if not friends, then at least neutral to one another. Originally broadcast April 24, 2001, on the WB network, "Dead End" marked season two, episode 18 of the supernatural comedy drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Linda Marsh (Mary McDonnell) may have been hoping for a surprise on her 16th wedding anniversary, but she certainly doesn't welcome the news that her school-principal husband George (William Russ) has been carrying on an affair with the teacher of the Marshes' daughter! The breakup of Linda and George's marriage is quite a shock for the small town in which they live--almost as shocking as Linda's subsequent actions as she grimly embarks on "a search for a new life." As part of that search, Linda has enlisted her kids in her campaign to land a "replacement" head of the household. Wavering erratically between broad comedy and sentimental slush, the made-for-TV Replacing Dad was based on a novel by Shelley Frasier Mickle, and first aired March 14, 1999 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
At long last, Cory (Ben Savage) and Topanga (Danielle Fishel) are husband and wife. While enjoying their honeymoon in Hawaii, the newlyweds are enchanted with their tropical surroundings, so much so that they decide to never, ever return to Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Eric (Will Friedle), who has surreptitiously tagged along with the honeymooners, does all sorts of things to help them enjoy their stay in the islands--all the while managing to keep his presence a secret from them! Naturally, it falls to Eric to subtly persuade the couple to return home...but it isn't easy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1997
14-year-old Holly Nolan (Gina Philips) lives unhappily with her hyperjudgmental mother Donna (Talia Shire) and her brother Ted (Eddie Mills). To escape the pressures of her home life and make herself feel important, Holly begins hanging out with an older crowd, and in the course of events falls in love with 19-year-old Chris (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) an Army reservist who has been disowned by his family. When Donna violently objects to Holly's romance with Chris, the couple elope and head off to Calfornia, certain that all they need to survive in the "outside" world is their love for each other. But it isn't enough: Repeatedly battered down by disillusionment and deprivation, Holly and Chris can't even return to her home town, where Chris faces charges for being AWOL--and, thanks to Holly's vengeful mother, for statutory rape. With apparently no other alternative, Chris resorts to the "easiest" way to stay alive, becoming a male prostitute on the mean streets of LA. Innovative direction and a driving musical score featuring such artists as Van Halen, Peter Himmelman, Lisa Cerbone and Sarah McLaughlin) helps sustain the viewers' interest and fascination in this sordid (but not sordidly told) made-for-TV movie. Born Into Exile made its NBC network debut on March 17, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
Remember way back when "Political Correctness" was merely a source of humor and not the official doctrine of the United States? In this episode, both Murphy (Candice Bergen) and Peter (Scott Bakula) get into trouble for making on-the-air comments that are labeled "insensitive" by certain special-interest groups. As a result, Miles (Grant Shaud) orders the enter "FYI" staff to attend a cultural-sensitivity seminar...and the results are guaranteed to offend just about everyone!. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Dan and Arnie's (Tom Arnold) bowling team is in last place. Meanwhile, Jackie and Nancy (Sandra Bernhard) develop a friendship that excludes Roseanne. First appearance of Mark's (Glenn Quinn) brother, played by Johnny Galecki. Originally named Kevin Healy, his character name was permanently changed to David for the rest of the series. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Mike (Kirk Cameron) wants to take Kate (Chelsea Noble) on an romantic skiing trip, but there's a little matter of money--specifically, he hasn't any. Fortunately, a posh skiing lodge is offering one free room for anyone who can book twenty additional guests. This explains why Mike's brother Ben (Jeremy Miller) shows up at the lodge with 18 of his wildest friends...on a weekend with nary a flake of snow on the ground. Watch for an appearance by Ashley Kerns, daughter of series regular Joanna Kerns (Maggie). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
Depressed about the break up with Becky, Mark (Glenn Quinn) gets drunk and rowdy at the Lobo Lounge and punches the jukebox. Dan picks him up, promising not to tell Becky or Roseanne about it. However, Roseanne finds out through Jackie and makes Dan pay for keeping a secret from her. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
