Stephen Bogaert Movies
- 2003
Premiering August 26, 2003, the weekly, 60-minute Playmakers was the first "scripted" series presented by cable's ESPN network, which normally focused on sports events and discussion programs. The 11-episode series chronicled a season in the life of the Cougars, a fictional pro football team in a league that resembled the NFL. Omar Gooding, younger brother of Oscar-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr., headed the cast as hotshot running back Demetrius Harris. Also appearing were Russell Hornsby as Harris' principal rival, veteran gridiron star Leon Taylor; Jason Matthew Smith as Taylor's linebacker friend Eric Olczyk ; Marcello Thedford as offensive tackle "Buffalo" James, who idolized Harris; Christopher Wiehl as Derek McConnell, an all-pro quarterback in a deep and seemingly inescapable slump; and Tony Denison as head coach Mike George. To avoid alienating TV fans who felt surfeited with sports, the series devoted much of its time to the off-field lives of the principals and their loved ones. Filmed in Toronto, Playmakers was created by John Eisendrath, who was also an executive producer on the popular ABC espionage series Alias. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Omar Gooding, Jason Matthew Smith, (more)
Hired by a cheap tabloid, washed-up reporter Tom Merrick (Casper Van Dien) begins collecting research for a series of articles on famous disasters. Along the way, he makes a curious discovery: In the photos of such catastrophes as the San Francisco Earthquake and the Hindenburg explosion, he notices that the same person keeps showing up in the crowds. It soon develops that a group of futuristic "tourists" have signed on with an organization called Thrill Seekers, which whisks its customers to historical tragedies so that they can experience the thrill of being eyewitnesses. Much to his horror, Tom finds out that these time-traveling tourists have shown up in his own town, preparing to watch a cataclysmic disaster that has not yet transpired -- one that, unless prevented, will claim the lives of Tom's ex-wife and son. Originally telecast as The Time Shifters by TBS on October 17, 1999, this made-for-cable feature has since been released to video as Thrill Seekers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Casper Van Dien, Martin Sheen, (more)
