Ron Hardy Movies
- 2001
Doggett (Robert Patrick) reluctantly agrees to join forces with his predecessor, Mulder (David Duchovny), to solve a series of deaths on an oil rigger in the Gulf of Mexico. Despite the pooh-poohing of the Galpax Petroleum executives, Mulder is certain that the malevolent black oil alien virus is responsible for the deaths. In the course of the action, Mulder and Doggett are both trapped on the quarantined rig. Elements crucial to the plotline include the curious immunity of one of the oil workers and a revelation made by Mulder at the end of the episode. "Vienen" (the title translates from Spanish as "They Come") first aired on April 28, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The second of two network-TV adaptations of Jules Verne's speculative 1868 novel 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, this two-part ABC version originally aired on May 11 and 12, 1997, some two months after CBS's shorter -- and infinitely more faithful -- version. The year is 1886, and an unknown "creature" is terrorizing the high seas, causing merchant vessels to vanish without a trace. Enlisted by the U.S. government to find out what's really going on, oceanographer Pierre Arronax (Patrick Dempsey) and rough-hewn whaler Ned Land (Bryan Brown) set sail for uncharted waters. Ultimately, they are captured by the insane but honorably motivated Captain Nemo (Michael Caine), the inventor of the high-teach submarine Nautilus. This much can be found in the original novel. The rest of the film has less to do with Jules Verne than its does with the popularity of such theatrical features as Star Wars and Titanic, not to mention the then-prevalent specter of political correctness. Because he wants nothing more out of life than to slaughter whales, Verne's nominal hero Ned Land is transformed into the main villain -- while Pierre Arronax comes off none too sympathetically himself, depicted in an early scene as a wanton womanizer who sleeps with his own father's mistress. Also, a bit of gratuitous romance is thrown into the proceedings, with Captain Nemo suddenly acquiring a daughter, and another woman joining the storyline when the Nautilus makes a side trip to the lost city of Atlantis. Finally, what with Verne's good guys turning bad and Captain Nemo clearly certifiable, a new "hero" is introduced in the form of African-American crewman Cabe Attucks (Adewale Akinnouye-Agbaje). Oh, and did we mention that Nemo is actually a half-cyborg and a former Indian prince? This "new and improved" 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea is only slightly less ridiculous than the 1916 silent film version, which also managed to add a love interest and a spectacular "flashback" sequence straight out of 1001 Arabian Nights. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Caine, Patrick Dempsey, (more)
- 1994
Kate (Donna Mills) is an alcoholic--and, as is often the case, she is in full denial regarding her illness. Only when she is threatened with mass desertion by her husband, children and best friend does the sullen Kate agree to seek out treatment. A lengthy and often harrowing rehabilitation period with a varied group of recovering addicts seems to have a enlightening effect on Kate, who promises her loved ones--and herself--that she has taken her last drink. Thus is established the tension that permeates the final half of the made-for-TV My Name Is Kate, for which Donna Mills pulled double duty as star and producer. The film made its initial ABC appearance on January 24, 1994. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
While in the Florida Keys to prevent deposed dictator Luis Berezan's (Michael Pate) return to power, the IMF tragically loses one of its best agents, the lovely Casey Randall. Thus, the team's efforts to thwart Berezan and his Evita-like wife Emilia (Barbara Luna) becomes a personal vendetta. Jane Badler makes her first Mission:Impossible appearance as agent Shannon Reed, replacing the late Casey Randall (Terry Markwell)--whose very existence was, of course, "disavowed" by the "Secretary." Ironically, guest star Barbara Luna, here cast as one of the villains, played a likewise expendable IMF agent in "Elena", a 1966 episode from the original Mission: Impossible. First telecast on February 18, 1988, "The Fortune" was written by Robert Brennan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Thaao Penghlis, (more)
- 1989
General Szabos (Kevin Miles), military leader of the European dictatorship of Sardavia, plans to use his army's annual war games as a cover for his invasion of neighboring Nachbarland. The IMF hopes to thwart Szabos' scheme by capitalizing upon his obsession with astrology. Agent Shannon Reed puts the wheels of the mission in motion by posing as a professional stargazer. Written by Walter Brough, "War Games" first aired on November 2, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Graves, Thaao Penghlis, (more)
- 1986
Set during WWII, this Australian miniseries explores the effects of the conflict on the sleepy burg of St. Helens and its inhabitants, who are busy enough sorting out their religious differences. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
