Rebecca Rand Kirshner Movies
- 2008
The series that redefined the prime-time teen drama back in the 1990s gets a modern makeover in this spin-off series centering on a family attempting to adjust to life in Beverly Hills after relocating from the Midwest to California and seeing their lives change in ways they never anticipated. Annie Wilson (Shenae Grimes) is a teenage girl with a big heart and a passion for the theater, and her brother Dixon (Tristan Wilds) is a talented athlete and gifted scholar who was adopted by Annie's parents after living with the family as a foster child. Their father Harry (Rob Estes) and mother Debbie (Lori Loughlin) decided to move their family from Kansas to Beverly Hills in order to be closer to Harry's elderly mother Tabitha (Jessica Walter), a former television star who spent her fair share of time at the Betty Ford Clinic. Of course adjusting to life at a new high school is never easy when you're a teenager, though Annie and Dixon's transition is made especially awkward due to the fact that their father has accepted a position as the new school principal. It's going to take a little time for the two West Beverly Hills High newcomers to identify the cliques and connect with classmates, who include bratty rich girl Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord), popular jock Ethan (Dustin Milligan), ambitious student journalist Navid (Michael Steger), and rebellious broadcaster Silver (Jessica Stroup). Perhaps with a little help from such staff members as hip teacher Ryan Matthews (Ryan Eggold) and helpful guidance counselor Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth) - not to mention Kelly's longtime friend Donna Martin (Tori Speling), the owner of a popular Beverly Hills boutique - Annie and Dixon will make some lasting friendships while finding their way though the hallowed halls of California's most exclusive high school. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2007
Returning from London, Rory (Alexis Bledel) has a belated Christmas holiday with her family (cue the snow!) Unfortunately, her mind is still on her strained friendship with Lucy, who now "knows all" about her boyfriend Marty's previous relationship with Rory. Meanwhile, Luke (Scott Patterson), still locked in a custody battle over his daughter April (Vanessa Marano), asks Lorelei (Lauren Graham) to write him a character reference--which proves to be yet another wake-up call for Lorelai regarding her not-so-dormant feelings about her former fiance. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2007
Rory (Alexis Bledel) escorts Logan to Stars Hollows' annual Spring Fling--which, thanks to the shortsightedness of Taylor Doose (Michael Winters), has been transformed into a "Hay Bale Maze" (it makes more sense on the screen than in print!) Lorelai (Lauren Graham) is none too pleased about the situation at hand, believing that Logan is far too immature to enter into a lasting relationship with her daughter. In other developments, Rory is torn between accepting a plum job with a Providence newspaper or trying for a fellowship; and Lorelai and Luke (Scott Patterson) experience that long-awaited Defining Moment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2007
Despite the pressures of his new business, Logan (Matt Czuchry) rushes to the hospital to be with Rory (Alexis Bledel) while the Gilmores await news about family patriarch Richard (Edward Herrmann), who has suffered a heart attack. Conversely, Christopher (David Sutcliffe) is nowhere to be found, leaving Lorelai (Lauren Graham) to worry all by herself. Meanwhile, Luke (Scott Patterson) shows up, offering to run errands for Emily (Kelly Bishop), an act of selfless generosity that makes quite an impression on Lorelai. As this highly-rated episode races to its conclusion, the belated arrival of Christopher serves only to drive the final stake in the heart of his marriage to Lorelai. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2007
Emily's efforts to curtail Richard's diet is the topic of conversation at Friday Night Dinner--much to the relief of Lorelei (Lauren Graham), who would rather not discuss her breakup with Christopher. Elsewhere, at a birthday dinner for Logan (Matt Czuchry), Rory nervously seeks advice from Logan's dad Mitchum (Gregg Henry), while the "birthday boy"himself digests some bad news about a recent business venture. And Luke (Scott Patterson) gets a taste of "family togetherness" while temporarily bunking with new parents T.J. (Michael DeLuise) and Liz (Kathleen Wilhoite). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2006
To cheer up Rory (Alexis Bledel), who is brooding over the absence of Logan (Matt Czuchry), Lorelei throws an intimate party with an Asian theme. But Rory's depression only grows deeper, especially after she learns about the midnight tryst between her mom and her biological father Christopher (David Sutcliffe). Luke (Scott Patterson) isn't happy about the Lorelei-Christopher situation either, and he makes no secret of his anger. Elsewhere, Lane (Keiko Agena) returns from her train wreck of a honeymoon in a seminal state of pregnancy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2006
Somewhat unexpectedly, the whole Gilmore family shows up on the Yale campus during Parents' Weekend. Also in tow is Christopher (David Sutcliffe), still trying to re-ingratiate himself with Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel). Alas, Christopher's efforts to be a "regular guy" with Rory's fellow staffers at the Yale Daily News ends up a horrible, drunken fiasco. And back in Stars Hollow, Luke (Scott Patterson) seems to be making a concerted effort to get over Lorelai by dating his daughter April's gorgeous swimming coach (Rona Benson). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2006
The air is thick enough to cut with a knife in the offices of the Yale Daily News; though Rory (Alexis Bledel) is now editor, her predecessor Paris (Liza Weil) is still on the staff, and still seething with resentment. Nor is this Rory's only cross to bear: while attending the wedding of Logan's sister Honor (Devon Sorvari), Rory learns from each one of the bridesmaids that Logan (Matt Czuchry) was far from lonely -- or celibate -- during their brief separation. Back in Stars Hollow, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) babysits for Christopher's three-year-old daughter, Gigi (Nicolette Collier), who turns out to be a thoroughly out-of-control brat; and Zach (Todd Lowe) tries to reunite the band even as Lane (Keiko Agena) advertises for new members. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Hoping to mend the rift between Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel), Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) asks them to be godmothers for her babies -- but the baptism ceremony may prove to be a disaster with Jackson's wacky family in attendance. Hoping to spend some of the earnings from her tour, Lane (Keiko Agena) is shocked to discover that the band's money has been decimated by Brian (John Cabrera) and Zach (Todd Lowe). And Logan (Matt Czuchry) learns to his dismay that his future has already been mapped out by his wealthy and powerful father. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2005
Lorelai (Lauren Graham) tags along when Logan (Matt Czuchry) is invited to have dinner with her parents, wondering if they're pursuing a hidden agenda. Hired by Logan's dad as a newspaper intern, Rory (Alexis Bledel) learns the hard way that professional journalism is a cutthroat business. Luke (Scott Patterson) wants Taylor (Michael Winters) to honor old man Twickham's last request and close down the museum, which is losing bales of money with each passing day. And it looks like someone is interested in investing in the Dragonfly. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Now reconciled to her mom's relationship with Luke (Scott Patterson), Rory (Alexis Bledel) is upset when she sees Lorelai (Lauren Graham) dining with Christopher (David Sutcliffe) at the Dragonfly. For Lorelai's part, she is appalled at the though of her own mother Emily (Kelly Bishop) re-entering the dating scene. Elswhere, Jackson (Jackson Melville) struggles manfully to control his temper while enduring the pregnant Sookie's (Melissa McCarthy) moods swings. And back at Yale, Rory's date turns into a study session, and Rory's roomie Paris (Liza Weil) noisily observes Ramadan as part of her research for an article. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
As a broken-down Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) searches for someplace to sleep, Faith (Eliza Dushku) struggles to find her voice as leader of the potentials. Eventually, she assumes the mantle of command and settles on a scheme to kidnap one of The First's weakest breed of minions: the blind, mute acolytes known as Bringers. Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) locates a spell to communicate with the captive enemy, who reveals the location of this brethren. Meanwhile, Spike (James Marsters), having learned of Buffy's ouster, locates the distraught Slayer and soothes her wounded psyche. Buffy confesses doubts in her ability to lead, but Spike professes his admiration for her power -- and his undying love. With Sunnydale nearly deserted and the electricity no longer running, the two hole up and share a chaste but tender night together. Back at the house, Kennedy (Iyari Limon) convinces a skittish Willow (Alyson Hannigan) to share an altogether racier evening with her. Faith, too, finds sexual solace -- in the arms of Principal Wood (D.B. Woodside); even exes Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and Anya (Emma Caulfield) get in on the act. The next morning, Faith leads a team to the catacombs where the Bringers have sequestered themselves, unaware that a time bomb ticks away at their destination. Meanwhile, Buffy completes the mission the others wouldn't support, but she does so with agility and grace rather than brute strength. Instead of engaging in a slug-fest with Caleb (Nathan Fillion) at his winery, she dances out of his reach and discovers the secret entrance to a chamber where a powerful weapon lies hidden. Originally broadcast May 6, 2003, on UPN, "Touched" marked episode 142 of the cult-favorite series. Fans of the various Buffy comic-book series will recognize the mysterious weapon the Slayer unearths: it is a Scythe, first introduced in a comic called Fray about the adventures of a future vampire slayer. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2003
Created by Gary Scott Thompson, NBC's Las Vegas was the sort of flamboyant ensemble series in which important plot points and details of character motivation were cunningly revealed slowly, with each succeeding episode, on a "need to know" basis. James Caan headed the cast as "Big Ed" Deline, a former CIA undercover agent, latterly head of security at a fashionable Vegas casino. Deline's right-hand man was ex-Marine Danny McCoy (Josh Duhamel), who had reluctantly accepted the job only after being caught in bed with Big Ed's daughter Delinda (Molly Sims) and subsequently received an offer that would have been unhealthy to refuse. Other members of Deline's team included Vanessa Marcil as Samantha Jane Harper, Nikki Cox as Mary Connell, Marsha Thomason as Nessa Holt, and James Lesure as Mike Cannon. Las Vegas rolled into town September 22, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2003
As Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Spike (James Marsters) train the potential slayers and educate them about the life-or-death battle into which they've been thrust, Willow (Alyson Hannigan) learns that another slayerette lurks right there atop Sunnydale's Hellmouth. A locator spell soon reveals the surprising truth: Like her older sister, Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) is a member of the slayer line. Confused by her sudden change in status, Dawn slips outside and bumps into her friend Amanda (Sarah Hagan), who reveals, at the risk of sounding crazy, that she's just been attacked at school by a vampire. Dawn tells her not to worry, that vampires are real, and the girls head to the school so Dawn can test her newfound powers. Unfortunately, the tricky bloodsucker outsmarts them; soon, Dawn is fighting for her life -- and not all that successfully. The First's Bringers interrupt the melee and attempt to kidnap Amanda, revealing to Dawn that it's actually her friend who's the potential. Dawn exhorts Amanda to take out the vamp, which the girl accomplishes as if she were born to do it. Meanwhile, Buffy and Spike show up, fresh from a brutal training exercise with the potentials, and dispatch the agents of The First. Back at the house, Dawn resumes her role as researcher and non-combatant. But Xander (Nicholas Brendon) -- no stranger to being the least powerful member of the team -- consoles her with tender words about the important role they both play. Originally broadcast January 21, 2003, on UPN, "Potential" marked episode 134 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2002
The big day has finally arrived: Xander (Nicholas Brendon) and Anya (Emma Caulfield) are getting married. The obstacles on their path to wedded bliss include atrocious bridesmaid's dresses, a stubborn cumberbund, and bitter sniping from the alcoholic Harris clan about the "circus freaks" (aka demons) who make up Anya's half of the wedding party. During the preparations, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) has a wistful encounter with Spike (James Marsters), whose cheap floozie of a wedding date causes pangs of jealousy even as the Slayer resolves to keep their relationship in the past tense. As for Anya, her dreams of wedded bliss soon also recede into memory when Xander disappears from the chapel. It seems the prospective groom has received a visit from his time-traveling, elderly self, who shows Xander a vision of the future in which his marriage ends in bitterness and murder. Later, when old-man Xander turns out to be a disguised enemy of Anya seeking revenge against the former vengeance demon, Xander still can't overcome his conviction that he isn't ready to get married. The guests riot, the absentee groom checks into a hotel, and the jilted bride turns to D'Hoffryn (Andy Umberger), her former demon master, for comfort. Originally broadcast March 5, 2002, on UPN, "Hell's Bells" marked episode 116 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2002
When a troubled student claims to know the date of her own impending death, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) gets to employ her slayer skills as part of her new job as high-school counselor. Cassie Newton (Azura Skye), the student in question, seems like any number of other sweet, depressive, poetry-writing goth kids, except for her seeming ability to tell the future. With help from the Scooby Gang -- including the back-on-board Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and aspiring slayerette Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) -- Buffy investigates the girl's family and friends and finds nothing to indicate foul play is at hand. But when Cassie suddenly disappears, the trail leads to a group of red-robed malcontents who plan to sacrifice the girl to a demon. Ultimately, Cassie's prediction does come true, but not in the way anyone expected. And speaking of unexpected mortality, Willow finally works up the nerve to visit her slain lover Tara's grave. Originally broadcast October 15, 2002, on the UPN network, "Help" marked episode 126 of the cult-favorite series. This episode was helmed by Rick Rosenthal, director of Halloween II and Halloween: Resurrection. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
The fallout from the musical episode (see "Once More, With Feeling") brings two characters together but tears most of the others apart. Spike (James Marsters) tries talking to Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) about the kiss they shared but she refuses to discuss it. Meanwhile, the Scoobies express their horror at learning they wrenched Buffy from paradise when they brought her back to life. Tara (Amber Benson) confronts Willow (Alyson Hannigan) about messing with her memories and using magic to solve all of life's problems. Willow agrees to quit magic cold turkey for a week to prove she can live without it. But then she casts a spell to make Buffy and Tara forget all of the suffering they've endured. Just as Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) is announcing his departure to England to force Buffy to stand on her own, Willow's enchantment backfires. All of the Scoobies are rendered amnesiacs, and they come to various wrong-headed conclusions about their identities and relationships. Unfortunately, into this comic befuddlement comes a shark-headed demon (Raymond O'Connor) with a grudge against Spike. The fiend and his vampire minions terrorize the gang until Willow's spell is accidentally broken. Tara leaves Willow, Giles leaves for England...and Buffy once again finds herself locking lips with Spike. Originally broadcast November 13, 2001, on UPN, "Tabula Rasa" marked episode 108 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) abruptly drops out of college when she learns that her sister, Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg), has been cutting class and acting up. In order to keep the budding delinquent out of foster care, the Slayer steels herself to become more of a parent than a sibling. Unfortunately, though, Buffy succeeds only in further alienating Dawn, whose typical teenaged rebellion has been bolstered by the recent death of her mother and the revelation that she is actually the human incarnation of an ancient mystical energy. Meanwhile, mad hell-god Glory (Clare Kramer) continues her search for that very same magical force. Glory becomes convinced that it must be Tara (Amber Benson), the newest member of Buffy's gang. A quarrel between Tara and her lover, Willow (Alyson Hannigan), over Willow's growing mastery of the dark arts leaves Tara vulnerable to Glory's attack. Cornering the shy Wiccan, Glory quickly realizes that Tara isn't The Key, then demands that she reveal who actually is. Tara refuses, so Glory feeds on her mind and leaves her a gibbering madwoman. A grief-stricken Willow sets out for vengeance, but Buffy intervenes in the ensuing battle. Later, Glory catches up with the Scooby gang and finally learns from the brain-drained Tara that Dawn is The Key. Originally broadcast May 1, 2001, on the WB network, "Tough Love" marked episode 97 of the cult-favorite series. The repercussions of this episode would lead directly to the climactic season finale (see "The Gift"), while Willow's reliance on the dark arts and the resulting conflict with Tara would reverberate throughout subsequent seasons. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
As the hospital-bound Joyce (Kristine Sutherland) continues to battle her brain cancer, she's unaware that several of her fellow patients are people driven insane by having their mental energy devoured by the ravenous Glory (Clare Kramer). One such unfortunate tells Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) that there's nobody inside of her, but Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) -- eager to protect her sister from the truth that she's actually the human incarnation of the mystical Key that Glory seeks -- reassures the girl that the patient's ramblings mean nothing. Soon, though, the sisters become concerned about their own mother's sanity when the cancer causes Joyce to experience bouts of dementia. Even more acute danger presents itself when an apparent UFO sighting by Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Tara (Amber Benson) turns out to be the arrival of a demon whose breed feeds exclusively on the insane. Xander (Nicholas Brendon) suspects that Glory summoned the demon, but the truth turns out to be more surprising. Meanwhile, the mental patient who unnerved Dawn becomes the creature's first victim. Then Joyce, who has returned home to await surgery, almost falls victim to it in her own bedroom. Buffy defeats the beast with help from Dawn -- and from Spike (James Marsters), who just happens to be in the Summers' basement filching photographs of his beloved Slayer. After the dust settles, a less loopy Joyce tells Buffy that in her altered mental state, she was able to recognize the truth about Dawn. Nonetheless, she declares that Dawn is precious to the world and that Buffy must protect her -- especially if something happens to Joyce. As the Scoobies watch forlornly, Joyce heads into surgery. Meanwhile, Riley remains convinced he's being shut out of Buffy's life and continues his kinky vampire encounters. Originally broadcast November 28, 2000, on the WB network, "Listening To Fear" marked episode 87 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Joyce (Kristine Sutherland) gives Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) a bad scare when she suffers a mysterious fainting spell and ends up in the hospital. The Summers matriarch soon recovers, but not before her doctors discover that Buffy's boyfriend, Riley (Marc Blucas), faces a medical crisis of his own. The chemical enhancements he received as an unwitting dupe of the Initiative have robbed him of the ability to feel pain -- or to control his racing heart, which threatens to explode. Nonetheless, Riley resists undergoing an operation to return him to normal human strength for fear that Buffy will break things off if he loses the powers that enable him to fight by her side. Buffy convinces Riley she'd rather have a live boyfriend than a dead super-soldier. Unfortunately, Spike (James Marsters) almost prevents Riley's surgery when he kidnaps the Initiative's doctor in an attempt to get the behavior modification chip removed from his skull. The plan backfires, Riley makes a full recovery, and Spike makes a shocking realization: He's in love with his fiercest foe, the Slayer herself. Originally broadcast October 17, 2000, on the WB network, "Out of My Mind" marked episode 82 of the cult-favorite series. Ben (Charlie Weber), the handsome young intern who treats Joyce, seems to be a bit player but will later turn out to have a mysterious connection to Glory, the season's "Big Bad" villain. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
The bane of the Geeks' existence, gym class, serves as a focus for this episode of Freaks and Geeks, directed by former Thirtysomething star Ken Olin. Tired of being picked last for the class baseball teams by the jocks, Haverchuck (Martin Starr) takes matters into his own hands by swiping a faculty phone list and harrassing Coach Fredricks (Tom Wilson) at home. Meanwhile, inspired by reading On the Road in English class, Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) takes up the art of hitchhiking with pal Kim (Busy Phillips) -- and on the first try, she happens to hitch a ride with a friend of her father's. When they get wind of Lindsay's rebellious behavior, Mr. and Mrs. Weir sit down for a dinner chat with Kim's mother, Cookie (Ann Dowd), who implores them to read their daughter's diary so that they'll know what she's really up to. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
