David Milch Movies
- 2007
- Add John From Cincinnati [TV Series] to QueueAdd John From Cincinnati [TV Series] to top of Queue
Created by the same team responsible for the quirky, iconoclastic HBO western series Deadwood, John from Cincinnati was a magical mystery tour of the California surfing scene. Set in the town of Imperial Beach, the story focused on the multigenerational Yost family, led by Mitch Yost (Bruce Greenwood), a onetime surfing legend who had been forcibly retired (except for a few early-morning forays into the waves) by a serious knee injury. The fall of the Yost fortunes had a deleterious effect upon Mitch's son Butchie (Brian Van Holt), who had become a seemingly hopeless druggie; conversely, Butchie's own son Shaun (Grayson Fletcher) was a surfing phenom who bade fare to surpass his grandfather's celebrity--if he ever got the chance. Holding the family together was Mitch's levelheaded wife Cissy (Rebecca De Mornay), owner of the surfing-goods store that provided their income. Into this dysfunctional family unit came a fabulously wealthy and truly bizarre dude known as John Monad (Austin Nichols), who when pressed for details identified himself as "John from Cincinnati." Outwardly a boorish dimwit with an annoying habit of repeating everyone else's conversations, John was clearly operating on some Higher Plane or other, implicitly possessing the ability to heal the sick and revive the dead, and holding out the hope of redemption for the fractured Yosts. With John in the vicinity, no one found it odd that, for example, Mitch suddenly developed the ability to float in the air; everyone seemed to accept the newcomer without question or prejudice. Only the Yosts' friend Bill Jacks (Ed O'Neill), a fancier of birds and pro wrestlers, distrusted John and his motives, suspecting that he was more Satan than Saint. The series' events--subtly but inextricably linking each character with the other--unfolded in a leisurely, day-by-day "need to know" basis, with small, tantalyzing clues as to the story's outcome (Rapture? Armageddon? The Perfect Wave?) buried within each episode. Cocreated by Deadwood's David Milch and "surf noir" novelist Kern Nunn, and featuring Luke Perry and Deadwood alumnus Jim Beaver in key supporting roles, John from Cincinnati began its HBO run on June 10, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rebecca De Mornay, Garret Dillahunt, (more)
- 2006
As the elections loom, Hearst gets violent with Swearengen and Alma's pregnancy complications worsen. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 2006
As the third season opens, Bullock and Swearengen begin to realize their common interests with the powerful George Hearst in town. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
1877. A new day is dawning in the Black Hills outlaw camp of Deadwood. For better or worse, times are changing, and the transformation from camp to town is imminent. Unsavory new arrivals - looking to cash in on the lucrative anarchy -- and a government of outsiders usher in an era of hard decisions and brutal power struggles among the camp's founders, all learning the hard way...fortune comes with a price.
- Starring:
- Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, (more)
- 2005
Martha (Anna Gunn) and William Bullock (Josh Eriksson), Seth's (Timothy Olyphant) wife and son, make their way to the camp in a coach accompanied by Maddie (Alice Krige), Joanie's (Kim Dickens) new partner in an upscale brothel. In Deadwood, Seth is dealing with a shooting at the No. 10, involving a prank that went wrong. Al (Ian McShane) is angry to learn that the feds have appointed three commissioners to oversee the territory, and all of them are from Yankton. He expects Seth to be playing a prominent role in the camp's future, and is disappointed that Seth seems preoccupied with the worst-kept secret in camp -- his affair with Alma (Molly Parker). Al expresses his disappointment to Seth in the crudest terms, and from the balcony of the Gem, prompting Seth to pay a visit. Al questions Seth about why Alma is sending her gold out of town instead of putting it to use in the camp, but it's too late for rational conversation. Seth is insulted, and is determined to fight with Al. Their brutal combat is interrupted by the arrival of the coach, but not before Dan (W. Earl Brown) intervenes, prompting both Sol (John Hawkes) and Charlie (Dayton Callie) to take a run at Johnny (Sean Bridgers), who, unfortunately, wields a shotgun. Cy (Powers Boothe), meanwhile, is less than thrilled at the new arrivals in camp -- Maddie and her new whores -- and enraged that Joanie did not notify him of her plans, finding another backer for her move. "It's kill you or let you go," Cy tells her as he bitterly mulls his options. "Could I make it with you dead?" ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
The Queen Mother of all dirty words (as it was once described by Jean Shepherd) is examined through all its linguistic, sociological, legal, and ethical implications in this documentary. Filmmaker Steven Anderson interviews dozens of people about the history and function of "the F word," including language historians who have a hard time nailing down its origin, writers (including Hunter S. Thompson and Ben Bradlee) who talk about its role in literature and press freedom, comedians (among them Drew Carey, Janeane Garofalo, and Billy Connolly) who ponder its frequent presence in hipster humor, pop musicians (such as Ice-T, Pat Boone, and Alanis Morissette) who offer their theories about its role in contemporary culture, and social critics (including Michael Medved and Dennis Prager) who believe its currency is taking America into a dangerous place. F*ck also includes footage of famous figures caught using the word unexpectedly and animated sequences by Bill Plympton. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 2004
On the night that Sheriff Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) and his friend and business partner, Sol Star (John Hawkes), plan to leave Montana for Deadwood, with plans to open a hardware store, Bullock is faced with a dilemma. He's got Clell Watson (James Parks), a horse thief due to be hanged the next morning, in his jail, and an angry mob outside that wants to kill Watson in a less orderly fashion. After dealing with the situation bravely and honorably, Seth and Sol set out a little earlier than planned. Also among the many making their way to the lawless frontier town are legendary gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok (Keith Carradine) and his cohorts, Calamity Jane (Robin Weigert) and Charlie Utter (Dayton Callie). Already making his mark in town, Whitney Ellsworth (Jim Beaver), a prospector, is talking to the owner of the Gem, Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) about his gold claim. "I don't trust you as far as I can throw you," Ellsworth, a fair judge of character, tells Al, "but I enjoy the way you lie." Al's attention is quickly diverted when one of his prostitutes, Trixie (Paula Malcolmson), guns down an abusive john. He's also involved in conning Brom Garret (Timothy Omundson), a wealthy New Yorker, into buying a seemingly worthless gold claim. Seth and Sol arrive in town, and rent a space for their store from Al, to whom Seth takes an almost immediate dislike. Bill seems eager to spend all his time losing all his money at poker to the obnoxious Jack McCall (Garret Dillahunt), but when a family is found slaughtered not far from town, presumably by Sioux, he joins Seth on a ride out to the scene of the carnage. The premiere episode of Deadwood was directed by Walter Hill (The Long Riders). ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Forget Gunsmoke and Bonanza. The HBO series Deadwood was as close to the "real thing" as any Western fan was ever going to see on television -- and in its pursuit of reality, the series was not afraid of smashing icons or skewering sacred cows. Could anything less be expected of executive producer David Milch (NYPD Blue)? The series began its story in 1876, two weeks after Custer's demise at the Little Big Horn, and in the midst of "gold fever" brought about by a major ore strike in the Black Hills of Dakota Territory. Into the wide-open and illegal settlement of Deadwood rode a terrifying variety of hard-bitten men and hard-living women. Keith Carradine headed the cast (at least in the early episodes) as gunfighter and Indian scout Wild Bill Hickok -- not the clean-cut hero of movie and TV fame, but an embittered, disillusioned, cold-hearted killer who trusted no one, least of all himself. Traveling to Deadwood with old friend Charlie Utter (Dayton Callie) and devoted, foul-mouthed sidekick Calamity Jane (Robin Weigert), Hickok quickly met and befriended former lawman Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant), the archetypal man with a past who held out hope (but not much) that Deadwood would permit him a new start in life. The destinies of both Hickok and Bullock were gradually intertwined with that of self-styled town boss Al Swearengen (Ian McShane), the manipulative, cheerfully decadent owner of Deadwood's biggest "saloon," the Gem. Several major and minor characters passed through Deadwood, some for a long time, some only as long as it took to be shot down in the street. One of the more fascinating peripheral characters was gimlet-eyed cardsharp Eddie Sawyer, well played by real-life magician and master card manipulator Ricky Jay. Festooned with sex, sadism, sudden death, rampant profanity, and mud, mud, mud, Deadwood was not your father's "cowboy" show. The series drew huge ratings and enthusiastic critical plaudits from the moment it made its first appearance on March 21, 2004 -- and within a few weeks of this debut, all audience expectations were dashed to bits when one of the series' "stars" paid homage to historical accuracy by being abruptly killed off. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Timothy Olyphant, Ian McShane, (more)
- 2000
Although the seventh season of NYPD Blue was supposed to begin on November 9, 1999, a variety of backstage intrigues involving the ABC network and the series' producers (some of these revolving around NYPD's temporary Tuesday-night "replacement" Once and Again) pushed the debut date forward to the unfashionably late January 11, 2000. Fans were of course a bit miffed, but not so much as to effect the series' customarily high ratings. The departure of longtime series regular Nicholas Turturro as Det. James Martinez permitted the series to introduce a new character, Det. Baldwin Jones, played by Henry Simmons. Formerly assigned to the 15th precinct's hate-crimes unit, the African-American Jones had a few expected flareups with Det. Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz), whose race-relations record was infamously spotty. As for Andy himself, he spent a goodly amount of time in the early part of the season brooding over the previous-season death of wife Sylvia Costas, but again found consolation in the love of his son Theo (Austin Majors) -- who as the season finale approached, experienced a major health crisis that would remain unresolved until the outset of season nine. Andy also adopted a paternal attitude toward his troubled young partner, Danny Sorenson (Rick Schroder), whose inner demons would ultimately cost him the love of the new lady in his life (and new NYPD Blue recurring character), Det. Mary Franco (Sheeri Rappaport). There was, however, promise held out for another romantic relationship with Det. Diane Russell (Kim Delaney), who like Andy Sipowicz was having problems reconciling herself with the loss of a loved one, namely the late and lamented Det. Bobby Simone. The seventh season's most dramatic plot development involved Det. Jill Kirkendall (Andrea Thompson), who found herself torn between professional duty and familial responsibilities in dealing with the crooked machinations of her ex-husband, Don (Erich Anderson), who in turn was somehow mixed up with Diane Russell's latest bête noire, unsavory narcotics task-force agent Denby (Scott Cohen). The series' cliffhanger finale not only took Jill Kirkendall out of the picture (actress Andrea Thompson had elected to leave the series and launch a whole new career as a TV newscaster), but also placed everyone at the 15th precinct under suspicion of complicity in a prickly drug-trafficking and cover-up operation. For the first time since its maiden 1993-1994 season, NYPD Blue went home empty-handed from the Emmy Awards ceremony, though (as usual) series regular Dennis Franz picked up an Emmy nomination. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
When a woman is found murdered, the detectives learn that virtually everyone in the victim's family wanted to see her dead -- but the only fingerprint found on the scene is that of Marcus Potter (Alimi Ballard), the obligatory least likely suspect. In other developments, Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) is immediately suspicious of a man (Richard Libertini) who claims to be Italian but seems to be putting on an act. And an alibi for another possible murderer is provided by, of all people, the wife of Lt. Fancy (James McDaniel) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
A barrel containing the dismembered body of a woman is found in a house formerly owned by mobster Pete Mangrini (Al Sapienza). In their efforts to prove that the body is that of Mangrini's long-missing wife, thereby pinning a murder rap on the mob boss, Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) and Jones (Henry Simmons) are aided and abetted by plucky reporter Nicole Graf (Elizabeth Berkley). Meanwhile, Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) and Sorenson (Rick Schroder), pursuing another lead in the Mangini case, come up with a satisfying example of the postman ringing twice. And off the job, Sipowicz tries to help police medical examiner Dr. Kroft (M. Emmet Walsh) cope with his wife's terminal cancer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
The detectives investigate when a man claims that his current house guest has been robbing gas stations and slashing the attendants. In another case, Diane (Kim Delaney) and Jill (Andrea Thompson) go after a band of gypsies who've been scamming elderly people. But the episode's biggest development (and the one that will mold the direction of the rest of NYPD Blue's seventh season) occurs when Diane again crosses paths with disingenuous drug task-force officer Denby (Scott Cohen) -- whom she sees conversing with a man who looks exactly like Jill's deceased ex-husband, drug trafficker Don Kirkendall. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Reporter Nicole Graf (Elizabeth Berkley), who helped the squad in the Mangrini murder case, makes no secret of her lust for Det. Baldwin Jones (Henry Simmons), but he chastely prefers the traditional courtship approach. Back on the job, retired English detective Jimmy Cheatham (John Standing) offers his assistance when the squad investigates a rape-murder. Cheatham is of the opinion that the killer is the same person who committed a string of crimes in London, and he insists upon being on hand when the squad converges on the suspect's hiding place -- a mortuary. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) continues to fret over his son Theo's bone-marrow test. Diane (Kim Delaney) confronts Jill (Andrea Thompson), forcing Jill to reveal why she has hidden the knowledge that her drug-running ex-husband, Don (Erich Anderson), is still alive. And in a tension-laden climax, Sorenson (Rick Schroder) prepares to nab Don, while Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) and Jones (Henry Simmons) set their sights on corrupt drug cop Denby (Scott Cohen). "The Last Round Up" and the preceding episode "Bats Off to Larry" were originally telecast as a single two-hour "special" episode, which served as NYPD Blue's seventh season finale -- not to mention the series swan song for actress Andrea Thompson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
In the first episode of a two-part story, it is revealed that Jill Kirkendall's (Andrea Thompson) ex-husband, drug trafficker Don Kirkendall (Erich Anderson), isn't dead after all -- and Jill knew it all the time. As Diane (Kim Delaney) tries to find out what Jill is up to, Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) and Jones (Henry Simmons) investigate the beating death of a man in a domestic dispute, which leads to a disturbing case of rape. And in his efforts to cope with his young son Theo's serious medical problem, Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) "talks" with his deceased older son, Andy. "Bats Off to Larry" and the subsequent "The Last Round Up" were originally telecast as a single, two-hour "special" episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Having taken a paternal interest in his young partner, Danny Sorenson (Rick Schroder), Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) extends a helping hand when the troubled Danny begins seeking solace in booze. Meanwhile, Mary (Sheeri Rappaport) is fed up with Danny's erratic behavior and wants to break off their relationship. Back on the job, Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) unearths a gruesome "trophy" while investigating a tip about the activities of the Chinese Mafia, and Jones (Henry Simmons) uses gentle persuasion to prove that at least one member of an interracial couple is guilty of murder. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
After having a nightmare about his mother and sisters, Danny (Rick Schroder) lashes out at Mary (Sheeri Rappaport). Jill (Andrea Thompson) and Diane (Kim Delaney) investigate the grotesque slaying of a female "drug mule." The Russian father of two missing children behaves strangely when questioned by the detectives. And the 15th's newest arrival, Detective Baldwin Jones (Henry Simmons), braces himself against the possibility of a racial confrontation with the unpredictable Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz). (This episode was telecast on a Wednesday evening, rather than the series' traditional Tuesday-night slot.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
During a homicide investigation with disturbing racial overtones, Fancy (James McDaniel) has a confrontation with Lt. Abner (James Pickens Jr.), head of the Bias unit and former boss of Det. Baldwin Jones (Henry Simmons). A homicide victim with a distinct and disgusting aroma is found. And Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) solicits the advice of partner Danny Sorenson (Rick Schroder) when he is asked to take the niece of an old friend on a date. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Danny Sorenson's (Rick Schroder) persistent nightmares about his family have a profoundly negative effect on his job and his relationship with Mary (Sheeri Rappaport). When the skeletal remains of a little girl are found, Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) solicits the aid of retired detective Calvin Rowley (Eric Sait), who investigated the original missing-persons case -- and who is now in the first stages of Alzheimer's. And Baldwin Jones (Henry Simmons) acts as mediator when the owner of a wounded dog refuses to allow Greg Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) to remove the bullet. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Fancy (James McDaniel) and Jones (Henry Simmons) try to help Jones' former boss Lt. Abner (James Pickens Jr.), who is in a deep depression -- but their efforts are too little, too late. When the partner of nightclub owner Dave Lorenz (Peter Jurasik) is murdered, Lorenz points a finger at a jailed mobster who may have ordered the hit, but Mrs. Lorenz (Sherry Hursey) has an entirely different theory. And while investigating a rape charge, Jill (Andrea Thompson) and Diane (Kim Delaney) turn up a suspect who refuses to speak to anyone but a male detective -- leading to an unexpected revelation of subliminal racism. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Gay officer John Irvin (Bill Brochtrup) of the Anti-Crime division helps the squad in their investigation of a missing-persons case involving a middle-aged homosexual, an angry nephew, a disgruntled lover, and a violent roommate. And Jill (Andrea Thompson), Diane (Kim Delaney), and Jones (Henry Simmons) try to help a timid rape victim (Emily Bergl) retrace the steps taken by her assaulters when they abducted her. NYPD Blue casting director Scott Genkinger appears uncredited as a lawyer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
While investigating the theft of a priceless collection of masterpieces owned by art dealer Noel Beller (Stanley Kamel), Andy (Dennis Franz) and Danny (Rick Schroder) are given some possible clues by attractive journalist Nikki Cameron (Jamie Rose). Though it is no surprise that Danny is fascinated by Nikki, it does come as shock when she reveals her hidden agenda. Elsewhere, Greg (Gordon Clapp) and Baldwin (Henry Simmons) smell a rat when a man insists that his wife has disappeared. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
Wealthy Kathleen Gallegher (Nancy Linari) insists that her former housekeeper killed her own baby. When the identity of the dead child's father is revealed, Baldwin Jones (Henry Simmons) has a heated confrontation with the imperiously racist Gallegher. In another development, Danny Sorenson (Rick Schroder) tries to help street informant J.B. (Jeff Cahill) kick his drug habit, but Danny's idea of rehabilitation does not sit well with Mary (Sheeri Rappaport). And an ex-cop working as a security guard offers his assistance when the parents of his youthful charges are robbed and murdered. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
