Talia Balsam Movies
A longtime television actress who has also branched out into film, brunette beauty Talia Balsam also gained Hollywood recognition for her brief marriage to a pre-superstar George Clooney. Born to actors Martin Balsam and Joyce Van Patten in New York City in 1960, the young aspiring actress received her education at the Treehaven School in Tucson, AZ, before making her bid for the big-time shortly thereafter. In the late '70s, Balsam warmed to television audiences with recurring roles in the small-screen hits Happy Days and Taxi and feature roles in such made-for-TV films as The Survival of Dana and Sunnyside (both 1979) proved a testament to her dramatic range. A dizzying onslaught of similar television features followed, and the 1980s found Balsam becoming something of a staple in such made-for-TV efforts as Kent State (1981) and The Ladies (1987). Endearing roles on Family Ties and Punky Brewster provided just the right balance to such feature screamers as The Supernaturals (1986) and The Kindred (1987); by the time the 1990s rolled around, Balsam was married to up-and-comer Clooney and turning heads on Murder, She Wrote, thirtysomething, and Law & Order. Despite the fact that her most successful roles came with dramatic small-screen roles, Balsam continued to prove that she was an actress of little pretense by appearing in such quirky feature efforts as Coldblooded (1995) and Camp Stories (1997). Married to John Slattery following her divorce from Clooney in 1993, Balsam was later seen in the TV series L.A. Doctors and the feature Valerie Flake (1999). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Lifelong friends Adam (Ashton Kutcher) and Emma (Natalie Portman) attempt to avoid falling in love after falling into each other's beds in this comedy exploring the complexities and quirks of having friends with benefits. Adam was a typical, hormonal 14-year-old when he first came on to Emma at summer camp -- and got shot down in flames. In the years that followed, however, Adam and Emma continued to cross paths until, eventually, they both caved to their animal instincts. Despite an intense session of earth-shaking sex, however, Emma makes it clear to Adam that the last thing she wants is a committed relationship. And thanks to the fact that Adam's father (Kevin Kline), a fallen television star, has just begun dating his son's ex-girlfriend, the horrified bachelor has developed an aversion to monogamy as well. At first their casual stance on sex works great for both; Emma can focus on her career instead of allowing her emotions to dictate her decisions, and Adam can play the field without fear of hurting her feelings. Over time, though, a funny thing happens -- Adam begins to develop feelings for Emma that he never had for any of his countless conquests. Before they both know it, love has reared its ugly head and they've gotten too emotionally involved to cut the relationship off cold. But is commitment in the cards for the couple that always swore it would never get serious, or has the time come for them to finally part ways once and for all? ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Natalie Portman, Ashton Kutcher, (more)
A weary war veteran grows increasingly isolated after returning from her tour of duty, waging a valiant fight to stay connected to the people she loves in the town where she grew up in this earnest drama starring Linda Cardellini and Michael Shannon. Kelli (Cardellini) has just returned home from serving her country, and all she wants is to experience life the way it was before the war. But as her friends seek solace in the minutia of small town life and her children vie for her undivided attention, a chasm begins to open up between Kelli and her loving husband Mike (Shannon), who can't relate to her experiences on the battlefield. Now, as Kelli becomes a stranger to the very people she grew up with, her life begins to take a series of unexpected turns that leave her struggling to forge a new path into the future. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Linda Cardellini, Michael Shannon, (more)
As children, Betty Anne Waters (Hilary Swank) and her brother, Kenny (Sam Rockwell), survived bad parenting and poverty by leaning on each other for support. Kenny grows up to be something of a troublemaker, eventually being convicted for a murder he swears he didn't commit. His sister believes him and, without even a high-school diploma, sets about going to law school in order to figure out a way to free him. She gets a GED, then graduates law school with the help of her only friend (Minnie Driver). She eventually gets the attention of O.J. Simpson defense attorney Barry Scheck (Peter Gallagher), who runs an organization devoted to overturning wrongful convictions by analyzing DNA evidence with tests that were unavailable at the time the cases were tried. When he agrees to help her -- if she can find the old blood evidence -- Betty plows her way through the legal complications that stand between her brother and his freedom. Tony Goldwyn directs this drama inspired by a true story. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Starring:
- Hilary Swank, Sam Rockwell, (more)
A psychiatrist (Ben Kingsley) is put into a moral quandary when a young drug dealer who's been supplying him with pot in exchange for clinical treatment ends up dating his daughter in this comedy from All the Boys Love Mandy Lane's writer/director Jonathan Levine. Josh Peck, Famke Janssen, Mary-Kate Olsen, and Method Man co-star in the Occupant Films production. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ben Kingsley, Josh Peck, (more)
Actress Mary Stuart Masterson makes her feature directorial debut with this drama detailing the manner in which three generations of men deal with the death of the family matriarch. Evicted from his New York City apartment, starving musician Guy Kimbrough (Jayce Bartok) makes his way back upstate for the first time in three years. Upon returning to his hometown, Guy does his best to deal with the recent death of his mother while desperately attempting to reconnect with his ex-girlfriend Stephanie (Miriam Shor) -- who has since moved on and found happiness with another man. Meanwhile, as Guy does his best to win Stephanie back, his shy brother, Beagle (Aaron Stanford), falls deeply in love with Friedreich's Ataxia-stricken high school student Georgia, and their father, Easy (Bruce Dern), attempts to rekindle his relationship with Georgia's grandmother Marg (Elizabeth Ashley). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Kristen Stewart, Aaron Stanford, (more)
The debut season of Matthew Weiner's intense and stylish drama follows the lives of Madison Avenue advertising executives (so-called "Mad Men") in 1960. The series centers on Don Draper (Jon Hamm), the dashing and brilliant creative director for ad agency Sterling Cooper (Season 1 accounts include Richard Nixon's presidential campaign and, appropriately, Lucky Strike, given the cigarettes are smoked in nearly every scene). Don's charms extend well outside of the boardroom and into the bedroom: The married man has a free-spirited lover, Midge Daniels (Rosemarie DeWitt), who's his polar opposite, and a second mistress, Rachel Menken (Maggie Siff), a client whose independence challenges Don's views on women. Don's wife, Betty (January Jones), meanwhile, dutifully fulfills her role as housewife. But when she develops a mysterious ailment that causes her to lose feeling in her hands, she's sent to a psychiatrist to work through her problems. Over at Sterling Cooper, new secretary Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) tries to adjust to life in the boys club with guidance from seen-it-all bombshell secretary Joan Holloway (Christina Hendricks). Young account exec Pete Campbell (Vincent Kartheiser) also has his eyes on Peggy and quickly begins pursuing her, despite his upcoming nuptials. There's even more bad behavior at the office from skirt chasers Ken Cosgrove (Aaron Staton) and Paul Kinsey (Michael Gladis), loving but imperfect Harry Crane (Rich Sommer) and stuck-in-the-closet art director Sal Romano (Bryan Batt). Partner Roger Sterling (John Slattery) does little to set an example for his employees as he happily indulges in an array of vices and an affair with Joan. Senior partner Bertram Cooper (Robert Morse) is mostly out of touch with the staff, preferring to remain within the sanctuary of his giant office. In the midst of this workplace frivolity, Don learns that the picture-perfect life he's created for himself could be threatened by a secret from his past. ~ Brie Hearn, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, (more)
The legacy of a populist Southern politician whose lofty ambitions for the future leave him open to corruption and scandal is detailed as author Robert Penn Warren's thinly veiled portrait of Depression-era Louisiana governor Huey Long comes to the screen -- again -- this time courtesy of director and screenwriter Steven Zaillian. Willie Stark (Sean Penn) is a man of the people, and for the people; at least that's what he tells the people. Propelled into a race for governor by opposing forces looking to split the "hick vote," Stark is convinced by a handler -- as well as by young journalist Jack Burden (Jude Law) -- to not kowtow to the powers that be. His rhetoric grows fiery, and he makes his way into office on a not-so-solid foundation of social-service promises. When idealism gives way to the harsh realities of the time, however, the fast-talking politico is quick to discover just how far one can fall when ambition and power lead to a betrayal of one's original motivations. Kate Winslet, Patricia Clarkson, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Hopkins round out an all-star cast in this second version of Warren's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1947 novel; the first won a parade of Oscars after its release in 1949. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
The bittersweet pangs of first love among sixth graders sets the stage for this romantic comedy. Gabe (Josh Hutcherson) is an 11-year-old boy living on the more exclusive side of New York City; his parents, Adam (Bradley Whitford) and Leslie (Cynthia Nixon), are splitting up, and as their marriage slowly crumbles, they've both become increasingly protective of their son. While most of Gabe's friends are still firmly in the "girls are yucky" stage, Gabe has found his head turned by Rosemary (Charlie Ray), a cute girl in his karate class. Negotiating the tricky waters of impressing the opposite sex for the first time, Gabe works up the nerve to ask Rosemary out on a date, and in time the two begin spending their spare time together. But just when Gabe feels ready to tackle the next step and tell Rosemary that he's in love with her, he learns that she'll be spending the summer away at camp, meaning he'll have to spend his vacation pining for her. Meanwhile, as Gabe turns to Adam for advice, Adam begins taking another look at where his relationship with Leslie went sour. Little Manhattan was the first directorial effort for writer and producer Mark Levin. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- 1998
Loosely following the format of ABC's 1969-74 comedy anthology series Love, American Style, Aaron Spelling's first Love Boat set sail September 24, 1977 with the series' intertwining stories all taking place aboard the cruise ship Pacific Princess, captained by Gavin MacLeod. Spelling Television updated the concept in this 1998 romantic comedy series with Captain Jim Kennedy III (Robert Urich) retired from the Navy and now at the helm of the luxury liner Sun Princess. There's a full crew of regulars on board, and Kennedy's 15-year-old mischievous son Danny (Kyle Howard) roams the ship while it cruises about in search of love, Caribbean style. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Starring:
- Robert Urich, Joan Severance, (more)
- 1998
This TV medical drama examines egos and ethics as a trio of doctors enter private practice. Doctors Roger Cattan (Ken Olin), Tim Lonner (Matt Craven), and Evan Newman (Rick Roberts) recruit Dr. Sarah Church (Sheryl Lee) to join their team, and they're in business -- occupying a posh office with dubious decor, and ready to display their bedside manners while building bank accounts. Will workaholic Sarah and sensitive, single-dad Newman become a twosome? Filmed in L.A., this series premiered September 21, 1998 on CBS. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ken Olin, Matt Craven, (more)
- 1997
- PG
This comedic look at a Jewish summer camp in the 1950's stars Jason Biggs, Jerry Stiller, and Elliot Gould. For one small group of people, immigrant culture eventually finds its place among the tensions rumbling between sexes, generations, and cultures. ~ Cammila Collar, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jerry Stiller, Zachary Taylor, (more)
- 1996
Thirty years after being convicted on a stabbing-and-rape charge, the accused may be able to get a new trial. This is the result of fresh evidence unearthed by diligent detectives Briscoe (Jerry Orbach) and Logan (Benjamin Bratt). But the good news for the accused rapist is devastatingly bad news for his alleged victim, Cookie Costello (Anita Gillette), who is terrified that she will again be targeted for assault -- and possibly murder. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
In this drama, a renegade lawyer struggles to save a man from Death Row after she learns that the condemned has been suffering from a mis-diagnosed mental illness. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Amanda Donohoe, Kay Lenz, (more)
- 1995
- R
A quiet young fellow becomes a reluctant, but effective hit man in this comedy. Cosmo, a robot-like bookie, is promoted to hit man by his crime boss, Gordon. Cosmo's teacher is to be the philosophical and chatty Steve, a real pro. Cosmo is an excellent shot and quickly learns. His problem is that he likes to get to know his clients and empathize with them before he kills them. In time Cosmo feels conflict after he begins to fall in love with Jasmine, his yoga-instructor. He wants out of the profession. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jason Priestley, Peter Riegert, (more)
- 1995
Paul Winfield makes his first series appearance as Special Agent Angel Sam. After completing an assignment in the town of Roxford, Tess (Della Reese) makes a return visit to help Dr. Joanne Glassberg (Talia Balsam) open an AIDs hospice. Unfortunately, Joanne is injured in a bombing masterminded by a group of white supremacists led by Tim Porter (Craig Wasson)--to whom Tess had previously been assigned as a Heavenly caseworker. So angry is Tess over her failure to "convert" Tim that Sam is forced to strip her of her powers and take charge of her next assignment: foiling a hate-mongering politician (John Schneider) who is actually Satan in disguise! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1994
A computer with a mind of its own is the subject of this made-for-television thriller. Set sometime in the future, the film tells the story of a female writer who goes to a secluded cabin to work. She decides to take a programmable male android with her for company. She changes his programming to suit her specific needs but gets more than she bargained for when the android gets his own ideas on what she wants. ~ Bernadette McCallion, Rovi
- 1993
Rekindling an old flame can be more complicated than it sounds, as Larry (Garry Shandling) finds out in this episode of HBO's popular late-night talk show parody. When Larry begins to suspect that Francine (Kathryn Harrold) may not be as committed to their relationship as he initially thought, a lovers' quarrel threatens to dampen their current romance. Guest stars include Gary Kemp and Talia Balsam. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- 1992
- R
Scott Valentine stars as an assistant D.A. who has an affair with an office intern (Vanessa Angel), who is the homicidal niece of his ill-fated boss. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi
- 1992
A pregnant Nigerian woman dies while carrying 20 heroin-filled condoms in her stomach. In seeking the person or persons responsible for the woman's grisly demise, the detectives and the attorneys come up with two possibles: engineer Phillip Marietta (Andrew Robinson) and African tribal chieftain Ola-Gimju Nawaka (Wendell Pierce). Featured in the cast is Beverly Johnson, then the girlfriend of series regular Chris Noth. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
The bizarre relationship between an overbearing mother and her son, a convicted rapist, forms the basis of this dark drama based on a novel by Jack Olsen, which is in turn based on a true story. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dale Midkiff, (more)
- 1990
Diana Canova guests as Maggie McCauley, former student of Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) and now the producer of a TV police show. Shortly after a heated argument between Maggie and the network programmer who is planning to cancel the series, the programmer turns up murdered. With herself under suspicion, Maggie draws upon the deductive skills gleaned from her mentor Jessica to find the real killer. Actor-turned-network executive Dwayne Hickman is quite cleverly cast in this episode!. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1989
- R
Rock star Adam Ant tops the cast in Trust Me. The premise is as old as dirt, maybe older: art dealer Ant decides that his paintings would be far more valuable if the artists were dead. Now comes the twist: Ant fully intends to make certain that his artists are dead. In particular danger is Ant's chief protege, Brian Packer, who is on the verge of outliving his usefulness. Slapstick, satire and irony are blended in equal measure, resulting in a diverting (if not brilliant) filmic experience. Cast as another art dealer is Barbara Bain, who after years on stage and television is here making her theatrical-feature debut. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Adam Ant, David Packer, (more)
- 1987
- R
A scientist discovers that he isn't an only child in this effects-laden creature feature whose cast includes screen veterans Kim Hunter and Rod Steiger among a host of other, less well-known performers. John Hollins (David Allen Brooks) is delighted to learn that his geneticist mother, Amanda (Hunter), has awoken from her coma years after she suffered a horrible car crash. During their reunion, he learns that she was trying to put an end to a misguided experiment at her home on the night of the accident. Before losing consciousness, Amanda reveals that John has a brother named Anthony. Later, she's murdered by Dr. Phillip Lloyd (Rod Steiger), an old colleague who wants to uncover the secrets of her research. John travels to his large, run-down boyhood home with his girlfriend, a group of pals, and a mysterious acolyte of his mother's named Melissa (Amanda Pays); the group plans to search for clues about Amanda's research and John's supposed sibling. The young scientist soon ascertains that his mother had created some sort of human/aquatic hybrid, but he doesn't realize that the creature was assembled from his own genetic material -- or that it's still alive in the bowels of the house and picking off his friends one at a time. Meanwhile, something's fishy with Melissa, who skulks around, doesn't sleep, tries to seduce John, covers up details of the attacks on his friends, and seems to have some sort of connection to Dr. Lloyd. Co-directors Jeffrey Obrow and Stephen W. Carpenter previously collaborated on the slasher quickie The Dorm That Dripped Blood and on The Power, a made-for-TV horror film. Pays would go on to co-star in the similarly aquatic sci-fi film Leviathan. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
- Starring:
- David Allen Brooks, Rod Steiger, (more)
- 1987
- PG13
This romantic comedy is based on a true story that happened in California in 1944. Sonny Wisecarver (Patrick Dempsey) is 15 year old who has an affair with his older neighbor Judy (Talia Balsam). The two run off and get married, but a stern judge has the union annulled. Sonny is hauled before the same judge when he gets involved with another older woman (Beverly D'Angelo), and the publicity makes him the object of affection for millions of young women who believe Sonny has something special. Michael Constantine and Betty Jinnett play Sonny's concerned parents. Carl Reiner is the uncredited narrator, and the real-life Elliott "Sonny" Wisecarver has a cameo appearance as a mailman. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi
- Starring:
- Patrick Dempsey, Beverly D'Angelo, (more)
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