Josh Schwartz Movies
Famous as reportedly the youngest person, as of the mid-2000s, to ever create, produce, and author episodes of a prime-time network series (he was 26 at the time), and as one of the individuals who helped resuscitate intra-program brand integration for scripted series dramas, Josh Schwartz bears chief responsibility for bringing the The O.C. into the world. As co-produced with former music-video helmer McG and aired on the Fox network from 2003 to 2007, the evening soaper -- its title an abbreviation for "The Orange County" -- dramatized the story of a public defender (Peter Gallagher) who takes a troubled young man (Benjamin McKenzie) into his upper-crust Newport Beach home. Schwartz conceived the series while a student at the University of Southern California; it sprang from his sociological research on Orange County. After The O.C. folded in 2007, Schwartz announced his launch of two additional television programs: Chuck, a comedy-adventure about a hopeless nerd (Zachary Levi) who embarks on a spy career when the world's most guarded secrets are embedded into his brain, and Gossip Girl, adapted from the novels by Cecily von Ziegesar, about a young woman with a secret identity who uses a blog to make public all the hottest gossip of New York City's elite teens. He made his feature directorial debut with Fun Size, a teen comedy, in 2012. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
A high-school senior loses her little brother while trick-or-treating, and recruits three of her classmates to help bring him back home before her mother finds out in this teen comedy from first-time director Josh Schwartz (executive producer of TV's Chuck and Gossip Girl). Sardonic Wren (Victoria Justice) hails from an unusually dysfunctional family. She can't wait until she escapes to college and leaves them all behind, but in the meantime, an invitation to the biggest Halloween party in the area at least offers her an excuse to get out of the house for a night. But when Wren is placed on babysitting duty so her mother can dash out and party with her handsome young boy toy, the dejected teen reluctantly takes her little brother Albert out for a night of trick-or-treating. Later, when Albert vanishes into a sea of costumed kids, his panicked sister enlists the help of her best friend April, wannabe womanizer Peng, and his charmingly geeky pal Roosevelt to track down her missing brother, and get him safely back home while their mother remains none the wiser. Meanwhile, over the course of one wild and unpredictable Halloween night, the group's frantic search lands them in some pretty outlandish situations, and provides Roosevelt with the perfect opportunity to impress his longtime crush Wren. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Victoria Justice, Thomas Mann, (more)
Set in the era before Professor Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr became mortal enemies as Professor X and Magneto, respectively, director Matthew Vaughn's X-Men: First Class follows the two former allies as they lead a powerful team of mutants on a mission to save the planet from nuclear annihilation. Charles (James McAvoy) and Erik (Michael Fassbender) were just young men when it began to appear as if the world was careening toward destruction. As the Doomsday Clock ticks faster toward midnight, the time comes to take action. Realizing they could use their unique powers to avert a global thermonuclear war during the Bay of Pigs crisis, the two powerful mutants launch an intense recruitment campaign with the support of Dr. Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne) and the CIA. Before long, Charles and Erik have assembled a crack team that includes Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), Banshee (Caleb Landry Jones), Beast (Nicholas Hoult), Angel (Zoe Kravitz), Havok (Lucas Till), and Darwin (Edi Gathegi). Meanwhile, the malevolent Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) plots to plunge the world into war with the help of villainous mutants Riptide (Alex Gonzalez), Azazel (Jason Flemyng), and Emma Frost (January Jones). In the process of saving humanity, however, Charles and Erik clash, setting the stage for Professor X to lead the X-Men in the fight for good as Magneto and the Brotherhood spread chaos and destruction on a global scale. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, (more)
- 2007
Zachary Levi starred as computer geek and social misfit Chuck Bartowski in this heady NBC combination of comedy, fantasy, espionage, teen angst and wish fulfillment. While working a technical-support firm called the Nerd Herd staffed by "socially challenged" individuals, Chuck inherits a wealth of top-secret government information from a cornered agent who knew him once upon a time. Before long, Chuck meets Sarah Walker (Yvonne Starhovski), a sexy super-spy whose mission it was to keep his newly-obtained secrets out of the hands of the enemy. (Strahovski somehow managed to shed most of her clothes in each episode, which surely didn't hurt ratings much). Also in the cast were Adam Baldwin as irascible CIA boss Maj. John Casey, Joshua Gomez as Chuck's goofy best friend Morgan Grimes, Sarah Lancaster as Chuck's troublesome sister Ellie, and, at Nerd Herd headquarters, Mark Christopher Lawrence as manager Big Mike, C.S. Lee as assistant manager C.S. Lee, and Chuck's coworkers Anna (Julia Ling, Lester (Vik Sahay and Jeff (Scott Krinsky). The weekly, hour-long Chuck was first seen on September 24, 2007.
~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2007
Based on Alloy Entertainment's book series by Cecily Von Ziegesar, CW's Gossip Girl gave New York's fashionable Upper East Side basically the same slick and sexy treatment as Fox's The O.C. had given California's Orange County. The series focused on a group of terribly wealthy, dazzlingly good-looking young men and women, all attending a high-end prep school. At the outset of the story, the previously unquestioned social supremacy of teenaged rich-bitch Blair Waldorf (Leighton Meester) was suddenly and unexpectedly placed in jeopardy by the return of Blair's former best friend Serena Van der Woodson (Blake Lively), who'd just been booted out of boarding school. An unabashed "party animal" and romantic predator, Serena not only threatened Blair's position as the school's unofficial leader, but also tried to move in on Blair's handsome-hunk boyfriend Nate Archibald (Chace Crawford). These momentous events were observed and commented upon by Blair's current best buds Kati (Nan Zhang) and Isabel (Nicole Fiscella), and by the series' obligatory "blue-collar" characters, likable Dan Humphrey (Penn Badgely) and his socially ambitious sister Jenny (Taylor Momsen)--the latter unwittingly targeted for eventual seduction by the school's resident Lothario, Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick). The titular "Gossip Girl", played by Kristen Bell, dished out all the dirt on her online website, thus acting as the series' unofficial narrator. Originally planned as a theatrical feature starring Lindsay Lohan, Gossip Girl ended up being developed as a TV series by The O.C.'s Josh Schwartz, and in this form made its debut as a pilot on September 19, 2007, and as a weekly offering on October 1 of that year. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2004
As Anna (Samaire Armstrong) prepares to return to Pittsburgh, Seth (Adam Brody) is tortured with guilt, thinking that he, and he alone, is responsible for her abrupt departure. In other developments, Sandy (Peter Gallagher) tries to untangle the legal problems facing his wife, Kirsten (Kelly Rowan), and father-in-law, Caleb (Alan Dale). The clandestine relationship between Julie (Melinda Clarke) and Luke (Chris Carmack) is discovered by an outraged Jimmy (Tate Donovan). And though Ryan (Ben McKenzie) is happy that his former girlfriend Theresa (Navi Rawat) has decided to stay in Newport, he will be less happy about the emotional baggage Theresa has brought from their old Chino neighborhood. ~ Rovi
- 2004
Paris Hilton guest stars in this episode, in which Grady Bridges (Colin Hanks), handsome leading man of the popular TV soap opera "The Valley," invites his gushing fans Marissa (Mischa Barton) and Summer (Rachel Bilson) to a party in L.A. Coming along for the ride are Ryan (Ben McKenzie), who hopes to shield Marissa from learning about the affair between her ex-boyfriend Luke (Chris Carmack) and her mother, Julie (Melinda Clarke); and Seth (Adam Brody), who is just worried about losing Summer to the glamour and glitter of la-la land. This episode also includes a surprise confrontation with Kirsten's (Kelly Rowan) prodigal sister, Hailey (Amanda Righetti). ~ Rovi
- 2004
The Lighthouse's reopening is threatened when its liquor license is turned down due to improprieties on the part of co-owner Jimmy (Tate Donovan). Summer (Rachel Bilson) and Seth (Adam Brody) try to comfort Marissa (Mischa Barton) after she learns the truth about Julie (Melinda Clarke) and Luke (Chris Carmack). Recovering from his near-fatal accident, Luke makes an effort to come clean before exiting the O.C. for good. And in keeping with the title of this episode, Caleb (Alan Dale) startles everyone by proposing to the love of his life. ~ Rovi
- 2004
When this final episode of The O.C.'s first season originally aired in May of 2004, producer Josh Schwartz refused to reveal any plot details, though he made a tantalizing promise: "I think people will be upset, but they won't be disappointed." As expected, most of the episode is taken up with the wedding of gold-digging Julie Cooper (Melinda Clarke) and scheming Caleb Nichol (Alan Dale). However, there is still time aplenty to deal with other major plot developments -- not least of which is Theresa's (Navi Rawat) announcement that she is pregnant, and that Ryan (Ben McKenzie) is possibly the father. ~ Rovi
- 2004
Is Jimmy (Tate Donovan) ready and able to reopen the Lighthouse restaurant with Sandy (Peter Gallagher) as his partner -- or is there a hidden problem that may end this business enterprise before it begins? Meanwhile, Summer's (Rachel Bilson) new relationship with another "funny" guy, Danny (Bret Harrison), gets Seth (Adam Brody) riled up; and Julie (Melinda Clarke) has found work as a designer -- and a potential enemy in the form of Kirsten (Kelly Rowan). As for Ryan (Ben McKenzie), he is prepared to risk everything in his life that he holds dear, if only to expose Oliver Trask (Taylor Handley) as a phony. ~ Rovi
- 2004
As Valentine's Day approaches, the O.C.ers prepare for a big "Singles" benefit bash. And speaking of singles: Luke (Chris Carmack) may have a new love in his life (or so he thinks); Seth (Adam Brody) acts upon some interesting romantic advice in his dealings with Summer (Rachel Bilson); and newly divorced Jimmy (Tate Donovan) is in for a surprise. The most prominent crisis of the heart occurs between Ryan (Ben McKenzie) and Marissa (Mischa Barton); still hoping that Ryan will forgive her about her episode with Oliver, Marissa reveals her true feelings when Ryan's former Chino girlfriend Theresa (Navi Rawat) shows up to cater the benefit. ~ Rovi
- 2003
During Thanksgiving week, Ryan (Ben McKenzie) is summoned back to Chino by his family. Accompanied by Marissa (Mischa Barton), Ryan ends up visiting his brother, Trey (Bradley Stryker), in prison. Meanwhile, back in the O.C., Marissa's mother, Julie (Melinda Clarke), expresses outrage that her daughter has taken off without telling her or asking her for permission, blaming it on both Ryan and her ex, Jimmy (Tate Donovan). Many unpleasant memories are invoked throughout the remainder of the episode, with (potentially) worse to come. Meanwhile, the romantic triangle involving Seth (Adam Brody), Summer (Rachel Bilson), and Anna (Samaire Armstrong) rushes toward a resolution. ~ Rovi
- 2003
The first new FOX network series of the 2003-2004 season, The O.C. was co-produced and co-created by McG, director of the Charlie's Angels theatrical films, and Josh Schwartz, a 26-year-old University of Southern California graduate, upon whose academic research the series was based. The titular initials stood for "Orange County," as in California. A troubled and troublesome teenager from a rough neighborhood and an unhappy home environment, Ryan Atwood (Benjamin McKenzie) was on the verge of becoming a full-time lawbreaker when he was taken under the wing of public defender Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher). Much to the dismay of his social-climbing, ex-beauty queen wife Kirsten (Kelly Rowan), Sandy invited Ryan to live with his family in the high-class Orange County community of Newport Beach. Also participating the series' Beverly Hills 90210-like plot convolutions were Adam Brody as the Cohen's intellectual-loner son Seth; Mischa Barton as gorgeous girl-next-door Marissa Cooper (one of the few "nice" characters amongst the spoiled and narcissistic teen population of Newport Beach); and Tate Donovan as Marissa's rich father, Jimmy. Jumping the gun on the standard September startup date, The O.C. premiered August 5, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 2003
Alan Dale makes his first series appearance as Caleb Nichol, the wealthy, manipulative father of troubled Newport matron Kirsten Cohen (Kelly Rowan). Caleb sets the Cohen household on its ear when he introduces his new and extremely young girlfriend, Gabrielle (Nichole Hiltz), who may well put Seth Cohen (Adam Brody) in the uncomfortable position of having to refer to a 24-year-old woman as "Grandma." As for Kirsten's lawyer husband, Sandy (Peter Gallagher), he is becoming more and more nostalgic for his "old," pre-Newport lifestyle. Next door at the Coopers, Jimmy (Tate Donovan) faces losing his wife and his job in one fell swoop, while Jimmy's ex-to-be Julie (Melinda Clarke) begins cozying up to the redoubtable Caleb. In other developments, Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton) tries to choose between Ryan (Ben McKenzie) and Luke (Chris Carmack). And is Summer (Rachel Bilson) really interested in Seth or is she just playing games? ~ Rovi
- 2003
As several of the younger O.C.ers plan an end-of-summer trip to Tijuana, Sandy Cohen (Adam Brody) takes a new legal job that disturbs his social-climbing wife, Kirsten (Kelly Rowan) -- who in turn must now fend off her suddenly amorous neighbor Jimmy Cooper (Tate Donovan). The sojourn into Mexico swings from delightful to disturbing when Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton) finds out about her parents' divorce and learns the whole truth about her boyfriend, Luke (Chris Carmack), all at once. A near-tragedy results when Marissa tries to "solve" her troubles in an extremely dangerous fashion. ~ Rovi
- 2003
As Sandy and Kirsten Cohen (Peter Gallagher and Kelly Rowan) agree to take full legal responsibility for the troubled Ryan (Ben McKenzie), Newport's most prominent (and most attractive) young ladies prepare for the annual cotillion. Marissa (Mischa Barton) stage-manages matters so that Ryan will escort the lovely Anna Stern (Samaire Armstrong), while Seth (Adam Brody) is slated to escort his dream girl, Summer (Rachel Bilson) -- good news for him, if not for her. Elsewhere, Sandy expresses dismay over the 100,000-dollar loan extended by Kirsten to Marissa's father (and Kirsten's former boyfriend), Jimmy (Tate Donovan), who is currently the target of a fraud investigation. ~ Rovi
- 2003
Faced with the likelihood of being sent to a foster home, Ryan (Ben McKenzie) runs away from the Newport Beach home of the Cohens, planning to ultimately escape to Texas. Actually, he gets no farther than an uncompleted building project, a "model home" conceived by Seth's mother, Kirsten Cohen (Kelly Rowan). Seth (Adam Brody) and Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton) dedicate themselves to concealing Ryan from the authorities, and they form a bond of friendship when they see Kirsten secretly meet with and loan 100,000 dollars to Marissa's financially floundering father, Jimmy (Tate Donovan). Unfortunately, Marissa's jealous boyfriend, Luke (Chris Carmack), is in no mood to cooperate -- and by the time this episode comes to a climax, the audience has borne witness to a cataclysmic conflagration...and two arrests. ~ Rovi
- 2003
The initial seven-week "test run" of The O.C. starts with a bang in this debut episode. The main focus is on Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), a tough, trouble-prone teen who has been arrested for stealing a car and thrown out of his Chino home, seemingly headed inexorably toward a life of crime. Sensing that the boy has the potential for good if only given a chance, idealistic pro bono public defender Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher) invites Ryan to move into the pool house of the Cohen family's fashionable home, located in the wealthy Newport Beach district of Orange County, CA. Although Sandy's social-climbing ex-beauty-queen wife, Kirsten (Kelly Rowan), is upset by Ryan's presence, the young visitor finds a friend and kindred spirit in the Cohens' intellectual loner son, Seth (Adam Brody). Before long, Ryan has met his extremely attractive next-door neighbor Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton). Unfortunately, he also has a nasty run-in at an O.C. fundraiser after-party with Marissa's jealous boyfriend, Luke Ward (Chris Carmack), the fallout from which threatens to condemn Ryan to the living hell of the foster-care system. "Welcome to the O.C., Bitch!" ~ Rovi
Destined to run an impressive 27 hour-long episodes (as opposed to the usual 22), season one of The O.C. wastes little time in setting up its premise: trouble-prone teenager Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), booted out of his Chino home and apparently foredoomed to a life of crime, is "rescued" by idealistic pro bono defense attorney Sanford "Sandy" Cohen (Peter Gallagher). Over the initial protests of his former beauty-queen wife, Kirsten (Kelly Rowan), Sandy invites Ryan to live in the pool house of the Cohens' lavish Newport Beach home in California's very upscale Orange County. Quickly making friends with the Cohen's intellectual-loner son, Seth (Adam Brody), Ryan also makes a good impression on his attractive next-door neighbor Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton) -- much to the disgust of Marissa's jock boyfriend, Luke Ward (Chris Carmack). Unfolding in a serial-like fashion, the remainder of the season details the disintegrating marriage of Marissa's parents, Jimmy Cooper (Tate Donovan) and his avaricious wife, Julie (Melinda Clarke) (who later has an affair with the cast-off Luke); Sandy's job switch, which causes friction in his relationship with Kirsten vis-à-vis his sexy new law partner Rachel Hoffman (Bonnie Somerville); the decision by Sandy and Jimmy to jointly purchase Newport Beach's favorite restaurant, the Lighthouse; Marissa's self-destructive behavior during a vacation in Mexico, and her ill-fated association with the duplicitous Oliver Trask (Taylor Handley); Seth's dilemma as he tries to choose between two girlfriends, Summer Roberts (Rachel Bilson) and Anna Stern (Samaire Armstrong); and the disruptive machinations of Kirsten's high-rolling father, Caleb (Alan Dale), and her hedonistic sister, Hailey (Amanda Rhigetti). The cliffhanger climax of The O.C.'s first season is dominated by two major events: the wedding of the series' two most selfish and mercenary characters, and some devastating news delivered by Theresa (Navi Rawat), Ryan's former girlfriend from his Chino days. ~ Rovi
- 2003
Mom Kirsten (Kelly Rowan) and son Seth (Adam Brody) both have much to answer for after their outrageous behavior during Thanksgiving. While still wondering if she should become involved with Kirsten's father, Caleb (Alan Dale), Julie (Melinda Clarke) has trouble dealing with the fact that Kirsten's husband, Sandy (Peter Gallagher), is dispensing advice to her own soon-to-be-ex-hubby, Jimmy (Tate Donovan). In other developments, perpetual rivals Ryan (Ben McKenzie) and Luke (Chris Carmack) temporarily bury the hatchet while teamed on a history project, and a prominent O.C.er makes a disturbing revelation. ~ Rovi
- 2003
New Year's Eve promises to be a chaotic occasion for the O.C.ers. To start with, Kirsten's (Kelly Rowan) rebellious sister, Hailey (Amanda Righetti), has returned, hell-bent on throwing the wild party to end all wild parties. Meanwhile, Ryan (Ben McKenzie) and Marissa (Mischa Barton) find that their plans to spend a quiet evening at home are threatened by the presence of the redoubtable Oliver Trask (Taylor Handley), who is arranging a New Year's bash of his own. And Seth (Adam Brody), who seemingly lost both Summer (Rachel Bilson) and Anna (Samaire Armstrong) when he was unable to choose between them, gets a surprise visit from one of them for the big midnight celebration. ~ Rovi
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