Christine Romeo Movies
Blair Witch aesthetics merge with dysfunctional family comedy sensibilities in director Drew Filus' intimate look at what happens when a happy young couple attempts to capture a special family event on videotape. Devon and Monica have been happily dating for four years, so when Devon's mother and father make plans to renew their marriage vows, she requests that the pair make the trip to California and videotape the big event. Upon arriving in Los Angeles, Monica witnesses firsthand just how contentious Devon's family truly is, and begins to have second thoughts about her recent push to finally legitimize their relationship. Even worse, Devon's outspoken mother seems intent on sabotaging her son's relationship - a development that only serves to justify his girlfriend's doubts about the prospect of marriage. Over the course of the weekend, Devon gradually begins to realize just how lucky he is to have Monica, but is that feeling mutual? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jennifer Siebel, Robert Cuthill, (more)
- 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!" ~ All Movie Guide
- 1999
Carol (Julianna Margulies) tells Greene (Anthony Edwards) that she is pregnant, and offers some encouraging words to schizophrenic new mother Coco (Sheila Kelley). Jeanie (Gloria Reuben) finds her faith renewed as she cares for Rev. Matthew Lynn (Roscoe Lee Browne). Lucy (Kellie Martin) discovers that her young patient has been overmedicated. Carter (Noah Wyle) mentors a teenager named Antoine Bell (Corey Parker Robinson). And Romano (Paul McCrane) forces Benton (Eriq La Salle) into a crucial decision. There are a few light-hearted moments in this episode -- before everything is literally plunged into darkness. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
