Julian Christopher Movies

Originally titled Echoes, this made-for-cable drama is set in Napa Valley wine country, sometime in the 1980s. Patricia Heaton (who also produced the film) stars as Sara, the daughter of strong-willed vineyard owner Alicia Anselmi (Lainie Kazan). Hoping to arrange a merger between Alicia and rival vintner Nick Di Cenzo (Tony Lo Bianco), Sara must first overcome the bitter 40-year-feud between ex-sweethearts Alicia and Nick, which began when each seemingly jilted the other during WW2. The delivery of a long-lost engagement ring proves beyond doubt that Nick had intended to marry Alicia, but evidently this does little to alleviate their mutual animosity. And when it appears that Sara intends to dump her fiancé Brian (David Hunt) in favor of Nick's nephew Tony (Vincent Spano), Alicia and Nick are all the more convinced that any merger between the Anselmi and DiCenzo families--even a merger that never comes to fruition--will result only in heartache for all concerned. The Engagement Ring originally aired over the TNT cable network on November 28, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Originally titled American Meltdown, this speculative made-for-cable melodrama begins as a group of six terrorists, bearing names like Khalid, Shafig, and Ziad, take over a nuclear power plant in San Juan. It turns out that the terrorists' actions are merely symbolic, and that no real harm is intended -- but things get tragically out of control, and soon the military and the government are in full spin mode to gloss over and wash their hands of a deadly nuclear meltdown that threatens to destroy everything within driving distance of the plant. In a virtual reprise of his characterization in the TV series 24, Arnold Vosloo portrays the head of the terrorists, who are more "home grown" than anyone is willing to admit. The film is shot in a punchy, fast-cut, hand-held "breaking news" style, alternating dizzily between color and black-and-white to give it a documentary feel. Meltdown was presented by the FX cable channel on June 6, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A plant created with the DNA of the long-extinct Nicodemus flower is stolen. While attempting to rescue an apparently unhinged man from harming himself, Jonathan Kent (John Schneider) comes in contact with the pilfered plant. Under the influence of the Nicodemus flower -- which had been responsible for a devastating plague in Smallville in the early 20th century -- Jonathan experiences a bizarre and disturbing change in his own behavior. It falls to Jonathan's adopted son, Clark (Tom Welling), to avert a disaster that threatens to sweep Jonathan, Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), and Pete Ross (Sam Jones III) into its path. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

While attempting to rescue fellow teenager Eric Summers (Shawn Ashmore) from an outsized thunderstorm, Clark Kent (Tom Welling) is struck by a bolt of lightning. Instantly, Clark is stripped of his superpowers -- which, in turn, are transferred to Eric. As Clark tries to adjust to being just another normal high school kid, the emboldened Eric (ironically nicknamed "Superboy" by Clark's friends) ends up dangerously misapplying his new talents. Meanwhile, would-be business mogul Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) has an eventful run-in with the aristocratic father (William Samples) of Victoria Hardwick (Kelly Brook). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The explosive X-Men motion picture trilogy officially draws to a close with this release that finds Rush Hour director Brett Ratner stepping in for Bryan Singer to tell the tale of a newly discovered mutant "cure," and the polarizing effect it has on mutant/man relations. With the pressure on mutants to give up their powers and pledge alliance with the human race reaching a critical turning point, Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) urges tolerance and understanding as his nemesis Magneto (Ian McKellen) gathers a powerful resistance in preparation for the ultimate war against humankind. Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, and James Marsden return to reprise the roles they played in the previous two X-Men films, with Kelsey Grammer and Vinnie Jones joining the cast as Beast and Juggernaut respectively. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi