Jennifer Carpenter Movies
For many impressionable filmgoers, actress Jennifer Carpenter will forever be the sheltered teen at the center of a controversial demonic possession case in The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Though her filmography has also included such features as White Chicks and D.E.B.S., it was the small screen that next served to improve her profile when the Kentucky native and Juilliard graduate took on a challenging role on the acclaimed Showtime series Dexter.It was Carpenter's aunt who helped to get the aspiring young actress interested in a career as a performer, and though her dad urged her to have a backup plan, there was no room for a halfhearted attempt as far as the determined daughter was concerned. In the years that followed, she threw herself headlong into her craft, eventually landing her breakthrough role opposite Angela Bettis in director Kevin Ford's intersecting-lives drama People Are Dead in 2002. Several film roles followed, until the prominent Emily Rose performance greatly boosted her profile in 2005. Fresh off that success, Carpenter went on to the prominent role of the titular character's adoptive sister, Debra Morgan, on Dexter. Carpenter also appeared in the star-studded activist drama Battle in Seattle a few months into Dexter's second season. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
A handful of New Yorkers struggle to tie together the loose ends of their lives following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, in this drama. It has been several weeks since the twin towers of the World Trade Center fell, and Liz (Janeane Garofalo), a writer who watched as one of the jets sailed past her window and into the skyscraper, has refused to leave her apartment since the disaster. However, an eccentric but street-smart poet named Karl (Giancarlo Esposito) carries a torch for Liz and is determined to bring her back to the land of the living. Judy (Nicole Hansen) suffers through an unpleasant one-night stand with Billy (Dov Davidoff) before waking up in the apartment of Punch (Tony Spiridakis), a fellow lost soul whose car is covered with the dust left by the falling towers...only now, some of his neighbors claim they can see a holy apparition in the dirt, so it's hard for him to move. And Samantha (Jennifer Carpenter), who has been observing the neighborhood from behind the bar at a local watering hole, finds some much-needed comfort in the arms of renegade would-be rock singer Gina Mascara (Pauley Perrette). Screened at film festivals as Ash Tuesday, Beyond the Ashes was written by Tony Spiridakis, who also plays Punch. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
When brothers and fellow FBI agents Marcus (Marlon Wayans) and Kevin Copeland (Shawn Wayans) accidentally ruin an otherwise painstakingly executed drug bust, getting back into the good graces of their boss becomes a high-priority assignment in itself. With this in mind, Marcus and Kevin take on a case far beneath their usual standards when they agree to escort socialite sisters Brittany (Maitland Ward) and Tiffany Wilton (Anne Dudek) from a private terminal at JFK Airport to their hotel room in the Hamptons. Once there, two considerably higher-ranking agents will take over the girls' protection. The extra security is no mere perk of wealth, however, as it appears that Brittany and Tiffany have been targeted by a serial kidnapper. The FBI hopes to apprehend the perpetrator by using the girls as bait, unbeknownst to them. The plan may have worked if it weren't for Kevin and Marcus, who manage to let the sisters in on the secret. Understandably, neither of them want any part in the process, so they force the brothers to come up with a radical solution: With the help of an FBI lab scientist, the very much African-American Kevin and Marcus will be transformed into two white women who could pass for Brittany and Tiffany. The agents must keep the charade up long enough to lure the kidnapper, but fooling everyone involved will be the job of their lives. Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans, White Chicks also features James King and Lochlyn Munro. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, (more)
The new owner of a dilapidated apartment building becomes the prime suspect in a series of brutal murders in this thriller starring Judd Nelson, Jennifer Carpenter, and Stacey Dash. Amanda Winters has just purchased the Grayson Arms, a crumbling apartment complex filled with rent-controlled tenants who all plan to remain precisely where they are. Unfortunately for all involved, Amanda has other plans for the property. Later, as the tenants begin to die in a series of gruesome accidents, Amanda is singled out as the prime suspect in the deaths. But Amanda isn't the only one with a reason to kill, because from the mysterious twins to the neurotic therapist who dwells in Grayson Arms, it seems that everyone has some kind of dark secret to protect. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Judd Nelson, Jennifer Carpenter, (more)
In this blend of psychological thriller and courtroom drama, Emily Rose (Jennifer Carpenter) is a 19-year-old college student who begins displaying bizarre and troubling behavior; as her actions become increasingly destructive and shocking, Emily begins speaking in strange tongues and destroying religious symbols that surround her. Emily's parents believe that their daughter has become possessed of the devil, and the Catholic Church agrees to authorize an exorcism of the young woman. As Father Moore (Tom Wilkinson) attempts to drive the demons from Emily's body, the girl dies in the midst of the taxing ceremonies, and Father Moore finds himself charged with negligent homicide. Attorney Erin Bruner (Laura Linney) is hired to represent Father Moore against prosecutor Ethan Thomas (Campbell Scott), who intends to prove there were concrete medical explanations for Emily's behaviors, including epilepsy and schizophrenia, all leading to a heated courtroom debate between the notions of faith and science. The Exorcism of Emily Rose was inspired by the real-life story of Anneliese Michel, a young woman from Germany who died in 1976 after priests in Wurzburg spent eight months attempting to exorcise demons from her body. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson, (more)
Actor-turned-filmmaker Stuart Townsend makes his screenwriting and directorial debut with this ensemble film set during the 1999 World Trade Organization meeting in Seattle and presenting the riots that swept through the streets during the five-day conference from the perspectives of police, protestors, and city officials. A typically laid-back Northwestern city, Seattle would erupt into violence when, for five days in 1999, tens of thousands of protestors flooded the streets to voice their disapproval of the high-profile World Trade Organization conference. Among that sea of protestors are Django (André Benjamin), Sam (Jennifer Carpenter), Jay (Martin Henderson), and Lou (Michelle Rodriguez) -- each convinced that the stakes go beyond politics and equally determined to make a difference by ensuring that their voice of dissent is heard by the masses. At first the demonstration is peaceful, but in an instant the streets explode and the WTO is paralyzed. As a full-scale riot commences and a state of emergency is declared, the residents of Seattle are caught in the crossfire between protestors and police. With beleaguered mayor Jim Tobin (Ray Liotta) scrambling to diffuse tensions and riot cop Dale Anderson (Woody Harrelson) racing to protect his pregnant wife, Ella (Charlize Theron), everyone involved is forced to make difficult decisions that are sure to change their lives forever. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlize Theron, André Benjamin, (more)
Based on the acclaimed novel Darkly Dreaming Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, Dexter is a crime drama about Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall), a man who leads a double life as an incredibly likeable forensics expert for the Miami Police Department and as an emotionless vigilante serial killer. Taught by his foster father (James Remar) to harness his lust for blood and killing, Dexter lives by his own strict moral code -- he only kills murderers who can't otherwise be brought to justice. The irony of Dexter's life is that he works closely as a blood splatter analyst with the very people who hunt his kind -- the homicide department. Dexter's "Regular Joe" front is in full force while working alongside the ill-tempered Sgt. James Doakes (Erik King), who seems to be the only one to sense Dexter's more sinister side; Lt. Maria LaGuerta (Lauren Velez), the head of the division; and Det. Angel Batista (David Zayas), whose similar attention to detail and taste for forensics almost mirrors his own. While his sister Debra Morgan (Jennifer Carpenter), a tough and determined cop, leans on Dexter for personal advice and career advancement, the person Dexter connects with most is his emotionally damaged girlfriend Rita (Julie Benz), who keeps him grounded. In 2007's Season 2, Dexter begins to doubt his murderous capabilities and continues to be haunted by his past. His difficulties multiply when evidence of his deadly after-hours activities begin to surface and the FBI is brought in to investigate the city's new serial killer dubbed the "Bay Harbor Butcher." The four-disc set contains all 12 Season 2 episodes that aired on cable network Showtime, along with extras such as a podcast, interview, and more.
- Starring:
- Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, (more)
Dexter is based on the compelling novel "Darkly Dreaming Dexter" by Jeff Lindsay. Orphaned at the age of four and harboring a traumatic secret, Dexter Morgan (Dexter Morgan (Emmy- and Golden Globe- nominated actor Michael C. Hall from "Six Feet Under") is adopted by a police officer who recognizes Dexter's homicidal tendencies and guides his son to channel his gruesome passion for human vivisection in a constructive way - by killing those heinous perpetrators that are above the law or who have slipped through the cracks of justice. A respected member of the police force, a perfect gentleman and a man with a soft spot for children, it's hard not to like Dexter. Although his drive to kill is unflinching, he struggles to emulate normal emotions he doesn't feel, and to keep up his appearance as a caring, socially responsible human being.
- Starring:
- Michael C. Hall, Julie Benz, (more)
Season 3 of the drama about the Miami forensic expert (Michael C. Hall) who moonlights as a vigilante serial killer features Jimmy Smits as ADA Miguel Prado, who does more than prosecute homicides -- he engages in them. While getting ready to make his move on Freebo, an abusive, drug-dealing lowlife who got away with murdering two college women, Dexter interrupts a two-man skirmish and winds up dispatching one as the other, Freebo, escapes. The victim, Dexter later discovers, is Oscar Prado, the righteous, respected "pride of Little Havana" and Miguel's younger brother. Miguel eventually ingratiates himself with Dexter and it appears the latter is on the verge of having something he's never had before-a best friend. On a trip to the grocery store with Rita (Julie Benz) and the kids, Dexter catches a pedophile buddying up to Cody and must decide whether this sexual deviate fits the Code and is a candidate for Dexter-mination. As Dexter and Miguel become closer, Dexter feels his new pal is on to his dark-side job, so he tests Miguel and the results are most interesting. Soon, Miguel pressures Dexter to work his lethal magic on a "bloodsucking, soulless defense attorney" who keeps putting "murderers, rapists and carjackers...back on the street...to commit more heinous crimes." But hey, she's just doing her job, and that doesn't necessarily conform to the Code, so Dexter balks at taking her out. On the home front, Rita startles Dexter with news that she is expecting, and he's faced with a big-time family decision involving her and her two children. And later, when everyone is on board with Rita's pregnancy, she decides it would be a good idea for Dexter to move in with her, Cody and Astor, but he's somewhat conflicted by this possible major upheaval in his very structured existence. ~ Ray Stackhouse, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael C. Hall, Jimmy Smits, (more)
Jay Hernandez, Jennifer Carpenter, and Johnathon Schaech star in this remake of Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza's successful, Spanish-language horror film [REC], which follows a television reporter and her cameraman as they fall under a mysterious quarantine issued on an inner-city apartment building. Television reporter Angela Vidal (Carpenter) and her trusty cameraman (Steve Harris) were documenting a night in the life of a Los Angeles fire station crew when the firefighters were summoned to a nearby apartment building to answer a routine 911 call. Upon arriving at the scene, Angela and company discover that police have already arrived to investigate the blood-curdling screams ringing out from one of the apartments. One of the women living in the building has been infected with something terrible, but what? When a few of the other residents are viciously attacked, they try to escape and discover that the CDC has quarantined the building. The officials in charge won't relay any information to those trapped inside the building, and it's impossible to seek information from the outside since telephone, Internet, television, and cell-phone access have all been cut off. By the time the quarantine is lifted, the intrepid cameraman's chilling footage provides the only evidence of the horrors that unfolded on that terrible night. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jennifer Carpenter, Steve Harris, (more)
