Leanne Saunders Movies
A fearless daredevil with a drive to achieve the kind of fame that eluded his late father sets out to become New Zealand's greatest stuntman by performing some of the most outrageous stunts ever attempted. Randy Campbell (Chris Stapp) is a young man with petrol running through his veins. An adrenaline junkie who longs for the day he will go airborne before a screaming crowd of fans, Randy's aunt and uncle know well that their family has a history of nasty confrontations with the grim reaper, and thus do their best to keep the ambitious youngster well grounded. His dreams finally in reach, Randy prepares to perform the stunt that will cement his status in the history books while falling for a one-legged female daredevil whose love may just be the key to breaking the curse that sent his less-fortunate ancestors to the afterlife in a blinding blaze of fire and twisted metal. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chris Stapp, Matt Heath, (more)
- 2003
New Zealander Gregory King writes and directs the painfully realistic drama Christmas, starring mostly nonprofessional actors. Shot with digital video, the film follows a lower-middle-class working family during the few weeks before Christmas. When he runs out of money, oldest son Keri (David Hornblow) comes home to Whangerei, NZ, for the holidays. He woefully celebrates the season with his overworked mother Loma (Darien Takle) and retired father Brian (Tony Waerea). He also reunites with his troubled siblings: neurotic Megan (Helen Pearse Otene), who has two kids and a loser boyfriend; stoner Richard (Czahn Armstrong), who has a secret obsession with gay porn; and withdrawn Donna (Kate Sullivan), who happens to be pregnant. Christmas was shown in the video competition at the 2003 Locarno Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Hornblow, Helen Pearse Otene, (more)
Can a high-attitude African-American politician who says what he thinks stand a chance in a presidential campaign? Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock) is a straight-talking alderman representing a inner-city neighborhood in Washington, D.C. In the midst of a hard-fought race for the White House, the Democratic presidential and vice-presidential candidates are killed in an airline crash, and with little time to prepare a new campaign, the Republican candidate, Vice President Brian Lewis (Nick Searcy), seems all but guaranteed to win. With practically nothing to loose, party head Martin Geller (Dylan Baker) approaches Gilliam and asks him to stand as the Democrat's presidential candidate. While Gilliam is dubious at first, before long his streetwise style and willingness to face the issues head-on earns him surprising figures in the polls, especially after he persuades his short-fused older brother, Mitch Gilliam (Bernie Mac), to join the ticket as vice presidential candidate -- a big jump for a bail bondsman. Gilliam's love life also becomes more complicated as his ex-girlfriend Kim (Robin Givens) decides she wants him back now that he has a shot at the White House, even though Gilliam only has eyes for Lisa (Tamala Jones). Head of State marked the directorial debut for comic and actor Chris Rock, who also co-wrote and co-produced the film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chris Rock, Bernie Mac, (more)
