Willis Burks II Movies
Character actor Willis Burks II branched out into film roles in his early sixties, initially with guest appearances on such series programs as NYPD Blue and Law & Order that often cast him as a heavy or a down-and-outer. Burks transitioned to film roles with a neat comic turn as an ex-jazz musician-turned break-in accomplice in Mike Cahill's well-received comedy drama The King of California (2007). Burks' resumé also sports stage work, such as a key contribution to the spring 2000 Broadway run of August Wilson's Jitney. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
Michael Douglas stars as a treasure-hunting eccentric in this Alexander Payne-produced comedy from director Michael Cahill. Recently released from a mental institution and reunited with his teenage daughter, Miranda (Evan Rachel Wood), Charlie (Douglas) decides there's century's old gold buried near their lower-middle-class neighborhood, and sets out on an obsessive quest to find it. Along the way, the estranged parent and child rekindle a long-lost bond with each other. Featuring a score by David Robbins, King of California screened at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Douglas, Evan Rachel Wood, (more)
- 2002
Tensions of a mostly racial nature erupt between two African-American staffers at the ER, the mild-mannered Michael Gallant (Sharif Atkins) and the outspoken Gregory Pratt (Mekhi Phifer). Pratt foments the hostility when he interferes in Gallant's treatment of a suicidal soldier. But when a hypochondriac (Diane Delano) is refused treatment by Dr. Kayson (Sam Anderson) for what seems to be a genuine ailment, Pratt holds his tongue -- with fatal consequences for the patient. Now it is Gallant's turn to unleash his anger at Pratt, a confrontation with long-ranging ramifications. Elsewhere, a distracted Weaver (Laura Innes) makes a disastrous error while demonstrating flu shots on a TV news program, and Carter (Noah Wyle) again confronts Abby (Maura Tierney) about her alcohol problems. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Matthew Miele directs this tale about a mysterious homeless guy. Jake (Ernie Hudson) lives relatively contently in his homeless routine -- he wakes in the morning, plays the bongos for change, and collects dog feces. Everything seems hunky-dory, as it were, until he encounters Cameron, who is attempting suicide. Jake takes the guy under his wing and shows him the ropes of life on streets. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Debbie Allen, Doug E. Doug, (more)
- 1997
Writer-director Jonathan Nossiter's first feature film is a moody exploration of assaults upon, and shifts in, personal identity. The movie's action all takes place on a Sunday in a poor section of the New York City borough of Queens. Oliver (David Suchet) is a newly homeless middle-aged man who was downsized out of his job as a mid-level functionary at a computer corporation and lost his wife and family because of his employment troubles. Out walking in the borough, Oliver collides with Madeleine Vesey (Lisa Harrow), an out-of-work British actress who is in the process of breaking up with her American husband, Ben (Larry Pine). Madeleine mistakes Oliver for Matthew Delacorta, a famous film director, and Oliver goes along with the mistake, hoping that it will help him to escape his misery. Madeleine hopes that she can make an impression that will land her a film role, so she invites her new friend up to her apartment. When Oliver tells her his life story, she mistakes it for an invented movie plot because Madeleine lives her life in a fantasy world, pretending reality is a film. After the two lost souls have sex without emotion, Ben shows up. He tells Oliver that his recent open-heart surgery wounds were caused by a knife attack from Madeleine. Oliver leaves as the estranged couple argues, but he returns to retrieve his precious winter coat, and he becomes further entangled in the fantasy of a new identity. Sunday won the Grand Jury prize at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Suchet, Lisa Harrow, (more)
- 1996
In this rare Sunday-night telecast of Law & Order, the detectives investigate when a woman is shot in her sleep. The clues lead to Lonnie "Nacho" Rickman (Adam B. Zolotin), the son of crack addict Cassie Rickman (Karen Young). An additional layer is added to the mystery when it is learned that Cassie left Nacho in the "tender" care of her drug dealer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) and Simone's (Jimmy Smits) investigation of a limo driver's murder leads to a vice ring. Henry (Willie Garson), the nephew of the woman from whom Simone inherited an apartment building, finally reveals what he knows about a murder that occurred just outside the building. Diane (Kim Delaney) has trouble explaining to Simone that she has been assigned to get the goods on handsome hoodlum Jimmy Liery. The sexually promiscuous Geri (Debra Christofferson) is "kicked upstairs." And a kidnapping plot is foiled by a new member of the precinct, Detective Jill Kirkendall (Andrea Thompson, in her first series appearance). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
