Lily Knight Movies
- 2005
Aceveda (Benito Martinez) arranges for Monica (Glenn Close) to meet with community leaders to sell her forfeiture program. Antwon (Anthony Anderson) is at the meeting and attacks the program as racist. Julien (Michael Jace), speaking as a former resident of Farmington, defends it, but Aceveda sandbags Monica by coming out against the seizures. Later, Julien begins to have his own doubts about the fairness of the program. Claudette (CCH Pounder) finds out about Dutch's (Jay Karnes) deal with the DA's office, and gets very angry about it, even though the detectives are given a murder case. She attacks Monica because a low-level pot dealer's property was seized. Monica reprimands her, but later complains to ADA Encardi (Anna Maria Horsford) about the way her detectives were used. Lem (Kenny Johnson) wants to come back to The Barn, but Vic (Michael Chiklis) is worried about bringing him back because Lem and Shane (Walton Goggins) are on the outs, and Vic wants to keep Shane close. A drug counselor is murdered by a heroin dealer. Lem brings in Angie (Bree'Anna Banks), a juvenile whose addict mother, Hoda (Fylicia King), had a connection to the victim. This leads to Vic and his people finding a massive cache of heroin and weapons, which, unfortunately for Shane and Army (Michael Pena), turns out to be the property of Antwon. They don't have time to warn Antwon about the bust, and later, he makes his displeasure known. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide
- 2004
- R
- Add The Assassination of Richard Nixon to QueueAdd The Assassination of Richard Nixon to top of Queue
The true story of a man who, on February 22, 1974, was thwarted from an ambitious plan for political assassination provides the basis for this striking psychological drama. Sam Bicke (Sean Penn) is a salesman for an office-supply company whose life is slowly beginning to unravel. Bicke's job is going nowhere, his wife, Marie (Naomi Watts), has left him, and his boss (Jack Thompson) keeps pushing self-help books on him that make a mockery of his state of mind. One of Bicke's few friends is Bonny Simmons (Don Cheadle), an auto mechanic, and together they come up with an idea for a tire shop on wheels; while neither has the money to finance the project, Bicke has learned of a program for small-business loans instituted by President Richard Nixon, which he's certain will come through for him. But Bicke is denied his loan, which dovetails with his increasing suspicion of the president's Vietnam policies and a sudden interest in the "by any means necessary" political activism of the Black Panther Party. Desperate to seem important in some way, Bicke becomes increasingly obsessed with the duplicity of Richard Nixon, until he chooses to take it upon himself to stop the president once and for all. The Assassination of Richard Nixon was the first feature film from director Niels Mueller. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sean Penn, Don Cheadle, (more)
Four generations of an American family are brought together by difficult circumstances while facing some unpleasant truths in this drama. Henry (Michael Caine) is an elderly man in failing health living in a small town in the Southwest, where he's cared for by his live-in nurse (Glenne Headly). As Henry's condition grows worse, he's joined by his son Turner (Christopher Walken), his grandson Jason (Josh Lucas), and his great-grandson Zach (Jonah Bobo). As the four men deal with Henry's illness, they also try to come to terms with a lifetime's worth of differences between them. Around the Bend is the first feature film from writer and director Jordan Roberts. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Walken, Josh Lucas, (more)
From director Keith Gordon (Mother Night, A Midnight Clear) comes this American feature adaptation of the 1986 BBC miniseries, The Singing Detective. Robert Downey Jr. returns to the big-screen for the first time since 2000's Wonder Boys as Dan Dark, a novelist who is hospitalized with a severe case of psoriasis. As he lays in bed, Dark hallucinates that he is actually a World War II-era private dick embroiled in an oddball web of mystery, intrigue, and musical numbers. Written by the late Dennis Potter (Pennies From Heaven, Gorky Park) and co-starring Mel Gibson, Robin Wright Penn, Katie Holmes, and Adrien Brody, The Singing Detective premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Downey, Jr., Robin Wright Penn, (more)
Sadomasochism provides the backdrop for a very unusual employer/employee relationship in this very offbeat romantic drama from filmmaker Steven Shainberg. Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is a shy young woman, who, after a brief spell in a mental institution, is released in the care of her overprotective mother (Lesley Ann Warren) and hard-drinking father (Stephen McHattie). Hoping to make good on her own, Lee begins looking for a job, and in her free time indulges in her odd habit of inflicting pain upon herself in various ways. Lee is hired as a secretary by E. Edward Grey (James Spader), a grim and ruthlessly efficient attorney who warns her that her work will be both dull and demanding. Lee takes to the job with genuine enthusiasm, and while she's recently acquired a new boyfriend, Peter (Jeremy Davies), she's far more intrigued by Grey's coldly patrician demeanor. While Grey often criticizes Lee, she seems to thrive on his abuse, but one day he crosses a line when he insists upon spanking her after some minor mistake. Lee quite enjoys the treatment, and wants it to continue, but Grey can no longer take pleasure humiliating Lee when he knows that she likes it; he fires her, despite her pleas to be allowed to stay. Finally discovering the key to her sexual and emotional needs, Lee tries to persuade Peter to be rough with her, but he simply doesn't have the taste or talent for it, and Lee soon maps out a last-ditch effort to win back her position with Grey, whatever the cost. Secretary won a special award for "Originality" at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Spader, (more)
- 2001
- PG13
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Based on the 1969 short story Super-Toys Last All Summer Long, by Brian Aldiss, this science fiction fantasy bears similarities to Pinocchio (1940) and originated as a long-gestating project of director Stanley Kubrick that passed to his friend Steven Spielberg after Kubrick's death. Haley Joel Osment stars as David, a "mecha" or robot of the future, when the polar ice caps have melted and submerged many coastal cities, causing worldwide starvation and human dependence upon robotic assistance. The first mecha designed to experience love, David is the "son" of Henry (Sam Robards), an employee of the company that built the boy, and the grief-stricken Monica (Frances O'Connor). David is meant to replace the couple's hopelessly comatose son, but when their natural child recovers, David is abandoned and sets out to become "a real boy" worthy of his mother's affection. Along the way, David is mentored by a pleasure-providing mecha named Gigolo Joe (Jude Law) and a talking "super toy" bear named Teddy. His adventures take him to the Roman Circus-style "Flesh Fair," where mechas are destroyed for the amusement of humans; Rouge City, where Gigolo Joe narrowly avoids capture by police; and finally a submerged New York City, where David's creator, Professor Hobby (William Hurt) reveals the secrets of the boy's creation. Brendan Gleeson and narrator Ben Kingsley co-star in A.I., which was adapted from Kubrick's treatment by Spielberg, in his first crack at screenwriting since Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Haley Joel Osment, Jude Law, (more)
- 2001
Investigating the claims of a fellow cop who insists he was moonlighting when shot during a carjacking, Andy (Dennis Franz) and Danny (Rick Schroder) quickly learn that the victim was carrying on a high-maintenance double life. A holdup in a bodega run by a friend of Greg Medavoy (Gordon Clapp) leads to a potential crisis for Greg when he tries to cover up the existence of an unregistered gun. Later, Andy has his first serious run-in with new precinct skipper, Rodriguez (Esai Morales). And Diane (Kim Delaney) makes a date with the doctor who treated her late husband, Bobby Simone. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Evil goddess Glory (Clare Kramer) finally knows that The Key she needs to unleash hell on earth has been incarnated as the Slayer's very own sister. Thus, Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and her gang are forced to flee Sunnydale in a desperate attempt to save Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) -- and the world -- from the apocalypse. Unfortunately, their unlikely escape vehicle -- a Winnebago -- proves vulnerable to attack by the Knights of Byzantium, ancient warriors who have sworn to destroy The Key before Glory can use it. Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) suffers grievous wounds, forcing the gang to take refuge in an abandoned gas station. Resident Wiccan Willow (Alyson Hannigan) erects a mystical barrier, but, thanks to the relentless knights, a stalemate ensues. The misguided but honorable Byzantine leader allows Buffy to send for medical assistance. She calls Ben (Charlie Weber), the handsome young doctor she's been flirting with for several episodes. Unbeknownst to the Scoobies, Ben is the unwilling human host for Glory's earthly manifestation. Once inside the barrier, Ben patches Giles up but then loses his constant battle with Glory for control of their shared body. The triumphant hell-goddess makes off with Dawn and slaughters the Knights of Byzantium, leaving Buffy a catatonic shell of her normal self. Originally broadcast May 8, 2001, on the WB network, "Spiral" marked episode 98 of the cult-favorite series. ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2001
As Dawn (Michelle Trachtenberg) awaits her role as sacrificial victim for monstrous hell-god Glory (Clare Kramer), her slayer sister (Sarah Michelle Gellar) withdraws deeply into herself. Devastated by the shame of having allowed Dawn to be kidnapped (see "Spiral"), Buffy retreats into the safety of an illusory childhood in which she's safe with her long-estranged father, her now-deceased mother, and her mystically incarnated baby sister. Meanwhile, Glory battles for control with Ben (Charlie Weber), her unwilling host body. Ben's conscience and memories keep leaking into Glory's consciousness, leading her to pontificate about the misery of the human condition to the captive Dawn. Ben briefly manages to wrest full control from his demonic sibling. He attempts to free Dawn, but Glory promises him immortality if he'll stop fighting. He acquiesces, earning Dawn's disgust. Meanwhile, a firm but patient Willow (Alyson Hannigan) uses her magicks to wrench her way into Buffy's subconscious and give the Slayer a good talking-to. Buffy awakens from her catatonia, ready to save the day. That's when Giles (Anthony Stewart Head), recovering from his injuries, reveals that Glory's plan to break down the barrier between dimensions requires that Dawn's blood be spilled at a certain place and time; the barrier will remain open until all of Dawn's blood is spent. Originally broadcast May 15, 2001, on the WB network, "The Weight of the World" marked episode 99 of the cult-favorite series. This episode marked the first of several posthumous appearances by Buffy's mother, Joyce, played by Kristine Sutherland. The recently deceased Summers matriarch would feature in another of her daughter's hallucinations (see "Normal Again") and pop by for a beyond-the-grave chat with Dawn (see "Conversations With Dead People"). ~ Brian J. Dillard, All Movie Guide
- 2000
- PG
This family drama by actress and first-time director Anne DeSalvo centers around four adult sisters who are forced to re-evaluate their situations after tragedy strikes. The oldest of the clan, Grace (Mercedes Ruehl), is called upon to be the tower of strength, even though she is widely perceived to be a replica of their mother Dolly (Cloris Leachman), a woman who, like Grace, has unfailingly devoted much of her life to a husband who doesn't appreciate her as he should. Christine (Sean Young) is separated from her job-obsessed husband Paul (Jamey Sheridan), and contemplates divorcing him even though they have a young daughter. Another sister, Denise (Dinah Manoff), rejects the idea of marriage despite the advances of boyfriend Lawrence (Mark Harmon); youngest sister Dolores (Lily Knight) has become mentally challenged due to an accident, and has trouble relating to her older siblings. Dolores has found a romantic interest, but the family feels she is unable to cope with such an attachment at her age. Through the aid of Dolly's sisters Splendora (Lee Grant) and Loretta (Edith Fields), the family tries to retain its bond and deal with unexpected tragedy. ~ Jason Clark, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mercedes Ruehl, Paul Sorvino, (more)
- 1998
The hospital's blood supply runs out during a devastating blizzard, forcing the doctors to make literal life and death decisions. Should Carter (Noah Wyle) try to save the life of a seriously wounded serial rapist, or should the blood go to someone more "deserving"? Elsewhere, Carol (Julianna Margulies) and Weaver (Laura Innes) tackle a crisis in the lives of a mentally challenged couple who have just become parents, and Weaver declares war on the duplicitous cost-cutting organization Syngergix. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
This gay melodrama is based on a novel by Michael David Brown and is centered around AIDS of which the filmmaker Peter Reed died. Dean is 36 and recently diagnosed as HIV positive. He has come home to tell his mother and his older brother Milo. Dean's father committed suicide 20 years earlier; his mother has never completely recovered from the shock. Dean attempts to talk to his family, but they are enmeshed in their own trials. Since her husband's inexplicable death, the mother has been drinking heavily. Now doctors have discovered a tumor in her. It could be malignant. Milo still continues to see his heroin addicted drug dealing girl friend Velma. She likes to tamper with people, and this precipitates a disaster. His ex-wife and children patiently await his return. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lee Grant, Robert Knepper, (more)
- 1994
A midtown auto accident leaves two people dead. The subsequent investigation reveals that one of the "victims," a woman, was placed in the driver's seat after the accident -- and that she was raped before she died. Ultimately, city councilman Spencer Talbot (Anthony Heald) is charged with the crime. He manages to beat the rap, but tireless Assistant D.A. Jack McCoy (Sam Waterston) has another ace -- and another charge -- up his sleeve. This episode represents a reunion between former I'll Fly Away co-stars Sam Waterston and Regina Taylor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
The D.A.'s office charges teenager Chris Pollit (Wil Horneff) as an adult in a murder case. The teen's lawyer, Helen Brolin (Maria Tucci), aims for a not-guilty plea by claiming that her client is "violently predisposed." Her argument: The killer was born with an extra Y chromosome, and thus is inherently unable to discern right from wrong. Broadway musical comedy favorite Helen Gallagher plays it straight as the killer's anguished foster mother. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
- PG
In this film, sisters Frances and Evelyn McEllany (Patricia Neal and Shelley Winters) are two older women who have put aside their differences to set up a comfortable life together. However, when shy, retiring Frances falls in love with an Asian mechanic (Mako), her stuffy, intolerant sister falls into a rage that threatens to destroy their relationship. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patricia Neal, Shelley Winters, (more)
- 1985
- R
Keith Gordon plays a oddball loner who builds a very special kind of TV set. He claims he can tune in to images of Heaven, and all evidence points to the veracity of his claim. Gordon's eccentric religiosity attracts the attention of wacko evangelist Bob Gunton, who'd like to snatch the TV for his own purposes. Director Mark Romanek went on to hone his unique style with a number of high-profile music videos. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Keith Gordon, Amanda Plummer, (more)
- 1984
Mary Kay Place stars in this Emmy-winning ABC Afterschool Special, which was based on a true story. Fed up with her lazy husband and her ungrateful children, housewife Ellie Skinner (Mary Kay Place) plants a sign on her front lawn declaring herself to be "on strike." Pitching a tent on the lawn and walking a daily picket line, Ellie becomes a local celebrity and a heroine to beleaguered mothers everywhere -- while her hubby and kids must fend for themselves for the first time in their lives. Ellie's daughter, Jenny, who also serves as narrator, is played by Yeardley Smith, soon to game fame as the voice of Lisa Simpson; also in the cast is future Oscar winner Mercedes Ruehl. Mom's on Strike was remade (more or less) as a full-length TV movie in 2002. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Kay Place, Stephen Keep, (more)
