Russell Sams Movies

James Cox directs the sleazy Hollywood murder tale Wonderland, starring Val Kilmer as legendary porn star John Holmes. Using a non-linear plot structure, the film explores different perspectives of the quadruple homicide that occurred on July 1, 1981, in the Hollywood Hills. At the lowest point of his career and the height of his drug addiction, Holmes was implicated in the murders of the Wonderland gang: Ron Launius (Josh Lucas), Billy Deverell (Tim Blake Nelson), Barbara Richardson (Natasha Gregson Wagner), and Joy Miller (Janeane Garofalo). Launius' wife, Susan (Christina Applegate), was the only survivor. Led by Detective Sam Nico (Ted Levine), the police investigation reveals a dark criminal underworld surrounding Holmes, his disapproving wife, Sharon (Lisa Kudrow), and his innocent teenage girlfriend, Dawn Schiller (Kate Bosworth). Eric Bogosian stars as notorious Hollywood nightclub owner Eddie Nash. Wonderland premiered at the 2003 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Set against the backdrop of a small, west Texas border town, writer/director Jane Cusumano's modern-day take on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet details the forbidden love affair between a working class teen and the wealthy son of a prominent cattle magnate. Lucas (Chad Allen) and Heather (Polly Cusumano) grew up together in the close-knit community of Vega, Texas. They've been close friends since childhood, and now that they're teens that bond is blossoming into true love. But Lucas' father (Marshall Teague) is the basketball coach and wealthiest man in town, and makes no attempt to hide the fact that he isn't pleased with the relationship. He wants Lucas to take over the family cattle business and marry the "right girl" rather than spend his life with the strong-willed free spirit who never even knew her father. Heather's mother (Tamara Clatterbuck) has worked hard to raise her daughter right, and that work has paid off in the form of a girl who is intelligent, independent, and completely non-judgmental. At first, Lucas and Heather's romance seems perfect; Heather is preparing to attend college and Lucas shows great promise as a young athlete. Things start to change, however, when Lucas' father attempts to steer his son's fate by force. Increasingly withdrawn and rebellious, Lucas is preparing to play in the basketball state championships when Heather reveals that she is pregnant with his child. Elated, Lucas vows to marry Heather and start a new life together despite his father's misgivings about the girl. Pushed too hard by his father during the big game, Lucas suffers a tragic injury that leaves him comatose for over a year. During that time, Heather gives birth to Lucas' son, sparking a bitter feud between the young mother and the disapproving grandfather. Later, upon emerging from his coma, Lucas slowly comes to terms with his turbulent past and pledges to do the right thing for everyone involved. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi