Heather Langenkamp Movies
Lead actress, onscreen from The Outsiders (1983). ~ All Movie Guide
A decade of wisecracking sequels have not diminished the power of this striking horror film from the director of Scream. Teenagers in a small town are dropping like flies, apparently in the grip of mass hysteria causing their suicides. A cop's daughter (Heather Langenkamp) traces the cause to child molester Fred Krueger (Robert Englund), who was burned alive by angry parents many years before. Krueger has now come back in the dreams of his killers' children, claiming their lives as his revenge. The teenaged leads are sympathetic and intelligent, unlike the dumb victims presented in most films of the period, and they are ably backed up by veterans like John Saxon and Ronee Blakley. Director Wes Craven creates moments of real dread by examining the line between nightmares and reality, as well as the "sins of the parents" theme, and although the film is quite gory, it never resorts to cheap bloodletting for its effect. A unique and disturbing experience, this film is highly recommended for horror buffs. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Saxon, Ronee Blakely, (more)
- 1984
When wealthy businessman Richard Kennerly (Richard Crenna) dies, he leaves behind a great many unresolved issues. More specifically, he leaves behind a wife named Catherine (Joanne Woodward) a mistress named Nina (Lindsay Wagner)--and the children from both liasons. Upon learning of Nina's existence, Catherine gears herself for a confrontation with her romantic rival. Things take an unexpected turn when both women discover that Richard left no provisions in his will for his illegitimate 6-year-old son. Made for television, Passions premiered October 1, 1984 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Teen-aged waitress Heather Langekamp is impregnated by college student Patrick Cassidy. Heather's kindly "loser" boss Michael Cole provides aid and comfort for the lonely, confused girl. Her father Ed Lauter wants to finance an abortion, but Cole insists upon taking responsibility. He marries Langenkamp, even though she hasn't expressed any overt love for him. The reasons are slightly vicarious: Cole had once been the suitor of Heather's mother. A novel by John Gardner was the source for the take-its-time Nickel Mountain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Cole, Heather Langenkamp, (more)
- 1986
Virginal teenager Scott (Steve Antin) has been dumped by his girlfriend, but that hasn't lessened his determination to "get some." Scott's next-door neighbor (Heather Langenkamp) is the sexiest girl in his school -- and the one with the worst reputation. Assuming he'll get lucky, Scott calls upon the girl -- and learns some valuable lessons about friendship, abstention, and false assumptions. The original advertisements for this ABC Afterschool Special were misleadingly lurid; rest assured that the film itself is in the best of taste. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steve Antim, Heather Langenkamp, (more)
The best of the Elm Street sequels, this creepy, surreal fantasy features terrific effects, a fine young cast, and an air of grim fatalism that sets it apart from its giggly successors. Patricia Arquette stars as Kristen, whose nightmare leads to a slashed wrist which looks suspiciously like a suicide attempt. She is placed in a hospital psychiatric ward with a group of six other troubled teens who all dream about the same horribly burned man (Robert Englund) trying to kill them. Perhaps the most unusual thing about this picture, however, is the unexpected depth of sadness running through it. There are some achingly sweet moments in this otherwise frightening film which, though not disruptive, are impossible to analyze. The first and most bizarre of these is Heather Langenkamp's entrance, which inexplicably causes most viewers to get misty-eyed, and there are several similar scenes throughout the film. One answer can be found in the sensitive direction of Chuck Russell, who emphasizes the tragedy and utter hopelessness in these kids' lives and manages to wring some unexpectedly perceptive turns from his cast. This is a film in which a great deal of care was obviously lavished on individual scenes (the sets are outstanding) and performances. The results are well worth repeated viewings, and prove that sequels don't necessarily have to be inferior films. ~ Robert Firsching, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Heather Langenkamp, Patricia Arquette, (more)
- 1988
In the conclusion of a two-part episode, Jason (Alan Thicke), Carol (Tracey Gold), Mike (Kirk Cameron) and Boner (Andrew Koenig) are arrested at the sit-protest against the firing of Coach Lubbock (Bill Kirchenbauer)--and an embarassed Maggie (Joanna Kerns) is forced to cover the event for Channel 19. As for Lubbock, he is extremely upset over the pain that the protest is causing his three daughters. By episode's end, however, the situation is resolved in an unexpected but supremely logical fashion. This episode was originally telecast as the lead-in for the premiere episode of the Growing Pains spinoff Just the Ten of Us, starring Bill Kirchenbauer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
In the first episode of a two-part story, Mike and Boner attempt to casually "drop in" at the home of Coach Lubbock (Bill Kirchenbauer), the better to meet Coach's three daughters Cindy (Jamie Luner), Connie (Jo Ann Willette and Marie (Heather Langerkamp). This is how the boys find out that Lubbock will be terminated from his job when his contract runs out. Determined not to let this happen, the Seaver children organize a public protest--with unexpected results. This episode and its follow-up were intended to segue into the Growing Pains spinoff series Just the Ten of Us, a vehicle for costar Bill Kirchenbauer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Wes Craven's Shocker takes media manipulation to a new level in this story of an evil force emitted from television sets that has the power to kill. The film centers on high school athlete Jonathan Parker (Peter Berg). His estranged father is homicide detective Don Parker (Michael Murphy), who has been working on capturing an elusive serial killer plaguing the town. One night, during a particularly vivid nightmare, Jonathan dreams that while Parker is away on an assignment, his family is murdered by the serial killer. In the dream, Jonathan can identify the killer -- local television repairman Horace Pinker (Mitch Pileggi). Amazingly, it turns out that Jonathan's nightmare was reality. Using Jonathan's dream as evidence, Pinker is brought to trail, found guilty, and sentenced to death in the electric chair. Before his execution, Pinker makes a pact with the devil so when he is electrocuted, the electricity from the chair will give his spirit powers of evil. At first, Pinker's murderous spirit travels in and out of people's bodies, prompting the host to commit murder. But when it seems more effective to communicate with people by television signals, the spirit is willing and soon people suddenly become possessed by Pinker's spirit through TV screens and engage in murderous atrocities. All this is done by Pinker to exact retribution upon Jonathan, who was responsible for sending him to his death. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Berg, Michael Murphy, (more)
- 1990
In the conclusion of a three-part story, the Parisian vacation which erstwhile travel agent Mike (Kirk Cameron) has booked for his parents threatens to end in disaster as Maggie (Joanna Kerns) slowly recovers from her appendicitis attack in a Parisian hospital. Jason (Alan Thicke) does his best to cheer Maggie up--but his best, alas, is none too good. Meanwhile, after a daunting series of mishaps, a stranded Mike and his extremely dissatisfied customer Amy (Heather Langenkamp) attempt to travel from Spain to France via hot-air balloon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
In the first episode of a three-part story, no sooner has Mike ( landed a job with a travel agency than he books an anniversary trip to Paris for his parents Jason (Alan Thicke) and Maggie (Joanna Kerns). In fact, so good is Mike's job performance that he is rewarded with his own Parisian vacation. Alas, he gets no further than Barcelona when he discovers that his bosses have gone bankrupt--and to top it off, he must deal with a disgruntled customer, an art student named Amy (played by Heather Langenkamp, one of the stars of the Growing Pains spinoff Just the Ten of Us). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
In the second episode of a three-part story, ex-travel agent Mike (Kirk Cameron) is still stranded somewhere in Spain with his disgruntled client Amy (eather Langenkamp). As the mismatched duo try to hitchhike their way to France, they are sidetracked by a provincial wedding--and an evening with the constabulary. Meanwhile, the Parisian vacation that Mike had booked for his parents comes a-cropper when Maggie (Joanna Kerns) is stricken with appendicitis. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Veteran horror director Wes Craven was responsible for the hit 1984 film A Nightmare on Elm Street, which introduced the character of Freddy Krueger. After Craven sold the rights to his character, Krueger became filmdom's top grossing monster, with five sequels by 1991. In this post-modernist horror film, Craven plays himself, a filmmaker working on a script for a movie that seems to be spinning out of control. Also playing himself, as well as playing his customary character Krueger, is Robert Englund. The original teenage hero of the first Nightmare film, Heather Langenkamp, also plays herself. She is still haunted by Freddy dreams, but Craven convinces her to make another Krueger film to exorcise her demons. Unfortunately, her son Dylan (Miko Hughes) is being taken over by Freddy himself, who materializes and kills Dylan's beloved nanny, Julie (Tracy Middendorf). Dylan, possessed by the evil spirit, escapes from the hospital and tries to cross a freeway with his mother in pursuit. Craven finds that his character has literally become a creation out of his control. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, (more)
- 1995
- R
Set in a future American metropolis, Metro City, this sci-fi-thriller features a policewoman heroine who like the hero in Robocop was brought back from the dead and turned into a super-human fighter. Unlike the aforementioned robot-man, however, she is brought back not with hardware, but with special drugs and a heavy duty training program. The woman dislikes the drugs because of the nightmares they create, but she is dedicated and so completes her regimen so successfully that she is called the Demolitionist and sent out to clean up the city's crime-fouled streets. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nicole Eggert, Richard Grieco, (more)
- 1999
- PG13
An ordinary man find out that he's been turned into a weapon in this sci-fi thriller. Robert Dean (Michael Dudikoff) is an engineer with Gencom, a multi-national technology firm. Dean enjoys an ordinary life with his wife and family, until he suddenly begins losing most of his memory. As Dean tries to figure out what is happening to him, he makes the shocking discovery that Gencom has actually been programming him to commit violent crimes for their benefit, and then forget what he's done. Now Dean must find out who is responsible and how to stop them before he can kill again. Directed by cult favorite Fred Olen Ray, The Fugitive Mind also stars Michele Greene, Heather Langenkamp, David Hedison, and Ian Ogilvy. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Dudikoff, Heather Langenkamp, (more)
