Melanie Tonello Movies

Based on a series of science fiction novels by Tedd Anasti, Patsy Cameron Anasti, and Stephen D. Sullivan, the 30-minute anime series Spider Riders got under way when the hero, 13-year-old Hunter Steele, chased a spider into a cave and emerged in the underground world of Arachna. Here Hunter linked up with a group of fearless warriors, all youngsters like himself, led by Prince Lumen, Arachna's rightful ruler. It was the avowed purpose of Lumen's "Spider Riders" to do battle with the evil insect mutants who had overrun Arachna, and it so happened that the young warriors had been awaiting the arrival of an "Earthian" like Hunter, who according to legend would either prove to be the Spider Riders' salvation...or destruction. In keeping with the time-honored anime "mech" concept, each Spider Rider was outfitted with a personalized "battle spider" (Hunter's battle spider was named Shadow), and each toted a specialized weapon. The villainous Invectids, comprised of common garden-variety insects who had grown to enormous and frightening proportions, also boasted their own personalized mechs, bearing such names as "Smashhopper" and "Praying Mantik." Originally seen on Japan's TV Tokyo beginning April 4, 2006, Spider Riders was subsequently redubbed and re-edited for English-speaking viewers, first appearing in the U.S. on June 17, 2006, as part of the WB network's Saturday-morning lineup. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

One of the only survivors of a man-made plague joins forces with a team of private warriors in a bid to save what's left of the Earth in this sequel to Resident Evil, the big-screen adaptation of the popular video game. Picking up where the first film left off, Resident Evil: Apocalypse finds Alice (Milla Jovovich) still battling the living dead who are overtaking Raccoon City, inoculated with an anti-virus by the nefarious and all-powerful Umbrella Corporation (in addition to the virus itself). Alice encounters Jill Valentine (Sienna Guillory), a former member of Umbrella's internal defense team. Forming an alliance with mercenary-for-hire Carlos Oliviera (Oded Fehr) and his cohorts, this tiny band of survivors seeks out Dr. Charles Ashford (Jared Harris), Umbrella's top scientist and one of the only men with the know-how to find a solution to the zombie menace; however, they discover that Ashford's cooperation comes with a price -- the scientist's daughter, Angie (Sophie Vavasseur), is missing, and he'll help Alice and her partners only if Angie is returned to him safe and sound. Resident Evil: Apocalypse was the first solo directorial credit for Alexander Witt, who previously distinguished himself as a cinematographer and second-unit director. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi