Michael Madsen Movies
Michael Madsen, who admits to being more interested in delivering a good performance than the perks of fame, formerly worked as a gas station attendant in his hometown of Chicago, IL. The older brother of actress Virginia Madsen, Michael's first acting experience took place inside of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, where he studied under the direction of fellow actor John Malkovich. This stage training provided him with the background needed to land a host of small roles, beginning with a bit part in the 1983 film WarGames. After relocating to Los Angeles, Madsen made several television and film appearances, including NBC's Emmy-winning Special Bulletin (1983), and The Natural (1984), director Barry Levinson's celebrated sports drama. Madsen continued to build credibility, gradually going on to land larger parts. Though his profile was raised substantially after appearing in the 1991 film Thelma & Louise, it was his 1989 performance as a psychotic killer in John Dahl's Kill Me Again that caught the attention of Quentin Tarantino, who would later give Madsen his true breakthrough opportunity in 1992's Reservoir Dogs. This ear-splitting performance earned Madsen critical acclaim, as well as further cementing his reputation for playing psychopathic murderers. Sure enough, Madsen would go on to perform in several decidedly evil roles. From the kitten-loving sociopath in The Getaway (1994), to mafia tough guy Sonny Black in Donnie Brasco, Madsen proved himself more than capable of playing a good bad guy. Rather than allowing himself to be typecast, however, Madsen readily accepted the role of a loving foster parent in Free Willy (1993), a seasoned alien assassin in Species (1995), and CIA Agent Damon Falco in director Lee Tamahori's Die Another Day (2002). ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
The creators of Superman: Doomsday, Batman: Gotham Knight, and Wonder Woman re-team to tell the origins of the Green Lantern in this animated DC Comics feature. When Hal Jordan (voice of Christopher Meloni) is recruited to join the Green Lantern corps, he is placed under the direct supervision of senior Lantern Sinestro. But the Green Lantern corps has come under attack by a powerful foe. When Hal discovers that Sinestro is actually part of a vast conspiracy that aims to dismantle the entire organization, he must use his newfound powers to restore order and combat the treason that threatens to tarnish the Green Lantern legacy. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Meloni, Victor Garber, (more)
An Army Ranger discovers a clan of nightclubbing vampires while investigating the murder of his parents in this Indifferent Entertainment production. Vinnie Jones, Michael Madsen, DMX and Armand Assante fill out the cast in the Charles Picerni-directed horror flick. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vinnie Jones, Michael Matthias, (more)
Veteran AIP genre star Larry Bishop (son of famed Rat Packer Joey Bishop) directs and stars in this gritty revenge tale concerning a biker gang that rallies to avenge the violent murder of a fellow gang member. An homage to such classic biker films as Chrome and Hot Leather and Angel Unchained, Hell Ride was conceived when director Bishop was invited to Quentin Tarantino's home to view a print of The Savage Seven. Upon realizing that there hadn't been a true biker film in years, the pair quickly contacted Bob Weinstein and conspired to produce a lean and mean two-wheeled revenge flick that would more than make up for lost time. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Larry Bishop, Michael Madsen, (more)
- 2008
A certified loser sets out to prove that he's "a real somebody" by procuring the three items that his childhood hero claims every winner has in this morbid comedy from writer/director Simon R. Ennis. Hard as he may try, Robert R. Mutt (Joshua Pearce) can never catch an even break; after failing to take his own life, he's kicked out of Riverside Mental Hospital for being too happy. Desperate to live up to his potential and prove that he's not a loser, Robert seeks out the advice of former local baseball superstar Clinton Manitoba (Michael Madsen). According to Clinton, there are three things a man needs to be whole: a woman, a nice wad of cash, and a championship ring. In no time, Robert has gotten mixed up in the drug racket, hooked-up with a roller-skating transvestite, and entered into an air hockey tournament. It may not be the most conventional path to success, but perhaps if Robert can stay true to his goal he can finally prove that he isn't the biggest nitwit in town. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joshua Peace, Michael Madsen, (more)
A maverick downhill skier and a fearless snowboarder attempt the most daring mountain descent ever captured on film in this snowbound thriller starring Eric Lively, Kellan Lutz, Robert Carradine, and Michael Madsen. Tyler Crowe and Mark Rider may have different means of getting down the mountain, but they both crave the adrenaline that goes with making the perfect run. Reunited after years apart, the two best friends set their sights on Alaska and recruit a veteran guide in hopes of making history. But this descent could be their last, because when the avalanche starts, their only hope is to keep speeding down the mountain and never look back. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2008
Wes Bentley, Eric Roberts, and Michael Madsen headline first-time feature filmmaker Michael Straininger's story of a successful writer and scholar who falls under the spell of a bewitching seductress on an obsessive quest for immortality. Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's acclaimed short story of the same name, Ligeia tells the story of Jonathan Merrick (Bentley), a respected academic engaged to the beautiful Rowena (Kaitlin Doubleday), but unable to resist the advances of ravishing siren Ligeia (Sofya Skya). Ligeia suffers from a terminal illness, and in order to cheat death she extracts the souls of others. After tricking Jonathan into supporting her ghoulish endeavor, Ligeia gradually draws him into her mysterious world of darkness. Forsaking his beloved Rowena, Jonathan joins Ligeia in her lavish manor at the edge of the Black Sea. There, Ligeia's amaranthine presence slowly erodes the fragile psyche of her prisoner Jonathan, forever cursed to be the victim of his own undying lust. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Wes Bentley, Kaitlin Doubleday, (more)
- 2008
The owner of a Idyllwild counter-culture radio station finds his modest business unexpectedly threatened when the daughter of a conservative senator comes to town and sparks a heated political tempest by attempting to undermine a push to clear cut a nearby forest. Now, as the unassuming citizens of the sleepy community are suddenly jarred awake due to the fierce debate that rages around town, the radio station owner finds the illusions that have propelled him through life don't have the same power that they did when he was a young idealist. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jonathan Sachar, Irene Bedard, (more)
Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, and Mykelti Williamson star in director Raul Sanchez Inglis's thriller about a once-respected policeman whose team is targeted for death after a high-profile drug deal goes horribly awry. Detective Max Walker (Madsen) used to be the best cop on the beat, but ever since he lost his wife, things just haven't been the same. These days Walker is like a time bomb just looking for a reason to explode, and when a highly organized drug sting goes horribly awry he may have finally found it. Walker and his team uncovered a large haul of heroin, and were getting ready to strike when everything fell apart. When the smoke finally cleared on the crime scene, several people were dead and one gang member had gotten away. Now, with the harsh glare of the media spotlight bearing down from above, the officers involved in the bust begin to fall prey to a mysterious killer. Bewildered at the thought of who may be responsible for the slaughter of his team but left with precious few leads, Walker asks his partner Salt (Hannah) to look into the killings. Now, as the drugs from the bust go missing and the police begin to suspect that the killer may walk among them, friend will turn against friend until there's only one man left standing. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Madsen, Daryl Hannah, (more)
- 2007
- R
A man who has turned his back on violence must reclaim his skills as a fighter for the sake of his family in this sentimental drama. Sean Kelleher (Michael Madsen) is an amateur boxer who goes too far while sparring with his brother and accidentally kills him; horrified by his actions, Sean pledges to never enter the ring again and pursues a career as a car salesman. After a rare cardiac ailment takes the life of his wife, Sean learns that his young son Mikey (Luke Whelton) has contacted the same disease, and that his only hope for survival lies in experimental surgery that can be performed by one doctor in the United States. The cost of the operation would be $250,000, money Sean doesn't have, but he learns of an annual underground bare-knuckles boxing tournament held each year by a band of gypsies called the Travelers. The purse for the winner would cover the price of the surgery, and Sean signs on to compete. A neighborhood priest who once coached boxing (Richard Chamberlain) helps Sean train for the contest, and he's embraced by a family of Travelers led by Papa Boss (Patrick Bergin), but the odds don't look good for Sean when he learns that he'll have to fight Smasher (Vinnie Jones), a hard-as-nails boxer who won the Travelers' contest in the previous year and has already killed two men in the ring. Strength and Honor was the first feature film from writer and director Mark Mahon. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Madsen, Vinnie Jones, (more)
A man scarred by the horrors of war encounters a new low in human brutality in this extreme horror story. Trevor Lloyd (Jason Connery) is a veteran of the Iraq war who has had a falling out with his wife and has decided to head west to start his life over again. While hitch-hiking through Texas, Trevor gets a ride from Parker Hilton (Randy Spelling), who makes him an offer -- if Trevor wants to make some traveling money, he's welcome to work a few days at Hilton's ranch. Trevor eagerly accepts, but when he and a handful of other hitchers arrive at the Hoboken Hollow Ranch, they discovers they've made a horrible mistake. Weldon Broderick (Mark Holton) and his family of bloodthirsty psychopaths run the ranch with Hilton, and rather than pay laborers, they simply kidnap men unlikely to be found missing anytime soon, and work them as hard as they can for as long as they can. When the abuse and torture become too much to bear, Broderick and his cohorts kill the drifters and make jerky from their flesh. As Trevor searches for a way to escape from this living hell, eccentric local businessman J.T. Goldman (Michael Madsen) is trying to persuade Broderick to sell him his land, but unwittingly discovers the horrible secret of his success in ranching. Hoboken Hollow also stars Dennis Hopper, Robert Carradine, C. Thomas Howell and Jonathan Fraser. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jason Connery, C. Thomas Howell, (more)
Trapped in an abandoned hospital by a wandering band of savage cannibals, a small group of survivors intent on repopulating a post-apocalyptic world must fight for their lives and the future of the human race. We've run out of gas, and now the civilized world is a fading memory. Still, there are some who would work to see society rebuilt. One such group has taken refuge in an empty hospital. Upon discovering a young girl who has somehow managed to survive an attack by a nomadic horde of cannibals known as Rovers, the frightened heirs of humanity are forced to defend themselves against a predator that knows precisely what they fear most. Now, as the Rovers methodically emerge from the wasteland to pick off their savory brethren one at a time, the remaining survivors must adapt the same hunting skills as the flesh-eating sub-humans who stalk them if they hold out any true hope of saving the legacy of mankind from certain tragedy. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rachel Miner, Nicole DuPort, (more)
Michael Madsen, Erik Palladino, and David Moscow star in director Russell Mulcahy's action thriller about an undercover FBI agent on a mission to infiltrate the treacherous world of "choppers." Special Agent Kevin Hawkins (Palladino) knows that the stakes are high when he ventures into the world of fast cars, but he never expected to find himself stuck between a murderous crime boss (Madsen) and a vicious group of cutthroat gangsters. Now, with danger closing in from both sides of the criminal underworld, Hawkins straps himself in for a race that could mean the difference between life and death. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Erik Palladino, Michael Madsen, (more)
- 2007
A movie star who is reeling from the pressures of celebrity tries to show the media just how it feels in this independent satiric comedy. Michael Madsen stars as Michael Madsen, a wildly popular motion picture actor who has started to emotionally buckle under the stress of his fame and success, often making a spectacle of himself in public. The tabloid press follows him relentlessly, waiting to capture one of his emotional outbursts on film and printing groundless stories accusing him of everything from secret gay romances to the murder of a young actress. Madsen finally decides he's had enough, and decides to give photographer, yellow journalist, and chief antagonist Billy Dant (Jason Alan Smith) a taste of his own medicine by hiring three documentary filmmakers (Davis Mikaels, Doug Tompos and, Kathy Searle) and having them follow Dant as closely as Dant has been following him. Madsen's plan might work a bit better, however, if he'd teamed up with a less inept team of documentarians. Being Michael Madsen also includes mock-interviews with colleagues David Carradine, Harry Dean Stanton, Daryl Hannah, and Virginia Madsen (the latter of whom is also Michael's sister). ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Madsen
From director Olivier Assayas comes this erotic thriller starring Asia Argento as Sandra, a former prostitute, and Michael Madsen as Miles, her onetime pimp-turned-high-powered businessman. Brought back together after a separation, Sandra and Miles are reunited when Sandra returns to Paris after an extended absence. Despite the fact that neither of the two former lovers are the same people they were back in the day, their kinky sexual relationship is nonetheless rekindled. It seems that some time long ago, financial promises were made before some misdeed drove the pair apart. Meanwhile, Sandra has made it her mission to open a Beijing nightclub, and Miles is about to sell off his business to Singapore interests. Miles couldn't care less about Sandra's dreams of owning a nightclub, but now that his divorce has been finalized he's eager to resume their steamy relationship. Tempted by Miles' money but financially comfortable thanks to her work with an import company run by shady couple Lester (Carl Ng) and Sue Wang (Kelly Lin), Sandra secretly pulls down some extra income by moving drugs through the married couple's highly profitable company. Before long, sexual intrigue and a botched drug deal combine to complicate matters for all involved. Boarding Gate screened at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Asia Argento, Michael Madsen, (more)
Director Robby Henson's psychological thriller House concerns a husband and wife who, attempting to patch up their marriage after the death of their child, decide on a spur of the moment to ignore their regularly scheduled therapy session and set off on a trip. After a car accident incapacitates their vehicle, the duo ends up at the title dwelling, where they meet another couple as well as the off-putting people who own the establishment. Soon, the two couples realize they must rely on each other in order to survive. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Madsen, Reynaldo Rosales, (more)
The war against the forces of darkness becomes a family affair in this cinematic prequel to the popular video game Bloodrayne. In 16th century Europe, Lord Kagan (Ben Kingsley) is an evil ruler who holds more power than any man alive, but he still dreams of having more, and when he's told of three magic talismans who, when united, will give him intense supernatural strength and the gift of immortality, he will stop at nothing to attain them. However, three warriors who have learned how to battle the forces of darkness -- Vladimir (Michael Madsen), Katarin (Michelle Rodriguez), and Sebastian (Matt Davis) -- have formed the Brimstone Society, with the goal of stripping Kagan of his power and restoring justice to their land. They can't accomplish this on their own, though, so they enlist the aid of Rayne (Kristanna Loken), a half-human, half-vampire who can approach Kagan's sinister gifts while having a desire to do good. However, Rayne is torn about signing on with the Brimstone Society, and for a good reason -- Kagan is her father. Scripted by actress, screenwriter, and video-game enthusiast Guinevere Turner, BloodRayne also stars Geraldine Chaplin, Udo Kier, Billy Zane, Michael Paré, and Meat Loaf Aday. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kristanna Loken, Michelle Rodriguez, (more)
- 2006
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The gifted Michael Madsen (Crime Story, Reservoir Dogs, Donnie Brasco) stars in the low-budget, direct-to-video exploitationer UKM: Ultimate Killing Machine. The film concerns Waylon and Buddy, two friends who enlist in the armed forces but wind up in a top-secret experimental medical facility. They fall prey to a mad doctor intent on transforming their bodies into the "Ultimate Killing Machines" of the title. The boys then band together to stop the scientist's unbridled insanity and destroy the other creations in his laboratory. David Mitchell directs, from a script by Tyler Levine and Tim McGregor. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Madsen, Mac Fyfe, (more)
An enormous crocodile terrorizes a Thai beach resort in this tale of terror in the water starring Michael Madsen. As the local begin to mysteriously disappear and various appendages are found floating in the swamps, the locals offer $5000 to anyone able to capture the beast responsible for all the bloodshed. While local crocodile hunter Hawkins (Madsen) is ready and willing to track down the man-eating monster, he begins to suspect that he's dealing with a more powerful force than he ever imagined as the body count continues to rise, and the blood-curdling screams of the locals echo eerily through the treacherous swamps. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Madsen, Peter Tuinstra, (more)
Prolific hardcore/punk music video director Darren Doane writes and directs this brutal thriller starring Michael Madsen and Christopher Stapleton as two remorseless killers from disparate backgrounds. One of the two killers is a family man who suddenly snaps, and longs for redemption after murdering his wife, while the other is a methodical madman who stalks the streets in search of his next victim. Bound by blood and locked on a path of certain destruction, but men must struggle to make sense of their lives in a world gone mad. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Madsen, Christopher Stapleton, (more)
A medical student with mounting debts draws on her formidable poker skills in order to stay afloat in this gambling drama starring Dominique Swain and Michael Madsen. As a young girl, Alicia "Ace" Anderson (Swain) frequently accompanied her card shark father (Madsen) to clandestine gambling rooms for tense rounds of Texas Hold 'Em. As a result of her childhood spent watching her father fleece his opponents, Alicia became a fairly exceptional card player herself. These days Alicia has left behind the world of gambling in order to focus on medical school, but education doesn't come cheap and the tuition fees are fast piling up. Of course the one way that Alicia knows how to make a quick buck is to fall back on her old skills, and now with a bottomed out bank account and few options on the table the savvy student gambler enlists the aid of some fellow students in hitting it big at the local casino. Though her cohorts may be well schooled in the art of the bluff, this team will need much more than a good poker face if they truly intend to win out over some of the world's best card players. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dominique Swain, Michael Madsen, (more)
DMX, Michael Madsen, Paul Sorvino, and David Carradine star in first-time feature filmmaker Kobé's thriller concerning a man who is summoned to a remote house in China by his deceased father, only to discover upon arriving that he isn't the only person on the guest list. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- DMX, Michael Madsen, (more)
U.S. military experts engage in a paranormal battle for survival while attempting to rescue a fellow soldier who was left behind in Afghanistan. When Pepper (Steve Bacic) left a man behind in Afghanistan, he didn't realize that decision would linger with him for the rest of his days. Now, Pepper has a chance to make good on that decision by venturing behind enemy lines to save his captured comrade. In order to esure that their mission is a success, Pepper organizes a rescue squad comprised of the best soldiers in the military. But even the most seasoned combat soldiers are no mach for the evil that awaits them in the formidable Afghan mountains. Michael Madsen, Gary Stretch, and Chris Kramer co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Madsen, Steve Bacic, (more)
Spoof series torch-bearer and Airplane! mastermind David Zucker steps back into the captain's chair for yet another round of cinematic shenanigans in the latest installment of the Scary Movie franchise, this time mocking such frightful blockbusters as Saw, War of the Worlds, The Village, and The Grudge. An alien invasion threatens to wipe out the entire human race, but not if Cindy Campbell (Anna Faris) and her nymphomaniac pal Brenda Meeks (Regina Hall) have any say in the matter. With the clock counting down for all of humankind and the extraterrestrial invasion about to begin, the fearless but slightly dunderheaded heroines are joined by a series of celebrity guests including Dr. Phil, Carmen Electra, Chris Elliot, Shaquille O'Neal, and, of course, Leslie Nielsen in ensuring that the planet remains free of the alien menace and prepared for yet another installment in the over-the-top, pop-culture deflating satire series. Although two versions of this film officially exist (a PG-13 one and an "Unrated and Uncensored" one - evidently they skipped the R version) the unrated cut only reportedly features about 3 extra minutes of screen time, devoted to jiggling and bouncing breast implants. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anna Faris, Regina Hall, (more)
Beneath the bright lights of Hollywood, the city of Los Angeles is teeming with crime and corruption. Though the majority of people never see the dark side of this city, it still festers just beneath the surface. Michael Madsen, Neal McDonough, and James Russo star in a crime film that isn't afraid to expose the true nature of this simmering, sinful cesspool. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Lazar, Michael Madsen, (more)
