Dakin Matthews Movies

Robert Urich stars as a self-involved computer executive who becomes inadvertently involved in a crime. He witnesses the kidnapping of a 3 year old girl, an event that shakes him out of his aloofness and insensitivity. Feeling partially responsible, Urich determines to aid in the rescue of the child, working together with the victim's mother (Megan Gallagher). Even though we can see the happy ending a mile off, Urich's conscience-stricken performance sustains audience involvement in this superior entry. And Then She Was Gone was first telecast September 29, 1991. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The late journalist Randy Shilts' best-selling book on the burgeoning AIDS crisis was adapted for cable TV by Arnold Schulman. In 1981, researchers begin discerning a mysterious new disease that apparently affects only homosexual males (or so they thought at that time). Working independently, and with marked hostility toward one another, an American and a French research team manage to identify and name the dreaded HIV virus. The long-range effects of AIDS is experienced through the first- and secondhand experiences of several unfortunates, including a choreographer (Richard Gere) whose character is said to be based on Michael Bennett. The all-star cast (most of whom eschewed their usual high salaries) includes Lily Tomlin as San Francisco health official Selma Dritz, Matthew Modine as Centers for Disease Control researcher Don Francis, Alan Alda as NIH official Robert Gallo (who emerges as the villain of the piece), Ian McKellan as gay activist Bill Kraus, and Glenne Headley, Steve Martin and Anjelica Huston in cameo roles. And the Band Played On debuted September 11, 1993, on HBO. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Comic actor Rowan Atkinson brought his bumbling character Mr. Bean from television to the big screen with this British comedy. Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) is a well-meaning but not especially bright fellow with a gift for making the worst of any situation. Bean is about to be fired from his job as a guard at the Royal Nation Art Gallery for sleeping on the job, but the Chairman (John Mills) intervenes at the last moment. To insure that his incompetence will manifest itself so completely that there will be no choice but to get rid of him, Bean's superiors come up with a plan -- they'll send him to America to speak at a posh private gallery owned by George Grierson (Harris Yulin), where General Newton (Burt Reynolds) will display the most recent addition to his art collection, "Whistler's Mother." It's even money whether or not the museum will still be standing before Bean is done; as if this weren't enough, while in L.A. Bean is mistaken for a surgeon and forced to operate on an injured police officer. Richard Curtis, one of the film's producers, said after viewing the final product, "It's an unpleasant family movie. I'm very pleased." ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Having vanquished The Source of All Evil, the Charmed Ones are offered a reward by the Angel of Destiny (Dakin Matthews). The girls are given the choice to remain "Charmed" or to be divested of their powers and restored to normalcy, thereby saving them from all future demon attacks. Meanwhile, poor Cole (Julian McMahon), though expunged of The Source's influence, is trapped in another realm -- and why are the girls being investigated by the FBI? This final episode of Charmed's fourth season ends with some good news for Piper (Holly Marie Combs)...or at least we hope it is good news! ~ Rovi

The directorial debut of Glenn Gordon Caron, the creator of the television series Moonlighting (1985-89), this intense, gritty drama was received as one of the best-ever cinematic treatments of substance abuse. Michael Keaton stars as Daryl Poynter, a hustling, successful Philadelphia real estate agent who has become addicted to cocaine. He's already got problems, including nearly a $100,000 embezzled from his employer and lost on the stock market, when he wakes up one morning with a young woman dead in his bed from a coke overdose. His company is asking questions about the missing funds, and the dead girl's father is plastering his neighborhood with posters accusing Daryl of being a murderer, so he decides to hide out in an anonymous drug treatment program. There, however, Daryl runs into tough-minded counselor and former addict Craig (Morgan Freeman), who has heard all of Daryl's lies and tricks before. Daryl also finds romance with an abused fellow addict, Charlie Standers (Kathy Baker), and understanding with his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor (M. Emmet Walsh). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Based on a best-selling novel from Danielle Steele, this made-for-television melodrama tells the sad story of a highly successful businessman whose idyllic life is destroyed when his new bride dies of cancer, leaving him with her daughter. To make matters worse, his late wife's ex-husband shows up demanding custody of the child. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In this off-beat sci-fi adventure, a female scientist creates a sexy android version of herself and equips it with both the passionate emotions she lacks and a nuclear bomb. The trouble begins when the android is taken out for a test run and it ends up in the midst of a bank robbery where its internal bomb is accidentally activated. Things get worse, when the robot comes emotionally unglued and launches into a destructive rampage while enacting out its repressed creator's darkest desires. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Originally aired on HBO and directed by Apollo 13 star and space enthusiast Tom Hanks, among others, From the Earth to the Moon explores the ups and downs of space travel, beginning with President Kennedy's famous speech before Congress on May 25, 1961, and chronicling the journey to putting the first man on the moon. This highly acclaimed, Emmy-nominated, 12-episode series is available in a six-tape VHS set and a four-disc DVD set. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Bill Cosby mugs so uncontrollably that it looks as if he may be the victim of a muscular disorder in the inane and unfunny Ghost Dad. Cosby plays Elliot, a workaholic widower with three children -- Danny (Salim Grant), Amanda (Brooke Fontainbe), and the teenage Diane (Kimberly Russell). Elliot is hoping to close a big deal that will mean a promotion, more money, and lots of perks, but a cab ride with a freaked-out cab driver causes his untimely demise. Elliot discovers that he is now a ghost and has to learn to spend more time with his kids rather than worry about money and career. Otherwise, after three days, he'll be whisked away into the great beyond. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Lorelai (Lauren Graham) continues to be harassed by her mom Emily (Kelly Bishop) vis-à-vis her broken relationship with Christopher (David Sutcliffe); also, she doesn't quite know how to handle the situation when the combustible Kirk (Sean Gunn) asks her out on a date. Rory (Alexis Bledel) is confronted by an angry Jess (Milo Ventimiglia), who wastes no time telling her that he wasn't entirely lonely during the summer. Paris (Liza Weil) displays her heightened social consciousness by campaigning in favor of raised hemlines at Chilton. And the Independence Inn is invaded by a persistent mouse. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

To help Rory (Alexis Bledel) get over her nervousness concerning her graduation, Lorelai takes her daughter out on a shopping and dining binge. Luke (Scott Patterson) joins the ladies along the way, and they all end up at a karoake bar, where Rory manages to get Lorelai drunk. What follows is a boozy but sincere rendition of a Dolly Parton song in which Lorelai reveals the depth of her feelings for Luke. Meanwhile, Zach (Todd Lowe) is offered a job opportunity that may separate him from his family for several months; and Logan (Matt Czuchry demands an answer from Rory. This episode marks the last appearance of Vanessa Marano as April Nardini. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the third-season finale of Gilmore Girls, Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Sookie (Melissa McCarthy) make their first tentative moves toward purchasing a new bed-and-breakfast called the Dragonfly Inn -- but they may not be able to afford the place thanks to an unanticipated financial setback. Elsewhere, Chilton Prep valedictorian Rory (Alexis Bledel) delivers a commencement address that will never be forgotten. Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Emily (Kelly Bishop) come through with a graduation gift that proves to be more beneficial to Lorelai than to Rory. And Luke (Scott Patterson) prepares to embark upon an ocean cruise with his lady love Nicole, little suspecting what is in store for both of them! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Stefanie Powers and Robert Wagner return as the Harts, married private eyes who in this made-for-TV movie interrupt their carefree lives to investigate a group of corrupt government contractors. Lionel Stander also returns as their sidekick Max, with Mike Connors and Ken Howard as guest stars. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi