Matt McCoy Movies

When the residents of a small town become obsessed with winning the annual Christmas decorating contest, the decision to outlaw the holiday prompts the ultra-competitive locals to reevaluate what it really means to them. The winner of last year's Christmas decorating contest is convinced that he can earn the same distinction two years in a row. When a new neighbor arrives determined to create an upset, however, typical holiday cheer quickly devolves into bitter one-upmanship. Later, when the locals attempt to quell tempers by placing a temporary ban on Christmas, everyone involved begins to question their behavior and finally reflect on the true meaning of the holiday. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Adversaries become wary allies in this free-wheeling action comedy. Hank Rafferty (Steve Zahn) is a Los Angeles Police Department officer who finds himself out of a job after he becomes involved in a violent altercation with police academy flunk-out Earl Montgomery (Martin Lawrence), escalating into a media event which brings the LAPD a wealth of bad publicity. Unable to find work, Hank finally takes a job as a "rent-a-cop" with a private security firm -- and discovers to his annoyance that his new partner is Earl. While neither of them are thrilled to be working together on the lowest strata of the law enforcement community, the two find themselves dealing with bigger crime than they expected when they stumble across evidence of a elite smuggling network operated by criminal mastermind Nash (Eric Roberts). Hank and Earl want to put Nash out of business, and they try without success to persuade the police of the importance of the case. But before long they discover it's not just Nash's men who are after them, but two high-ranking LAPD officials, Lt. Washington (Bill Duke) and Detective McDuff (Colm Feore). National Security was directed by Dennis Dugan, who'd previously helmed antic comedies starring Adam Sandler and Chris Farley; this film also marked Martin Lawrence's entry into the elite of Hollywood's comedy stars, with Lawrence taking home a 20-million-dollar paycheck for his work on the picture. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

After private eye Mike Roberts is murdered, John (Bill Brochtrup) tells Sipowicz about Mike's cryptic warning. It all ties in with the wealthy Malcolm Cullinan (Todd Waring), whom John believes was responsible for the death of the benighted Dolores Mayo. Subsequent events relating to this development cause Jill (Andrea Thompson) to sever her relationship with Cohen (Michael B. Silver). And former series regular Gail O'Grady makes a most surprising cameo appearance -- and to tell any more would be unthinkable. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Based on the best-selling novel by James Ellroy and directed by Curtis Hanson, this award-winning crime drama explores both the dark side of the Los Angeles police force and Southern California's criminal underbelly in the early '50s, when Hollywood was still seen as America's capital of sophistication, glitter, and glamour. Dudley Smith (James Cromwell) is the head of the LAPD and is loyal to his officers and eager to turn a blind eye to violence or corruption within his department, as long as it's the "bad guys" who are getting hurt. Bud White (Russell Crowe) is a police detective whose violent and cynical nature is often at war with his basic sense of decency and justice. Ed Exley (Guy Pearce) is a beat cop-turned-detective whose strict by-the-book philosophy and willingness to blow the whistle on other officers is balanced by a shrewd and opportunistic understanding of the internal politics of the department. And Jack Vincennes (Kevin Spacey) is a flashy "Hollywood" detective who serves as technical advisor for the TV series Badge of Honor. He is also in cahoots with Sid Hudgeons (Danny DeVito), publisher of the scandal sheet Hush Hush, who throws kickbacks to Vincennes in exchange for being brought along when showbiz figures get busted. White, Exley, and Vincennes find themselves drawn into a tangled and sticky web of violence and betrayal following a multiple murder at a coffee shop that is believed to be part of an effort by Mickey Cohen (Paul Guilfoyle) to consolidate his hold on organized crime in L.A. This lead appears to be connected to the discovery of a bizarre pornography and call-girl ring operated by Pierce Patchett (David Strathairn), whose women are given plastic surgery so that they more closely resemble well-known movie stars. White's role in the investigation is complicated when he falls for Lynn Bracken (Kim Basinger), one of Patchett's prostitutes, who is the spitting image of Veronica Lake. L.A. Confidential was nominated for nine Academy Awards and netted two, with Brian Helgeland honored for Best Adapted Screenplay, and Kim Basinger taking home a statuette as Best Supporting Actress. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Another fact-based entry in the hard-hitting NBC "Moment of Truth" TV-movie series, The Accident revolves around three teenage girls, all lifelong friends: Lizzie (Bonnie Root), Janie (Marisa Rudiak) and Kate (Deanna Milligan). All three enjoy sneaking about and defying their parents, especially when it comes to drinking liquor. But where Janie and Kate limit themselves to wine, the troubled Lizzie is a heavy tippler, guzzling down vodka as if it was going out of style. At their pre-graduation party, Lizzie manages to get both Janie and Kate thoroughly smashed on booze. . .and then she hops in her car to drive Janie home. A horrible accident is inevitable--and though Lizzie escapes with only a mild concussion, Janie is killed outright. Tortured with guilt, and with both a court trial and the merciless wrath of Janie's vengeful mother on the horizon, Lizzie "solves" her problems by hitting the bottle harder than ever! Not surprisingly, the film contains several sobering lessons for its viewers, young and old alike; and while Lizzie is not let off the hook, much is made of the negative influences brought to bear by the adults in her life in the years prior to her tragic "moment of truth." The Accident originally aired on September 15, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this youthful drama, three 13 year olds come of age when they learn to stand up to a vicious local bully. Joey, Book and Mouth live for baseball. Joey is a superb pitcher and Book an excellent catcher while Mouth dreams of becoming Joey's agent. All three boys have less than perfect home lives, with their chief problem being that their parents are too often gone. Still, they have a good summer until Hayes, a nearly psycho bully begins tormenting them in increasingly violent ways. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this police drama, a policewoman risks her life to protect a key witness in a gangland killing. The cop and her charge hide out in a woman's shelter and this leads to a brutal attack. Despite the violence and fear, nothing will prevent the witness from her day in court. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this light-hearted comedy, an ingenious salesman devises a clever scheme for finding homes for orphans. A pair of yuppies, trying to decide whether or not to become parents, use the plan to test out three rambunctious children in their home. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

In this high-speed action drama, a mutual need for transportation forces a car thief and a newspaper journalist, hot on the trail of a corrupt senator, into a stolen car. What neither knows is that one of the briefcases stashed in the truck is filled with money and belongs to a gangster who will stop at nothing to have it. On the other hand, there are equally greedy cops who want the money too. Mere moments after they take the car, the others are in hot pursuit and a crash-laden, tire-screeching, engine-roaring pursuit begins. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

A heated affair threatens to bring down skilled Los Angeles private eye Jack Ramsay in this fast-paced action thriller starring Corbin Bernsen and Carrie-Anne Moss. When the body of his lover -- who also happens to be the wife of rising politician Martin Lewis -- is discovered strangled and lifeless, it appears as if Ramsay is being set up to take a fall for the murder. With the police on his back and the head of the spotlight shining ever brighter, Ramsay must race against time to find the true killer if he has any hope of making it through the night alive. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

This erotic psychological thriller marks the feature film debut of popular actress Pamela Anderson in a leading role. After two johns were murdered while having sex with a prostitute, Sergeant Peg Peckham (Chelsea Field) is transferred from the vice squad to homicide and assigned to investigate. Peg's determined to catch the killer, who could be a female serial killer, and asks her police psychologist boyfriend David Stratton (Steven Bauer) for a profile. In the meantime, David has become attracted to a new patient, Felicity (Anderson), an amnesia sufferer who is having violent recurring dreams in which she murders her lovers. Although the connection to Peg's case seems obvious, Felicity doesn't fit the psychological profile, and her bombshell beauty is having an intoxicating effect on David. Snapdragon (1993) was co-written by actress Terri Treas of the Alien Nation TV series and telefilms. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide