Matt McCoy Movies
Born on May 20, 1958, in Austin, TX, Matt McCoy would ultimately perform in over 40 different film and television roles from 1985 and throughout the 2000s. Though McCoy took on a few small roles with relative success in Fraternity Vacation (1985) and Weekend Warriors (1986), his most recognizable performance wouldn't come until 1988, when he starred as an intrepid yet bumbling police officer in Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach (1988), a role which he would reprise in Police Academy 6: City Under Siege (1989). After the demise of the Police Academy franchise, McCoy went on to star in several television productions, including the acclaimed Miracle Landing (1990), an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, and a feature-length television "reunion" of the characters from the Archie comic book series. In the following years, the actor put in solid performances in several moderately well-received movies, perhaps the most notable of which being his role as the unwitting husband in Curtis Hanson's psychological thriller The Hand that Rocks the Cradle. In 1993, McCoy starred alongside Pamela Anderson in her film debut, the erotic drama Snapdragon. Though McCoy went on to play several lead roles, the films in which he appeared were generally too unremarkable to merit any significant critical or mainstream recognition. This would change somewhat after a tiny role in another one of Curtis Hanson's films -- the Oscar-winning police detective film L.A. Confidential (1997). While his L.A. Confidential performance did not help him land true movie-star status, it certainly helped his small-screen endeavors. In 1999, McCoy starred in an episode of the long-running cop drama NYPD Blue, and later that year took on the leading role in Imminent Danger, a made-for-television feature co-starring Connie Sellecca. Shortly afterward, McCoy donated his talents for a supporting role in Citizen Baines, a CBS political drama featuring James Cromwell. In 2003, McCoy could be seen in the ill-conceived crime comedy National Security along with Martin Lawrence. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
With 42,000 sightings in 68 countries, the elusive woodland creature known as Sasquatch, Yeti, and Bigfoot is one of the most enduring natural mysteries ever known to man. Hunted by humans for hundreds of years, the formerly reclusive man-like beast strikes out against his would-be captors in a mountain-based tale of survival and horror starring Jeffrey Combs, Lance Henriksen, and Dee Wallace-Stone. Years ago, mountain climber Preston Rogers (Matt McCoy) suffered a terrible injury that left him wheelchair-bound in his remote cabin. Something strange is happening in the woods these days, though, and if Rogers holds out any hope of saving the lives of either his neighbors or the young college girls on a weekend retreat to the California mountains, he's going to have to convince the skeptical Sheriff Halderman (Paul Gleason) that something sinister is happening amidst the thick foliage of the forest and that numerous lives will be lost if they don't act fast. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matt McCoy, Hayley Joel, (more)
- 1987
Made for television, American Harvest is set in the heartland of Kansas. Two proud, stubborn families have not spoken to one another because of an incident in the distant past. Wayne Rogers, the patriarch of one of the families, is in danger of losing his wheat farm. He knows that his land will be saved if he patches things up with rival farmer Earl Holliman, but such a reconciliation is out of the question--at least, until the film's final twenty minutes. American Harvest premiered on January 16, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Archie Andrews and his Riverdale buddies Jughead, Betty, and Veronica, from the enduring adolescent comic book, are all grown up and trying to deal with the '90s in this live-action comedy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher Rich, Lauren Holly, (more)
- 1995
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Lost in the Northwest woods, a young boy ends up caught in a bear trap and threatened by a ferocious grizzly. Fortunately, he is saved by a friendly Sasquatch. Later the boy unwittingly plays a role in the Bigfoot's capture. Now it is the lad's turn to save his shaggy friend from those who would exploit him. This action-packed outdoor adventure was designed especially for young children. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matt McCoy, Crystal Chappell, (more)
- 2001
James Cromwell starred on this weekly, hour-long drama series as veteran politician Elliott Baines. After three successful terms as senator, Baines is cast adrift when a fourth-term bid comes a cropper. Knowing no other life but politics, the widowed Baines returns home to Seattle, there to contend with the exigencies of being a private citizen -- and to reestablish family ties with his three grown, estranged daughters. Yes, the whole thing sounded a lot like King Lear, which of course was the producers' intention. Also in the cast were Embeth Davidtz as Baines' lawyer daughter, Ellen; Jane Adams as Baines' unhappily married "middle child" Reeva; and Jacinda Barrett as youngest daughter Dori, the obligatory iconoclastic "bohemian." Originally titled The Second Act, Citizen Baines was to have made its CBS debut on September 22, 2001, but was moved to September 29 due to TV coverage of the World Trade Center bombing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Cromwell, Embeth Davidtz, (more)
Once Teri Hatcher hit it big on the TV series Lois and Clark, several of her less memorable earlier projects began popping out of the woodwork. The R-rated The Cool Surface is listed as a 1993 film, but one wonders. Hatcher plays Dani Payson, a beautiful aspiring actress and neighbor to playwright Jarvis Scott (Robert Patrick). Jarvis observes Dani as she and her live-in lover alternately have sex and argue violently. He begins to have his own fantasies about Dani and is inspired to base one of his characters on her. The ambitious Dani finds out about his novel, then campaigns to win the lead in Scott's upcoming film. Cool Surface evidently wasn't cool enough to prevent certain well-proportioned members of the cast from baring all. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Not to be confused with the 1994 exchange-of-murders melodrama Dead On, this 1991 film was originally shipped out under the title Relentless 2: Dead On. You may recall that in the first Relentless in 1989, Judd Nelson starred as a serial killer. Nelson isn't around for the sequel, though two of his near-victims, a mother (Meg Foster) and her son (Leo Rossi), make return appearances. Relentless 2 elaborates on the possible aftereffects of Nelson's psychotic behavior, as manifested in young Rossi. Could the kid have learned too much about the inner workings of a murderer's mind? The premise is a workable one, and the film makes the most of it, with several genuinely frightening setpieces. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Friday the 13th director Sean S. Cunningham helmed this sea-monster opus about a team of engineers on an undersea missile platform who disturb the slumber of a huge, killer crustacean, which soon develops a taste for human-flavored snacks. The rubbery-looking beastie is quite a laugh, but there are some genuine freak-outs as it chomps away at the crew -- that is, while they're not reducing their own numbers through sheer incompetence. In the end, it's B.J. & the Bear's Greg Evigan (alas, minus chimp) who saves the day. One of a dozen-or-so subaqueous Alien clones (half of which were produced by Roger Corman) designed to trade on the building hype of James Cameron's long-awaited The Abyss, this soggy little picture managed to reach theaters first. Not that it's the least impressive of the lot -- actually, it succeeds on its own terms as a thoroughly intense and fast-paced "B"-monster flick, aided by good performances (Evigan is a likable, sensitive hero, and Miguel Ferrer quaffs the scenery as a high-strung jerk). At least it's better than Leviathan, which tells essentially the same story but wastes considerably more money. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Taurean Blacque, Nancy Everhard, (more)
- 1986
A sprawling adaptation of the same-named novel by David Nevin, the three-part CBS miniseries Dream West starred Richard Chamberlain as colorful, controversial American explorer John Charles Fremont (1813-1890). The story detailed the visionary (and occasionally mercenary) Fremont's lifelong war against shortsided authority figures, beginning with his early skirmishes with the "brass" as an Army officer. In 1842, Fremont embarked upon his greatest adventure, heading an expedition to map the Oregon Trail -- the first step towards opening the entire North American continent to free and unimpeded exploration. His mission pitted Fremont against hostile Indians, the Mexican army, and the U.S. government itself. Along the way, he crossed paths with scores of historical figures, including Kit Carson, Jim Bridge, John Sutter, and President Abraham Lincoln. Alice Krige, Richard Chamberlain's vis-à-vis in the earlier Wallenberg: A Heroes' Story, co-starred as Jessie Benton, the headstrong senator's daughter who became Fremont's wife. Running seven hours in all (plus commercials), Dream West was originally telecast from April 13 to 15, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
- R
Institutionalized serial killer Janice Bickle (Lenny Von Dohlen) volunteers to undergo a radical medical experiment. If the operation is successful, he will be cured of his homicidal tendencies. Instead, the surgery goes horribly awry, turning him into a worse basket case than before. And then he escapes, heading straight to the home of the doctor who masterminded the experiment. It's Desperate Hours redux, and pretty good at that. The cast of Eyes of the Beholder includes one-time "James Bond" George Lazenby and veteran heavy Charles Napier. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
- R
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
- Starring:
- Yancy Butler, Matt McCoy, (more)
Delivering no more and no less than what its title suggests, this teen movie is about three frat brothers chasing down sex and women in Palm Springs for a long weekend escape from blizzard conditions at Iowa State. Wendall (Stephen Geoffreys) is the requisite nerd of the group whose heart throbs for a certain young woman, unfortunately, she is the daughter of Police Chief Ferret (John Vernon), an aptly-named tough cop who is hardly going to welcome anyone who is after his daughter. Wendall's two buddies (Cameron Dye and Leigh McCloskey) are hot on the heels of the beauteous Ashley (Sheree J. Wilson), but so are a few others, and she does not necessarily bestow her favors indiscriminately -- and so they are having a difficult time of it. Between the music, the locations, and the lightweight plot to match the clothing, this is a typical teen comedy, for and about teens, and aimed at a young teen audience. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Geoffreys, Sheree J. Wilson, (more)
- 1995
In this adult western, Kelly LeBrock plays the madam of an old-west brothel who changes her game from sex to violence when her sister is murdered, and takes it upon herself to find the killer and avenge her death. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kelly LeBrock, Matt McCoy, (more)
- 1994
In this erotic thriller, Will (Leo Damian) and Delilah (Kristina Fulton) "meet" through a computer network and are soon sharing sexual fantasies online. As their cybersex becomes kinkier and more detailed, they become obsessed with bringing their virtual erotic games into real life, with dangerous consequences. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Though some observers feel that the made-for-cable Dangerous Waters was merely a derivation of the earlier theatrical feature River Wild, be assured that the later film includes a few novel and unanticipated twists. While on a rafting trip with her kids and her newboyfriend Bob (Matt McCoy), river expert Sarah (Connie Selleca) is waylaid by escaped convicts searching for stolen money. Earlier, Sarah had rescued an unconscious man, who may or may not be connected with the crooks. Whatever the case, Bob takes charge of the situation, apparently playing for time by claiming he knows the location of the money--mainly because he's the one who hid it. A deadly game of cat-and-mouse between captors and captives develops, followed by an even more harrowing excursion down the rapids and towards safety. Throughout it all, however, Sarah cannot help but wonder what Bob is up to--and why? First telecast by the Fox Family channel on February 7, 1999, Dangerous Waters was filmed under the title Imminent Danger, and still goes by that name in reruns. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Connie Sellecca, Matt McCoy, (more)
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
- Starring:
- Kevin Spacey, Russell Crowe, (more)
- 1992
Following a terrible auto wreck, a woman reawakens but can remember nothing about herself or the events leading up to the tragedy. This makes it all the more painful when she discovers that a man and his little boy were killed in the crash, one that she may have caused. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lynda Carter, Dee Wallace, (more)
With perhaps a slight nod towards Harry and the Hendersons, this family-oriented drama centers on a vacationing clan who run across a baby bigfoot and its mother. Realizing the near-mythical creatures are in great danger from the ruthless owner of a logging company who has sent hunters out to shoot them, the family does all it can to protect their furry new friends. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Furst, Matt McCoy, (more)
- 1990
Miracle Landing is a quickly but carefully made TV movie dramatizing an actual near-disaster in the air. The tale begins with Aloha Airline's Flight 737 making a routine trip between Hilo and Honolulu. As the plane reaches an altitude of 24,000 feet, the top portion of the fuselage suddenly strips off, depressurizing the cabin and exposing the passengers to flying debris and deadly winds. The film then concentrates on the cool professionalism of the flight attendants and 3-person crew, as they calm down the 89 passengers and bring the severely damaged plane for a safe landing. Miracle Landing is cut-and-dried for the most part, but isolated moments are impossible to forget--notably a shot of an anguished passenger with a shard of metal grotesquely fused to his face! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Jessica (Angela Lansbury) heads Southward to visit an old friend, celebrated playwright Eugene McLendon (Barry Nelson). Inevitably, a murder occurs: the victim this time is Eugene's crooked business manager Jonathan Keeler (Elliott Reid). Deciding to stay on and help out when Eugene is suspected of the murder, Jessica is startled when the ailing playwright suddenly proposes marriage! Among the special guest suspects in this episode is Lois Nettleton, doing a hilarious turn as a Southern stage star. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
The life of teenager Eric Sutter (Nick Stahl) is forever changed for the worse when he is arrested for attacking a neighbor woman with a knife--the case being "sealed" when the victim positively I.D.s the hapless Eric, who has harbored a crush on the woman for months. Anxious for a conviction, the police use only the evidence that will bolster their case in prosecuting Eric, while the media has a field day stirring up public resentment against the boy. Too, Eric's surly, rebellious attitude seems calculated to tighten the noose around his neck. Only Eric's mother Margaret (Marilu Henner)and her loyal boyfriend David (Matt McCoy) believe in the boy's innocence, and together they tirelessly fight for justice against all odds. Originally broadcast by ABC, the fact-based My Son is Innocent first aired May 6, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
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
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
- Starring:
- Martin Lawrence, Steve Zahn, (more)
- 1988
- PG
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America's most inept law enforcement team mixes business with pleasure as they head to sunny Florida in this comedy. The aging and often-confused head of the Police Academy, Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes), has reached mandatory retirement age, much to the pleasure of the devious Capt. Harris (G.W. Bailey), who is still scheming to take over his job. Lassard, Harris, and a handful of the Academy's "distinguished" graduates (including Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow, Leslie Easterbrook, and Marion Ramsey) travel to Miami Beach for a special ceremony to commemorate Lassard's years of service as he leaves the force; however, a luggage mix-up puts the clumsy cops in the middle of a massive illegal arms deal. Police Academy 5: Assignment Miami Beach was the first film in the long-running series that did not star Steve Guttenberg (Bob Goldthwait also left the franchise at this point), but most of the other regulars bravely soldiered on without him. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matt McCoy, Janet Jones, (more)
- 1989
- PG
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Who do you send after a gang of stump-dumb crooks? Who else but the most intellectually-challenged police force in America, in the sixth installment of the Police Academy series. The Wilson Heights Gang, three thieves whose success as criminals is in inverse proportion to their outwardly-displayed intelligence and criminal talent, are managing to terrorize the city in spite of themselves. The increasingly feeble Commandant Lassard (George Gaynes) and his much-put-upon second-in-command Capt. Harris (G.W. Bailey) are instructed to bring the crooks to justice; of course, with the Police Academy regulars as their task force, that's much easier said than done. Bubba Smith, Michael Winslow, Leslie Easterbrook, Marion Ramsey, and Bruce Mahler are on hand once again as the comical cops; Peter Bonerz, a former regular on The Bob Newhart Show, stepped in as director. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bubba Smith, David Graf, (more)
