Mary McDonnell Movies
Renowned stage and screen actress Mary McDonnell graced East Coast stages for two decades before getting her major screen breakthrough in Dances with Wolves (1990). Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, on April 28, 1952, McDonnell was raised in Ithaca, New York, and graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia. After a few seasons in regional repertory, she established herself on Broadway with such successful 1980s plays as The Heidi Chronicles. She made her film debut in 1984's Garbo Talks; three years later, she was showered with critical adulation for her portrayal of mining town landlady Elma Radnor in director John Sayles' Matewan. Further adulation and a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination followed for McDonnell's portrayal of Stands with a Fist, a white woman raised by the Lakota Sioux, in Kevin Costner's Dances with Wolves (1990). One year later, she starred in the PBS "American Playhouse" dramatization of Willa Cather's O Pioneers!, and also did starring work as the wife of an immigration attorney (Kevin Kline) in Lawrence Kasdan's acclaimed Grand Canyon. Her film career has continued with roles in films big and small, ranging from Sayles' excellent Passion Fish (1992) to the 1996 blockbuster Independence Day to Kasdan's Mumford (1999), which cast McDonnell as a dissatisfied housewife with a mail order catalog obsession. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The untold story of the Battlestar Pegasus comes to the screen in this special, two-hour episode of Battlestar Galactica detailing the transformation of Major Kendra Shaw into a fearless tool of war known as a "razor." As the Cylons prepare to launch a genocidal attack on the Twelve Colonies, Major Kendra Shaw (Stephanie Jacobsen) arrives on the Battleship Pegasus reporting for duty. In the aftermath of the devastating attack, Major Shaw is trained by Admiral Helena Cain to employ suicidal fighting tactics and commit atrocious war crimes against her own people. Any sense of hesitation or doubt is methodically stripped away from Major Shaw, rendering her a living weapon driven by murderous instinct. But such a weapon can ultimately do as much damage as it does good, and it isn't long before this severe form of warfare takes a heavy psychological tool on the tormented Major Shaw. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 2006
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The space opera's third season picks up a short time after the Colonial fleet was forced to abandon the bulk of humanity on the harsh but habitable New Caprica as the Cylons descended upon the defenseless settlement. While the commanders of Galactica and Pegasus, Adm. William Adama (Edward James Olmos) and Cdr. Lee "Apollo" Adama (Jamie Bamber), clash over the admiral's plan to rescue those left behind, resistance guerrillas led by Col. Saul Tigh (Michael Hogan) use suicide bombers to strike back at the Cylon occupiers on New Caprica. The occupation produces heroes, traitors and hostages-the last best personified by Capt. Kara "Starbuck" Thrace (Katee Sackhoff), who becomes a Cylon's love interest. Captive Cylon Sharon (Grace Park) redeems herself when she agrees to help Adm. Adama rescue the citizens of New Caprica. While the rescue operation unfolds, defrocked president Gaius Baltar (James Callis) locates Sharon's Cylon-human baby and accepts an invitation from D'Anna (Lucy Lawless) to join the Cylons. The large-scale rescue proves successful, but the occupation leaves emotional scars on the survivors, particularly Starbuck and Tigh, who stir up dissent within the ranks. Adm. Adama endeavors to heal his crew with a boxing event that ends up being cathartic for Starbuck and Apollo. While trying to prove his worth to the Cylons, Baltar helps D'Anna probe the mythical "final five" humanoid Cylons-who have become lost to the rest of their race-an investigation that doesn't sit well with the Cylon Cavil (Dean Stockwell). A food shortage forces the Colonial fleet to traverse a dangerous passage to an algae planet, home to a mysterious temple that houses a veritable road map to Earth, which the Cylons also covet. The tragic loss of a troubled crewmate and a sensational trial onboard Galactica become game-changing milestones during the fleet's quest for Earth. ~ Michael Chant, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, (more)
The sensationalistic murder of diet guru Dr. Herman Tarnower is explored in this stylized take on the tabloid cover story from first-time director Phyllis Nagy. As the inventor of the popular "Scarsdale Diet," Dr. Herman Tarnower (Ben Kingsley) became an overnight success during the peak of the early '80s diet craze. Despite the popularity of the Dr. Tarnower's revolutionary "lose one pound per day" diet, the womanizing ways of the Casanova cardiologist would soon come to a brutal end at the hands of his jealous, prescription drug-addicted lover Jean Harris (Annette Bening). Driven to despair after their 14-year romance failed to result in marriage and enraged by Dr. Tarnower's shameless status as a ladies' man, Harris confronts her former lover in one violent, final act of desperation. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Annette Bening, Ben Kingsley, (more)
- 2004
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David Eick and Ronald D. Moore's dark reinvention of the cult sci-fi series picks up where the 2003 miniseries left off. An old battleship named Galactica leads a fleet of survivors away from their planets, which were decimated by a nuclear attack perpetrated by a race of machines known as Cylons. Galactica's senior officer, Cdr. William Adama (Edward James Olmos), and the newly sworn-in leader of the Twelve Colonies of Kobol, President Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), discover how relentless the Cylons can be when they briefly manage to track, harass and nearly exhaust the fleet. Worse, the Cylons have created copies of machines that appear human, some of which have infiltrated the fleet as unwary sleeper agents. Lt. Sharon "Boomer" Valerii (Grace Park) learns she is a Cylon after she sabotages Galactica's water supply. And another copy of Boomer uses Lt. Karl "Helo" Agathon (Tahmoh Penikett) as a guinea pig in an experiment the Cylons are conducting on the devastated Colonial world Caprica. A suicide bombing on Galactica forces the Colonial leadership to publicly divulge the existence of humanoid Cylons and the likelihood that some are operating within the fleet, fostering feelings of paranoia in an already stressed and depressed populace. Adama and Roslin are tasked with forging a new government and replenishing their supplies of water, fuel and fighter pilots, while they also try to keep hope alive during their search for the fabled lost colony Earth. Meanwhile, Dr. Gaius Baltar (James Callis) must cope with his role in the near annihilation of his people, his place in the new space-faring community, and the intrusions of an incorporeal entity-that only he can see-which has taken the form of the sixth humanoid Cylon model (Tricia Helfer) to guide the troubled genius. ~ Michael Chant, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, (more)
One of the most popular television series of the late '70s science fiction boom gets a new look for the new millennium in remake, created as a made-for-cable miniseries. Four decades after the Cylon Wars, the Cylon robots (some of whom have since assumed human form) have launched a vicious nuclear attack, leaving only a few Colonial forces to lead the survivors to safety. Led by starship commander Adama (Edward James Olmos) and politician and possible presidential successor Laura Roslin (Mary McDonnell), the crew of the Battlestar Galactica searches the galaxy for the mythic 13th Colony of Kobol (otherwise known as Earth), their destination and only hope for survival. Battlestar Galactica: The Miniseries also stars Jamie Bamber, James Callis, and Grace Park. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward James Olmos
- 2002
Rachel (Hallee Hirsh) accidentally causes Elizabeth's (Alex Kingston) infant daughter, Ella, to OD on Ecstasy. Abby (Maura Tierney) gives shelter to the battered Joyce (Christina Hendricks), incurring the terrible wrath of Joyce's husband, Brian (Matthew Settle). Carter's mother (Mary McDonnell) tries to make belated amends for the death of her other son, Bobby, by lavishing care on young leukemia patient Mickey (Colton James). Victims of a letter bomb are brought into the ER. Gallant (Sharif Atkins) treats a blind man, despite being allergic to the man's dog. And Romano (Paul McCrane) angers Weaver (Laura Innes) by apparently giving preferential treatment to Lewis (Sherry Stringfield). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Elizabeth (Alex Kingston) lashes out at Rachel (Hallee Hirsh) for nearly causing baby Ella's death. Greene (Anthony Edwards) worries that his brain tumor has returned. Carter's (Noah Wyle) mother (Mary McDonnell) continues "coping" with the long-ago death of her other son, Bobby, by living her life vicariously through a young leukemia patient. Lewis (Sherry Stringfield) is forced to hold down the ER fort virtually by herself when a bag of bad bagels causes the other staffers to suffer from food poisoning. And Abby (Maura Tierney) is attacked and beaten by her neighbor Brian (Matthew Settle) for offering support to Brian's abused wife. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Abby (Maura Tierney) "celebrates" her birthday with one setback after another, beginning with an ominous run-in with her quarreling new neighbors, Brian (Matthew Settle) and Joyce (Christina Hendricks). Kovac (Goran Visnjic) prepares to go to Bosnia as part of the Doctors Without Borders program. Carter (Noah Wyle) continues to have issues with his estranged mother (Mary McDonnell). Chen (Ming-Na) claims to have evidence of Weaver's negligence, while Sandy (Lisa Vidal) is not happy that Weaver (Laura Innes) is reluctant to "out" herself. And Greene (Anthony Edwards) makes an unpleasant discovery in the room of his daughter Rachel (Hallee Hirsh). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Adapted from the bestselling novel by Richard Paul Evans, the made-for-TV The Locket stars Vanessa Redgrave as Esther Huish, an elderly, embittered resident of a nursing home. Into Esther's life comes young attendant Michael Keddington (Chad Willett), who like Esther has been forced to live a life of self-sacrifice and shattered dreams. Ever since his father deserted the family, Michael has cared for his ailing mother, putting his chances for college on what seems to be permanent hold. Now that his mother is dead, Michael is facing another crisis over which he has no control: The domineering father of Michael's fiancée has refused to bless the approaching wedding. Even so, Michael makes it his mission in life to make Esther's final years as comfortable and rewarding as possible; thus, he dedicates himself to locating Esther's long-lost love, using only a faded picture in a locket as his guide. As it turns out, it is Esther who "saves" Michael when the young man is accused of murdering another nursing-home resident. A CBS "Hallmark Hall of Fame" presentation, The Locket first aired on December 8, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
Tired of being taunted by their snotty peers, three misfit students at Our Lady of Hope Senior High conspire to get even by blowing up the school. Overhearing these plans, teacher Sister Mary Theodore (Mary McDonnell) tries to stop the boys, only to be shot and wounded for her troubles! This, plus the omnipresence of Angel of Death Andrew (John Dye), does not seem to bode well for the students or the school. But Monica (Roma Downey) is also on hand, and she is determined that the crisis will end with no explosions set off and no blood shed--providing that Sister Mary Theodore can come to grips with a dark secret in her own past. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2001
Originally slated to air on September 20, 2001, the eighth-season opener of ER was bumped to September 27 due to ongoing network coverage of the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. This inaugural episode hopscotches through time, presenting its events from several sharply differing points of view. First off, several loose ends from the end of season seven are wrapped up, notably the aftermath of Greene's (Anthony Edwards) decision to "terminate" a man who had killed several people before being shot himself, and the aftereffects of the treatment given to Cleo Finch (Michael Michele) when she cut her hand on a vial of HIV-infected blood. In new developments, the ER staff treats the victims of a TV talk show brawl; Abby (Maura Tierney) and Carter (Noah Wyle) attend his grandfather's funeral, where Carter is brought into a confrontation with his estranged parents (Michael Gross, Mary McDonnell); Benton (Eriq La Salle) helps his sister Jackie (Khandi Alexander) cope with the death of her son; returning from vacation, Weaver (Laura Innes) worries that she has been "outed" by Romano (Paul McCrane); and Chen (Ming-Na) is appointed chief resident. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2000
This made-for-TV fantasy was based on Rod Serling's "A Stop at Willoughby," a 1960 episode of Serling's classic anthology series Twilight Zone. The story begins in the year 2000, with advertising executive Charles Lattimer (Mark Harmon) escaping his hectic professional life and increasingly dissatisfying marriage to wife Kristen (Catherine Hicks) by obsessively tinkering with his elaborate model-train set. Through the aid of a magic stopwatch, Charles boards a real train and is whisked back to 1896, where he inaugurates a romance with attractive widow Laura Brown (Mary McDonnell). Traversing back and forth through the years, Charles ultimately finds that he will never truly be happy until he chooses between the "real" world and the world fashioned by his nostalgic imagination. Filmed in Alberta, For All Time made its CBS network debut on October 18, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
In the early 1960s, dancer-choreographer Marta Becket fled the maddening crowd of New York to start the Amargosa Opera House in the middle of death valley. This documentary, directed by Todd Robinson, charts how her early career in New York progressed, her complicated relationship with her loving though dependant mother, and her ultimate artistic liberation in Death Valley. This film was a finalist for a 1999 Academy Award Nomination. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Marta Becket
Still in their infancy when their parents were divorced, Kelly and Chris McClain (Michelle Trachtenberg) grew up in the city with her mother, while their cowboy father Charlie (Peter Strauss) remained in the wide open spaces. When their mom is murdered, the girls are court-ordered to live with their dad, and are bitterly resentful over the fact. For his part, Charlie is taken aback by Kelly and Chris' hostility, but is willing to try to mend fences between himself in his daughter. Curiously, the mystery as to who killed the girls' mother--and why--is all but forgotten as the film focuses on the emotional impact of Charlie's reunion with his long-estranged family, with special emphasis on the relationship between Charlie and oldest daughter Kelly. Filmed under the title Cowboy Dad, A Father's Choice made its CBS network bow on January 12, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Linda Marsh (Mary McDonnell) may have been hoping for a surprise on her 16th wedding anniversary, but she certainly doesn't welcome the news that her school-principal husband George (William Russ) has been carrying on an affair with the teacher of the Marshes' daughter! The breakup of Linda and George's marriage is quite a shock for the small town in which they live--almost as shocking as Linda's subsequent actions as she grimly embarks on "a search for a new life." As part of that search, Linda has enlisted her kids in her campaign to land a "replacement" head of the household. Wavering erratically between broad comedy and sentimental slush, the made-for-TV Replacing Dad was based on a novel by Shelley Frasier Mickle, and first aired March 14, 1999 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The made-for-TV Behind the Mask is the true story of Dr. Bob Shushan, a workaholic who disdains any sort of private life--and neglects his family in the process--the better to help his patients at the British Columbian Centre for the Mentally and Physically Disabled. When Shushan suffers a heart attack, his life is saved by the Centre's mentally handicapped janitor, James Jones (Matthew Fox)--and in the ensuing weeks, doctor and patient become closer than any father and son could ever be. Partly out of gratitude, Shushan makes it his mission to locate James' long-estranged biological father. And as a result of his relationship with James Jones, Shushan finally realizes how he has long short-changed his own family, especially his son Brian (Bradley Whitford), whom Shushan has unfairly written off as a failure. The real James Jones makes an appearance at the end of Behind the Mask, which first aired February 28, 1999 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Donald Sutherland, Bradley Whitford, (more)
- 1998
Originally broadcast on PBS, this Voices and Visions episode concentrates on William Styron and his works. He is the Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Confessions of Nat Turner and Sophie's Choice. Nat Turner generated controversy for Styron's fictional portrayal of the interior life of the leader of a slave rebellion, and Sophie's Choice made it to the popular cinema. Styron has also unflinchingly documented his struggles with depression. Watch this video to find what he thinks, and what others think of him. ~ Leslie Birdwell, All Movie Guide
Shimon Dotan directed this Canadian comedy-drama from Oren Safdie's screenplay based on Safdie's play, Hyper-Allergenic, set in a hospital room where a dysfunctional family awaits the results of surgery. Shirley Cooperberg (Ellen Burstyn) heads a Montreal Jewish family, and during her husband's operation, her brood arrives at the hospital -- failed writer Eli (Ted Levine), neurotic Susan (Amanda Plummer), and successful theatrical producer Edward (Mark Blum). Edward's wife Linda (Macha Grenon) is also present, as is Eli's ex, Diane (Mary McDonnell). An onslaught of one-liners find targets amid sibling rivalries and angst-ridden animosities. Shown at the 1998 Montreal Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ellen Burstyn, Amanda Plummer, (more)
- 1997
A jury argues a case in a stuffy room on a hot summer's day. Eleven say "guilty!" But one holdout (Jack Lemmon) is convinced of the defendant's innocence and stubbornly argues "reasonable doubt." This tense courtroom drama is a remake of Sidney Lumet's 1957 favorite and was produced for the Showtime cable network. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Lemmon, Courtney Vance, (more)
The story of two average women who refused to be silenced and intimidated by the company who manufactured their silicone implants is detailed in this inspirational docudrama starring Mary McDonnell and Gail O' Grady. Sybil Goldrich (McDonnell) was a wealthy California who was devastated to be diagnosed with breast cancer, and Kathleen Anneken (O'Grady) was a typical middle-class mother from Kansas who had always been unhappy with her breast size. Despite their disparate backgrounds and social statuses, both women would soon be drawn together by the tragic circumstances surrounding their decision to receive breast implants. Ignored, mistreated, and disregarded by silicone specialists Dow Corning after they received their implants and fell gravely ill, Goldrich and Anneken became united in their efforts to take their case to the FDA. While proving Down Corning was responsible for their many ailments was a near impossible task, getting their story out to the public was simply a matter of using every opportunity they had to state their case publicly. In the end it was one lawyer who possessed the incriminating evidence needed to bring Down Corning down, and ensure that their cries weren't silenced by the stifling greenback gag of big business. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gail O'Grady, Mary McDonnell, (more)
Blue Chips examines greed, cheating, and "winning at all costs" in the world of college basketball. Nick Nolte plays the stressed-out coach on the verge of his first losing season, who hits the road in search of new players not already signed by a bigger school. He finds three prospects: a precision Chicago shooter (Anfernee Hardaway), a giant farmboy (Matt Nover), and a talented troublemaker (Shaquille O'Neal). All three, wise to the ways of college basketball recruitment, make excessive financial and lifestyle demands before they can be persuaded to come to the school; the coach, already haunted by accusations of underhanded dealings, doesn't want to dig himself a deeper hole but has no choice. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Nick Nolte, Mary McDonnell, (more)
- 1993
This made-for-cable version of Arthur Miller's play The American Clock was adapted for television by Frank Galati. Inspired partly by Studs Terkel's oral history Hard Times, and partly by Miller's own recollections, the film is set at the beginning of the Depression. When the stock market crashes, the well-to-do Baumler family (John Rubinstein, Mary McDonnell, Loren Dean) loses everything. The Baumlers are forced to move from their plush penthouse apartment to the less-attractive Brooklyn digs of Mrs. Baumler's sister (Joanna Miles). Twelve-year-old Lee Baumler (Dean), the Arthur Miller counterpart, hits the road to find out how others are coping with the Long National Nightmare. The alternately depressing and uplifting storyline moves along briskly to a surprisingly abrupt climax. Kelly Preston, David Strathairn, Eddie Bracken, Darren McGavin, and Estelle Parson co-star in The American Clock, which premiered over the TNT Cable Network on August 23, 1993. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This three-hour TV movie stars Sophia Loren as New Yorker Marianna Miraldo. Hurt and angered by her son's cocaine addiction, Marianna discovers that a close friend also has ties with the drug scene. After several of her imprisoned friend's associates try to contact him through her, the DEA persuades Marianna to aid them in an undercover operation headed by cop Bobby Jay (Billy Dee Williams). Despite the "don't get involved" admonitions of her husband (Hector Elizondo), Marianna agrees to cooperate with the DEA, if only for the sake of her son. This fact-based film, which first aired September 24, 1986, concludes with the feds closing in on a $3.5 billion cocaine ring. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sophia Loren, Billy Dee Williams, (more)
