Jim Metzler Movies
Jim Metzler has appeared on stage since the 1970s, and in films from 1981's Four Friends. Bright, handsome and possessed of above-average talent, Metzler has proven a valuable asset to such so-so films as 976 Evil (1988) and Circuitry Man (1990). The actor has been offered better opportunities on TV; he was top billed as Dr. Andy Fenton in the 1983 series Cutter to Houston, and was seen as science teacher Dan Braden in the 1985 weekly The Best Times. Jim Metzler also co-starred as James Huntoon on the hit 1985 miniseries North and South and its 1986 sequel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Hank Kirk (Kevin Anderson) is a Caucasian man who objects to his half-Cherokee son Hunter's (James Duval) tendency to believe the stories of his Native American grandfather. Hunter is a hemophiliac, which makes it difficult (and dangerous) for him to take part in the same outdoor activities that dominate his father's life, especially as his mother, Maggie (Jeri Arredondo), worries about her son and tries to keep him away from danger. As Hunter grows older, he feels the need to prove himself to his father despite his medical condition, but his father objects to the Cherokee method of hunting and insists that the boy hunt like a white man, by sitting by the side of the road with a gun and waiting for game to appear. When Hunter goes deer hunting with Hank for the first time, he mistakenly bags a doe instead of a buck -- a tremendous embarrassment for both Hunter and Hank, because the animal has no antlers to show off and thus is not considered a great catch. Humiliated, Hunter seeks the advice of his grandfather, Marvin Fishinghawk (Gordon Tootoosis), and finds love for the first time with a girl his age. The Doe Boy was the first feature film from writer and director Randy Redroad, which was based on his own experiences growing up in a Native American family; the film was shown in competition at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- James Duval, Kevin Anderson, (more)
Set against the backdrop of a small, west Texas border town, writer/director Jane Cusumano's modern-day take on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet details the forbidden love affair between a working class teen and the wealthy son of a prominent cattle magnate. Lucas (Chad Allen) and Heather (Polly Cusumano) grew up together in the close-knit community of Vega, Texas. They've been close friends since childhood, and now that they're teens that bond is blossoming into true love. But Lucas' father (Marshall Teague) is the basketball coach and wealthiest man in town, and makes no attempt to hide the fact that he isn't pleased with the relationship. He wants Lucas to take over the family cattle business and marry the "right girl" rather than spend his life with the strong-willed free spirit who never even knew her father. Heather's mother (Tamara Clatterbuck) has worked hard to raise her daughter right, and that work has paid off in the form of a girl who is intelligent, independent, and completely non-judgmental. At first, Lucas and Heather's romance seems perfect; Heather is preparing to attend college and Lucas shows great promise as a young athlete. Things start to change, however, when Lucas' father attempts to steer his son's fate by force. Increasingly withdrawn and rebellious, Lucas is preparing to play in the basketball state championships when Heather reveals that she is pregnant with his child. Elated, Lucas vows to marry Heather and start a new life together despite his father's misgivings about the girl. Pushed too hard by his father during the big game, Lucas suffers a tragic injury that leaves him comatose for over a year. During that time, Heather gives birth to Lucas' son, sparking a bitter feud between the young mother and the disapproving grandfather. Later, upon emerging from his coma, Lucas slowly comes to terms with his turbulent past and pledges to do the right thing for everyone involved. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Chad Allen, Polly Cusumano, (more)
- 1999
On the eve of the "Civil Rights Day" celebration in Aynesville, Illinois, Monica (Roma Downey) stumbles across the dead body of an elderly black man, apparently the victim of a hate crime. Over the protests of Sheriff McKinsley (John Ritter) and his black deputy James (Rick Worthy), the organizers of the celebration choose to hush up the murder so as not to spoil the festivities--and for good measure, they order Monica to be locked up in jail "for her own good" until the whole thing blows over. The next morning, Monica awakens to discover that she is no long an angel, but instead a human being...a black human being. The reason for this metamophosis has as much to do with Monica's attitudes towards race as it does with the events of the past few days, but she does not realize this until she meets the celebration's guest of honor, Rosa Parks (playing herself, and appropriately making her first appearance on a bus). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Director Michael Stevens debuts with this two-fisted ultra-violent crime drama about redemption and revenge. Adapted from British author Tim Willocks' 1991 novel, the movie weaves together four stories resulting from a botched bank robbery. Callilou (Judith Hoag), the wounded girlfriend of the robbery's mastermind Luther (Jim Metzler), seeks refuge with kind-hearted doctor Eugene Grimes (Michael Massee), who lives among the impoverished in New Orleans' worst neighborhood. Hot on Callilou's trail is rakish but corrupt Vice Squad Captain Clarence Jefferson (Michael McGrady), who is looking to horn in on the robbers. He eventually catches up with Eugene, and, after a great deal of physical and emotional abuse, Eugene reveals both his odd connection with the criminal ringleader and his hideout. Soon after Jefferson and his gang converge on Luther's lair, a bloody gunfight ensues. Bad City Blues was screened at the L.A./AFI Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Massee, Michael McGrady, (more)
In this suspense drama, a Marine Corps veteran (played by Steven Bauer) finds himself defending a woman's honor one night, which leads to a fight, an accidental death, and two years in prison for the former Leatherneck. After he's released, he happens by chance to meet the same woman, who is now married. It isn't long before finds himself drawn into a dangerous scheme regarding both her spouse and her sister. The supporting cast includes Frankie Thorn, Fred Dryer, and Louis Mandylor. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Steven Bauer, Frankie Thorn, (more)
- 1998
Christina Griffin (Natalie Radord), the mother of a half-human, half-Kromagg child, escapes with her baby from a Kromagg breeder camp and links up with Quinn (Jerry O'Connell) and his fellow Sliders. Claiming to be a friend of their missing colleague Wade Wells, who'd likewise been captured for breeding purposes, Christina offers to help them track Wade down. Instead, the Sliders are sidetracked by Christina's own litany of woes, including an unforgiving family, a relentless assassin, and a deadly virus. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Having shown up at the wrong house for her latest assignment, Monica (Roma Downey) innocently finds herself under arrest for drug possession--and when she insists that she is an angel, she ends up in a mental hospital. Monica's court-appointed lawyer Jake Stone (Joe Morton) is a cynical, athestic Vietnam veteran, whose lack of faith colors his attitude toward his client. Likewise having served a tour of duty in 'Nam is Monica's fellow inmate Claire (Cindy Williams)--who also claims to be an angel in disguise! This inspiring episode is a classic example of "what comes around, goes around"...but we don't know that until the very last scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Originally made for cable, this drama chronicles the ordeals endured by those endeavoring to be the first men on the moon. Set in 1969, the story pays particular attention to the three astronauts who embarked upon the dangerous, historic mission. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Xander Berkeley, Jeffrey Nordling, (more)
- 1995
In part one of this episode, a freak accident transported Sisko, Bashir, and Dax back to San Francisco in the year 2024. Their visit occurs a few days before the Bell Riots, the outcome of which will profoundly effect the future, specifically, their future. When legendary homeless advocate Gabriel Bell, in whose honor the riot will occur, dies ahead of schedule, Sisko is forced to assume Bell's identity, and, possibly, to be martyred for Bell's cause. Scripted by Ira Steven Behr and Rene Echevarria from a story by Behr and Robert Hewitt Wolfe, part two of "Past Tense" first aired January 9, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
On January 2, 1995, Deep Space Nine belatedly rang in the New Year with part one of this two-part adventure. A transporter accident sends Sisko, Bashir, and Dax hurtling back to 21st Century San Francisco. Upon their arrival, they are forced to confront the plight of the city's homeless and to avoid contact with those unfortunates, lest they alter events that could profoundly and dangerously change the course of the Future. Part one of "Past Tense" was scripted by Robert Hewitt Wolfe from a story by Wolfe and Ira Steven Behr. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1994
This science fiction adventure, set in the future, depicts an Earth so polluted that people must live underground to avoid the deadly air. It is the sequel to 1989's Circuitry Man. In this new world, people who once would have plugged into drugs for illicit fun, now turn on with computer chips. The evil Plughead, a biosynthetic man, has a revolutionary chip that allows humans to live a decade beyond normal life expectancy but to manufacture it they must torture innocent people until they die. Plughead has no problem with that; in fact, he rather enjoys it. Plughead's nemesis, Danner is also a biosynthetic man, but he is a good guy. FBI agent Kyle is using Danner to help her find Plughead. Together they travel to a barren desert in search of their foe. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vernon Wells, Deborah Shelton, (more)
- 1993
Danny Shaffer (Jim Metzler) used to be a poet. He's settled down now, and is a regular businessman living in L.A. His girlfriend has recently split with him to move to Berlin. Apparently, she wanted him to come with her, because she has sent two German emissaries, Barbara and Ingrid, to bring videotaped messages from her and see to it that he watches them. There are plenty of suggestions that sexual intimacies might be forthcoming from the unexpected visitors, but nothing transpires along those lines. Despite the unpromising storyline, reviewers found this festival film well enough made to hold their attention. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jim Metzler, Anna Katarina, (more)
The erotic thriller French Silk stars Susan Lucci as the owner of a very successful lingerie company. An influential television preacher who has spoken out against her and her company dies. The lead detective (Lee Horsley) into the death believes she is the number one suspect, but he also begins a sexual affair with her. Soon she begins to get him to act in ways that may be detrimental to his own investigation. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lee Horsley
- 1992
Directed by Vinci Vogue-Anzlovar, Gypsy Eyes revolves around fugitive government operative Harry Noble (Jim Metzler), who was forced to run from the CIA after a serious misunderstanding. Aide comes in the form of Katarina (Claire Forlani), a young gypsy who may be the only person Harry can trust to help mend the situation without getting killed in the process. The film also features Zachary Bogatz and George DiCenzo. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jim Metzler, Claire Forlani, (more)
- 1991
In this made-for-cable thriller, Virginia Madsen portrays a photographer who discovers that her husband has hired a hit man to rub her out. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1991
This is one of several seventh-season Murder She Wrote episodes introduced by Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury) but starring Dennis Stanton (Keith Michell), a jewel thief turned insurance investigator. On this occasion, Stanton is probing into the curious case of a neurotic ventriloquist named Woody Perkins (Grant Shaud) and Woody's prize dummy Billy Boy. Not longer after Woody reports that Billy Boy has been "kidnapped", the dummy turns up in a locked room--along with the corpse of Katie Kelly (Georgia Brown), a nasty comedy-club owner with whom Woody had previously had a violent argument. Stanton tries to unravel the attendant mystery with the help and hindrance of Rhoda Markowitz (Hallie Todd) and Lt. Perry Catalano (Ken Swofford). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
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Cheryl Ladd stars as the wife of an airline pilot (Doug Sheehan), who is killed along with 127 other people in a mysterious crash. The authorities, egged on by a gonzo newsman, rush to judgment and chalk up the tragedy to pilot error. Ladd can't go along with this, and insists that the investigation be reopened. Were this made-for-TV film an episode of Charlie's Angels, Ladd would be force to endure a last-act showdown with the real culprit. But Crash: The Mystery of Flight 1501 is based on fact, and is reasonably faithful to the truth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The USA Network may have been a relatively new service in 1989, but it wasn't above trotting out an old reliable plot device in the made-for-cable movie Murder by Night. Robert Urich stars as a murder witness who is clunked over the head by the killer. When he comes to, he can remember none of the details of the murder. By and by, he becomes convinced that he himself is the murderer--and that he may soon strike again. Ignore the bromidic dialogue in Murder by Night and stick around for the shockeroo ending. The film had its world premiere on July 19, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
In this entry in the long-running mystery series, Perry Mason and his assistant help a stage manager who is the prime suspect in the murder of the director who recently fired him. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1987
The valor and anguish of the Alamo is resurrected in this '80s effort that features a considerably accomplished cast. Brian Keith plays Davy Crockett and James Arness is Jim Bowie who, although at odds at times with his leader Colonel William Travis (Alec Baldwin), is able to focus upon the battle against the Mexican soldiers. Highlights of this film are the battle action scenes. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1987
Keshia Knight-Pulliam stars as the title character, an orphaned waif of the 1920s who helps instill the Christmas spirit into a contentious New England family. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- 1986
On Wings of Eagles was adapted for television from the best-selling book by Ken Follett. Inspired by fact, the story involves the daring rescue of two American business executives, held captive in Tehran during the US Embassy takeover of 1979. Retired Special Forces colonel Arthur D. "Bull" Simons (Burt Lancaster) agrees to help the executives' employer in a bold effort to rescue the two men right from under the noses of the Ayatollah and the angry mobs surrounding the embassy. Oh, haven't we told you the name of the employer? It was none other than H. Ross Perot, here played by Richard Crenna. Originally telecast in two parts, On Wings of Eagles premiered on May 18 and 19, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Christmas Star is a two-hour whimsy assault, originally telecast December 14, 1986 on The Disney Sunday Movie. Ed Asner plays an escaped convict who adopts a stolen Santa Claus suit as a disguise. Several impressionable youngsters, believing Asner to be the genuine Santa, latch onto him. He decides to use these moppets to help him find his ill-gotten loot, which his partner has hidden in department store Christmas decorations. The ending is as misty-eyed as it is predictable. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1985
Given the credibility of the story and the sincerity of the players, it is surprising to learn that the made-for-TV Do You Remember Love? is not based on a true story. Joanne Woodward stars as a brilliant college professor and poet, struck down in her prime by Alzheimer's disease. Her husband Richard Kiley tries to cope, but is ultimately disheartened by Woodward's degenerating condition. Even sadder is the fact that Woodward, in her cogent moments, is fully aware that she is losing her ability to function. Written by Vickie Patek, this potentially depressing drama has a logically conceived uplifting finale. Do You Remember Love? was first telecast May 21, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This melodrama is the second of a two part story based on a novel by Judith Krantz. In this episode, Daisy, the daughter of a Russian prince and an American movie star, must leave college and begin looking for a job in New York so that she can pay her sister's enormous medical bills. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lindsay Wagner, Paul Michael Glaser, (more)
