Michael Paré Movies
Best remembered for playing Eddie in Eddie & the Cruisers (1983) and its sequel, Eddie & the Cruisers 2: Eddie Lives! (1989), Michael Pare makes his living appearing in B-movies and straight-to-video actioners. The Brooklyn-born Pare started out as a New York Culinary Institute-trained sous chef and then a model. He started acting at a friend's suggestion and studied under Uta Hagen and Marvin Nelson. His first break came from playing tough student Tony Villicana on the adventure/comedy series The Greatest American Hero (1981). This led to the leading role in the made-for-television film Crazy Times (1981). Following his work in Eddie & the Cruisers, Pare starred in The Philadelphia Experiment (1984). His shot for major movie stardom came from director Walter Hill, whose own career was taking off following the success of his Eddie Murphy vehicle 48 Hrs. (1982). Hill cast Pare in the lead of Streets of Fire (1984). The director had originally meant for it to be the first of an action trilogy starring Pare, but the film failed at the box office. Subsequently Pare became the star of numerous low- and medium-budget features and the occasional made-for-cable television movie. In 1987, he starred in the short-lived television series Houston Knights. He reappeared in a big-budget feature, Village of the Damned, in 1995, but despite it's fairly big-name cast, it was unsuccessful, and Pare returned to B-movies such as Raging Angels (1995) and Bad Moon (1996). ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
A hardened seaman and a dogged reporter become trapped on an island with a mysterious scientist, a ruthless band of mercenaries, and a vicious pack of unidentifiable creatures in BloodRayne director Uwe Boll's seventh video game-to-screen adaptation. A team of mercenaries has been attacked on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest, and as mysterious reports begin to emerge from the chaos, a veteran Seattle newspaper editor sends top reporters Tom Moore and Valerie Constantine to the scene in hopes of getting the scoop on the story. Shortly after arriving on the island under the guidance of ship captain Jack Carver (Til Schweiger), the trio is attacked by mercenary commander Maria Sanchez. Though Tom is killed, Valerie and Jack manage to stage a daring escape and quickly begin to bicker over their plan as Maria's murderous soldiers fast begin gaining ground. Despite Captain Jack's plan to locate his friend Emilio and get off of the island as quickly as possible, reporter Valerie remains determined to investigate the strange situation and get as many details as possible for her upcoming story. Later, when Jack, Valerie, and Emilio are captured and taken to the secret lab of genius scientist Dr. Krieger, Valerie is extended an invitation to join the doctor in announcing his latest findings to the world. Though it finally seems as if Valerie has gotten just the scoop needed to make her story, the situation quickly turns chaotic when one of Dr. Kreiger's creatures escapes from the lab and sets out on a murderous rampage. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Til Schweiger, Emmanuelle Vaugier, (more)
When a woman serving time for the murder of her husband is granted early release on the condition that she remains under house arrest for the remainder of her sentence, her past strikes back with a supernatural vengeance in this thriller from director Eric Red (Undertow and Bad Moon). Marnie Watson (Famke Jansen) was suffering under the brutal hand of her husband Mike (Michael Pare) - a violent New York City cop - when she struck back in self-defense. In the aftermath of that tragedy, Mike was dead and Marnie convicted of manslaughter. Now released from prison and outfitted with an electronic ankle bracelet the will alert authorities to her location at all times, Marnie is given strict orders to remain in her house until her sentence is served in full. As Marnie begins to serve her time, her late husband's partner observes from a patrol car parked across the street - eager for the moment she violates her probation and he can lock her up for good. But there's something else in the house with Marnie, and now the woman who thought her nightmare was finally over is about to discover that it's only just begun. Marnie's husband is just as evil in death as he was in life, and he's determined to strike back at the woman who killed him with savage ferocity. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Famke Janssen, Michael Paré, (more)
Notorious director Uwe Boll takes a break from beating his critics to turn out this deadly serious war film centering on the battlefield experiences of a U.S. combat unit sent to root out and kill Viet Cong soldiers who have been stealthily attacking American troops via an elaborate series of underground tunnels deep beneath the jungles of Vietnam. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Paré, Nate Parker, (more)
In the tradition of Alfred Hitchcock comes this neo-noir, murder-mystery thriller concerning a jaded LAPD detective attempting to solve a series of perplexing missing-person cases. Harry Boyd (Michael Paré) is in a tight jam; not only is he recovering from a serious injury, but should he fail in apprehending the culprit responsible for terrorizing the city, he may well lose his job. Meanwhile, as Harry walks a careful line with his loudmouth, lowbrow partner Bob (Charles Arthur Berg), he receives a disturbing piece of news: His ex-wife's teenage niece Grace (Jen Graham) has gone missing, apparently the victim of the kidnapper who haunts the city shadows. Later, Harry's ex-wife Nicole (Theresa Russell draws suspicion by returning from Las Vegas with shady new boyfriend Rick (Steven Bauer) and displaying some seriously bizarre conduct as the pair begins their own investigation. As Grace's drunken, short fused father Charlie (James Russo) become a prime suspect in the case, Harry attempts to gather evidence while resisting the advances of Bob's overly persistent, ex-stripper wife Zoey (Julie St. Clair), who longs to seduce her husband's partner, and refuses to take no for an answer. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Paré, Teresa Russell, (more)
Notorious, critic-boxing director Uwe Boll takes the helm for this adaptation of the controversial video game that ignited controversy across the globe and is actually illegal to own in Australia and New Zealand. Dude (Zack Ward) is an unemployed slacker currently subsisting on Social Security until he lands his next job. Dude's uncle Dave (Dave Foley) is a cult leader currently in dire financial straits. When Uncle Dave hatches a plan to rip off a local amusement park, Dude sees the heist as the perfect opportunity to make a little extra cash. Unfortunately for Dude and Uncle Dave, the Taliban are all set to execute the exact same heist. Erick Avari, Seymour Cassel, Verne Troyer, Larry Thomas, and J.K. Simmons star in a deliberately over-the-top action comedy that is sure to garner as much controversy as the video game that inspired it. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Zack Ward, Dave Foley, (more)
Trained to kill but determined to cheer their school's team to the championship game, three lethal cheerleading ninjas must put down their pom poms and pick up their katanas when their sensei is abducted by the mob. April, Courtney, and Monica may just be college freshmen, but they can take out an army of ninja assassins with the skill of an ancient master. Schooled in the ancient martial arts by the esteemed Sensei Hiroshi (George Takei), these three beauties spend their days in the classroom and their nights in the strip club - where they work the poles to pay for their college tuition. Then one day, Sensei Hiroshi is abducted and their lives are suddenly turned upside down. Now, in order to rescue their master, April, Courtney, and Monica will have to summon the skills he once taught them and take on a virtual army of mob assassins. With a nosy cop closing in on one side and suspicious parents asking questions on the other, these girls will have to work overtime in order to keep anyone from finding out what kind of destruction they're truly capable of. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Trishelle Cannatella, Ginny Weirick, (more)
Game-to-screen specialist Uwe Boll follows up his plasma-blasting 2005 hit with this sequel that finds vengeful dhampir Rayne (Natassia Malthe) traveling to the Wild West for a violent showdown against vampiric American outlaw Billy the Kid. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Natassia Malthe, Zack Ward, (more)
Based on an incident that allegedly took place in Seattle, WA, back in 1972, director Uwe Boll's Seed tells the twisted tale of a mass murderer who was buried alive after surviving the electric chair, and claws his way back to the surface in search of bloody revenge. According to U.S. law, any convict who somehow manages to survive three 15,000 volt jolts from the electric chair for 15 seconds is eligible to walk free. When notorious psychopath Sam Seed is strapped into the chair and asked for his last words, he simply replies by saying "I'll see you again." Later, after the electricity is sent surging through his veins and blood boils up through his eyeballs, Seed is still breathing. Realizing the dangers of letting such an unrepentant menace back on the streets, the executioner, Warden Wright, and the prison doctor conspire to skirt the law, and pronounce Seed dead. Subsequently bound and buried alive, the enraged Seed somehow manages to escape from his premature grave, and quickly sets out to prove just how alive he truly is. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Andrew Jackson, William Sanderson, (more)
The war against the forces of darkness becomes a family affair in this cinematic prequel to the popular video game Bloodrayne. In 16th century Europe, Lord Kagan (Ben Kingsley) is an evil ruler who holds more power than any man alive, but he still dreams of having more, and when he's told of three magic talismans who, when united, will give him intense supernatural strength and the gift of immortality, he will stop at nothing to attain them. However, three warriors who have learned how to battle the forces of darkness -- Vladimir (Michael Madsen), Katarin (Michelle Rodriguez), and Sebastian (Matt Davis) -- have formed the Brimstone Society, with the goal of stripping Kagan of his power and restoring justice to their land. They can't accomplish this on their own, though, so they enlist the aid of Rayne (Kristanna Loken), a half-human, half-vampire who can approach Kagan's sinister gifts while having a desire to do good. However, Rayne is torn about signing on with the Brimstone Society, and for a good reason -- Kagan is her father. Scripted by actress, screenwriter, and video-game enthusiast Guinevere Turner, BloodRayne also stars Geraldine Chaplin, Udo Kier, Billy Zane, Michael Paré, and Meat Loaf Aday. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kristanna Loken, Michelle Rodriguez, (more)
- 2006
Characterized by many observers as a somewhat down-and-dirtier The O.C., the weekly, hour-long drama series South Beach starred Marcus Coloma as Matt and Chris Johnson as Vincent, two Brooklyn buddies who relocated to South Beach, Miami in hopes of bettering their prospects. Matt was running away from family problems, while Vince seemed to be running away from life itself. Through the auspices of Matt's ruthlessly ambitious former girlfriend Arielle (Odette Yustman), our two heroes get themselves enmeshed in the cutthroat world of professional modeling. Much of the action took place in the upscale Hotel Soleil, owned by Elizabeth Bauer (Vanessa L. Williams), the somewhat contentious mother of Alex Bauer (Lee Thompson Young), who ran the trendy Nocturnal club where Matt and Vincent hung out. Also oiling his way through the proceedings was Robert Fuentes (Giancarlo Esposito), a self-styled "venture capitalist" with strong mob ties. South Beach premiered January 11, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vanessa Williams, Marcus Coloma, (more)
- 2006
Michael Paré, Danny Trejo, Ja Rule, and Tom Sizemore star in this nightmarish tale of a maximum security prison overtaken by a malevolent supernatural force. Upon entering into a notorious penitentiary to explore a gruesome series of deaths, Detective Michael Turner (Paré) discovers that his latest case may not be as cut and dry as he initially suspected. It seems that these cold concrete halls are home to not only some of the world's most dangerous criminals, but also a force beyond human comprehension. Now, as this vengeful entity lashes out and the body count begins to rise, the hardened inmates struggle desperately to stay alive and the tireless detective works around the clock to reverse this deadly curse. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ja Rule, Michael Paré, (more)
When a scientific experiment gone horribly awry unleashes a terrifying creature on the unsuspecting population of a South Seas paradise, both the scientists and the people who tried to stop them are forced to face off against a beast with an insatiable appetite for human flesh in an action packed shocker starring Michael Paré and Jerri Manthey. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
A long-dead monster gets a new lease on life as a Romanian village is under siege in this made-for-cable horror story. After a number of Americans have been disappearing under mysterious circumstances in Bucharest, a pair of U.S. intelligence agents are sent to Romania to investigate. It soon becomes clear they aren't dealing with ordinary criminals -- over 400 years before, a strange and bloodthirsty beast ravaging the town was captured and sealed in a crypt, and a recent earthquake has opened the tomb and brought the creature back to life. As the agents and the townspeople look for a way to vanquish the monster, they also become aware of a coven of vampires who are doing their evil business in town. Gargoyle: Wings of Darkness features Michael Paré, Kate Orsini, and Sandra Hess. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
Uwe Boll's Heart of America: Homeroom is a drama about a massacre on the final day of the school year. The last day of school contains many problems for teachers and students alike. The principal must discipline an English teacher (Michael Paré) who has let his professional frustrations get the better of him, student Dara needs to score from the drug dealing Wex (G. Michael Gray), and a foursome of cruel athletes continues to torment the losers and nerds. Unbeknown to everyone else at the school, the eternally picked upon Daniel (Kett Turton) and Barry (Michael Belyea), as well as a third accomplice, are extensively armed and plan to unleash their fury on the school right after final bell. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jürgen Prochnow, Elisabeth Rosen, (more)
Red Serpent stars Roy Scheider as the title character, a drug kingpin in Moscow. The Serpent attempts to transport drugs, using American businessman Steve Nichols (Michael Paré) as a mule. The Serpent's evil plan includes holding Nichols' daughter hostage until the drugs have been delivered. The only person who can help Nichols is a former KGB operative who has a history with the Red Serpent. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
Things start off bad and quickly take a turn for the worse when Matt (Patrick Muldoon) takes a trip to visit his girlfriend Dawn's (Keegan Connor Tracy) reclusive backwoods parents in this dramatic thriller from director Uwe Boll. Haunted after having caused the death of a young girl in a drunk driving accident years before, Matt's inner demons tear at his insides as he attempts to put the past behind him and start a new life with Dawn. Stopping off at a hotel for a quick round of lovemaking before they venture into the woods, Matt must subsequently fend off an axe-wielding psychopath before discovering that Dawn has disappeared. Though Matt soon finds the route to the house in the woods, he is unexpectedly attacked by Dawn and imprisoned by the family. Put on trial by the family for killing their youngest daughter in the drunk driving incident, Matt's nightmare soon becomes a waking reality as he desperately struggles to escape the clutches of Dawn's family and maintain his slipping sanity. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Muldoon, Keegan Connor Tracy, (more)
A small town baseball announcer embarks on the journey of a lifetime after facing the prospect of being placed in a retirement home against his will in this bittersweet drama featuring Academy Award-winning actor Rod Steiger in his final film role. Despite the fact that his health is fading, and having recently suffered a mild stroke, Charlie McCabe is reluctant to give up his announcing position for the local baseball team and settle quietly into a local nursing home. Recalling an unfulfilled promise that he had made to his late wife that he would make amends with his estranged son, Charlie and his loving granddaughter Biddy set out to make good on his word and lay old ghosts to rest. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
A woman desperate to save her husband is thrown into danger of her own in this thriller. Terry (Morgan Fairchild) and Scott (John James) are a couple who've fallen on hard times; ever since the death of Scott's brother, the family has been in crisis, and Scott has developed a rare degenerative bone disease. Scott's condition has been expensive to treat, and he's fallen behind on his mortgage payments; desperate to pay his medical bills and still keep a roof over their heads, Terry and Scott swallow their pride and decide to recover a cache of stolen money Scott's late brother hid in a cave, which is soon to be flooded after a dam is rerouted. While searching for the money, injured Scott becomes trapped in the cave, and Terry has to find help before he's trapped underwater. Terry thinks her troubles are over when she encounters outwardly friendly Vincent (Michael Pare), but she finds a new nightmare has just begun -- Vincent is an escaped mental patient with violent mood swings, and instead of helping her rescue Scott, he soon takes her hostage. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Morgan Fairchild, John James, (more)
Eric Roberts is at it again in this serial killer thriller from Uwe Boll, a director best known for his 1991 film German Fried Movie. In an anonymous American town (actually Vancouver) a serial nutcase is taking the proverb "See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil," a little too seriously, robbing victims of their eyes, ears, and tongues. Detectives Jim Renart (Michael Pare) and Dorothy Smith (Jennifer Rubin) are under pressure from their superior (Roberts) to capture the killer, and they finally get a break when alpha-yuppie stockbroker Tom Gerrick (Casper Van Dien) offers himself for questioning. However, actually nailing Gerrick proves to be a difficult matter, especially with the feds set to take over the case in mere hours, and Gerrick's impending appearance on a TV talkshow. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- David Millbern, Catherine Oxenberg, (more)
- 1999
- R
A man learns the downside of trusting your friends in this thriller. Mitch (Lorenzo Lamas) is a pressman who receives a call from Dennis, a close friend from childhood. Dennis asks Mitch to give him back the $10,000 he lent him years ago. Mitch has no memory of borrowing that kind of money, but he figures that his friend wouldn't try to cheat him. However, it turns out that Dennis now works as a bookie, and he's invented the story of Mitch's debt in order to shame Mitch into helping him with a counterfeiting scheme that he's become involved with through a Mafia underling. Back to Even stars Michael Pare and Angela Jones. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lorenzo Lamas, Michael Paré, (more)
In this offbeat drama, a group of people who have nothing in common are having breakfast at the same diner, with Denise the waitress (Amanda Plummer) serving them coffee. As we view the unrelated strands of their lives, the patrons are suddenly and dramatically brought together when a lunatic with a gun opens fire on the diner, as a SWAT team attempts to bring him down and restore order while protecting the lives of the people inside. October 22 also features Colm Meaney, Ernie Hudson Richard Schenkman, and Tate Donovan. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
