Xander Berkeley Movies
Brooklyn-born Xander Berkeley made the rounds on numerous TV shows throughout the '80s, '90s, and 2000s, not just as an actor, but as a makeup artist. The actor has put his uncanny talent in the makeup department to use on the sets of many shows, like on 24, where he designed his own makeup to depict his character's affliction with radiation sickness.Berkeley got his start in show business in the early '80s, appearing on shows like Moonlighting, The A-Team, and M*A*S*H. He went on to appear in movies, as well, like The Rock and Apollo 13, but he frequently returned to the small screen for memorable roles like George Mason, head of the Counterterrorist Unit on 24, and Sheriff Roy Atwater on CSI. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
Mark Millar's violent comic tale of wannabe superheroes is adapted by writer/director Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake) with this Marv Films production. Aaron Johnson stars as a teen who steps out of his house one day with a mask and a painted baseball bat and starts to fight crime even though he has no superpowers. Lyndsy Fonseca co-stars as the character's object of desire, with Nicolas Cage also appearing as an ex-cop whose hatred of a drug lord forces him to train his daughter to be a lethal vigilante. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aaron Johnson, Nicolas Cage, (more)
Acclaimed animator and independent filmmaker Emily Hubley directed this offbeat fusion of animation and live action. Mona Peek (Lily Rabe) is slowly coming to terms with the death of her father when she learns that the house where she grew up is about to be sold. As a child, Mona buried a bone in the backyard, imaging it had magical powers, and now that a new family is about to move in, she decides to head back home to dig it up. As Mona searches for the lost talisman, she discovers she's misplaced her wallet and has to make time to find it. Meanwhile, on another plane, a pack of talking dogs are playing a game of cards that controls the path of Mona's life. The Toe Tactic also stars Kevin Corrigan, Mary Kay Place, and John Sayles, while Eli Wallach, David Cross, Don Byron, and Andrea Martin contribute their voice talents. The score was written and performed by the celebrated indie rock band Yo La Tengo, whose drummer, Georgia Hubley, is Emily's sister. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lily Rabe, Daniel London, (more)
Set against the sun-soaked backdrop of an East Texas community that's bucking under the weight of a serious meth epidemic, David Pomes deep woods family drama details the struggle of an abused and alienated teen boy to reconnect with his long lost father. Before they can make personal amends, however, both father and son will have to overcome their respective addictions to the crystal meth. Anson Mount, Xander R. Berkeley, and Ryan Donowho star. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Anson Mount, Xander Berkeley, (more)
In this gentle coming-of-age drama, an adult man reflects nostalgically on his youth, when he spent countless hours working at his father's garage and buddied around with a fast friend. Eighteen-year-old Matt was intelligent, sweet-natured, and a recent high school graduate, his pal Schultz three years older, a high school dropout, and a laborer at his abusive father's construction business. Just as Matt longed with great passion and drive to leave the confines of his hometown and realize his passion and driving force, Schultz wanted to do everything in his power to simply escape from the domineering and repressive shadow of his father. Matt realized that the decision to leave the garage would put his dad in dire straits, which greatly complicated his decision. Then an unforeseen tragedy changed everything. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gabriel Marantz, Corby Griesenbeck, (more)
When a diverse group of lifelong friends comes together to celebrate the marriage of devoted couple Elise (Amy Adams) and Michael (Adam Garcia), the mixed-up relationships of the past pave the road to a weekend no one is likely to soon forget in the feature debut from filmmaker Matthew Cole Weiss. The setting is Los Angeles, CA, and the event is the wedding between a man and a woman who always seemed destined to be together. Unfortunately, all relationships can't be as healthy as Elise and Michael's is, and though best man and maid of honor Rich (Aaron Stanford) and Samantha (Melissa Sagemiller) seem to be preparing to take the plunge, the same certainly cannot be said for neurotic actress Lana (Mena Suvari). A free-spirited soul who has experienced flings with a variety of wedding attendees including the hapless Pockets (Jon Abrahams), alcoholic actor Simon (James Van Der Beek), and manic children's television program host Donovan (Ethan Embry), Lana attempts to sort out her past flings as lovelorn agent Quentin (Colin Hanks) pines for the bride's sister and the estranged father of the groom attempts to reconnect with his long-lost son. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Amy Adams, Adam Garcia, (more)
Featuring a mixture of live-action and animation, this quirky comedy comes from director Robert M. Young (Caught). Robert Knott and Xander Berkeley star as Dobbitt and Hanrahan, two working stiffs who have left their families and homes behind for jobs in a strange factory that produces ambiguous products. Against an animated backdrop, the two bunkmates are forced to work under a conniving supervisor who is intentionally manipulating the men. Also featuring Berkeley's real-life spouse, Sarah Clarke, Human Error (formerly titled Below the Belt) screened as part of the Frontier program at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Xander Berkeley, Tom Bower, (more)
Eighteen months after Day 1's foiled assassination plot, Day 2 finds Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) officially stepping into the role of America's protector as he attempts to stop terrorists from setting off a bomb in Los Angeles. During his hunt for the nuclear device, Jack becomes romantically involved with Kate Warner (Sarah Wynter), who suspects her sister's fiancé is working with Middle Eastern terrorists. Behind-the-scenes political intrigue centers on David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), now president of the United States after surviving Day 1's assassination attempts. While Palmer supports Jack and CTU's efforts to track down the nuclear device, Vice President Jim Prescott (Alan Dale) and Palmer's own Cabinet question the president's decision-making ability and seek to undermine his authority at every turn. Meanwhile, Jack's daughter, Kim (Elisha Cuthbert), who was rescued from kidnappers in the first season, turns the tables during Day 2. This time, it's Kim who does the kidnapping---or, as she sees it, rescuing---of a child she's been babysitting in order to protect the girl from an abusive father. Later in the day, guest star Kevin Dillon appears as survivalist Lonnie McRae, who takes Kim hostage after convincing her that the nuclear bomb has already been detonated in L.A. Familiar faces returning to action include CTU agents Tony Almeida (Carlos Bernard) and Michelle Dessler (Reiko Aylesworth), whose relationship begins to develop romantically under the day's stress; CTU director George Mason (Xander Berkeley), who is exposed to radiation during a fierce gun battle; and First Lady Sherry Palmer (Penny Johnson Jerald), who reveals a dark side in her manipulations of the president for political gain. ~ Todd Thatcher, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kiefer Sutherland, Dennis Haysbert, (more)
Federal agent Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) is having a very bad day in this unique, action-packed drama series in which events unfold in real time and the entire season takes place within one 24-hour day. Bauer is the director of the Counter Terrorist Unit in Los Angeles. He's also a married man who is attempting to rebuild a trust-depleted relationship with his wife Teri (Leslie Hope), and a father to independent-minded teen daughter Kim (Elisha Cuthbert). Shortly after midnight on the morning of the California Democratic presidential primary, Jack receives information that an assassination attempt will be carried out against Maryland senator David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) -- the first African-American with a legitimate chance of capturing the White House -- sometime within the next 24 hours. Jack's mission is made even more difficult when he learns from his boss Richard Walsh (Michael O'Neill) that someone within CTU may be a mole involved with the foreign-based conspiracy. Meanwhile, Palmer, unaware of the assassination plot, receives a phone call from a dogged reporter who says she has evidence that his son Keith (Vicellous Reon Shannon) committed murder. He allegedly killed his sister's rapist. Palmer initiates an investigation to uncover the truth and must decide whether to break the story himself or wait. Jack is contacted by terrorist Ira Gaines (Michael Massee), who informs him that his wife and daughter have been kidnapped by Gaines' henchmen. Gaines threatens to kill them if Jack refuses to follow his detailed instructions. Gaines' goal is simple: Jack is to carry out the assassination against Palmer himself. As the hours pass, the conspiracy deepens, and Jack learns the surprising truth behind the plot and his role in it. ~ Tim Holland, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kiefer Sutherland, Leslie Hope, (more)
In this visually striking tale of adventure, Ruth (Maria Bello) is an American widow who during the 1930s travels to China in hopes of making her late husband's dream a reality by bringing Chinese pandas to the United States. Ruth is awed by the striking beauty of China and discovers several of the rare pandas as well as a number of other unusual animals; however, Ruth learns that the Chinese government is lax in their protection of wildlife, and that hunters are making short work of the pandas. China: The Panda Adventure was shot and originally released in the high-definition IMAX film process. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Maria Bello, Xander Berkeley, (more)
In the first episode of a two-part story, Aquaman, ruler of Atlantis, threatens to wreak vengeance against the surface-dwellers who are despoiling his domain. At the suggestion of Justice League member Superman, Aquaman agrees to argue his case before the World Assembly. But sinister forces conspire to send Aquaman off the "deep end" again -- and this time, the whole world may suffer horribly. The Flash and Hawkgirl do not appear in this story arc. Both episodes of "The Enemy Below" were released on DVD in tandem with another Justice League two-parter, "In Blackest Night," in April of 2003 under the umbrella title "Justice on Trial." ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Scott Rummel, Kristin Bauer, (more)
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Aquaman, ruler of Atlantis, has become convinced that the surface dwellers of earth are conspiring against him and threatens to wreak a horrible vengeance. As it turns out, however, Aquaman is being victimized by certain of his own underwater subjects -- and among them may be his own son. Needless to say, the members of the Justice League (minus the Flash and Hawkgirl, who do not appear in this story arc) take it upon themselves to correct this situation and save the world both above and below the waves. Both episodes of "The Enemy Below" were released on DVD in tandem with another Justice League two-parter, "In Blackest Night," in April of 2003 under the umbrella title Justice on Trial. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Scott Rummel, Kristin Bauer, (more)
Renowned Greek filmmaker Michael Cacoyannis wrote and directed this adaptation of the classic final drama by playwright Anton Chekhov, set in 1900. Lyubov Ranevskaya (Charlotte Rampling) left Russia to escape troubling memories of the death of her son. Now her family is riddled with debt and Lyubov and her teenaged daughter Anya (Tushka Bergen) have come home to the family estate, looking for a way to pay their bills. Much to their dismay, the Ranevskayas are forced to sell their land to Lopakhin (Owen Teale), a crude businessman who intends to build a housing development in what was once the family's cherry orchard. The international cast also includes Alan Bates as Lyubov's brother Gaev, Katrin Cartlidge as Lyubov's ward Varya, and Michael Gough and Frances de la Tour as the family's servants. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charlotte Rampling, Alan Bates, (more)
Carter (Noah Wyle) is pressed into service as tour guide for the family of Ruth Johnson (Anne Pitoniak), who was born at Chicago's County General exactly 100 years ago. Meanwhile, Carol (Julianna Margulies) cares for eight-year-old stalker victim Wilson (Jesse James Unterthiner); Benton (Eriq La Salle) has second thoughts about a cochlear implant for his son, Reese; and the relationship between Benton and Corday (Alex Kingston) reaches an impasse. Originally telecast as the 100th episode of ER, "Good Luck, Ruth Johnson" is catalogued as number 101 in the series' syndication package. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The compilation film If These Walls Could Talk consists of three short films that each deal with the controversial issue of abortion. Although each of the stories is set in a different decade, the unifying element (aside from the subject matter) is that all three transpire in the same house. The first story stars Demi Moore as the widow of a soldier killer in combat. She becomes pregnant and does not feel it would be morally appropriate to have the baby. Because it is the '50s, she must attempt to secure an illegal abortion. The second story, set in the '70s, stars Sissy Spacek as a mother of a struggling family. Having successfully raised four children on a meager income, Spacek's character must now decide if she should seek an abortion after finding out she is expecting a fifth. The final story takes place in the '90s. Anne Heche portrays a grad student who crosses protestors' picket lines in order to consult a doctor (Cher) about having an abortion. The first two parts, "1952" and "1974," were directed by Nancy Savoca, and the last part, "1996," was helmed by Cher, in her directorial debut. If These Walls Could Talk aired originally on HBO. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
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)
Originally made for the Sci-Fi Channel, this intergalactic thriller offers yet another riff on the themes from Alien. The terror begins when it's discovered that "Galileo's Child," an ancient moon, has spun from its orbit and is rapidly whirling towards Earth. To save the planet, a band of brave miners set off to land upon the rogue moon and to engineer a means by which it can safely be turned away from Earth. To accomplish this, the miners must create a series of great tunnels into "Galileo's" surface. Unfortunately, in so doing, they uncover a great tomb, the once-secure burial site of an unspeakable alien terror that only needs contact with the moon's nitrogen atmosphere to reawaken and ravenously comb the little planet for fresh meat. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Xander Berkeley, Bradford Tatum, (more)
Directed by first-time filmmaker Michael Paradies Shoob, the independent drama Driven tells the story of four L.A. cab drivers working for the Red Star cab company during the week between Christmas and New Year's Day. Darius Pelton (Tony Todd) wants to reunite with his son, who lives with his ex-wife (Lee Garlington). Dale Schneider (Daniel Roebuck) has a second job working for a bookie named Hal (Eric Pierpoint). Jason Schuyler (Whip Hubley) is haunted by his past and shares an evening with passenger Rachel (Diane DiLascio). Legrand (Chad Lowe) brings them all together with his big talk and money-making abilities. Lou Rawls appears in a cameo as the radio dispatcher, Charlie. Driven premiered at the 1996 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Todd, Whip Hubley, (more)
A bitter, nasty child custody battle is at the center of this fact-based TV movie. Having long since written off her divorced daughter-in-law Sarah (Tracey Gold) as an unfit mother, DeDe Cooper (Kate Jackson) anxiously awaits the slightest opportunity to take her granddaughter Josie (Laura Harris) away from Sarah for good. When Josie begins making disturbing references to "satanic rituals", DeDe figures it is time to take action. Before long, someone has kidnapped Josie--and Sarah, whose life has only just begun to find meaning via her relationship with her new beau Jack (Jeff Yagher), insists she has a pretty good idea who's responsible. What follows is a maelstrom of lies, deceptions, and ultimate vindication for one of the two principal characters. A Kidnapping in the Family originally aired February 26, 1996 on ABC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Originally made for cable television, Roswell is an entertaining mix of purported actual events and science fiction. The narrative unfolds primarily in flashbacks as retired Army officer Jesse Marcel (Kyle MacLachlan) attends a reunion of the 509th Bomber Group and tries to come to closure on events that had taken place 30 years earlier. Back in 1947, Major Marcel had been part of a military team that investigated a crash site on a ranch near Roswell, New Mexico. The debris recovered from the site had exhibited some remarkable properties such as being able to repair itself instantly after being cut, suggesting that it might have been of extraterrestrial origin. The military brass had ordered Marcel to go along with their phony story that the material was ordinary metal foil from a weather balloon, and he had reluctantly complied. By the time of the 1977 reunion, Marcel is suffering from a terminal illness, and he feels compelled to try to find out what had really happened at Roswell all those years ago. MacLachlan gives an effective performance, particularly when he portrays Marcel as an older man trying to understand his past. Evocative location shooting in the American Southwest adds cinematic impact. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kyle MacLachlan, Martin Sheen, (more)
Brian Dennehy makes one of his many TV-movie appearances as Chicago homicide cop John Reed in the two-part Deadly Matrimony. Reed's quarry this time is mob lawyer Treat Williams, who murders his wife and then effectively covers his tracks. The closer Reed comes to the truth, the more he's in jeopardy of losing his job (and possibly his life) thanks to Williams' friends in high places. Based on a true story, part one of Deadly Matrimony was first telecast on November 22, 1992. In part two, which debuted November 23, Reed is victimized by the crooked cops under Williams' thumb, but refuses to knuckle under to mob pressure. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Dennehy, Lisa Eilbacher, (more)
Uh oh. An alien blob has oozed from the sky and is attempting to suck all the electricity from the earth in this sci-fi film. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
Murder in High Places is a made-for-TV whodunit set at a Colorado ski resort ("High Places." Get It?). Adam Baldwin, an ex-football pro turned cop, is the investigating officer in a homicide case. He is aided and abetted by Ted Levine, an alcoholic ex-newsman (what price Hunter Thompson?) who is the new mayor of the Colorado resort town where the murder occurred. The preponderance of colorful supporting characters is a sure tip-off that Murder in High Places was meant to the pilot for a series. Whether or not the series could have afforded Adam Baldwin is a moot point, since no one, least of all the audience, was interested in the project. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Dillinger is a messily directed, haphazardly edited TV movie, which takes a revisionist squint at the criminal career of the 1930s' Public Enemy Number One. Mark Harmon captures some of the charisma but little of the ruthlessness of John Dillinger, while Sherilyn Fenn gives an anachronistic interpretation of the gun moll who eventually betrays Johnny D. to the Feds. Vince Edwards is supposed to be FBI founder J. Edgar Hoover, but comports himself more like a grouchy crossing guard. The film is rife with poorly staged gun battles (including the Biograph Theatre finale), shot in a shivery "MTV" fashion which suggests that the camera operator has St. Vitas' Dance. Most of Dillinger was lensed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; the 1930s-style exteriors were well chosen, though the interior scenes at FBI headquarters look like they were filmed inside the Milwaukee Public Library--which indeed they were. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mark Harmon, Sherilyn Fenn, (more)

























