Jason Priestley Movies

The son of a Canadian actress, Jason Priestley began his own career as a child actor in TV commercials. After dropping out of acting in his teens to concentrate on high-school sports, Priestley got back in the professional swim following graduation, accepting one-shot roles on such Canada-based TV series as 21 Jump Street. The young actor's first American TV assignment was the regular role of teen orphan Todd Mahaffey on the 1989 sitcom Sister Kate. Producer Aaron Spelling's daughter Tori spotted Priestley on Sister Kate and suggested that her father audition him for a role in the upcoming Fox series Beverly Hills 90210. Priestley was cast as Brandon Walsh, twin brother of the estimable Brenda (Shannen Doherty).
Like many of his young series co-stars, Priestley was intent on laying the groundwork for life after 90210. Though his first major film role in Penny Marshall's Calendar Girl (1993) came and went without fanfare, he enjoyed some success as a 90210 director. Priestley encountered further success and even critical vindication with his turn as Ronnie Bostock, the B-movie hunk who steals John Hurt's heart in Love and Death on Long Island (1997). Critics warmed to Priestley's performance, noting that his days of idolatry had given him overly adequate preparation for his portrayal. Unlike other teen idols who rue the day when the fan mail will cease, Priestley once claimed he was happy that his idoldom seems to be on a downward slide: "It's like having a big cancerous lesion on your shoulder. Because people are fickle, man." On March 28, 2000, Priestley was undoubtedly happy that the limelight's glare had dimmed: Arrested for drunken driving after crashing his car into some trash cans, he was sentenced to five days in a Los Angeles jail. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
2009  
 
This taut, family-friendly adventure from Canada follows the plight of the Childs family - author Robert (Jason Priestley), his second wife Teresa (Andrea Roth), and Robert's 16-year-old daughter from his first marriage, Christy (Genevieve Buechner) - who get pushed to the brink of disaster when their boat crashes during a storm and leaves them stranded on an uninhabited, rocky island in the middle of a wild, raging river. Although the family knows discord all too well given the widening rift between Christy and stepmom Teresa, they must set aside misgivings and help one another survive the treacheries of an unforgiving wilderness, especially given Robert's grave wounds from the accident. The loss of supplies with the sunken boat makes the situation even direr, and the family's needs grow more pressing when they must subdue a voracious bear. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Jason PriestleyAndrea Roth, (more)
2007  
 
Add Luna: Spirit of the Whale to QueueAdd Luna: Spirit of the Whale to top of Queue
Adam Beach, Graham Greene, and Jason Priestly star in director Don McBrearty's fictionalized account of the events that took place in the harbor of a Vancouver Island village and shocked animal lovers around the world. When a government representative (Priestly) announces that he intends to reunite an orphaned orca with his pod by transporting him hundreds of miles over dry land, the Mowachaht-Muchalaht First Nations Band, which believes that the spirit of their late chief resides in the majestic ocean mammal, does everything within their power to thwart the controversial plan. As the community grows increasingly divided over how to handle the situation, a young aboriginal boy wrestles with his own identity and new Band chief Mike Maquinna (Beach) prepares for the trial by fire that could shape his entire future. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Adam BeachTantoo Cardinal, (more)
2006  
 
Add Above and Beyond to QueueAdd Above and Beyond to top of Queue
The World War II set romantic drama Above and Beyond concerns a young man and woman who fall in love, but must consider putting country before self in order to do what is right for the world. Richard E. Grant and Jason Priestley star in this tale of love in the RAF. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Richard E. GrantJason Priestley, (more)
2006  
 
Add Masters of Horror: The Screwfly Solution to QueueAdd Masters of Horror: The Screwfly Solution to top of Queue
The battle of the sexes turns to all-out war in director Joe Dante's season-two episode of Showtime's Masters of Horror series. Based on a story by author Raccoona Sheldon and adapted for the screen by Sam Hamm, The Screwfly Solution tracks the progression of a vicious virus that transforms average men into murderous maniacs who impulsively attack every woman who crosses their path. When a suburban housewife and her teenage daughter set out in search of sanctuary, it doesn't take long for them to realize just how difficult it will be to escape an entire gender of homicidal psychopaths. Jason Priestley and Elliott Gould star as devoted scientists racing to find a cure for the virus before it's too late. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Jason PriestleyElliott Gould, (more)
2006  
 
Created by Michael Rauch, the hour-long dramedy series Love Monkey was based on a novel by Kyle Smith, though it also owed quite a lot to the Tom Cruise film Jerry Maguire. Tom Cavanagh headed the cast as music agent Tom Farrell, an A&R rep for big-time Goliath Records. After experiencing a sudden attack of integrity, Tom was fired by his sharkish boss, Phil Leshing (Eric Bogosian), at which point our hero went to work for a tiny independent record label. Other characters included Tom's best friend, Mike (Jason Priestley), his platonic girlfriend, "Bran" (Judy Greery), ex-baseball star Jake (Christopher Wiehl), and the entrepreneurial Shooter (Larenz Tate), as well as two characters obviously intended as "breakthroughs": Tom's main client, Wayne (Teddy Geiger), a John Mayer wannabe, and Tom's literal "dream girl," Julia (Ivana Milicevic). Utilizing a wealth of p.o.v. camera shots, off-camera narration, unexpected flashbacks, and funky original music, Love Monkey was described by some critics as a male Sex and the City. The series made its CBS debut on January 17, 2006. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Tom CavanaghJason Priestley, (more)
2005  
 
Add Rides: Season 03 to QueueAdd Rides: Season 03 to top of Queue
Some of America's greatest custom-car designers are introduced to the Great Viewing Audience by actor and driving enthusiast Jason Priestley in Season Three of the cable documentary series Cars. The opener is "Hollywood Hotrods", a visit to the customizing shop of Troy Ladd, who tests out a pair of new twin roadsters along the hills of Tinseltown. Next up, Troy Trepanier redesigns a 1970 Barracuda for the host of Fear Factor in "Joe Rogan's Sick Fish". In "Hammer", Steve Strope explains the meaning of MOPAR to the unitiated. Chip Foose, the customizing genius who appeared in the series' very first episode, is back with the "prototype kings" from Five Axis, all of whom tackle a luxurious Cadillac in "The XLR". The next episode is "Tonight's Ride", or "You Knew That Jay Leno Would Appear on This Series Eventually" (and Jay's got his own custom Toronado in the bargain!) Then, the billionaire Herbst brothers get down 'n' dirty in a high-speed race along the California-Mexico peninsula in "Terrible Baja". Kevin King, top man at the Year One parts factory, builds a "sui generis" 1967 Chevy in "Mail Order Hotrods." "General Blues" details the re-creation of the General Lee of Dukes of Hazzard fame as "The Extreme Lee", with guitarist Kenny Wayne ultimately at the wheel. And in the season's final offering "Thump" the talented crew of the Alpine shop has a special treat in store for the annual Consumer Electronics Show. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Jason Priestley
2005  
 
In the tradition of such omnibus films as Tales of Manhattan and Flesh and Fantasy, the made-for-TV Snow Wonder features five separate stories, tenuously linked together by a single plot strand -- in this case, a freak Christmas Eve snowstorm that has blanketed the world, striking even in such traditionally snow-free areas as Malaysia and Hawaii. While Madagascar-based meteorologist Billy (Josh Randall) tries to make sense of the phenomenon, his lovely assistant, Joey (Michelle Krusiec), muses philosophically "Snow can change people's lives." How right she is. As the film progresses, we are whisked off to Kentucky, where lovelorn bridesmaid Paula (Poppy Montgomery) watches in mute astonishment as her best friend's wedding crashes and burns as a result of the sudden blizzard; to New Mexico, where recently widowed Bev (Camryn Manheim) has retreated in hopes of overcoming the bitterness attending the death of her husband exactly one year before; to New York, where young Luke (Eric Szmanda), an aspiring writer whose parents seem to take great delight in discouraging him, receives a surfeit of inspiration from his freewheeling aunt Lila (Mary Tyler Moore); and to Baltimore, where philandering husband Warren (Jason Priestley), who has prepared the "perfect alibi" with which to hoodwink his loving wife, is helplessly snowbound with his current mistress. By film's end, the good have been rewarded, the bad have been punished, and something special develops between Billy and Joey...suggesting that this is no ordinary "random" snowstorm. Based on Connie Willis' short story Just Like the Ones We Used to Know, Snow Wonder made its CBS debut on November 20, 2005. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Julie Ann EmeryJennifer Esposito, (more)
2005  
 
Add Murder at the Presidio to QueueAdd Murder at the Presidio to top of Queue
A military detective uncovers some disturbing truths while investigating a shocking murder in this made-for-cable mystery, based on a true story. James Chandler (Lou Diamond Phillips is a criminal investigator attached to the Army who has a reputation as a hothead who is quick to use his fists, a reputation that precedes him when he's assigned to the prestigious military base in San Francisco. Chandler soon gets an opportunity to show his mettle when the wife of Sgt. Barry Atkins (Martin Cummins) has been killed -- the first time someone has been murdered at the Presidio. While Chandler's superiors believe the killing was part of a burglary gone wrong, Chandler isn't so certain, and with the help of MP Cpl. Tara Jeffries (Victoria Pratt), he digs deep into the case and makes some startling discoveries. Murder at the Presidio also stars Jason Priestley, Eugene Clark, and Daniel Roebuck. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Read More

2004  
 
The talented creators of the world's coolest custom-made cars are the main focus during Season One of the cable documentary series Rides. The season opens with "Speedbird", the first Rides appearance of customized-vehicle wizard Chip Foose, who designs a car especially for comic actor Christopher Titus. "Project Daisy" chronicles the creation of a personalized sportscar from the prototype to the finished project. "Fastforward Fastback" finds the talented Troy Trepanier remaking a '67 Ford Mustang with a "dash of Shelby". The Rides crew pays a visit to 310 Motoring and West Coast Customs, who deal in low-cost customs for customers of modest means, in "Westside". Next up is "Big Miniature", celebrating the 35th anniversary of the classic Hot Wheels toy cars. In "Rods, Rod Millen transforms a V6 Lexus into a V8. The protagonist of "Heavy Metal" is Justin Padfield, a 29-year-old "master" who creates new versions of old-school classics., "Topless" is the story of Roy Frizio, who designs hot rods for some of the hottest rock singers in the business. "The Moal" is Steve Moal, who with his sons builds specialized coaches for the trade in the shop that their grandfather established in 1929. "Dominator" is the nickname of Leonard Lopez, here shown building a sharp two-door sedan in the comfort of his 10,000-square-foot customizing workshop. And in the season finale "Road to Riddler", (the "Great Eight" ,chosen from the best custom cars built in the previous episodes, all compete for one of the most coveted trophies in the business. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Jason Priestley
2004  
 
The world's coolest custom-made sportscars, roadsters, and hotrods, and the men and women who put them together from top to bottom, are given the star treatment in Season Two of the cable documentary series Cars. Starting things off is actor Christopher Titus, who'd appeared in the first-season opener and who has returned to create his own custom SUV which calls "Killing the Soccer Mom." The next episode, "Eleanor", is a bouquet to Nicholas Cage's four-wheeled "leading lady" in Gone in Sixty Seconds. Those fantastic "skating" rear-wheel-drive cars are spotlighted in "Drifters", while "Rat Rods" shows how simple (?) it is to create new bucket-style roadsters (with no hoods!) from cars originally built anywhere from 50 to 60 years ago. "702 Motoring" is a paean to the famous "trick rod" shop which caters to the Las Vegas Elite. Next, Christopher Titus is back to participate (maybe) in the 18th annual "Power Tour", modestly described as "110 hundred miles of fun, endurance and dazzle"--and Sunday drivers need not apply! In "Darkside", the talented Kenny Fong creates a "gothed-out" set of wheels for "gothed-out" celebrity relative Jack Osbourne. Then it's off to Italy as the Rides crew tours the fabled Lamborghini plant in "Raging Bull." "Ford Black" is a journey into the world of "concept cars", or what The Dream looks like before reality, and government auto standards, set in. And fnally, we pay a call on Mike Lavalee, a graphic artist best known for those wonderful "flame" auto-body designs, in "Skin". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Jason Priestley
2004  
 
Former Beverly Hills 90210 costars Jason Priestleyand Emma Caulfield are reunited in this frothy made-for-cable romantic comedy. Priestly plays Ryan Banks, a once-popular movie actor whose career is in the toilet, not only because of bad role choices but also because of his unsavory reputation as an irresponsible womanizer. In hopes of revitalizing Ryan's career, his manager and best friend Todd Doherty (Bradley Cooper) comes up with an inspiration: A network reality show called "I Want to Marry Ryan Banks", in which the title character will live in the same house with 15 attractive young women, all of them prospective brides. In fine Mark Burnett tradition, one of the female contestants will be voted out each week by the viewers, with the winner chosen by popular demand. The girl who seems to have the inside track is blue-collar Charlene "Charlie" Norton (Emma Caulfield), who has entered the contest because she needs the prize money. Complications arise when, as the series draws ever nearer to its conclusion, Charlie balks at the notion of wedding Ryan Banks, only to be told that if she doesn't, she'll be sued within an inch of her life--and making things even stickier, Todd Doherty has fallen in love with Charlie himself! Produced for the ABC Family channel, I Want to Marry Ryan Banks was first seen on January 18, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Read More

2003  
 
In the opening episode of Tru Calling's first season, impoverished medical grad student Tru Davies (Eliza Dushku) takes a night-shift job at a Boston morgue. In short order, she discovers that she has the ability to communicate with one of the corpses -- which leads to the discovery of another gift, that of being able to relive the events of the past 24 hours, and thereby save the corpse from an untimely death. While this state of affairs is beneficial to those on the slab, it sometimes posed serious and potentially fatal problems for Tru, her chronic-gambler brother, Harrison (Shawn Reaves); her drug-addicted sister Meredith (Jessica Collins); and her boss and co-worker, Davis (Zach Galifianakis). There are several standout episodes during season one of Tru Calling. In "The Longest Day," Tru's efforts to rescue one of her "clients" results in a Groundhog Day dilemma in which the same day is repeated over and over, with no end in sight. In "Valentine," Tru tries to arrange past events to thwart a serial killer, only to set up a premise whereby one of her best friends will be the killer's next victim. In "Past Tense," our heroine really has her hands full when five corpses simultaneously beg for her help. And in the season finale, "Two Weddings and a Funeral," Tru battles with her archrival, Jack Harper (Jason Priestley) -- who possesses the same psychic "gift" that she has, only to use it for sinister purposes -- with the life of her own brother in the balance. ~ All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Eliza DushkuShawn Reaves, (more)
2003  
 
Several cast and production crew members of the long-running (1990-2000) FOX teen-drama series Beverly Hills 90210 were gathered together in this retrospective special, which is staged in the form of a high-school reunion (including badges with class photos and name tags). Taking place in a mockup of the Walsh family's suburban living room, the special provides the participants with ample opportunity to catch up, compare notes, reminisce, and even open a few old wounds. Thanks to FOX's extensive pre-show publicity, it is no surprise to the viewers that the much-maligned Shannen Doherty shows up to face the actors with whom she'd once been on the "outs." What is surprising is the handful of no-shows, including three prominent actors who ostensibly had no axes to grind with anyone (where, for example, is cast member Tori Spelling, daughter of series producer Aaron Spelling?). In order to create the aura of spontaneity, the camera crew assigned to Beverly Hills 90210: Ten Year High School Reunion not only recorded the events occurring on-stage, but also the activity backstage, before, during, and after each commercial break. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Shannen DohertyJason Priestley, (more)
2002  
 
Add Cover Story to QueueAdd Cover Story to top of Queue
A high-profile magazine editor is framed for murder after refusing the advances of a powerful billionaire's brother in this thriller starring Beverly Hills 90210's Jason Priestley and Showgirls' Elizabeth Berkley. When V Magazine editor Tyler Nobel arrives at work on what seems to be an average morning, the discovery of a detailed sex diary on her desk reveals a young woman involved with a wealthy society man whose underworld connections raise dark implications. Realizing that the man mentioned in the diary is reclusive billionaire J.C. Peck, Nobel's hunger for a high-profile, international cover story finds her making the acquaintance of a J.C.'s younger brother Mark at a party. Though Mark draws Tyler to his remote country estate with the pretense of offering a private meeting with his brother, his advances toward Tyler once they reach the estate turn aggressive and she is forced to knock her assailant unconscious in order to escape. Arrested the following morning for Mark's murder, Tyler must launch her own investigation if she is to reveal the true killer and discover the fate of the sex-diary's mysterious author. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Elizabeth BerkleyJason Priestley, (more)
2002  
 
Add Time of the Wolf to QueueAdd Time of the Wolf to top of Queue
A boy makes an unusual and dangerous friend in this family drama. Aaron McGregor (Devin Douglas Drewitz) is a young boy who, after the death of his parents, goes to live with his aunt and uncle in a rural community. Aaron feels like an outcast in his new home, not accepted by his schoolmates and receiving little in the way of support or affection from his uncle Archie (Burt Reynolds). One of the few things that comforts Aaron is the sound of a pack of wolves who howl on the prairies late in the night; when a band of farmers attempt to kill the animals, Aaron discovers one is still alive and he attempts to nurse the survivor back to health. However, while Aaron is happy with his new friend, he learns the hard way that keeping a wolf under wraps is no easy task. Time of the Wolf also features guest appearances from Jason Priestley and Marthe Keller. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Devin Douglas Drewitz
2002  
 
Composer and man-about-town Asa (Jason Priestley) can either be found hard at work writing a new song or trying to pick up women dressed in tails and a top hat. With considerable success in both ventures, Asa has no need to trouble himself with a real job, especially since he is quite capable of getting by on his trust fund. The one responsibility Asa does have is as father to young son Michael (Connor Price), who lives with Asa's ex-wife Charity (Deborah Odell) and her new boyfriend. One night, Asa brings Michael along with him as he hits his usual watering holes and Charity finds out about the adventure after the fact -- prompting the angry woman to threaten the removal of Asa's visitation rights unless the carefree musician straightens out his act. Unwilling to lose his son, Asa takes a job in his uncle Billy's (Dave Thomas) advertising agency and is soon forced to make a choice that may compromise his self-respect. On the other hand, he gets to work with the alluring Karen (Tanya Allen) on the project, which would give Asa the opportunity to get close to his new co-worker. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Jason PriestleyTanya Allen, (more)
2001  
 
Add The Fourth Angel to QueueAdd The Fourth Angel to top of Queue
An ordinary man remakes himself into a warrior after the death of his family in this thriller. Jack Elgin (Jeremy Irons) is a magazine editor living in London with his wife and three children. Elgin joins his spouse and his children as they set off for a trip to India, and when the plane lands due to mechanical failures, the flight is hijacked by terrorists from the "August 15th Movement," who insist on 50 million dollars in ransom from the United States government. The U.S. administration delivers on the request, but as the terrorists begin to evacuate hostages from the plane, circumstances go awry and Elgin's wife and child die in the subsequent fire. The hijackers are soon arrested but released from custody, and when Elgin protests this turn of events to a representative of the U.S. State Department (Jason Priestley), he is told there's little than can be done -- unless he's willing to take the law into his own hands. With the help of his friend Kate (Charlotte Rampling), who is well-schooled in the finer points of international intelligence, Elgin becomes a one-man anti-terrorist squadron, tracking down extremist factions and turning their own weapons against them. Elgin's work is so impressive it attracts the attention of Jules Bernard (Forest Whitaker), an FBI agent who has his own agenda regarding shutting down terrorists. The Fourth Angel was co-produced by American independent studio Artisan Entertainment, but its U.S. theatrical release was canceled in the wake of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Jeremy IronsForest Whitaker, (more)
2000  
 
Add The Lion of Oz to QueueAdd The Lion of Oz to top of Queue
In this animated adventure inspired by the well-loved characters created by Frank L. Baum, a performing lion from a circus (Jason Priestley) is given a special prize for courage and is sent out to visit the fabled Land of Oz to claim his reward. En route, the lion encounters the Wicked Witch of the East (Lynn Redgrave), who demands that the lion bring her the magical flower of Oz, which will allow her to possess even more power. With the help of a girl named Wimsik, the lion finds the flowers the Wicked Witch needs, but he realizes that he's thrown away his valor in the process, becoming the Cowardly Lion. The Lion of Oz and the Badge of Courage also features the voice talents of Tim Curry, Bob Goldthwait, Jane Horrocks, and Dom DeLuise. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Jason PriestleyLynn Redgrave, (more)
2000  
 
Some six months after the cancellation of the popular, hard-hitting TV cop series Homicide, most of the cast members were reunited for a two-hour TV movie, which deftly (and somewhat surprisingly) combines stark, raw realism with Sartre-esque flights of fantasy. Several members past and present of the Baltimore Police Department's homicide squad are brought back together when their former skipper and current mayoral candidate, Al "G" Giardelli (Yaphet Kotto), is gunned down by a would-be assassin. As former partners Frank Pembleton (Andre Braugher) and Tim Bayliss (Kyle Secor) conduct their own personal search for the perpetrator, the comatose "G" discovers that not all police review boards are conducted by the living. Like its weekly predecessor, Homicide: The Movie was co-produced by Baltimore native Barry Levinson. The film made its first NBC network TV appearance on February 13, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Daniel BaldwinNed Beatty, (more)
2000  
 
Harvey Fierstein, Terrence McNally, and Paula Vogel each wrote episodes for this three-part made-for-cable drama which examines changing attitudes and issues facing the gay and lesbian community in the small town of Homer, Connecticut. Opening in the 1950s and leading up to the present day, Common Ground features Eric Stolz, Mimi Rogers, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Margot Kidder, Edward Asner, Beau Bridges, Jason Priestley, and Steven Weber, as well as co-writer Fierstein. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Ed AsnerBeau Bridges, (more)
1999  
 
Were it not for Alanis Morissette, Barenaked Ladies would probably have been the biggest pop act to come out of Canada in the 1990s. Entirely male and generally fully clothed, the band scored a number of multi-platinum albums in their home country and enjoyed a healthy following in America before their fifth album, Stunt, and its hit single "One Week" made them stars. Actor Jason Priestley, a fan of the group, took a camera crew with him as he followed the band on their U.S. tour following the breakthrough of Stunt. Barenaked in America captures the band onstage, performing the quirky but good-natured pop-rock tunes that have made them famous, and offstage, as they kill time on the bus, talk about how the band came together, discuss keyboardist Kevin Hearn's bout with leukemia, and reveal themselves to be the well-mannered, self-effacing boys they seem to be. The filmmakers also went along for several TV appearances, including a spot on Conan O'Brien's talk show and a meeting with Jon Stewart. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Read More

Starring:
Jon StewartJason Priestley, (more)

BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster Inc. © 2009 Blockbuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Portions of Content Provided by All Movie Guide ®, a trademark of All Media Guide, LLC.© 2009 All Media Guide, LLC.