Roger Rees Movies
With his dark eyes and small frame, the classically trained British actor Roger Rees was perfectly cast as Nicholas Nickleby in the theatrical production of Dickens' novel. He performed this lead role with the Royal Shakespeare Company, earning him a Tony award, Olivier award, and an Emmy nomination for the televised version in the early '80s. He had performed with the company since 1968, when he worked as a scenery painter. Perhaps he is most recognized for his role as Robin Colcord, Kirstie Alley's wealthy jet-set boyfriend on Cheers during the 1989 season. He also had in a brief but memorable role as Melvin, the Sheriff of Rotingham in Mel Brooks' Robin Hood: Men in Tights in 1993. Rees continued to work mainly in theater, but he also appeared in several TV movies and sitcoms. He put his crisp British pronunciation to work as a voice actor in several cartoons and books on tape. In 2002, he returned to films with a few featured roles, including Guillermo Kahlo in Julie Taymor's biography Frida. He also landed the starring role of Virginia farmer Nat Banks in the drama Crazy Like a Fox during the same year. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
Two generations of R&B superstars -- legendary Motown diva Diana Ross and teen hitmaker (and star of the TV series Moesha) Brandy -- share top billing in this made-for-TV drama about the troubled relationship between a mother and daughter. Olivia King (played by Diana Ross) is an aspiring vocalist who gives up her only child in the pursuit of her career. Years later, Olivia is a major star in pop music, and the daughter she left behind, Kayla (Brandy), is a gifted young singer on the rise. Can Olivia win back the daughter she left behind years ago, and can Kayla find it in her heart to forgive her mother? The supporting cast includes Allen Payne, Christine Ebersole and former Yo! MTV Raps host Ed Lover. Produced for ABC Television, Double Platinum was first aired in May of 1999, and was released on home video two months later. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Diana Ross, Brandy, (more)
With William Shakespeare now a hot commodity at the box office (and his body of work conveniently out of copyright), the usual trickle of film adaptations of the Bard's work is becoming a small flood, and director Michael Hoffman has assembled a cast of leading stage and screen actors for this whimsical film version of one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies. This interpretation of A Midsummer Night's Dream moves the action to Tuscany near the turn of the 20th century, as both mortals and enchanted creatures deal with romantic problems. Among the flesh-and-blood crowd, Duke Theseus (played by David Strathairn) is preparing for his wedding to Hippolyta (Sophie Marceau), while having to counsel Egeus (Bernard Hill), who has promised the hand of his daughter Hermia (Anna Friel) to Demetrius (Christian Bale). Hermia, however, wants to elope with her true love, Lysander (Dominic West), while her best friend Helena (Calista Flockhart) is mad about Demetrius. Meanwhile, fairies living in the forest are watching these romantic misadventures. Puck (Stanley Tucci) serves up love potions that mix and match the already confused lovers, while the Queen of Fairies, Titania (Michelle Pfeiffer), and her King, Oberon (Rupert Everett), have to deal with a group of hapless actors rehearsing a play in the forest -- one of whom, Bottom (Kevin Kline), has fallen under Puck's spell and becomes Titania's new lover. Will anyone end up with the person they really love? Who will get hurt riding their bicycles in the woods? Will Helena sit down and eat a square meal? Director Hoffman, a longtime Shakespeare buff, appeared as Lysander in a production of the play while a college student, and has since spearheaded a campaign to build a new $3 million theatre for his alma mater in Boise, ID. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Kline, Michelle Pfeiffer, (more)
Adapted by screenwriter Howard Fast from his own fact-based novel, this historical drama tells the story of one of the most unexpected triumphs of the American Revolutionary War. In December 1776, the armies of General George Washington (Jeff Daniels) are near the point of collapse; short on money and supplies, ravaged by disease, their numbers thinned by desertion, and freezing in summer uniforms in the midst of a brutal winter, it seems all but impossible that the Colonial Army can hold out much longer against the British Army and their allied German Hessian forces. With imminent defeat a clear possibility, Washington and his troops organize for an audacious surprise attack against the British soldiers on Christmas Day, hinging on the crossing of the freezing Delaware River in the middle of a storm. Co-starring Roger Rees, The Crossing was produced for broadcast by the Arts and Entertainment cable television network. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jeff Daniels
An independent romantic comedy, Next Stop, Wonderland (1998) made headlines at the Sundance Film Festival when it became the object of a bidding war, ultimately won by Miramax Pictures to the tune of $6 million. Hope Davis stars as Erin Castleton, a night-shift nurse who's cruelly dumped by her boyfriend Sean (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a political activist. When her mother Piper (Holland Taylor) places a wildly inaccurate personals ad in the local paper, Erin is at first enraged, but then becomes curious. After she dates a variety of men who are all wrong for her, she meets Andre (Jose Zuniga), a handsome Brazilian music expert who invites her to Sao Paulo. Although Erin likes Andre, her Mr. Right is actually Alan Monteiro (Alan Gelfant), a plumber she's never met, though the two keep crossing paths. Trying to break out of his working class existence, Alan is studying marine biology but is indebted to a local mob boss, who wants him to kidnap a star blowfish from the local aquarium. Actress Taylor, the real-life aunt of co-writer, editor and director Brad Anderson, also appeared in his next film, Happy Accidents (1999). ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hope Davis, Alan Gelfant, (more)
- 1997
Alan Madison made his directorial debut with this shrink-wrapped souffle of comedic conflicts in the life of lame NYC psychologist Jeff Stewart (Tony Goldwyn), who is burdened with an unloving wife (Edie Falco) and regarded with contempt by his own patients. In addition to criminals sent to him by the state, his clients include a variety of Harlem residents -- a sex offender (Bruce MacVittie); Mrs. K, a religious fanatic (Tammy Grimes); oversexed hand model Ericca Ricce (Debi Mazar); and Daryl (Giancarlo Espositio), whose lover is dying of AIDS. Others in Stewart's building include British ambulance-chaser McMurtry (Roger Rees), a Holocaust survivor (Mark Margolis) preoccupied with his chessboard, and a fortune-teller in drag (Charles Busch). As his life unravels, speculation surfaces suggesting Stewart himself should be in therapy. Shown at the 1997 Vancouver Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Goldwyn, Edie Falco, (more)
In this adaptation of a stage play by Jon Robin Baitz, a successful head of a New York publishing firm unravels after the death of his wife. Isaac Geldhart (Ron Rifkin) is a German Jewish survivor of the Holocaust who has been emotionally scarred by the traumas of his childhood, during which he spent many days hiding in an attic full of books. He has grown into a demanding perfectionist of a businessman, but his company is failing despite a sterling reputation for quality. He becomes obsessed with publishing a four-volume work on the techniques used in the Nazi genocide. His son Aaron (Tony Goldwyn) pleads with his father to try more commercially viable books, especially a hip contemporary first novel written by Val (Gil Bellows), who turns out to be Aaron's lover. But neither Aaron nor Isaac's long-suffering assistant Miss Barzakian (Elizabeth Franz) can dissuade the publisher from carrying out his financially disastrous plan. Aaron calls his two siblings Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), a children's TV show personality, and Martin (Timothy Hutton), a college professor, to a family meeting to try to resolve things, but their father blows up. Aaron's siblings sign over their shares in the publishing company to Aaron, effectively freezing out their father, who stubbornly sets up his own company and proceeds with his Holocaust project, which in the end proves a disappointment to him. Isaac's world falls apart as he becomes more belligerent, and Martin moves in with him to take care of him. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ron Rifkin, Sarah Jessica Parker, (more)
In the bizarre style of director Hal Hartley, for whom she performed in The Unbelievable Truth and Trust, actress Adrienne Shelly's debut as a director and screenwriter is a story about a group of young Manhattanites trying desperately to figure out what life is all about. Donna (Shelly) is a restless, jobless young woman with a lover, Adam (Tim Guinee) who is not only impotent but more interested in reading Russian literature than in having sex. Her college professor, Murphy (Roger Rees), is an off-the-wall Englishman who has a secret, unrequited affection for Donna. Donna is neurotic, depressed, and uneasy about life's meaninglessness, to the point where getting out of bed each morning is a chore. Her life changes one morning when she hears a strange rumbling coming from her plate of scrambled eggs. She looks out the window and witnesses a murder, but when the police come, the body has disappeared, and they dismiss Donna's testimony as mad ravings. After seeing several other murders, she fears for her sanity. She consults a gypsy fortuneteller, Dominga (Louise Lasser). Dominga points out a direction for Donna to follow, and she sets off with Adam, her girlfriend Georgie (Hynden Walch) and two eccentric friends, Ian (Paul Cassell) and Alex (John Sklaroff), to investigate the murders. The movie become a surreal descent into existential madness, with an increasingly outrageous, often incomprehensible plot. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adrienne Shelly, Tim Guinee, (more)
- 1993
- PG13
Mel Brooks directed and co-wrote this satiric comedy which lampoons a number of cinematic treatments of the legend of Sherwood Forest, including Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and The Adventures of Robin Hood. Robin Hood (Cary Elwes) comes home after fighting in the Crusades to learn that the noble King Richard (Patrick Stewart) is in exile and that the despotic King John (Richard Lewis) now rules England, with the help of the Sheriff of Rottingham (Roger Rees). Robin Hood assembles a band of fellow patriots to do battle with John and the Sheriff, including Asneeze (Isaac Hayes) and his son Ahchoo (Dave Chappelle), the blind watchman Blinkin (Mark Blankfield), Will Scarlet O'Hara (Matthew Porretta), and Rabbi Tuckman (Brooks). The Sheriff is eager to put Robin Hood out of business with the aid of criminal mastermind Don Giovanni (Dom DeLuise), but Robin soon has an ally in the royal palace when he falls for the lovely Maid Marian (Amy Yasbeck), whose minder Broomhilde (Megan Cavanagh) has uncooperatively outfitted Marian with a chastity belt. The cast also includes Tracy Ullman, Robert Ridgely, and Clive Revill. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cary Elwes, Richard Lewis, (more)
- 1993
This sci-fi made-for-television movie tells the story of a man battling a high-tech building security system. Paul Reiser stars as Tony Minot, a new employee at security-conscious building. When Tony accidentally damages his key-card at home and later runs it through the system at work, he unwittingly sets the computer on a destructive path. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Reiser, Susan Norman, (more)
- 1993
Roger Rees returns as Robin Colcord, the multimillionaire jailbird -- and former sweetheart of Rebecca (Kirstie Alley). Though Robin insists that he has left prison an impoverished man, Rebecca believes that he is merely feigning his destitution to test her love. Meanwhile, the gang goes on a wild treasure hunt to locate a stuffed money belt that Robin claims to have squirreled away somewhere in Cheers. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Despite his status as a major action star, Sylvester Stallone has made a number of attempts to remodel himself as a comic actor; one of his more infamous efforts in this direction was Stop! or My Mom Will Shoot!. Police detective Joe Bromowski (Sylvester Stallone) has just broken off his relationship with his girlfriend (and fellow police officer) Gwen Harper (JoBeth Williams), so Joe's mother Tutti (Estelle Getty) decides it's time to pay him a visit. Tutti proceeds to make Joe's life miserable by nagging him about his clothes, cleaning his apartment, washing his gun, tagging along on investigations, and somehow getting involved with a gun-running organization that the police have been trying to infiltrate. After this film, Stallone would stay away from comedy until 1997, when he played a cameo in another unenthusiastically received film, An Alan Smithee Film -- Burn, Hollywood, Burn. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sylvester Stallone, Estelle Getty, (more)
- 1992
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Since two TV movies were inspired by the marriage of England's Prince Charles and Princess Diana, it is only logical that at least one made-for-TV feature would greet the decline and fall of that overexposed union. Charles and Diana: Unhappily Ever After, permitted the viewer the perverse delight of seeing Catherine Oxenberg, who'd previously played Diana in 1982's The Royal Romance of Charles and Diana, back again as the same (albeit older and wiser) character. Roger Rees costars as the redoubtable Charles, who despite his mile-wide character flaws comes off as relatively sympathetic. Other "royals" lurking about are Amanda Walker as Queen Elizabeth, David Quilter as Prince Philip, Benedict Taylor as Prince Andrew, and Tracy Brabin as "Fergie". Our favorite scene: Diana, dressed to the nines, sitting in the back of her luxurious limo and talking into her designer car phone, whining about how miserable her life is. Later retitled Charles and Diana: A Palace Divided, this gloriously trashy endeavor was first telecast December 13, 1992. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In episode one of a two-part story, Robin Colcord (Roger Rees) celebrates his release from prison by proposing to Rebecca (Kirstie Alley). She instantly accepts -- only to have second thoughts after a few too many drinks at her bridal shower. Meanwhile, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) has become addicted to the bar's new singalong karaoke machine. Originally slated to air January 17, 1991, this episode was bumped forward one week by network coverage of the Persian Gulf War. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) is determined to go through with her marriage to Robin Colcord (Roger Rees) despite experiencing second thoughts at her bridal shower. Sam (Ted Danson) tries to remind Rebecca of her doubts, but she pretends to have forgotten them. Elsewhere, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is convinced that his karaoke skills have earned him the right to sing at the wedding -- but he has to reckon with the talents of former Righteous Brother Bobby Hatfield. Originally slated to air January 24, 1991, this episode was bumped forward one week by network coverage of the Persian Gulf War. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- PG13
Television flavor-of-the-month Richard Grieco made his feature-film debut in this juvenile spoof of James Bond films. He plays a high-school senior named Michael Corben who has flunked out of his French class, but has the chance to make up his grade on the French Club's summer trip to Europe. On the airplane booked to transport the French Club to France is another man by the name of Michael Corben, and this man happens to be a super-spy. When he is killed, the hapless high-school senior is mistaken for the real spy by British intelligence. He becomes involved in a mad plot by Augustus Steranko (Roger Rees) in which Steranko and his evil assistant Ilsa Grunt (Linda Hunt) plan to dominate the European continent by converting the gold standard to coins that will bear Steranko's likeness. Corben goes along with it when he is provided with a red sports car, a tuxedo, and some high-tech weapons. Along with all the spy accouterments, he latches onto a sexy helper -- Mariska (Gabrielle Anwar). ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Grieco, Linda Hunt, (more)
- 1990
In an event deemed worthy of a TV Guide cover, the cast and crew of Cheers celebrates the series' 200th episode. Moderated by John McLaughlin of The McLaughlin Group fame, this special telecast not only features the then-current cast of Cheers, but also several former regulars and semi-regulars. Foremost among the latter is Shelley Long, whose much-publicized acrimonious exit from the series in 1987 made viewers wonder if she would dare wander into any sort of "reunion" (but she did). Innumerable highlights from past episodes are shown, and there's a special tribute to the departed members of the company, notably Nicholas Colasanto as the beloved Coach. Originally telecast as a one-hour special, this episode has since been divided into two half-hours for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John McLaughlin
- 1990
In an event deemed worthy of a TV Guide cover, the cast and crew of Cheers celebrates the series' 200th episode. Moderated by John McLaughlin of The McLaughlin Group fame, this special telecast not only features the then-current cast of Cheers, but also several former regulars and semi-regulars. Foremost among the latter is Shelley Long, whose much-publicized acrimonious exit from the series in 1987 made viewers wonder if she would dare wander into any sort of "reunion" (but she did). Among the highlights from past episodes are several outtakes, the fabled food fight from the 1986 Thanksgiving episode, and the 1989 dream sequences in which Sam (Ted Danson) forces himself on Rebecca (Kirstie Alley), and vice versa. Originally telecast as a one-hour special, this episode has since been divided into two half-hours for syndication. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John McLaughlin
- 1990
Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) and Lilith (Bebe Neuwirth) are convinced that they aren't providing their infant son Frederick with proper care. After all, how could it be otherwise, since the boy has been diagnosed with only average intelligence? Meanwhile, Carla (Rhea Perlman) tries to arrange a clandestine conjugal visit between Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) and her imprisoned boyfriend Robin Colcord (Roger Rees). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Director Bob Rafelson fulfilled a lifelong dream when he finally received backing to complete Mountains of the Moon. The film recreates the exploratory adventures of 19th century visionaries Sir Richard Burton (Patrick Bergin) and John Henning Speke (Iain Glen). The heart of the film is the effort by Burton and Speke to discover the true source of the Nile river. This occurs well into the film, after several torturous scenes involving the injuries sustained by the protagonists during other expeditions and their growing friendship (which, the film intimates, goes far beyond friendship). Rafaelson's fascination with this story, and his insistence upon painstaking historical accuracy, unfortunately compromises his ability to make an interesting film. There are so many starts and stops during the first half that we sincerely hope Burton and Speke will chuck it all and set up a pub in Bristol or something. What saves Mountains of the Moon is the rapport between its stars and the brilliant, epic-like cinematography of Roger Deakins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Patrick Bergin, Iain Glen, (more)
- 1990
In the first episode of a two-part story, Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) may finally be able to realize her long-delayed dream of a romantic evening alone with megamillionaire Robin Colcord (Roger Rees). Alas, Robin seems more interested in attending a testimonial for ballplayer Carl Yastrzemski in the company of Sam (Ted Danson). Even so, Rebecca seems willing to wait for Robin as long as it takes -- while Sam wrestles with his conscience over whether or not to reveal a secret about the "eligible" Colcord. Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers appears as himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Rebecca's (Kirstie Alley) long-delayed night of passion with multimillionaire Robin Colcord (Roger Rees) has at last come to fruition. But the lustre of the occasion is tarnished when Sam (Ted Danson) tells Rebecca that Robin has another girlfriend. Despite her broken heart, would Rebecca be willing to take Robin back -- or would she at least be willing to accept the man's expensive gifts of contrition? Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers appears as himself. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Rebecca (Kirstie Alley) has high hopes for a romantic day with her zillionaire sweetheart Robin Colcord (Roger Rees). In fact, she has planned this special day down to the minutest detail. But what Rebecca hadn't planned on was that Robin would prefer to spend the day indulging in a series of childish competitions with Sam (Ted Danson). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Against all odds, the widows of two-timing Eddie LeBec, Carla (Rhea Perlman) and Gloria (Anne DeSalvo), are now the best of friends. In fact, the two ladies get along so well that Carla agrees to split her inheritance from Eddie 50-50 with Gloria. This, however, is before Carla discovers that she could have had 50,000 dollars if she hadn't been so blasted generous. Meanwhile, Woody (Woody Harrelson), cast in a revival of the rock-musical Hair, agonizes over appearing in the play's notorious nude scene. And where in the world is Cliff Clavin? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
The folks at Cheers challenge their rivals at Gary's Olde Towne Tap to a grudge basketball game. When Sam (Ted Danson) finds out that Gary plans to cheat his way to victory, he brings in a ringer: Cheers' temporary bartender (and full-time Boston Celtic) Kevin McHale. But McHale will agree to play only on a very special condition. This episode was dedicated to Cheers casting director and AIDs activist Stephen Kolzak, who died September 19, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
In a replay of the Donald Trump-Marla Maples imbroglio, a former girlfriend of imprisoned millionaire Robin Colcord publicly declares that he's still in love with her. Robin's most recent amour, Rebecca (Kirstie Alley), pretends not to care, but is secretly plotting a spectacular revenge. And how about Carla's (Rhea Perlman) dormant love life? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
