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Charles Rocket Movies

2003  
 
Bound by the rules of the Confessional, elderly priest Father Madden (Charles Durning) is unable to turn in the person who has tipped him off about a planned bank robbery. The only person who could help the Father solve his dilemma is angel Gloria (Valerie Bertinelli), but he refuses to believe she's whom she claims to be. Ultimately, Gloria and her fellow Heavenly emissaries--including Angel of Death Adam (Charles Rocket) in a return appearance--must infiltrate both the robbers and the cops in order to prevent a horrible tragedy. . .and, incidentally, to reunite two long-estranged brothers. This is the only episode in which series star Roma Downey does not appear. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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2003  
R  
Add Shade to Queue Add Shade to top of Queue  
Shade, the first feature film from real-life card shark Damian Nieman, who wrote and directed the picture, stars Gabriel Byrne and Thandie Newton as a duo of con artists looking to beat the "Dean" (Sylvester Stallone), a legendary card shark, in a high-stakes poker game. Their first step is hiring two fellow tricksters -- Jamie Foxx and Stuart Townsend -- to provide the smooth talking and to procure the necessary funds. Unfortunately, Larry (Foxx) blows his hand and finds himself with 85,000 dollars worth of debt owed to a local crime boss. Shade premiered at the 2003 CineVegas film festival and also features Dina Merrill and Melanie Griffith. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

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Starring:
Stuart TownsendGabriel Byrne, (more)
 
2002  
R  
Add New Suit to Queue Add New Suit to top of Queue  
A guy looking for a break in the movie biz discovers the power of word of mouth in this satirical comedy. Kevin Taylor (Jordan Bridges) is an aspiring screenwriter who has pulled up stakes and moved to Los Angeles to pursue his dream. While working a day job, Kevin meets Marianne Roxbury (Marisa Coughlan), who is trying to work her way up the Hollywood ladder as a production executive. Biz-savvy Marianne advises Kevin that it makes more sense to spend his days schmoozing and making contacts rather than writing if he actually wants to get paid for his work and see it on a screen. With this in mind, Kevin takes a job as an assistant to Muster Hansau (Dan Hedaya), a once-powerful producer whose career is in a downward spiral. Kevin comes to realize he's merely a glorified errand boy for a washed-up blowhard, and the only people he meets are fellow lackeys with little real pull in the business, so he decides to have some fun and starts talking up a screenplay called "The New Suit" by Jordan Strawberry, even though both the script and the writer exist only in his imagination. Not wanting to sound out of the loop, no one admits they don't know anything about Strawberry and his work, and before long gossip has turned "The New Suit" into the most sought-after project in town, and Kevin finds himself controlling the destiny of a hot new writer who doesn't exist. The first American film from French director François Velle, New Suit also features Heather Donahue, Paul McCrane, and Amber Smith. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Jordan BridgesMarisa Coughlan, (more)
 
2001  
 
Angel of Death Andrew (John Dye) is unhappy about his latest assignment, which requires him to "collect" young Ben Mason, the last member of a venerable Virginia family, on Ben's wedding day. As his Heavenly predecessor Adam (former series regular Charles Rocket) listens sympathetically, Andrew relates Ben's family history, which is intewoven with an old inn called "Sign of the Dove", once a major link of the Civil War-era Underground Railroad. Meanwhile, Andrew's fellow angel Monica (Roma Downey) tries to talk Nicholas Freeman (Richard Lawson) out of committing suicide--an assignment that turns out to be connected with the foredoomed Ben Mason. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1997  
PG13  
Add Fathers' Day to Queue Add Fathers' Day to top of Queue  
Two of the screen's most popular comic actors meet in this movie about two men brought together by unexpected circumstances. On the surface, Jack Lawrence (Billy Crystal) and Dale Putley (Robin Williams) wouldn't appear to have much in common. Jack is an efficient, serious-minded lawyer with a successful practice and a beautiful wife, Carrie (Julia-Louis Dreyfus). Dale is a very single performance artist given to dramatic mood swings and extreme overreaction to the sad state of his career. However, 17 years ago both men were involved with the same woman, Collette Andrews (Nastassja Kinski); she later had a son, Scott (Charlie Hofheimer), without being sure if Jack or Dale was actually the father. Collette chose to raise the boy on her own, but when Scott runs away from home and she can't track him down, she calls both Jack and Dale looking for help. It doesn't take long for the two men to discover that they're both looking for the same boy in the same places, and they decide to join forces, though their personalities don't get much more compatible the longer they hunt for Scott. Keep an eye peeled for a brief cameo by Mel Gibson and an appearance by the rock band Sugar Ray, shortly before their commercial breakthrough. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Robin WilliamsBilly Crystal, (more)
 
1997  
 
At a bachelor auction to benefit a Biotech institute, likable "Angel of Death" Andrew (John Dye) is entered as one of the prizes. The winning bid is registered by Dr. Kate Calder (Stephanie Zimbalist), who has only entered the auction to spite her rival Beth Popik (Lisa Eichhorn)--and as such, Kate flatly refuses to go out on a date with Andrew. Under normal circumstances, Kate's turndown would be the end of the story. Instead, Andrew is ordered by his Heavenly predecessor Adam (played by former series regular Charles Rocket in a return appearance) to take Kate out no matter how much she protests--and to make certain that Adam fulfills his assignment (the purpose of which is not revealed until late in the proceedings), Monica (Roma Downey) and Tess (Della Reese) set up an "instant" restaurant! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1996  
PG  
Add Tom and Huck to Queue Add Tom and Huck to top of Queue  
This Disney live-action film is a very loose adaptation of Mark Twain's two novels about boyhood friends in Hannibal, MO, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn which omits some of the darker themes and undertones in the original books. Television star Jonathan Taylor Thomas (of Home Improvement) is the prankish Tom Sawyer. Tom wants desperately to be friends with the renegade orphan boy Huck Finn (Brad Renfro), who lives on his own on the edge of town. Tom is also smitten with the tomboyish Becky Thatcher (Amy Wright), daughter of the town judge. On an adventure one night, Tom and Huck stumble upon a murder in a graveyard. They see Injun Joe (Eric Schweig) killing the town undertaker to get a map to a treasure. Tom's friend Muff Potter (Michael McShane) is wrongly accused of the crime, but Tom and Huck both know the real killer. Huck has made Tom swear not to reveal the truth and both boys fear that Injun Joe will come after them if they squeal. Tom must choose between his friendship with Huck and his desire to vindicate Muff and get the real killer brought to justice. They try to find the treasure and end up confronting Injun Joe in a cave. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

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Starring:
Jonathan Taylor ThomasBrad Renfro, (more)
 
1996  
R  
Anthony Michael Hall and Cynthia Geary star in this suspense drama in which a group of hikers spending a relaxing weekend in the woods happen upon a cache of stolen gold. However, the violent thugs who stole it happen upon the hikers, who must now fight for survival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Anthony Michael HallCynthia Geary, (more)
 
1995  
PG13  
Add Steal Big, Steal Little to Queue Add Steal Big, Steal Little to top of Queue  
Director Andrew Davis followed up the action blockbuster The Fugitive (1993) with this Capra-esque box office dud that nevertheless featured engaging dual performances by Andy Garcia. Garcia stars as Ruben and Robby, twin brothers who were raised separately and have become total opposites. Ruben has recently inherited a 40,000-acre Santa Barbara estate from his eccentric guardian, Mona (Holland Taylor). A friend to artisans and migrant workers, Ruben wants to transform the land into a commune, while the cold-hearted Robby wants to steal it from his brother, develop it and make millions. Muddying the waters are Lou (Alan Arkin), a quick-thinking ex-cop and pal of Ruben's who is able to manipulate the law to his own purposes, Eddie (Joe Pantoliano), a shark lawyer who plays both sides against the middle, and Ruben's ex-wife Laura (Rachel Ticotin). When each brother masquerades as the other for a time, however, some insights are gained by both. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Starring:
Andy GarciaAlan Arkin, (more)
 
1994  
PG13  
Add Dumb and Dumber to Queue Add Dumb and Dumber to top of Queue  
Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels play the title roles (though viewers may find themselves debating which is which) in this genially low-brow comedy. Lloyd Christmas (Jim Carrey) and Harry Dunne (Jeff Daniels) are two intellectually-challenged best friends who share an apartment so messy that gangsters aren't sure how to trash the place; the guys also have a certain problem (not difficult to understand) holding on to jobs. Lloyd is working as a limo driver in Rhode Island when he picks up a beautiful and wealthy woman named Mary Swanson (Lauren Holly) who is being taken to the airport. Lloyd immediately falls head over heels in love with Mary, and when she leaves a briefcase at the airport, he's determined to return it in hopes of impressing her. Lloyd isn't able to get aboard Mary's flight (though not for lack of trying). Harry has a van decorated to look like a dog (to promote his failing dog-grooming business), and the pair hop in the Poochmobile to find Mary in Aspen. What Lloyd and Harry don't know is that the briefcase is full of money, which Mary deliberately left at the airport as a ransom payment to save the life of her kidnapped husband. Incidentally, Lloyd's chipped front tooth happens to be real; while Jim Carrey had the injured tooth capped many years ago, he thought a broken smile would suit Lloyd's character and had the cap removed for the duration of filming. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Jim CarreyJeff Daniels, (more)
 
1994  
PG13  
Add It's Pat to Queue Add It's Pat to top of Queue  
Arguably the least successful of the many feature film spin-offs of Saturday Night Live television sketch characters, this comedy barely won a quick theatrical release. Julia Sweeney stars as the titular Pat Riley, an obnoxious, drooling nerd of mind-boggling androgyny. Pat is also a bit of a klutz, which leads to his/her dismissal from a range of workplaces, including a sushi bar and the United States Postal Service. As a next door neighbor, Kyle (Charles Rocket), becomes obsessed with distinguishing Pat's gender, even to the point of seducing Pat and stealing his/her diary, things begin looking up for the plucky hero/heroine. Pat meets a significant other, the equally sexless "Chris" (Dave Foley), gets engaged, and wins fame and success as a frank radio talk-show host. The real-life rock band Ween also plays a significant role in Pat's misadventures, casting him/her in a rock video after catching Pat's cringe-inducing musical performance on the TV show "America's Creepiest People." Despite a rumored rewrite of the script by Sweeney's hip longtime friend Quentin Tarantino, the film was considered one of the year's biggest turkeys. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Starring:
Julia SweeneyDave Foley, (more)
 
1994  
 
Monica (Roma Downey) and Tess (Della Reese) must somehow straighten out the domestic travails of lawyer Susana (Brooke Adams), her husband Jack (Ed Marinaro) and his mistress Megan (Nancy Allen). Using the Thanksgiving-weekend traffic rush to their advantage, the two angels contrive to have Monica and Tess meet in a car accident. And as if that wasn't enough, Monica and Tess also conjure up an "estate" where both ladies will be forced to spend the holiday with Jack...a situation that could turn either sweet or sour, depending on the breaks. As a bonus, we learn that even Angel of Death Adam (Charles Rocket) has qualms about killing a Thanksgiving turkey! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1994  
 
Young, self-involved attorney Charles Hibbard (Peter Scolari) screws up his latest assignment by accidentally turning over a hugh inheritance to the wrong person--namely kooky, irresponsible Robin Dunwoody (Wendy Makkena). Now Charles must figure out a way to retrieve the money without causing ill will or giving himself a heart attack (did we mention that he's a confirmed hypochondriac?) It's a good thing that Charles' new assistant is none other than Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey)...or is it? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1994  
 
Alyson Hannigan (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) guest stars as pregnant teenager Cassie Peters. At first willing to give up her baby daughter for adoption, Cassie abruptly changes her mind and runs away with the child, breaking the hearts of adoptive couple Lydia and Ben Feldman (Murphy Cross, Michael Flynn). Assigned to watch over Cassie and her daughter, Monica (Roma Downey) and Tess (Della Reese) are told by Angel of Death Adam (Charles Rocket) that the baby is seriously ill--and that Cassie must decide for herself what is best for the child, without heavenly intervention. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1994  
 
Angel though she may be, Monica (Roma Downey) has more than her share of human failings--and that includes a mortal fear of water. Even so, Monica is determined to fulfill her assignment as spirtual guide to Angela Evans (Nia Peeples), a diehard boating enthusiast. Married to US Senate nominee Carter Evans (Obba Babatunde), Angela has never revealed the terrible secret that she was once a call girl. When her former pimp (Rick Rossovitch) threatens to expose her past and destroy her husband's career unless she forks over a huge sum of money, Angela sees no way out but to commit suicide--and Angel of Death Adam (Charles Rocket) sternly warns Monica that she is forbidden to physically intervene! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1994  
 
Monica (Roma Downey) assumes the role of personal assistant to Elizabeth Jessup (Phylicia Rashad), a celebrated journalist who is plagued with alcoholism. Though Elizabeth's excessive drinking has caused serious damage to her relationship with daughter Sydney (Erica Gimpel) and granddaugther Beth (Melissa Lee Andrew), she refuses to admit she has a problem, and is infuriated when Sydney arranges an intervention by Anita (Donna Bullock), a counselor at the New Hope Center. The situation deteriorates to the point that only a potential tragedy can reunite the family--and almost as if on cue, Beth is trapped in a fire caused by Elizabeth! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1994  
 
Brian (Steven Weber) begins neglecting Alex (Farrah Forke) in order to pal around with his old "wild man" buddy Danny (Charles Rocket). When the situation goes from bad to really bad, Alex makes a crucial -- and devastating -- decision. Meanwhile, Lowell (Thomas Haden Church) is set up for a big-time disillusionment at the hands of his boyhood idol, a former TV superhero (played by Robert Ridgely, who once supplied voices for the animated versions of Superman and Flash Gordon). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1994  
 
Newly promoted to "caseworker", apprentice angel Monica (Roma Downey) tackles her first assignment in this premiere episode of Touched by an Angel. The wheels starts rolling, so to speak, on a bus, where passenger David Morrow (T.J. Lowther) tells Monica that his mom and sister died in a car accident, and that his policeman father Nick (Mark Matcelf) wants to hire a nanny to look after the family. Monica shows up for the job, only to learn from Angel of Death Adam (Charles Rocket) that Nick has lied to David: his sister died of crib death, and his still-living mom has deserted to family. In her zeal to set things right in the Morrow household, Monica makes the first of many celestial mistakes by bringing home a woman (Wendy Phillips) whom she believes to be David's mom--but who is actually a fugitive from justice in desperate need of a hideout! Also featuring Della Reese as Monica's heavenly supervisor Tess, this inaugural episode is based on an unaired pilot, which boasted a slightly different cast. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1994  
 
Singer Randy Travis guest stars as Wayne, the older brother of mentally challenged teenager Joey (Paul Wittenburg). Bitterly resentful over having to be Joey's primary caregiver, Wayne is an ideal candidate for conversion, courtesy of Heavenly caseworker Monica (Roma Downey). But before this can come to pass, Joey must overcome his mortal fear of the dark in order to make sure that a young girl named Serena (Rae'Ven Kelly), who is suffering from a terminal heart condition, will have the best Christmas of her short life. Randy Travis and Paul Wittenburg would repeat their "Fear Not" roles in several subsequent episodes, including the series finale. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1994  
PG13  
Add Wagons East! to Queue Add Wagons East! to top of Queue  
Comedian John Candy, who died during the making of this poorly received comic western, plays James Harlow, a 19th century wagon master who is heading back east with a wagon train full of oddball characters who have had their fill of Western life. They include ex-doctor Phil Taylor (Richard Lewis), kind-hearted prostitute Belle (Ellen Greene), and a bookseller, Julian (John C. McGinley). Harlow is a drunken, washed-up leader who frequently gets lost. The travelers eventually discover that he was a member of the famous Donner party, which resorted to cannibalism when stranded in the mountains. Railroad magnates try to turn back the party, figuring it's bad publicity for people out East to learn that the West is not really a paradise. The tycoons hire gunfighters and villains to stop the expedition, but local Indians protect the wagons, because they are glad to see disgruntled white settlers leaving their lands. This "backwards" western was based on a story by Jerry Abrahamson. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

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Starring:
John CandyRichard Lewis, (more)
 
1994  
 
Monica (Roma Downey) shows up as the assistant to hard-driving high school baseball coach Earl Rowley (Kevin Dobson), while Tess works alongside widow Laura Enloe (Linda Gehringer) at a local sports bar. Unable to play the game due to an injury sustained in Vietnam, Earl takes out his bitterness on his players--especially Laura's son Paul (Ivan Sergei), who regards Earl as a father figure and is devastated when he doesn't measure up to the coach's standards. The situation changes radically when Monica learns from Adam (Charles Rocket) that Earl has only a few months to live. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1993  
PG  
Add Hocus Pocus to Queue Add Hocus Pocus to top of Queue  
Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy romp around like coked-up versions of The Three Stooges in the frantic Disney romp Hocus Pocus. The film begins in 1693 where three witches -- Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy) -- are preparing a potion that will grant them immortality and eternal youth. But before they finish mixing their cocktail, the people of Salem capture them and execute them for practicing witchcraft. Before their deaths, they vow to return to Salem 300 years hence on Halloween to exact their revenge. Three hundred years later, a skeptical, newly transplanted Californian, Max (Omri Katz), explores the ruins of the legendary witches' house and dares the witches to manifest themselves. Disregarding the warnings of his sister Dani (Thora Birch) and girlfriend Allison (Vinessa Shaw), Max lights the Candle of Black Flame. With that, the witches reappear to wreak havoc on the town. The kids take off with the witches' spellbook and a musty tome of hexes and recipes. The sorceresses, who will die by the morning light if they don't recite the incantation for immortality, have to get the books by whatever means they can. So, Winifred, Sarah, and Mary hop on their broomsticks for a chase through Halloween night. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Starring:
Bette MidlerSarah Jessica Parker, (more)
 
1993  
 
Add Wild Palms to Queue Add Wild Palms to top of Queue  
Just after the turn of the 21st century in L.A., Harry (Belushi) works for a television station that uses a revolutionary technology, virtual reality projected for at-home viewers with 3-D holographic programs. A sinister group known as the Fathers, headed by Senator Kreutzer (Loggia), has a scheme to use it for mind-control. ~ Rovi

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