John Shea Movies

A dejected ex-GI, a former prostitute, and a small time thief hatch a plan to detonate a powerful truck bomb in the heart of New York City after having their rage exploited by a charismatic left-wing radical in this topical terrorism drama from first-time feature filmmaker Scott Dacko. Disenfranchised, disillusioned, and deprived of any real future by the self-righteous actions of a sanctimonious government, three lost souls plan to make their frustrations known by committing the ultimate act of defiance. As the day of the event draws near and preparations for the bombing get under way, the motivating factors behind their extreme act become terrifyingly clear. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

There's a bit of good news for Adam Kane (John Shea) and his genetically enhanced mutant comrades-in-arms as Mutant X launches its second season. Mason Eckhart (Tom McCamus), the megalomaniacal madman who, as supervisor of the top-secret Genomex company, created a race of mutant superhumans, has been captured and imprisoned. However, there is little time for celebration: Eckhardt has been replaced as leader of the Genetic Security Agency, the organization set up to track down and destroy all mutants lest the secret agenda of Genomex be revealed to the world. The new head of the GSA is Gabriel Ashlocke (Michael Easton), a deranged super-mutant who possesses more deadly powers than all four members of Adam's Mutant X team combined. What does this sinister plot development hold in store for the catlike Shadowfox (Victoria Pratt), the electrically charged Fuse (Victor Webster), the psychic Rapport (Lauren Lee Smith), and the molecule-rearranging Synergy (Forbes March)? Well, without giving too much away, it can be noted that at least one member of the team will not be coming back for season three. As in past episodes, Mutant X leavens its tension-filled plotlines with moments of self-reflective humor, especially whenever the scriptwriters are moved to insert a few "in-jokes" for comic book and sci-fi fans, such as a passing reference to a psychiatric hospital presumably named after science fiction author Harlan Ellison, and naming one of the secondary villains after a character in the old cartoon series Space Ghost. Also, an aura of mystery and expectation is cunningly sustained with scattered suggestions that the Mutant X team possesses powers they are not even aware of...powers even more awesome than their established talents. Finally, season two of Mutant X marks the auspicious scriptwriting debut of actor Freddie Prinze Jr., who penned the episode titled "One Step Closer." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Ron Burrus directed this low-budget romantic comedy, set in Boston. The lead role of Bostonian Christopher DiMarco is portrayed by Michael Landes (Jimmy Olson on Lois & Clark). After a blackout, the tux-clad Chris regains consciousness on the porch of a beachfront summer cottage, where he encounters attractive zoologist Melissa (Hedy Burress) and her annoying roomie Liz (Dina Spybey). Chris and Melissa become a twosome, but bad advice from his divorced pal Peter (Lenny Clarke) and intrusions by Liz lead Chris on a downward spiral. After another blackout, he seeks therapy from Dr. Maddie (Lane Smith), and long-lost, buried secrets are soon excavated. Shown at the 1998 Seattle Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Tod Williams made his feature directorial debut with this teen comedy-drama set in 1983. High school senior and writer wannabe Sebastian Cole (Adrian Grenier) survives a car accident in a remote Southwestern area near the trailer home of a Spanish-speaking woman. As she dresses his wounds, Sebastian looks back over the past year and his dysfunctional family life. After a divorce, Sebastian's near-alcoholic mother Joan (Margaret Colin) remarried. His architect father Hartley (John Shea) was more devoted to career than family. His sister Jessica (Marni Lustig) is off to the West Coast with her dullard boyfriend. Sebastian's stepfather Hank (Clark Gregg) plans a sex change. Since being married to a woman doesn't appeal to Joan, she returns to her native England with Sebastian. Months later, Sebastian moves back to his upstate New York hometown, rejoining Hank. However, Hank is now Henrietta, wearing makeup and women's clothing and serving as both a mother and father figure for Sebastian. Shown at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Originally a two-part, five-hour NBC miniseries, this turn-of-the-20th-century tale follows the adventures of a headstrong American woman who sets forth to fulfill her dreams of becoming a professional photographer. Along the way, she makes many sacrifices. The story also chronicles the lives of this woman's daughter and grandaughter, both of whom come to draw strength and inspiration from the extraordinary life of their matriarch. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

A cunning and ruthless neo-Nazi politician rises to power in England by conducting a terror campaign against his own organization, making it seem the established government is attacking his followers. Dashing American agent Harry Latham (John Shea) lends assistance to the Brits in their investigation, but even he needs help, so he turns to his CIA analyst brother, Drew (Patrick Bergin). As it happens, Drew's girlfriend, Karin (Virginia Madsen), is related to the mastermind behind the scheme that's intended to bring down Europe and give rise to the Fourth Reich. Harry has been brainwashed by the villains, and unbeknownst to anyone, he's programmed to help the bad guys. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide

Rita Rudner was both co-writer and co-star of this multi-plotted romantic comedy, set in a bed and breakfast in the middle of Southern California's wine country. In the course of the film's 90 minutes, a number of curiously matched couples will find true romance -- and sometimes even true happiness. Standout performances amongst the star-studded cast include Rita Rudner's turn as a pregnant food critic, Jack Lemmon as a desperate concert promoter, and Dudley Moore as a lonely vintner. Made for cable television, A Weekend in the Country debuted June 12, 1996, on the USA network; a mildly R-rated version was later prepared for home video release. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this complexly-plotted action-packed police drama, Pittsburgh policewoman Keri Finnegan (Linda Kozlowski) returns to her home turf to clean up crime and clear the ruined name of her father, a cop who was wrongfully disgraced and fired from the force. McKees Rocks is one Steeltown's roughest ethnic neighborhoods, and though many residents are impoverished, they have yet to surrender their pride. Keri's father's reputation, plus her gender, make it very difficult for her to do her job. When a serial killer begins slaughtering owners of local property, Keri masquerades as an old woman and is attacked by what appears to be a policeman. He is eventually arrested for killing his wife, but for some reason the cops ignore the other killings. Keri, however, doesn't and thus launches her own investigation. She finds herself opposed at every turn, not only by her lover and fellow-detective Nick Donovan (John Shea), but also by the police chief, Nick's father, and a powerful gangster. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The first season of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman borrows just enough from its comic-book source material to satisfy dyed-in-the-wool Superman buffs while adding several novel and surprising twists of its own. Fresh from the rural community of Smallville, handsome country bumpkin Clark Kent (Dean Cain) lands a job as reporter for the "Daily Planet," the biggest and most influential newspaper in Metropolis. Dyspeptic editor Perry White (Lane Smith) decides to team Clark with the paper's star reporter, the sophisticated, career-obsessed Lois Lane (Teri Hatcher). Though openly contemptuous of Clark in the early episodes, Lois gradually develops a strong affection for the earnest young novice. Still, it appears that she would much rather romance the mysterious "man of steel," Superman, who has saved Metropolis (and herself) from a variety of grisly fates on innumerable occasions. It never dawns on Lois that the bespectacled Clark Kent and the muscular Superman are actually the same person; this secret is shared only between Clark and his adoptive parents, Martha and Jonathan Kent (K Callan, Eddie Jones) -- who, for their part, have never told Clark the whole story of how he had come to Earth as an infant in a spaceship from the doomed planet Krypton. Superman's origins are but a few of the hitherto unknown facts revealed to Clark during season one; another is the dangerous effect that Kryptonite, a metal derived from his home planet, can have on Superman and his powers. Making regular appearances during the series' first season are Michael Landes as "Daily Planet" cub reporter and photographer Jimmy Olsen; Tracy Scoggins as gossip columnist Catherine "Cat" Grant, Lois' chief rival for Clark's affections; and John Shea as billionaire philanthropist Lex Luthor, whose secret life as a master villain goes undetected by everyone except Superman. Indeed, at the end of season one, the unsuspecting Lois, continually frustrated in her efforts to attract Clark's attention, is on the verge of marrying Lex -- while Superman, racing to the wedding with evidence of Lex's perfidy, is enmeshed in a deadly Kryptonite trap! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this made-for-cable thriller, Mimi Rogers portrays a cop who, burned out by her work, transfers to the forensics staff as an evidence photographer. While investigating a string of killings, the trail of evidence leads to the married man with whom she's having an affair. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide

A shrewd politician, Abraham Lincoln had the intelligence, ambition, and principles to grow into his job as president. This is the first of four videos in the Lincoln series, which originally aired on PBS. Produced and directed by Peter W. Kunhardt, this program is narrated by renowned actor James Earl Jones, and features award-winning actor Jason Robards reading from letters, speeches, and diaries. Highlights include period photographs. The other three programs in the series are titled Lincoln: The Pivotal Year, 1863, Lincoln: I Want to Finish This Job, 1864, and Lincoln: Now He Belongs to the Ages, 1865. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide

By the third year of the Civil War, personal and national tragedy had worn down President Lincoln. However, he focused on his job tenaciously, having a strong sense of history. This is the third of four programs in the Lincoln series, which originally aired on PBS. Produced and directed by Peter W. Kunhardt, this program is narrated by renowned actor James Earl Jones and features award-winning actor Jason Robards reading from letters, speeches, and diaries. Highlights include period photographs. The other three programs in the series are titled Lincoln: The Making of a President, 1860-1862, Lincoln: The Pivotal Year, 1863, and Lincoln: Now He Belongs to the Ages, 1865. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide