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Alexandra Stapley Movies

1999  
 
This made-for-TV feature is based on the true story of Dean Kraft, who worked within the traditional medical community as a hands-on healer. Discovering his unique gift at an early age, Kraft (played as an adult by Anthony Michael Hall) is reluctant to utilize his healing talents, agreeing to do so only under emergency conditions. Even when he comes to terms with his abilities, Kraft must face the often hostile skepticism of "mainstream" doctors and caregivers. The story reaches a melodramatic apex when Kraft attempts to bring a doubting doctor's daughter out of a coma. Scott Davis Jones' teleplay is careful to neither fully confirm nor flatly deny Kraft's healing prowess, permitting viewers to draw their own conclusions. A Touch of Hope made its NBC network debut on October 10, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Anthony Michael HallAbraham Benrubi, (more)
 
1997  
 
"She's every man's dream (if you can get past the whole murder and adultery thing)." So went the ABC ad copy for the heavy-breathing TV movie Bad to the Bone, which is (astonishingly) based on a true story. Playing radically against type, Kristy Swanson stars as beautiful 19-year-old Francesca "Frankie" Wells, whose baby face and sweet demeanor hides an evil, manipulative soul. For starters, Frankie kills her mom to receive her inheritance--and gets away with it. Later on, she grows weary of her relationship with her nightclub-owner boyfriend Waldo (David Chokachi), whereupon she slyly persuades her adoring younger brother Danny (Jeremy London) to bump Waldo off, being oh-so-careful not to use such nasty words as "kill" or "murder." Dutiful Danny does what his sister asks, and when both are arrested, he takes full blame for the killing. Although Frankie does a thorough job seducing a number of authority figures who could under normal circumstances put her away in a minute, eventually justice prevails and both Frankie and Danny receive 100-year prison sentences. But Frankie manages to skip town and hit the road, leaving Danny (who has finally wised up!) holding the bag. The climactic phone conversation which seals Frankie's fate is a classic of its kind. Bad to the Bone originally aired on October 19, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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1997  
 
A terrorist intends to use a cache of virtual-reality "phasing shells" as part of a mysterious master plan. To find out what the villain is up to, Nikita (Peta Wilson) agrees to test a captured VR shell. Alas, like so many others, Nikita becomes addicted to the thrills provided by the shell. But will she, like so many others, go insane and commit suicide as a result of her addiction? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Peta WilsonRoy Dupuis, (more)