William Utay Movies
A cop's personal code of justice begins to change after a number of incidents lead his city to a tragic wave of violence in this police drama. Eldon Perry (Kurt Russell) is a veteran cop with the LAPD's Special Investigations unit, a man who isn't above bending the law if it means putting people behind bars who deserve the treatment. As Los Angeles waits on the verdict in the Rodney King police beating trial, Perry is presenting testimony to Assistant Chief of Police Arthur Holland (Ving Rhames), who is well aware of the corruption in the SIS unit and wants to stop it. Perry, however, twists some facts as he speaks in the defense of his new partner, Bobby Keough (Scott Speedman), who is being investigated for inappropriate use of deadly force. For lack of honest testimony, Keough is let off the hook, and soon he and Perry have a new case to investigate -- a robbery at a liquor store than turned into a quadruple homicide. Perry and Keough quickly track down two likely suspects, Orchard (Kurupt) and Sidwell (Dash Mihok), but Perry is surprised when the head of SIS, Van Meter (Brendan Gleeson), tells him to let Orchard and Sidwell go, and instead points the finger at two ex-cons who should be taken off the street, even though they're innocent of this crime. Perry follows Van Meter's orders, despite Keough's misgivings, but in the wake of the L.A. riots, Perry has a change of heart, and decides to start working with Holland against Van Meter's corrupt methods. In the midst of it all, Perry is trying to hold together his troubled marriage to Sally (Lolita Davidovich), while Keough finds himself romancing a fellow officer, Beth (Michael Michele). Dark Blue was adapted from an original screenplay by noted crime novelist James Ellroy; originally set against the backdrop of the 1965 Watts riots, the story was later updated to 1992. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kurt Russell, Brendan Gleeson, (more)
Notoriously obsessive director Michael Mann and star Will Smith devoted nearly two years and over 100 million dollars from the coffers of Columbia Pictures and other financiers to creating this biography of boxing great Muhammad Ali, which focuses on the ten-year period of 1964-1974. In that time, the brash, motor-mouthed athlete quickly dominates his sport, meets and marries his first wife (Jada Pinkett-Smith), converts to Islam (changing his name from Cassius Clay), and defies the United States government by refusing to submit to military conscription for duty in Vietnam. His world heavyweight champion title thus stripped from him entirely for political reasons, the champ sets about to win back his crown, culminating in a legendary unification bout against George Foreman (Charles Shufford) in Zaire, dubbed the "Rumble in the Jungle." In his travels, Ali becomes a symbol of power to disenfranchised African-Americans everywhere and meets such luminaries as Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles), Martin Luther King Jr. (LeVar Burton) and Maya Angelou (Martha Edgerton). Ali features an all-star supporting cast that includes Jon Voight, Giancarlo Esposito, Jamie Foxx, Nona Gaye, Michael Michele, Joe Morton, Paul Rodriguez, Ron Silver, Mykelti Williamson, and Jeffrey Wright. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, (more)
- 1997
Katy Boyer stars as Sarah, a professional nurse and the grown daughter of dysfunctional couple Don and Lily Zarn (Gerald McRaney, Shelley Fabares). During a visit home, Sarah can clearly see that Lily is being abused by Don, but she cannot persuade her mother to leave her father. Subsequently, however, Lily disappears, and Don ruefully insists that his wife has finally walked out on him. But when Sarah begins enduring horrific nightmares in which her mother is brutally killed, she decides to learn the truth behind her mom's disappearance--this despite a total lack of cooperation from her family, her boyfriend and even the police. Based on fact, the made-for-TV A Nightmare Come True debuted over the CBS network on February 12, 1997. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Gerald McRaney, Katy Boyer, (more)
- 1996
Bud (David Faustion) will not graduate from Trumaine if he can't pass the finals, but his efforts to study are constantly thwarted by his preoccupation with sex. Even though he has agreed to remain "chaste" for the duration of the exams, Bud is bombarded with carnal messages and temptations of the flesh at every turn. Finally he can stand no more, and "gives in" in a library study room--right in front of a battery of surveillance cameras! Katey Sagal (Peggy) does not appear in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
In wake of the ongoing crisis involving his ailing mother, the customarily brusque and arrogant Benton (Eriq La Salle) astonishes everyone with his courtesy, consideration, and compassion. Meanwhile, Ross (George Clooney) is ordered to see a psychiatrist after punching a patient, and also agrees to coach the Little League team in which Diane's (Lisa Zane) son is a player. And Greene (Anthony Edwards) angers Swift (Michael Ironside) by heading to Milwaukee in hopes of reconciling with Jenn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Fine special effects, eclectic casting, and the freeze-frame-worthy, clothing-free debut of a blonde bombshell made this cheesy science fiction/horror hybrid a cut above its B-grade roots. At a top-secret Utah facility headed up by Dr. Xavier Fitch (Ben Kingsley), scientists have created "Sil" (Natasha Henstridge), a half-human, half-alien product of experiments with DNA codes obtained from beyond the stars. Unfortunately, Sil has escaped. Her primary objective is to mate, and, with the ability to transform herself into an incredibly powerful alien creature, puny humans can't stop her. So Dr. Fitch calls in a quartet of specialists (Forest Whitaker, Michael Madsen, Marg Helgenberger, and Alfred Molina), to attempt Sil's capture. At the same time, Sil is leaving a trail of mostly male corpses in her hormonal wake. The organic-flavored alien designs for Species were provided by H.R. Giger, the artist responsible for the memorable creatures and spaceships of Alien (1979). When MGM decided to cut the spectacular "train birth" sequence in the interest of budget-trimming, Giger personally financed this $100,000 showcase of his work. Those who look closely will notice that "Young Sil" is played by future Dawson's Creek star Michelle Williams. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Kingsley, Michael Madsen, (more)
- 1995
So what's "gnu" this week? Well, there's the first series appearance of Drew's dad George Carey (Stanley Anderson), who has returned to Cleveland to accept the Wildebeest Lodge's lifetime achievement award. Encouraged by George to join the Wildebeests himself, Drew (Drew Carey) suddenly finds that his job prospects have improved tenfold. Unfortunately, in order to take advantage of this good fortune, Drew must now curry favor with a bunch of nasty old racial bigots. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
- R
In this dark thriller set in Las Vegas, a sexy female cop, Rita Cates, begins looking into the brutal murders of two women who had been involved with an ex-police officer, Sam, a wealthy, fast-talker who was also one of her own lovers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Linda Fiorentino, Daniel Baldwin, (more)
- 1995
Carl Reiner won an Emmy award for his portrayal of "TV legend" Alan Brady, a role originally created by Reiner on the old Dick Van Dyke Show. Paul (Paul Reiser) is at his wit's end trying to mollify the famously temperamental Brady so that he can complete a documentary. The key to the solution turns out to be in the hands of Theresa (Penny Fuller), the mother of Paul's wife, Jamie (Helen Hunt). Highlights include a discourse on Milton Berle (yes, it's true what they say about him) and Jamie's impromptu Laura Petrie imitation. This was one of several episodes directed by Gordon Hunt, father of series co-star Helen Hunt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
What does a biographer do when the truth about his subject is far less pleasant than the legend? That is the moral dilemma at the heart of Cobb, which explores the lives of both baseball's premier hitter, Ty Cobb (Tommy Lee Jones), and the sportswriter assigned to set his story down, Al Stump (Robert Wuhl). Stump arrives at the Tahoe home of the dying Cobb to write the official life story of the first man inducted into the Baseball Hall Of Fame. He finds a drunken, misanthropic, bitter racist who abuses his biographer as well as everyone else. Stump must either candycoat his subject's life or present an accurate picture of a disgusting man who happened to become an American sports hero. The movie's biting focus on Cobb, ferociously performed by Jones, is not matched by its weaker representation of Stump, an imbalance which ultimately weakens the film's overall effect. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tommy Lee Jones, Robert Wuhl, (more)
When Sherri Finkbine (Sissy Spacek), the host of the Sixties children's television program Romper Room, learns that her unborn child has been damaged by her use of the drug thalidomide, she and her husband decide to abort the fetus, setting in motion the media controversy that is the subject of Joan Micklin Silver's made-for-cable drama. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sissy Spacek, Aidan Quinn, (more)
- 1992
In the first episode of the two-part Night Court series finale (originally networkcast as a single one-hour special), Judge Harry T. Stone (Harry Anderson) considers stepping down from the bench when he receives a number of lucrative (and rather offbeat) job offers. Meanwhile, Christine (Markie Post) seems resigned to losing the congressional election--but she may be in for a surprise. Also, Dan (John Larroquette) prepares to marry into money, while Bull (Richard Bull) makes the acquaintance of several "little people" who are truly out of this world! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally networkcast as a single one-hour special), Harry (Harry Anderson) is offered several jobs, from superior court-judge to road manager for Mel Torme, before making his final decision. Elsewhere, Christine (Markie Post) rather surprisingly wins the congressional election; Dan (John Larroquette) finally finds his true love; and Bull (Richard Moll) has a very close encounter with some Jupiterians. Though intended as the final installment of Night Court's nine-season run, this episode was originally seen next-to-last, with an additional first-run episode shown three weeks later. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
As prank, a "National Lampoon"-like humor magazine offers a man-of-the-year award to Mel Torme. Unfortunately, Harry (Harry Anderson doesn't know it's a prank, and is willing to go to impossible lengths to get his idol to accept the prize. Meanwhile, Dan (John Larroquette) has teamed up with the redoubtable Will (William Utay) to capture fugitives for a price. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
- R
When an archaeologist uncovers an ancient Norse power stone, he returns with it to his New York City home. Too bad for the relic-digger, because it's not long before an evil spirit is projected from the stone into the archaeologist, turning him into a hairy beast. And too bad for the people of NYC, because this hairy beast goes on a vicious marauding spree that befuddles the local police. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Peter Riegert, Joan Severance, (more)
- 1991
- R
This sci-fi actioner is set in a future that is ruled by technology and gigantic corporations. It centers on a woman's attempts to solve the puzzling murder of her husband, a prominent engineer who has found out far too much about a company that has been dealing in valuable human body parts. To assist her search, the wife hires kick-boxing "cyberon" (the former android police force that guarded the corporations) bounty hunter Walker to help her. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1991
While dining out in Boston, Jessica (Angela Lansbury) and Seth (William Windom) are witness to a mob "hit." The victim is a member of the powerful Abruzzi crime family, who despite Seth's efforts to save him does not survive. Enter the dead man's vengeful son Michael (Vincent Irizarry), who kidnaps both Seth and Jessica--meaning that it is literally a matter of life and death for Jessica to find out who ordered the elder Abruzzi's assassination and prove to Michael that Seth was not responsible for his dad's demise. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In the conclusion of a two-part story, no one is fooled when Harry (Harry Anderson) feigns indifference at the prospect of Christine (Markie Post) reuniting with Tony (Ray Abruzzo). And Dan (John Larroquette) joins forces with Will Sanders (William Utay) to save the Phil Foundation, little realizing that he's being taken for a sucker. This is the final episode of Night Court's eighth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In the conclusion of Night Court's two-part Season Nine opener, Christine (Markie Post) has been abducted from a costume party by a masked "phantom",who bears a startling resemblance to fugitive prosecutor Dan Fielding (John Larroquette). This does not rest well with Harry (Harry Anderson), who was on the verge of telling Christine how much he loves her. Meanwhile, the courtroom is set on its ear by the antics of Dan's temporary replacement (Gilbert Gottfried). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In the first episode of a two-part story, Harry (Harry Anderson) suffers in quiet desperation as the errant Tony (Ray Abruzzo) comes back into the life of Christine (Markie Post). And on the verge of losing everything in his efforts to "make good" for the Phil Foundation, Dan receives eleventh-hour salvation--or so he thinks. William Utay, previously cast as wealthy wino Phil Sanders, returns to the cast in the role of the late Phil's twin brother Will. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Dan is suffering the torments of the damned--not to mention several sleepless nights--because he has been misappropriating the funds for the Phil Foundation. When the late Phil Sanders (William Utay) and the un-late Bert Parks begin showing up in Dan's nightmares, it's obviously time for an epiphany...or is it? And back in the real world, Bull (Richard Moll) shows up wearing a new, ego-boosting toupee called "The Shatner 2000". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
On the anniversary of his first date with matchmaker Wanda Finn (Cathy McAuley), Bull (Richard Moll) is on the brink of proposing marriage. First, however, he is required to perform a "miracle"--and please don't ask why. As Bull prepares to pull off this phenomenon, a nervous Wanda wonders how long it will be before the couple can return to their special anniversary repast of Tang and Jello. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Dan (John Larroquette) suddenly sees Phil Sanders (William Utay), the wine-sodden derelict who hangs around the courtroom as something of a general factotum, in an entirely new light after a man (Eric Christmas) who was wiped out in the S&L crisis is hauled into court. Thinking quickly, Phil saves the unfortunate man's life at the cost of his own (which would be a tragic moment if it wasn't played like something out of a "Road Runner" cartoon). It soon comes to light that Phil was no ordinary bum--certainly not as far as his former Wall Street colleagues are concerned! Originally scheduled for January 16, 1991, this episode was moved back a week because of NBC's Gulf War coverage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Upon learning that a beloved old vaudeville-movie theater is slated for demolition, Bull (Richard Moll) lodges a protest by shackling himself to the theater's door. It turns out that both Harry (Harry Anderson) and Mac (Charlie Robinson) also have a vested interest in the theater's survival. For Harry, the old buidling harbors many pleasant entertainment memories of his youth. And as for Mac, he puts forth the startling revelation that he made his singing debut at the theater as a member of a teenage R&B group called the Starlites! Watch for veteran kiddie-show host and cartoon voiceover specialist Vance Colvig as a derelict. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1990
Determined to woo journalist Margaret Turner (Mary Cadorette) away from Harry (Harry Anderson), Dan (John Larroquette) escorts her to the opera. It is Dan's intention to make his romantic overtures in a fortissimo fashion--but Harry is still several notes ahead of him. And back in court, a group of religious zealots "adopt" towering court bailiff Bull (Richard Moll) as their new Deity. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
