Barry Wiggins Movies
- 2003
As Sandy and Kirsten Cohen (Peter Gallagher and Kelly Rowan) agree to take full legal responsibility for the troubled Ryan (Ben McKenzie), Newport's most prominent (and most attractive) young ladies prepare for the annual cotillion. Marissa (Mischa Barton) stage-manages matters so that Ryan will escort the lovely Anna Stern (Samaire Armstrong), while Seth (Adam Brody) is slated to escort his dream girl, Summer (Rachel Bilson) -- good news for him, if not for her. Elsewhere, Sandy expresses dismay over the 100,000-dollar loan extended by Kirsten to Marissa's father (and Kirsten's former boyfriend), Jimmy (Tate Donovan), who is currently the target of a fraud investigation. ~ All Movie Guide
- 2003
The initial seven-week "test run" of The O.C. starts with a bang in this debut episode. The main focus is on Ryan Atwood (Ben McKenzie), a tough, trouble-prone teen who has been arrested for stealing a car and thrown out of his Chino home, seemingly headed inexorably toward a life of crime. Sensing that the boy has the potential for good if only given a chance, idealistic pro bono public defender Sandy Cohen (Peter Gallagher) invites Ryan to move into the pool house of the Cohen family's fashionable home, located in the wealthy Newport Beach district of Orange County, CA. Although Sandy's social-climbing ex-beauty-queen wife, Kirsten (Kelly Rowan), is upset by Ryan's presence, the young visitor finds a friend and kindred spirit in the Cohens' intellectual loner son, Seth (Adam Brody). Before long, Ryan has met his extremely attractive next-door neighbor Marissa Cooper (Mischa Barton). Unfortunately, he also has a nasty run-in at an O.C. fundraiser after-party with Marissa's jealous boyfriend, Luke Ward (Chris Carmack), the fallout from which threatens to condemn Ryan to the living hell of the foster-care system. "Welcome to the O.C., Bitch!" ~ All Movie Guide
Rob Morrow stars as investigating journalist Jonathan Neumann in this drama about police corruption in 1970s Philadelphia. When Neumann takes over the court beat for the Philadelphia Examiner, he quickly discovers wrongdoing at every turn, with cops beating suspects into often blatantly false confessions. As Neumann pieces together his story, he finds himself increasingly threatened by a posse of "goon squad" cops who tap his phone, break into his apartment, and even resort to physical assault. The Thin Blue Lie was originally screened on Showtime on August 13, 2000. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rob Morrow, Randy Quaid, (more)
- 2000
Ross' son, Ben (Cole Sprouse), has been raised on visions of Santa Claus, making it difficult for Ross (David Schwimmer) to explain the significance of Hanukkah to him. Meanwhile, Monica (Courteney Cox) has problems consoling herself to Chandler's (Matthew Perry) ineptitude when it comes to tipping. And Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) resorts to drastic measures to convince Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) to remain her roommate even after she returns to her old apartment. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cole Sprouse, James Michael Tyler, (more)
- 1994
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Al (Ed O'Neill) and his NO MA'AM group continue their protest against the cancellation of the TV series "Psycho Dad." With the help of neighbor Jefferson (Ted McGinley), Al is able to plead his case before the US Senate. Ironically, this episode was originally intended to air during Married. . .With Children's eighth season, but was postponed until Season Nine because of an ongoing Congressional probe of excessive violence on TV! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1993
A week overdue, Vivian (Janet Hubert-Whitten) finally goes into labor. Unfortunately, no one but her daughter Ashley (Tatyana Ali) and her butler Geoffrey (Joseph Marcell) are around to help her--and after Geoffrey's hand is crushed by the latest of Viv's VERY violent labor pains, only Ashley (Tatyana M. Ali) is of any use. Trouble, Viv must be driven to the hospital right away...and Ashley can't drive! (Perhaps someday, somewhere, a TV-sitcom birth will go off without a single crisis--but not during February Sweeps Week). Without killing the suspense, it can be revealed that this episode introduces the character of Nicholas Andrew Banks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
John Anderson plays an African-American Vietnam vet who returns to LA after his hitch is up. Anderson can't adjust to the iniquities of civilian life, and soon he becomes involved in minor crimes. The film explores the protagonist's rapidly disintegrating relationships with friends, family and law enforcement officials. One of the few constants in Anderson's life is his grandmother, who tries to help him understand his place in the scheme of things. Ashes and Embers represents the American film debut of Ethiopian-born director Haile Gerima. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
House Party is an infectious, engaging comedy starring the rap duo Kid 'N Play. Kid (Christopher Reid) decides to throw a party where he plans to blow the roof off the joint with his rhyming skills, so he and his friend Play (Christopher Martin) throw a huge party while Play's parents are away. The day of the party, Kid is grounded by his father (Robin Harris) and he has to sneak out of the house to get to the party, where he is confronted by several rival rappers, as well as a bevy of adoring girls. Though House Party follows a standard plot-line straight out of the '50s rock & roll films, the script is inventive, providing many different twists and turns, while Reginald Hudlin's direction is assured and very, very funny. Kid 'N Play are both terrific, but the true standout is legendary comedian Robin Harris in one of his few screen roles. House Party later spawned two sequels and an animated television series. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christopher "Kid" Reid, Christopher "Play" Martin, (more)
