Paul Winfield Movies
Before he inaugurated his professional career, African-American actor Paul Winfield received a well-rounded education: He trained at the University of Portland, Los Angeles City College, Stanford, U.C.L.A., the University of Hawaii, and the University of Santa Barbara. After stage work, Winfield received his first major Hollywood break as Paul Cameron on the TV sitcom Julia (1968-1971). In films from 1969, he received an Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of a fiercely proud sharecropper in Sounder (1972). Back on the small screen, he earned Emmy nominations for his interpretation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in the 1978 miniseries King and his work as Dr. Huguley in 1979's Roots: The Next Generation. An indispensable purveyor of authoritative roles, he has played several judges, winning a 1994 Emmy for his performance in this capacity on TV's Picket Fences. Paul Winfield has also been seen on a regular basis in three television series, playing Julian C. Barlow in the 1989-1990 episodes of 227, Isaac Tuhle in Wiseguy (1987-1991), and a no-nonsense Magic Mirror (voice only) in the 1987 Cinderella spoof The Charmings. In 2004, not long after playing a small role in a remake of Sounder, Winfield suffered a heart attack and passed away at the age of 62. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Two bored young practical jokers inadvertently scare up a heap of trouble in their backwater Mississippi town when they re-create the local myth, Gator Face, a swamp creature said to be half alligator and half human. Their little prank proves so effective that soon the town is swamped with media types. But things become serious when the National Guard begins combing the swamps and the real Gator Face shows up. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dan Warry-Smith, Paul Winfield, (more)
- 1996
Having shown up at the wrong house for her latest assignment, Monica (Roma Downey) innocently finds herself under arrest for drug possession--and when she insists that she is an angel, she ends up in a mental hospital. Monica's court-appointed lawyer Jake Stone (Joe Morton) is a cynical, athestic Vietnam veteran, whose lack of faith colors his attitude toward his client. Likewise having served a tour of duty in 'Nam is Monica's fellow inmate Claire (Cindy Williams)--who also claims to be an angel in disguise! This inspiring episode is a classic example of "what comes around, goes around"...but we don't know that until the very last scene. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Larry Cohen, who directed a number of interesting and subversive exploitation films in the 1970s and 1980s, including Black Caesar and Hell Up in Harlem, reunited some of the biggest stars of the blaxploitation era for this tough-minded action opus. John Bookman (Fred Williamson) is a successful football coach who was born in Gary, Indiana but now lives in Los Angeles. When Bookman's father is shot, he returns home for the first time in years to discover that Gary has been all but taken over by a number of brutally violent youth gangs. Bookman learns that his father was shot in retaliation for going to the police after a young man was killed by gang bangers outside his grocery store; even worse, the kid who pulled the trigger was a member of the Rebels, the gang that he helped form as a teenager. Outraged, Bookman joins forces with the boy's parents, who also happen to be old friends: Jake Trevor (Jim Brown) and Laurie Thompson (Pam Grier). John, Laurie, and Jake organize the neighborhood against the gangs, with John's old gang brothers Bubba (Ron O'Neal) and Slick (Richard Roundtree) tagging along to show the young gangstas what the old school can do. If Williamson, Brown, Grier, O'Neal, and Roundtree all look a bit older than they did in their glory days, they all still boast charisma to spare, and anyone who liked their older films will have a good time with this one. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fred Williamson, Jim Brown, (more)
- 1996
TV weatherperson Monica (Roma Downey) and cameraman Andrew (John Dye) are on hand when hard-driving investigative journalist Rocky McCann (Kay Lenz) looks into rumors of child abuse in a foster home run by retired couple Horace and Zelda Wittenberg (John Randolph, Peg Phillips). Though Monica thinks that Rocky's motivations are honorable, Andrew does not--and as for the Wittenburgs, their lives are in a shambles. As it turns out, Rocky is allowing the tragedies of her own past to ruin the future of several innocent bystanders. Meanwhile, there's a mystery afoot: why is Special Angel Agent Sam (Paul Winfield) supervising Monica instead of the missing Tess (Della Reese)? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1996
Without permission, Monica (Roma Downey) impulsively uses her angelic powers to help Scott Walden (Robert Hays), a "solid citizen" whose sordid past comes to light when he is charged with murder, escape from police custody. Even worse, Monica lies about her complicity in Walden's escape. Enter Special Angel Agent Sam (Paul Winfield), who grimly informs Monica that her future as a Heavenly case worker is in dire jeopardy. Meanwhile, it is revealed that Scott is not guilty as charged--but he is still far from "innocent", and must undergo a harrowing out-of-body experience to face the consequences of his actions. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
This quirky science fiction comedy is a characteristic feature by iconoclastic director Tim Burton, known to moviegoers for Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The storyline affectionately harkens back to the deadpan sincerity of such '50s and '60s science-fiction films as The Day the Earth Stood Still and War of the Worlds. Flying saucers have been reliably seen over the capitals of the world, and the whole world awaits with bated breath to see what will transpire. Among those waiting is the President of the United States (Jack Nicholson), who is assured by his science advisor (Pierce Brosnan) that the coming aliens are utterly peaceful. This advice is hotly contested by the military (led by Rod Steiger), who advices the President to annihilate them. When the aliens land, they are seen to be green, garish, and very cheerful. But appearances prove deceiving when the "friendly" aliens abruptly disintegrate the entire U.S. Congress. Hollywood notables appear in vast quantities in roles (and sub-plots) of all sizes in this zany feature. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Nicholson, Glenn Close, (more)
- 1995
Happily Ever After always presents a non-traditional look at classic fairy tales. Children learn to look beneath the surface in the African-American version of Beauty and the Beast. An all-star cast populates this story, with Vanessa Williams playing Beauty, Gregory Hines as the Beast, and Paul Winfield playing the father. When Beauty must keep company with the Beast to save her father's life, she is surprised by her change of heart. She soon learns that true goodness can lie beneath a rough exterior. The video features "Could She, Would She, Will She" and "Wave Goodbye." This family friendly program is recommended for ages four to nine. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
- 1995
Paul Winfield makes his first series appearance as Special Agent Angel Sam. After completing an assignment in the town of Roxford, Tess (Della Reese) makes a return visit to help Dr. Joanne Glassberg (Talia Balsam) open an AIDs hospice. Unfortunately, Joanne is injured in a bombing masterminded by a group of white supremacists led by Tim Porter (Craig Wasson)--to whom Tess had previously been assigned as a Heavenly caseworker. So angry is Tess over her failure to "convert" Tim that Sam is forced to strip her of her powers and take charge of her next assignment: foiling a hate-mongering politician (John Schneider) who is actually Satan in disguise! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1995
This made-for-television movie tells the story of the tumultuous life of heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson. The movie follows the boxer (played by Michael Jai White) from his early New York youth as criminal offender all the way to his years as a national boxing celebrity. With the help of controversial promoter Don King (Paul Winfield), Tyson became the World Heavyweight Champion, only to lose it all and go to jail for a rape conviction. This biopic was based on Jose Torres' book on Tyson, Fire and Fear. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
A veteran New York City detective's world is turned upside down when his estranged brother is suspected of murdering a powerful mob boss in this thriller starring Michael Biehn, William Petersen, and Leo Rossi. Al Scarano (Nick Vallelonga) is a Big Apple detective living the good life, but when a mobster named Tony C (Petersen) calls him to Little Italy late one night, Scarano's cozy self-contained universe slowly begins to unravel. It appears that Scarano's estranged brother Rudy was seen fleeing the scene of a high profile mafia hit, and before Tony C. sends his henchmen to find out the truth the hard way, he offers Scarano one chance to seek out his brother and get to the bottom of the matter. As Scarano's wife pleads with her conflicted husband to leave the past behind and start a new life, the detective must weigh the value of his own life against that of his troublesome bloodline. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- 1995
When her little nephew visits her and her overbearing sisters, a rather naïve, simple-minded young woman finds herself inundated with terrifying memories of a childhood trauma. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1995
In this made-for-TV sci-fi-drama, the world has entered into an age when travel between the planets has become an everyday event, and Driscoll Rampant (Neal McDonough), a medical student, finds himself taking an internship on the distant planet of Rusta. Unlike Earth, Rusta does not turn on its axis as it orbits through space, with one half of the planet in constant daylight and the other in permanent nighttime; as a result, Rusta has two very different civilizations, one a genteel land of ladies and gentlemen, the other a feudal kingdom. As Rampant travels between the two sides of Rusta, he struggles to build a bridge between both sides in a world where the essential duality of man is brought clearly to the forefront. White Dwarf also stars Paul Winfield, C.C.H. Pounder, and Ele Keats. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Winfield, Neal McDonough, (more)
- 1995
Babylon 5 plays reluctant host to 25,000 ground-pounding Earth troops, who, acting under secret orders, have been assigned to snuff out a rebellion. Exacerbating an already unpleasant situation is the fact that the troop's leader (Paul Winfield is Dr. Franklin's long-estranged father. The title of this episode refers to a vindictive alien race, from whom Delenn can expect no good. Written by Lawrence G. DiTillio, "Gropos" was originally broadcast on February 8, 1995. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bruce Boxleitner, Claudia Christian, (more)
- 1994
In this drama based on Anne Tyler's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the long marriage of a couple en route to a funeral is seen from the viewpoint of those they encounter during the trip. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1994
This much-ballyhooed TV miniseries sequel to Gone with the Wind finds former Agent 007 Timothy Dalton reprising the tough-to-fill shoes of Clark Gable's Rhett Butler, and former Val Kilmer spouse Joanne Whalley-Kilmer beating out thousands of hopefuls to play what was once Vivien Leigh's Scarlett O'Hara role. Loosely based on Alexandra Ripley's sequel novel, the film finds our heroine traversing the country to win back Rhett but inadvertently becoming pregnant with Rhett's baby and absconding to Ireland to raise the tyke. There, she becomes indoctrinated into a royal clan. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joanne Whalley, Timothy Dalton, (more)
John Hughes continues the trend he began with the Home Alone series in Dennis the Menace, the Hughes-scripted film version of Hank Ketcham's long-running comic strip, cartoon show, and television comedy. The film opens as Dennis (Mason Gamble) is seen careening down a sidewalk in a beautiful and idealistic suburban town on his training-wheeled bike -- cans on string clattering behind him, baseball cards flapping in the spokes of the wheel, his red wagon filled to the brim and his dog following him. "Hey! Mister Wilson!" he screams and slams his bike to a halt in front of his much put-upon neighbor, Mr. Wilson (Walter Matthau). Half of the film concerns vignettes of small-town Hank Ketcham life as Dennis' mom Alice (Lea Thompson) starts a new job, Dennis stays over at his friend Margaret's (Amy Sakasitz) house, and Mr. Wilson and his gentle, well-meaning wife, Martha (Joan Plowright), mind Dennis during the night of a big garden party. Through all this, Dennis continually gets into Mr. Wilson's hair. But then the Home Alone plot kicks in -- with an unsubtle dose of O. Henry -- when Switchblade Sam (Christopher Lloyd) makes an appearance. Switchblade Sam is a homeless drifter who combs the neighborhood stealing purses and small home items. But when Switchblade Sam steals Mr. Wilson's collection of gold coins, Dennis comes to the rescue and inflicts Dennis the Menace-type tortures upon the thief in order to reclaim the coins for Mr. Wilson. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Walter Matthau, Mason Gamble, (more)
In Cliffhanger, Sylvester Stallone plays Gabe Walker, a member of a mountain-climbing rescue team. Gabe is haunted by an incident from his past when he couldn't save the girlfriend of his best friend, Hal Tucker (Michael Rooker), from falling to her death. As the story begins, Gabe has left mountain-climbing rescue work and has set up business in Denver. He returns to the mountain rescue office to persuade his lover, Jessie (Janine Turner), to quit and come back to Denver with him. While he is begging Jessie to head out to Denver, things are happening in the skies overhead. A gang of professional crooks headed by psychotic Eric Qualen (John Lithgow) has hijacked a U.S. Treasury plane carrying millions of dollars. But the plane crashes, and the bad guys find themselves stranded on top of a mountain with the money (put into three cases) scattered around the wreckage and with no way to get down off the pinnacle to retrieve the cases. They put in a phony distress call that is received by the mountain rescue team. Gabe agrees to take part in one last rescue attempt, and they head up to help rescue the thieves. But Qualen has plans for the rescuers -- to force them to climb through the dangerous snow-covered peaks to find the three suitcases of cash. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sylvester Stallone, John Lithgow, (more)
In 1977, Alex Haley's groundbreaking mini-series Roots became one of the most watched programs in television history, telling the story of seven generations of the author's mother's family, from their capture in Africa and enslavement in the United States to their eventual emancipation more than a century later. With 1992's Queen, Haley, who passed away before completing the source material, presents the story of his father's family, focusing on his paternal grandmother, a mulato. Halle Berry stars as the title character, the daughter of a slave and a plantation owner. Amidst the Civil War and up through the turn of the century, Queen finds herself struggling to find acceptance from blacks as well as whites. With an all-star cast that also features Martin Sheen, Danny Glover, Dennis Haysbert, Ossie Davis, and Ann-Margret, Queen was directed by John Erman and originally aired in February of 1993. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Halle Berry, Tim Daly, (more)
- 1992
Based on the book The Story of Holly and Ivy, this animated children's film follows the adventures of young orphan Ivy as she flees from her home in the orphanage to make her Christmas wish come true. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Captain Picard hopes to establish relationships with the Tamarian race, a task made difficult (if not virtually impossible) by the fact that their language is utterly incomprehensible to humans. After an abortive meeting with Tamarian captain Dathon (Paul Winfield), the situation worsens when Dathon kidnaps Picard, whereupon both men are spirited off to a hostile alien world, patrolled by a fierce beast. The only hope for the two antagonists is to forget their differences and band together, but how can this come about if they can't even communicate with one another? Originally telecast October 5, 1991, "Damrok" was written by Joe Menosky and Philip Lazebnik. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
83 Hours 'Til Dawn utilizes a plot device originally seen on another fact-based TV movie, The Longest Night (1972). Robert Urich stars as a wealthy business executive whose 20-year-old daughter is abducted by sociopathic Peter Strauss. The kidnapper seals his victim in a small box and buries it deep underground, with an air-tube as her only conduit to the outside world. Strauss threatens to never reveal the girl's whereabouts unless Urich ponies up half a million dollars. The original telecast of 83 Hours 'Til Dawn ran a distant second to a competing network showing of the theatrical feature Three Men and A Baby (87). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Rusty Sabich (Harrison Ford) is a bland, oppressed man who burns with a quiet, corrosive intensity that can flare uncontrollably. A Philadelphia prosecutor, Sabich's fire seems to have one outlet: his job. He loves prosecuting people. Otherwise, his life is dead-ended. He has a loveless marriage to a neurotic woman (Bonnie Bedelia) and an overbearing boss (Brian Dennehy) in a labyrinthine law enforcement world of corruption and twisted relationships. Then Carolyn Polhemus (Greta Scacchi) comes into his life. Lovely and seductive, Polhemus easily entices him to break his marital vows, but she schemes to get him to try for his boss' job. When he refuses, she leaves him. When she turns up dead, the victim of an apparent rape-murder, clues begin to point to Sabich. His blood type almost perfectly matches that in the semen found in the victim, carpet fibers at the crime scene match those found in his house, and most damning, his fingerprints are found on a beer glass in Polhemus' apartment. His protestations of innocence ignored, Sabich is put on trial for the murder and hires his biggest adversary (Raul Julia) to defend him. ~ Nick Sambides, Jr., All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Harrison Ford, Brian Dennehy, (more)
- 1990
First telecast October 21, 1990 on the Disney Channel cable service, Back to Hannibal: The Return of Huckleberry Finn is set 20 years after the Mark Twain novel. Tom Sawyer (Mitchell Anderson) is now a budding lawyer, while Huck Finn (Raphael Sbarge) is a reporter. They descend upon their old home town of Hannibal when their friend, ex-slave Jim Watson (Paul Winfield), is accused of murdering the husband of Tom's childhood sweetheart Becky Thatcher (Megan Follows). Roy Johansen's script even manages to haul in the King and the Duke (Joe Bova, Ned Beatty) from Huckleberry Finn. It's rather pointless, but it goes down easily enough. But, say: doesn't Back to Hannibal smell like a TV series pilot to you? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Based on the novel by Gloria Naylor, The Women of Brewster Place was produced by and stars Oprah Winfrey. The film concerns a variety of women who live in the housing project located on Brewster Place, and tells about their lives as they struggle in the face of racism, poverty, and troublesome men. Winfrey portrays Mattie Michael who was kicked out of her parent's (Paul Winfield and Mary Alice) house after refusing to reveal the name of her soon-to-be-born child's father. She eventually inherits a house, but loses it after her son skips bail. Robin Givens plays Kiswana, a focused woman who does her best to improve the situations of those around her. During a conversation with her mother (Cicely Tyson), Kiswana learns how her decision to change her name from Melanie is a betrayal of her family history. Cora Lee (Phyllis Stickney) craves being needed by babies and continues to have children, although she becomes neglectful as her children age. Miss Sophie (Olivia Cole) traffics in neighborhood gossip. Theresa and Lorraine (Paula Kelly and Lonette McKee) are a lesbian couple who live on Brewster Place because they believe the people in the neighborhood might let them live in peace. The Women of Brewster Place aired March 18-19, 1989, on the ABC television network. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Oprah Winfrey, Jackée, (more)
