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Matthew Chapman Movies

2013  
 
Famed poet Elizabeth Bishop (Miranda Otto) wrestles with creative block before traveling to Rio in the 1950s, and falling into a romance with celebrated architect Lota de Macedo Soares (Gloria Pires) in this biopic based on Carmen Oliveira's novel Rare and Commonplace Flowers, and directed by Bruno Barreto. Frustrated by her inexplicable inability to weave words where it once seemed effortless, Bishop accepts an invitation from her old college friend to spend some time at a luxurious country estate in Rio. Despite feeling painfully out of place in her bohemian surroundings, Bishop gradually begins to relax in the company of her friend's partner, socialite de Macedo Soares. The quickly-deepening relationship soon unleashes a flood of creativity in Bishop as she quietly struggles with alcoholism but later, after returning to New York, a military coup d'état in Brazil changes everything. Treat Williams co-stars. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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2011  
R  
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Shauna (Liv Tyler) has two men competing for her affections -- one a Christian named Joe (Patrick Wilson), the other an atheist named Gavin (Charlie Hunnam). Events transpire in such a way that Gavin ends up on the ledge of a tall apartment building and Joe gives him one hour to jump to his death or another person is going to die. All the while, a police officer (Terrence Howard) tries to talk Gavin off of the ledge. The Ledge was directed by Matthew Chapman. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Starring:
Charlie HunnamTerrence Howard, (more)
 
2003  
PG13  
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Three people attempt to bend justice for their own purposes in this drama based on the best-selling novel by John Grisham. After a man dies in a shooting incident, his wife files a lawsuit against the company that manufactured the gun, with her lawyer, Wendell Rohr (Dustin Hoffman), arguing that the firm in question knew the shop which sold the weapon was not following federal regulations pertaining to the sale of firearms. As the case goes to trial, the firearm manufacturer is taking no chances on the outcome of a potentially devastating case, and they hire as part of their legal team Rankin Fitch (Gene Hackman), a "jury consultant" who makes it his business to see that he knows enough about the jurors to be able to guarantee the result of the trial. Fitch and his team have learned incriminating secrets about nearly everyone hearing the evidence, but Fitch discovers two factors he wasn't counting upon -- Nick Easter (John Cusack), the jury member who appears to have an agenda all his own, and Marlee (Rachel Weisz), a mysterious woman who has her own plans regarding bending the jury to her will. Bruce Davison, Jeremy Piven, and Bruce McGill round out the supporting cast. Incidentally, in John Grisham's original book, the case was filed against a cigarette manufacturer, but the producers opted to adjust the story after several real-life trials against tobacco companies. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
John CusackGene Hackman, (more)
 
2001  
PG13  
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The novel of the same name by crime author Donald E. Westlake becomes this MGM comedy starring Martin Lawrence as Kevin Caffery, a thief who breaks into the supposedly unoccupied beachfront mansion of billionaire Max Fairbanks (Danny De Vito). Max unexpectedly catches the burglar red-handed and summons the police, but before the criminal can be carted off, Max impulsively claims that Kevin's lucky ring is his own. Enraged, Kevin vows revenge on the tycoon, and so begins a game of one-upmanship from which neither party will cease and desist, even when the result becomes public scandal, financial ruin, divorce, and criminal proceedings. What's the Worst That Could Happen?co-stars John Leguizamo, Glenne Headley, Larry Miller, Ana Gasteyer, Richard Schiff, William Fichtner, Bernie Mac, and Nora Dunn. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Starring:
Martin LawrenceDanny DeVito, (more)
 
1994  
R  
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When New York psychiatrist Bill Capa (Bruce Willis, in an uncharacteristically un-smirking performance) visits Los Angeles to take over his murdered colleague's therapy group, he finds himself embroiled in the thick of a mystery when he bumps into (literally) Rosa (Jane March) and begins a torrid affair. Double-identities, death threats and love scenes abound as he delves deeper into the case to uncover the truth about his friend's death. ~ Jeremy Beday, Rovi

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Starring:
Bruce WillisJane March, (more)
 
1992  
R  
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Composer Richard Parker (Kevin Kline) and his wife Priscilla (Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio) live an ordinary suburban life until they meet their new neighbors Eddy (Kevin Spacey) and Kay (Rebecca Miller). The two couples become friends until some mate-swapping is suggested by the men. The plot takes a nasty turn, however, when Richard sleeps with Kay -- who turns up, the next morning, bludgeoned to death with a baseball bat. Soon, Richard is charged with the crime and must prove his innocence. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

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Starring:
Kevin KlineMary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, (more)
 
1991  
R  
A normally gentle photojournalist becomes a raging vigilante down in Rio following the death of the gentle prostitute he had befriended. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

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Starring:
Peter CoyoteTchéky Karyo, (more)
 
1989  
R  
Heart of Midnight is a involving, well-above-average erotic, psychological thriller directed by Matthew Chapman. Carol (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is recovering from a nervous breakdown. She inherits a nightclub from her uncle and moves in. There she discovers strange and frightening secrets about her uncle and begins to remember details of their past relationship. She battles for her sanity as her surroundings begin to seem menacing and she cannot be sure what is real and what is a hallucination. This above-average film features good performances by Peter Coyote and Jennifer Jason Leigh who have an unusual, intriguing sexual chemistry. Viewers should note a small supporting role by Steve Buscemi. Heart of Midnight, offbeat and interesting, is highly recommended. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

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Starring:
Jennifer Jason LeighPeter Coyote, (more)
 
1986  
 
Slow Burn, directed by Matthew Chapman, a well-above average, made-for cable-TV mystery thriller tells the story of a detective and his search for the missing son and ex-wife of his client. Based on a novel by Arthur Lyons, and well-directed by Matthew Chapman this intelligent thriller follows detective Jacob Ash (Eric Roberts) as he investigates the disappearance of Donnie (Johnny Depp) the missing son of his client Gerald McMurty (Raymond Barry) and his ex-wife artist Laine Fleischer (Beverly D'Angelo) during a routine visit to Las Vegas. As the investigation continues Jacob discovers an intricate web of deceit and betrayal that leads to a murder which Jacob must solve. D'Angelo, frequently underrated, is top notch in her role of the frightened woman who may have secrets. Roberts, who can be uneven, is successful in creating an engaging and sexy character who has a good deal of appeal and a good chemistry with D'Angelo. Slow Burn is a surprising, engaging thriller with good performances and an intelligent premise and is highly recommended. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi

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1983  
R  
Strangers Kiss stars Peter Coyote as an obsessive independent filmmaker who will allow nothing to interfere with the completion of his B-flick "masterpiece." Gangster Richard Romanus agrees to bankroll the film, provided that his girlfriend Victoria Tennant is cast in the leading role. Aware that there is no rapport whatsoever between Tennant and leading man Blaine Novak, Coyote stage-manages a real-life romance between the two--even though this will mean disaster for Novak should Romanus find out. Best described as a whimsical roller-coaster, Strangers Kiss doggedly avoids predictability throughout. The film might make an intriguing double feature with Woody Allen's similarly-themed Bullets Over Broadway (1994). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Starring:
Peter CoyoteVictoria Tennant, (more)
 
1980  
R  
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Matthew Chapman wrote and directed this hackneyed love story with Helen Mirren as Beaty, a nightclub hostess who turns tricks. Emory (John Shea) is an expatriate American who works the lights at Beaty's nightclub and is in love with her. But Beaty cannot deal in flowery sentiment, especially since she needs money, not romance, to support her young son. But Emory sees a way to attain money and romance -- he plans to execute a drug deal with his low-life partner and use the proceeds to take Beaty and her son away from the degenerate surroundings and into the light-of-day in the English countryside. But unfortunately, things do not go as planned. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Starring:
Helen MirrenJohn Shea, (more)