Neill L. Fearnley Movies

A successful New York magazine editor returns to her tiny Massachusetts hometown to carry out her estranged father's deathbed wish, in the process embarking on a deeply affecting journey of healing and personal discovery. Catherine Madigan (Laura Leighton) hasn't spoken to her father in years. Upon learning of her father's passing, Catherine vows to fulfill his final wish of having his ashes scattered across the Massachusetts town where her family once lived. At first Catherine intended to simply carry out her obligations and be on her way, but sometimes when things don't go according to plan, we discover more about ourselves than we ever thought possible. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

The second of two made-for-TV biopics on the same topic (the first was Side by Side: The True Story of the Osmond Family), Inside the Osmonds was co-produced by Jimmy Osmond and Dick Clark, and as such can be regarded as reasonably accurate, if a tad on the hokey side. Matt Dorff's teleplay recounts the rise in popularity of the singing Osmond clan, from their humble beginnings in Utah onward. The act is strictly stag -- that is, it consisted largely of the Osmond Brothers -- until siblings Donny and Marie break out and matriculate to superstardom. Perhaps inevitably, the Osmond juggernaut begins to collapse under its own weight, due to dissension, jealousy, and the questionable financial escapade of the singers' father, George (played by Bruce McGill). The story ends in a tune-filled concert re-creation, featuring the real-life Osmonds (or as many as could be assembled herein). Standouts in the cast are Thomas Dekker and Patrick Levis as the younger and older Donny Osmond, Janaya Stephens as Marie, and Veronica Cartwright as the siblings' mother, Olive; there are also adequate Hollywood casting-service approximations of musician/politician Mike Curb and the Osmonds' longtime TV director Jack Regas. The abruptness of the continuity suggests that the film was originally much longer than its present two hours. Largely filmed in Toronto, Inside the Osmonds made its ABC network debut on February 5, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Fired from his job at Adventech Labs, Andrew McLaren (Rick Roberts) is convinced that his boss will hog all the credit for McLaren's invention: a time machine known as CPS-1200. Just before leaving Adventech, McLaren takes a trip in the machine. He ends up two days in the future, suffering from a monstrous headache -- with the police hot on his trail. Hoping to avert this fate, Andrew discovers that his future hinges on saving his wife Susan (Laurie Holden) from an unknown murderer. "Breaking Point" first aired on February 18, 2000. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Joe Pantoliano stars as obnoxious radio "shock jock" Stan Harbinger, a firm non-believer of paranormal phenomena. Outraged at being a target of Harbinger's ridicule, Eldon DeVries (Alan Zinyk), a man who is convinced that aliens have taken over his body, commits suicide in a rather horrible fashion. Thereafter, things go from bad to worse for the hapless Harbinger, culminating in some truly disturbing "close encounters" of his own. Alternately titled "Alien Radio," "Dead Air" was first telecast on January 22, 1999, as the opening volley in The Outer Limits' fifth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jailed for killing the man who stole the credit for his greatest discovery, inventor Gene Morton (Ralph Waite) has become a model prisoner during his decades of incarceration. Avoiding his fellow prisoners, Gene has in his spare time created a group of "small friends" called MEMS -- an anagram for micro-electro-mechanical machines. When Gene is blackmailed into using his MEMS to help vicious inmate Marlon (Rowdy Roddy Piper) break out of prison, the wily "lifer" formulates a plan to foil the villains -- and, hopefully, save his own skin in the process. "Small Friends" first aired on February 5, 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A gang of "doomsday" cultists have unleashed the synthetic Berlin C virus on the population, killing virtually everyone on earth. Among the handful of survivors is a group of 12 hospital patients who were quarantined before disaster struck. It is now up to the Center for Disease Control to decide who will be given the last available supply of anti-virus vaccine -- and there is only enough for three of the patients. "The Vaccine" originally aired on April 3, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The nuclear war of 2047 A.D. has wiped out virtually all of mankind. The sole survivor is Aidan Hunter (Jon Tenney), currently living deep in an underground bomb shelter. To stave off loneliness, Aidan has surrounded himself with holographic images of his friends and loved ones. Not realizing that it is best to leave well enough alone, Aidan tries to make love to the beautiful holographic interface Emma (Natasha Henstridge) -- and is forced to pay dearly for playing fast and loose with a computer's emotions. "Bits of Love" originally aired on January 19, 1997, as the inaugural episode of The Outer Limits' third season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The first season of the "new" Outer Limits ended on August 20, 1995, with the episode titled "Voice of Reason." Gordon Clapp stars as Randal Strong, a civilian who arranges a high-level Pentagon meeting in hopes of uncovering a vast government conspiracy. Unfortunately, despite the most persuasive of evidence, Strong is unable to convince the Pentagon higher-ups. Or could it be that they already know of the conspiracy, and don't want anyone else to know? Strong's "testimony" is presented in the form of excerpts from the previous Outer Limits episodes "The Sandkings," "The Voyage Home," "Caught in the Act," "If Walls Could Talk," "The New Breed," "Corner of the Eye," and "Birthright." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this lighthearted drama, a rough and tumble teenage girl with a love of astronomy convinces her neighbors that she is indeed, a Martian who has come to save the Earth. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide