Michael Flynn Movies

It's not unusual to see two women fighting over the same man in a movie, only this time it's his mother and his fiancée vying for his attention in this broad comedy. While Charlotte Cantilini (Jennifer Lopez), known to her friends as Charlie, has never had much luck in her love life, one day her ship arrives in a big way when she meets Kevin Fields (Michael Vartan), a doctor who is charming, handsome, and wealthy. Kevin also has a famous mother, Viola Fields (Jane Fonda), who has enjoyed a long and successful career as a news broadcaster. When Kevin and Charlie fall head over heels for one another, he opts to propose marriage to her as he's introducing Charlie to Viola over lunch. However, as far as Viola is concerned, this could not come at a worse time -- Viola has just been fired from the anchor desk, and regards her son as the only anchor left in her life. Not willing to share Kevin with anyone, Viola sets out to sabotage his relationship with Charlie in any way she can, often with the wary assistance of her secretary Ruby (Wanda Sykes). But once Charlie gets wind of Viola's schemes, she decides two can play this game. Monster-in-Law marked Jane Fonda's return to the screen after a long leave of absence; it was her first film after co-starring with Robert De Niro in 1990's Stanley & Iris. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The suicide of a recently jilted woman hits close to home for Federico (Freddy Rodriguez) -- who continues to worry that his own wife (Justina Machado) is clinically depressed -- and for Nate (Peter Krause), who sympathizes with the woman's boyfriend's desire to end a relationship that stifled him. Nate's misgivings about his marriage come to a head at an art show featuring works by Claire (Lauren Ambrose), her boyfriend Russell (Ben Foster), and Billy Chenowith (Jeremy Sisto). There, Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) officially meets Lisa (Lili Taylor) and immediately recognizes that her massage appointment (in the episode "Tears, Bones and Desire") was actually an undercover reconnaissance mission. Brenda privately reassures Lisa that Nate is all hers, but tensions between the couple continue to run high. Ultimately, though, they realize it's time to stop pretending, and they resolve to settle for being friends, lovers and co-parents rather than picture-perfect husband and wife. David (Michael C. Hall), meanwhile, pretends to be okay with the threesomes in which he and Keith (Mathew St. Patrick) are now frequently engaging. Actually, however, he has deep misgivings about the hookups -- and the relationship. Claire feels none too secure about her own romance, especially after Billy confirms, through personal experience, that Olivier (Peter MacDissi), their mutual mentor, has a thing for sleeping with his students regardless of gender. As it turns out, though, Olivier's trysting partner for the evening is none other than Margaret Chenowith (Joanna Cassidy), Brenda and Billy's recently widowed mother. If only Ruth (Frances Conroy) were as sexually forthright as Margaret, perhaps she wouldn't end up sleeping alone, rebuffed by virginal junior mortician Arthur (Rainn Wilson). Originally broadcast April 27, 2003, on HBO, "The Opening" marked season three, episode nine of the made-for-cable drama. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

Posing as an author, Monica (Roma Downey) is granted an interview with Daniel Lee Corbitt (Sean Patrick Flanery), an unrepentant, publicity-hungry Death Row inmate. In the course of events, Monica and her fellow angels unearth some long-buried truths about Daniel's victim (his abusive stepfather) and his estranged mother Shirlee (Veronica Cartwright). The Angels' mission will fail unless Daniel can find forgiveness in his heart for his mother's past indiscretions--but how can this possibly happen when he is to be executed in 36 hours, with absolutely no hope for a last-minute reprieve? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In a real change-of-pace role, Barbara Mandrell is cast as Texas widow Ruth Wagner, the mother of Leslie Wanger (Tracey Gold), who is expecting a baby of her own. Both mother and daughter are plunged into despair when Leslie's infant son is kidnapped, almost literally from the womb, by ex-prostitute Karen (Lisa Zane), who desperately hopes that her "instant" family will prevent her drug-dealing husband Cody (William Moses) from tossing her back on the street. Adding to the burden of the Wagner family is the fact that Ruth is suffering from a heart condition that could snuff her out at any moment. Described by one TV critic as "the stupidest TV-movie of the century thus far" (it wasn't, but it came mighty close), Stolen from the Heart debuted January 26, 2000 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The made-for-TV Before He Wakes is based on the novel by Jerry Bledsoe),which in turn was inspired by the true story of convicted murderer Barbara Stager (who at the time of the film was slated for her first parole hearing in 2006). A small North Carolina town is shocked when popular high school baseball coach Ron Michaels (Timothy Carhart) is killed in his sleep. The killer turns out to be his wife Bridget (Jaclyn Smith), a successful career woman who is widely loved and respected in the community. Bridget insists that she shot her husband by accident, and the police are willing to believe her story--until members of Ron's family, joined with the relatives of Bridget's first husband, raise a number of disturbing questions. Ultimately it is revealed that Bridget has been leading a double life, posing as a pillar of the community while mounting huge debts to maintain her sumptuous lifestyle--and it is determined that Bridget killed her first husband, who died under similar circumstances as the hapless Ron Michaels. All of the character names are changed for various reasons, and a great deal of dramatic license is taken with the sequence of events (in real life, the cops weren't quite as slow on the upstake as they're shown to be here!) Before He Wakes made its first CBS appearance on December 1, 1998. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

When Brian finds a decade-old letter marked with a rare postage stamp, he is inspired to solve the mystery of his father's death. Brian's best friend helps solve the puzzling case. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

John Ritter brilliantly breaks loose from his lovable "Jack Tripper" characterization in the role of the seriously disturbed Paul Hegstrom. An abusive husband and father, not to mention a serial philanderer, Paul draws his "courage" from a whisky bottle. On one fateful evening, his violent impulses completely overwhelm him and he nearly beats his wife Judy (Harley Jane Kozak) to death. Just when it seems that Paul is utterly beyond redemption, he is put into an experimental "life skills" therapy program. Despite all evidence to the contrary, what is "unforgivable" at the beginning of the film can actually be forgiven by film's end, and the climax is astonishingly inspirational--and wholly credible, since it is based on a true story. Unforgivable made its first CBS network appearance on April 30, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Hot on the trail of a serial killer known only as "The Roper", police detective Jack Brennan (Treat Williams) is seriously injured in an accident. When he awakens, Brennan can't remember what he has been doing, nor any of the clues he has been following up. As Brennan is nursed back to health by attractive psychiatrist Molly Nostrand (Margaret Colin), his memory begins returning in fits and starts--and he can't shake the disturbing premonition that The Roper is closer to him than he had ever imagined. This is the sort of TV movie in which you start worrying the minute a character says there's nothing more to worry about. In the Shadow of Evil originally aired February 7, 1995 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The feature-film debut from writer/director Richard Lloyd Dewey, this Western stars Randy Gleave as Porter Rockwell, an outlaw looking to go straight. After landing on the right side of the law as a deputy, Rockwell assembles a team and takes on the dangerous task of bringing down a corrupt business owner. Rockwell also stars NBA superstar Karl Malone and George Sullivan. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Goodbye Bird is the story of a boy accused by his principal of stealing her treasured talking parrot. With the help of a veterinarian, the boy attempts to discover the true identity of the thief. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

In this drama, a reporter attempts to protect her small son (the result of her brief tryst with a presidential candidate) from the prying eyes of a shady political advisor. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi