Stuart Gillard Movies

This Canadian TV movie is based on the true story of infamous serial rapist and killer David Snow, as originally set down in print by Allison Shaw, the woman who brought Snow to justice. After narrowly escaping a sexual assault, Allison (Laura Harris) marries her rescuer Darris Shaw (Eric Johnson) and tries to put her past behind her by moving to a new neighborhood in Vancouver, British Columbia. Before long, however, Allison notices the unnatural interest taken in her by her next-door neighbor David Snow (Eric Johnson). Going public with her stories of David stalking and menacing her, Allison finds herself written off as paranoid and delusional by everyone, including the police and even her husband: It seems that Snow is a pillar of the community, beloved by all and utterly above suspicion. Eventually, a series of rapes and murders occur in the area--yet still no one but Allison is willing to link the amiable Mr. Snow to the wave of terror, despite the fact that several of the victims bear a startling resemblance to Allison! First seen on Canada's CTV network in February of 2005, A Friend of the Family made its US cable debut via the Lifetime channel on July 4 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

It's not easy being a musical genius, particularly in an age when artists depend on nobility for their bread and butter. Part of HBO's composer series, Bach's Fight for Freedom is the story of Johann Sebastian Bach and his relationship with Frederick, a young servant in the house of Duke Wilhelm, for whom they both work. Bach wants the freedom to compose many different kinds of music, but the duke only wants traditional organ music. Frederick wants to be a stone mason, but his family members have been servants to the duke for generations. Through their friendship, Frederick and Bach find the strength to break traditions and achieve their dreams. The story is based on the true incident when Duke Wilhelm Ernst of Sachsen-Weimer imprisoned Bach for wanting to resign his position and work for another nobleman. This video won the Oppenheim Golden Seal Award for Best Children's Videos and the Kids First Award for Best Children's Video. Recommended for ages six to 12. ~ Heather M. Fierst, All Movie Guide

The 8-hour TV miniseries Blind Ambition was originally telecast May 20 through 23, 1979. This 105-minute feature-film version, prepared in 1982, seems a bit rushed at times, but overall does a credible and coherent job of storytelling. Based on John Dean's book Blind Ambition, with elements of Maureen Dean's Mo woven in by screenwriter Stanley R. Greenberg, this is the saga of the Watergate affair, as experienced by Dean (Martin Sheen) and hia wife Maureen (Theresa Russell). As the Nixon administration goes down in flames, the Deans' marriage is sorely tested-as is Dean's success-at-any-price credo. Rip Torn plays Nixon like something out of a Greek Tragedy; some viewers accepted his interpretation, others found it jarringly inaccurate. Others in the cast of "usual suspects" include Michael Callan as Charles Colson, Lonny Chapman as L. Patrick Gray, William Daniels as G. Gordon Liddy, Fred Grandy as Donald Segretti, Christopher Guest as Jeb Magruder, Lawrence Pressman as H. R. Haldeman, William Windom as Richard Kleindienst, James Greene as E. Howard Hunt, Logan Ramsey as J. Edgar Hoover, and Al Checco as judge John Sirica. Also known as The John Dean Story, Blind Ambition earned two Emmy nominations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Valentine's Day is anything but festive for Piper (Holly Marie Combs), who worries that Leo (Brian Krause) will be harshly punished for aiding the Avatars in their misbegotten efforts to utopian-ize the world. Elsewhere, Paige (Rose McGowan) struggles to overcome the loss of Brody by plunging into her latest project: finding new faculty members for the magic school. English teacher Drake Robin (Billy Zane, in his first series appearance) seems eminently qualified for an academic post. However, Drake has left one teeny-tiny item off his resumé: he used to be a demon, and he has recently entered into an unholy pact! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jenny McCarthy, Melody Perkins, and Jennifer Sky guest star as the Stillman sisters, a trio of trampish bleach-blonde witches. Envious of the Charmed Ones, the Stillmans steal the girls' identities and powers. Whitelighter Chris (Drew Fuller) is now convinced that the Stillmans are actually Piper (Holly Marie Combs), Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), and Paige (Rose McGowan) -- and if he doesn't learn the truth soon, there will be serious long-range consequences. In separate developments, Phoebe is still having difficulty reigning in her empath powers, especially when her lover, Jason (Eric Dane), is concerned; and Piper tries to get baby son Wyatt to bond with his Whitelighter father, Leo (Brian Krause). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Upon finding out that the pregnant Piper suffers from toxemia, her doctor prescribes complete rest and avoidance of all tension. This may prove difficult, inasmuch as Piper's sisters and her Whitelighter, Leo (Brian Krause), have suddenly lost all their powers -- and worse still, all magic in the world has been expunged. It is all the result of a summit meeting wherein the representatives of evil hatch a scheme to take control of Piper's unborn child -- who, as the episode ends, clearly won't stay unborn for long. On top of all this, Victor Bennett (James Read), father of Piper and Phoebe (Alyssa Milano), has a most unsettling surprise for them. ~ All Movie Guide

Having survived the loneliness of an orphaned childhood, Brooke Taylor (Kaley Cuoco) has always dreamed of being a top fashion designer, and her dream at last may be fulfilled when she is accepted at America's top fashion school. Then, suddenly, Brooke's life goes in an entirely another direction when her grandfather, a mob boss, passes away. Showing up at Brooke's doorstep is grandpa's second-in-command George (played by The Sopranos' Dominic Chianese), who insists that the girl assume command of the "family business." The fact that George's organization is attempting to go legit means nothing to the Feds, who are determined to jail Brooke and the rest of her associates on a racketeering rap. Meanwhile, Brooke makes the acquaintance of Jack Lawton (Pat Kelly), a shy, bumbling fellow student--and secret FBI operative. Adroitly combining crime and fashion (hence its title), this satirical cable-TV movie made its first appearance on July 25, 2004 over the ABC Family Channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The made-for-cable biopic Full Court Miracle is the true story of Lamont Carr, here played by Richard T. Jones. A college basketball star, Lamont seems to be a shoo-in for the Philadelpha 76ers until he is permanently sidelined by a knee injury. Seeking out employment in his chosen profession, Lamont is invited to be head coach of the Philadelphia Hebrew Academy Lions, a Yeshiva team captained by Alex Schlotsky (Alex D. Linz). Despite the obvious cultural schism between the African-American Carr and his Jewish players, Jason is determined to pull the Lions out of the cellar and lead them to victory at the Liberty Basketball Tournament -- and as part of his strategy, he invokes the heroic example of Judah and the Maccabees. First telecast on the Disney Channel, Full Court Miracle was originally shown on November 21, 2003 -- coincidentally during Hanukkah week. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A teenage zero becomes a high school hero after secretly becoming the school mascot at the behest of his best friend. Unable to carry on the family tradition of being the Hondo High School mascot due to the fact that he's allergic to the costume, teenager Cleatus Poole (Mitchel Musso) quietly recruits his best friend Pete (Jason Dolley) for the job. Reluctantly agreeing with the strict understanding that their pact will remain a secret, Pete dons the Chicken costume and goes to work. At first, painfully shy Pete isn't sure he's up to the task, but before long he's got the whole school cheering. The anonymity of the Chicken suit allows Pete to let go of his insecurities and embrace a newfound freedom, and as a result, a whole new personality begins to emerge. Trouble is, back in the classroom no one even knows his name. Now, as the students rally around Cleatus under the assumption that he is the Chicken, Pete must decide whether it's finally time to reveal the truth, or keep his beak closed and maintain the elaborate ruse. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

A teenager looking to regain his self-respect and his relationship with his father finds the answer in an unexpected place -- go-kart racing -- in this family-friendly drama. Watts Davis (Will Rothhaar) is a 14-year-old boy who has been nothing but trouble since the death of his mother. Feuding with his father Vic (Randy Quaid) and causing problems at school, Watts has only one desire: to someday become a race-car driver. When Watts discovers IKF go-kart racing, he sees he's finally found a way to start living his dream and mend fences with his dad, who was a go-kart champ in his youth. With the help of Vic and fellow racer Scott (David Gallagher), as well as some unexpected moral support from Dhalia (Amanda De Martinis), a cute graffiti artist who has caught his eye, Watts has his eye on the local IKF go-kart championships. But can Watts beat Rodney (Joe Dinicol), the class bully who also happens to be a hotshot on the track? Kart Racer also features an appearance by comedian Harland Williams as Zee, the proprietor of a local video-game arcade. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A "The Blue Lagoon" set in the Sahara Desert, this romantic adventure is set at the turn of century and chronicles the story of two beautiful teens who end up traveling alone from Bagdad to Damascus after their respective parents are killed by a the henchmen of a sheik who wants the girl for himself. During their travels the youths learn about life, love and the joys of sex. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Originally titled The Soul Patrol, the made-for-cable The Scream Team was loosely based on a Disney internet game. After the death of their grandfather, young Ian and Claire Carlyle (Mark Rendall, Kat Dennings) discover that the tiny New England home town is something of a halfway house for restless ghosts, who cannot enter Heaven until they have redeemed themselves on Earth. Among the spectral clients of the "Soul Retrieval Center" are Coffin Ed (Eric Idle), a disgraced Revolutionary War soldier, and self-described "beautiful bossy ghost" Maria (Kathy Najimy). Naturally, the Carlyle kids end up as reluctant "case workers" for these and other rueful wraiths. Filmed in Ontario, The Scream Team was first telecast over the Disney Channel on October 4, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide