Charlton Heston

Filmmaker, author, and political activist Michael Moore trains his satirical eye on America's obsession with guns and violence in his third feature-length documentary, which gets its title from a pair of loosely related incidents. On April 20, 1999, shortly before they began their infamous killing spree at Columbine High School in Littleton, CO, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold attended their favorite class, a no-credit bowling course held at a bowling alley near the school, the same bowling alley which would become the scene of a robbery and triple homicide two years later. While pondering these events, Moore humorously considers the link between random violence and the game of ten pins; along the way, Moore calls on the Michigan Militia (and gets to know some of the models for their "Militia Babes" calendar); spends some time with James Nichols, brother of Oklahoma City bombing accomplice Terry Nichols; visits K-Mart's corporate offices with two teenagers injured in the Columbine massacre as they ask the retail chain to stop selling bullets for handguns; investigates the media's role in the American climate of fear and anger; compares crime statistics in the United States with those of Canada (which, despite higher unemployment and a larger number of guns per capita, manages to rack up a small fraction of the homicides committed in the United States), and questions actor and National Rifle Association president Charlton Heston regarding his appearance at a pro-gun rally held in Littleton a few days after the Columbine massacre, and a similar rally in Flint, MI, after a six-year-old boy killed a classmate with a gun he took from his uncle's house. Bowling for Columbine received its first public screening at the 2002 Ann Arbor Film Festival; the film's official premiere took place a few months later at the Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This long-delayed romantic comedy from director Peter Chelsom stars Warren Beatty as a wealthy New York architect, Porter Stoddard. The revelation that his best friend Griffin (Garry Shandling) is cheating on his wife Mona (Goldie Hawn) leads to a mid-life crisis of sorts for Porter, jeopardizing his marriage to Ellie (Diane Keaton). When Mona leaves Griffin for her family's antebellum home in Mississippi, Porter accompanies her to lend his professional assistance in designing some home improvements and ends up entangled in a romantic assignation with his best friend's estranged wife. He then embarks on a series of other illicit, comical affairs. Among Porter's conquests are a cellist, Alex (Nastassja Kinski), the beautiful Eugenie (Andie MacDowell), and a Halloween reveler named Auburn (Jenna Elfman). He also runs afoul of Eugenie's overprotective father (Charlton Heston), who's armed with a shotgun and disturbingly unable to view his daughter as an adult. Town & Country (2001) is based on a script co-written by Buck Henry. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Jean-Claude Van Damme stars as a reformed artifacts smuggler in this adventure-thriller directed by Sheldon Lettich. Rudy (Van Damme) is forced to venture to Jerusalem after his father is taken hostage by a group of religious extremists. In order to free his dad, Rudy must find a ancient scroll that contains secret information about a mysterious and ancient religious sect. Not surprisingly, that same sect doesn't want that particular scroll to be found. Rudy is thus forced to contend with many powerful obstacles as he sets about to procure the artifact and free his dad. Film icon Charlton Heston also appears in a minor role. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide

Oliver Stone takes on professional football, a sport whose grace and delicacy are a good match for his filmmaking style. Tony D'Amato (Al Pacino), the head coach of the Miami Sharks, won back-to-back championships four years ago. But new team owner Christina Pagniacci (Cameron Diaz) has little enthusiasm for the finer points of the game and is concerned only with the bottom line. The longtime strongman of Tony's team has been "Cap" Rooney (Dennis Quaid), a 39-year-old quarterback, but Christina balks at renewing his contract. When Cap is injured during a game, third-string rookie quarterback Willie Beaman (Jamie Foxx) goes on in his place and becomes a major star. But Beaman is mostly interested in fame and money, and he has little regard for Tony and his teammates. Any Given Sunday also stars James Woods as the team's doctor, LL Cool J as a star running back, Jim Brown as a former football great turned Sharks' defensive coordinator, Ann-Margret as Christina's alcoholic mother, Bill Bellamy as a wide receiver, Elizabeth Berkley as Tony's favorite prostitute, and Charlton Heston as the football commissioner. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

When presented with the enigmas of history and human origin, most people are befuddled. Rarely is there concrete evidence to substantiate a claim. There may happen to be a sliver of pottery inscribed or painted upon, that was excavated in Peru, but most will push it aside as a fraud. But every once in a while, someone comes along with a belief and evidence that is so strong we all have to stop and, at least, look for ourselves. BC Video, famous for its The Mysterious Origins of Man series, once again strikes at the center of all of humanity's fear (the uncertainty of our lineage) with Jurassic Art. This interesting video looks at material dug up in South America that is believed to have been made by human hands over 200 million years ago. The stone carvings show human-like figures on the back of what would appear to be a Stegosaurus. Other figurines that resemble dinosaurs are also discussed as possible evidence that humans have been up and walking around for far longer than believed. ~ Ed Atkinson, All Movie Guide

Originally broadcast in 1996 by NBC television, this video is part of a documentary that generated a considerable amount of controversy due to its support of a creationist view of human history promoted by a self-described "new breed" of scientists. Narrated by movie star and National Rifle Association spokesman Charlton Heston, this episode features what it calls evidence that the earth is only 175,000 years old, not 4.6 billion, as mainstream science claims. The overall program asserts that rejection of creationism by the mainstream scientific community is due to that group processing information through a "knowledge filter" that screens out data that doesn't fit its preconceived ideas. ~ Steve Blackburn, All Movie Guide

The Navy Seals and the Green Berets played critical roles during the lengthy Vietnam War. However, these Special Forces were not always allowed to fully coordinate their activities with the regular air, ground, and navy forces. As America's Central Intelligence Agency's interactions with the Special Forces are closely examined during this program, it becomes apparent that the agency failed to handle a number of operations effectively. Fortunately, the belated success of the "Phoenix" program proved that the CIA could design critical missions in Southeast Asia. Narrated by actor Charlton Heston, this program features footage of the Special Forces in action, and interviews with such noted individuals as Paul Beaver, Bui Tin, Dale Andrade, Phan Van Nhanh, Robert Marasco, and Nguyen Ngoc Hung. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide

This show explores the political "madness" that existed during the Cold War years as different countries silently threatened one another with nuclear retaliation for various acts and omissions, fully knowing that such a nuclear confrontation could destroy the entire world. New footage is shown of both Castro and Khrushchev, while other film clips reveal intimidating aspects of the Russian "Super Bombs." Sergei Khrushchev and Victor Suvorov are among those interviewed during this revealing look at the undeclared war. Actor Charlton Heston narrates this program featuring background scenery shot in Moscow, London, and Providence, RI. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide

Charlton Heston narrates this episode of Secrets of War that looks into the special weapons developed by the Third Reich during World War II. Viewers will discover that Germany created the first ballistic missile, operational jet plane, wire-guided missile, guided smart bomb, rocket plane, submarine-launched missile, and other weapons capable of causing major destruction. Sir Harry Hinsley, Ian Hogg, Bruce Quarry, and other experts discuss why these weapons failed to help Germany win the war. Special footage showing the Nazis actually running tests on these weapons is included. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide

Actor Charlton Heston narrates this look back at 20 years of exciting moments from the Olympics. Clips capture the young Romanian gymnast Nadia Comaneci as she gracefully scores a perfect ten in one competition. Decathlon champion Bruce Jenner talks about his Olympic experiences while Olympic footage replays some of his most triumphant moments. Track and field giant Bob Hayes, who later went on to play for the Dallas Cowboys football team, can be seen running amazingly fast. Peggy Fleming is shown skating her way to a 1968 gold medal. Interviews with these athletes help recall the special aspects of competing in each of the covered years. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide

Everything from decoy tanks and phony radio broadcasts to the spy whose lies were responsible for the ruin of Adolf Hitler is examined in this episode of the critically acclaimed Secrets of War documentary series. William Northrop, who also produced D-Day Deceptions for the Secrets of War series, reveals the common practice of using dummy tanks and paratroopers, as well as many other effective tools of deception. The program highlights the history of military trickery but the focus is on its execution during World War II. Northrop gathered information and conducted interviews with several experts, including Tom Allen, Paul Beaver, Mark Seaman, and Anthony C. Brown. ~ Dennis Proctor, All Movie Guide