Robert Kirk Movies
A haunted New York City detective must delve into his dark past in order to stop a serial killer whose highly artistic modus operandi seems uncannily similar to that of a madman who stalked the city streets five years prior. When reclusive detective Stan Aubray (Willem Dafoe) gunned down the man suspected of being the "Uncle Eddie" murderer, he thought his nightmare had come to an end. But now a new crop of victims has begun to turn up, each bearing the distinctive mark of the maniac whom everyone had presumed to be dead. Much like the unfortunate victims of "Uncle Eddie," the bodies in this latest batch have been carefully arranged in a manner that reflects the artistic style known as anamorphosis -- where hidden meanings can be revealed by viewing the crime scenes from different perspectives. Could this be the work of a copycat killer, or is it possible that Detective Aubray and his men killed the wrong man on that fateful day five years ago? All signs indicate that the latest killings were carried out with Detective Aubray specifically in mind, prompting him to reexamine the painful questions that he had struggled all these years to suppress. On one side, Detective Aubray faces the scrutiny of a bright young detective (Scott Speedman) who has his own unique ideas about the killings, and on the other, a disturbed young woman (Clea Duvall) who proves a dangerous link to Detective Aubray's mystery-shrouded past. Only by confronting the possibility that he fears most will Detective Aubray finally be able to overcome his own stifling sense of guilt and finally uncover the truth about the most gruesome crimes ever committed in New York City. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Willem Dafoe, Scott Speedman, (more)
What sort of man kills one of the most beloved musicians in the world, and what prompts him to pull the trigger? Filmmaker Andrew Piddington explores these questions in this fact-based drama which examines several weeks in the life of Mark David Chapman, the man who murdered John Lennon. Chapman (played by Jonas Ball) is a self-obsessed young man who has an emotionally distant relationship with his parents and a failing marriage to Gloria (Mie Omori). Unable to hold down a job, Chapman spends a lot of time at the public library, where he rereads J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye and browses though a photo book on John Lennon, and the two begin to fuse in his imagination, as he links Holden Caulfield's grousing about "phonies" with the fame and wealth of one-time activist Lennon. Chapman hops a flight to New York City and visits the sights Caulfield talked about in the novel when not busy standing vigil outside the Dakota, the luxury apartment building Lennon calls home, with a gun in his possession. The first time Chapman crosses paths with Lennon as he's leaving the Dakota, he asks the former Beatle to sign a copy of Double Fantasy, Lennon's new album; several hours later, Lennon returns home and Chapman approaches him with a very different intent. The Killing of John Lennon was primarily filmed in the locations where the real-life events took place, and all of Chapman's dialogue in the film was taken from his diaries or interviews he's given since his arrest and imprisonment. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jonas Ball, Mie Omori, (more)
This documentary examines the hip-hop record industry through the eyes of contemporary hip-hop artists such as Big Boi, Andre 3000, Kanye West and many more. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
- 2004
Though in contemporary discussions of ancient history they are often relegated to little more than a footnote, The Hittites once reigned as one of the most powerful tribes in the Middle East. By translating scripts and glyphs emblazoned on tablets several millennia ago, this program recounts the dramatic tale of the group and its legacy, thus transporting the audience some 3,500 years back in time. A combination of interviews and dramatic reenactments bring to life seminal Hittite turning points such as The Battle of Kadesh (in which the tribe defeated the seemingly impenetrable armies of Egypt's King Rameses II). This production was filmed in six countries including Egypt, Syria and Turkey, using over 20,000 props and sets that recreate Hittite-era battle chariots, cities, armor, weaponry and objets d'art. Jeremy Irons narrates; The Prague Symphony Orchestra provides the documentary's score. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cuneyt Turel, Jeremy Irons, (more)
R. Lee Ermey, the raspy-voiced former Marine Corps Staff Sergeant who rose to movie fame for his hard-nosed "D.I." roles in such films as The Boys in Company C and Full Metal Jacket, answers questions from civilians on a variety of war- and military-related topics in Season Two of the History Channel documentary series Mail Call. Opening the season, Ermey brings his own unique slant to a discussion of grenade launchers, the history of the word "shrapnel", the equipment used by D-Day paratroopers,and the practicality of jetpacks, throwing in a demonstration of the Flyer 21(a combination dune buggy and jeep) for good measure. In later episodes, Ermey traces the history of the first missile-launching sub, the Bowie knife, Civil War rifles, the AVLB (Armored Vehicle Launching Bridge), the Greek Trireme warship and Phalanx, Russia's MiG-29, and Smart Bombs; he also guides us through a wartime Tactical Operations Center and discourses on the battle readiness of boomerangs, the origin of the term "doughboy", the significance of various military salutes, the saving of household fats during WW2, depth charges, the medieval battering ram and the earliest combat helicopter. The season finale offers answers to questions (many sent in by voice mail) about Sherman tanks, rifles of the future and the latest Coast Guard vessels. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- R. Lee Ermey
- 2002
Do angels exist? And if they do, what are they? This documentary features interviews with a number of people who discuss how their lives were touched (both physically and spiritually) by the presence and intervention of spiritual messengers sent by God. Angels: Beyond the Light - Amazing Stories of Divine Encounters also features appearances by celebrities who discuss their encounters with heavenly beings, including Carlos Santana, Stefanie Powers, and Evander Holyfield. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
R. Lee Ermey, the raspy-voiced former Marine Corps Staff Sergeant who rose to movie fame for his hard-nosed "D.I." roles in such films as The Boys in Company C and Full Metal Jacket, answers questions from civilians on a variety of war- and military-related topics in Season One of the History Channel documentary series Mail Call. In the debut episode, Ermey explains how to steer a Stuart tank, discusses the shooting capacity of a Gatling Gun, and the inherent strength of a Samurai sword. In subsequent installments, Ermey discourses on knightly armor, land mines, crossbows, flak vests, the "night vision" attachments on modern weaponry, the LCAC (air-cushion hovercraft), gas masks, Indian arrows, Army "C" rations, Revolutionary War muskets, the earliest rocket weapons, the ancient Roman pilum, the doggie heroes of the K-9 corps, and the origin of the word "Jeep." The final episode of the season finds Ermey describing possible military gear of the future, the effectiveness of Marine camouflage, and the Stryker, the latest in Army vehicles. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- R. Lee Ermey
- 2002
Broadcast in tandem with another militarily oriented cable TV series, Mail Call was hosted by R. Lee Ermey, the real-life drill instructor who shot to fame by playing (essentially) himself in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket (1987). Per its title, the series answered mail from the viewers, who submitted questions about the armed forces, past and present. Typical queries included "What's inside a land mine?," "How do you drive a tank?," and even "What are the different pieces of a knight's armor?" The answers were provided both verbally and visually, with emphasis on the latter. Mail Call debuted August 4, 2002, on the History Channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- R. Lee Ermey
- 2000
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While Germany and Japan were United against American forces during World War II, one Japanese man made his own brave attempt to fend off the Nazi holocaust in Europe, and this documentary tells his remarkable story. Chiune Sugihara became fascinated with English literature as a student, and against the wishes of his parents, he made it his field of study, which led to his holding a number of diplomatic posts, representing the Japanese government around the world. One of his assignments during the war required him to do espionage work, monitoring the activities of several nations allied with Axis forces. Sugihara soon became aware of the Nazi plot to eliminate the Jews and other enemies of the state; his conscience stirred, Sugihara began using his diplomatic authority to issue visas that allowed thousands of Jews in Lithuania to escape Europe to freedom and safety. Sugihara: Conspiracy of Kindness was the closing night feature at the 2000 Hollywood Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Neil Ross
- 1998
This film, narrated by Charlton Heston, is one of a two-part series that looks at intelligence operations during World War II. In this episode, the focus is on the role that women played in covert activities during the war. Female spies were an integral part of the war effort, seeking out secret information, supporting the resistance, and destroying the morale of the enemy. With archival film footage and first-person recollections, the stories of female O.S.S. agents and radio operators are told. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1997
This video is part of a series that chronicles the greatest escapes of World War II. In the Battle at Dunkirk, the German army defeated the Allies, but the Allied forces made a successful retreat. This video considers historians' conflicting theories about why and how the British and French soldiers made their escape across the English Channel. Archival film footage, re-enactments, and personal recollections of survivors relate the dramatic story.
~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1997
This video is part of a series that tells the story of some of the most spectacular escapes by soldiers during World War II. This episode is about the men aboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma. The ship was torpedoed and sank in just a few breathtaking minutes. Re-enactments and the personal recollections of survivors give a dramatic view of the chaotic events on board and in the sea, and of the sailors' incredible survival while awaiting the rescue that came some 30 hours later. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1997
This video is part of a series that tells of some amazing escapes from captivity during World War II. This episode is about the escape of Allied soldiers from Stalag Luft III. Using only eating utensils to dig a tunnel, 600 men worked for a year to make their great escape. Hollywood made a version of the story, starring Steve McQueen. Archival photographs and the personal recollections of survivors celebrate the triumph of the human will in its quest for freedom. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1997
This video is part of a series that chronicles the most spectacular escapes of World War II. In this volume, members of the French resistance help Allied airmen escape. Then, on the other side of the war effort, German POWs stage an amazing escape from a U.S. prison camp. Archival photographs and film footage, re-enactments, and personal recollections of prisoners and their guards relate the dramatic events. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide
- 1994
This program explores the possibility that mysterious celestial beings are all around us, helping troubled people in times of need. Released in 1994, Angels: Mysterious Messengers -- True Stories of Angelic Experiences is hosted by television star Patty Duke and features firsthand accounts from ordinary people who claim to have had extraordinary experiences that they believe involved the presence of angels. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Narrated by George C. Scott, Brute Force: Fighters is part of the Definitive History of War Technology documentary series. The film, a comprehensive look at military air weapons, focuses on the development and evolution of the fighter airplane. Viewers will see the wood and canvas biplanes used in World War I, the contemporary stealth fighters of the Gulf War, and everything in between. The two other videos in the boxed set are Brute Force: Helicopters and Brute Force: Bombers. ~ Kathleen Wildasin, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Military weapons of the air have experienced amazing evolutionary transformations since the bi-planes of World War II, as technology has advanced to enable us to create increasingly sophisticated and deadly agents of war. In this video, one of a three-part A&E series on air weaponry, host George C. Scott explores the development of the helicopter, following its history from a World War II "egg beater" to a Gulf War "flying tank." Discover more about these vital weapons of war as well as the pilots who fly them. ~ Kathryn Tamms, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Hosted by the 'General' himself, George C Scott, this documentary shows the dirty and violent world of the regular GI. Sub-titled The Definitive History of War Technology this tape comes to video via the A&E network and profiles the valiant and desperate life of a grunt soldier in the times of war. Discussions of real-life combat scenarios with modern weapons and tactics is a backdrop for the human-interest stories of actual battle-scarred veterans. Highlights include a profile of an infantryman from the trench warfare of World War I and a Medal of Honor recipient from the invasion of Normandy.
~ C. Dwayne Smith, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Narrated by George C. Scott, Brute Force: Tanks is part of the Definitive History of War Technology documentary series. The film, a comprehensive look at military ground weapons, focuses on the development and evolution of tanks. Viewers will see the slow-moving tanks used in World War I as well as the modern 60-ton machines of the early 21st century. A segment on the M1A1 Abrams is a special highlight of the 50-minute film. The two other videos in the boxed set are Brute Force: Infantry and Brute Force: Artillery. ~ Kathleen Wildasin, All Movie Guide
- 1991
The development of artillery weapons has greatly changed over the centuries, from the first use of rock-hurling catapults of the Romans, to the invention of gunpowder in the 13th century, and eventually the creation of mortars, cannons, and rockets. Artillery usually describes howitzer cannons, rocket launchers, and mortars. This documentary, narrated by Oscar-winning actor George C. Scott, examines the history of artillery weapons using archival photographs and film. The program highlights their functions and impact during the course of war and profiles the men who developed and improved these weapons over the centuries, as well as the tactics and strategies employed to effectively use these artillery pieces in the fields of battles. ~ Forrest Spencer, All Movie Guide
- 1991
Here's a chance to learn more about the bomber planes that have often played a crucial role in America's military victories. Watch as some of the earliest planes are shown that could only hold soldiers tossing out grenades. Listen as George C. Scott narrates this historical look at some of the earliest planes to drop bombs and help America wins its wars. Discover what types of pilots are able to train and become proficient at flying these planes that are always being targeted by enemy fire. Viewers strongly interested in the military are likely to be fascinated by all that's shared about the bombers that were built during the late 1980s and early 1990s, just before this video was made. ~ Elizabeth Smith, All Movie Guide
- 1988
- R
The cast and crew of the low-budget women-in-prison potboiler Big House Dolls sets up shop in an abandoned prison -- the site of a bloody riot that occurred on the night serial killer Ivan Moser (Lyle Alzado) was apparently electrocuted. When the slobbering Moser begins showing up in the nightmares of stuntwoman Susan Malone (Deborah Foreman), it's a given that the lumbering, half-baked madman is soon going to show up, power tools in hand, and do a little crude free-lance editing. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Deborah Foreman, Clayton Rohner, (more)
- 1985
- PG
Popular C&W singer Jim Stafford heads the cast of the "four waller" Kid Colter. The main character is not Stafford, however, but young Jeremy Shamos, playing a city boy abducted by mountain men. Shamos is abandoned in the wilds of the Pacific northwest by his captors. Though it is assumed that the boy will die from exposure, he proves to have hitherto untapped reserves of strength. The boy's methods of surviving his ordeal, and his ultimate reunification with his family, are played out before some of the most breathtaking natural backdrops in America. Though the plot reeks of "movie of the week" exploitation, Kid Colter is eminently suitable for every member of the family. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
