Dan Butler Movies

In this musical drama a famed country singer and her newest competitor, a rising star, compete to become female vocalist of the year. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Everyone knows that teenagers are smarter than adults, and if given a chance the kids could save the world -- if they don't blow it to bits first. The Manhattan Project tells of how 16-year-old Paul Stephens (Christopher Collet) tries to alert his community to the dangers of nuclear energy. John Mathewson (John Lithgow), a doctor in a pharmaceutical research plant wherein covert plutonium experiments are taking place, is the boyfriend of Paul's mom, Elizabeth (Jill Eikenberry). While Mathewson is romantically occupied, Paul and his girl, Jenny Anderman (Cynthia Nixon), steal the plutonium and construct their own atomic bomb. They do this, of course, as a warning to foolhardy grown-ups -- none more foolhardy than the folks who put up good money to make this film. The Manhattan Project was directed by longtime Woody Allen collaborator Marshall Brickman, whose expert sense of comic timing obscures the thickheaded "message" of this picture. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

At the time of Longtime Companion's release in 1990, the devastating disease of AIDS was seen as a mysterious and deadly scourge, replete with rumors, lies, and panic. As the first narrative film to examine the AIDS epidemic, screenwriter Craig Lucas and director Norman René place the disease in an historical context, dramatizing the impact of the disease through time in a series of vignettes involving seven gay men. AIDS first made its presence felt surreptitiously, as an article in The New York Times reported on a rare cancer attacking gay men called Karposi's syndrome. Then the Village Voice began a series of in-depth articles concerning a "gay plague" which later became known as AIDS. The film follows the AIDS crisis through the lives of the seven main characters so that they are only aware of AIDS in the historical framework of each episode. The characters include former gay couple Willy (Campbell Scott) and John (Dermot Mulroney), first seen partying at a Fire Island club, who don't pay much attention to the mysterious article in The New York Times but become intimately effected by the disease. There is also Sean (Mark Lamos), a soap opera writer whose mind is slowly deteriorating because of the disease, and his supportive friend David (Bruce Davison). ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

In this multiple Oscar-winning thriller, Jodie Foster stars as Clarice Starling, a top student at the FBI's training academy whose shrewd analyses of serial killers lands her a special assignment: the FBI is investigating a vicious murderer nicknamed Buffalo Bill, who kills young women and then removes the skin from their bodies. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into this case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out. Lecter does indeed know something of Buffalo Bill, but his information comes with a price: in exchange for telling what he knows, he wants to be housed in a more comfortable facility. More important, he wants to speak with Clarice about her past. He skillfully digs into her psyche, forcing her to reveal her innermost traumas and putting her in a position of vulnerability when she can least afford to be weak. The film mingles the horrors of criminal acts with the psychological horrors of Lecter's slow-motion interrogation of Clarice and of her memories that emerge from it. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

After he inherits a yacht, Chicago businessman Martin totes his family to the Caribbean to claim it. Not having any skill at boating, he hires long-haired, one-eyed low-life Captain Ron, to pilot the heap to Miami. During the journey, the somewhat inept sailor frequently loses his way while becoming a hit with everyone in the family--except Martin. This comedy features Martin Short, Kurt Russell, Mary Kay Place, with Benjamin Salisbury and Meadow Sisto as the two children. ~ Kristie Hassen, Rovi

Depressed about the break up with Becky, Mark (Glenn Quinn) gets drunk and rowdy at the Lobo Lounge and punches the jukebox. Dan picks him up, promising not to tell Becky or Roseanne about it. However, Roseanne finds out through Jackie and makes Dan pay for keeping a secret from her. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

This is one of the many made for TV movies revolving around the popular disheveled character created by Peter Falk - Lieutenant Columbo, of Homicide. In this one, the Lieutenant is called upon to use his expertise to help out the family when his nephew's new bride is kidnapped on their wedding night. ~ Tana Hobart, Rovi

The ghost of Frank Capra must have smiled when he saw Dave, an amusing and effective update of one of Capra's favorite themes -- the scrupulously honest little guy who becomes a force for good against a corrupt system. Dave Kovic (Kevin Kline) runs an employment agency and seems to genuinely enjoy finding work for people who need it. He also bears a striking resemblance to the president of the United States, Bill Mitchell (also played by Kline) and occasionally gets work as a Bill Mitchell impersonator. One day, Dave gets a call from the Secret Service -- for security purposes, they want to hire him to act as a decoy for an upcoming appearance by the president. All goes well, but later that evening President Mitchell suffers a massive stroke while in bed with his mistress. Wanting to keep the matter a secret, two of the president's top advisors appeal to Dave to stand in as Bill Mitchell until he regains his health. One of the men behind this scheme, Bob Alexander (Frank Langella), hopes to use Mitchell's absence to promote his own right-wing political agenda, but after a few weeks "in office," Dave decides it's time to promote some changes of his own that will help increase employment and keep homeless shelters open. Dave also finds himself growing fond of Ellen Mitchell (Sigourney Weaver), the President's wife, while Ellen sees in Dave the idealism her husband left behind years ago. Dave features numerous cameo appearances by politicians, Washington insiders, and journalists; Oliver Stone also appears to explain a conspiracy theory regarding sudden changes in Bill Mitchell's behavior. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Frasier's conniving agent, Bebe Frazer (Harriet Sansom Harris, in her first series appearance), arranges a big-bucks deal for her favorite client. All Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) has to do is "subtly" endorse a few commercial products as part of his call-in radio show. Trouble is, Frasier wants nothing to do with at least one of these products -- nor is he keen on delivering advertising copy that will make him sound like a buffoon. Fearful of his reputation as a psychiatrist, yet eager to fatten his bank account, our hero finds himself mired in yet another of his many ethical dilemmas. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) hasn't had a moment's peace or solitude since his father Martin (John Mahoney) and Martin's brash physical therapist, Daphne (Jane Leeves), moved into his apartment. Making matters worse, everyone from fellow KACL radio personality Bulldog (Dan Butler, in his first Frasier appearance) to Martin's dog, Eddie, has been making demands on Frasier's time. The limit comes when Frasier's space is invaded by a waiter (Dean Erickson) who dreams of being a rock musician. Listen for the voice of "Superman" (or at least one of the movie Supermans) during Frasier's call-in radio show. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the style of the screwball comedies of the 1930s and 1940s, I Love Trouble depicts the developing romance of two rival reporters who reluctantly fall for each other while competing for a major scoop. Old hand Peter Brackett (Nick Nolte) and aspiring newcomer Sabrina Peterson (Julia Roberts) first meet when they are both assigned to cover a mysterious train crash. The pair immediately develops a connection despite their professional rivalry, and they decide to work together. Sensing something fishy about the crash, they look deeper and are soon fighting to expose a wide-ranging conspiracy, while also struggling to outmaneuver and out-charm each other along the way. Co-creators Charles Shyer and Nancy Meyers, who previously found success harking back to 1940s comedy in Father of the Bride, borrow heavily from His Girl Friday, Bringing Up Baby, and other screwball classics. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

In this first episode of a two-part story, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) is swept off his feet by sexy businesswoman Madeleine (JoBeth Williams). So smitten is our hero that he invites Madeleine on a romantic runaway to the isle of Bora Bora. Upon arriving in the tropical paradise, Frasier runs smack dab into his ex-wife, Lilith Sternin (Bebe Neuwirth in her second Cheers appearance). And the worst is still to come -- Art Garfunkel makes a memorable "appearance" as one Frasier's call-in radio listeners. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Much against his will, Frasier (Kelsey Grammer) allows Martin (John Mahoney) to enter Frasier in a charity "bachelor auction." Things begin to brighten up when Frasier is won by a gorgeous model named Kristina (Claire Stansfield), who bids a staggering 500 dollars. Alas, our hero's plans for a romantic evening with Kristina are dashed when he ends up babysitting her 12-year-old daughter (Ashley Bank). Meanwhile, both Roz (Peri Gilpin) and Bulldog (Dan Butler) have their hands full with the two worthies whom they netted at that self-same auction. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi