Lawrence Mortorff Movies

He remains one of the true icons of late 20th and early 21st century evangelism. But what of his early years -- the years that led him into full-time ministry? As scripted and directed by acclaimed actor Robby Benson (The Chosen), this fact-based historical drama depicts Billy Graham (here played by Armie Hammer) as an earnest young man whose life is irrevocably changed via his interaction with another up-and-coming follower of God, Charles Templeton. Though fast friends, the men reach a crossroads and fork off in opposing directions when Templeton's faith buckles beneath the weight of the scientific revolution and the evidence that he perceives as an unshakable threat to Christianity. The disbelief that Templeton demonstrates, in turn, convinces Graham to take the altar call in the Depression-era South, in an effort to bring people to God who find themselves mired in agnosticism and atheism. Martin Landau portrays Charles Templeton as an old man, Josh Turner plays George Beverly Shea, and Stefanie Butler co-stars as Graham's wife, Ruth Bell Graham. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide

In this combination sequel and prequel to the surprise box-office success The Omega Code, one man becomes the leader of an evil empire that could destroy the world, and his brother must rise against him in the defense of good. Stone Alexander (played as a child by Gavin Fink) is a moody, dark-tempered child whose parents died shortly after he was born. The mother who adopted Stone died several years later while giving birth to another son, David, and Stone is unable to forgive his brother for unwittingly taking his mother from him. Stone goes so far as to attempt to murder David, and their father, prominent businessman Daniel Alexander (David Hedison), responds by shipping Stone off to military school. There, Stone falls under the tutelage of The Guardian (Udo Kier), an instructor at the school who is actually an emissary of Satan. While the enmity between Stone (played as a teenager by Noah Huntley) and David (played by Chad Michael Murray) cools a bit with time, Stone once again finds himself in a bitter rivalry with his brother when they both fall in love with the same woman, Gabriella (played as a teenager by Elisa Scialpi). Stone eventually wins Gabriella's hand and they marry, as Stone (played as an adult by Michael York) rises to power as the ruthless leader of the military arm of the European Union; David (played as an adult by Michael Biehn), meanwhile, becomes a powerful figure in American politics, and is elected to the office of Vice President. What neither David nor Gabriella (played as an adult by Diane Venora) fully understand is that, under the influence of The Guardian, Stone has taken on the role of the Antichrist, and he attempts to curry his brother's favor (and arrange events that will make David president) in a bid for world domination. When it becomes clear to David that the goal of his brother's campaign is to put the world in the power of Satan, David realizes America and its allies must join forces against Stone's troops in a battle in Megiddo, Israel -- predicted in the Book of Revelations as the place of the final battle of good versus evil. Megiddo: Omega Code 2 also features Franco Nero, R. Lee Ermey, and Gil Colon. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this spiritual thriller, an ancient prophecy is about to be fulfilled as a secret code brings the world to the edge of Apocalypse. Gillen Lane (Casper Van Dien) is a expert on theology and mythology who has gained international fame as a motivational speaker. Lane is approached by Stone Alexander (Michael York), the owner and founder of a major media empire, who has been made chairman of the European Union and needs someone to help spread the word about his goal of a world united behind a single vision of peace. Lane begins to realize that there's something sinister behind Alexander's veneer of charity and benevolence: a secret code was embedded in the original texts of the Torah that will allow the person who cracks it to unlock the secret powers of the Christian scriptures; if it falls into the wrong hands, it could mean the end of Man's Reign on Earth. After the death of his mother, Lane lost his faith in God and embraced a New Age philosophy, but now he must confront his lost faith as he tries to discover both the all-powerful secret of the Omega Code and his own true identity. The Omega Code also stars Van Dien's wife Catherine Oxenberg as Cassandra Barris, a reporter working for Alexander's network, and Michael Ironside as Dominic, Alexander's thuggish underling. The Omega Code was produced in association with the Trinity Broadcasting Network, America's largest Christian broadcasting outlet. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

While Neal Cassady never gained fame as a writer, he was a pivotal figure among the Beat poets and novelists of the 1950s. A close friend of most of the seminal figures in the Beat movement, Cassady's free-wheeling, larger-than-life personality was a major influence on Jack Kerouac, who used him as the inspiration for the character Dean Moriarity in On the Road, and he was a founding member of Ken Kesey's post-Beat, pre-hippie "Merry Pranksters," driving their now-famous psychedelic bus (whose destination, then as now, was "Furthur"). The Last Time I Committed Suicide is loosely based on several incidents from Cassady's life, as well as an eight-page letter that he wrote to Kerouac about some complicated events in his love life. In the late 1940s, 20-year-old Cassady (Thomas Jane) was living in Denver and working the late shift at a tire factory when he became involved with Joan (Claire Forlani), a sad young woman with a suicidal bent, and befriended Harry (Keanu Reeves), a cheerful but past-his-prime alcoholic. Cassady also found himself the target of the affections of Cherry Mary (Gretchen Mol), a sexy 16-year-old whose mother, Mrs. Greenway (Christine Rose), doesn't much care for him; he also encountered Ben (Adrien Brody), a shy young poet whose interest in Cassady seemed to be more than just literary. Footage of the real Neal Cassady can be found in the documentary on the Beat Movement, The Source. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

In this supernatural thriller, an evil developer kills a Mexican Indian and finds himself possessed by the dead man's spirit. Though set in Mexico and Boone County, PA, the film was actually shot in Romania. The story begins as avaricious Leslie Chase is overseeing the construction of a high-rise in a small Mexican town. His efforts are hindered by a local tribe of Indians. Tired of their harassment, Chase has them massacred. One of them survives and ends up biting Chase in the neck before he too is killed. Six years pass and Chase has returned to the US to develop properties there. By day he is himself, but at night his body is possessed by the angry Indian who takes him out for murder and mayhem. He kills the owner of a restaurant one night. Later, the victim's wife, Nora Weeks, hires a cheap private eye to look into it. When he finds out more than he should, he too is axed. Now it is up to Weeks to solve the mystery. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

An alcoholic, world-weary has-been Jewish reporter heads out for revenge against the white-supremacists who murdered his father in this grim political thriller. As the detective assigned to the case isn't very effective, the reporter begins his own investigation with the help of his lover, the enigmatic radio correspondent Rita. Their digging unearths evidence that the killing was really part of a conspiracy to kill another Jewish fellow who is running for the Senate on an anti-military platform. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The sequel to Warlock, this film features the return of the evil warlock (Julian Sands) who is on a quest to search out and obtain a set of six magical runestones needed to summon the Devil to Earth. However, a group of powerful druids have become aware of the sinister plans afoot, and it is up to them to defeat the warlock and prevent Armageddon. ~ Iotis Erlewine, All Movie Guide

The once-homicidal youths of Gatlin, Nebraska are back, transported to a nearby town to be re-integrated into society (they have no recollection of the massacre from the previous film). In no time at all they succumb once again to the devilish influence of a young leader (Ryan Bollman), who organizes them to take murderous action against suspicious adults; those who stumble too close to their secret become blood sacrifices to "He Who Walks Behind The Rows." The scenario of the first film is recreated here -- albeit with slight variations and more imaginative death scenes -- with little explanation given regarding the true source of the kids' demonic power. Followed by even more sequels. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Gerald McRaney flies in the face of his likeable Simon and Simon image in the made-for-TV Easy Prey. McRaney plays real-life serial rapist/murderer Christopher Wilder who, in early 1984, abducted a teenaged girl from a California shopping mall. Repeatedly assaulting the girl and keeping her quiet with threats of death, Wilder forced her to accompany him on a crime spree that ranged from one end of the country to another. Shawnee Smith is excellent as Wilder's terrified victim. Filmed in Canada, Easy Prey was first aired on October 26, 1986. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide