Michael Rhodes Movies

Debuting January 27, 2003, the weekly, hourlong supernatural-drama series Miracles starred Skeet Ulrich as Paul Callan, a sincere, self-effacing young seminarian whose job it was to investigate "miraculous phenomena" on behalf of the Catholic church. At first, Paul adhered to the party line, declaring that most miracles could be logically explained. All this changed when, after a near-fatal accident, Paul was brought back to life by the mysterious healing powers of a boy named Tommy -- who paid for his act of grace with his life. Just before his recovery, Paul had seen the words "God Is Now Here," scrawled in his own blood. Galvanized by this sign from above, Paul quit his job and became a freelance investigator of miracles, hoping not only to prove beyond doubt the authenticity -- or lack of authenticity -- of those miracles, but also to ascertain the reason that his life was spared and Tommy's was not. Paul was joined on this mission by ex-Harvard professor Father Alva Keel (Angus MacFadyen), an expert in the paranormal -- and like Paul, the sort of true believer who demanded complete verification of his beliefs. Alva also headed a strange Boston-based organization called "Sodalitas Quaerito" ("Brotherhood in Search of Truth"), whose acolytes seemed to be preparing for an as-yet-undetermined "large event" that might well have culminated with the end of the world. The two investigators were occasionally assisted by a sympathetic former policewoman, Evelyn Santos (Marisa Ramirez), likewise a member of Sodalitas Quaerito. A presentation of the ABC network, Miracles might have lasted longer than its six episodes had the series not been constantly pre-empted by news coverage of the unrest in the Middle East. The show was canceled on March 27, 2003, but not before it had attracted a sizeable cult following. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Matthew Settle stars in this made-for-TV movie as an Irish immigrant who in 1870 leaves behind a career as a boxer -- and a reputation as a ne'er-do-well -- in New York City to become the marshal of a town on the Kansas frontier. Shaughnessy stars Matthew Settle, Linda Kozlowski, and Michael Jai White; the movie was the pilot for a short-lived TV series. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Beverly Hills 90210 star Tori Spelling and Star Trek: Voyager actress Jeri Lynn Ryan headline this made-for-TV movie about a hardworking college student who thinks she's found the answer to her financial and self-esteem issues when she falls into the lifestyle of a high-priced escort. Lonely, plain-Jane, cash-strapped Joanna Halbert (Spelling) attends university classes while also helping out at the bakery run by her no-nonsense, widowed mother, Teri (Susan Blakely). When her classmates jokingly leave Joanna's name and number on the voicemail of a Malibu escort service, Joanna finds her curiosity piqued. After finding a new best gal pal in the form of the vivacious escort Kimberly (Ryan), Joanna soon finds herself working for Kimberly's boss, Ron Tamblin (Scott Plank), who promises her that she doesn't have to sleep with the clients she "dates." Soon, Joanna is dressing like a grown-up, stepping out with fabulous men -- and getting paid hundreds of dollars a night for her trouble. This secret double life soon, however, takes a toll on Joanna's relationships with her mother, her friends and her would-be beau, Jack (Barry Watson). Although Joanna chooses to sleep with one of her clients, she refuses to sleep with another. But when Ron threatens to fire her, she acquiesces, and soon Joanna finds herself going on more dates where the sex is not only compulsory, but kinky. When she tries to quit, violence ensues, ultimately leading Joanna to criminal court, where she must defend herself against a charge of attempted murder. After first airing on CBS in 1996, Co-Ed Call Girl enjoyed a second life on cable, including the Lifetime network. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi

The normally docile Diefenbaker is impounded after biting an animal control officer. Can it be that the hard-of-healing wolf is reverting to the wild? Fraser (Paul Gross) hopes not, lest he be forced to destroy his pet. It turns out that the source of Diefenbaker's bad behavior is a pack of stray mutts known around the neighborhood as the Wild Bunch--not to mention a crooked dog catcher who is part of a sinister human conspiracy. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A woman becomes deeply disturbed when she starts having psychic visions of a brutal murder. Unfortunately, when she goes to the police, they treat her not as a witness, but as the prime suspect. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

After being released from an institution, a manic-depressive attempts to get custody of her 5 children and struggles with the opposition of her oldest daughter and the foster parents. ~ Rovi

This biographical drama, based on the late actress's autobiography, chronicles her attempts to rescue her drug addicted son while simultaneously trying to overcome her life-threatening cancer. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Three close friends begin to obsess about infants, breast-feeding, disposable diapers and the like in the made-for-TV Babies. Lindsay Wagner plays a thirtysomething career woman who'd like the responsibilities of motherhood without the complication of a man in her life. Dinah Manoff is a married lady who can't conceive; she tries to convince husband Alan Arkin that adoption is the way to go. And Marcy Walker is carrying a baby who may require delicate prebirth kidney surgery. Babies was first telecast September 17, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This made-for-TV film represented the first speaking role for hearing-impaired actress Marlee Matlin. A happy wife and mother, Matlin is grief-stricken when her husband is killed in a car accident. Still not fully recovered after several weeks, Matlin must rely on her mother Lee Remick to care for her young daughter. Matlin puts her life back together by joining a theatre troupe comprised of deaf actors, one of whose members is played by Phyllis Frelich, who originated the role in the Broadway version of Children of a Lesser God that Marlee Matlin played in the film version (and won an Academy Award in the process). The film's climax is dictated by Lee Remick's efforts to gain full legal custody of Matlin's daughter. Bridge to Silence was first telecast April 9, 1989. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Made for television, The Fourth Wise Man was syndicated to local TV stations during Easter week of 1985. Martin Sheen, a devout Catholic who is no stranger to religious television, heads the all-star cast. Sheen plays Artaban, a wealthy Persian doctor of Biblical times, who embarks upon a search for the newborn Messiah. Artaban intends to take his journey with the three more famous Wise Men, but somehow never manages to link up with them, and ends up spending 33 years on his quest. Of interest is the presence of two father-son acting combinations in the cast; Martin and Charlie Sheen, and Alan and Adam Arkin. Though never seen, Jesus Christ is heard, with James Farentino supplying His voice. The Fourth Wise Man is based on the 19th-century parable by Henry Van Dyke. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

While on a hunting trip, an accident leads three boys to believe that they killed a man. Confused and afraid, the boys run away to avoid having their misdeed discovered. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi

Those Restless Years was the reissue title given the three-part TV miniseries Loose Change. Based on the best-seller by Sarah Davidson, Loose Change traces the lives of three women during the tempestuous 1960s. The story opens in 1962, with journalist Cristina Raines, artist Season Hubley and civil-rights activist Laurie Heineman becoming friends while attending Berkeley. Part Two finds the three protagonists reuniting at the 1968 Democratic convention in Chicago. And in the concluding chapter, our heroines find themselves at an Arizona commune. Originally telecast February 26 through 28, 1978, Loose Change transmogrified into the slightly reedited Those Restless Years for its two-part July 1978 rebroadcast. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi