James Steven Sadwith Movies
Seven years after playing the David Bowie-esque glam rocker in Velvet Goldmine, actor Jonathan Rhys-Meyers tackles the role of the biggest rock-and-roller of all time -- The King -- in this television miniseries. CBS' Elvis traces Elvis Presley's rise from being a humble, poor kid in early-'50s Memphis to being an isolated, prescription-drug-addicted superstar fearful of going on-stage for his 1968 comeback special. Along the way, he's torn between his devotion to his mama Gladys (Camryn Manheim) and the machinations of his stealthy manager, "Colonel" Tom Parker (Randy Quaid). Among Presley's hurdles: his R&B music and performance style prompts cries of obscenity from community leaders; he's drafted for the Army and decides to go; and he longs to become a serious movie star, although the Colonel has different ideas. Elvis was significant in that it was the first biopic of the star to allow the use of The King's original recordings, lip-synched by Rhys-Meyers. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Camryn Manheim, (more)
- 1997
Functioning as an executive producer, distinguished filmmaker Robert Altman lends his unique touch to this ABC network anthology series that follows the life of a pearl-handled, semi-automatic handgun. Featuring big name directors and distinguished casts, each suspenseful episode tells the story of one of the gun's numerous owners. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1997
This is the first episode in the anthology drama series that deals with the unexpected effects a gun can have on people's lives. Walter (James Gandolfini) buys a gun to protect his family, unaware that his wife (Rosanna Arquette) is having an affair -- or that the former owner of the gun wants it back...and will do anything to get it. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rosanna Arquette, James Gandolfini, (more)
- 1997
When popular San Francisco Condors basketball star Joe Campbell (Holt McCallany) is accused of rape, nobody--not the public, not his teammates--can bring themselves to believe that the sweet, babyfaced "White Knight" is guilty of the crime. Still, the case against Joe seems pretty solid, thanks to the emotional testimony of alleged victim Jennifer Darling (Jessica Tuck). Enter attorney Abe Ringel (Ken Olin), who has lost several high-profile cases of late and who needs a strong win to get back on top. Sincerely believing in Joe Campbell's innocence--or at least telling himself that he does--Ringel manages to get his client off by thoroughly discrediting and defaming the unfortunate Jennifer. Normally, that would be the end of the story...but in the months following Joe's acquittal, Abe begins picking up disturbing evidence indicating that his client was guilty as hell--and worse, that he is a dangerous serial rapist who uses the internet to stalk his previous victims. In an act of judicial attrition, Abe publicly turns against his former client. And this is when things really get ugly, as Joe orchestrates a vicious plan of vengeance--beginning with the seduction of Abe's own teenaged daughter Emma (Gina Phillips). Based on a novel by famed defense attorney Alan Dershowitz, the made-for-TV The Advocate's Devil debuted October 5, 1997 on ABC. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Developed by Tina Sinatra and approved by Frank himself, Sinatra is a made-for-television mini-series following the life and times of Frank Sinatra, one of the most popular and acclaimed singers of the 20th century. Opening with his childhood in Hoboken, New Jersey, the film follows Sinatra's (Philip Casnoff) rise to the top in the '40s, through the dark days of the early '50s and his triumphant re-emergence in the mid-'50s, to his status as pop culture icon in the '60s, '70s and '80s. In between, the film hits all of the main events, including his three marriages, his connections with the Mafia and his notorious friendship with the Rat Pack. Even with the presence of Tina Sinatra as executive producer, Sinatra doesn't gloss over the more unsavory portions of Frank's life, which makes it all the more impressive. With the exception of a couple of early songs, all the music in the movie is taken from the original Sinatra recordings. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Movie Guide
- 1991
In this drama, based on a true story, desperate townsfolk take up arms to defeat the sociopathic town bully who has been terrorizing them for years. They then swear themselves to silence. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brian Dennehy, Cloris Leachman, (more)
- 1991
In this crime drama, a sequel to "Deadly Intentions," the protagonist, Dr. Charles Raynor, who was convicted of attempted murder, has been paroled. He goes home to his second wife. He is determined to get revenge upon those who had him convicted for trying to kill his first wife. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1988
Baby M is a two-part TV movie predicated on a headline-making true event. In 1985, Mary Beth Whitehead accepted $10,000 to bear a child, which then would be adopted by William and Elizabeth Stern. But after the baby's birth in March of 1986, Whitehead reneged on the agreement. The subsequent high-profile custody trial raged on for well over nine months. The film strives for impartiality, though those pre-disposed members of the audience will not be swayed from their support of the parents or of the surrogate mother. John Shea and Robin Strasser portray the married couple, while JoBeth Williams plays Whitehead. Baby M was initially telecast on May 22 and 23, 1988. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1987
Dennis Weaver stars in this TV movie as a blue-collar family man who has earned his own keep for 40 years. He holds down a well-paying job at a Massachusetts factory--until one day, when he is summarily dismissed. The reason? Weaver has spent his adult life harboring a terrible secret: he has never learned to read or write. This compelling pro-literacy tract was first telecast as a Nabisco Showcase presentation on September 13, 1987. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1982
Though Two of a Kind was hardly George Burns' television debut, it was his first dramatic TV appearance. Burns is cast as Ross "Boppy" Minor, who is shunted away to a nursing home by his unfeeling son-in-law Cliff Robertson. Robby Benson co-stars as Nolie Minor, Boppy's mentally retarded grandson. Both outcasts from "normal" society, Nolie and Boppy form a strong bond in this touching domestic drama. An Emmy Award went to songwriters James Di Pasquale and Dory Previn for their theme song "We'll Win the World." Two of a Kind first aired October 9, 1982. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Burns, Robby Benson, (more)
