Yves Simoneau Movies

In the wake of seeing their influential husbands Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X assassinated, Coretta Scott King (Angela Bassett) and Dr. Betty Shabazz (Mary J. Blige) keep the flames of the American civil rights movement burning bright while becoming strong female role models, and forging an enduring bond that spanned 30 years. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Ezio's father Giovanni uncovers a vast conspiracy in 15th Century Italy while investigating the murder of the Duke of Milan in this prequel to the popular Assassin's Creed video game series. In the process of seeking the killer, Giovanni uncovers evidence that leads directly to the hallowed halls of the Vatican and realizes that he's being followed. And should he fail to complete his investigation soon, chances are Giovanni will never be heard from again. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director Yves Simoneau explores the plight of the American Indian in the later half of the 19th century in this docudrama exploring the effects of westward expansion and based on the book by Dee Brown. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

More than 4000 people who disappeared over the past half-century are returned to Earth by a vehicle at first mistaken for a comet. Peter Coyote stars as the head of the government agency investigating the event. ~ Jeanette Martin, Rovi

Filmed in France, Hungary, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Morocco, and Canada, this ambitious biographical TV miniseries chronicles the life and times of the "Little Corporal" from Corsica who managed to conquer nearly all of Europe within a period of a dozen years. The narrative begins in the mid-1790s, as Napoleon Bonaparte (played, curiously enough, by comic actor Christian Clavier) makes his mark on posterity with spectacular victories in Austria and Egypt. On the home front, Napoleon woos and wins the lovely (and considerably older) Josephine (Isabella Rossellini), but finds time for extracurricular romances with other women, notably Countess Marie Walewska (Alexandra Maria Lara). Ultimately, Bonaparte's ambitions destroy him, first in Russia, then at Waterloo, consigning the general-cum-emperor to live out his life in humiliation and exile. When originally broadcast in France in October 2002, Napoleon ran six hours (plus commercials), with four episodes. For its American presentation on the A&E cable network beginning April 8, 2003, the production was literally sliced in half, shown in two installments with a running time of three hours. What remained was all highlights and few insights, though a few brilliant moments remained, many of these supplied by the supporting cast, which included Gérard Depardieu (who also produced) as Fouche, and John Malkovich as Talleyrand. Thankfully, the full six-hour version was made available in the U.S. on DVD and VHS in 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The political thriller B-movie Ignition was released straight to video in the U.S. Bull Pullman stars as Conor Gallagher, a former military helicopter pilot who was discharged due to his violent rage. He is assigned to protect Federal Judge Faith Mattis (Lena Olin) after a mail bomb goes off in her office. Meanwhile, the U.S. is about to put a man on the moon and corrupt military officials plan to assassinate the President. Colm Feore plays the corrupt bad guy, General Joel MacAteer, and Peter Kent plays his henchman Brunson. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Treat Williams stars in this drama as the owner of a brewing company who refuses to knuckle under when gangsters make threats against him, his business, and his family. With the help of his wife and his uncle, he's able to outsmart and outmuscle the crooks. Carroll O'Connor and Kim Cattrall are featured in the supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Based on a book by Dean Koontz, who also served as one of the executive producers, this Canadian telefilm directed by Yves Simoneau (Mother's Boys) concerns a young psychology student named Chyna Shepherd. She's played by Molly Parker (who was so wonderful in the 1996 cult film Kissed) as a troubled woman with a frightening past, which is seen in disturbing flashbacks. Chyna attempts to exorcise her own demons by rescuing a 15-year-old girl named Ariel (Tori Paul) from the brilliant but completely insane serial killer Edgler Vess (John C. McGinley). Vess has kidnapped Ariel and is holding her captive in his remote cabin, and only Chyna can save her. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

A psychotic estranged wife attempts to sabotage her husband's new romance by turning her children against his lover in this thriller. Jude (Jamie Lee Curtis) had abandoned her husband Robert (Peter Gallagher) and their three sons several years earlier. Unfortunately, now that Robert has filed for divorce after falling in love with Callie (Joanne Whalley-Kilmer), the sweet-natured assistant principal at his son's school, Jude is back for revenge. At first she merely tries to convince the children that Callie is an intruder on the rightful family, but the psychotic Jude's actions soon turn dangerous, as she attempts to frame the educator for assault. Things become particularly sticky when she tries to win over her 12-year-old son Kes (Luke Edwards), involving him in a potentially deadly scheme. Director Yves Simoneau borrows from numerous other stalker dramas and attempts to ratchet the action to a feverish pitch in the conclusion, but Jude's behavior remains unbelievable, and most critics found Mother's Boys an unconvincing, often over-the-top psychodrama. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

The two-part TV movie Cruel Doubt was based on a true story, as elucidated in book form by Joe McGinniss. In part one, aired May 17, 1992, Wealthy North Carolinian Blythe Danner discovers that her own son Matt McGrath was involved in a robbery-assault in their home, in which her husband was killed. The story was resolved in part two, which debuted May 19, 1992. As the courtroom trial wears on, flashbacks reveal the extent of McGrath's involvement in the crime, as well as the depths of his mental illness. And for a brief period, there's a slim possibility that the evidence is all wrong, and that McGrath is innocent. The boy's sister is played by Gwyneth Paltrow, real-life daughter of Blythe Danner. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Based on Shelby Foote's novel September, September, this made-for-cable effort focuses on the exploits of a trio of white drifters who hatch a scheme to kidnap the young grandson of the wealthiest black industrialist in Memphis, Tennessee in 1957. ~ Jason Ankeny, Rovi

The title of this French-Canadian film translates to In the Belly of the Dragon, but don't assume that it's just another kung fu epic. Rather, the film is a likeable mixture of science fiction and humor, centered around the money-making schemes of star David La Haye. Unable to make ends meet with his minimum-wage job, La Haye hires himself out as a guinea pig to genially loopy scientist Marie Tifo. It is the doctor's contention that a person's intelligence can be artificially increased. La Haye proves her right...up to a point, that is. Extremely popular in Canada, Dans le Ventre du Dragon has yet to receive proper distribution in the States. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

This French Canadian film details the aftereffects of a daring robbery. Veteran criminal Theo (Jacques Godin) and his novice gang - including his son, played by Eric Brisebois -- very nearly pull off the theft without a hitch, but the son panics and shoots two of the guards. The third guard (Robert Gravel) hides in the back of the armored car, locking himself in so that the criminals can't get either him or the loot. The efforts by Theo to extricate the guard from his stronghold end a shootout that proves fatal for everyone involved. Blind Trust was inspired by James Hadley Chase's novel The World in My Pocket previously filmed in 1962 and 1983. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi