Aaron Sorkin Movies
Despite being a writer whose impressive list of credits boasts The West Wing, the show considered by many viewers and critics to be the best American television series of the early millennium, Aaron Sorkin would be the first to admit the paralyzing fear that greets him every time he starts a new script. Though at first things may be slow going for the Emmy winner, once he gets going and the dialogue starts flowing, there's almost literally no stopping him. A New York native who graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Theater, Sorkin's initial bid for onscreen credit gradually waned as his reputation as a notable playwright grew due to the success of his play Hidden in the Picture. When his 1989 Broadway play A Few Good Men was turned into the 1992 feature that proved a runaway hit, Hollywood took notice. Sorkin next penned the screenplay for the 1993 thriller Malice; the feature was only lukewarmly received by critics and audiences, and was later overshadowed by his screenplay for the 1995 political romantic comedy The American President. This was followed by work as writer and executive producer on the universally hailed, but inexplicably short-lived, series Sports Night, and soon Sorkin was one of the most talented writers working in television. As popular as Sports Night was with critics and audiences, however, it was his next series that brought Sorkin his biggest success to date. Molded from dialogue left over from his bloated 385-page screenplay for The American President (most screenplays average only 120 pages), his initial scripts for the political TV series The West Wing were smart, fast-paced, and, according to Washington insiders, uncannily spot-on. Sorkin was arrested in April 2001 when authorities at Burbank Airport discovered hallucinogenic mushrooms, marijuana, and crack in his baggage; the writer was later ordered into a drug diversion program. By the time he announced his departure from The West Wing in May 2003, he had claimed three Emmys for his efforts and many thought the show had reached its creative peak. As he bid farewell to the NBC show, Sorkin was rumored to be preparing a series based on the backstage banter of a Saturday Night Live-style comedy sketch series. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide- 1999
Dan's (Peter Krause) nonstop wooing of Rebecca (Teri Polo) appears to be going nowhere, in spite of the fact that he is getting to know everyone she works with as he continues his quest to get her to go out with him. His most recent proposal is watching a tape of a baseball game with him -- which Rebecca finds to be pretty unappealing, considering her total lack of interest. Returning from a vacation spent with his parents, Jeremy (Joshua Malina) makes a segment proposal about a sailing yacht that was lost at sea during a race it was favored to win. After winning approval, Jeremy sinks himself totally into the story -- much to the chagrin of his girlfriend Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd), who senses that something happened on his vacation. As Natalie traps Jeremy in his office and forces him to come clean, Rebecca traps Dan in his office -- but she is the one making the revelations about herself and her persistent denials of Dan's affections. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1999
As Christmas nears, the Sports Night staffers participate in the hallowed Secret Santa holiday gift exchange -- though for most, there is very little secret involved. Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) corners Casey (Peter Krause) and asks him what he wants for his gift, which in turn inspires Casey to ask Isaac (Robert Guillaume) what he'd like. As the holiday preparations continue, Dana (Felicity Huffman) anxiously awaits the arrival of her younger brother Kyle (Eric Bruskotter), a professional football player who has been recently revealed as a participant in a doping scandal and faces league suspension. Meanwhile, Natalie asks Dan and Casey for advice in regards to her audition tape, as she has had ongoing aspirations for an on-air position. Dan gives her an overly enthusiastic response that he nearly immediately regrets, forcing him to come clean later in the day. As the entire crew sets about to come to a consensus about whom they'd name the greatest athlete of the last century, Dana's brother finally arrives in the studio and gets a somewhat different reception than he'd been expecting. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1999
When Jeremy's (Joshua Malina) assistant Corbin (Charlie Finn) neglects to prepare a play sheet for an important story in the broadcast, Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) demands Jeremy fire him or else she'll be forced to do it herself. Jeremy reluctantly agrees but has second thoughts while reconsidering the fact that Corbin is a relative to network bigwig J.J. Elsewhere. Dana (Felicity Huffman) picks up on a breaking story about some drug scandal in Ohio and she begins investigating with Casey (Peter Krause), whom she later sends out to Ohio to personally prepare a report. As Casey heads for the Midwest, Dan (Josh Charles) has another session with psychiatrist Abby Jacobs (Jayne Brook), who points out that his flirtatiousness is merely a means of gaining approval. Taking no strength in this revelation, Dan proceeds to call into question every interaction he has with every female staffer on the Sports Night set. When Casey returns to New York with names and sources about some impending suspensions, the story proves to be much more personal to Dana than she had ever imagined when her younger brother is among the implicated. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Sports Night hits the ratings jackpot after securing an agreement to a five-minute interview with star football player and infamous bad boy Christian Patrick (Brad Henke). While Dana (Felicity Huffman) and Isaac (Robert Guillaume) are beyond overjoyed with this development, Dan (Josh Charles) and Casey (Peter Krause) become less enthusiastic when they learn of the strict interview requirement stipulating that absolutely no questions be asked regarding Christian's ex-girlfriend Mary Pat Shelby, whom the athlete physically assaulted. Having gloated about the inevitable ratings bonanza to Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd), Dana then asks her associate producer to conduct a pre-interview with the footballer prior to the show. Natalie returns to the studio bruised, rousing the suspicions of Jeremy and then the ire of everyone when a report surfaces that Patrick was seen assaulting a young woman. As the situation has now become quite personal, Dana and Isaac begin pursuing a different angle to the interview than had been previously planned. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Having decided to press charges against football superstar Christian Patrick for sexual abuse during preparations for an interview, Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) now has to endure the wrath of the troglodyte sportsman's fans that are now bombarding her with hate mail and much worse. As a result, her work on Sports Night has been scattershot at best, which prompts Dana (Felicity Huffman) and the rest of the Sports Night crew to try to cover for her during this rough period. Jeremy (Joshua Malina) also lends Natalie a hand in his own inimitably neurotic way by snooping through her e-mail so as to shield her from some of the more egregious correspondences. Dana suggests he focus his attentions elsewhere, like taking her out to dinner since she has an enormous crush on him anyway. Previously unaware of Natalie's interest in him, Jeremy decides to do just that and sets out to find the perfect restaurant. Still smoldering over Dana's romantic relationship with Gordon (Ted McGinley), Casey (Peter Krause) channels his frustration into on-air rants about his alma mater's head football coach -- but he has a change of heart after having an unexpected informal discussion on the matter with Gordon. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1998
After a particularly grueling day in the studio, Dan (Josh Charles) spearheads an effort to get everyone to go to the bar. Casey (Peter Krause) initially declines the invite, but swiftly changes his mind after learning that Dana (Felicity Huffman) is coming along. Everyone but Jeremy (Joshua Malina) decides to go, prompting Dana and Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) to try to talk the new guy into joining the festivities. After convincing everyone that he needs to write a letter to his hearing-impaired sister Louise, Jeremy does indeed stay behind and proceeds to recount to his younger sister his first three months on the Sports Night crew. Responding to Louise's previous letter inquiring about his co-workers, Jeremy goes into some of the details he has learned about his fellow staffers -- ranging from Isaac's (Robert Guillaume) extensive experience as a newsman to Dana's upbringing to his new and awkward relationship with Natalie. As he begins to wrap up the letter, Jeremy hears loud music coming from the studio and learns that the gang has returned after getting kicked out of the bar for being unruly -- which leads to an unexpected but very welcome encounter between Natalie and Jeremy. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1998
The date is November 23, which holds special significance for a number of reasons. To begin with, the date marks the five-year anniversary of Casey (Peter Krause) and Dan's (Josh Charles) working relationship -- an event that seems to hold more importance to Dan than to Casey. When Casey fails to remember this milestone, Dan becomes passively hostile toward Casey -- which in turn angers Casey. In frustration, Casey asks the Sports Night crew why November 23 is an important date and Jeremy (Joshua Malina) announces that the date marks the anniversary of the first spoken performance by the ancient Greek actor Thespis, who is universally accepted as the first actor. Furthermore, Jeremy elaborates, Thespis is now a ghost who enjoys haunting any type of production that occurs on November 23rd, and that the crew should be prepared for a night filled with unexpected mishaps. Isaac (Robert Guillaume), in the meantime, is fretting over an argument he had with his wife just prior to her departure for California to be with their nearly full-term pregnant daughter -- only to later learn that his daughter has gone into early labor due to some unexpected and potentially serious complications. Dana (Felicity Huffman) is also worked up over her impending duties as host for her family's Thanksgiving Day festivities, since this is her first attempt at hosting and she'd rather not have to deal with what she believes her mother's reaction will be. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1998
The Sports Night crew prepares for an extra long day, due to a special early morning broadcast of mountain climber Desmond Corey's ascent of Mt. Everest. As the staffers track the climber's progress, a water main breaks due to the frigid temperatures outside. Due to the subsequent road closures, Dan (Josh Charles) and Casey (Peter Krause) are unable to get any food delivered to the studio. Dana (Felicity Huffman), after prepping the crew for the day's events, takes the afternoon off to go see The Lion King with her niece -- an activity she is not looking forward to, since her perceptions of Broadway musicals are based on her disliking of anything in the vein of Oklahoma! Upon viewing the performance, however, Dana returns to the studio proclaiming her newfound love for the magic of the theater. Meanwhile, Dan labors over which charity to donate his money to as Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) and Jeremy (Joshua Malina) decide how to act professionally with one another now that they are beginning to fall in love. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Looking forward to a gambling trip in Atlantic City upon the completion of their work day, Casey (Peter Krause) and Dan's (Josh Charles) plans are squashed when they are forced to substitute for the co-anchors of the early morning wrap-up show who are snowed in at the Pittsburgh airport. With a bit of time to kill before the 2 a.m. show, they decide to start an impromptu poker game to pass the time. Dana (Felicity Huffman) and Isaac (Robert Guillaume) join the game after briefly discussing Isaac's notion that he may be shrinking due to age and osteoporosis. Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) challenges Jeremy (Joshua Malina) into the game as part of their ongoing feud regarding Jeremy's recent choice of playing tennis with an old friend -- who happens to be a famous and beautiful actress -- rather than spending time with her. Unfortunately for Natalie, she proves to be horrible at poker -- which makes her even more angry with Jeremy, whom she also accuses of being a Mr. Know-It-All. While in the midst of the game, Dana has a brief discussion with the 2 a.m. show's producer Sally (Brenda Strong) and learns that Casey had approved the show's rundown without scrutinizing every last detail -- which miffs Dana and aggravates the jealousy and rivalry she has with Sally. Confronting Casey on the issue, Dana proceeds to inform him of the several problems in store for him with the 2 a.m. show because of his negligence, while Jeremy starts getting angry over Natalie's obsessive need for vindication and revenge that has elevated the argument to another level -- much to the ire of the rest of the staff who are forced to listen to the bickering. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Sports Night co-anchors Dan (Josh Charles) and Casey (Peter Krause) have been following a developing story out of Tennessee involving the suspension of student athletes who have protested the flying of the Confederate flag. The network's CEO Luther Sachs is an alumnus and benefactor of the same school in the report and orders Isaac (Robert Guillaume) to prepare a segment explaining the importance of the flag in Southern history. As Isaac gives him the assignment, an incredulous Dan argues that Isaac should instead prepare an op-ed piece to support the students and demand their reinstatement back into school. After some thought, Isaac does just that -- prompting both the unanimous support and admiration from his staff and a call from his angry boss. Meanwhile, Casey makes an appearance on the popular daytime talk show The View and undeservedly takes credit for his snappy wardrobe, when in fact all his clothes are chosen by Sports Night's wardrobe department. Back in the studio, Dan points out Casey's apparent lack of regard for the rest of the crew while one of the wardrobe assistants comes down on him for taking the credit for her department's work. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Still reeling from learning that Dana (Felicity Huffman) is in the midst of a relationship, Casey (Peter Krause) begins to exhibit bizarre behavior not dissimilar from that of a lovesick schoolboy -- which includes kicking fire hydrants, hiding from Dana, and dodging large flies only he seems able to see. Dan (Josh Charles) -- who is forced to endure Casey's Dana obsession with no small amount of disdain -- gets a summons to the Business Affairs department and learns his recent on-air serenading of Casey with the "Happy Birthday" song will cost the network 1,000 dollars in royalty fees to whomever holds the copyright to the song. Now totally obsessed with the notion of a fly attacking him, Casey examines a tape of the show he claims he was attacked on to prove he's not imagining the insect -- but comes away without finding it and begins to suspect he may be cracking up. Dana, in the meantime, has become aware of Casey's obsession via Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) and Dan, while her plans for a skiing getaway with her boyfriend Gordon (Ted McGinley) seem to have pushed Casey over the edge, prompting him to confront her. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Jeremy (Joshua Malina), Sports Night's new analyst, learns from Isaac (Robert Guillaume) and Dana (Felicity Huffman) that he has gotten "the call," which would be even more impressive to the newcomer if only someone would explain what that means. When given further details, Jeremy learns that "the call" is his first on-site production assignment -- which in this case is preparing two hunting reports for the outdoors segment of the show. As Jeremy heads out to the Adirondacks for an assignment he's not terribly excited about, his secret admirer Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) sets about on her quest to get Dana and Casey (Peter Krause) to fall in love. Her opportunity arises when the network's CEO throws a black-tie affair and demands all Sports Night staff attend the event. Natalie's plan seems to come to at least partial fruition when Casey sees Dana in her party gown and becomes smitten -- which later turns to jealousy when he learns that the man she spent a lot of time with at the party was her date. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Dan (Josh Charles) finds himself in hot water as an interview he did for Esquire three months ago is just now hitting the stands and implies he supports the legalization of marijuana. When network representatives swoop down and insist on an on-air apology, Dan balks at the thought -- primarily since he fails to see whom the apology should be directed toward. While the show's executive producer Isaac Jaffee (Robert Guillaume) doesn't disagree with Dan's arguments, he also insists on the apology in order to efficiently end the matter. Meanwhile, the same article that got Dan into trouble has also gotten Casey (Peter Krause) worked up with the article's suggestion that Casey is the "uncool" member of the duo. As all of this unfolds, Natalie (Sabrina Lloyd) asks Casey to help Jeremy (Joshua Malina) with his first news story, since her impartiality is at risk due to her having a crush on the new analyst, while Dan suspects that he may have an on-staff stalker. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1998
Kicking off the 45 episode ABC television series Sports Night was this pilot episode that originally aired on September 22, 1998. After two years together as co-anchors of the popular sports wrap-up show Sports Night, Casey McCall (Peter Krause) and Dan Rydell (Josh Charles) are hitting a difficult patch in their working relationship. Newly divorced, Casey is filled with uncertainties about his life that are clearly impacting his work performance -- a development that hasn't been lost on the network executives. Show producer Dana Whitaker (Felicity Huffman) and Dan take it upon themselves to get Casey back up to speed before the higher-ups feel compelled to intervene, or before Casey does something drastic like quit. In the meantime, associate producer Natalie Hurley (Sabrina Lloyd) has conducted a search for a new research analyst and has chosen the bright but quirky Jeremy Goodwin (Joshua Malina) for the job, whom she presents to the very thorough Dana for final approval. ~ Ryan Shriver, All Movie Guide
- 1998
This highly acclaimed but shortly lived half-hour comedy focused on the staff of a cable sports news program called "Sports Night." As the anchors and producers duck and weave through their career goals, workplace romances, rough divorces, and a love/hate relationship with professional sports, the power-plays on the court, in the office, and behind closed doors create a dynamic and often hilarious environment. Written by Aaron Sorkin, Sports Night has been praised for the balance in depicting the inner-workings of its setting, the relationships between its characters, and the unique overarching world of sports journalism that draws them together. Networks had trouble finding the show an audience and eventually it was canceled. While Sorkin was offered the chance to continue the series on cable, he declined to focus on his new series The West Wing, which found tremendous success and was praised for many of the same merits as Sports Night. ~ Cammila Albertson, All Movie Guide
This earnest, intelligent, and well-written romantic comedy is enjoyable and optimistic in classic Hollywood style, even if its idealism doesn't seem quite so credible against the cynical political backdrop of the Nineties. President Andrew Shepherd (Michael Douglas), an unabashedly liberal Democrat, is just gearing up for re-election when he meets an attractive and sharp environmental lobbyist named Sydney Wade (Annette Bening). The two fall in love and the President must soon deal with the political repercussions (Sydney is trying to get legislation through Congress), as well as the cynical machinations of Republican opponent Senator Bob Rumson (Richard Dreyfuss), who attempts to paint Sydney as a radical and use "family values" rhetoric to smear Shepherd. With the attacks affecting his standings in the all-important polls, and his love's legislation causing him headaches in the Capitol, Shepherd must decide whether he can risk continuing his relationship. A rich supporting cast, solid characterizations by Douglas and Bening, and an articulate approach make this an appealing, if not particularly weighty, study of the tensions between public and private life. ~ Don Kaye, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Douglas, Annette Bening, (more)
Alec Baldwin stars in this thriller as Dr. Jed Hill, a brilliant young trauma specialist who begins to believe he can do no wrong after he saves the life of a patient given up for dead by another doctor. Jed runs into an old classmate, Andy Safian (Bill Pullman), who is now a college dean. Andy invites Jed to stay with him in the attic bedroom of a house he is renovating with his wife Tracy (Nicole Kidman). Tracy takes a dislike to Jed, whom she thinks is a psychotic egomaniac. In the mean time, Andy has to deal with a serial killer on the loose among the campus dorms. While Andy is helping belligerent law enforcement officials with the murder investigation and Jed is drinking straight shots at the local saloon, Tracy begins to have abdominal pains and is rushed to the emergency room. Jed comes directly from the bar and slices her open, removing more from her body cavity than he should. The allegations fly fast and furious between Tracy, Andy, and Jed. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alec Baldwin, Nicole Kidman, (more)
In this military courtroom drama based on the play by Aaron Sorkin, Navy lawyer Lt. Daniel Kaffee (Tom Cruise) is assigned to defend two Marines, Pfc. Louden Downey (James Marshall) and Lance Cpl. Harold Dawson (Wolfgang Bodison), who are accused of the murder of fellow leatherneck Pfc. William Santiago (Michael de Lorenzo) at the U.S. Navy base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Kaffee generally plea bargains for his clients rather than bring them to trial, which is probably why he was assigned this potentially embarassing case, but when Lt. Commander JoAnne Galloway (Demi Moore) is assigned to assist Kaffee, she is convinced that there's more to the matter than they've been led to believe and convinces her colleague that the case should go to court. Under questioning, Downey and Dawson reveal that Santiago died in the midst of a hazing ritual known as "Code Red" after he threatened to inform higher authorities that Dawson opened fire on a Cuban watchtower. They also state that the "Code Red" was performed under the orders of Lt. Jonathan Kendrick (Kiefer Sutherland). Kendrick's superior, tough-as-nails Col. Nathan Jessup (Jack Nicholson), denies any knowledge of the order to torture Santiago, but when Lt. Col. Matthew Markinson (J.T. Walsh) confides to Kaffee that Jessup demanded the "Code Red" for violating his order of silence, Kaffee and Galloway have to find a way to prove this in court. A Few Good Men also features Kevin Bacon as prosecuting attorney Capt. Jack Ross and Kevin Pollak as Kaffee and Galloway's research assistant, Lt. Sam Weinberg. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, (more)
