Movie » Made-for-TV Movies

The Lifetime cable channel made TV history with this ambitious, acclaimed original miniseries on the horrifying phenomenon of human trafficking, or sexual slavery. It follows the fictional cases of young women around the world, lured or abducted, sometimes right off the street, into a world of unspeakable brutality--which the filmmakers show in almost overwhelming detail at times. Mira Sorvino and Donald Sutherland star as American government officials bent on exposing and stopping the phenomenon, and both are more than serviceable in their roles. But the revelation is Robert Carlyle, the Scottish star of The Full Monty and Trainspotting, who here is transformed into a ruthless criminal mastermind behind his own trafficking network. Even his Eastern European accent is spot-on and blood-chilling. The supporting cast of women and girls is strong, and in some cases, truly heartbreaking. And while sometimes almost unbearably harsh, the film serves as a reminder this terrible situation still exists and thrives; and told through the characters, is also a well-paced thriller. --A.T. Hurley

As seen on "The Wonderful World of Disney" this new production of the classic musical features an all-star cast belting out the beloved songs. Original Broadway Annie Andrea McArdle makes and appearance too! Fun for the whole family.

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A TV movie adapted from Mitch Albom's best-selling novel of the same name THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN stars Jon Voight MIDNIGHT COWBOY THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE as Eddie whose 83rd birthday marks the movie's opening. An impassive man of few words and a self-effacing modesty Eddie's lifelong employment as the maintennance man at the Ruby Pier amusement park has endowed him with a stoicism puncuated by flashes of kindness. Over the years he has grown to accept a vague disappointment in his life. But Eddie's 83rd birthday also marks his death as he is injured while trying to save a young girl; we are then treated to Eddie's experiences in the afterlife where he is greeted by five people whose lives were intertwined with his in more or less unexpected ways. Though at times saccharine and preachy this is a moving tale of a man who discovers the true meaning of his life as he looks back on it with the enhanced perspective of death.

Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hudgens star in this Disney Channel Original Movie as popular basketball team captain Troy and smart stunning academic Gabriella. Both shock the members of the social cliques to which they belong when they each decide to audition for the high school's musical. By proving themselves to be brilliant performers can these two teens lead their peers towards more open-minded thinking and acceptance of one another? HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL is a family-appropriate feature filled with hip music popular dance moves and tons of school spirit.

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Three months before the much-publicized theatrical release of United 93, the same true-life tragedy was faithfully dramatized in Flight 93, an equally praiseworthy TV movie that was originally broadcast on the A&E network on January 30, 2006. The fourth plane to be hijacked on September 11th, 2001 ? and the only plane that didn't reach its intended terrorist target ? is the riveting subject of this film, which unfolds in real-time (similar but not identical to United 93), beginning with the terrorists' preparations and boarding of the ill-fated flight. We then follow the notorious events as they unfold, and from that moment on, it's nearly impossible to take your eyes off the screen. The intense drama focuses on the passengers who ultimately thwarted the terrorists ? they include Tom Burnett (Jeffrey Nordling), Todd Beamer (Brennan Elliot), and Mark Bingham (Ty Olsson) ? but as their counter-attack plans are being made, the action also reveals the chaotic nature of the ground response, from the White House bunker (where Vice President Cheney was moved for security) to Offices of the Federal Aviation Agency, Verizon headquarters (where in-flight calls were monitored), and United Airlines flight control, where pilots and terrorists alike could be heard throughout the terrible ordeal of the hijacking. To his credit, director Peter Markle steers clear from any sense of exploitation (it helps that there was a five-year gap between the 9/11 tragedy and this respectable film); furthermore, both Markle and screenwriter Nevin Schreiner avoid the pitfalls of melodrama by keeping the action rooted in the facts as we know them. Speculation is necessary for some of the dramatic details, but Flight 93 benefits from a well-chosen cast of unknowns, which enhances our belief in them as ordinary citizens under extraordinary circumstances. As you might expect, several scenes are inherently unforgettable (up to and including the now heroic phrase "Let's roll!" as the counter-attack begins), and the authentically played emotions are further intensified by realistic special effects by Gary Gutierrez, who performed similarly laudable duties on The Right Stuff 23 years earlier, at the start of his visual effects career. Produced with the cooperation of surviving family members of those who perished on Flight 93, this well-made TV film handles difficult material with grace under pressure, and that alone serves as an admirable tribute to those brave passengers who gave their lives so that others could be saved. --Jeff Shannon

This made-for-television movie adapts the story from the classic Broadway musical THE MUSIC MAN. Professor Harold Hill Matthew Broderick an energetic con artist convinces the citizens of a small turn-of-the-century community to form a boy's marching band -- which he plans to lead. However he doesn't plan to fall in love with the town librarian Kristin Chenoweth. The wrinkle in his plan makes for much comedy and the program features classic songs such hits as "76 Trombones" "Ya Got Trouble" and many more.

Glenn Close won an Emmy for her portrayal of Margarethe Cammermeyer in this 1995 made-for-television film. An army medical officer in line for a career promotion during the first Bush Administration, but suddenly faced discharge proceedings after admitting to being a lesbian, the real-life Cammermeyer became a focus of national attention on the issue of gays in the military. This sensitive production focuses on Cammermeyer's decision to fight institutional bigotry and the way her family and that of her longtime partner, Diane Divelbess (Judy Davis, who also won an Emmy), rally to support these good people. The script by Alison Cross captures the sad irony of doing everything right--serving one's country, taking care of the people in one's life--yet still being treated like a pariah for entirely irrational reasons. A bit of dismissible controversy arose about a discreet kiss between the principals, but for the most part this film is designed to win over the hearts and minds of a broad audience with its sheer humanity. --Tom Keogh

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