Filmography

Gossip (2000) This drama explores the blurry line between a rumor and the truth. Three arrogant and self-centered college students Jones (Lena Headey), Derek (James Marsden), and Travis (Norman Reedus) are brought together for a class project, in which they decide to start a rumor and keep track of how it spreads. Looking for possible gossip material, they see Naomi (Kate Hudson), a girl known for her high-minded views on saving sex for marriage, drunkenly making out with Bo (Joshua Jackson) at a party. The three students begin passing around the rumor that Naomi became a victim of date rape later that evening, embroidering the truth with allegations that Bo forcibly seduced Naomi after she was too inebriated to put up a fight. Before long, the rumor makes its way back to Naomi herself, who suffered a black-out on the night in question after too much alcohol. Naomi panics, convinced that the rumor is true, and contacts the police, who assign Detective Kelly (Sharon Lawrence) to investigate the charges of rape filed against Bo. Featuring a cast of young actors best known for their work on television, Gossip was an appropriate first feature film for director Davis Guggenheim, who previously distinguished himself on such TV series as ER, NYPD Blue, and Party of Five.

The Skulls (2000) In this suspense drama, a college student finds himself immersed in forces beyond his control. Born and raised in a working-class Connecticut community, Luke McNamara (Joshua Jackson) made it into an Ivy League college, where he's done quite well; his dream is to be accepted into Harvard Law School, but he knows that it will take more than a good report card to beat out the competition . When an upper-crust secret society called The Skulls asks Luke to join, he eagerly accepts, thinking that the club's connections will help him gain acceptance to Harvard. He enjoys the Skulls' luxurious lifestyle, but when his roommate, a journalism student, dies of an apparent suicide, he's convinced that something is wrong. The deeper Luke digs into the secrets of the Skulls, the more he's convinced that his friend's death was no suicide and that he's put himself in more danger than he imagined. The Skulls was the first starring vehicle for Joshua Jackson, who gained fame on the TV series Dawson's Creek; the supporting cast includes Paul Walker, Craig T. Nelson, Hill Harper, and William L. Petersen

Cruel Intentions (1999) In an adaptation of %Choderlos de Laclos}' novel, ~Les Liaisons Dangereuses}, Kathryn Merteuil (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian Valmont (Ryan Phillippe) are half-brother and sister living in Manhattan. With their absent parents travelling in Europe, the wealthy pair have the family penthouse to themselves as they while away their summer break before beginning senior year at a private high school. Sebastian, bad-boy lothario, has apparently slept with all the girls in town and appears numb to it all. Kathryn, who appears to be the good girl class president, is actually far more amoral and malicious than Sebastian, but maintains appearances to the contrary. When she is dumped by her boyfriend, Court Reynolds (Charlie O'Connell), for the innocent Cecile Caldwell (Selma Blair), she schemes revenge by destroying Cecile's reputation. She challenges Sebastian to deflower Cecile and transform her into a tramp to humiliate Court. Sebastian isn't as interested as Cecile -- she's spent her whole life in a Catholic girl's school and presents no challenge. The girl who has caught his attention is Annette Hargrove (Reese Witherspoon), the new headmaster's daughter. Annette had written an article for ~Seventeen} Magazine on her plans to stay a virgin until she finds her one true love. Kathryn makes a wager. If Sebastian fails to lure Annette into bed before the summer is over, Kathryn gets his car. If he succeeds, Sebastian gets Kathryn, whom he wants anyway. Sebastian accepts the bet, but Annette turns out to be more than either of them bargained for.

Urban Legend (1998) Australian director Jamie Blanks helmed this teen horror film set at Pendleton University. Campus legend has it that 25 years earlier Pendleton was the site of a mass murder by a demented abnormal psych instructor who killed six students and then himself. However, no proof of the prof's deed remains. Urban legends are the subject of a course in American folklore taught by Professor Wexler (Robert Englund). When a series of bizarre deaths occur on the campus, assertive student Natalie thinks they are murders based on urban legends, but classmates Brenda (Rebecca Gayheart), ambitious journalism major Paul (Jared Leto), and practical joker Damon (Joshua Jackson) claim it's just a coincidence. Then Natalie begins to realize that she's the next victim. Since Joshua Jackson is a co-lead on TV's Dawson's Creek, an inside joke surfaces when a radio plays a bit of the Dawson's Creek theme (Paula Cole's &I Don't Want to Wait}).

Apt Pupil (1998)Bryan Singer directed this Brandon Boyce adaptation of Stephen King's novella about teenager Todd Bowden (Brad Renfro), who discovers Nazi war criminal Kurt Dussander (Ian McKellen) living in his California hometown. Fascinated with Dussender's wartime atrocities, Bowden blackmails the former death-camp commandant by promising to keep his identity a secret in exchange for Holocaust horror tales, or, as Todd puts it, "everything they're afraid to show us in school." Dussander complies, and as the weeks pass, their tense confrontations become increasingly malevolent. This is the third film to derive from King's 1982 book of four novellas, ~Different Season}. The others are Stand By Me (1986, from "The Body") and The Shawshank Redemption (1994, from ~Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption}, leaving only one remaining unfilmed tale in the book ("The Breathing Method"). Signet felt King's "Apt Pupil" to be so intense and horrifying that editors asked him to leave it out of the 1983 paperback. A 1987 attempt to film "Apt Pupil" (with Rick Schroder and Nicol Williamson) ended when funding ran out. Shown at numerous 1998 film festivals.

Ronnie & Julie (1997)Though they come from opposing political families, star-crossed teens attempt a lasting romance. This made-for-cable romance is based on %Shakespeare}'s Romeo and Juliet.

D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996) In this youth oriented sports comedy, Disney's unstoppable misfit hockey team returns to again prove that with hard work, determination and inspiration that almost anyone can become a champion. By this time, the Ducks have entered adolescence and have been accepted to a snooty Minnesota prep school renowned for its hockey on special scholarships. Unfortunately, once there, they discover themselves ridiculed by the school's wealthy, white, male and spoiled ruling class, giving the motley team yet another excuse to rally together and win.

Robin of Locksley (1996) In this romantic adventure, the legend of %Robin Hood} is updated and greatly revised. This version sets the tale in modern times and centers on the love story between a gifted high-school archer and an attractive, but distressed young woman.

Magic in the Water (1995) Set in beautiful British Columbia, Canada, this magical family tale centers on a divorced radio talk show psychiatrist who has been so immersed in his career that he has neglected his two kids, Ashley and Josh. To rectify the situation, he takes them to a beautiful lakeside cabin in Glenorky, BC, the supposed home of a giant mythological reptilian monster. Though he has ostensibly come to spend time with the kids, the lure of working on his book is too strong and soon he is locked away in the cabin amidst papers, a cellular phone and a lap-top, busily clacking away while the children head out to explore. It is Ashley who first sees the mythical monster. She tells her dad, and of course, he initially disbelieves her, but the girl seems so earnest that he begins to wonder. His investigation of the matter leads him down a magical road to reconciliation with his children and the rediscovery that there is a wonderful life outside of his career. He even manages to find a little love along the way. This film is also known as Glenorky.

D2: The Mighty Ducks
Release in: 1994 Running Time: 106 minutes
In this family film, that fledgling flock of unlikely hockey players the Mighty Ducks returns beat the feathers off the opposing teams in the Junior Goodwill games. It all begins when Gordon Bombay, recently thwarted by injuries after he attempted a comeback in pro hockey, is approached by a major sportswear corporation. They want him to reassemble the disbanded Ducks and have them compete in the Goodwill games. Bombay agrees and hits the New York streets to round up his former team. He also successfully adds new players including a super fast skater who cannot stop, and an excellent girl goalie. Once again the bumbling kids must learn to overcome their many differences and work together as a team. They are assisted by a pretty school teacher who travels with them. She and Bombay have a fling along the way. When the team finally makes it to Anaheim for the games, they quickly beat the best teams and finds themselves facing the invincible team from Iceland. They eventually win out, but the victory isn't easy as the Icelanders play hard and dirty.

Andre
Release in: 1994 Running Time: 94 minutes
This family drama features the riotous exploits of a lovable seal who befriends a family of animal lovers living in Rockport Maine. The father in this family is Harry Whitney, the harbor master with a great love of animals. His wife Thalice, teenagers Steve and Paula also adore wild critters. But the one who loves them most of all is Toni, a grade-schooler. Every corner of their seaside home is filled with small animals. At work Harry battles the fishermen who hate the seals because they interfere with their catch. Their leader is Billy Baker who drinks too much. At school Toni is persecuted by her schoolmates, the sons and daughters of fishermen. Andre, the seal, has been separated from his clan and is sick. He is rescued by Harry, who brings him home. With Toni's special help, Andre returns to health and becomes a real handful by getting into innocent trouble at every turn.

Digger
Release in: 1992
This oddly unsettling PG-rated film stars Adam Hand-Byrd as Digger, a 12-year-old whose parents are going through serious domestic problems. To keep him out of the line of fire, Digger is sent to live with his crusty grandmother Olympia Dukakis in the Pacific Northwest. He has a great deal of difficulty adjusting to his new environment, but soon he and the locals are the best of friends. A subplot concerns grandma Dukakis' rollicking romance with suave Leslie Nielsen. Rodney Gibbons' script takes some curious side trips into the Morbid, with Digger making the acquaintance of some very tragic characters. Digger was completed in 1992, copyrighted in 1993, and finally given limited release in 1994.

The Mighty Ducks
Release in: 1992 Running Time: 114 minutes
This fill-in-the-blanks children's comedy from @Disney} was such a success that it spawned a number of fill-in-the-blanks sequels -- along with a real-life professional hockey team. The baisc story -- outcast coach handles a team of outcast kids and turns them from losers into winners -- has been told in a number of films, including Wildcats, The Bad New Bears, Hoosiers, and Youngblood. Here the sport is hockey. Emilio Estevez is Gordon Bombay, a high-powered lawyer haunted by an incident from his past: while playing pee-wee league hockey as a child, young Gordon missed a crucial shot in the state finals game, invoking the wrath of his coach, Mr. Reilly (Lane Smith). When Gordon is arrested for drunk driving, the judge orders him to take a leave of absence and coach a hockey team of misfit kids. At first, Gordon treats the coaching job with contempt. But when his team loses to a team led by his old coach Reilly, the fire under Gordon is lit. Inspired, he leads his team on a mission to succeed. The team begins to win games and soon they are ready to face Reilly's team for the big championship game.

Crooked Hearts
Release in: 1991 Running Time: 113 minutes
Adapted from the Robert Boswell novel, the film focuses on a very troubled family beset from all sides by conflict, arguments and scandal. The father (Peter Coyote) brings his wife (Cindy Pickett) and two sons (Vincent D'Onofrio, Peter Berg) to Washington State to begin a new life, but finds that the same problems have followed them.

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