ABCs at the Movies: The Doubles Round!

[Fran]

Morgan Freeman played Paul Shannon in this film.

From IMDb:

Eddie (Keanu Reeves) works on a scientific team that is searching for low-cost energy sources that are good for the environment, too. One day, it seems that such a discovery has been made. Soon after, however, the chief scientist is murdered and the invention stolen. Eddie and fellow team member Dr. Lily Sinclair (Rachel Weisz) are suspects in the murder and are forced to go on the run. Naturally, the police and the FBI are in hot pursuit. Another team member Paul (Morgan Freeman) may have some secrets to hide as well. Will the truth come out and will the fleeing duo be captured?

This movie is mostly a chase picture and a moderately successful one. Much of the action is centered on the capture of Eddie and Lily. There is an impressive scene, for example, where Eddie is trying to avoid seizure by climbing a raised bridge. Unfortunately, not all of the scenes are as effective. The scientific elements are quickly rushed over, causing some confusion as to what has transpired. As for the romance between Reeves and Weisz, it is nicely subdued. It's there but only manifests itself in a few embraces. Although the ending is quite exciting, the overall effect of the movie as an action flick is only partly realized. There are some missing plot elements that would have raised it to a higher level. Recommended as a fairly good action motion picture; Reeves fans, certainly, will enjoy it.
 
 

[memento]

Morgan Freeman played Col. Abraham Curtis in this film.



IMDB Plot: Four childhood friends, Jonesy, Beaver, Pete and Henry all share a special secret. Each year, they take a trip into Maine woods. This year is different. A blizzard occurs, and they recover a man found wondering around. Unbeknownst to them,this wandering individual isn't the only being to be found. Now they must act fast to stop the outbreak developing and to prevent the world from its doom.

[southendmd]

Morgan Freeman played Moses Ashford in this direct-to-dvd film.

Plot:  Upon discovering a den of corrupt policemen, a fresh-faced journalist makes a shaky allies in a jaded reporter and investigator for a powerful district attorney.

Apparently, Justin Timberlake had no spark. 

[Fran]

Morgan Freeman played Harry Stevenson in this film.

From IMDb:

Greetings again from the darkness. Director Robert Benton has only made 11 movies in 35 years. What is consistent with each of his films is the way he peels back the layers of humanity. He really explores the different personalities in people. Think of the Hoffman/Streep split in "Kramer vs. Kramer" and you will see the similarities with the break-up here of Greg Kinnear and Selma Blair. The number of intimate moments and personal insecurities are too many to count ... just like real life.

Rarely do you see one partner slap the other in the midst of an affair when the one slapping is trying to lecture the soon-to-be-married other one that her morals need to be straightened out before she weds. In other words ... do as I say, not as I do. Another good story line involved two young broken people who try to accept that life and love can be good. Played well by Toby Hemingway and a stunning Alexa Davalos, the two lovers have overcome much in their lives and certainly appreciate the bond they have.

The best story line in the film is the magic of Morgan Freeman and Jane Alexander, playing the oldest interracial couple I can remember seeing on film. They are both hurting deeply from the loss of a son, yet the strength of their relationship allows them to deal with grief in separate ways, while still being there for each other. Two excellent performances.

The center of the film is the lovable, clueless, hopeless romantic played by underrated actor Greg Kinnear. We see two relationships (Selma Blair and Radha Mitchell) end badly for him, yet he clings to his belief that LOVE is what it's all about.

I like how the only kids involved in this real world mess are old enough to make their own decisions. It would have been easy to toss in a kid or two to tug even harder at the tear ducts, but this remained an adult story for adults ... and there are far too few of these. Be forewarned , this is no light-hearted chick flick. It could be termed a romantic drama but more accurately a human drama.

[oilgun]

Morgan Freeman, apparently owing someone a BIG favour, plays Police Lieutenant Redding in this straight-to-video excreta.

From IMDb:  I pride myself on not being taken in by fancy packaging. Since I work in film and advertising, I understand that things are not always what they see. This movie made me sick. I was absolutely paralyzed by it. ALthough the remote was simply on the coffee table in front of me, I physically could not move to turn off the movie. I was that amazed. Morgan! MORGAN!! MORGAN!!! What was going through your mind, Brother. I find it hard to believe that you went into this project willingly. Or perhaps you were hoodwinked by the same people who got me to rent this debacle. Word of advice... NEVER EVER EVER put this movie on your resume. Most people will not have seen it or even heard of it. And don't ever go on Maury Povich. You know how they surprise people. Well it won't be a lover from your past which comes back to haunt you... it will be this film. Wow. I wish I had their money. I would have made a much better film. Isn't that always the way? People with it have no idea how to handle it. Oh well. DOn't rent this. It truly truly sucks!!!

[memento]

Morgan Freeman played Charles W. Grimes in this film.



IMDB Plot: High powered lawyer Claire Kubik finds her world turned upside down when her husband, who she thought was Tom Kubik, is arrested and is revealed to be Ron Chapman. Chapman is on trial for a murder of Latin American villagers while he was in the Marines. Claire soon learns that to navigate the military justice system, she'll need help from the somewhat unconventional Charlie Grimes; meanwhile, Claire's sister, Jackie, is falling in love with wet-behind-the-ears Lieutenant Embry assigned as the official defense lawyer. And most of the eyewitnesses have rather too conveniently died.

[Lynne]

starring Jack Nicholson who starred with Morgan Freeman in THE BUCKET LIST.

From Wikipedia:
The picture is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same title by William Kennedy, and tells the story of an alcoholic, wandering man and woman during America's Great Depression. Kennedy also wrote the screenplay.

It stars Jack Nicholson, Meryl Streep, Carroll Baker, Michael O'Keefe, Diane Venora, Fred Gwynne, Tom Waits and Nathan Lane. The film was nominated for Academy Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (for Nicholson) and Best Actress in a Leading Role (for Streep).

Major portions of the film were shot on location in Albany, New York, including Jay Street at Lark Street and the Miss Albany Diner on North Pearl Street.

[Meryl]

Morgan Freeman played Lt. A. Z. Drones in this movie.

[Fran]

Morgan Freeman played Dr. Alex Cross.

From IMDb:  Washington DC detective Dr. Alex Cross travels to North Carolina to investigate the apparent kidnapping of his niece. Aided by escaped kidnapee Kate McTiernan, Cross hunts down the kidnapper, who operates under the pseudonym "Casanova."

Sir Michael starred with Nicholas Cage.  Plot:  A Chicago weather man, separated from his wife and children, debates whether professional and personal success are mutually exclusive.

"Fran Jr." was an extra in "The Weather Man."  She's on the sidewalk, on the far left. 

[Lynne]

From Wiki:
Lean on Me is a 1989 biographical-drama film written by Michael Schiffer, directed by John G. Avildsen and starring Morgan Freeman. Lean on Me is loosely based on the story of Joe Clark, a real life inner city high school principal in Paterson, New Jersey, whose school is at risk of being overtaken by the New Jersey state government unless students improve their test scores. Morgan Freeman spent time with Clark to capture his mannerisms and sayings. Clark resigned as principal of Eastside High School the year after this film was released to become an author and motivational speaker. In August 1995, he was hired to run a juvenile detention center in Newark, New Jersey. Parts of the film, including the elementary school scenes, were filmed in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.