Actor Rob Lowe (1964)

Behind the Candelabra (2013), an American biographical comedy drama television film directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Richard LaGravenese, is based on the book of the same name by Scott Thorson and Alex Thorleifson. In 1977, 18-year-old Scott, an animal trainer for movies, meets Hollywood producer Bob Black in a gay bar in Los Angeles. Encouraged by Black, he leaves his adopted home in search of better job opportunities. Black introduces him to Liberace, who ...

Brothers & Sisters (2006–2011) is a popular, long-running American family drama that aired on ABC for five seasons, from 2006 to 2011. It follows the wealthy Walker family as they navigate life in California, specifically Los Angeles and Pasadena. The series centers on the aftermath of patriarch William Walker’s death and its impact on his wife Nora and their children: Sarah, Tommy, Kitty, Kevin, and Justin. Nora must come to terms with her husband’s infidelity, while her children deal with their own personal issues. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to Kevin’s boyfriend/husband Scotty, Nora’s brother Saul, and William’s ...

The American satirical black comedy film, Thank You for Smoking (2005), written and directed by Jason Reitman, follows the story of Nick Naylor. As a Big Tobacco spokesman, Naylor relies on ‘research’ from the ‘Academy of Tobacco Studies’, where he serves as vice-president. Despite increasing pressure from anti-tobacco campaigns and declining numbers of young smokers, Naylor remains confident in his job. He meets regularly with his friends – firearm lobbyist Bobby Jay Bliss and alcohol lobbyist Polly Bailey – playfully referring to themselves as the ‘Merchants of Death’ or ...

TNT aired the two-part television miniseries Salem’s Lot (2004) on June 20 and June 21 2004. On Thanksgiving in Detroit, Ben Mears attacks priest Donald Callahan at a homeless shelter. As they confront each other in Callahan’s office, Mears is shot and the ensuing struggle sends them both out a window onto a police car below. They are then hospitalized, where an orderly questions Mears about his motives for attacking a priest as a fellow Christian. Mears responds with ‘Jerusalem’s Lot’ before recounting his past to the orderly. Two years prior, he had returned to his hometown of Jerusalem’s Lot (also known as ‘Salem’s ...

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), directed by Jay Roach, is an American spy comedy film. Its title is a witty nod to the James Bond classic, The Spy Who Loved Me (1977). In the film, Austin Powers, a time-displaced British spy from the 1960s, is on his honeymoon with his wife Vanessa Kensington when she is revealed to be a fembot controlled by Dr. Evil. Following her explosive demise, Austin realizes he is once again a free agent and can indulge in casual affairs. Meanwhile, NATO observes Dr. Evil’s comeback from space and his reunion with his estranged son Scott, who later appears on ...

The Stand (1994), an American post-apocalyptic television miniseries based on Stephen King’s 1978 novel of the same name, features King himself as a minor character and also includes his teleplay. In the series, on June 13 at a top-secret government laboratory in Northern California, a weaponized version of influenza named Project Blue accidentally escapes. This causes U.S. Army soldier Charlie Campion, along with his wife and daughter, to flee and unknowingly spread the virus across the country. On June 17, Campion crashes near Stu Redman and his friends at an ...

Bad Influence (1990) is an American psychological thriller film directed by Curtis Hanson. A man leaves a naked woman sleeping as he disappears into the city, tossing away items to cover his tracks. Michael Boll, a shy, socially awkward doormat, discovers that important work data has gone missing. He suspects Patterson, his deceitful coworker, but lacks evidence and the courage to confront him. Frustrated, he retreats to his office where he is interrupted by his fiancée Ruth, whose incessant wedding planning adds to Michael’s stress. Seeking solace at a beach bar, Michael buys a drink for a wallet-less woman and ...

In the American sports drama film Youngblood (1986), directed, co-produced, and co-written by Peter Markle, a 17-year-old farmhand from rural New York named Dean Youngblood has aspirations of playing in the National Hockey League. His father initially disapproves when Dean shares his dreams, but Dean’s brother Kelly convinces their father to change his mind. Dean travels to Canada to try out for the Hamilton Mustangs, showcasing his offensive skills but showing a lack of physical toughness. As he competes for a spot on the team, he becomes known as ‘Pretty Boy’ due to his rivalry with another hockey ...

The Outsiders (1983), an American coming-of-age crime drama film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, is based on S. E. Hinton’s 1967 novel of the same name. In 1965 Tulsa, the Curtis brothers’ parents are deceased, leaving eldest brother Darrel to raise and support his two younger brothers, Sodapop and Ponyboy. The ‘Socs’ continually harass and attack Ponyboy until some of his fellow greasers intervene. Later at the drive-in theater, Dallas attempts to flirt with ‘Soc’ Cherry Valance but instead becomes angry and leaves abruptly. Cherry ...