Stone Cold

Plot synopsis:
Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck) is the police chief of Paradise, Massachusetts, a small coastal town north of Boston. A former homicide detective in Los Angeles, Jesse was fired from the LAPD because of a drinking problem that began following his divorce. He was hired for the Paradise position by the corrupt president of the town council who thought he would be easy to control. After five years, Jesse is still in contact with his ex-wife Jenn, who calls him regularly. He also has a relationship with a beautiful lawyer named Abby Taylor (Polly Shannon), who sits on the town council. Although their relationship is mainly physical, they have a genuine affection and concern for each other.
One cold November night, a body is discovered on a rocky shoreline by Jesse's deputy, Officer Luther "Suitcase" Simpson (Kohl Sudduth). The victim was shot twice in the heart with a .22 caliber weapon. With no suspect, motive, or weapon, Jesse begins his investigation by gathering the names of gun owners in Paradise who have registered a .22. He also adopts the victim's loyal dog, Reggie. Soon a second victim is discovered in a parking lot—also shot twice in the heart by a .22. Jesse orders photographs taken of all the vehicles in the lot and their license plates, suspecting that the killer or killers are still in the area. Following a third killing with the same modus operandi, an eyewitness is found who saw a red Ford Explorer driving away from the scene of the crime. Jesse checks the photos from the parking lot of the second murder and discovers a red Ford Explorer, registered to someone who is also on the list of .22 caliber gun owners in Paradise, Andrew Lincoln.
Brianna and Andrew Lincoln are middle-aged thrill killers, independently wealthy from a patent Andrew obtained for an optical scanner he invented while practicing medicine. The couple moved to Paradise and began selecting random people and murdering them while videotaping their crimes. Later they find erotic pleasure in watching the videos of the murders while having sex. Jesse and Luther pay the Lincolns a visit and briefly interview the couple, who show interest in the murders. As they leave, Jesse tells Luther that the Lincolns are the killers.
Meanwhile, Jesse investigates the rape of a high school girl, Candace Pennington (Alexis Dziena), who refuses to talk about the incident and whose parents refuse to report the crime, to avoid scandal. Assisted by Officer Molly Crane (Viola Davis), Jesse discovers the identity of the three boys who raped Candace. After one of the rapists, Bo Marino (Shawn Roberts), is brought in on drug charges, Jesse discovers photos in the boy's possession of the naked Candace being raped. Bo's father and his attorney arrive at the police station, but the boy spends one night in jail. After Candace agrees to testify against the boys, Bo and his father storm into Jesse's office and force a confrontation, that ends with Candace's father knocking both Bo and his father to the floor. The attorneys for the three rapists agree to have their clients plead guilty, in exchange for sentences of "community service".
While Jesse struggles to find evidence on the Lincolns, the murderous couple begin to stalk Abby Taylor. One afternoon, while walking through a park trying to reach Jesse on her mobile phone, Abby is murdered by the Lincolns in cold blood. Devastated by his girlfriend's murder, Jesse devises a plan that will encourage the killers to attempt to kill him. He goes to the Lincolns' home and returns the .22 rifle. As they taunt the police chief with subtle talk of the murders, Jesse makes it clear that he knows they are the killers.
Jesse calls Andrew Lincoln and asks to meet later that night at the parking lot scene of the second crime and Andrew agrees. Jesse suspects that the Lincolns have other plans and while Molly and Luther wait at the parking lot, Jesse waits outside Candace's house, knowing the killers intend to kill Candace. The Lincolns show up at Candace's house and enter the living room where a tape recording of Candace and her parents is playing. Just as they realize they've been set up, Jesse enters the room. Brianna pulls out two .22 caliber pistols and shoots Jesse in the chest. Knowing of their ritualistic technique of shooting their victims in the heart, Jesse has come prepared with a bulletproof vest. Jesse returns fire and shoots Brianna dead. He turns to Andrew and tempts him to pick up his gun, but the cowering murderer refuses, saying no court will give him the death penalty and that he will outlive the police chief. Jesse responds by punching him in the face.
Afterwards, Jesse returns to his house by the water and pours himself a drink. His wife calls and begins to leave a message on the answering machine, but Jesse doesn't pick up the phone. Instead he walks outside and watches the tide beneath the evening sky.

Tags: suspenseful, violence

Review:
Acting is OK all around, especially from the underrated Tom Selleck, who does a fine job portraying the flinty, laconic police chief Jesse Stone, whose dialogue seems to come right out of a Hemingway novel.
"Stone Cold" is a 2005 made for television film noir starring Tom Selleck.
While the plot is rather simplistic, Tom Selleck, as the film's star, offers a strong performance as Jesse Stone, a worn down police chief now serving in the small Maine coastal community of Paradise.
Formerly a high profile homicide detective from Los Angeles, Selleck as Stone gives this film great appeal.
In addition, the supporting roles are all well cast, albeit with largely unknown actors except for Mimi Rogers who stars as a local defense attorney.Police Chief Jesse Stone has to deal with an ex-wife who is a national news reporter who is always hungry for a scoop.
He still has conflicted romantic feelings about her and will listen attentively to her messages on his answering machine, but he refuses her entreaties to insulate herself into his investigation in the hope of gaining inside access to the identity of a serial killer or killers suddenly plaguing the town.Helping Stone to pass the time in Paradise is the joyful presence of a much younger woman who is not only a dear friend but also a welcome sexual partner.
Making life more difficult for Chief Stone is the gang rape of a young high school student, Candace Pennington (Alexis Dziema), whose parents are strangely uncooperative when they all sit down in the police station for an interview.
Chief Stone realizes that he has what looks like a serial killer operating somewhere in town and he begins to wonder who will be next since he has no evidence to suspect anyone much less charge anybody."Stone Cold" is one of the better television movies that I have recently seen.
A better than average TV-drama/thriller.Tom Selleck is marvelous in the role of Jesse Stone, a former Los Angeles cop who, due to drinking problems, has relocated to a small town called Paradise.
It's only a matter of time between things become personal, both for Stone and the killers.The character of Jesse Stone makes or breaks a film like this.
Very serious, brooding and a borderline alcoholic but with a good heart, Selleck's Jesse Stone will make you nearly forget you're watching the same guy who played Magnum P.I. As for the story, it's never boring, it's fast paced and somewhat suspenseful but it's somewhat shallow.
This seaside town is an important character here and will undoubtedly play a part in the sequels.All in all a good TV movie with Tom Selleck in top form.
It is also implausible that the young rape victim would have held up as well as the girl in the movie did, and that the written press and broadcast TV did not get access to the story.However, given these faults,I still found this one to be a perfect movie to watch on a scorching NC afternoon.Tom Selleck has still got it..
In the small town of Paradise, Massachusetts, the experienced Chief of Police Jesse Stone (Tom Selleck) is investigating a murder and a rape case.
However, without the motive, proof or weapon, he has to wait for an opportunity to catch the murderers."Stone Cold' is a surprisingly good thriller, with an efficient direction, cold but beautiful cinematography and excellent screenplay with great lines, situations and characters.
This simple, low paced and realistic thriller is centered in the dark, flawed and silent character of Jesse Stone, magnificently performed by Tom Selleck.
On the other hand, the whole film is somehow unique and original, qualities one associates with the country side, where the movie is set.It contains great pictures with the seaside, where the little town 'Paradise' is located.
It has been a while since I read the book, but unlike most other adaptations, this one stays true to the original, and the story survives in the film.I was not aware that this movie had even been made until I saw and rented it this afternoon in my local video rental store.
Here, Selleck walks in the shoes of a far darker, even introspective, character in a small town in rural Massachusetts.Although their occupations are similar, a young independent private detective versus an LA cop in the twilight of his career, Jesse Stone and Thomas Magnum are quite polar opposites.
In Stone Cold, the gloomy mists off of Cape Cod are the backdrop to a haunting but compelling story of a tired urban investigator tracking senseless serial killings in a town where the entire police force is barely four people.There is a very deliberate but tempered pace to the film which matches the feel of a small New England community that is quite removed from the hurry and worry of New York or LA.
I felt like the the filmmakers wanted you to see and feel the fog-ridden ocean, the quiet streets, and crisp air of New England life as much as the other aspects of the story.All in all, a satisfying viewing experience, with an outstanding performance by Selleck.
And it looks as though the character of Jesse Stone continues in new films.
Tom Selleck is awesome as Jesse Stone, a flawed yet brilliant police chief with a great sense of humour.
I missed the other two films that have been made since Stone Cold (Night Passage and Death in Paradise) and am hoping they will be rebroadcast or also released on DVD.
Jesse Stone is destined to become a classic character as iconic as that other guy, Magnum P.I. Here's hoping there's a TV series in the works, because this has the makings of a great one.
It does have the police chief as the main character and it does present most of the movie investigations and killings and rapes and lawyers, but what it is really about is the personality of Tom Selleck's character.I personally like Tom Selleck and I think he could have been a great actor not given his apparent gentleness.
I don't see him performing great action roles or emotional roles for the money and the fame, I see him as a quiet guy and probably so do many casting people, although I am sure he would have done great in any of the above roles.The film is nicely shot, mixing the cold atmosphere of a small sea shore town with the beautiful scenery and the plot.
It was a very nice surprise since the movie is really good, the characters are well built and the whole place kind of grows on you as you get to know the town.
Tom Selleck gives a great performance as a lost and tortured police chief...
In Ike and in Stone Cold it's as if you're watching a different person.(Coincidentally, Tom Cruise's work in War of the Worlds also struck me as a breakthrough - something about his performance was more polished and less of the hysterical Cruise mannerisms that irritated me in all of his other movies.) I used to avoid Tom Sellick flicks, but after his last couple of performances, including the brooding old school cop in Stone Cold, I'm actually looking forward to seeing more of him..
His Jesse Stone novels are amongst some of the best writing that Parker has committed to paper and although I found this film engaging it cannot compare to the book.
I enjoyed the movie so much that I promptly ordered all of Robert Parker's Jesse Stone novels and read them.
Selleck does a great job as the generally unflappable but internally tormented Jesse Stone.
Tom Selleck does a great job playing an alcoholic former LA Detective who is now the sheriff of a small Massachusetts town.
I enjoyed the movie, "Stone Cold" with Tom Selleck very much.
Music is by Jeff Beal and cinematography by Rene Ohashi.In the small town of Paradise, Massachusetts, world weary Chief of Police Jesse Stone (Selleck) is thrust into a twin investigation involving a high school gang rape and what appears to be a serial killer at large.What a pleasant surprise!
I'm not familiar with the Parker novels that feature the character Jesse Stone, nor was I aware that this was the first of many TV films to feature said character played by Selleck.
But this is a little treat for Selleck fans and certainly enough for me to take more interest in his Jesse Stone series of films.
Since its adaptation, all of the Jesse Stone movies have been directed by Robert Harmon and have all starred Tom Selleck and this is a team that I say really works.
Parker and even makes a few twists that some could argue even improve upon the already absorbing storyline.For those who don't know what the Jesse Stone books/movies are about, here's what you're missing.
Jesse Stone is a former LA cop now chief of police of a small Massachusetts town.
While trying to mend the relationship between himself and his ex-wife, as well as solving a rape case at the local high school, Stone finds his toughest challenge ahead when two thrill-seeking serial killers enter town and go on a spree, eventually zeroing on him.What really makes this movie work as well as it does is Tom Selleck's performance.
Selleck has always been an interesting actor to watch and playing Jesse Stone is one of his crowning achievements.Robert Harmon's directing is also fabulous with wonderful shot set-ups, fast pacing, and a wonderful way of working with his cast and crew.
Tom Selleck is well cast as Jesse Stone, the remote coastal town cop with a past.
The best things to be said about the TV film is that it has a beautiful soundtrack, sound acting from Tom Selleck and Viola Davis, and an atmospheric setting.
It this first episode of the Jesse Stone series Tom Selleck portrays a small town cop who is forced to deal with killings that seem to keep piling up.
It looked might good to have been made specifically for TV.I like the pace this and all of the Jesse Stone series move at.
Being a fan of Blue Bloods and seeing several of Tom Selleck's films as Jesse Stone to me it's proof what a great actor Tom Selleck has become.
You couldn't find more different characters than the patriarch of the law enforcement family Frank Reagan with as strong a support system with said family with Jesse Stone the rather lonely figure who is police chief of a Massachusetts coastal town.
But Stone has got some real good instincts and after a lot of patient investigation he zeroes in on a pair of thrill killers.The other case his department is working on is a gang rape of a 14 year old with accompanying pictures that the boys who did this threaten the young girl Alex Dienza if she rats them out.
Also from the chief punk Shawn Roberts.This was an excellent beginning for the Jesse Stone series..
Don't worry about the proper introduction, at a relaxed atmosphere, it's set to begin with a simple crime solving plot.Sets in a small fictitious town called Paradise, but revolved around the title character Jesse Stone that beautifully played by Tom Selleck.
I know everything."Jesse is a unique character, like from the similar top cop films.
But overall pace was excellent, particularly all the character development which actually lacked, except Jesse, but somewhat becomes familiar during the midway and makes easier by the end to follow it.To be frank, I anticipated an average flick, but surprised for its biggest entry in the first film itself.
This is where the original writer, the author should be appreciated for his good work.I have said many times and I'm saying it again that I'm not a reader, but I love watching literature based films and I'm happy they have made this one, otherwise I would have missed such a cool detective story.
Stone Cold made in 2005 was the first film in the Jesse Stone series of films adapted from the novels written by Robert Parker.Confusingly the next film Night Passage served as a prequel of Jess Stone, a high profile police detective with a drinking problem arriving to small town of Paradise in Massachusetts.Tom Selleck is the world weary Stone, a recovering alcoholic with an ex wife almost starting out again in Paradise as the police chief.Paradise is plagued with a random shooter who is getting personal with Chief Stone as his girlfriend is targeted.
Jess Stone suspects a smarmy couple renting a house but he needs to prove it.There is also the shocking case of a high school student who is gang raped and threatened by fellow students.
As for the random shooter, again Jess Stone realises who the suspects may be so it is case of how they get caught.It is a character piece about Stone himself, a flawed man who is a good cop with principles.
I think that the whole Jesse Stones series has been really excellent entertainment, and the best thing Tom Selleck has ever done.
Stone Cold- Great Cold Performance By Tom Selleck But Where's the Beef?
As the alcoholic top cop in a small Massachusetts town, Tom Selleck gives one of his best performances in years.
Having left California and his marriage, Selleck seems to settle in this cold town but a rape and serial killer soon keeps him hopping.We never fully realize why the husband-wife killing team are doing what they're doing.
Maybe, had they tied the rape and the serial killings together, we would have had a better picture.The film ends where I can see a possibility of Selleck doing a weekly show on his character.
This is a very smart and kind man.I never saw the (apparently legendary) Magnum series (I was always at work in those days!) and so really know him from the appearances on Friends, his superb westerns and these two wonderful Robert Parker movies.And he's just so very interesting to watch - he's so down to earth, he's the least "grand thespian" of anyone.
This character and Selleck's performance - remind me of many of Robert Mitchum's roles actually - and that's really meant as a compliment.This movie is not a "who done it" - when we hear Selleck as a psychologically damaged, taciturn problem drinker small town police chief, identify whom he "knows" did the crime(s) - it is stated matter of factly, anti-climactically.
You likle seeing them together - they just fit.Finally - and not least - you have Mimi Rogers - beautiful, astonishingly sexy, sophisticated, humane - and with one of the greatest voices of any actress.There's a lot in this - wonderful dialogue, real wit - just not a complex plot (however one you've seen it, question how the climax came about - how the final setting was chosen - what clues were deliberately given to put people in that place).This was a hugely popular movie on American television - enough that they created an equally good "prequel" in "Night Passage".I hope they make many more - though I've mixed feelings about this typecasting Selleck being typecast -- when he can do so much.I really recommend this one.
Stone Cold is an adaptation of Robert Parker's new series about character Jesse Stone.
Stone, as played by Selleck, is a very appealing character and I hope Tom will make a few more telefilms based on this series.
Well done thriller in the old Columbo mold of "we know who the killer is, how will the cops catch him/her?" A few surprises along the way, some good Parkeresque dialogue, Selleck in an appealing performance with excellent support (especially Mimi Rogers) and a few crowd pleasing scenes, ie the arrest in the high school bathroom and the subsequent rhubarb in the police station.
Tom Selleck creates a real marketable character in Chief Jesse Stone.
I think a TV Series would have probably been a better vehicle for the characters and story in Stone Cold but we'll see I suppose for even as I write this a sequel to this film is airing on CBS.
He's the Chief of a small New England Town which suddenly has two big cases on it's hands and it's up to him to figure both out.I like Selleck, always have, he has a movie star, tough guy quality to him and this character is well done and has loads of back story and plenty more to do with and I think Selleck plays it perfectly.
My only disappointment with the roles in the film were that of the serial killers played by Jane Adams and Reg Rogers.
Of the Jesse Stone films I've seen, I have to say I liked this one the best.
Tom Selleck, he of the high testosterone and hairy chest, the iconic Magnum from the hit series "back in the day" was a young 60 years old when he decided to play a city cop who retired to "Paradise" - a perfect little town in an undisclosed location.
It was a TV movie based on a well-written detective series, filmed in Canada, and expectations were not high.
I rented this movie as I enjoyed Tom Selleck's character in Magnum (many moons ago) and was curious about him playing the stern looking person shown on the front cover of the DVD.Whilst I didn't expect a big production thriller, I didn't expect the plot to be as two dimensional and disjointed as it was.
This film about a flawed police chief solving crimes in small town America used well trodden themes (serial killers, rapists, unsympathetic parents) to get an emotional response from the audience but fell short with plots having little complexity and the cast being portrayed as either good, bad or love interest for Selleck's rather self pitying character.
Based on a Robert B Parker novel, Selleck plays Jesse Stone a former big-city detective turned laid-back police chief of a small fishing community Paradise, Massachuesetts.