David Kriegel

Leaving Las Vegas -- Nicolas Cage garnered a Best Actor Oscar for his hauntingly disturbing portrayal of a suicidal alcoholic who falls for a compassionate Las Vegas prostitute (Elisabeth Shue) in one of the year's most critically acclaimed films.

Speed -- A young cop must save the passengers of a bus that has a bomb set to explode if the bus goes below 50 MPH.

Ben Sanderson, a Hollywood talent rep, loses his job because of his drinking. Despondent, he goes to Las Vegas to end his life in one final binge. But, on the Strip, his plans are interrupted when he meets Sera...a street-smart hooker. Ben and Sera's chance meeting becomes a respite on the road to oblivion as these two disenfranchised souls form a bond that is as mysterious as it is immutable. Based upon the novel by John O'Brien.

Jack Traven (Keanu Reeves), an LAPD cop on SWAT detail, has a fearless nature and a keen understanding of the criminal mind. That, and some luck have kept him alive. But Jack's luck is being put to the ultimate test. An elusive bomber-extortionist Howard Payne (Dennis Hopper) is seeking vengeance after his latest ransom scheme is thwarted. Payne gives a personal challenge to Jack: A bomb is rigged on a city bus, which will detonate if the speedometer drops below 50 MPH. Poor Annie (Sandra Bullock) gets shoved into the driver's seat, while Jack does his best to save the day.