Patient One

In this frantic and unbelievable medical thriller from Goldberg (Fever Cell), ruthless Chechen terrorists poison a ballroom full of politicians in Los Angeles to facilitate the kidnapping of the U.S. president. When hundreds of patients with severe gastroenteritis%E2%80%94the president among them%E2%80%94begin streaming into Los Angeles's University Hospital, Dr. David Ballineau swings into action. Also caring for the stricken is Nurse Carolyn Ross, who has long carried a torch for the hunky Dr. Ballineau. The Chechens are led by Kuri Aliev, who demands that all Chechen prisoners under U.S. control be released from their various prisons. The terrorists also threaten to detonate an atomic bomb in Los Angeles if their demands aren't met. Fortunately, Dr. Ballineau once served in the Special Forces. Serious thriller fans will want to avoid this one with its romance fiction overtones, flawed plot devices, and pointless action. Agent: Scott Mendell, Mendel Media Group. (May)