John Amos Movies
An actor with hulking presence and a stern countenance, John Amos undercuts his ominous appearance with the kind of warm grin and fun-loving attitude that makes him a natural for comedy. More recognizable as a television actor, the former pro football player has made enough visible forays into film to earn him a reputation in both arenas.After stints in a variety of divergent career fields -- pro sports, advertising, commercial acting, stand-up comedy, comedy writing -- Amos got his big break with the role of Gordy the weatherman on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in 1970. After three years as a side player next to Mary Tyler Moore, Ed Asner, and Ted Knight, Amos thought he'd get the chance for top billing by signing on to the gig for which he is best known: James Evans, the temperamental patriarch of Good Times. But Jimmie Walker, who played son J.J. Evans, soon gave the show a sassy youthful focus with his catchphrase "Dy-no-mite!" stealing the spotlight from Amos and Esther Rolle, who played wife Florida. Amos asked out of his contract after three years, and in 1976, James Evans was killed off in a car accident.
The decision to leave a hit series did not squash Amos, as it has some others who have made that bold decision. Instead, Amos stepped into the highly celebrated and widely seen role of the adult Kunta Kinte in the 1977 miniseries Roots. The role challenged the actor's dramatic abilities like none of his previous work had, and he won praise for documenting the travails of a captured African who resists his enslavement.
While continuing to turn up in TV series such as Future Cop and Hunter, Amos began making regular appearances in film in the 1980s. Among his more prominent roles were as Seth, companion to Marc Singer's title character in the sword and sorcerer film The Beastmaster (1982); Cleo McDowell, owner of a McDonald's knockoff burger chain and employer of Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall's transplanted dignitaries in Coming to America (1988); and the double-crossing Major Grant, who becomes one of the villains opposite Bruce Willis in Die Hard 2 (1990). Settling back into a career of guest shots on TV shows, Amos occupied himself during the 1990s and beyond with recurring roles on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and as Admiral Percy Fitzwallace on NBC's The West Wing.
~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi
- 2006
- PG
- Add Dr. Dolittle 3: The Daughter Is In to Queue Add Dr. Dolittle 3: The Daughter Is In to top of Queue
A young woman discovers that her father's special talent runs in the family in this direct-to-video sequel to the 1998 blockbuster (which, unlike the previous two films in the series, does not feature Eddie Murphy). Maya Dolittle (Kyla Pratt), the youngest daughter of veterinarian John Dolittle, makes the surprising discovery that, like her dad, she can understand what animals have to say, and speak with them in their own language. Unlike her father, Maya hasn't found a suitable use for her talents, and as she finds an outlet for her unique language skills, she is sent away to Durango, a combination summer camp and dude ranch, where she strikes up a rapport with both the fellow campers and the livestock. When she learns that Durango is on the verge of going out of business due to money problems, Maya starts working with the camp's horses and cattle, giving them a much needed pep talk as they're entered in a local rodeo that could save Durango. Dr. Dolittle 3: The Daughter Is In also features Kristen Wilson, John Amos, and Walker Howard. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- John Amos, Kyla Pratt, (more)
- 2003
Comic actor Anthony Anderson was appropriately cast as Anthony Anderson in this half-hour WB sitcom. A struggling actor and single dad, Anthony was forced by financial and other considerations to move back home with his middle-class mom and dad, who looked after his son, Tuga (Damani Roberts), while he continued to seek out movie work. Anthony's mother, Flo (Roz Ryan), was delighted to have her darling boy back, but his irascible father, Joe (John Amos), was not so thrilled -- especially since he had already rented out Anthony's old room to Latina medical student Lydia Serrano (Aimee Garcia). Co-created by star Anderson, Adam Glass, and Marco Pennette, All About the Andersons debuted September 12, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Anthony Anderson, John Amos, (more)
Three lazy pals find they're facing fatherhood simultaneously in this light-hearted comedy co-written by star Eddie Griffin. Lonnie (Griffin), G. (Anthony Anderson), and Dominick (Michael Imperioli) live stress-free lives with Lonnie's trash-talking Uncle Virgil (John Amos). But when all three young men's girlfriends get knocked up at the same time, they're forced to take a long, hard look at their lifestyles. For G., who works at the family grocery store of his girlfriend Xi Xi (Bai Ling), that means saying no to criminal temptation and staying on the straight and narrow; for Dominick, it means taking time out from his busy career as a record producer and coming to terms with surprise revelations from his baby's momma; and for Lonnie, it means recognizing ghetto-fabulous girlfriend Rolonda (Paula Jai Parker) as the gold-digger she is and finding a new lady love without sacrificing his individuality. Directed by Cheryl Dunye, whose previous features were low-budget indies, My Baby's Daddy also stars rapper Method Man as imposing ex-con No Good. ~ Brian J. Dillard, Rovi
- Starring:
- Eddie Griffin, Anthony Anderson, (more)
It's the Hatfields and McCoys all over again with this uproarious tale of feuding families that ends with an outrageous "Watermelon Juice Afro Sheen" contest that you have to see to believe. John Amos stars in this urban comedy that pits him against the Brown Family, the source of all his nightmarish neighbor woes. When word spreads of a $10,000 watermelon competition, the two families duke it out in a last-ditch effort to see who will stay or go in this wild comedy from director K.C. Amos, son of film's starring actor. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, Rovi
- 2002
Avon Kirkland's Ralph Ellison: An American Journey takes a close look at the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Ralph Ellison. In addition to the expected array of experts that analyze Ellison's work, Kirkland intersperses dramatized scenes from Ellison's only novel Invisible Man, including the infamous blind battle royal that appears in the beginning of the book. Andre Braugher (Homicide) provides the narration. This film was screened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival before playing as part of the American Masters series on PBS. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
- Starring:
- Andre Braugher, John Amos, (more)
An ambitious high school senior who dreams of escaping his dreary small town and his depressive single father receives a visit from a disheveled senior citizen claiming to be the boy's older self in an intimate fantasy drama starring Robert Loggia, Craig T. Nelson, and John Amos. Seventeen year-old inventor Z.T. (Ean Mering) is athletic and creative, and seems to be headed for a bright future. Lately, Z.T. has been dreaming of getting out from under the protective arm of his gloomy father Cole (Nelson) and venturing out into the real world. Suddenly, sixty-eight year-old alcoholic named Zack (Loggia) shows up in town claiming to be the older incarnation of Z.T. Despite the fact that Zack can't quite remember the specifics about his mission, he claims to have arrived in order to stop Z.T. from making a single mistake that will send the boy's life into an irreversible downward spiral. Later, as Zack and Z.T. begin working together to avert disaster, the young boy falls for a beautiful local girl named Delena (Emilie Jacobs) and does his best to deal with the demands of his overbearing coach (John Amos). When Z.T.'s dad makes a devastating confession, Zack's time-traveling mission quickly takes on a newfound sense of urgency. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Ean Mering, Craig T. Nelson, (more)
- 2000
President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) seeks out the advice of Lord Marbury (Roger Rees), whose intelligence in diplomatic affairs is matched only by his eccentricities, when a possible nuclear exchange could transpire between Pakistan and India. Mandy (Moira Kelly) desires to find out how the staff would feel if she were to represent a liberal Republican. Josh (Bradley Whitford) is forced to testify at a hearing concerning substance abuse among White House staffers. Charlie (Dulé Hill) and Zoey Bartlet (Elizabeth Moss) plan the best way to approach the president about the possibility of them dating. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
In this drama based on the novel by Terry McMillan, Zora (Sanaa Lathan) is a woman who dreams of becoming a singing star, meanwhile supporting herself as a schoolteacher. Franklin (Wesley Snipes), a father of two whose divorce is about to become final, has lost his job as a construction worker and is trying to scrape up the money to launch his own business. Neither is looking for a relationship, but when Zora moves into Franklin's neighborhood, they find they're attracted to each other and must deal with the ups and downs of being in love. Produced for the premium cable network HBO, Disappearing Acts also stars John Amos and CCH Pounder; Lisa Jones wrote the screenplay from McMillan's novel. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Wesley Snipes, Sanaa Lathan, (more)
- 2000
Something to Sing About tells the story of TNT (Family Matters' Darius McCrary), an African-American ex-con. While TNT is standing in a grocery store aisle, an elderly woman named Memaw (Irma P. Hall, Patch Adams) overhears him singing and admires his voice. She invites him into her home, feeds him, and ultimately helps lead him to Christ by turning her television to a ministerial broadcast during supper. Now reformed -- with a new recycling job that he finds through one of Memaw's friends -- TNT begins a romance with Memaw's granddaughter Lilly (Tamera Mowry, Sister, Sister) and finds new life in the church choir. But a friend steeped in gang violence, and disapproval from a local elderly man threaten to dampen TNT's spirits -- until a surprising twist brings him unexpected media exposure and attention as a singer. Produced by Billy Graham through his World Wide Pictures video label, Something to Sing About is a warmhearted, family-oriented drama with evangelical Christian themes. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi
- Starring:
- Darius McCrary, Tamera Mowry, (more)
- 2000
Craig T. Nelson stars as Jack Mannion, a policeman brought in to fight crime in the nation's capital in this television drama series. After a controversial but successful stint as chief of police in Newark, NJ, Mannion makes a positive impression on Deputy Mayor Mary Ann Mitchell (Jayne Brook) and is hired to do the same job in Washington, D.C. But the D.C. police's Chief of Patrol, Joe Noland (Roger Aaron Brown), isn't quite as impressed with his new boss, whose tough exterior is leavened with a broad sense of humor. Don Baker (John Amos), D.C.'s mayor, often butts heads with the new chief of police, who takes a firm stand against internal corruption and doesn't shrink from placing responsibility on his own officers. Working alongside Mannion are statistics clerk Ella Farmer (Lynn Thigpen), public affairs director Nick Pierce (Justin Theroux), and Irish beat-cop David McGregor (David O'Hara). The District premiered on the CBS television network on October 7, 2000. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Craig T. Nelson, Jayne Brook, (more)
- 1999
President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) is furious about a plane carrying his personal physician being downed in the Middle East. After initially requesting a retaliatory attack that would kill a great many people, Bartlet's military advisors try to convince him to take a more cautionary maneuver. Journalist Danny Concannon (Timothy Busfield) questions Press Secretary C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney) about Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe) having a relationship with a high-priced call girl. Having heard nothing about it, she confronts Sam about the issue and berates him for keeping her uninformed about such a dangerous political situation. Josh Lymon (Bradley Whitford) hires Charlie Young (Dulé Hill) to be the personal aide to the president. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi
Rapper/ actor Ice Cube directed this urban comedy-drama about African-American single mother Diana (Lisa Raye), who aims for a career as a broadcast journalist. To finance her education, she works as a stripper at the raucous Players Club, run by hustler Dollar Bill (Bernie Mac). When naive Ebony (Monica Calhoun), Diana's young cousin, also signs on at the club, Ronnie (Chrystale Wilson) attempts to lead Ebony into prostitution, creating conflicts, while club deejay Blue (Jamie Foxx) begins dating Diana. This film is Ice Cube's feature directorial debut; he also scripted and appears in a supporting role. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Starring:
- LisaRaye, Bernie Mac, (more)
- 1996
- PG13
This made-for-cable comedy centers on the romantic travails of Michael Makeshift (Jason Alexander), a schnook who just can't get over the fact that his girlfriend dumped him. To make matters worse, his gross and sloppy landlord is bugging him for long-overdue rent. Things for Michael's brother Reggie (James Woods) are much better. He is planning to rob the credit union where his own mother (Beau Arthur) works. His new wife Valerie (Lolita Davidovitch) has no idea what Reggie is planning and so is puzzled when Michael comes to stay with her. She also does not know that Reggie has paid Michael for the favor. Despite his well-laid plans, things go badly for Reggie when his henchmen mutiny and force him to reveal that the clueless Valerie carries the security codes they need to pull off the job in her suitcase. Thus begins a merry chase. While Michael helps Valerie escape, he reveals the truth about Reggie. At the same time, she become increasingly attracted to her new protector. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jason Alexander, Lolita Davidovich, (more)
- 1995
Posing as a journalist, Monica (Roma Downey) is assigned to write a story about Sheriff John Mackey (John Amos), who is regarded as a hero for his actions during a hostage crisis in which both the gunman and Mackey's partner were killed. Under intense pressure to measure up to his father's standards, Mackey's son Matthew (Bumper Robinson) cheats on his US Naval Academy entrance exams, then tries to kill himself so his dad will never find out. As Matthew hovers between life and death, Monica endeavors to bring redemption to both father and son, a task that requires Sheriff Mackey to face up to his own failings--and his own self-serving lies. This is the final episode of Touched by an Angel's abbreviated first season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
Hoping to "bond' with his cousin Will (Will Smith), Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) invites him for a weekend skiing trip. The plan fails miserably when the twosome suddenly becomes a threesome, thanks to the unexpected appearance of Will's sweetheart Lisa (Nia Long). And after several false starts, Hilary (Karyn Parsons) is finally prepared to move out of the Banks house and into her own place. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
When the small, intimate wedding planned by Will (Will Smith) and Lisa (Nia Long) begins to bloat out of proportion thanks to their bickering parents, the couple decides to elope to Las Vegas. There they decide to exchange vows in a chapel which specializes in "theme" weddings. The couple's chosen theme is the movie Shaft--and aren't they lucky when the minister turns out to be singer Isaac Hayes! Meanwhile, a predatory financial adviser (Arnetia Walker-Francis) sets her sights on Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1995
On the eve of his wedding to Lisa (Nia Long), Will (Will Smith) begins to wonder if he's ready for marriage. Oh, he still loves Lisa--but it has just dawned on him that he hardly knows the girl. Elswehere, Will's mom Vy (Vernee Watson-Johnson) and Lisa's dad Fred (John Amos) discover that they enjoy yelling at each other; and it's splitsville for Jazz (Jeff Townes) and his wife Jewel when he discovers her secret. This last episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's fifth season also marks the final series appearance of Nia Long. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
In this sci-fi horror outing a terrorist turns into an unstoppable mass of electromagnetic energy after an attempted prison break goes horribly awry. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi
- Starring:
- Joe Lara, Evan Lurie, (more)
- 1994
John Amos makes his first series appearance as Fred Wilkes, the father of Will's current heartthrob Lisa (Nia Long). Anxious to make a good impression on Mr. Wilkes, Will (Will Smith) succeeds beyond his wildest dreams. In fact, Fred is so impressed by Will that he decides to move to LA and spend all his time with his future son-in-law--completely crowding Lisa out of the picture! And elsewhere, Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro), Ashley (Tatyana M. Ali) and Hilary (Karyn Parsons) go to extreme lengths to find out who among them is their father's favorite child. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1993
- R
A killer who strikes only during Mardi Gras turns out to be a supernatural demon (Michael Ironside) who has sought human sacrifices ever since the original festival began as an occultist ceremony. The New Orleans cop assigned to the case (Robert Davi) tracks the demon around the city with his partner (Mike Starr) and must save the girl he loves from being the next victim. ~ John Bush, Rovi
- Starring:
- Robert Davi, Michael Ironside, (more)
Rating Systems
Blockbuster
BLOCKBUSTER name, design and related marks are trademarks of Blockbuster L.L.C.
2013 Blockbuster L.L.C. All rights reserved.
Portions of Content Provided by Rovi Corporation. 2013 Rovi Corporation.