Rodney Johnson Movies
OutKast duo André "Andre 3000" Benjamin and Antwan Andre "Big Boi" Patton star as two Prohibition-era performers determined to fend off the vicious gangsters currently attempting to gain a stake in the pair's lucrative club in this musical drama directed by longtime collaborator Bryan Barber and featuring choreography by three-time Tony award winner Hinton Battle. In the 1930s, Idlewild was the hottest speakeasy in the South thanks to the impressive showmanship of flamboyant manager/lead performer Rooster (Patton) and the notable talents of introverted pianist Percival (Benjamin). Everything changes, however, when a powerful gangster and his ruthless henchmen move in on the scene with every intention of landing a healthy portion of the club's considerable profits. Ving Rhames, Terrence Howard, Faizon Love, Patti LaBelle, Macy Gray, Ben Vereen, and Cicely Tyson co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Starring:
- André Benjamin, Antwan Andre Patton, (more)
- 1999
- NR
A group of young poets verbally spar, both on and off the stage, at a coffeehouse's open mike night in this independent drama. Lance (Christopher Jaymes) is a short-fused hipster with a quick wit and rapid-fire verbal delivery. His buddy Clay (Ben Caswell) is easy-going and laid back, but a demon with real skills behind the microphone. Carolyn (Rachel Parker) has come to perform, but is emotionally sidetracked by relationship woes. And Kurt (Brian Gattas) balances his poetic ambitions with political activism, and has some surprises in store for Lance. These four friends interact and wait for their chance to read, while several real-life poets of note (including Bob Holman and Ellen Rooney) share their work with the audience. Originally titled Slam before another film about young poets with that name beat this to the theaters, Verses was screened at the 1999 Taos Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Starring:
- Christopher Jaymes, Brian Gattas, (more)
- 1998
Anne Elizabeth Ramsay makes one of her sporadic returns to Mad About You as Lisa, the still-unattached sister of Jamie Buchman (Helen Hunt). Envious of Jamie's motherhood, Lisa adopts a surly kitten -- who turns out to be somewhat more than a kitten, and somewhat less than the ideal house pet. Elswhere, Jamie (Helen Hunt) is reinvigorated and Paul (Paul Reiser) is worn out by a noontime sex session. ~ Rovi
