Dennis Johnson Movies
Neil Jordan's The Brave One stars Jodie Foster as a happy woman whose life changes irrevocably after a brutal assault leaves her partner (Naveen Andrews) dead. The woman, feeling that the police investigation will be unable to catch the perpetrators, begins to live in constant fear. This outlook results in the woman eventually dispatching vigilante justice. Terrence Howard co-stars as the officer in charge of the investigation. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jodie Foster, Terrence Howard, (more)
American independent filmmaker Jay Craven directs the Vietnam-era coming-of-age drama The Year That Trembled, based on the novel by Scott Lax. Using stock footage along with a traditional narrative, the film takes place in Ohio following the 1970 student murders at Kent State. Right after high school, best friends Casey (Jonathan Brandis), Jim (Charlie Finn), and Phil (Sean Nelson) move into a cottage with activist-on-the-run Judy Woods (Meredith Monroe). The cottage is next door to their former teacher Helen (Marin Hinkle), who gets fired for her antiwar activities. Her husband, Charlie Kerrigan (Jonathan M. Woodward), is a lawyer torn between his moral opposition to the war and his own ambitions. Also starring Fred Willard, Martin Mull, and Henry Gibson. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jonathan Brandis, Meredith Monroe, (more)
The life and times of controversial African-American politician Adam Clayton Powell Jr. is chronicled in this made-for-cable biopic. Constructed in Citizen Kane fashion, the film begins as the aging Powell (Harry J. Lennix) recalls his career to an inquiring reporter. From humble beginnings as a pastor at Harlem's Abyssinian Baptist Church, Powell rises through the ranks to be elected America's second black congressman in 1945. Though reverent and sympathetic to its subject, who is shown battling deeply entrenched racism to bring equality and dignity to his people, the film also sheds light upon Powell's many shortcomings, among them his spotty marital record, his financial shenanigans, his expensive vacations on the public's dime, and his ultimate ouster from Congress. Vanessa L. Williams co-stars as Powell's beleagured ex-wife, celebrated pianist Hazel Scott. Co-produced by Adam Clayton Powell Jr.'s sons, Keep the Faith, Baby was first seen on February 17, 2002, as part of the Showtime cable network's celebration of Black History Month. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Harry J. Lennix, Vanessa A. Williams, (more)
- 1987
This made-for-television drama is based on the true story of a harrowing country abduction. Tracy Pollan stars as Kari Swenson, an Olympic biathlon athlete-in-training who is kidnapped by some reclusive, backwoods mountain men looking for marriage. The movie follows her captivity, the massive search and her recovery from both her physical injuries and the trauma of the experience. ~ Bernadette McCallion, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Made for television, I Married Wyatt Earp was based on the autobiography of Josephine Marcus "Josie" Earp, second wife of the fabled lawman. Born into a middle-class Jewish family in San Francisco, Josephine (played by Marie Osmond) headed to the Wide Open Spaces in hopes of becoming an opera star. Along the way, she crossed paths with Marshall Wyatt Earp (Bruce Boxleitner), to whom she was married for 27 years. Befitting its legendary subject, the teleplay stretches the truth a mite, depicting Josephine as a witness to the Gunfight at the OK Corral in 1881. In truth, she did not become Mrs. Earp until 1908. Also expanded upon for dramatic purposes is a reported romantic triangle between Josie, Wyatt, and corrupt sheriff John Behan (John Bennett Perry) -- not to mention a wholly fabricated episode depicting the heroine as being a "fast gun" in her own right. Ross Martin makes his final movie appearance in the role of Jacob Speigler. Filmed in 1981, I Married Wyatt Earp was eventually aired by NBC on January 10, 1983. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Robert Forster delivers a well-turned performance as a professional stuntman in this Hawksian murder mystery. Forster is Glen Wilson, an ace stuntman who travels from movie set to movie set, performing dangerous professional work. Fiona Lewis is B.J. Parswell, a journalist whose presence creates dissension within the ranks of this all-male group. She turns into an admirer of Glen's skill and then, later, his lover. Pressure increases when Glen's brother, also a stuntman, is killed on an oceanfront movie set in San Luis Obispo. The producer, Blake (James Luisi) thinks it is an accident, but Glen suspects foul play. Glen wants to take the place of his brother, telling the producer that he wants to finish his deceased brother's stuntwork. Actually, he wants to more fully investigate his brother's death by snooping around the movie set. The producer is reluctant, but Glen's old stuntmen pals -- Paul (Ray Sharkey), Chuck (Bruce Glover), and Patti (Joanna Cassidy) -- insist on Glen being hired. Glen proves his mettle, performing a series of dangerous stunts. Along the way he discovers that his brother had been sleeping with Judy (Candice Rialson), Blake's nymphomaniac wife. Glen then suspects Blake might be responsible for his brother's death. After more unexplained "accidents" on the set, Glen is sure that the killer is after him and determines to find him and stop him before he kills again. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Forster, Fiona Lewis, (more)
- 1976
- R
Three Vietnam vets becomes vigilantes against the KKK-inspired racism abounding in their Southern hometown in this violent drama. The African-American trio soon help their neighbors rise up and violently face down their Caucasian oppressors. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Jefferson, Mike Thomas, (more)
- 1969
- R
Karen Carlson, best known to Starsky and Hutch fans as the former wife of David Soul, stars in Shame, Shame, Everybody Knows Her Name. Poor countrified Karen isn't prepared for the evils of the Big City. She receives a liberal education at the hands of her lesbian roomate Getti Miller. Karen has no desire to "come out", she changes her mind after a series of unpleasant encounters with the opposite sex. To say the least, the film is dated. Oddly (or perhaps not so oddly), Shame Shame etc was the handiwork of a man: it was produced, directed and cowritten by Joseph Jacoby. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Karen Carlson, Getti Miller, (more)
