David Johnson Movies
Two bored young practical jokers inadvertently scare up a heap of trouble in their backwater Mississippi town when they re-create the local myth, Gator Face, a swamp creature said to be half alligator and half human. Their little prank proves so effective that soon the town is swamped with media types. But things become serious when the National Guard begins combing the swamps and the real Gator Face shows up. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dan Warry-Smith, Paul Winfield, (more)
This original HBO production documents, in dramatic form, the rivalry between Jackie Robinson, Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson to see who would be the first African-American to play Major League Baseball. Paige (played by Delroy Lindo) and Gibson (Mykelti Williamson) are more aggressive about seizing the opportunity that arose in the mid-'40s with the death of baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who had publicly avowed that the color line in baseball would never be broken. Branch Rickey (Edward Herrmann), the owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, is the first to seize that opportunity, sending his scouts to check out all the stars of the Negro Leagues. He narrows his choice down to Robinson, in part because of Paige's age (he was around 40) and Gibson's health (he behaved erratically in public, though it rarely affected his game). Rickey was looking for a player with the talent to compete in the big leagues and the character not to allow the inevitable harassment that would come his way to get to him. Robinson was signed in October 1945 and made his big-league debut in April 1947. Paige made it to the big leagues in 1948; Gibson died at the age of 36 in 1947 of a brain tumor. ~ Tom Wiener, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Delroy Lindo, Mykelti Williamson, (more)
- 1996
Bruce LaBruce produced, co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in this satiric black sex comedy about gay hustlers and their customers in Santa Monica, California. Monti Ward (Tony Ward), a male prostitute, is dead, floating face down in a Jacuzzi as the story begins, and in voice over, Monti describes the circumstances that led him to this cruel fate. Jurgen Anger (Bruce LaBruce), a writer from Europe, is in California researching a book on prostitution, and when he sees Monti, he decides that this is the man he wants to be his tour guide. Jurgen offers Monti $1,000 to tell him stories about "work" (which is more profitable and less taxing than what most of his clients put him through), and Monti agrees. However, Monti is no male whore with a heart of gold; earlier the same day, he stole a car and ran over the foot of Eigil Vesti (Kevin P. Scott), another hustler (though after his foot has to be taken off, Eigil discovers a lucrative sideline working with amputation fetishists). As Monti regales Jurgen with tales about johns who like knives, duct tape, or any number of other strange and disgusting things, the writer finds himself developing a serious crush on his hustler. Leading man Tony Ward previously worked as a model and appeared in several videos with Madonna, including "Justify My Love" and "Cherish." ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Ward, Bruce LaBruce, (more)
- 1986
Revel in the music and look of the '80s with this commemorative video. In 1986, The New York Mets were at the top of their game. As world champions, they boasted an all-star lineup and soaring popularity. At the height of Mets frenzy, the ball team came out with a music video celebrating the incredible season. "Let's Go Mets" became the official theme song, resulting in a gold record and triple platinum sales. The video also features interviews with Gary Carter, Keith Hernandez, Dwight Gooden, Kevin Mitchell, Darryl Strawberry, and others. Let's Go Mets offers viewers a slice of history packaged in an unforgettable time capsule. ~ Sarah Ing, All Movie Guide
