Johnny Griffin Movies

The true story of an upset victory that helped change the sport of golf forever provides the basis for this period drama. Francis Ouimet (played by Shia LaBeouf) was born in 1893 to a working-class family in Massachusetts, and grew up fascinated by golf. However, at that time golf was considered a pastime of the wealthy and privileged, and British and Scottish players dominated the professional game. Ouimet's familial home was near the Brookline, MA, Country Club, and over the stern objections of his father, Francis got a job there as a caddy. Honing his skill in his spare time, Francis displayed a tremendous natural talent for the game and an understanding of its strategies, and 1913 he became the first amateur to play in the U.S. Open, held at the Brookline Country Club. Ouimet's presence was considered little more than a novelty at the time; Harry Vardon (Stephen Dillane), a British champion with six tournament victories under his belt, was considered a shoo-in to win, with Ted Ray (Stephen Marcus) his only serious competition. However, Vardon, a fellow working-class boy who had overcome tuberculosis to become Britain's premier professional golfer, had more in common with Ouimet than anyone expected, and the tournament unexpectedly became a hard-fought competition between an established star and a promising unknown. Directed by Bill Paxton in his second directorial effort, The Greatest Game Ever Played also stars Elias Koteas as Francis' father, Josh Flitter as the ten-year-old boy who becomes Francis' caddy, and Peyton List as Sarah Wallis, Francis' sweetheart. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A teenager looking to regain his self-respect and his relationship with his father finds the answer in an unexpected place -- go-kart racing -- in this family-friendly drama. Watts Davis (Will Rothhaar) is a 14-year-old boy who has been nothing but trouble since the death of his mother. Feuding with his father Vic (Randy Quaid) and causing problems at school, Watts has only one desire: to someday become a race-car driver. When Watts discovers IKF go-kart racing, he sees he's finally found a way to start living his dream and mend fences with his dad, who was a go-kart champ in his youth. With the help of Vic and fellow racer Scott (David Gallagher), as well as some unexpected moral support from Dhalia (Amanda De Martinis), a cute graffiti artist who has caught his eye, Watts has his eye on the local IKF go-kart championships. But can Watts beat Rodney (Joe Dinicol), the class bully who also happens to be a hotshot on the track? Kart Racer also features an appearance by comedian Harland Williams as Zee, the proprietor of a local video-game arcade. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

This 1981 concert features sets by two respected saxophonists, Johnny Griffin and Richie Cole. Griffin gets support from a trio consisting of bass player Ray Drummond, pianist Ronnie Matthews, and Kenny Washington on the drums. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi