Ted Mann Movies

Created by the same team responsible for the quirky, iconoclastic HBO western series Deadwood, John from Cincinnati was a magical mystery tour of the California surfing scene. Set in the town of Imperial Beach, the story focused on the multigenerational Yost family, led by Mitch Yost (Bruce Greenwood), a onetime surfing legend who had been forcibly retired (except for a few early-morning forays into the waves) by a serious knee injury. The fall of the Yost fortunes had a deleterious effect upon Mitch's son Butchie (Brian Van Holt), who had become a seemingly hopeless druggie; conversely, Butchie's own son Shaun (Grayson Fletcher) was a surfing phenom who bade fare to surpass his grandfather's celebrity--if he ever got the chance. Holding the family together was Mitch's levelheaded wife Cissy (Rebecca De Mornay), owner of the surfing-goods store that provided their income. Into this dysfunctional family unit came a fabulously wealthy and truly bizarre dude known as John Monad (Austin Nichols), who when pressed for details identified himself as "John from Cincinnati." Outwardly a boorish dimwit with an annoying habit of repeating everyone else's conversations, John was clearly operating on some Higher Plane or other, implicitly possessing the ability to heal the sick and revive the dead, and holding out the hope of redemption for the fractured Yosts. With John in the vicinity, no one found it odd that, for example, Mitch suddenly developed the ability to float in the air; everyone seemed to accept the newcomer without question or prejudice. Only the Yosts' friend Bill Jacks (Ed O'Neill), a fancier of birds and pro wrestlers, distrusted John and his motives, suspecting that he was more Satan than Saint. The series' events--subtly but inextricably linking each character with the other--unfolded in a leisurely, day-by-day "need to know" basis, with small, tantalyzing clues as to the story's outcome (Rapture? Armageddon? The Perfect Wave?) buried within each episode. Cocreated by Deadwood's David Milch and "surf noir" novelist Kern Nunn, and featuring Luke Perry and Deadwood alumnus Jim Beaver in key supporting roles, John from Cincinnati began its HBO run on June 10, 2007. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Recovering from a gunshot wound, Hearst demands retribution. Unwilling to give him what he wants, Swearengen is forced to get creative. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

As the third season opens, Bullock and Swearengen begin to realize their common interests with the powerful George Hearst in town. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

1877. A new day is dawning in the Black Hills outlaw camp of Deadwood. For better or worse, times are changing, and the transformation from camp to town is imminent. Unsavory new arrivals - looking to cash in on the lucrative anarchy -- and a government of outsiders usher in an era of hard decisions and brutal power struggles among the camp's founders, all learning the hard way...fortune comes with a price.

Alma (Molly Parker) proposes the formation of a bank in Deadwood, with Sol (John Hawkes) as chief officer. She also has a bout of morning sickness in the presence of Sol and Ellsworth (Jim Beaver). When Sol reports the news to Seth (Timothy Olyphant), he's less than thrilled. Merrick (Jeffrey Jones) gives a very informative tour of the camp to Mary Stokes (Carla Bianchi), the new schoolteacher. When Ellsworth approaches Trixie (Paula Malcomson) to discuss Alma's predicament, she proposes an interesting solution. Al (Ian McShane), feeling stronger, holds meetings with several prominent people in camp. Trixie tells him about the bank. E.B. (William Sanderson) reluctantly tells him about the apparent partnership between Cy (Powers Boothe), Wolcott (Garret Dillahunt), and Jarry (Stephen Tobolowsky). Miss Isringhausen (Sarah Paulson) tells him the fascinating story of how Alma admitted to hiring Al to kill her husband. Al quickly recognizes that Isringhausen is working for the Pinkerton Agency. They want to pay Al to implicate Alma in Brom's death, after which they'll let him escape with their money. He asks for some time to think about it. Al also meets with Lee (Philip Moon) in an effort to gauge how much "juice" he's got. Steve (Michael Harney), angry at Seth for stopping him from tarring and feathering the innocent Fields (Franklyn Ajaye), plans his own unique form of vengeance involving the sheriff's horse. Jarry is angry at Cy because Cy didn't protect him from the angry mob. Merrick pays a price for his refusal to print Jarry's notice. Cy, perhaps realizing his advantage has slipped a bit, makes insinuations to Wolcott about his reputedly violent dealings with the whores. When Cy threatens to inform Wolcott's employer, George Hearst, Wolcott is provoked to take drastic action. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide

Al (Ian McShane) and Seth (Timothy Olyphant) discuss the possibility of using Seth's purported Montana connection to get them more leverage with Yankton. Seth reluctantly agrees to play along. Wolcott (Garret Dillahunt) writes to George Hearst to let him know they've bought up every major gold claim in the region except Alma's (Molly Parker), and that they haven't yet reached the point where they can bring in Chinese labor and start operating 24 hours a day. In the meantime, Captain Turner (Allan Graf) is keeping the Cornish workers in line. Wolcott meets with Mose Manuel (Pruitt Taylor Vince), who made a large gold find with his estranged brother. Wolcott offers a massive sum to buy the claim, knowing that Mose's brother will refuse to sell, and that the hot-tempered Mose will find a way to obtain sole ownership. Charlie (Dayton Callie) sends a broken down Jane (Robin Weigert) to look after his friend, Joanie (Kim Dickens), who is sitting alone at the Chez Amis, waiting for a less friendly caller to arrive. Martha (Anna Gunn) confronts Seth about his relationship with Alma, and what it means to their future together. Alma, in a fit of pique, confronts Miss Isringhausen (Sarah Paulson) about her treachery, inadvertently showing Al's hand. Tom Nuttall (Leon Rippy) receives the bicycle he's ordered, prompting excited wagering in the camp over whether he can traverse the thoroughfare atop the contraption. Ellsworth (Jim Beaver) comes to a decision about Alma, but she's not ready to decide anything. A telegraph operator, Blazanov (Pavel Lychnikoff), arrives in the camp, and sets up shop at the newspaper office. Al asks Merrick (Jeffrey Jones) to print an article about Seth's "unconfirmed" meeting with Montana officials. ~ Josh Ralske, All Movie Guide