C. W. Johnson, Jr.

Korean War

That Should Be A Movie: The Real Heartbreak Ridge

By on Monday, November 4, 2024

It is a war drama

In the vein of Hamburger Hill

It is like Hacksaw Ridge meets 12 Strong

It follows brilliant maverick Col. James Y. Adams

And battle-loving veteran Maj. Virgil E. “Gene” Craven

As they fight for three hills atop Heartbreak Ridge

Problems arise when the well-dug-in Communists refuse to give ground and American commanders continue to send men to their deaths using the same ineffective tactics over and over.

Together, Adam and Craven’s love for their men and personal courage will create a strategy that captures the ridge line.

The idea came to me when I read Heartbreak Ridge by Arned L. Hinshaw to find out more information about the real battle mentioned in the Clint Eastwood movie of the same name.

My unique approach would be the brutality of battle contrasted with the bravery of the men fighting it and the courage of their officers who stand up for them at headquarters.

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War on Terror

That Should Be A Movie: Operation Pineapple Express.

By on Monday, October 7, 2024

The idea came to me during the dark days of August 2021 when reports of the heroic efforts of retired service members helping their Afghan allies escape shined like a bright light of hope.

My unique approach would be the clashing juxtaposition of retired service members in peaceful and prosperous America as they use modern technology to help their allies in tumultuous Afghanistan escape the Dark Age beliefs and behavior of the Taliban and ISIS-K.

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Texas Westerns.

That Should Be A Movie: The Conner-Smith-Low Feud of Sabine County

By on Wednesday, May 1, 2024

A set piece would be when Texas Rangers with the help of a local sheriff are making their way through the impregnable thickets that cover the floor of the piney forest. All is quiet. All of a sudden dogs rush out of nowhere and everywhere in the underbrush, barking, snarling, and howling. The Rangers raise their weapons, expecting to see the feudists burst out of the woods. Instead, their ears are met by the sound of cow horns blowing through the tree limbs. One comes from the northeast. Does another blow come from the south? Southeast? As soon as the dogs appeared, they vanished toward the blowing of the horns. “Well, that does it,” says one of the Rangers, lowering his Winchester. “We’ve lost the element of surprise and might as well head back to Hemphill.” The local sheriff smiles with relief.

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African American History Hurricane Katrina Louisiana Saints

That Should Be A Movie: Saints in the Broken City

By on Monday, February 12, 2024

It is called Saints in the Broken City

It is a sports drama

In the vein of Remember the Titans

It is like The Blindside meets Invictus

It follows the long-suffering but passionate Who Dat fanbase

And the powerful national corporation the National Football League

As they seek to rebuild New Orleans after a disaster using the New Orleans Saints and the Superdome as symbols of hope.

Problems arise when the Saints lose games and the NFL seeks to exert its power over the local economy

Together the power of the local community will win over corporate commoditization and inspire the nation

The idea came to me when the Saints won the Super Bowl, and it inspired me that anything was possible as I headed to college.

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American Civil War Louisiana Strong Women Westerns.

That Should Be A Western: Whiskey Chitto Woman by Marguerite Hudson

By on Tuesday, January 23, 2024

It is called Whiskey Chitto Woman

It is a Western road trip drama.

In the vein of Nomadland

It is like Little Women meets Cold Mountain

It follows determined pioneer woman Ellen Johnson

And naïve teenage boy Sammy Jones

As they take a hazardous journey through the outlaw-infested, devastated countryside of post-Civil War Louisiana to retrieve her husband Aaron whose leg has been amputated.  

Problems arise when they encounter highwaymen and Ellen wonders how Aaron will adjust as a disabled man in an agrarian society.

Together their determined pioneer spirit and love will overcome the obstacles in their way and finish their journey strong.

The idea came to me when I was doing genealogy research while reading Whiskey Chitto Woman I found out that Aaron and Ellen Johnson were my great-great-great uncle and aunt.

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American Civil War Christmas

That Should Be A Christmas Season Movie Release: God Rest Ye Merry, Soldiers

By on Sunday, January 7, 2024

It’s called God Rest Ye Merry, Soldiers

It is a War Drama

In the vein of Joyeux Noel

It is like Gone With the Wind meets All Quiet on the Western Front

It follows the common Billy Yanks of The Army of the Cumberland

And the common Johnny Rebs of the Army of the Tennessee

As they battle the elements, their officers, and each other to survive a meatgrinder of a war.

Problems arise when they are thrown against each other at one of the bloodiest battles of the conflict.

Together, their shared humanity, mutual respect and the Spirit of Christmas will help them rise above the brutality of war and show each other grace and kindness.

The idea came to me when I was reading God Rest Ye Merry, Soldiers and was astonished at how mortal enemies showed each other more respect than people removed 150 years from the events do, and how the message of peace and forgiveness as shown by the soldiers Blue and Gray is one our nation desperately needs to hear right now.

My unique approach is a war movie set at Christmastime but takes place after Christmas Day during the 12 Days of Christmastide and in which the changing cultural meaning of Christmas is a major element in the story’s healing climax.

A set piece would be the night before the battle when the regiments of the Confederate and Union armies are lined up and facing each other. The musical bands of each regiment try to outplay the other with different songs. The Northern bands play “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and their version of “The Battle Cry of Freedom.” The Southern ones play “Dixie” and their own version of “The Battle Cry of Freedom.” Then a band starts playing “Home, Sweet Home.” Every band takes up the tune. Then every tongue, Blue and Gray, takes up the chorus. Soon the entire battle lines of both armies are singing the song in unison. When it ends not an eye is dry.

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