C. W. Johnson, Jr.

That Should Be A Movie: The United Sates vs. The Spirit of ’76

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Short Pitch
It is called Robert Goldstein and The Spirit of ’76.
It’s a Courtroom Drama.
In the vein of Trumbo.
It is like The Post meets The Artist.
It follows an aspiring producer named Robert Goldstein.
And a young actress named Jane Novak.
As they make a patriotic epic during the silent area of Hollywood.
Problems arise when America enters World War I and the film is accused of being treasonous and a violation of the Espionage Act of 1917.
Together they will remain friends as Robert weathers prosecution and imprisonment by the American government.
The idea came to me when I read blurb in a history book while preparing for a test and thought about the similarities of the Espionage Act and other hysteria during The Great War and that of The Patriot Act and other US government actions after the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.
My unique approach would be the juxtaposition of the idyllic dreamworld of early Hollywood against the harsh realities of big government and a hysterical public mindset during war time.

African American History War on Terror

That Should Be A Movie: Into The Fire by Dakota Meyer

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Monday, May 30, 2022

Short Pitch
It’s called Into The Fire.
It is in the vein of Lone Survivor.
It is like Eye In The Sky meets 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.
It follows a young grunt eager to see combat named Corporal Dakota Meyer.
And professional veteran advisor Captain William Swenson.
As they battle to win hearts and minds and save their comrades as they battle the Taliban in the mountains of Afghanistan.
Problems arise when local villages began taking sides with the Taliban and high command refuse to give Meyer and Swenson the reinforcements and artillery support needed when they are trapped in a valley of crossfire.
Together they will defy their commanders and drive the Taliban from the valley.

African American History Hurricane Katrina Louisiana Saints

That Should Be A Movie: From Bags to Riches, Part 2

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Sunday, February 13, 2022

There is so much potential for a movie about the Saints’ Super Bowl Victory. It is a Cinderella story of underdogs. It is the comeback story of a great American city. It is a story of healing. It is a triumphant story of overcoming divisions. It is a story of the power of faith, belief, hope and community. Universal themes that transcend cultural and national barriers.

Hurricane Katrina Louisiana Saints

That Should Be A Movie: From Bags to Riches, Part 1

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Saturday, February 12, 2022

The excitement was so palpable that when the crowd erupted in cheers after Curtis Deloatch scooped up the ball for a touchdown, that he made a beeline for the goal post. Spiking the ball over the bar with a one-handed reverse dunk, he nearly hit his helmet on the cross bar, 10 feet from the ground. “I was going crazy,” he later told reporters. “You could feel the dome just rocking. We must have celebrated for 20 minutes” The referees did not throw any flags. Strangers hugged each other. Fans tumbled over seats and spilled out into the aisles. The celebration continued out into the street and through the night.

African American History Hurricane Katrina Louisiana Saints

That Should Be A Movie: Home Team by Sean Payton

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Saturday, January 29, 2022

The story of the Saints and Super Bowl 44 has many great elements that would make a great movie. It is combination of underdog, comeback, and Cinderella stories. It is a story of hope and inspiration, of rebuilding and rebirth in the face of devastation, themes that resonate with people across the world and time. It is a story of racial and economic healing as people unite in their common goal to overcome adversity The language of film offers many apropos montages of New Orleanians and the Golf Coast Who Dats cleaning up and rebuilding intercut with the Saints training to become a better team and winning victories on the field.

Christmas

That Should Be A Movie: Operation Chowhound

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Monday, December 6, 2021

The Final Bombing Raids Over Nazi Occupied Europe Drop Life Instead of Death. Now That Should Be A Holiday Season Movie Release. Today’s book I would like to pitch as a movie is Operation Chowhound: The Most Risky, Most Glorious US Bomber Mission of WWII by Stephen Dando-Collins, from St. Martin’s Press. On 10 May …

Islam Strong Women

That Should Be A Movie: I Am Nujood, Age 10 And Divorced

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Monday, September 13, 2021

A healing moment is when Nujood, her sisters Mona and Haifa, and niece Monira are on a swing set. They go high and higher. Fast and faster. They feel like they are flying. Nujood’s scarf blows loose. She does not fix it, letting it flow in the wind as her hair tumbles around her shoulders. She feels innocent and free. That’s how a movie about her heroism should end.

Curt Iles Louisiana

That Should Be A Miniseries: A Good Place By Curt Iles

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Monday, August 23, 2021

Since western Louisiana remained a wild frontier due to American settlement bypassing it as the US borders expanded westward, much like Appalachia, the genera of the miniseries would be western. Although a cattle drive is seen when cowboys drive a herd cross the Calcasieu River on the way to feed the Confederate armies east of the Mississippi, the thrilling excitement of one occurs when the men of the community, known as Ten Milers, perform a log float.

Korean War

That Should Be A Movie: The Story of Father Kapaun

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Monday, August 16, 2021

A set piece in a movie would be when he developed dysentery. Knowing that he was humiliated because others had to clean up after him, the other prisoners staged a mass break out of fake dysentery. When the guards give them more medication, they promptly passed it on to the father.

Korean War

That Should Be A Movie: Sergeant Reckless

By C. W. Johnson, Jr. on Monday, August 9, 2021

Black Beauty meets Hamburger Hill during the Korean War. Because of its human-interest story involving the bond between men and their animal during drastic times is why I believe Sergeant Reckless deserves a movie honoring our Korean War veterans.