Now Streaming in Austin: Gary Kent is the Danger God

Welcome to today's Now Streaming in Austin, highlighting locally-made movies to watch while self-quarantining. So have you watched Once Upon a Time ... In Hollywood and wondered whether Brad Pitt's character is based on a real figure? Well, yeah, kind of, and his name is Gary Kent.

If you don't think you know Kent, you actually may. Over a 43-year career as a stunt performer and coordinator, he's been kicked, punched, blasted, blown up, bucked from horses, thrown off buildings, and made stars look like tough guys. But everyone knows stunt performers don't get their due - and that's why film historian (and long-time Chronicle) contributor Joe O'Connell made Danger God as a way to pay tribute to this overlooked real Hollywood hero.

This wonderful documentary goes into the ups and downs of Kent's career, and gives you a peek into how movies really worked in the pre-CGI era. And, yes, he goes into detail about the Spahn ranch and crossing paths with the Manson Family.

You can read Marc Savlov's excellent 2018 interview with Kent and O'Connell, "Last of the Dangerous Men," to find out more about their friendship and Kent's legacy, and you can watch the film on Amazon Prime right now. If you're not a prime member, you can rent for $3.99 or buy it on HD for $7.99, or rent through YouTube or Vudu.

Alternatively, you can always pick up a physical copy on either Blu-ray or DVD (plus, if you know Joe, he still has a few copies of the original DVD release from when its working title of Love and Other Stunts).

Danger God

• Amazon (Link)
• YouTube (Link)
• Vudu (Link)