missivonne

Just to add two bits to this. I, too, studied with a nun with a male saint's name, Sister Joseph Maureen. That's why I always quipped -- even before seeing Durang's play -- "The ones with the male saints' names are the worst." Sister Joseph Maureen was such a terror that I was sent to a psychologist at 7.

As to who is and isn't a "nun," for 99 percent of those in the Roman Catholic Church, both contemplative (cloistered) sisters and apostolic (out in the world as teachers, nurses and, nowadays, other occupations) sisters are referred to as "nuns." Indeed, in 1984, when I wrote my master's thesis on modern nuns, apostolic sisters freely referred to themselves and others in the apostolic orders as nuns. The distinction is not much observed in everyday speech.

Many have commented on what a remarkable performance the young actors give in this riveting movie. I would like to add that it is stunning how closely the director follows the original Othello. Except for updating the language a bit and moving the action to a South Carolina prep school, the story is virtually unchanged. Even some of the dialog mimics the original. Take special note of what Hugo and Odin say as the movie's climax progresses: It is nearly identical to what Shakespeare wrote.

It's such a great introduction to the Bard that I'm using "O" in my humanities class.

Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert loathed this film when it came, but I can't see why. It's a light horror-comedy in the "Ghostbusters" vein.

Frank Bartlett (Michael J. Fox) stars as a ghostbuster of sorts, a "paranormal investigator" in his own parlance. He haunts -- pardon the irresistible pun -- funerals for clients and drums up business with the help of two ghostly pals who haven't quite crossed over. You see, although Frank is something of a con man (he gets his ghost buddies to create the disturbances he then stops), he isn't as much of a con man as you first think: He can actually *see* ghosts and understands the supernatural.

Frank lives in a town that was the scene of a murder-massacre that left 12 people dead years before. The so called Bartlett-Bradley murders in a now-closed hospital made international headlines. But, after years of quiet, in the last four years, dozens of perfectly healthy people have begun having heart attacks. Frank and his love interest (a doctor, Dr. Lucy Lynskey, played by Trini Alvarado) get involved in figuring out the cause. Any more information would ruin the movie. I do want to add that I was surprised that Alvarado, a classic beauty like Andie MacDowell (whom she resembles) or Grace Kelley, had such a comic touch. She outshone even Fox!

The movie isn't Peter Jackson's later and momentous "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, but it's a fun and suspenseful romp full of more surprises than you'd expect in this genre. And, as even Ebert had to admit, the special effects were fantastic. There isn't a dull moment, and you find yourself really anxious for Frank and Lucy.

Don't be put off by the critics. See it for yourself. You'll be glad you did. I caught it on cable TV, but I understand you can rent it.