Pumpkin-22

Although the telepic is a real treat for Stoogephiles, it is ridiculously short. The actors do a creditable job re-creating classic and not-so-classic (Joe Besser, anyone?) Stooge shorts, especially Michael Chiklis--late of the horrible John Belushi biopic "Wired"--as Curly. I would have liked to have seen more of the period in which Shemp re-joined as the third Stooge, but overall, the movie was absorbing and heartbreaking. But what can you say when the Temptations get a two-night miniseries event, and these giants of slapstick are relegated to a one-nighter?

Norman Jewison's THE HURRICANE packs more emotional punch than just about any other 1999 movie. I was interested in Rubin "Hurricane" Carter's story ever since I heard the famous Bob Dylan song many years ago. This is superb storytelling, with Denzel Washington giving another award-worthy performance. Although Mr. Jewison employs familiar devices--courtroom sequence, flashbacks, "Raging Bull" style B&W boxing sequences--he manages to make everything seem so fresh and vital. I'm giving this a 10.

This important movie about Gulf War Syndrome and the various bureaucrats' efforts to deny its existence originally aired on the Showtime network and is now (Nov 9) available to rent on video. Unfortunately, it's a "Blockbuster Exclusive" but just this once you should go there and rent this outstanding motion picture, the most moving and troubling search for truth since Oliver Stone's JFK. Ted Danson and Jennifer Jason Leigh give the expected solid performances, but the revelation here is Steven Weber; his character moved me to tears. Try to sit through this film and not get angry about that "good government bullshit" that Gulf War vets had to (and many of them still have to) endure. Do not miss this one.