JFK (1991) **** Some movies are great because they're entertaining, others because they move you, some even have the power to make you a better person, or voter...this is a film that had to be made, and thank God was made brilliantly. Oliver Stone does a great job of presenting a hopelessly muddled fact situation, one intentionally muddled by the people in the world who are the best at doing such things. He then, incredibly, manages to mix and balance in a great narrative and family plot, replete with kids losing attention to dad's career, and Kevin Costner making out with Sissy Spacek. But it's the underlying reality that makes this so powerful-the simple truths that may not make sense, but that cannot be ignored and don't line up at all with orthodox American history as told by the corporate history tellers. That Stone is on to something couldn't have been more clear from the reaction to this film-hyterical denounciations of him as a lunatic extremist from respectable people who say that they believe the "magic bullet" theory with a straight face. In fact most of Stone's suggestions (he makes no conclusions) are obvious to anyone who has studied the record to any degree at all. Except, of course, the Warren Commission. Or maybe to them too, maybe especially them. Costner mainly does a very good job in the lead role, but raises his game to incredible levels for the closing courtroom monologue. Joe Pesci, and John Candy give incredible performances. Donald Sutherland gives one of the greatest supporting performances in the history of film. This film should be shown on the first day of any class on American government.