Dave Hackel Movies

Jamie Foxx once again brilliantly demonstrates his acting chops as Stan "Tookie" Williams, the South Central Los Angeles native who, at the age of 17, co-founded the infamous Crips street gang. If one is to believe the script of this made-for-cable film, Williams hadn't intended the Crips to wallow in crime and violence; instead, he'd hoped that the gang would form a united front to protect his 'hood from other gangbangers. Needless to say, it didn't turn out that way, and within a few years of its 1971 formation, the Crips was the biggest and most powerful gang in the country, with branches in virtually every state. Ultimately, Williams is charged with murder and sentenced to San Quentin's death row in 1987. There he experiences an epiphany and becomes an advocate for peace, harmony, and tolerance, writing children's books that preach against the lure of street gangs. As the years roll by and the date of his execution draws closer, Williams manages to negotiate a peace between the Crips and their chief rivals, the Bloods, and even manages to receive three Nobel Prize nominations. Lynn Whitfield co-stars as Barbara Becnel, the crusading journalist who helped Williams see the light -- not so much to save his soul, but to prevent a similar fate from befalling her own son. Although considerable liberties are taken with the facts, Redemption: The Stan "Tookie" Williams Story neither glamorizes nor excuses its title character, nor the "gangsta" culture that he so enthusiastically embraced in his youth. After a showing at the Sundance Film Festival, the movie made its FX network debut on March 3, 2004. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Lonely Joe (Tim Daly) isn't too happy when he is asked to fly Brian (Steven Weber) and Alex (Farrah Forke) to a romantic rendezvous in Vermont, nor is he any happier when Helen (Crystal Bernard) asks to tag along so she can visit her wealthy beau Davis in New York. But when the plane is grounded by fog, forcing the foursome to spend the night under the same roof, Joe is the one who gets the most enjoyment out of the situation! And back in Nantucket, Roy (David Schramm) tries to score points with a lady named Barbara (Stacey Pickren) by (temporarily) undergoing a complete personality change. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Following advice dispensed by Antonio (Tony Shalhoub), mechanic Lowell (Thomas Haden Church) demands a raise from Joe (Tim Daly) and Roy (David Schramm) by claiming he's been offered a higher-paying job in Boston. The plan backfires when both Joe and Roy advise Lowell to accept that better job -- which, of course, does not exist. As it turns out, the person who suffers the most from this situation is the "helpful" Antonio. This episode was originally slated to air on January 14, 1993. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Farrah Forke makes her first series appearance as Alex Lambert, a sexy and very outspoken helicopter pilot. Almost immediately upon Alex's arrival, brothers Joe (Tim Daly) and Brian (Steven Weber) begin enthusiastically vying for her attentions -- but she considers both Hacketts to be tiresome and childish. Meanwhile, Antonio (Tony Shalhoub) and Lowell (Thomas Haden Church) become bitter rivals in an impromptu rat-shooting contest. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

With the Hackett brothers' house being fumigated, Brian (Steven Weber) tries to move in with Helen (Crystal Bernard), but Joe (Tim Daly) says no. Thus, Brian accepts the invitation extended by the motherly Fay (Rebecca Schull) to stay with her until he can move back home. It's a pleasant situation until Brian tunes in on America's Most Wanted and notices that one of the fugitives bears a striking resemblance to Fay -- whose subsequent behavior does absolutely nothing to alleviate his fears that he's next on the "hit list." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Season three of Wings begins as Joe (Tim Daly) hears from Helen (Crystal Bernard) ten months after she left Sandpiper Air in Nantucket to follow her dreams in New York City. Inasmuch as she has been forced to work as a waitress in a strip joint, Helen is somewhat relieved at the prospect of renewing her relationship with Joe. Unfortunately, Joe has neglected to inform Helen that he has passed the ten-month hiatus by inaugurating a romance with a young lady named Gail (Gretchen German, in her first series appearance). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Joe (Steven Weber) is called away to an emergency airport committee meeting (concerning the endangered "short-eared owl") on the same night he is to attend a Boston Celtics game with Helen (Crystal Bernard). In the spirit of brotherly love, Brian (Steven Weber) offers to escort Helen to the game himself. Joe is agreeable to this, but radically changes his mind -- and his mood -- when he learns that the game has been canceled, and figures out that Joe and Helen seem to be in no hurry to return to Nantucket. This is the final episode of Wings' six-week inaugural season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide