The case of the Atlanta child murders--29 young blacks killed and one black man convicted of two of the murders--was grisly, compelling and pertinent. So why isn't the tale of two Spin journalists, who later wrote a story implicating white racists in the crimes, a potent TV movie? Because Charles Robert Carner, the writer-director, blithely shuffles fact and innuendo. Because his idea of cinematic action is to have people walk briskly and talk loudly while the camera jitters like a hophead cadging a handout. Because Gregory Hines and Jim Belushi, as the Spin sleuths, are too good cop-bad cop. And because the white suspects are yokels who'd make John Rocker sound like John Gielgud. Your Honor, please, can we have a little order in this courtroom drama?
--By Richard Corliss