Culture
Movie review: Ida
NEW YORK (CNS) -- The starkly beautiful minimalist masterpiece that is "Ida" (Music Box) adroitly navigates two horrific eras of Polish history as an aspiring nun discovers her true identity.
Movie review: Maleficent
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Even an iconic villainess may not be all bad.
‘Family Guy’ creator spoofs Westerns in latest film
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Coarse humor and a dragged-out story line unsaddle the new comedy by writer, director and star Seth Macfarlane in "A Million Ways to Die in the West."
Summertime, and the viewin’ is easy, as in undemanding
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Now that Memorial Day is in the rearview mirror, the TV industry is still looking for ways to lure viewers to the tube. Or the flat-screen, as it were.
Marvel’s ‘Family Business,’ starring: Spider-Man, secret agent?
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Parker. Peter Parker. Those words may not have quite the same ring as James Bond's characteristic self-introduction. And yet "Family Business," a graphic novel starring Parker's alter ego, the Amazing Spider-Man, is an enjoyable espionage thriller in which the familiar superhero manages to give not only 007 but Jason Bourne a run for his money.
A ‘Blended’ surprise: Family movie without gross-out gags
Adam Sandler stars in "Blended," a rare, sincere family film that deals well with children's problems maturely, and with fun. There's even an old-fashioned approach about sons needing fathers' lessons about toughness, and daughters needing a mother's compassionate understanding.
Latest ‘X-Men’ grapples with morals in the past, results in the future
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Time travel meets a gleefully loopy version of American history in "X-Men: Days of Future Past" (Fox). Surreal moments surround hyper-action sequences as the heroes travel to 1973, but some thoughtful moral commentary arises on whether it's wise to alter the path of history or accept destiny.
Elaborate story prods ‘Godzilla’ on to global mayhem
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Though Facebook may not remind you of the fact, "Godzilla" (Warner Bros.) has a birthday coming up. He'll turn 60 later this year, and what a better way to celebrate than with a new 3-D adventure? This time other cities, besides his Tokyo hometown, fall in the path of his destruction.
In ‘Million Dollar Arm,’ baseball agent learns cultural curveballs
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Strong humane values permeate the breezy baseball-themed conversion story "Million Dollar Arm" (Disney). Jon Hamm stars as an agent recruiting pitchers in India. He teaches them the game, while they teach him about respect, religion and life.
‘Professor Layton’ and family-friendly Nintendo
NEW YORK (CNS) -- For Catholics who are interested in the gaming world, yet confused about the different consoles on the market, a good name to know is Nintendo. Nintendo is far and away the most family-friendly gaming system available.