Culture
A scary yet clever thrill ride along ’10 Cloverfield Lane’
Audacious, witty, intelligent and skillfully made, this follow-up to the 2008 film "Cloverfield" is a bracing combination of suspense and science fiction. It is also refreshingly free of vulgarity.
Gross-out gags overwhelm plot of ‘The Brothers Grimsby’
The underlying substance of the picture would be worthy of applause if its comedy weren't so repulsive. The task of digging down through it turns out to be a dispiriting exercise in dumpster diving.
Books offer different approaches to Catholic history, historic figures
While C. Walker Gollar's stories are of the "warts-and-all" variety, Clare Smith's "Forty Catholics" provides a compilation of short, flattering profiles of Catholics she believes shaped the world.
‘The Young Messiah’ shows youthful years of Jesus in intriguing way
The period of Jesus' early, unrecorded life can provide a fertile field for speculation if handled carefully. A case in point is this new film that is faithful to Scripture while avoiding theological pitfalls.
‘Easter Mysteries’ film to have one-night showing at select U.S. cinemas
According to a news release, the film is a Passion play for modern audiences and features veteran Broadway actors and singers from stages productions such as "Les Miserables," "Mary Poppins" and "The Phantom of the Opera."
‘London Has Fallen,’ as has Hollywood’s moral vision
With vengeance as its foundation, the new action film uses video-game mayhem to justify the use of lethal force and to tout the righteousness of American values and military might.
All creatures great and small can enjoy animated ‘Zootopia’
As little ones watch a world of animals and learn "Life's a little bit messy. We all make mistakes," their parents will catch good gags that go over the kids' heads, including a "Godfather" parody.
Book describes Jesuit’s heroism but doesn’t explore struggles, dilemmas
"Navy Priest" is a biography of Jesuit Father John F. "Jake" Laboon, a longtime chaplain. While his story is inspiring, this tale is heavy on adulation, light on his moral quandaries. Still, he's a hero deserving of attention.
Even the title of ‘Whiskey Tango Foxtrot’ tells you vulgarity awaits
The Tina Fey-led blend of comedy and drama shows the danger of war reporting and restrictions on women, but against a backdrop of pervasive debauchery. And its meant for giggles.
Half-joking Colbert leads late-night Catholic catechism
Stephen Colbert, a former CCD teacher, is the first to make Catholic belief the wellspring of his satire on CBS' "The Late Show." It's the serious weight that gives some of his most telling observations their heft.