Culture
Director: Victims call new film on abuse ‘the French “Spotlight”‘
"By the Grace of God," which opens Oct. 18 in select U.S. theaters, details the still-emerging scandal in the Archdiocese of Lyon, France.
New film on St. Faustina makes one-night-only debut Oct. 28
A new film on the life of St. Faustina Kowalska, the Polish nun whose visions of Jesus led to the Divine Mercy devotion, will have a one-night-only showing Oct. 28 at about 700 screens across the United States.
No room for laughter (or hope) in ‘Joker’
The latest life story of Batman's arch-enemy, played by Joaquin Phoenix, is a dark tale of mental illness, poverty and gun violence, with no uplifting moral and no new insights into the sinister clown's character.
Bishop Barron’s fighting words on sex abuse could use healing touch
In his new book, the bishop says Catholics angry about clergy abuse should not leave the church but instead "stay and fight." A reviewer believes he should offer concrete means for mercy, beyond making a holy hour.
Lovable furball monster is more adorable than ‘Abominable’
This family-friendly adventure about the transformation of a dreaded Yeti, set in China and the Himalayas, features eye-popping animation, roller-coaster action and good humor.
Documentary shows the horror of China’s forced-abortion policy
The documentary "One Child Nation" (Amazon) is not, in any Catholic sense, a pro-life film, yet there's a great deal in it, some of it explicit, to show the horror of not government-sanctioned -- but government-mandated -- abortions and forced sterilizations.
Anglophiles rejoice at arrival of ‘Downton Abbey’ on big screen
The sweeping spectacle of the manor, its lordly family and their hard-working staff return from the hiatus of the PBS series to a full-length film feature that promises all the visuals and personal intrigues -- and visit by the king and queen.
‘Ad Astra’ lifts eyes, and minds, to the stars
As an astronaut searching space for his lost father, Brad Pitt shines in a thoughtful sci-fi drama whose religious undertones will send faith-filled fans over the moon.
‘Bennett’s War’ deploys a hero we can cheer for
Viewers can root for the plucky veteran injured in Afghanistan who once again mounts his motorcycle in a risky race for his ailing father, to the dismay of his wife. Even if the film is predictable, its heart is in the right place.
Author reflects on clerical celibacy as spiritual fatherhood
A book on celibacy has its reviewer, Philadelphia priest Msgr. Brian Bransfield, thinking of his late father. That's an apt reminder of the necessity for forming priests emotionally as well as intellectually.