Culture
‘Money Monster’ skewers the glorious shallowness of TV
"Money Monster" (TriStar) offers , along with an up-to-the-moment indictment of Wall Street machinations and corporate greed. In this allegory on the power of the media, director Jodie Foster keeps the plot of a fictional investment advice show moving at a furious pace, mimicking the short attention span of today's TV programming.
Grab popcorn and a catechism for ‘Last Days in the Desert’
Among the film's strengths of striking photography and strong performances are unsettling flaws including Jesus' ambivalence toward his divinity and his crucifixion and death without the resurrection.
New ‘Roots’ retells journey from slavery to freedom
The eight-hour TV show, produced by The History Channel, brings author Alex Haley's story to a new generation of viewers. It is likely to have as striking an impact on its audience as the 1976 miniseries.
Get ready to rumble with ‘Captain America: Civil War’
Those unfamiliar with the previous two Captain America films might need a scorecard to keep track of all the Marvel Comics superheroes in this film. It's a problematic probe into current questions of authority.
Wonderful collection of Tolstoy’s writings ultimately disappoints
The book is wonderful because it is always good to read Tolstoy. Unfortunately, The reader should have been given some understanding of the criteria that was used in making selections; without it, the book does not cohere well.
Movie review: Keanu
Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele of the acclaimed Comedy Central television series "Key & Peele" star in the satirical action-comedy "Keanu" (Warner Bros.).
Kid-oriented ‘Ratchet & Clank’ turns sci-fi yarn into yawns
Busy 3-D visuals fail to mask the flat tone and by-the-numbers storytelling of this animated video-game adaptation that seems longer than its 94 minutes, even as a positive theme underlies it.
‘Firewatch’ a beautiful, contemplative video game
In a refreshing departure, the game goes for genuine emotion rather than mindless, violent action. It evokes real mystery instead of confining itself to the simple formula of a shoot-'em-up.
Author’s scholarly take on Peter brings Holy Land to life for readers
"Saint Peter: Flawed, Forgiven and Faithful" is part travel guide, part Scripture study, and a lively look at the steps of the fisherman 2,000 years ago and even today.
Secrets abound in ‘Mother’s Day’ but pretentions are clear
There's no question of an agenda; cohabitation and same-sex unions, treated as marriages, are simply meant for audiences to take for granted. Well-grounded grownups will assess and resist this skewed thinking.