Culture
Turning a tragic ‘Why me?’ into ‘What can I learn from this?’
Some 30 years ago, 100 percent of 9-year-old John O'Leary's body was burned in an accident. His new book tells how he emerged with a passion to live fully and how he inspires others to do the same.
‘Race’: How tolerance outran hatred at ’36 Olympics
Run, don't walk, to the nearest multiplex and see "Race," a supremely entertaining biopic about Olympic track and field legend Jesse Owens.
Vengeful anti-hero of ‘Deadpool’ no more than a punk, with wit
Sarcasm and splatter predominate in this action-hero film which lacks any sense of ethics while serving up offenses at every turn. Even the main character's debased witticisms, while clever, drag viewers down.
Pouty-faced ‘Zoolander 2’ twice as unfunny as original
Amidst all the sex jokes, fat jokes and religious sacrilege of fashion-world heroes and villains, the Ben Stiller comedy isn't remotely funny, says our film reviewer.
New book opens a window into Cardinal Wuerl’s life, U.S. church
Though not definitive, the biography gives an overview of the many events in the life of Cardinal Wuerl, former bishop of Pittsburgh and Washington's archbishop since 2006 -- and his role with Pope Francis.
‘How to Be Single’ might be subtitled, ‘And How Not to Be’
Our reviewer notes a disconcerting moral snag concerning procreation in an otherwise appealing, if slightly raunchy, romantic comedy movie about ladies seeking Mr. Right.
‘Risen’ helps revive the biblical epic
Two soon-to-be-released films seem positioned to ignite a sustained revival of the marriage of scriptural message with opulent production values.
‘Hail, Caesar!,’ and farewell to a bygone era
The new comedy by the Coen brothers is a big film Valentine card of golden-age Hollywood, specifically the raucous Tinseltown culture of the early 1950s. The all-star casts descends headlong into some irreverent material.
Jane Austen would spin in her grave over ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’
As its title suggests, this comedy-drama is mash-up of "Downton Abbey" meets "The Walking Dead." The result is not pretty, especially when it crosses the line on parodying the Eucharist.
‘The Choice’: A comfort-food movie that’s bland
An ethical dilemma doesn't go very deep and presents no danger of flouting Catholic medical norms. Nor does it elicit sympathy from viewers. The proceedings quickly return to sweeping scenes of the seaside.