Culture
‘The Masked Saint’ tells tale of pastor, wrestler, vigilante
What's a small-town pastor to do when his crumbling church in a crime-ridden neighborhood is desperately strapped for cash? Why, become a pro wrestler by day and moonlight as a crime fighter, of course!
Book shows heartbreaking legacy of least-known Kennedy
What if Rosemary Kennedy, diagnosed with an intellectual disability, had not been subjected to a botched lobotomy by her father who was convinced that it would help her live a more "normal" life?
Not much to love in ‘The Hateful Eight’
Long stretches of tedium are broken up by misogy, racism, violence and (thankfully) an intermission in this sprawling western by director Quentin Tarantino. Only the horses maintain their dignity.
History of religious-themed books a tough read but worth the effort
A professor looks at books that prove religious works have always been big sellers in American history, even if they were looked down upon by scholars and theologians. They tell a lot about the hungers of the book-buying Christian audience.
Almost-dead hero of ‘The Revenant’ rises from grave, bent on revenge
The true story of a mountain man injured and buried alive in the 19th century West shows in striking cinematography his grisly journey to hunt down his son's killer for justice, or for vengeance.
Film charts the ‘Joy’ of success, and misery of sudden stardom
Jennifer Lawrence leads a raucous and dysfunctional family in "Joy," a drama that is as funny and sad as it appears. The movie's characters are as self-absorbed as the mop they rally around.
‘Concussion’ reveals the traumatic risk of any given Sunday
Will Smith's character in the pro football-themed drama takes on the effects of repeated hits on players' brains, and their league that, as another character proclaims, "owns a day of the week, the same day the church used to own."
‘The Big Short’ tells true tale of big greed, big fraud
Compelling characters under severe pressure tell how a few men saw through the financial house of cards before it crashed, ushering in the Great Recession. The film carefully reminds moviegoers of the human cost resulting from widespread corruption.
Vader to Vatican film critic: ‘I find your lack of faith disturbing’
$500 million in ticket sales notwithstanding, a movie critic for a Vatican newspaper panned the latest "Star Wars" film, "The Force Awakens," preferring instead the previous installments. Among his critiques of the latest film: the bad guys aren't evil enough.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens
"Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which opened around the world on Dec. 18, is the seventh installment in the popular film series.