Culture
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
A horror franchise once noted for its restrained use of violence and clever methods of building suspense reaches the point of creative exhaustion with its sixth -- and apparently final -- chapter, "Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension" (Paramount).
Letters between Trappist and his editors explore obedience, conscience
These two books give readers both sides of Father Merton's written conversations with two of his more prominent correspondents, editor Robert Giroux (1914-2008) and English novelist Evelyn Waugh (1903-1966).
Movie review: Steve Jobs
As the lively profile of a wildly successful uber-geek, "Steve Jobs" (Universal) is likely to appeal to many a youthful tech fan.
Next year’s new take on the biblical epic ‘Ben-Hur’
This fourth big-screen adaptation of Civil War Gen. Lew Wallace's epic 1880 novel, "Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ," is produced by the husband-and-wife team of Roma Downey and Mark Burnett.
Movie review: 99 Homes
Trenchant, didactic and unflinching, "99 Homes" (Broad Green) also is an example of profoundly moral filmmaking.
Cold War thriller ‘Bridge of Spies’ another instant Spielberg classic
Few incidents in the long history of the Cold War were as rich in personal drama as an exchange of prisoners that took place on a Berlin bridge in 1962 -- a story told skillfully by director Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Hanks.
Like Halloween treats, ‘Goosebumps’ has frights of many kinds
The mildly scary adventure film is an overview of author R.L. Stine's numerous children's books, rather than an adaptation of any one of them. It wittily incorporates the writer himself, via the comedic talents of Jack Black.
Book examines importance, influence and interpretations of Vatican II
The Second Vatican Council dramatically changed the life, attitudes and thinking of the Catholic Church. Those who straddled the 1962-65 event quickly experienced how groundbreaking these were.
In ‘Woodlawn,’ race hatred and bad football reign, until faith shows up
The true-life movie tells the inspirational tale of how black and white high school football players battled each other until a chaplain led them to faith in Jesus, forgiveness and an improbable winning streak.
Vatican Museums app seeing strong growth in first two months
The Vatican is "a world treasure, so how do we make (it) accessible to someone who can't travel the distance?" said the manager of a mobile-device app showcasing the Vatican's artworks. It has been downloaded 5,300 times.