Culture
The head scratching ethics of ‘Lucy, the Human Chimp’
Scenes of the main character living with chimpanzees is an immersive experience, but the film's human-chimp interactions are as interesting as they are murky and unsettling.
Adults behaving badly casts specter on child in ‘Separation’
With its storybook characters coming to ghostly life to menace the characters, the film adds little to the horror film genre but does offer a disturbing experience of emotional child abuse.
Spelling problems aside, ‘Mortal Kombat’ is brutal, ponderous, silly
Touting false deities and inventive savagery, the morally offensive film reboots a series of video games previously brought to the big screen via movies dating from the mid-1990s.
As a message, ‘Roe v. Wade’ works. As a movie, not so much
Stories designed to win an argument rarely make for effective entertainment. Such is the case with this treatment of the landmark abortion ruling, which is more ambitious and earnest than successful.
‘Voyagers’ take a long and not very interesting trip
The tedious sci-fi parable, whose teen characters give a nod to "The Lord of the Flies," seems designed to prove that in space, no one can hear you yawn.
New books offer unique perspectives on long road to sainthood
Two recent books inform the understanding of the canon of saints, and those in the making, including American Black Catholics and Korean War hero Father Emil Kapaun.
What would St. Thomas Aquinas think of marijuana?
"How to Feel Good and How Not To" offers a Thomistic framework for thinking through the ethics of using marijuana, alcohol and other mood-altering drugs.
‘American Oz’ peeks into flawed wizard behind the curtain
The adventurous and complicated life of Frank Baum, who wrote the children's novel that transformed into the beloved "The Wizard of Oz" film, is the subject of a PBS documentary.
On life’s ‘off-ramp,’ Archbishop Chaput offers timely thoughts
The retired archbishop's new book is like a chat with a grandfatherly friend who in the final decades of his life is encouraging a young person how to approach death, life and meaning in a culture of irony.
Latest ‘Crash Bandicoot’ video game is a timely hoot
The fourth installment of the franchise features smooth, detailed graphics, a vivid world environment and rewarding mechanics. It's entertaining, accessible and technically excellent.