Culture

Movie review: The Fluffy Movie

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Like Bill Cosby, Gabriel Iglesias tells stories, not jokes. In "The Fluffy Movie" (Open Road), the rotund Mexican-American comic, whose tales are as soft around the edges as the man himself, shares engaging accounts of weight loss and the difficulties of being the stepfather of a teenage boy.

‘Hercules’ is, in a word, strong

NEW YORK (CNS) -- This much can be said for the passable 3-D adventure "Hercules" (Paramount): By comparison with this year's earlier "The Legend of Hercules," the new 3-D adventure film is practically a masterpiece. And its title role is borne by a man nicknamed "the Rock," Dwayne Johnson.

Movie tells story of Catholic high school team’s amazing winning streak

OAKLAND, Calif. (CNS) -- This is how a movie gets made.

‘Lucy’: A wild ride that gets smart

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Harsh events unfold in the gritty setting of sci-fi action thriller "Lucy," making this breakneck movie a suitable ride for grown-ups with seasoned judgment. The title character's deepening insights have more to do with a low-rent Zen Buddhism than with revealed religion.

Movie review: And So It Goes

NEW YORK (CNS) -- The indignities of romance in one's 60s entwine with a mortifyingly weak and implausible script for two aging actors in "And So It Goes" (Clarius).

Books show Blessed Mother still very much relevant today

Three new books help Catholics and all Christians learn about Mary, spend time with her in shrines and rely upon the Mother of God during hard times.

Movie review: Boyhood

NEW YORK (CNS) -- To describe "Boyhood" (IFC) as unique is to underestimate a film that was shot in 39 days over the course of 12 years.

Players feel fog of war in new video game

"Valiant Hearts" challenges the video gaming industry, which is overflowing with violence and explicit adult content. This game, set in World War I, achieves a high level of artistry, is fun to play and informative -- especially in showing the effects of hapless men facing the machines of war.

Book explores early days of church from political, spiritual viewpoints

In "From Jesus to the Church," Craig Evans explores the Jesus movement that developed within the Jewish religion after Christ's death.

‘Planes’ fly again to rescue families from boredom at theaters

"Planes: Fire & Rescue" is that rare sequel that surpasses the original in action, adventure, and 3-D animation. Kids will love the characters and action, and adults will get the inside jokes.