Culture
Movie review: Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
NEW YORK (CNS) -- The one-note joke of clueless Ron Burgundy in 2004's "Anchorman" goes all stale and moldy in "Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues" (Paramount).
Two books offer information, encouragement on priesthood today
Book reviews of "The Assault on Priesthood: A Biblical and Theological Rejoinder" and "Letters to My Brothers: Words of Hope and Challenge for Priests"
‘The Hobbit’ sequel attacks worldly corruption with up-tempo action
NEW YORK (CNS) -- It seems unlikely that Pope Francis will decide to shatter yet another papal precedent by visiting a multiplex anytime soon. Should he do so, however, he'd probably approve of the underlying themes in director Peter Jackson's lively sequel "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" (Warner Bros.).
First Christians focus of PBS TV series, Dec. 24 and 31
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Looking back 2,000 years to the historical world of Jesus as well as that of his persecuted followers over the next three centuries is the two-part documentary "From Jesus to Christ: The First Christians."
‘The Book Thief’ explores how reading can overcome bigotry
The film could provide the opportunity for worthwhile group discussions, perhaps focusing on key elements missing from the source novel. Just don't take what you're seeing as history.
Movie review: ‘Out of the Furnace’
NEW YORK (CNS) -- The often bleak, sometimes touching drama "Out of the Furnace" (Relativity) is a grim film journey into a hardscrabble, rust-belt Pennsylvania mill town. Religion in general, and Catholicism in particular, are shown to offer a ray of hope to the good characters who must live within this impoverished landscape.
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Those who subscribe to the "great man" theory of history -- the idea that the optimum way to understand the past is to study the lives of key individuals -- won't find a better example than South African dissident-turned-president Nelson Mandela.
Mary’s ‘way of loving, believing’ an example for all, says actress
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CNS) -- Preparing for the title role in "Mary of Nazareth" helped German actress Alissa Jung to realize that Mary was not only the mother of God but a real person.
Animated fun of ‘Frozen’ can warm anyone’s heart
The 3-D animated musical is good-natured, overwhelmingly wholesome fare with something for everyone: Broadway-style show tunes, thrilling adventure, gorgeous visuals, cute-as-a-button characters, and a nice message about the enduring bonds of family.
Unabashed piety, soulful music might make ‘Black Nativity’ new Christmas classic
NEW YORK (CNS) -- If you're tempted to bewail the absence of Christ from Christmas these days, you'll find the Lord right where he belongs -- front and center, receiving praise and worship -- in the rousing musical drama "Black Nativity" (Fox Searchlight). In fact, redemption-centered Christian faith pervades the picture to a degree rarely seen in a mainstream movie.