Culture
Tale of one parish’s conversion offers valuable insights for others
“Rebuilt: The Story of a Catholic Parish: Awakening the Faithful, Reaching the Lost, Making the Church Matter” by Michael White and Tom Corcoran. Ave Maria Press (Notre Dame, Ind., 2013). 292 pp., $16.95 The Church of the Nativity is located in northern Baltimore. “Rebuilt: The Story of a Catholic Parish” tells how the parish […]
Movie review: ‘Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2’
NEW YORK (CNS) -- A second helping of colorful fun is served up in the cheerful animated sequel "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2" (Columbia). Loosely based, like its 2009 predecessor, on a book by Judi and Ron Barrett, directors Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn's comedy elevates friendship and teamwork over egotism, and re-echoes a familiar -- but nonetheless valuable -- message about environmental responsibility. Some parents, however, will not appreciate the predictable appearance of a bit of potty humor, or the inclusion in the dialogue of a duo of slightly coarse exclamations rhyming with granola.
Books provide excellent formation for evangelizers-in-training
The enormity of the new evangelization and what it means for the church, i.e., the people of God and the institution of which they are a part, should be evident to anyone, especially Catholics invested in their church, of this way of living and being, as Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl of Washington describes in his new book. Two other authors also provide helpful volumes on the new evangelization movement.
Authors brings to life stories of those who resisted the Nazis
Nechama Tec's work has centered on the Holocaust, analyzing not only the tragic events of the Nazi genocide of the Jews but also rescuers and survivors.
St. Norbert’s youth ministry, parishioners, draw top Christian musician
If, as St. Augustine said, singing is praying twice, then prayers lifted the rafters of the parish center at St. Norbert Parish in Paoli as two-time Grammy Award nominee Matt Maher performed a live concert recently for more than 600 fans.
Movie review: The Spectacular Now
NEW YORK (CNS) — “Teen Alcoholics in Love” would be a more accurate title for “The Spectacular Now” (A24), a coming-of-age saga that paints a disturbing picture of high-school life in small-town America. Based on the novel by Tim Tharp and directed by James Ponsoldt (who tackled another drinking theme in 2012’s “Smashed”), the film […]
Books on Pope Francis each offer unique perspective on Holy Father
“Pope Francis in His Own Words,” edited by Julie Schwietert Collazo and Lisa Rogak. New World Library (Novato, Calif., 2013). 137 pp., $12.95. “Pope Francis” by Matthew E. Bunson. Our Sunday Visitor, (Huntington, Ind., 2013). 222 pp., $16.95. “Pope Francis: The Pope from the End of the Earth” by Thomas J. Craughwell (St. Benedict Press, […]
In ‘The Grandmaster,’ everybody’s kung fu fighting, with honor
NEW YORK (CNS) — Romance and kung-fu fighting may seem like incompatible film ingredients. But in “The Grandmaster” (Weinstein), these unlikely elements meld into the lush and lyrical re-creation of a neglected era of recent Chinese history. Director Wong Kar Wai (“My Blueberry Nights”), who also wrote the screenplay, recounts the true story of the […]
‘Getaway’ goes nowhere very fast and furiously
NEW YORK (CNS) — Can the trauma of having your wife kidnapped make you drive faster and more, um, furiouser? Ethan Hawke finds out in the senseless car-chase flick “Getaway” (Warner Bros.). Hawke plays ex-racer and devoted hubby Brent Magna. Poor Brent’s yuletide gets off to a bad start when he returns to his apartment […]
Far-fetched ‘Closed Circuit’ delves into damage caused by infidelity
NEW YORK (CNS) -- Polished but plodding, the British thriller "Closed Circuit" (Focus) also adopts a morally dubious stance toward marital fidelity. With an adulterous affair looming in the background of its plot, the film, as scripted by Steve Knight, acknowledges the damage wreaked by unfaithfulness, yet allows the prospect of a happy romantic outcome based on it to remain.