Culture
Discussion of words’ origins best taken in small bites
If you're the type of person to ever wonder why the word "disgruntled" is commonplace, but calling someone "gruntled" decidedly less so, "Angels, Barbarians and Nincompoops" offers a rollicking ride through the forgotten histories of everyday words.
Mom writes about childbirth from ‘a specifically Catholic point of view’
Mary Haseltine, a mother of five boys, a certified birth doula and childbirth educator, wants every woman and her baby to be blessed with "a healthy, happy and, yes, holy birth."
Ken Burns: Christophers ‘generous’ to give him Life Achievement Award
Burns will be receiving his award in person May 17 at the annual Christopher Awards dinner in the Big Apple.
Authors offer inside look at new Mass translation
Any Catholic curious about, or perplexed by, the current translation of the Mass prayers will find in this book a captivating account of how it came to be, and learn of a never-used 1998 translation.
‘Tully’ takes a troubling path to a happy ending
In a new comedy, Charlize Theron stars as a harried mom whose family is revitalized by a free-spirited nanny. The film affirms marriage and motherhood, but also winks at several conflicting values.
Netflix offers four-part bio film, ‘Bobby Kennedy for President’
Director Dawn Porter fuses seldom-seen footage that has been digitally restored with commentary from Kennedy's close associates to create a comprehensive portrait of the late senator.
Self-sacrifice and responsibility shine in ‘The Flash’
The direct-to-DVD feature finds the superhero battling a time warp on his own terms, while offering valuable life lessons and family-friendly fun.
‘Traffik’ gets backed up by red-light sensationalism
The thriller, meant to highlight the real-world issue of modern slavery, fails to arrive at its destination due to weak storytelling and gory violence.
Serious history of catechesis deserves a wide readership
A mystic and poet, author Gerard Baumbach writes about the history of passing on the Christian faith in a style that is easy to read and understand, and makes simple that which is often dense and obtuse.
Media literacy and adolescents: a good fit, but it could be better
A new study shows adolescents are making good choices in computer use, including when they are away from the rules of their home.