Culture

‘A Wrinkle in Time’ seeks virtue in the secular and magical

The picture's ultimate message, that we should love ourselves even while acknowledging our faults, promotes the Christian virtue of humility. But parents should discuss the metaphysical gobbledygook with their kids.

Faith shines through as priest recounts grim captivity in Iraq

Held captive and tortured for a month by Islamic extremists, Father Hanna's cruel confinement led him to ponder life's ultimate questions, like love's meaning, God's presence and action, and goodness itself.

New Testament prof sorts out plausible, implausible in new ‘Paul’ movie

Don't take everything you see in the new movie "Paul, Apostle of Christ" as, well, gospel. Much of what is on screen is conjecture but the film offers an opportunity learn about St. Paul.

Movie review: Gringo

Moral dilemmas come fast and furious in "Gringo" (STX), a dark, but somehow not cynical, comedy about avarice and its near-instant consequences.

Melodrama aside, CNN series on papacy edifies, challenges viewers

"Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History" covers a lot of ground and provides a fine overview both for those who may have forgotten this aspect of history and for those who never learned about it.

Video game review: Okami

"Okami" (Capcom) is a game based on Japanese mythology and folklore and considered a masterpiece by many critics. It has recently been reissued in a high-definition edition playable on PC, PS4 and Xbox One.

‘Death Wish’ remake is a better looking tale of rampant vigilantism

Even dressed up with style and wit, this remake starring Bruce Willis is the same nihilistic racist vigilante fantasy that the five films in the first series, starring Charles Bronson, were years ago.

Sleight of hand, good chemistry may make ‘Deception’ a hit

The ABC drama that debuts March 11 following "American Idol" presents a magician who solves crimes with an FBI agent, including an intrigue involving he and his twin brother.

Engaging look at diverse objects brings Catholic history to life

What could Christopher Columbus' compass, the Wittenberg door and the curls of St. Therese of Lisieux possibly have in common? All, it turns out, reveal memorable stories about the history of the church.

The inconvenient truths behind networks’ ‘sweeps’ ratings

What happens during sweeps month is that networks load up with the most attractive programming possible, because how the network does in the sweeps-month ratings helps dictate the price of advertising in the subsequent months before the next sweeps period.