Culture
Immigrant experience is detailed richly on screen
As the Catholic Church in the United States observes National Migration Week and the subject of immigration continues to occupy the headlines, here, in alphabetical order, are brief reviews of 40 quality films dealing with the immigrant experience.
Anglophiles’ favorite, ‘Victoria,’ is a tad unengaging in 2nd season
The second most popular PBS series of the past 20 years, after "Downton Abbey," a lack of chemistry between the lead characters afflicts this new season. Viewers may well ask: could 16 million Americans be wrong?
It’s the same old, same old ghost trope in latest ‘Insidious’ film
Overall, the fright factor in "Insidious: The Last Key" is low and originality is long gone. Yet the moral compass in this good-natured series remains as dependable as ever.
‘The Post’ paints portrait of courage in a bygone newspaper era
Two of America's leading actors, Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, are directed by top filmmaker Steven Spielberg in a story of risks taken to reveal the truth against a high-stakes political and financial backdrop.
New book can help families in fight against pornography
The strategies the author offers about protecting children from pernicious porn are spot-on; the advice he offers about how parents can create a healthy and wholesome family life may be even more valuable.
Roll up! Roll up for the magical ‘Mystery Journey’!
Parents looking to purchase a game that is safe as well as fun -- for older kids and teens at least -- can rest assured: "Layton's Mystery Journey" (Level-5) fits the bill.
Young Catholic invites readers to explore church’s truth, goodness
Brandon Vogt's eighth book is a highly readable apologetic treatment of Catholicism that should attract many readers.
‘Downsizing’: A humane, if problematic, conversion story
The offbeat drama uses some odd elements amid some moral rough spots, and juxtaposes contemporary urban values with traditional ones. The film's positive outcome awaits mature viewers.
If you think kids are lost in games, ‘Jumanji’ shows it could be worse
Part "Wizard of Oz" and "The Breakfast Club," the new buddy-adventure film "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" is a fun trek for mature viewers, but its undergrowth is too thick for the tread of kids.
‘The Sultan and the Saint’ looks at little-told part of St. Francis’ life
With commentary and dramatic re-enactments, a PBS TV special documents the 13th century Catholic friar's meeting with the Muslim Egyptian Sultan Malek al-Kamil at the height of the Crusades.