Culture
Like groundhog’s day, ‘Happy Death Day’ has seen it all, over and over
Not everything that makes you happy is good, which is a message this time-loop film misses in its attempt to state that it is also never too late to change one's behavior. Until it is too late.
Beautifully written memoir recounts lives of Syrians, nation in peril
"The Home That Was Our Country: A Memoir of Syria" is as much an account of Syria as it is a beautifully crafted narrative of a Syrian family and an independent first-generation Syrian-American woman.
In futuristic ‘Blade Runner 2049,’ it’s a man’s (and machine’s) world
There's a message in this film noir mystery about mankind's relationship to technology and our ability to connect spiritually as humans. But this argument doesn't go very far. In this future, women exist just to be sexualized.
‘My Little Pony: The Movie’ is as sweet as it comes
Amid relentless prancing and preening, smiles and squeals, and some toe-tapping tunes, these magical characters have an important message for their young fans: Friendship is paramount.
Hurt by the church? Catholics can find a way to healing
A New York priest and a Presbyterian minister have written two books that take a look at the experience of "church wound" personally and in the community, and suggest practical ways the wounded can heal.
Wilderness trek takes the usual route in ‘The Mountain Between Us’
Stunning scenery offsets a predictable plot in this survival drama starring Kate Winslet and Idris Elba.
‘The Story of Us’ tells of universal themes, with moral stumbles
Morgan Freeman, the host who could be someone's hip grandfather, explores "the ties that bind us, the common humanity inside us," which is the "story of us," in his sequel to "The Story of God" debuting Oct. 11.
‘Battle of the Sexes’ shows the ’70s in a smoke-hazy light
While the movie's treatment of homosexuality is discreet, the inclusion of the subject will nonetheless diminish the picture's appeal for faithful moviegoers.
Afterlife thriller ‘Flatliners’ feels like stint in waiting room
Far from heavenly, but not exactly hellish either, the film's take on near-death experiences is more like a visit to limbo.
On TV or at the movies, the water’s fine to dive into ‘Swim Team’
This moving documentary examines the positive influence that sports competition can have on the lives of young people affected by autism.