Culture
‘Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation’ takes a bite out of boredom
The third installment in the animated series will have older kids and adults saying 'fangs' for the laughs.
‘Skyscraper’ aims high, falls flat
Dwayne Johnson claws his way to the top of a burning high-rise in this violent rescue thriller, but the film stalls at ground level.
Mother’s biography, daughter’s prayers offer glimpse of Shriver family
These two excellent books are best read together, starting with McNamara's insightful page-turner history of the struggles and accomplishments of Eunice Kennedy Shriver, which also includes the achievements of her husband, Sarge Shriver.
’10 That Changed America’
A production of Chicago affiliate WTTW, "10" is journalistic road trip, which explores how various structures shaped American history. The new season investigates the impact of streets, monuments, and marvels on our society.
‘Uncle Drew’ and his old guys lace ’em up for laughs
NBA fans will appreciate the mostly harmless sports comedy, though viewers without a passion for hoops culture may be less indulgent. Christian reverence and some irreverent humor make for passable entertainment.
If you’re late to ‘Ant-Man’ story, you’ll feel left out of sequel
There's plenty of humor and action in the fast-paced sci-fi adventure "Ant-Man and the Wasp," and while it's enjoyable, there's little explanation to the uninitiated viewer of a string of comic-book movies.
Little-known editor perhaps America’s top Christian thinker of last century
As a poet, farmer, writer, publisher, wife and mother of seven, Phyllis Tickle had a deep impact on Christianity, says a new book. Her thesis: Every 500 years Christian cultures go into a period of upheaval. We're in one now.
What consumers can expect in a post-net neutrality world
Faith and religion-based websites wouldn't have the resources that other sites could muster to pay for faster routing of their traffic should paid prioritization become the new norm on the information superhighway.
‘Sicario’ sequel tests characters’ humanity and viewers’ gore tolerance
The theme of terrorism on the U.S.-Mexico border and interplay of tough-guy tactics and human decency take a back seat to unjustifiable, stomach-turning violence in "Sicario: Day of the Soldado."
In ‘Gotti,’ a man and a movie without a moral viewpoint
Stilted dialogue in this low-budget crime saga of the eponymous New York mob boss helps to heap on the cliches, but the film lacks tension as it charts the demise in prison of the "Dapper Don."