Culture

Author brings Pilgrims’ compelling, contradictory tale to life

Jay Milbrandt puts flesh on the bones of the oft-told tale of our Pilgrim forebears, giving a readable and nuanced interpretation of their struggles and triumphs.

‘Darkest Hour’ tells of a time when statesmanship mattered most

The spotlight shines brightly on British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in this historical drama about political leadership and backroom intrigue during a pivotal moment of World War II.

After net neutrality, is children’s TV next in FCC’s sights?

FCC commissioner Michael O'Rielly said it was "time for the commission ... to reconsider the ineffective and burdensome requirements imposed on our nation's broadcasters to air educational and informational children's programming."

‘The Gilded Age’ asks poignant questions for today

The PBS documentary that airs Feb. 6 examines the inequalities of late 19th century America and asks, in the words of a historian, "Do governments represent wealth or do they represent people?"

Part 3 of ‘Maze Runner’ has run its course, mercifully

An intrepid band of teens looks positively worn out, having now spent three movies running for their lives from an evil entity in a dreary post-apocalyptic world. Unmistakable is the city with a wall impenetrable to undesirables (hint, hint).

Complex, conflicted ‘I, Tonya’ has no moral uplift but is fascinating

Nothing in this film about star-turned-disgraced figure skater Tonya Harding is pleasant. Her smile under the lights is merely a mask to cover anguish. She's a stoic, but she never seems to become any smarter.

Raffish designer gets his comeuppance in ‘Phantom Thread’

Despite the lush, appealing visuals, this bumpy trip through high fashion and passive-aggressive sniping in 1950s London, starring Daniel Day Lewis, ends on an ugly note stitched from a cheap horror film.

Rousing war pic ’12 Strong’ charges across the screen

The line between good guys and bad guys is very clear in this film of the stirring horseback raid of American and Afghan fighters in 2001. The film doesn't demand cheers, but instead lets viewers realize these events actually occurred.

‘Den of Thieves’ fails to steal the show

Violent and profane, the bank robbery farce leaves little evidence of a plot, and even less justification for the admission fee.

Jesuit’s Bible guide can benefit both individuals, study groups

A book such as this one is welcome, especially because it is designed for both individual and group use. You don't need to join a Bible study class to benefit from this book; you can go through it on your own.