Culture
Born in China
Relax and drown your concerns in the veritable tsunami of cuteness that flows from "Born in China" (Disney), a warm and fuzzy animal documentary, narrated by John Krasinski.
Of genocide and the people who kept ‘The Promise’
In the vein of epics like "Doctor Zhivago," this new film melds a lesson on the little-known genocide of the Armenian people by the Ottoman Turks 100 years ago with a tender love story.
Bishop provides incisive look at Latino experience in U.S.
Bishop Ramirez blends his personal experiences as a Mexican-American with his pastor's knowledge of how Latinos have been and are contributing to U.S. secular and Catholic society.
‘Free Fire’ takes a shot at grim humor between bullets, but misses
Sarcasm mixes with slaughter in this film where a gun deal gone bad devolves into an extended siege. Despite a few darkly funny moments, the film never manages to hit its target.
Arrival of orphan girl makes a man’s life ‘Gifted’
Endearing and well-acted, this film might have been a family-friendly movie. But it's marred by a sex scene and the suggestion that religious ideas are wholly unconnected to reason.
Heigl as seething ex-wife makes film ‘Unforgettable’
The obsessive, perfectionist ex-spouse at the center of the film's action calls to mind Faye Dunaway's fuming, rage-prone persona as Joan Crawford in "Mommie Dearest."
Film students travel to ‘Endor’ to shoot ‘Star Wars’ fan film
The short film by students at John Paul the Great Catholic University has been uploaded to YouTube (watch it here) and will be entered in an annual "Star Wars" fan film competition.
Imagination helps readers better understand roots of Eucharist
"Around the Table" asks readers to imagine what it was like to be a Christian during the first decades of the church's history. If readers do this, the book may become a much appreciated resource for prayer and spiritual enrichment.
‘The Fate of the Furious’ pushes loyalty to the red line
Grown viewers willing to kick reality to the curb will have fun with this preposterous but lively auto-themed action adventure. Its muddled the moral values come tricked out with distinctly Christian detailing.
‘An American Conscience: The Reinhold Niebuhr Story,’ various dates, PBS
Less than 50 years after Reinhold Niebuhr's 1971 death, at age 78, the high-profile theologian and Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree has largely been forgotten. "An American Conscience: The Reinhold Niebuhr Story" aims to recover Niebuhr's relevance not only to his times but ours.