Culture
Theologically complex ‘Silence’ rewards viewers’ intellectual investment
Martin Scorsese has crafted a visually striking drama that's also deeply thought-provoking and emotionally gripping, with remarkable performances. But the paradoxes of the narrative demand careful sifting by moviegoers well-grounded in their beliefs.
Denzel Washington enlivens ‘Fences’ on the screen
Suffering is a leitmotif in any of August Wilson's plays, but there's also brutal honesty and joy in unexpected moments. Moral decisions, and the consequences of immoral ones, lurk at every turn in the plot.
Movie review: Why Him?
The makers of "Why Him?" (Fox) evidently couldn't decide whether their film should be a raunchy sex comedy or a tamer tale about the clash between established family values and the often bereft behavior of the untethered newly wealthy.
Book on parish leadership may be required reading
While there is no "silver bullet" for successful parish ministry today, businessman William Simon Jr.'s "Great Catholic Parishes" lays out four ways parishes can be great, based on 244 interviews with Catholic pastors across the U.S.
A new reading list for a new year, one day at a time
See our list of 12 books that each offer daily meditations to get you through 2017.
‘Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly’ to sign off after 20 years
The last installment of more than 1,000 episodes of the newscast will make its way to PBS stations the weekend of Feb. 24.
Movie review: Passengers
Science fiction becomes the springboard for a study of selfishness, sin and the possibility of forgiveness in "Passengers" (Sony).
One book offers exhaustive study of rosary, another adds mysteries
At 351 pages -- not including various appendices and reference sections in the back of the book -- "Champions of the Rosary" is easily the most exhaustive study of the devotional prayer known as "the rosary" that this reviewer has ever seen.
Movie review: Jackie
"Jackie" (Fox Searchlight) is more of a passionate meditation on the nature of a first lady's fame than a historical drama about Jacqueline Kennedy in the weeks following the 1963 assassination of her husband.
Choral Arts group presents rare Bach ‘Christmas Oratorio’ New Year’s Eve
What are you doing New Year’s Eve? Choral Arts Philadelphia performs Johann Sebastian Bach’s six-cantata oratorio Saturday, Dec. 31 from 4-8 p.m. with intermission for dinner, at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral.