Culture
Remade ‘Ben-Hur’ isn’t bad, but can’t live up to its epic pedigree
Considered on its own terms, this iteration of the classic 1880 story makes for a satisfying action picture, aside from the 1959 extravaganza. But the redemption of the title character is unpersuasive because it's unearned.
Take a stroll down two different paths to confronting stress
While Sister Hill notes that "Blessed are the Stressed: Secrets to a Happy Heart From a Crabby Mystic" is not a "scholarly treatment," the same cannot be said for Chuck DeGroat's "Wholeheartedness: Busyness, Exhaustion and Healing the Divided Self."
‘Ben-Hur’ remake stresses reconciliation theme, producer says
One reason Roma Downey signed on to lead the film was because she "loved the rephrasing of the story as one of forgiveness instead of the previous incarnations which were revenge-driven."
Meryl Streep charms and charges ahead in touching, humane tale
Like the World War II-era New York socialite it profiles, "Florence Foster Jenkins" presents an eccentric blend of comedy and drama. Its ethical conflicts invite more compassion than condemnation.
Collection on mercy has much to say about often-misunderstood virtue
Several books have been published or reissued on the subject of mercy and some of them have proven to be a means to reacquaint ourselves with a virtue that most people consider a "soft," almost squishy, virtue.
Book confronts questions about historical facts of Jesus’ resurrection
Carl E. Olson states that "Did Jesus Really Rise From the Dead?" disputes the conclusions and presumptions of numerous academic and popular books which in one way or another seek to question or even deny the historical reality of Jesus' resurrection.
Movie review: Pete’s Dragon
The classic boy-and-his-dog story assumes outsized proportions in "Pete's Dragon" (Disney), a warmhearted fantasy adventure suitable for teens and their elders.
‘Song of the Deep’ a puzzling undersea adventure
In many ways, "Song of the Deep" (Insomniac) is the perfect summer game. A dive into the depths of a fantastical ocean, it offers a cool -- in both senses of the world -- respite from the scorching days of August.
Movie review: Cafe Society
"Love is an emotion, and emotions aren't rational," a character muses midway through writer-director Woody Allen's seriocomic "Cafe Society" (Lionsgate).
Author’s new biography on Mother Angelica a fitting tribute to late nun
Author Raymond Arroyo describes the suffering of the nun and EWTN founder, and delves into her theology of God's will for her as her health declined due to strokes in her final 15 years.