Culture
‘Aladdin’ unleashes a genie of family fun
Director Guy Ritchie's live action take on the popular tale provides a magical mix of messages about humility, honesty, self-sacrificing friendship and the equal dignity of women.
‘A Dog’s Journey’ continues, life after life
A dog's care for his family gets reborn in generations of canines in this sequel to "A Dog's Purpose." Besides the problem of reincarnation, the film celebrates family, reconciliation and loving loyalty.
Biopic ‘Tolkien’ reveals life of 20th century literary giant
This may not be the biography that fans of Catholic author J.R.R. Tolkien are looking for, but it does tell the story of the young Tolkien and his times -- marked by friendship and the horror of World War I.
‘Tolkien’ focuses on Catholic author’s love of language, medieval imagery
Critics are debating the Christian themes in a new film on the imaginative "Lord of the Rings" author J.R.R. Tolkien, a movie that may have benefited by more explanation of his use of Catholic imagery.
Young love shines in ‘The Sun Is Also a Star’
Boy meets girl, tries to win her love before she's deported, and audiences try to endure pretentious pronouncements in this modern tale of star-crossed lovers.
Video star Pikachu goes live in first film
Fans of the global media juggernaut that began with video games in the 1990s may welcome "Pokemon Detective Pikachu." But the uninitiated may feel both left behind and unimpressed.
Three looks into fonts of grace: New books on Catholic sacraments
There are few topics more important to Catholic life than sacraments, and these three books explore the seven key experiences of God's grace -- an underexamined area of our faith.
‘The Hustle’ recasts ‘Scoundrels,’ with taste of reheated leftovers
Employing hit-or-miss sight gags instead of wit, the film uses outdated notions of sophistication to show empowered, villainous women. The film fails because its 1964 and 1988 roots are showing.
‘The Burial of Kojo’: A family’s love in a magical realm
Set in Ghana and shot on a minimal budget, the enchanting fable currently streaming on Netflix mysteriously affirms love through an entrancing narration that reveals how magical life can be.
Video game may have a role in Notre Dame reconstruction
The video game "Assassin's Creed" may prove to be the burned cathedral's saving grace. The game's developer spent two years recreating the cathedral so gamers could experience it in realistic fashion.