Culture
Book collects John Paul II’s notes from 41 years of spiritual retreats
Only nine years after his death, he was declared a saint. This book aims to explain the pope's spirituality in his own words, but it falls short.
In ‘Logan Lucky,’ think ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ with a backwoods twang
Instead of suave leading men who rob casinos with flair, these mismatched West Virginia misfits turn to crime in the hope of a better life beyond the trailer park. Like cotton candy, the film doesn't linger long in the memory.
Couple’s story captures courage of a French village in World War II
"Love in a Time of Hate" tells the story of the Trocmes and others in Le Chambon who courageously and cleverly put their faith into action to hide Jews.
‘Daughters of Destiny’ shows how to lift India’s ‘untouchables’ one child at a time
This intriguing Netflix documentary on a school only for the lowest of India's caste system enables viewers to encounter people they wouldn't otherwise meet, yet with whose struggle they will surely sympathize.
Be ready to slog through metaphysical hooey of ‘The Dark Tower’
Astute viewers would be wise to spare themselves the necessity of sifting through this pile of New Age nonsense.
‘Annabelle: Creation’ goes for gore, dispenses with rational characters
The film's lapses in reason, believability and even the most rudimentary knowledge of Catholicism may inspire more frowns than frights.
New Smithsonian exhibit explores diversity of religion in early America
The exhibit features artifacts from Christianity, Judaism, Islam and other major world religions. Peter Manseau, the museum's Lilly Endowment curator of American religious history, is the author of several books and curator of the new exhibit.
Compelling study brings archaeology to life for academics, nonexperts
Through rigorous, systematic investigation of the likes of pottery shards, stone tools, post molds and fossilized bones, archaeologists uncover and help us preserve our past.
Dark chapter of recent American history plays out brutally in ‘Detroit’
The period drama zeroes in on the 1967 riots of the Motor City that left 43 dead, 7,200 arrested and more than 2,000 buildings destroyed. The film follows a notorious raid of a motel harboring innocent patrons and shady characters caught up in the violence.
‘A Ghost Story’ reflects on loss while suggesting purgatory
The best film about purgatory you'll see this year isn't about religion or spirituality. The spirit of a deceased character must fulfill a task in order to set things right and thus be released from his earthly bonds.