Culture
‘Planet of the Apes’ meets ‘Apocalypse Now’
Sentient ape hero Caesar enters the heart of darkness in "War for the Planet of the Apes," the climactic third film of the rebooted franchise that features some troubling spiritual messages.
Harry Potter still captivates fans, cultivating theological conversations
Two decades since the publication of its first book, the seven-book series by J.K. Rowling continues to draw countless readers, gaining ground among some faithful initially put off by the themes of magic and witchcraft.
Rime: A Gorgeous, Humane Game About Grief
The video game "Rime" (Grey Box) starts simply, then builds up an emotional wallop. It's no surprise there are YouTube videos featuring players weeping at the unexpected ending.
Books on saints uplifting but one has grave errors on Scripture
These two short books about saints are devotional, suitable for spiritual reading and quiet meditation.
A favorite superhero matures in “Spider-Man: Homecoming”
Mentored by Iron Man, the web-spinning comic hero aspires to join the Avengers in this fast-moving adventure, which features little gore but strong language.
Movie review: The House
Had "The House" (Warner Bros.) been made as a taut, dark comedy about the price of greed, it might have some merit. Instead, director Andrew Jay Cohen has produced a sloppy, illogical, cringe-inducing time-waster.
‘Despicable Me 3’ slides from predecessors, but it’s still fun
In the series' third film, villain-turned-good-guy Gru finds he has a twin brother, Dru, and together they battle a baddie from the 1980s. The weak plot is offset by amusing side stories and strong values.
Inaugural conference looks to re-energize Catholic literary imagination
An effort to re-energize a Catholic arts culture in this secular society attracted over 200 established and aspiring writers, artists, musicians and vocalists to the University of Notre Dame for a June 22-24 conference.
Gore aside, ‘Baby Driver’ is worth taking for a spin
Stylish and energetic, the high-octane crime drama blends pop music, dizzying car chases and some dark humor to impressive effect.
Beauty, poetry of classic hymns comes through in book, audio CD
Anthony Esolen, an accomplished literary scholar who is a faithful Catholic, turns his attention to the poetry of our beloved classic hymns in "Real Music." The book and accompanying audio CD captivate at every turn.