Culture
‘Shut In’ sadly revives stereotype of mental illness and murder
The weak and confusing psychological thriller follows a woman caring for her nonverbal quadriplegic stepson, as she takes in a deaf boy with psychological issues. When he goes missing her dreams become terrifying.
Kids and their parents will love the colorful, 3-D ‘Trolls’
This loopy but charming animated comedy is a brightly hued, music-laden celebration of its namesake plastic dolls, and makes enjoyable viewing for a wide range of age groups.
Letters show brotherly love, developing thinking on moral challenges
Whether or not you see Phil and Dan Berrigan as prophetic against the politics of war in the last half of the 20th century or not, watching their relationship and lives unfold through their letters to each other shows two men trying to be faithful to the Gospel and to each other.
‘Almost Christmas’ is almost a classic, but not quite
The film is clearly meant to be a crowd-pleasing holiday treat and its fundamental values are savory enough. But it's tainted by vulgarity-laced dialogue, making the film forgettable after this season.
‘Arrival’ delivers profound yet intimate sci-fi tale
Aliens come to earth as Oscar-worthy Amy Adams confirms a Catholic message about the necessity of accepting pain and sorrow in order to enter a more enlightened state of being. Watch the "Arrival" trailer.
Faith takes center stage in Mel Gibson’s new film
Fans of "The Passion of the Christ" will find at least a thematic successor to Gibson's Bible-based work in his latest movie, "Hacksaw Ridge." This new release could easily be subtitled, "The Passion of Desmond T. Doss."
‘Doctor Strange’ flashes strong special effects, New Age mumbo jumbo
The Marvel Comics superhero showcases a surfeit of magical nonsense and rigmarole concerning spell-casting, astral bodies and the like. With Benedict Cumberbatch in the lead, the acting rises well above the genre average.
Memoir of Notre Dame priest has insights but not definitive biography
From the 1950s through the 1980s, Father Theodore Hesburgh was one of the most famous priests in the United States and, probably, the busiest.
‘Hacksaw Ridge’ tells tale of ultimate Christian love on WWII battlefield
The film's brutal portrayal of how Army medic Desmond T. Doss single-handedly saved the lives of 75 wounded soldiers while under constant enemy fire would seem far fetched were they not true.
For its tedium, ‘Inferno’ is more akin to movie purgatory
Catholic viewers will be glad to note that neither their faith nor the early history of their church is trampled on, as they both were so blatantly in "The Da Vinci Code." In "Inferno," churches do make lovely backdrops.