Category: Films
FILMS: ‘Les Miserables’: Last year’s best Catholic film comes out on DVD and Blu-Ray
In hindsight, it’s easy to see why “Les Misérables” didn’t win best picture at the Academy Awards this year. Jean Valjean, played by Hugh Jackman, is essentially a pacifist. “The man of mercy,” as his foe eventually calls him, forgives 70 times 7.
‘Bible’ miniseries aims to make ‘emotional connection’ with audience
Roma Downey and Mark Burnett have pulled off the making of a 10-hour miniseries, “The Bible,” that gets its premiere Sunday, March 3, on the History cable channel.
FILMS: ‘Rise of the Guardians’: Do you believe in the Man in the Moon?
I had a lot of nightmares growing up. I’d wake up, startled and holler for my father. He’d come to my bedside, over and over, and he’d explain why I didn’t need to be afraid. He often used the example of light, summarized in the song lyrics, “There is a light that can overcome the [...]
FILMS: ’2016: Obama’s America’
NEW YORK (CNS) — “What does Barack Obama believe?” asks right-leaning scholar Dinesh D’Souza, narrator of the engaging political documentary “2016: Obama’s America” (Rocky Mountain). The film — which D’Souza also co-directed and co-wrote with John Sullivan — is based on his 2010 best-seller “The Roots of Obama’s Rage.” Thankfully, the answer that emerges onscreen [...]
‘The Amazing Spider-Man’: Good, but too soon
From time to time a really terrific film comes along, whose characters present an important message through an exciting story. Audiences remember those films. Apparently Colombia and Sony are hoping our memories don’t span more than a decade. Just 10 years after the release of “Spider-Man” (Columbia) they released “The Amazing Spider-Man” (Colombia) — same [...]
Fourth of July
A couple of local suggestions for celebrating the Fourth of July with fellow Americans and fellow Catholics: Fortnight for Freedom rally — 7-8:30 p.m. July 3 at St. Steven Parish in Sun Lakes. Procession from parking lot followed by brief lay talk, rosary and refreshments. Details. Dramatic performance: Maximillian: Saint of Auschwitz — 7:30 p.m. [...]
Weekend calendar: June 22-24
Fortnight for Freedom — A two-week, nationwide period of prayer, education and action in support of religious freedom. Details. 8:30 a.m. June 22 at St. Thomas More Parish in Glendale. Mass with Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted. 9 a.m. June 24 at Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral in Phoenix. Mass with Bishop Olmsted. Also carried live [...]
Film revisits the many sides of Mexico’s Cristero Rebellion
MEXICO CITY (CNS) — Even as modern-day church-state relations improve, the impact of Mexico’s three-year Cristero Rebellion in the 1920s on the Catholic Church remains widely debated in Mexican society. The rebellion saw Catholic clergy and laity taking up arms to oppose government efforts to harshly restrict the influence of the church and defend religious [...]
FILMS: ‘Avengers’: Redeeming the superhero genre
Stan Lee’s Marvel Comics have been the subject of many on-screen interpretations, including the “Spiderman” and “Iron Man” series as well as several others. Some were great, many were mediocre and still others were outright bad. The characters in “The Avengers” (Disney) avenge the world and the film itself makes up for the bad ones. [...]
English teacher gave actor Verastegui new focus in life
WASHINGTON (CNS) — One might think actor Eduardo Verastegui would have fond memories of his first English-language movie, 2003′s “Chasing Papi,” because it gave him a chance to share the screen with Sofia Vergara, who has since become a breakout star thanks to her role in the ABC comedy “Modern Family.” But Verastegui’s most cherished [...]
