Inspirational media for today's Catholics
"Free Willy," the 1993 whale rescue film, looks like child's play when compared to "Big Miracle" (Universal), in which not one but three giant mammals are trapped in Arctic ice, and it takes a whole lot more than a sleepy Alaskan town to save them. Directed by Ken Kwapis -- and based on the real-life events recounted in Thomas Rose's 1989 book "Freeing the Whales" -- the film is an animal rights activist's dream. Families, neighbors, corporations, and even superpowers … [Read more...]
Reputed to be one of the most frightening ghost stories ever written, Susan Hill's 1983 novel "The Woman in Black" must certainly count as one of the sturdiest: It has been adapted both for British radio and U.K. television, while the 22-year-long -- and still ongoing -- run of its London stage version makes that property one of the longest-lived nonmusicals in West End history. As penned for the big screen by Jane Goldman, directed by James Watkins -- and with Daniel … [Read more...]
"Quis ut Deus?" This Latin motto, traditionally associated with St. Michael the Archangel (whose Hebrew name itself has a similar meaning), translates as "Who is like God?" That question could serve as the tagline for the reasonably original, curiously dark "Chronicle" (Fox), an exploration of the troubling results that ensue when mere mortals obtain godlike powers. Stumbling on a mysterious object, a trio of teens -- social outcast Andrew (Dane DeHaan), his … [Read more...]
Few events in recent history have exerted as deeply personal an impact on the lives of millions of Americans, and of people across the globe, as the attacks of 9/11. So it's odd and a little baffling that a film based on our national tragedy of a decade ago should register -- for most of its two-hour-plus running time, at least -- as uninvolving. Yet such is the case with "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close" (Warner Bros.), director Stephen Daldry's grim screen … [Read more...]
Kate Beckinsale squeezes into the black vinyl tights again as Selene, avenging warrior of the underground Vampire clan, and battles Lycans (werewolves) and predatory human scientists for "Underworld: Awakening" (Screen Gems), the fourth installment in the horror-fantasy series. This time around, Selene awakens from 12 years in frozen suspended animation imposed on her by the folks at Amigent Corp. They've imprisoned her for the period humans know as "The Cleansing" … [Read more...]
At a time when Hollywood movies tend to get louder and more offensive, "The Artist" (Weinstein) is a breath of fresh air -- without uttering a word. Who knew a modern-made silent movie could be so charming and entertaining? French director Michel Hazanavicius displays a flair for re-creating the techniques of old Hollywood, from the lively musical score and use of intertitles to the dramatic lighting and good use of the studio back lot. He also draws from his actors … [Read more...]
In an earlier era, "The Darkest Hour" (Summit) – a weak entry about five ... whoops, four ... wait, make that three plucky youngsters running away from invading aliens – would have been marketed as cheap thrills for drive-in moviegoers. That era having passed, the flick is instead being retailed as a collection of expensive 3-D thrills, a ploy that only serves to highlight its stale plot. As sketched for us – none too adroitly – by director Chris Gorak and … [Read more...]
"The Devil Inside" (Paramount), so we're told, is a film the Vatican doesn't want you to see. If so, perhaps there's a "Da Vinci Code"-like conspiracy afoot intended to save you 12 of your hard-earned, economic-downturn dollars. Those foolhardy enough to insist on wading through this cheap, inept piece of storytelling will experience an eye-poppingly bad, grotesque little horror outing. And that's not to mention the consistent spewing forth of lazy, sullen antagonism … [Read more...]
Here is a selection of recent releases that might be … Read more
From the publisher Saint Alphonsus Liguori, founder of … Read more
Your church is eligible to receive a free single subscription to New Catholic Books & Media. Each quarterly issue is filled with information about new books, author … [Read more...]