Some of the toughest scenes to watch in 12 Strong--the ones that most hit me in the gut--don't happen when a band of Green Berets courageously venture, against all odds, into war astride horses. They don't happen in bloody battle scenes of man versus tank. They're not played out as inexperienced … [Read more...] about 12 Strong
Movies
Forever My Girl
I find it perfect that Forever My Girl launches in theaters nationwide today, on the weekend when we gather nationwide to champion the dignity of every human life. On its surface, this likable romcom is a story about love lost and refound and about the beauty and complexity of chasing our dreams. … [Read more...] about Forever My Girl
Paddington 2: Lesson In Generosity Overflows with Hilarity and Marmalade
What if you could take the kids to a movie this weekend that promises to teach them valuable lessons about kindness, generosity of spirit, the value of hard work, and the importance of community? And what if said movie featured the latest technological advances in animation, a diverse and … [Read more...] about Paddington 2: Lesson In Generosity Overflows with Hilarity and Marmalade
Coco
Immediately after my screening of Coco on the Disney lot a few weeks ago, I informally "interviewed" two members of its target demographic: children. I had noticed them come into the theater with their mom, a journalist who was also there for the screener. He, approximately seven, sported a Coco … [Read more...] about Coco
Coco, Día de los Muertos, and Remembering the Departed
In anticipation of the nationwide release of Disney/Pixar's Coco this week, I wanted to dive more deeply into the connection of an important component of the film, Día de los Muertos, to our Catholic practice of remembering and praying for deceased loved ones. To be clear, Coco is NOT a "Catholic … [Read more...] about Coco, Día de los Muertos, and Remembering the Departed
The Man Who Invented Christmas
While the title of this film may include "Christmas", in my mind The Man Who Invented Christmas is the perfect movie to watch for Thanksgiving in anticipation of Advent and Christmas. Opening nationwide in theaters this week and inspired by a book by Les Standiford, this charming biopic reminds us … [Read more...] about The Man Who Invented Christmas
Director Timothy Reckart on Character Development in The Star
How do you take the greatest story ever told and stay true to it, even when one of the main characters never says a single word in the source material? This was the question I was anxious to tackle with Academy Award-nominated animator Timothy Reckart when I met him last week. Reckart, who serves … [Read more...] about Director Timothy Reckart on Character Development in The Star
The Star
For many of us of a certain age, our family Christmas season officially began with the showing of A Charlie Brown Christmas or Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer. In those pre-on-demand days, my family would use the TV Guide to plan ahead and mark our calendars. This year's release of The Star, opening … [Read more...] about The Star
On Wings of Eagles
On Wings of Eagles is a classic "rest of the story" drama which carries us beyond missionary Eric Liddell's turn on the 1924 Paris Olympics gold medal podium and into the tragedies war-torn China. As a Chariots of Fire groupie and one who included Liddell's legacy in a book, I was anxious to see how … [Read more...] about On Wings of Eagles
I’ll Push You
On my personal bucket list is to take a pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago. So it's perhaps not surprising that I jump at any opportunity to screen a film which will carry me--even if only virtually--along the ancient Way of St. James. My favorite takes on this spiritual journey have included … [Read more...] about I’ll Push You
The Florida Project
It's been well over a month since I screened The Florida Project and three weeks since I shared my interviews with the cast here. And yet unless you are part of the small world who pays attention to Oscar buzz, it's unlikely that this film is on your radar. Now playing in select theaters nationwide, … [Read more...] about The Florida Project
Same Kind of Different As Me
Because real life can often be so topsy-turvy, I love movies that find their basis in the messiness and insanity and pain and joy of true stories. Such is the case for Same Kind of Different As Me, opening nationwide this weekend. Based on the New York Times bestseller by Ron Hall and Denver Moore, … [Read more...] about Same Kind of Different As Me
The Mountain Between Us
Based on the book by Charles Martin, The Mountain Between Us is a love story wrapped up in a survivalist adventure. Idris Elba and Kate Winslet are compliments to a vast pallet that's compellingly captured by director Hany Abu-Assad's cinematographic vision. I could have done without the explicit … [Read more...] about The Mountain Between Us
The Stray: One Dog’s Impact
Opening wide in theaters this weekend is The Stray, a charming movie based on the true-life story of one family and the dog who helped them change their lives. Synopsis: “Pluto” comes out of nowhere and quickly makes himself at home with the Davis family, who are on the brink of falling apart. Dad … [Read more...] about The Stray: One Dog’s Impact
The Florida Project: Prepare to Be Challenged
I was recently invited to review and attend a press junket for the new film The Florida Project. This stirring movie opens October 6th in Los Angeles and New York. When it hits theaters nationwide in a few weeks, I will be sharing a full review. For today, I wanted to tell you about the … [Read more...] about The Florida Project: Prepare to Be Challenged
The Tribunal: Catholic Courtroom Drama
While I've watched more than my fair share of Law & Order reruns, it never occurred to me to think of the annulment process in dramatic terms. That changed with my recent screening of The Tribunal. The film was released this summer on a variety of streaming formats, including Amazon, iTunes and … [Read more...] about The Tribunal: Catholic Courtroom Drama