Greatness Then, Greatness Now

One of the most convincing elements of good art is its ability to draw the viewer into the full depth of its subject. In the realm of film and television, HBO’s Band of Brothers (2001) stands in a class of … Continue reading

The Weight of Love

Faith and Film Friday: The Jeweller’s Shop Editor’s Note: This is the ninth and final review in our series, Faith and Film Friday. Read the whole series here. “Love is a constant challenge. It is given to man so he … Continue reading

Benedicta a Cruce

Faith and Film Friday: The Seventh Chamber Editor’s Note: This is the eighth review in our series, Faith and Film Friday. Read the whole series here. Maia Morgenstern, some five years before starring as the Mother of God in Mel … Continue reading

The Colors of the World

Faith and Film Friday: The Scarlet and the Black Editor’s Note: This is the seventh review in our series, Faith and Film Friday. Read the whole series here. If I may lift a lyric from Les Misérables (the musical), “The … Continue reading

Tak, Babette

Faith and Film Friday: Babette’s Feast Editor’s Note: This is the sixth review in our series, Faith and Film Friday. Read the whole series here. Babette’s Feast makes plain two simple truths: Gifts beget thanks. And thanks, in turn, beget gifts. … Continue reading

Contra Mundum

Faith and Film Friday: Brideshead Revisited Editor’s Note: This is the fifth review in our series, Faith and Film Friday. Read the whole series here. Anyone who has even briefly surveyed popular Catholic novels has no doubt come across Evelyn … Continue reading

Being Loud

Faith and Film Friday: A Man for All Seasons Editor’s Note: This is the fourth review in our series, Faith and Film Friday. Read the whole series here. Important things—what we may call “things of consequence”—tend to be loud. Soldiers fighting a … Continue reading

The Island’s Holy Fool

Faith and Film Friday: The Island Editor’s Note: This is the third review in our series, Faith and Film Friday. Read the whole series here. The title of this film warrants a disclaimer from the outset, especially to those avid … Continue reading

Hollywood Needs Miracles Too

Faith and Film Friday: The Song of Bernadette Editor’s Note: This is the second review in our series, Faith and Film Friday. Read the whole series here. Imagine a world in which a film about Marian apparitions and simple Catholic piety could … Continue reading

Killing the Good Priest

Faith and Film Friday: Calvary Editor’s Note: This is the first review in our series, Faith and Film Friday. Read the whole series here. I had never even heard of the movie Calvary when, in the summer of 2014, my … Continue reading

The Actor-Martyr and Film

A New Series: Faith and Film Friday Has the screen taken over our culture? Perhaps we are not yet in a complete dystopian future in which every person’s reality is virtual, but with Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube making movies and … Continue reading

The Calculus of Love

How much does it cost to love someone? This is a difficult, if not impossible, question to answer. (Spoilers!) Several months ago, Bishop Robert Barron reviewed Lady Bird, a film which, despite its at times questionable treatment of sexuality, captures … Continue reading

Yearning for Remembrance: Pixar’s Coco

A few of us recently watched Pixar’s Coco. I found it very enjoyable, although tinged with sadness—which I think was the director’s intent. The story makes excellent use of its medium, animation which is beautiful and imaginative. There’s a strong … Continue reading

Failed Fathers

Recently, I saw Marvel’s Black Panther in the theaters. I recommend watching it, but be forewarned that this post has a few spoilers. Besides being visually stunning and rather entertaining, the movie is surprisingly thoughtful. It presents nuanced perspectives on … Continue reading