“Can Francis Change the Church?” by Thomas Sweetser, SJ. Crossroad (Chestnut Ridge, New York, 2019). 174 pp., US$16.95. Reviewed by MITCH FINLAY (CNS). What impact is Pope Francis having on the Church? This is the basic question on which this book reports. Rather than being a summary of wishful thinking on the Church’s future, it is based on empirical data collected by … Read More about How Catholics are responding to the leadership of Pope Francis
Reviews
Makeover for movie miracles
by NEVIL GIBSON When faced with a story of ... Read More about Makeover for movie miracles
Authoritative journey through history of science and philosophy
"On Trial for Reason: Science, Religion and ... Read More about Authoritative journey through history of science and philosophy
Bollywood steps up
Hollywood’s studio system was declared dead in the ... Read More about Bollywood steps up
The annual bounty from the New Zealand International Film Festival contained some recurring themes. This year’s offering followed overseas trends of going online because of cinema closures during the Covid-19 pandemic. However, New Zealand’s cinemas are now open, and a small selection of entries hit the big screen. Habits gained through … Read More about Festival hits recurring notes
THE FINAL CHOICE — End of life suffering: Is assisted dying the answer?, by Caralise Trayes (Capture & Tell Media, 2020) 276pp, $29.99. Reviewed by PAT McCARTHY. What happens when an enquiring Kiwi journalist seeks the truth about the End of Life Choice Act that the country will vote on … Read More about A compassionate approach to the question of assisted dying
Long-term relationships between filmmakers and actors usually indicate mutually rewarding rapport. The empathy between director Michael Winterbottom and Steve Coogan has resulted in a laid-back travelogue series over the past 10 years and a handful of offbeat movies. Winterbottom is one of Britain’s most productive film-makers – 30 feature films and … Read More about Greece and greed
“I’m Catholic. Now What?” by Shaun McAfee. Our Sunday Visitor (Huntington, Indiana, 2019). 335 pp., US$19.95. “What to Say and How to Say It: Discuss Your Catholic Faith With Clarity and Confidence” by Brandon Vogt. Ave Maria Press (Notre Dame, Indiana, 2020). 235 pp., US$16.95. Reviewed by MITCH FINLEY (CNS) … Read More about A black-and-white view of what it means to be Catholic
The wave of global protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement would have been no surprise to African-American writer-director Spike Lee. Since his debut feature, She’s Gotta Have It in 1986, he has provoked black and white audiences alike with movies that range from the highly personal and … Read More about Racial spin on Vietnam war
Critics of the creative arts occasionally attempt their own artistic expression, while others try the reverse. Hollywood filmmaker Paul Schrader was brought up in a strict Protestant household that banned access to movies and television. He studied movies in his university days, resulting in a 1972 book, Transcendental Style in Film. It … Read More about Putting theory into practice
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