Kyle Gallner, left, and Bradley Cooper in "American Sniper" (CNS/Warner Bros.)

‘American Sniper’ – a question of heroes

January 30, 2015 By Leave a Comment

* This essay/review contains spoilersIn Clint Eastwood's Iraqi Western, we see the evolution of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle's (Bradley Cooper) skills as a shooter as well as his motivation for enlisting in the military and going to war: God, country, family.As Chris (played as a child by Cole Konis) grows up in Texas, his dad, Wayne (Ben Reed), teaches him to hunt and how to handle a rifle. Wayne infuses in the boy ideals of heroism and says aggression is a gift to save others. One Sunday at … [Read More...]

Me opening the boxes that arrived yesterday!

“Martin Sheen: Pilgrim on the Way” is in the house! Launch Feb 7th, 2015

January 29, 2015 By Leave a Comment

 CLICK HERE for early editorial reviews. The back cover: Martin Sheen, best known for his role as a Catholic president in the prestigious television series The West Wing, returned to the practice of his Catholic faith at the age of forty after decades away. After years of battling alcohol addiction, a near-fatal heart attack, and a nervous breakdown, the stage, film, and television actor renewed his dedication to his family and activated his faith with energy, grace, and joy. Through … [Read More...]

‘Black or White’ is about complicated family situations – and it’s my first time on the Red Carpet!

January 29, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Mike Binder's new film, "Black or White," is being released right after the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and in time for Black History Month. Its release comes after a tumultuous year of riots and marches motivated by the deaths of black boys and men at the hands of white policemen. But the film … [Read More...]

“Exodus: Gods and Kings” – a shorter take

January 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment

 Director Ridley Scott’s imagining of the first half of the Book of Exodus is dramatic and majestic. We meet Moses (Christian Bale) and his “cousin,” Ramses (Joel Edgerton), who have been brought up together. When Pharaoh (an almost unrecognizable John Turturro) gives them almost match … [Read More...]

“The Imitation Game” is my favorite film of the year

January 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), a young mathematician with an IQ almost equal to Albert Einstein’s, answers an ad to work for the British government in 1939 when England declares war on Germany. He joins a team of code breakers at the topsecret facility at Bletchley Park.After months of f … [Read More...]

“Unbroken”

January 26, 2015 By Leave a Comment

 Louis “Louie” Zamperini (Jack O’Connell) is the son of Italian immigrants living in Southern California during the Depression. He skips school, drinks liquor, and smokes. His brother, Pete (Alex Russell), however, sees his potential as a runner. Louie begins to train and win track meets. H … [Read More...]

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‘Broadchurch’ Season Two starts March 4

January 19, 2015 By Leave a Comment

 I discovered the series BBC "Broadchurch" last year on Netflix. Then came the US version, "Gracepoint' still starring David Tennent as the detective with a past and most everything but the ending a copy of the BBC series. Truth to tell, I liked both series but "Broadchurch" paid attention … [Read More...]

‘Klansville USA’ on PBS outlines the 1954 rise of the KKK

January 12, 2015 By Leave a Comment

 “Klansville U.S.A.” is a relatively short film that documents a portion of U.S. history that few may be aware of: the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in North Carolina after the Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court decision in 1954 that effectively began the dismantling of institutionalized … [Read More...]

“Martin Sheen: Pilgrim on the Way” LA book launch and signing set for Feb. 7, 2015

January 9, 2015 By Leave a Comment

I hope you can join all of us at the Pauline Book & Media Center for this date.  Refreshments will be served!You can order from Amazon or directly from Liturgical Press, too. Or if you order through our book store I can autograph it for you! Call 310-397-8676 between 10am-6pm, Pacific Time, … [Read More...]


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