Why do TV reality-show families tend to have problems? First, they’re families. Families have problems. Second, they’re families that have chosen — or at least the parents did — to showcase themselves on reality TV. Some folks are drafted into fame, through circumstances beyond their control. Others volunteer for it. From the Kardashians to the Chrisleys to Mama June’s brood to the Duggars, kids are growing up on TV, because their parents said yes. I’ve never watched “19 Kids and... Read more
Today, FX Network announced it has ordered a 10-episode first season for “The Bastard Executioner,” created by Kurt Sutter (“Sons of Anarchy,” “The Shield”). Set during the reign of Britain’s King Edward I (1239-1307), the drama stars Australian newcomer Lee Jones as Wilkin Brattle, a warrior knight whose combat experiences have damaged him spiritually and psychologically, who decides to lay down his sword forever. But, when violence returns to his life, he’s forced to pick up the bloodiest sword of all.... Read more
The conversation continues about the 5-part, 10-hour History Channel miniseries “Texas Rising,” premiering Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 … (click here to read part one). In the first installment, British-born director Roland Joffé talked about his desire to have male characters that represent traditional masculine values and act as protectors, while also having female characters with equal strength of will. When executive producer Leslie Greif comes in, he echoes Joffé, saying, “This is when men were men. This isn’t a bunch of... Read more
Come Memorial Day, it looks like the cowboys are back. Premiering Monday, May 25, History’s 10-hour, five-part miniseries “Texas Rising,” directed by British-born Roland Joffé (“The Killing Fiekds,” “The Mission”) and filmed in Mexico, picks up the story of the Texas Revolution in the wake of the 1836 Mexican siege, led by President General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio. After the deaths of the Alamo’s defenders — who included James Bowie, William Travis... Read more
I’ve been talking a lot in this blog about how Catholics should seize the opportunity to join the mainstream media and the new digital-media world and become decision-makers and influencers, and that’s still vitally important. But, at the same time, the era of crowdfunding, coupled with the lowered cost of video production, offers us a chance to go it alone. A pair of twin brothers who are also consecrated Franciscan Friars of the Renewal are doing just that. From my... Read more
In a moving post, former federal prosecutor Ken White, chief contributor to the libertarian-leaning law blog Popehat, speaks about his recent hospitalization and his battle with mental illness. Every time I write about depression, I feel like I’m having the naked-at-school dream, exposed and poised for incoming ridicule. No matter how often I say that depression is nothing to be ashamed of, and how sincerely I believe it in my head, my gut tells me otherwise. But every time I write... Read more
In the feature film “Where Hope Grows,” currently in theaters, Kris Polaha plays Calvin Campbell, a former pro baseball player who had to retire early due to panic attacks. A single father of a teenage daughter (McKaley Miller), he’s drinking too much and on a downward spiral, until he meets a grocery-store worker, nicknamed Produce (David DeSanctis), with Down’s syndrome. Produce’s friendship, and his devotion to his work and his church, slowly help Campbell find his way toward redemption. Polaha... Read more
THERE ARE MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD. DON’T READ THIS IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE SEASON-ONE FINALE OF “THE FLASH.” AND IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED “THE FLASH” AT ALL, YOU’LL BE VERY CONFUSED, BECAUSE THIS IS WRITTEN FOR FANS, BY A FAN. I’M NOT GOING TO EXPLAIN MUCH. GO GET CAUGHT UP FIRST. YOU’VE BEEN WARNED. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends … Christ to the Apostles, in John 15:13 For the... Read more
In a series picked up to air on Fox in 2016, the devil’s in Los Angeles (not news, I know). As described on the official site: Based upon the characters created by Neil Gaiman, Sam Kieth and Mike Dringenberg for DC Entertainment’s Vertigo imprint, LUCIFER is the story of the original fallen angel. Bored and unhappy as the Lord of Hell, LUCIFER MORNINGSTAR (Tom Ellis, “Merlin”) has abandoned his throne and retired to L.A., where he owns Lux, an upscale nightclub. Charming,... Read more
You can’t win them all, and if anyone knows that right now, it’s Clark Beckham from Fox’s “American Idol” and any member of the Seattle Seahawks. Back on Feb. 1, the Seahawks lost Super Bowl XLIX to the New England Patriots in a fourth-quarter nail biter. Then, last Wednesday, two days before his 23rd birthday, Tennessee native Beckham watched Connecticut Catholic-school graduate Nick Fradiani take the prize in “Idol’s” penultimate finale. I spoke to Beckham a couple of days after... Read more
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