This exceedingly clever film is directed by the impressive Marc Forster who also gave us Monster’s Ball and Finding Neverland (and the upcoming The Kite Runner that should be really good, too, given Forster’s track record and that the book is such an excellent story.)   Story is the key to enjoying Stranger than Fiction, because as the narrator, Karen Eiffel (Emma Thompson), of this story within a story within a story says, it is stories that will save us.... Read more

I know it has been months since I have posted regular updates on the films I have seen. But now I am going to try and keep up, though the reviews may be shorter.   You can visit http://americancatholic.org/movies/default.asp for the films I reviewed for the December issue of St. Anthony Messenger; for previously reviewed films between June and November, search for titles using the alphabetical list on the bottom of the page on the magazine’s site.   Happy Feet... Read more

(The Vatican invitation we needed to enter the Hall)   In early November I was honored to be invited to the premiere screening of The Nativity Story at the Vatican on November 26th. I left Los Angeles on Friday, November 24th. I stayed at the Hotel Locarno (where some of the New Line staff stayed as well) just off the Piazza del Popolo, near the Spanish Steps. On Sunday the 26th some of our sisters stopped by to visit (and... Read more

NOW is the time take a little time out for yourself before you are overwhelmed with the holiday season rush to reflect as you look forward to the coming year – we have a very special day planned with YOU in mind!!! And, feel free to invite a special friend or a relative to share this time with you – there could even be a surprise or two…. Open Call’s Advent-Winter Retreat “The Season of Anticipation” SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2006... Read more

Hi everyone, As you will hear tomorrow morning, the first weekend’s box office for The Nativity Story was slow, to say the least. If you are a believer in authentic films that tell good stories, that are religious and for the family, please be sure to support this film now. Otherwise, it won’t be around when it starts to “feel” like Christmas. Go now as a way to begin Advent spiritually and then you can go again at Christmas. Here’s what one... Read more

There are many reviews out and about The Nativity Story, and I thought the New York Times yesterday did a good job (PEOPLE had a positive take this week as well). Tomorrow I hope to write about the screening at the Vatican on November 26th – a week ago. It was awesome. Here are some links; check them out! http://movies2.nytimes.com/2006/12/01/movies/01nati.html?ref=movies (check out the reviews that people have added; one man writes that he went to a screening our Sisters sponsored... Read more

 If you have any trouble clicking the RSVP, send an email to Mary McKenna with the name(s) of those attending and their email addresses and she will register you. [email protected] and you will receive a confirmation. **** Pauline Books & Media is pleased to invite you to attend a pre-release screening of the new movie from New Line Cinema, The Nativity Story.  The screening will be held at the Dedham Showcase Cinemas, 950 Providence Hwy (Route 1), Dedham, MA 02026 November 19, 2006 at... Read more

  THE VATICAN TO HOST WORLD PREMIERE OF NEW LINE CINEMA’S THE NATIVITY STORY   The Nativity Story Is First Feature Film Ever To Premiere At The Vatican   LOS ANGELES (Nov. 9, 2006) – On Sunday, November 26th, New Line Cinema’s The Nativity Story will become the first feature film ever to premiere at the Vatican, it was jointly announced today by New Line’s President and COO of Worldwide Distribution and Marketing Rolf Mittweg, and Stefano Dammicco, CEO of... Read more

You can now order The Nativity Story: A Film Study Guide for Catholics and T he Nativity Story: Contemplating Mary’s Journeys of Faith from http://www.pauline.org/   The Nativity Story A Film Study Guide for Catholics The Nativity Story invites us to explore our faith and to listen for God’s Word in our daily lives, and this film study guide is a wonderful roadmap for the journey. Complete with sections for personal study, for group study, and for whole community catechesis,... Read more

I thought you would be pleased to know that the upcoming film THE NATIVITY STORY will be in wide release in the US (and Canada) in English on December 1 … and it will also be released on Dec. 1 in Spanish in the US in the major Spanish-speaking markets. Please share this information with your catechists, pastoral ministers, clergy because the film will be an excellent, relevant, and inspiring way to journey through the Advent and Christmas seasons for... Read more