After students and faculty attend the Quidditch World Cup (at an amazing special f/x stadium at some other location), the Triwizard Tournament comes to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Students from two other wizardry schools arrive at Hogwarts to compete, though only three names will be chosen from the Goblet of Fire.    Harry (Daniel Radcliff), Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Gint) are not old enough to put their names in for the draw (they must be 17).... Read more

David Spritz (Nicholas Cage) is the depressed 40-ish Chicago television weatherman in search of his soul in this peculiar film that seems like it might be a comedy, but in reality is a serious enough drama. David is divorced from his wife Noreen (Hope Davis) and has two troubled children, Mike (Nicholas Hoult) who is being seduced by his court-appointed counselor, and the over-weight Shelly (Gemmenne de la Pena) who seems bored with life. David’s father, Robert (Michael Caine), is... Read more

Scripture, rapture and Apocalypse: ‘Left Behind: World at War’ As one year ends and another begins in the church’s liturgical cycle, the Scripture readings remind us that Christ has died, he has risen, and he will come again in glory, at a time we do not know, to judge the living and the dead. This apocalyptic theme often appears in both literature and cinema. On the weekend of Oct. 22, “Left Behind: World at War” opened in 3,200 Protestant churches... Read more

        Coast Guard Admiral Frank Beardsley (Dennis Quaid), a widower with eight kids, is in the process of moving his family to New London, CT. His new assignment is to head up the Coast Guard Academy. An old friend sets him up with a blind date and at the restaurant he meets an old high school flame, Helen (Renee Russo). Soon after they meet at their high school reunion and old sparks are rekindled.          Helen North is a widow... Read more

Although the film will not be released until December 9th, here is a feature article I wrote for St. Anthony Messenger on background for the film, the life of C.S. Lewis and issues that the filmmakers had to face, such as fidelity to the text, the ratings, Christian representation and educational dimensons. I saw the film this past week and my review will appear here on December 8th. http://www.americancatholic.org/Messenger/Dec2005/Feature2.asp Read more

The men at Folsom Prison are clapping their hands and stomping their feet in anticipation of Johnny Cash’s (Joaquin Phoenix) highly anticipated performance. But Johnny is in one of the workshops, touching the blade of a saw, remembering.                                                                                                                     He and his brother Tommy are young again, working the family’s cotton fields during the Depression in Arkansas, talking together. Tommy wants to be a preacher, and has memorized the Scriptures. Johnny wonders why Tommy is so good, while... Read more

In case you didn’t know, MILLIONS was released on DVD on November 1. If you are looking for a wonderful Christmas film with human and spiritual values, this is a movie you’ll want to own and watch during the Christmas season. Here is my review from March 2005 when the film was released: Tuesday, March 8, 20051:54:00 PM PST                                                         Millions:                              When Fantasy, Fortune and Blessing Meet     On a brilliant summer day in the north... Read more

Drew Baylor (Orlando Bloom) designs footwear for a large company. When his trendy innovative new design causes the company to lose almost a billion dollars in sales, Phil DeVoss (Alec Baldwin), his boss, fires him. His girl friend dumps him and Drew goes to his apartment ready to do away with himself.    As he is about to do the deed, the phone rings. His sister Heather (Judy Greer) is frantic. Their father has died on a visit to his hometown in Elizabethtown,... Read more

Young Victor Van Dort (voice of Johnny Depp) is to marry Victoria Everglot (voice of Emily Watson).  He goes with his stuffy parents Nell and William (voices of Tracey Ullman and Paul Whitehouse) to the bride’s house for the wedding rehearsal. Victor is not very keen on getting married, and neither is Victoria but they have a chat at the piano while the parents (the Everglots’ are the voices of Joanna Lumley and Albert Finney) are preparing things and the... Read more

    When gorgeous younger sister Maggie (Cameron Diaz) gets drunk at her 10th high school reunion she calls her sister Rose (Toni Collette) to come and get her. Their dominating step-mother Sydelle (Candace Azzara) refuses to let Maggie stay at the family home again because of her continual self-destructive behavior so Rose takes Maggie to her apartment. But Maggie, who is dyslexic, not only cannot get and keep a job, she refuses to try. She helps herself to Rose’s gorgeous... Read more