God bless John Mulderig, the film reviewer for Catholic News Service, for reviewing this film, saving me time, money and, well, read the review. NEW YORK (CNS) — “Lifestyles of the Rich and Perverse” might be a more fitting title for the unusually explicit bedroom drama “Fifty Shades of Grey” (Universal). Director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s adaptation of the first volume in a trilogy of novels by E.L. James — which features a modern-day Marquis de Sade as its male... Read more
Sister Rose Pacatte, a member of the Daughters of St. Paul, is the director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Los Angeles. In her recently-released book, “Martin Sheen: Pilgrim on the Way” (Liturgical Press), she details well-known actor Sheen’s early life: one of 10 kids, a mother who died at 48 while saying the rosary, a hard-working father who was loving but stinted on the compliments. Many of the children, including Martin, suffered from alcoholism. We learn... Read more
In 1989 football coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) lost his job at a high school for losing his temper and throwing a shoe at a kid. It wasn’t the first time. He is hired by the high school in McFarland, CA, in California’s central valley, as the assistant coach and life science teacher despite the principal’s (Valente Rodriguez) hesitation. When White and his wife Cheryl (Maria Bello) and two daughters Julie (Morgan Saylor) and Jamie (Elsie Fisher) arrive in McFarland... Read more
Here’s a short video I just made about how “Martin Sheen: Pilgrim on the Way” is a perfect book for Lent! Now for news and pictures about the book signing on Feb 7th! Saturday, February 7, the day of the book signing for was a lovely day – even with that little bit of rain. I think about 80 people or so came and it was a very joyous event! A good number of my family came, too,... Read more
Movie critic Sr. Rose Pacatte covered her first red carpet event in January, scoring a spot in the media scrum at the Los Angeles premiere of Kevin Costner’s new movie, “Black or White.” Watching the parade of stars and agents and handlers pass her by she wondered if anyone would stop and talk to her. “Who expects to see a nun there?” she figured. When Paula Newsome, one of the movie’s stars, walked past, she assessed Pacatte in her... Read more
Kirsten Anderson over at LifeSiteNews.com posted a very sage analysis of “50 Shades of Grey” and compares it to the “Twilight” franchise from which the Grey stories were drawn: The real reason 50 Shades is so wildly popular (HINT: It’s not the sex). I didn’t read the Grey books and haven’t seen the movie – and am planning to do neither – so I am trusting that Anderson and my film critic colleague over at USAToday, Claudia Puig, who did see... Read more
I have to say, it was a surprise to be asked! Check the website. There is still time to vote for who should be redeemed! PRESS RELEASE WHO BETTER TO PRESENT THE RAZZIE REDEEMER AWARD? A nun. And not just any nun, but veteran film critic, Sister Rose Pacatte. The Razzies, who’s motto is “Own Your Bad,” felt Sr Rose would be the perfect choice to present their newest award, not just because of her award-winning journalistic background but... Read more
First, my take … As I watched the commercials during “the game” last night I posted on Facebook: it’s sad that character education in America has been taken over by corporations, like corporations control the government and everything else. Coke will love you even when no one else does and Dove will take care of all your body odor needs making you as non-offensive as plastic and socially acceptable anywhere. (And with Coke’s sugar context and other additives, well, let’s... Read more
* This essay/review contains spoilers In 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... Read more
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.... Read more
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