With the huge success of Netflix’s three season series “Shtisel” there is growing interest in seeing more films and television series about the Ultra Orthodox Jews who live in Israel, the US and other countries, according to new friends I discovered on the Facebook Group page “Shtisel Addicts.” I am blessed to count among my friends an Ultra Orthodox rabbi and his wife. I have been to their home a few times for Shabbos and once for Succoth. Each time... Read more
Sr. Rose’s 2021 Oscar Ballot ( Name or title in Bold ITALICS is my pick not what the Academy might do!) ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE (All deserving!) Riz Ahmed, Sound of Metal Fine, deeply felt performance Chadwick Boseman, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (I think he will win, though) Anthony Hopkins, The Father Gary Oldman, Mank Steven Yeun, Minari ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE (All deserving!) Sacha Baron Cohen, The Trial of the Chicago 7 (He really can act. As... Read more
I am happy to post a YouTube link to my conversation with NCReporter’s Christopher White about this year’s Oscar nominations and a link to another conversation with Chris Gunty of Baltimore’s Catholic Review, Ann Augherton of the Arlington Catholic and John Mulderig from Catholic News Service. Enjoy! Catholic Review Radio (Archdiocese of Baltimore): Oscars 2021 and the Pandemic Read more
To honor the 51st anniversary of the trial of the Chicago 7, Netflix has announced a Global Watch Party for Aaron Sorkin’s film “The Trial of the Chicago 7” starting at midnight tonight PT. For 48 hours this weekend, you can watch by going to the Netflix YouTube Channel In this Cast Announcement Sorkin and the cast offer brief remarks about the importance of remembering this event and the sacrifices that were made to peacefully protest the injustice of the Vietnam... Read more
DvG: Conquering Giants is a new Virtual Reality game aimed at gamers of all ages, but especially kids. Because I am not a gamer myself, I asked my nephew, Max Bressler, a college sophomore in San Diego, and a gamer since kindergarten who has all the technology, to review DvG: the Game for me. It follows below. Personally, I think it is good for the Scriptures to enter into the gaming space, especially in this year that Pope Francis... Read more
Pete (Bradley Gosnell) is a scruffy young guy who is as down on himself as Cindy (Mia Marcon) is upbeat. She is the young woman he meets at a seedy Chicago hotel bar and marries six months later. When he discovers she continues to see another man regularly at that same hotel, he checks in, carrying a backpack with a gun in it. But already present in his room is the fast-talking enthusiastic Gid (Daniel Floren). He’s been there, he... Read more
Recently I had an email exchange with the award-winning filmmaker Frank Frost, president of Frank Frost Productions on the topic of film criticism, specifically on the task of Catholic film reviewers and critics. While some reviews will note content problems (language, sexuality, violence, etc.), it is often offered as guidance for parents for what may be appropriate for children. Our conversation, however, dealt with context, expectation, scope, and concerns of the Catholic film critic. While our conversation did not cover... Read more
A beautiful new film about the story of St. Juan Diego and Our Lady of Guadalupe premieres tomorrow, Sunday, December 13, on television: Univision (free) and Galavision (Pay TV) at 12noon IN SPANISH. The film opened in 200 theaters in Mexico two days ago and is opening today in the following theaters in Nevada and Texas IN ENGLISH: America Cinemas Houston – 535 Sharpstown Center, Houston, TX 77036 America Cinemas La Gran Plaza Ft. Worth – 4200 South Fwy #1095,... Read more
When Voices of Fire, a six-part documentary series from Netflix opens we see a panel of five people listening to a singer audition for a new Gospel choir, a new kind of Gospel choir that is inclusive, diverse and multi-cultural. They are the judges, Bishop Ezekiel Williams (Grammy Award winning singer and producer Pharrell Williams’ uncle), choir master Patrick Riddick, Gospel singer Peggy Britt, music director Larry George, and Pharrell. They will choose from thousands of applicants who have come... Read more
Jeronicus Jangle (Forest Whitaker) is an inventor of wonderful and whimsical imaginary technology and toys in the Victorian village of Cobbleton. His young apprentice Gustafson (Miles Barrow; Keegan-Michael Kay) is very bright and wants to be an inventor, too. But he betrays his benefactor and steals a mechanical toy, Don Juan Diego (voice of Ricky Martin), and runs away hoping to sell it and make millions. Jeronicus is disappointed and loses his zest for inventing. He becomes grumpy. His relationship... Read more
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