An intriguing but largely forgotten historical incident is skillfully recounted in the documentary “A Samurai in the Vatican.”
Movie & Television Reviews
Movie Review: ‘The Last Duel’
There are many knights but not much shining armor in the grim historical drama “The Last Duel” (20th Century).
T.V. Review: ‘The Oratorio: A Documentary With Martin Scorsese,’ Nov. 5, PBS
Charming and uplifting, “The Oratorio” recounts the efforts of those who help to run the 200-year-old St. Patrick’s, along with others, to remember and recreate a largely forgotten operatic performance that took place there June 22, 1826 — and that represented a milestone in the cultural history of New York City.
Movie Review: ‘Dune’
The gripping sci-fi epic “Dune” (Warner Bros.) arrives on screen with a notable real-life backstory.
T.V. Review: ‘One of Us Is Lying’
Overall, the show makes for a tiresome course in youthful amorality. So viewers would be well-advised to opt for a different elective.
T.V. Review: ‘Midnight Mass’
While the series takes an ambiguous approach in its treatment of faith, “Midnight Mass” is logically flawed as well as lurid.
Movie Review: ‘The Addams Family 2’
In the animated comedy “The Addams Family 2,” the beloved characters from the imagination of Charles Addams are as creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky as ever, and the humor remains dark and macabre, but overall good-natured.
Movie Review: ‘Cry Macho’
Clint Eastwood directed and stars in the gentle, though naive, road movie “Cry Macho” (Warner Bros.).
Movie Review: ‘Dear Evan Hansen’
Director Stephen Chbosky’s screen version of the award-winning 2016 Broadway hit is marked, overall, by upright fundamental values.
Movie Review: ‘Cinderella’
Writer-director Kay Cannon’s screechy romance “Cinderella” (Amazon) is an obnoxious corruption of the classic folk tale, the most familiar version of which was penned by French writer Charles Perrault in the 17th century.
Movie Review: ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’
A spry wit paces the elegant martial-arts showdowns in director and co-writer Destin Daniel Cretton’s Marvel Comics-derived adventure “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”
Movie Review: ‘Candyman’
By the time of its conclusion, “Candyman” has degenerated into a fantasy of racial revenge wholly at odds with Gospel values.