movie & Television reviews
Radio Interview: Movie ‘Shelter in Solitude’
Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talked with the actress and writer Siobhan Fallon Hogan, a Catholic who has woven images from her faith into the film, about the need for hope in times of crisis.
Whoopi Goldberg delivers ‘Sister Act’ swag to Pope Francis
Pope Francis praised actor and comedian Whoopi Goldberg for helping people laugh and feel joy, telling her, “You are very important.”
Movie Review: ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’
Emotional ambiguity pervades the dramatization “Killers of the Flower Moon” (Paramount/Apple TV+). Epic yet intimate, director and co-writer Martin Scorsese’s masterful recounting of real-life events in 1920s Oklahoma is too gritty for kids, but deeply rewarding for grown-ups and possibly acceptable for older teens.
Movie Review: ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’
In a world of ultra-raunchy rap and the obscenity-laden lyrics often found even outside that genre, Taylor Swift shows considerable moderation.
Movie Review: ‘Dumb Money’
Small-time retail investors take on some of the titans of Wall Street in the wry fact-based blend of comedy and drama “Dumb Money” (Sony). Although the David vs. Goliath aspect of director Craig Gillespie’s film is appealing, the relentless vulgarity of its dialogue gives his retrospective a hard edge and renders it acceptable for few.
Videogame Review: ‘Immortals of Aveum’
First-person shooter games don’t often involve fantasy. But the visually pleasing “Immortals of Aveum” (Electronic Arts) — which also boasts a talented voice cast and quickly paced action — combines these elements to good effect.
Movie Review: ‘The Exorcist: Believer’
Although the horror sequel “The Exorcist: Believer” (Universal) gets off to a reasonably promising start, it degenerates quickly. It ends up being a muddle both dramatically and, more significantly, in its treatment of religion.
Movie Review: ‘The Creator’
Science fiction is often used as an allegorical vessel within which to explore real-life current events, and such is the case with “The Creator” (20th Century). Although primarily set in the year 2070, this thinking person’s war drama takes for its main topic the timely subject of artificial intelligence.
Movie Review: ‘Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie’
A decade after premiering on Nickelodeon and two years out from their film debut, the titular group of canine first responders, led by a preteen boy called Ryder (voice of Finn Lee-Epp), returns for another round of derring-do and some fresh life lessons.
Movie Review: ‘Deliver Us’
A blast furnace of blasphemy, “Deliver Us” (Magnet), also is an amalgam of gore and nudity. Co-director (with Cru Ennis) Lee Roy Kunz — who co-wrote the screenplay with Kane Kunz and also takes the film’s leading role — seems intent on giving us religiously themed horror with sexy elements and the power to shock.