DecentFilms.com

Post: Ten must-see web resources for Catholics … including Decent Films!

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 12:56:34 EST

Thanks to my friend Mark Shea of Catholic and Enjoying It! for including my work here at Decent Films among his “Ten must-see web resources for Catholics” for Our Sunday Visitor.

Review: The Woman in Black (2012)

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:47:17 EST

For Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, who stars as a young solicitor named Arthur Kipps, The Woman in Black is an opportunity to make a reasonably graceful break from the role that has dominated his life since childhood. For the new owners of England’s legendary Hammer horror brand, until recently dormant from the 1970s, it’s an opportunity to stake their claim to continuing in the tradition of Terence Fisher, Jimmy Sangster et al. For curious movie watchers, it’s an opportunity to see how Radcliffe does in another role — and how an old-fashioned haunted house story plays today.

Post: Which Disney Villain is the Most Evil?

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:23:26 EST

An intriguing question posed to me in another forum: “Who is the worst Disney villain? Mother Gothel in Tangled is bad (kidnapping, brainwashing). The evil Queen from Snow White?”

Post: The Ides of March (30 Second Review)

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:40:50 EST

Here’s my 30-second review of The Ides of March, now on home video (somehow I neglected to post it before, so here it is).

Post: On the Air: Catholic Answers Live, 01/20/2012

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 08:41:20 EST

Friday, January 20, I’ll be on the first hour of Catholic Answers Live! (6pm–7pm EST). Patrick Coffin and I will be talking about the best and worst films of 2011 and much much more. Listen live!

Article: 2011: The Year in Reviews

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:49:57 EST

2011 was a good year for film, and particularly for depictions of faith in film — but not in the Hollywood mainstream on either count.

Post: The Devil Inside

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 09:00:35 EST

At last, a horror film for disaffected Catholic traditionalists embittered against the Church for post-Vatican II changes; who see the Church itself, not just the larger culture, as compromised by modernism, and impeding orthodox clerics from carrying out true spiritual work.

Post: Spotlight: Beauty and the Beast (1991)

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:25:34 EST

This weekend Disney’s latter-day classic Beauty and the Beast returns to theaters in a 3D converted version. I was looking forward to taking the whole family to last weekend’s 3D screening, but life got in the way. As for the film itself, I have nothing to add to my recent review; here it is.

Post: On the Air: Drew Mariani & Al Kresta

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:55:31 EST

Tuesday, 1/10: This afternoon I’ll be on Catholic radio twice in the 5 o’clock hour (EST) discussing a pair of movies with very Catholic themes (a comment that should not be taken as an endorsement!).

Post: Thank You, Image Journal

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:04:06 EST

Recognition and praise are always appreciated, but this month’s shout-out from Image Journal naming me their Artist of the Month for January 2012 is especially gratifying. They have some thoughtful comments about my film writing, both with respect to craft and content, and the guy they’re describing sounds to me like the guy I try to be. Suz says they nailed me. What do you think?

Post: Still Christmas: Christmas Viewing (Good & Bad!)

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 07:01:59 EST

Following up on my “Still Christmas” post on Advent and Christmas family traditions, Christmas movies are an important tradition in many households. For me, Christmas movies are an especially important way of marking the continuing Christmas season. In general, I would rather watch Christmas movies with my kids after Christmas day, rather than before, as a way of celebrating the Christmas season.

Post: Still Christmas: Advent & Christmas Family Traditions

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 10:59:32 EST

All Advent long, observant Catholics and other Christians hold the line against premature Christmas, holding off on decking the halls and singing Christmas carols during what is meant to be a time of preparation. Now, as the world is busily dismantling what’s left of its Christmas trappings, it’s time for Christians to double down on the continued celebration of the Christmas season.

Post: Steven Spielberg’s Tintin & War Horse

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:53:36 EST

It’s been well over a decade since Steven Spielberg directed a family film. Now he has two out in the same week—both based on juvenile literary source material, and both European-set period pieces, redolent of nostalgia of one sort or another.

Post: War Horse: In 30 Seconds

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:06:06 EST

Here’s my 30-second take on War Horse.

Post: The Adventures of Tintin: In 30 Seconds

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:04:40 EST

Here’s my 30-second take on The Adventures of Tintin.

Post: The Artist: In 30 Seconds

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:02:06 EST

Here’s my 30-second take on The Artist.

Post: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol: In 30 Seconds

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 13:00:08 EST

Here’s my 30-second take on Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.

Post: Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: The Trailer

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:55:42 EST

I usually stay far away from trailers. I like to experience movies as cold as possible. But this is Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit, and my fine principles have failed me. The film itself is still a year off … and I can’t wait that long to satisfy my curiosity.

Review: Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011)

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 12:46:19 EST

Brad Bird’s Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol is so preposterously entertaining that it makes watching other recent Hollywood action spectacles feel like work. What in the last few years even compares to it?

Post: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: In 30 Seconds

Fri, 09 Dec 2011 14:35:12 EST

Here’s my 30-second take on Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.