For such a strange name, Dumbo is one of the most recognized characters in American cultural history. The story of Dumbo the flying elephant was first published in 1939 and purchased by the

The genius of the newest Spider-man film is not only in its computer-animation but that it allows virtually anyone of identify with the character.  As a white male teenager, Peter Parker has been

To say that Mary Poppins Returns is just a sequel would be wholly inadequate. This is a return of a dear old friend who has been away for a long time but comes back home with the wisdom

The fantasy world of a child is resplendent with special friends.  These friends are often stuffed with the projected courage, simplicity, and love that is in hearty supply within the child. They are

The value of a fantasy children’s story like the Incredibles 2 is in its exploration of our humanity. Like the first film, this second animated film is also written and directed by Brad Bird

Arguably the most profound religious leader of the 21st Century is a Jesuit priest who took the name of Francis when elected Pope in 2013: Jorge Mario Begoglio.  As the first pope from the

There are some songs that heal the soul.  Bart Millard’s “I Can Only Imagine” is such a song. Written when his father died, the song imagines what it will be like to be in heaven providing

Christian analogies are often expressed in science fiction films, so it was exciting to see that Disney was making Madeleine L’Engle’s 1962 classic A Wrinkle in Time. Having read her book

The sorrow of the Vietnam War is pervasive. This is not only due to the 58,220 young Americans and 2,250,000 Vietnamese civilians and soldiers who were killed, but also to the

We rarely know that when we are confronted with life’s biggest challenges that this could be the pivotal point where our decisions make the greatest impact on others.  Facing one of the greatest

There is no doubt that, if we had the eyes to see, every human being is a “wonder.” The eternal uniqueness of each person, blended with our universal humanity, should cause us to be awed and

It would be hard to find someone who hasn’t read or seen Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol showing the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from a miser to a generous and joyful giver. 

The familiar story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem is central to our celebration of Christmas.  Even for those who do not accept his birth as the miracle it proclaims, the story has a charm that never

Christians often keep God in a box. We do this for two reasons:  First, to limit Him to a measurable size so we can attempt some measure of human understanding; But second, and perhaps more importantly, we

The journey of Gru (Steve Carell) from master villain to a respectable father is now in its third chapter.  As in all of our lives, this journey from bad to good must at some point address our

In a wholesome way, the Smurf franchise has entered the gender discussions.  Designed not only to recognize that every person has a unique ability, this chapter of the tale also recognizes the

The stories we teach children are full of analogies that are not understood until we reach adulthood.  Although it is true that children understand such fantasies at a simple or concrete

In Pan, Jason Fuchs reimagines the character of Peter Pan created by J.M. Barrie in 1902 and 1904.  Rather than a boy who will not grow up, we now have a special child born of a deep love

The Walk is a love letter to New York; a love letter to the World Trade Center before we lost it.  Director Robert Zemeckis, who has brought us such ground-breaking films as Who Framed

Mr. Holmes is a simple but captivating look at an aging Sherlock Holmes, who at 93 struggles to remember names, places, and events that have shaped his life.  Portrayed beautifully by Ian 

Animating the personified emotions within each of us is creative genius.  Although far more complex than any simple structure could explain, each of us have a range of internal emotions 

It was Dante in his Inferno who first described hell as a place where all hope is abandoned.  Conversely then, he infers that heaven is a place of hope and that to have hope is a necessary 

It is unusual for a film to portray the healing we experience through the love of Jesus Christ and His sacramental presence.  To do so requires the story to also show the sorrows and sins that are 

The sequel of John Madden and Ol Parker’s film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is an engaging tale.  The ensemble cast continues to be its strength as well as the culturally rich setting of India 

McFarland USA may be a small town in California’s Central Valley, but it is ground zero for the feel good movie of 2015.  This is a story on many levels of people who live beneath their 

Into the Woods brings Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical to the screen.  Rarely does a film adaptation of a great stage show ever live up to the magic of the theater, however this may be 

Abraham Lincoln is an American icon and one of the most beloved persons in American history.  His oversized presence in the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC is a tribute to the immense 

In this continuing tale that is based upon actual events, we experience a wonderful group of people who care not only for injured dolphins but for injured humans as well.  We see the group