Culture briefs

By OSV stafff - OSV Newsweekly, 9/25/2011

BOOK

Imaging early days

St. John ends his Gospel: “There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.”

Novelist Michael O’Brien has added to that canon with “Theophilus” (Ignatius, $24.95), titled for the unknown person to whom Luke’s Gospel and the Acts of the Apostles is addressed.

In O’Brien’s telling, Theophilus is a Greek physician who travels to the Holy Land to investigate the controversial new Christian faith his adoptive son, Luke, has embraced.

Though strongly skeptical, Theophilus interviews a host of characters who knew Jesus and ultimately finds peace and new freedom in faith himself.

Though meticulously researched and historically sound, the 450-page book is a compulsive read.

TELEVISION

Movie reviews from a Catholic view

You’ve heard friends and co-workers rave about the hot new sci-fi movie playing at the local cineplex, and wondered not only if it’s as good as people say, but how closely it squares with the Catholic faith and if it’s appropriate to take your 9-year-old son. Where can you turn?

Try “REEL FAITH,” a new movie-review program that airs at 8:30 p.m. on Fridays on the Diocese of Brooklyn’s New Evangelization Television (NET) cable channel and online at netny.net/reelfaith, which offers “film reviews you can have faith in.”

Hosts David DiCerto, a former reviewer for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Steven Greydanus, reviewer for the National Catholic Register and founder of Decent Films Guide (www.decentfilms.com) give viewers the lowdown on three to five new releases during the weekly half-hour program. The format is straightforward and simple, with DiCerto and Greydanus sitting in an empty movie theater, a la Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert in their classic show “At the Movies” (missing are the thumbs-up or thumbs-down signs), with clips from the films they are reviewing.

Both DiCerto and Greydanus are clearly well versed in the film world and can offer not only theological and cinematic insights into the movies they review, but add historical and sociological context as well.

In addition to reviewing new films, the show turns the spotlight on a “movie with a message,” an older film that’s worth a look. This segment is hosted by Father Robert Lauder.

The new season of “REEL FAITH” is to begin Sept. 23.

MOVIE

Having the courage to be a good father

From the creators of the popular Christian movies “Fireproof” and “Facing the Giants” comes a new movie that challenges fathers to “don’t ever let go of the wheel.”

“Courageous,” the latest release from Sherwood Pictures, will be released Sept. 30. Set in Albany, Ga., the film follows five men — police officers Adam, Nathan, Shane, David and their friend Javier — each of whom struggles to provide spiritual leadership, material goods or just simply time for their loved ones. Adam (Alex Kendrick), for example, loves his children very much, but appears to put his duties on the police force ahead of them. Shane is a divorced dad with limited involvement in his son’s life, while David is a seemingly carefree single guy harboring a secret.

After tragedy strikes Adam’s family, each of the five men signs a resolution that challenges them to be a “spiritual leader of the home.”

Though “Courageous” lacks the slickness of a Hollywood production, it is a solidly directed film that — despite cliches and an unconvincing gang subplot — provides emotional uplift as it explores what it takes to be a truly good father.