Mix
October 23, 2020 | catholicnewsherald.com CATHOLIC NEWS HERALDI
For the latest movie reviews: catholicnewsherald.com
In theaters
‘Stories of the Saints’ a timely read SUEANN HOWELL SENIOR REPORTER
BROOKLYN, New York — With All Saints Day approaching, our attention shifts to those heroic souls who have triumphed over sin and death. In “Stories of the Saints: Bold and Inspiring Tales of Adventure, Grace, and Courage,” author Carey Wallace offers readers aged 10 and up an engaging glimpse into the lives of saints who performed miracles, faced wild lions, confronted demons and transformed the world.
‘The War with Grandpa’ Flimsy comedy adapted from Robert Kimmel Smith’s novel for children, a recently widowed retiree (Robert De Niro) is convinced by his daughter (Uma Thurman) to move in with her family and is given the bedroom previously occupied by his preteen grandson (Oakes Fegley), who is exiled to the attic. The boy resents this supposed injustice so much that he starts the conflict of the title, a battle of ever-escalating practical jokes. The setup is as unrealistic as the lad is ill-mannered and there are no surprises amid the ensuing slapstick. Occasional anatomical and scatological humor, a couple of instances each of mild oaths and crass language. CNS: A-II (adults and adolescents); MPAA: PG
‘Rebecca’ (Netflix) Faithful adaptation of British author Daphne du Maurier’s bestselling 1938 gothic novel about the paid companion (Lily James) to a demanding elderly woman (Ann Dowd) who travels with her employer to Monte Carlo where she meets, falls for and marries a wealthy widower. Back at the latter’s imposing estate on England’s Cornish coast, however, the formidable housekeeper (Kristin Scott Thomas), rules the roost and does her utmost to preserve the memory and routine of her beloved former mistress. The story morphs from whirlwind romance to psychological thriller as the newlywed bride struggles to cope with her servant’s treachery. Mature themes. CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13
‘Yellow Rose’ A Filipina (Eva Noblezada) living in Texas but lacking legal papers faces a series of challenges as she dreams of and works toward, a career in country music. Her fledgling boyfriend (Liam Booth), the bar owner who hires her and the established star (Dale Watson, playing himself) who mentors her are all limited in the extent to which they can shield and advise her. So, too, is her caring mother (Princess Punzalan). As a result, she must create her own future. There’s a touch of naivete to the kind and ethical world writer-director Diane Paragas has constructed and gaps in logic as well as one unresolved plot hole large enough to accommodate a freight train mar her screenplay. Yet this tale of a character finding her soul in music, while hardly novel, is a timeless and inspiring one. Acceptable for mature teens. CNS: A-III (adults); MPAA: PG-13
From St. Augustine of Hippo to St. Teresa of Calcutta, Wallace takes the reader on a journey to discover 70 of the best-known and best-loved saints. Readers will meet St. Joan of Arc, whose transcendent faith compelled her to lead an army when the king’s courage failed. St. Francis of Assisi, whose gentleness tamed a man-eating wolf. St. Valentine, a bishop in the time of ancient Rome, who spoke so often of Christ’s love that his saint’s day, Feb. 12, has been associated with courtly love since the Middle Ages. The book also features St. Thomas Aquinas, the great teacher and Doctor of the Church. St. Peter Claver, who cared for hundreds of thousands of people on slave ships after their voyage as captives. And St. Bernadette, whose vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary prompted her to dig the spring that became the healing waters of Lourdes.
Each saint is illustrated by Nick Thornborrow in a dramatic and stylized full-color portrait. Included in every entry are the saint’s dates, location, emblems, feast days and patronage. Taken together, these stories create a rich, inspiring and entertaining history of faith and courage. Wallace says she loves to write fiction, but as a believing Christian who attended Catholic schools as a child, she remembered the stories of saints’ lives as intriguing adventure stories and felt called to write this latest book. “I feel like this book wrote me, even more than I wrote it. They were forming me, the saints were acting on me, I was serving them in some way,” she notes. “The power of the stories is wonderful.” The book is meant to be the stories of the saints told as if they are great stories and they have beautiful lessons for all kids, she explains. But she’s been especially glad to see boys love the book, because it can be hard to find spiritual stories boys really connect with. “The illustrations are done by a video game designer and boys seem to like his artistic style,” she says. “He really knows how to tell a story with a picture.” Wallace says she wanted people to appreciate the saints as our faith heritage. “We really do have these kind of ‘superheroes’ in the faith. I wanted to share them in stories that are memorable and to show their lives as a great adventure.” She arranged the book about the saints in chronological order. “It begins with Polycarp, a convert of St. John the Apostle. It begins with someone with a direct connection to the life of Jesus on earth. It ends with Mother Teresa. In between, you get this whole beautiful scope of Christian history told through some of its most beloved characters.” “Writing the book also enriched my faith because it also shows how rich and diverse that history is and how many ways there are to be a good Christian,” Wallace adds. “There are all kinds of people and the scope of how God worked in them really spoke to me.”
Order online Get your copy of “Stories of the Saints: Bold and Inspiring Tales of Adventure, Grace, and Courage” online at www.amazon.com or www. barnesandnoble.com.
13
On TV
n Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 p.m. (EWTN) “Karol: The Pope the Man.” Follow young Karol’s life journey as he transitions from a worker, poet, and teacher to his true calling: the priesthood of Christ. n Thursday, Oct. 29, 5 a.m. (EWTN) “Saint Paul of the Cross.” An EWTN original docudrama depicts the holy life of St. Paul of the Cross, who overcame a perilous childhood to become the founder of a religious order devoted to the Passion of Jesus. n Thursday, Oct. 29, 6:30 p.m. (EWTN) “Father Michael McGivney.” Discover the life, work, and legacy of Father Michael McGivney, an American parish priest who founded the Knights of Columbus, the largest Catholic fraternal organization in the world. n Sunday, Nov. 1, 2 p.m. (EWTN) “St. Catherine of Siena.” Discover the prolific work and life of one of the Doctors of the Church, St. Catherine of Siena, as told through interviews and reenactments in this EWTN original docudrama filmed on location in Italy.
Catholic Book Pick ‘This is the Church’ by Katie Warner “This is the Church “ is a beautiful way to introduce your little one to the incredible story of salvation history! The book will dazzle you with its detailed, stained-glass illustrations and tempt you to countless readings with its rhythmic story. Through this unique picture book, which is destined to become a classic found in all Catholic homes, you and your little one will fall more deeply in love with Jesus Christ, Our Savior and King, who died and then rose and founded a Church, the Catholic Church, to share God’s love with the world. If you’re already a fan of Katie Warner and Meg Whalen’s beautiful children’s books, this one will not disappoint ... and is likely to become your new favorite. At www.tanbooks.com: Order your copy of “This is the Church.” Catholic News Herald readers enjoy 20 percent off their order – use the exclusive coupon code “CNH20.”
