Shûsaku Endô (1923-1996) was a Japanese Catholic novelist whose extensive writings probed the conflicts and paradoxes of faith. He was born in Tokyo, lived in Manchuria, then returned to Japan and was baptized at about the age of 11. After university, he married, had a son and lived in France. The novelist Graham Greene, with whom Endo has often been compared, said he was "one of the finest living novelists" of his time.In 1966, Endô published Silence (Chinmoku), a wo...

Many critics have totally panned “Collateral Beauty” as being emotionally manipulative, unworthy of the acting talent collected in the film. I agree that it’s emotionally manipulative but it’s also inspirational and a heartwarming, if unrealistic, reminder to see the beauty all around us. Now, who couldn’t use that reminder from time to time, right?

“Rogue One” indeed stands alone as a great Star Wars story outside the Episodes. The opening crawl of Episode IV: A New Hope says that during a battle “rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire’s ultimate weapon, the Death Star.” “Rogue One” tells us who, what, when, where, why, and how that was done in a film to rival the best of the Episodes.

Set in the immediate aftermath of the assassination of JFK, “Jackie,” is not your usual biopic. The film flits from point to point with no apparent logic but isn’t that what grief is like? That’s what we see here, a woman who has witnessed the brutal murder of her husband, only to have to shoulder, not only her own grief, but that of an entire nation.

Finally, Disney gives us a princess that truly breaks the mold. They tried with Merida from “Brave,” but didn’t quite succeed. “Moana” not only accurately portrays Polynesian culture but Moana herself grabs onto life and is determined to learn all it has to offer.

“Manchester by the Sea” defies description in a really, really good way. It’s not flashy or formulaic in the way some fish-out-of-water stories are. Instead, the story of a quietly suffering man who gets another wrench thrown into his life when his brother dies captures better than any other film I’ve seen what real life is like.

Fans of the Harry Potter books and films will enjoy the new offering from first-time screenwriter, J.K. Rowling, “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.” Set in 1926 New York City, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), a magizoologist, carries a beat up suitcase where his creatures dwell. When he accidentally switches cases with a No-Maj (the American equivalent of Muggles, non-magic folk), a few of them get out resulting in a rousing caper to get them back.

"Loving," the latest film from director, Jeff Nichols (Midnight Special, Mud), shares the true story of Richard and Mildred Loving (Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga), a married couple who fought for the right to live together in the 1960’s.

One reason comic book movies provide great conversation starters with faith groups is that they often show the hero’s journey—how he or she got superpowers, how he or she struggled with them and then came out on the other end with the firm resolve to use their gifts to help people. "Doctor Strange," the latest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, does not live up to this ideal.

Mel Gibson has done it again. "Hacksaw Ridge" is the cinematic event of 2016-2017. "HR" is the true story of Private Desmond Doss, a Seventh-Day Adventist from Virginia who enlists in World War II, but--as a conscientious objector--staunchly refuses to bear arms. Literally. He won't even touch a gun, let alone go through the required rifle training. His dream is to be a medic and save lives.