Hayao Miyazaki’s influence is so massive that it’s hard not to understate it.
John Dougherty
John Dougherty is the director of mission and ministry at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, Pa.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Movie Club
‘Tokyo Godfathers’ is a gritty anime Christmas film with a heartwarming message
Released in 2003, “Tokyo Godfathers” is definitely the most unconventional Christmas movie I’m covering this month.
Posted inArts & Culture, Film
‘Klaus’ removes (most of) the magic of Santa Claus. But it replaces it with something even better.
In “Klaus,” the Santa legend grows from a simple act of kindness
Posted inArts & Culture, Television
Andre Braugher played the best Catholic character on TV
Frank Pembleton, Andre Braugher’s character on “Homicide: Life on the Street,” embodied the struggle to reconcile faith and intellect. Of course—he was educated by the Jesuits.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Movie Club
‘Catch Me if You Can’ is an underappreciated Christmas movie
“Catch Me If You Can” returns to Christmas again and again, like a scab it can’t stop scratching.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Movie Club
‘Joyeux Noel’ offers a ‘dangerous’ Christmas memory from World War I
Like the soldiers in the film, we will raise our voices on Christmas and sing about peace on earth—but we should also reflect on what we’ll do to make it a reality.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Movie Club
Catholic Movie Club: ‘Rocky,’ an unlikely resurrection story
‘Rocky’ is a reminder that impossible things have happened before. And, if we believe, they can happen again.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Movie Club
Catholic Movie Club: In ‘Win Win,’ Paul Giamatti wrestles with life’s blessings
In Tom McCarthy’s film, the truly good things in life—love, trust, purpose—require hard, honest work.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Movie Club
Catholic Movie Club: ‘Lilies of the Field’ reveals what happens when God forces us to change our plans
God can be a real pain. I think Homer Smith, the protagonist of “Lilies of the Field” would agree.
Posted inArts & Culture, Catholic Movie Club
Catholic Movie Club: ‘Coco’ builds a bridge between the living and the dead
In “Coco,” memory doesn’t just summon up phantoms from the past, it reunites us with those we’ve lost.