In Tom McCarthy’s film, the truly good things in life—love, trust, purpose—require hard, honest work.
John Dougherty
John Dougherty is the director of mission and ministry at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia, Pa.
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.
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.
Catholic Movie Club: ‘Poltergeist’ and the horrors beneath the American Dream
The Freelings are ignorant of the sacrilege that made their luxurious life possible, but that doesn’t mean they’re innocent.
Catholic Movie Club: ‘Coraline’ is a love story with an edge
So much of growing up is learning what love really is. ‘Coraline’ reminds us what love is not.
Catholic Movie Club: What if vampires were lonely?
“Let the Right One In” is about loneliness, the type society imposes on us and the type we impose on ourselves.
Catholic Movie Club: ‘The Sixth Sense’ opens our eyes to the wonder of faith (and dead people)
In “The Sixth Sense,” faith is both a sanctuary and a gateway to mystery and horror.
Catholic Movie Club: ‘Wit’ is a film that stares death squarely in the eyes
In ‘Wit,‘ Dr. Vivian Bearing uses her formidable intellect as a shield against her existential terror.
So fetch: What ‘Mean Girls’ can teach you about your spiritual life
Popularity. Temptation. Vanity. Wearing Pink on Wednesdays.
‘Peggy Sue Got Married’ asks: What if you could do it all over again?
This is what Peggy Sue learns: we all want a second chance at the past, but the real second chances only happen in the here and now.
