NR | 1 h 45 min | Drama, Western | 1948 Several 20th-century filmmakers, among them notably John Ford, took turns bringing Peter B. Kyne’s novella “The Three Godfathers” to the screen: a Westernized retelling of the timeless Biblical Christmas tale of the Three Wise Men. Three robbers flee a posse of Arizona lawmen across…

As we journey through our busy schedules, we can easily forget to contemplate life. In his short story, “The Child’s Story,” Charles Dickens shows that, rather than just passing through life, we should contemplate it, for life is “a magic journey” filled with lessons and treasures we cannot find elsewhere. A traveler sets out on…

Sandro Botticelli (circa 1445–1510) is by now an almost household name for those familiar with Western art. Yet one might be surprised to learn that in the few centuries after the Renaissance, artists largely disregarded him as primitive, medieval, and not on par with the perfection achieved by Raphael and Michelangelo. Indeed, it has only…

Not Rated | 2h 13m | Drama, Romance | 21 July 2023 (China) Arriving with next to no fanfare, the China-produced romantic drama “Return to Dust” (“Dust”) last year inadvertently pulled off a feat that left egg on the face of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). There are a few reasons why the CCP ended up removing “Dust” from circulation, which…

Is it possible that throughout history, a different kind of people—little people like the elves or dwarves of lore—once populated the earth? Some evidence has emerged over the years suggesting such people may have lived in various regions around the world. They are often described as about 3 feet tall and preferring to avoid contact with…

While many of the country’s most impressive cathedrals, buildings, and houses reside in major metropolitan areas, one of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s (1867–1959) most notable works is in Mill Run, located in Pennsylvania’s Laurel Highlands area, 75 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. The Kaufmann family, who owned and operated Pittsburgh’s largest department store, commissioned Wright in…

This week, we feature a feel-good yet realistic romantic drama and a documentary about the U.S. government’s overreach during the pandemic. New Release ‘The Essential Church’ This documentary details governmental restrictions that were placed on churches by using specious COVID-19 emergency edicts. The film focuses on three pastors who stood against the tide of fear-mongering…

This week, we feature a look at “perfect” Scandinavian societies and an absorbing novel about a girl longing to practice medicine in China’s past. Historical Fiction ‘Lady Tan’s Circle of Women’ By Lisa See This captivating story begins in 1469, the fifth year of the Chenghua Emperor’s reign. The protagonist is a girl named Tan…

“Lockett and the Devil’s Path” is the fourth in a series of historical fiction by author T.J. Johnston. But no worries if you haven’t read the other three; it’s just fine as a standalone. If you are a fan and have been anxiously waiting for the fourth, you won’t be disappointed as Mr. Johnston’s main…

Food and shared mealtimes have the power to bring families and friends together. Social media platform “Gan Jing World” has launched a competition celebrating the power of food and fun called #MealtimeTogether. The competition started on July 10 and runs through Aug. 31. Participants are encouraged to share their own memories of good times and togetherness…