New Play Celebrates Black Spirituality And History

“(pray)” is a choreopoem that tells a story through the lens of a feminine experience in a Black Baptist Church. It blends the past with the present, the divine with the earthly and the fear of the unknown with the delight of faith.

Buddhist Relics On View At The Met This Fall

“Tree & Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India, 200 BCE–400 CE,” an exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, explores the influences and growth of early Buddhism through artifacts found largely in southern India. Highlights of the exhibit include relics taken from the Buddha’s remains.

‘The Righteous Gemstones’ Wilder Than Ever — And Losing Its Authenticity In The Process

(REVIEW) In the third season of “The Righteous Gemstones,” the fictional Gemstone family members — wealthy leaders of a prominent megachurch — are as outlandish and chaotic as ever. But this season, the challenges they face begin to feel trite and their redemption feels less genuine.

Christianity, Film & TVJillian CheneySeptember 21, 2023Jillian Cheney, The Righteous Gemstones, Christianity, megachurch, christianity, HBO, Y2K, film, TVComment

‘The Miracle Club’ doesn’t take shortcuts on the path to forgiveness

(REVIEW) “The Miracle Club,” about four women from small-town Ireland who make the pilgrimage to Lourdes, is almost a miracle itself. It’s been in the works for nearly two decades and was filmed in only 21 days. Its screenplay is smart and engaging, exploring Christianity, family, confronting the past and womanhood.

Why Are People Losing Faith In Christianity? ‘The Starling Girl’ Has Some Answers

(REVIEW) “The Starling Girl” is, at its heart, a visceral reminder of what it’s like to grow up as a girl in strict religious environments. It’s also a thorough picture of the grievances made about fundamentalist and evangelical Christian circles in two recent docuseries.

‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ Is Nostalgic For The Childhoods Of The Past

(REVIEW) “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” is firmly part of American literary canon, and it’s been adapted into a movie. It’s a perfect nostalgia vehicle for fans of the book and those who grew up nearer to the time it was first published, but it isn’t good for much else.

This Sunday, HBO’s ‘Succession’ Was The Antithesis Of Easter

(REVIEW) It just so happens that one of the most anticipated events of the HBO show — the death of patriarch and media tycoon Logan Roy — aired on Easter Sunday. If Easter is meant to celebrate resurrection and forgiveness, this episode mourns the opposite.

‘The Mandalorian’ Third Season Begins With A Pilgrimage — And That’s Just The Beginning

(REVIEW) The first two seasons of the Star Wars spinoff show deal with Mandalorian Din Djarin’s strict beliefs that forbid him from removing his helmet in front of another being. Now that he’s removed his helmet, he’s been cut off from his people, and the only way he can find forgiveness is by visiting his destroyed homeworld.

Jewish Fashion Photographer Erwin Blumenfeld On Display At Paris Museum

(REVIEW) Erwin Blumenfeld was the perfect fashion photographer. The Museum of the Art and History of Judaism in Paris is showcasing this work in over 180 photographs with the temporary exhibit “The Trials and Tribulations of Erwin Blumenfeld, 1930-1950.” It spans Blumenfeld’s most active and influential period.

‘The Banshees Of Inisherin’ Asks The Question: Does God Care About Miniature Donkeys?

(REVIEW) Ever get the sinking feeling that your friends don’t like you? That every time you talk, they’re just wishing you’d shut up — that they’re even timing how long you talk? Or worse: have you always thought you had a friend until, one day, they just told you they didn’t like you anymore? That horrifying premise is the driving force behind Martin McDonagh’s heartbreakingly bloody friendship breakup “The Banshees of Inisherin.”

'Left Behind: Rise Of The Antichrist' The Latest Installment In Apocalyptic Thriller Franchise

(REVIEW) “Left Behind: Rise of the Antichrist,” the new movie about the end of the world as told in the Bible, has it all: boring action sequences, jokes about the COVID-19 vaccine, altar calls, a postscript message from former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, a joke about former president Barack Obama being the Antichrist, a painfully clunky script and even a Romanian politician who has a bland American accent.

Family, Art And Judaism: How ‘The Fabelmans’ Explores Spielberg’s Biggest Questions

(FILM REVIEW) The seven-time Oscar-nominated movie “The Fabelmans” is Steven Spielberg’s reflection on his early family life and filmmaking aspirations. It’s also a reflection on his Jewish roots.

Prison Art From China's Ming Dynasty Reflects A Restriction Of Religious Freedom

Ying Zhang, associate professor of history at Ohio State University, is exploring the connections among prison, art and religion in a unique and meaningful way. Her lecture at The American Academy in Berlin accompanies her new book and discusses the way incarceration limits religious freedom.

Cormac McCarthy’s Tragic Coda ‘Stella Maris’ Doubles As A Philosophic Seminar

(REVIEW) The novel, released Dec. 6, serves as a coda to the stories of siblings Bobby and Alicia Western, though it takes place before sister novel “The Passenger” began. The book is an ambitious dialogue-only novel that contains a tragic but fascinating heroine and deeply explores math, philosophy, physics and more.

Geneva Bible From The 16th Century On Display At Connecticut Church

The 427-year-old Abercrombie Bible was displayed publicly for the first time Nov. 4-6, when members past and present gathered to celebrate the Connecticut congregation’s 150th anniversary. The Bible is but one small part of the church’s legacy as a tightly knit congregation with a steadfast love of God.

Cormac McCarthy’s ‘The Passenger’ Asks One Important Question: Do You Believe In God?

(REVIEW) American novelist Cormac McCarthy often writes about people on the fringes of society who are isolated from true connection with others. His newest novel in a two-book set, “The Passenger,” is no different, but in it the protagonist still has plenty of conversations. In almost every conversation, one character asks, “Do you believe in God?”

‘The Gospel Woman’ Draws Inspiration From Family, Gospel Music And A Well-Known Parable

(REVIEW) “The Gospel Woman” is a brilliant new play produced by National Black Theatre. It’s an American family drama that focuses on grief, faith and healing — and it features some incredible gospel music.

Clergy Members Become ‘The Unbelieving’ In A New Play

“The Unbelieving,” a new play on limited run in New York, explores the lives of clergy who stopped believing in God. The play is based on a qualitative study that interviewed clergy from across faith traditions about their transition away from believing and how the change threatened to take away their families, communities and sense of self.

International Composers Translated Religion To Music For The Abrahamic Symphony

The Abrahamic Symphony, which is being billed as the first international interfaith symphony, features three celebrated composers who each represent one of the Abrahamic religions. Its goal is to promote unity and harmony between religions. The symphony is rich with diverse culture and religion, featuring an ensemble of talented musicians and dynamic vocalists.

Season 3 Of Muslim Comedy ‘Ramy’ Gives Viewers A ‘Spiritual Discretion’ Warning — Here’s Why

(REVIEW) Since its first season, Hulu comedy “Ramy” has been devoted to providing a genuine look at Islam and American Muslim culture. One episode of its latest season discusses the existence of polygamy in Islam, a sensitive topic that the show handles incredibly well.

Film & TV, Islam, North AmericaJillian CheneySeptember 30, 2022Jillian Cheney, Ramy, Islam, Muslim, New Jersey, TV, TV show, comedy, HuluComment

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