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DISCOVERING OUR ‘BRAVE’
GodSigns—Each week, columnist Suzy Farbman introduces us to inspiring men and women and, this week, she brings us the true story of a woman who qualifies as an all-around hero. But, Dr. Karen Hamad credits her amazing accomplishments to discovering what it truly means to be “Brave,” and she spells that with a big B intentionally! You’ll enjoy meeting Dr. Hamad and you’ll want to share this story with friends!
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HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS
Want to see all the holidays?
www.InterfaithHolidays.org
EASTERN CHRISTIANS are starting their “Christmas” season this week. That’s right, even before American Thanksgiving, Orthodox Christians begin what they call the Nativity Fast in preparation for celebrating Jesus’ birth on December 25. Holidays columnist Stephanie Fenton has the story about the Orthodox Nativity Fast.
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HOLIDAY SHOPPING?
We hope your holiday shopping lists will include lots of books! The trio of children’s books we are recommending in mid-November includes the multi-cultural, lift-the-flap picture book Walk This World at Christmastime. We also recommend the latest volume in the beloved Bear-and-Mouse series. And, we’ve spotted a brilliant little pop-up book that engages several senses as adults and children explore the wonders of the alphabet. Please, read our trio of reviews and share this news with friends.
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FAITH & FILM
ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with discussion guides to films. This resource is used coast-to-coast by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.
Among Ed’s latest free movie reviews are:
- WONDERSTRUCK—Ed writes, “You too might feel wonderstruck when you watch Todd Haynes new film based on Brian Selznick’s 2011 novel, the engaging story of two deaf children separated by some 50 years yet bound closely together by a mysterious bond.” (He gives the film 5 out of 5 stars.)
- BREATHE—”If you are looking for a feel-good film, this could be it, though you will have to search it out at an art house theater,” Ed writes. (4.5 stars)
- BLADE RUNNER—Director Denis Villeneuve certainly faced a big challenge when he agreed to make a sequel to the 1982 film that has an almost cult following. Enjoy Ed McNulty’s review of the film.
- SAME KIND OF DIFFERENCE AS ME—Ed writes, “First-time director Michael Carney’s race-relations film is a bit simplistic, but it easily beats out most faith-based films.” (4 out of 5 films)
- ONLY THE BRAVE—Ed likes the movie, which has divided film critics nationwide. Read his review, which awards 4.5 stars.
- COLUMBUS—Now here’s something most of our readers probably don’t know! Columbus, Ohio, is an international center of modernist architecture—and a filmmaker has created this moving drama about characters exploring their own lives in the context of those buildings. (5 out of 5 stars)
- BRAD’S STATUS—Ed writes, “If you have ever sunk into a funk while thinking about your more successful friends, you might find writer-director Mike White’s film therapeutic, as well as enjoyable. Ben Stiller is outstanding as middle-aged Brad Sloan.” (5 stars)
- BATTLE OF THE SEXES—Ed says: “Lots to cheer for and to discuss in this well-crafted film!” The story of the famous tennis match between Bobby Riggs and Billy Jean King reveals a lot about bias in American culture. (4.5 stars)
- MARSHALL—Ed writes: It’s an “excellent new film about Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.” (5 stars)
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