Movie Review: Of Gods and Men is a story of two faiths under fire.
Synopsis: Under increasing threats from radical Islamic terrorists, a group of monks living in war-torn Algeria must decide whether leave the country or continue to provide support to the impoverished community they serve.  An internationally-honored hit, Of Gods and Men
finally makes its debut in U.S. theaters tomorrow (Feb. 25). View trailer.

Loosely
based on the officially-unsolved kidnapping and murders of  a group of
Cistercian-order Catholic monks during the Algerian Civil War of the 1990’s, the French-language is
a gift on several levels. For Catholics, it refreshingly tells the story of
heroic clergy sincerely and bravely administering humble spiritual support and
medical care to the area’s poor (while respecting their Islamic faith) amid increasing danger to themselves. For
Muslims, it forthrightly presents the harrowing plight of people peacefully practicing their religion while living in the brutal shadow of those seeking to twist it into a tool of control and power for themselves. For film lovers, it simply offers a compelling and well-told story. For society as a whole, it represents a cinematic return to
positively portraying the values of reverence and idealism. There isn’t a
cynical note in this movie — yet it rings more true than almost
anything coming off Hollywood’s edgy assembly line.

Beautifully shot in Morocco, Of Gods and Men is masterfully
directed by Xavier Beauvois and features riveting performances by
Lambert Wilson (as Christian, the head monk) and Michael Lonsdale (as the compassionate
monk/medic Luc), among others. I heartily recommend this film.

Also new in theaters this weekend: The Grace Card.

Resolving creationism/evolution divide. The Genesis Code,
a new movie about college students attempting to find the missing link
between their faith and their scientific studies is drawing attention
from conservative politicians (actor/politician Fred Thompson is even in the cast) eager to associate themselves with its unifying message.

People in the News:  

Martin Sheen believes in the power of prayer. The Roman Catholic star of The West Wing says he’s attempting to help his son (Charlie Sheen of CBS’ Two and a Half Men) fight his addiction problems by praying for him — and hopes others will too. The 70-year-old actor says “We lift him up and we ask everyone who cares
about him to lift him up and lift up all of those who are in the grip of
drug and alcohol abuse,” continuing “because they too are
looking for
transcendence.”  Amen. Martin Sheen is currently starring in The Way, a Christian-themed movie directed by Emilio Estevez, one of his other sons.

Billy Ray Cyrus seeks to restore his family. The Christian
singer/actor is apologizing for comments he made in GQ Magazine
regarding his strained relationship with his daughter Miley and his
belief that Hannah Montana, the Disney Channel TV series they starred in, destroyed his family. He tells People his his statements were “explosive, and unintentionally so.” He also says “My family is the most important thing I have, and we are working together to make sure our future is stronger and healthier,” adding “It is all a learning process, and we thank everyone for their support
and respect of our privacy as we sort through very important family
issues.”

She’s not a witch but can she dance? Delaware voters rejected Christine O’Donnell for the U.S. Senate but she’s reportedly considering a run (or fox trot) for the championship on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars.

Writer Paul Haggis reports receiving “troubling” emails after leaving Church of Scientology. See Hollywood Reporter.

On TV tonight: Abby Johnson, the former Planned Parenthood clinic director turned pro-life activist and soon-to-be Catholic convert, talks about her bestselling book Unplanned on  EWTN’s The World Over (8:00  PM ET).