Opus Dei Unveiled (2006)

Documentary. This History Channel program ably presents a capsulization of the founding of Opus Dei, its founding father (St. Josemaria Escriva, canonized in less than a generation by Pope John Paul II), and its controversial practices regarding evangelization, corporal mortification, spiritual direction, and Vatican influence. I have a lot of experience with well-meaning believers who go too far with elitism and ill-balanced spirituality, so for me it's telling and sad to hear Opus Dei leaders pooh-poohing those who have been spiritually abused as "confused" persons in a "complex situation." This program describes, fairmindedly, how the mission of Opus Dei differs from that of the Catholic Church at large: how evangelism goes toward its ranks rather than those of the Church, how members have been cut off from their natural families in favor of their new "spiritual" family, and how leaders equate their guidance with God's. 4 stars.

Godspell (1973)

Musical. Godspell is named for the Old English word for Good News. This 1960s musical's setting is dated (the film was made in 1972, just before the opening of the World Trade Center, scene of the softshoe-ish number "It's All for the Best") but its flower-child whimsy can still be relevant, and of course the music is timeless. Everyone who loves Broadway (or high school) musicals should hear and see performed the unforgettable numbers "Prepare Ye," "Save the People," "Day by Day," the vampish "Turn Back O Man," "Bless the Lord," "All Good Gifts," "By My Side," "On the Willows," and the finale. (I can still sing these songs by heart more than 30 years after being introduced to them!) The flower-child skipping and hugging may cause some cringing, but this production hearkens back to a much more innocent time -- so see it for that too! 3.5 stars.

Spider-Man 3 (2007)

Three major supervillains thirsting for Spidey's blood, Spidey's inner demons (brought out by a squiggling black blob of a space symbiote that crash-lands 50 feet from Peter and MJ "up in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g"), Peter's crumbling relationship with MJ (and his best friend, who is also a rival for her affections in addition to one of the three supervillains), and Peter's wish for an end to the thanklessness and small injustices of a masked superhero's life -- not to mention his hunger for the adulation of the citizenry -- make this film one bloated cinematic smorgasbord. I felt lost and began losing interest halfway through, and my youngest son (a huge Spidey fan) began asking to leave early, doubtless due to the characters' soulful emoting (and kissing). Villains are dispatched only to reappear half a hour later, numerous times. The CGI is fine but no better than The Mummy (and Brendan Frasier is a much more versatile and interesting actor than Tobey Maguire). Venom gets short shrift and is not as deeply drawn as the other two villains, whose back stories make them interesting. Tobey gets to lampoon his character a bit by thinking he has finally reached the height of cool -- but if you look, everyone passing him is trying to give him wide berth because a nerd's idea of cool is just offbase. Peter's been self-centered and totally clueless about MJ's struggles -- but the movie does well to have him own up to what a husband needs to be for his wife (thanks to good old Aunt May) and friendships are affirmed all around before the end. This is a jam-packed movie with a great deal to offer Spidey fans and newbies -- and for the most part it succeeds. Kirsten Dunst is a charmer in her role as MJ esp. as a jazz songbird. 4.5 stars.