The overwrought ornamentation and pompous theatricality of the Rococo churches encouraged the Neo-Classical movement of the late-18th and 19th centuries.

"The idea of forging a new kind of art, about hope, healing, redemption, refuge, while maintaining visual sophistication and intellectual integrity is a growing movement, one which finds Makoto Fujimura's work at the vanguard," writes art critic Robert Kushner. James Romaine discusses Makoto Fujimura's understanding of life and art in this interview.

It's easy to take shots at major Hollywood studios. So much of what they produce is trash. But sometimes even major studios come up with something great.

Mr. Lincoln said he liked his speeches short and sweet, so here it is: The new Warner Brothers picture "Gods and Generals" is not only the finest movie ever made about the Civil War, it is also the best American historical film. Period.

New. Newer. Newest. Shocking, More Shocking, Most Shocking. Shocking-est. Abstract. Super-abstract. If you went by the headlines, you'd think that this is all there is to contemporary art. But it's not. We'll show you another side of today's art scene in our Think Tank Special, "Art Under the Radar".

There has been a lot of press recently about the upcoming movie "The Passion", from director Mel Gibson. Focusing on the last twelve hours of Jesus life, the film is already inspiring a spate of commentary on the canon of Jesus movies. Smugly devoted to Franco Zeffirellis "Jesus of Nazareth", Ill watch Gibsons production with folded visual arms.

It was a better year for families at the movies than in quite some time. There were more worthwhile family flicks in 2002 than in the previous two years combined and 2002 was a remarkable movie year for religion.

In Italy, the Gothic style never really took hold. In a land built on classical antiquity, Gothic was seen as outlandish, alien, and un-Italian. Consequently, Gothic architecture was increasingly regarded with contempt. In fact, the 15th-century Italian architect Filarete (1400-69) once declared: A curse on those who thought of such rubbish! Only barbarians can have brought it into Italy.

Innovative Romanesque elements such as the ambulatory and the masonry vault became more common during the early 12th century, as the emerging Gothic culture left its mark on the refined Romanesque architecture of the day.

The career of Frank Capra coincided with the golden age of Hollywood, and many of his films are recognized as classics. Still, most critics seem not to have noticed that Capra's work reflects a profoundly Catholic vision of reality, a vision framed by the Sermon on the Mount.