DVD

The Story of Saint Perpetua

Author(s): 
Mike Aquilina (script consultant)
This short animated film (32 minutes) tells the story of Saint Perpetua and her companions, who were martyred in Carthage, in North Africa, in the year 203. The animation is good, the best of any Catholic animated films I've seen, though not reaching the quality of The Prince of Egypt. The storyline, however, is quite rich and historically detailed and skillfully brings to life the sorrows and fears, hopes and joys, present in the life and struggles of these martyrs, and the early Church in general.

In Search of Shakespeare

Author(s): 
Michael Wood
This is a fascinating documentary, but not suitable for children. Although it leans secular to a certain extent, it provides a very helpful (and detailed) background of the nature of the political and religious conflicts going on in Shakespeare’s world. It also makes a pretty strong case that Shakespeare grew up in a Catholic household and had some Catholic sympathies throughout his life, that at least seem to reflect the basic morals found in his plays.

Foyle's War

This is a war series, set in England during WWII. The series centers around an aging detective, with a dry English wit, and an unassuming manner. Each episode (there are five sets in the Foyle’s War series and each set has four episodes in it) involves a murder mystery. There is an assortment of likable characters that appear throughout the series. Some of the British dialect is at times difficult to decipher. The movies would also have appeal for history students. There is much gentle humour in the series, not a little war-time pathos.

Teaching Writing: Structure and Style

Author(s): 
Andrew Pudewa
My daughter, Emily, announced, “The kids’ class [student writing workshop] is much funner than the teacher class.” Scratch that. I am “sure” she said “much more fun.” She was referring to the student writing workshop for Teaching Writing: Structure and Style available on DVD. Implemented by Andrew Pudewa, director of The Institute for Excellence in Writing, Teaching Writing: Structure and Style is a two day seminar where he demonstrates to the teacher/parent how to teach writing skills to school-age children through a step-by-step process.

Christian Heritage Art Program

Book cover: 'Christian Heritage Art Program'
Author(s): 
Sr. Marie Vianney Hamilton, O.P.
When my friend came back from a Catholic homeschooling conference she was excited to present this set of DVDs to me, since I teach art at our local co-op. I shared in her excitement even before previewing it: a complete elementary school art curriculum, written by a Nashville Dominican sister? Wow. The Christian Heritage Art Program, as far as this reviewer knows, is the only complete elementary school art program available that teaches art from a Catholic perspective.

Peter: Keeper of the Keys

Cover: 'Peter: Keeper of the Keys'
Author(s): 
Steve Ray
This is a fascinating travel/apologetics documentary focusing on the story of Saint Peter as related in the New Testament. Apologist Steve Ray travels to Rome and many sites in the Holy Land to tell Peter's story. He provides fascinating details of the connections between particular places and important events in Peter's life. This would make a great supplement to a Bible study, an apologetics lesson on the Papacy, a geography unit on the Middle East or simply an important part of Church history.

Common Ground

This DVD presents an engaging dialogue (Question and Answer format) between a Catholic priest and a Protestant minister. Produced by a Protestant Church, it primarily consists of common Protestant Questions/Objections about the Catholic Faith that are answered by the priest. The priest's responses are succinct, respectful and quite insightful. Not only are they theologically solid, but they present creative and helpful ways of explaining authentic doctrine to others.

Pages