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FRI-SAT-SUN
November 19-21, 1999
SECTION THREE vol 10, no. 220
To print out entire text of Today's issue, print this section as well as SECTION ONE and SECTION TWO
"Pocket Monsters" pick pockets of millions of gullible kids and parents with monstrous opening week for "Pokemon"
Top Ten Films for the second week of November
The phenomenon of Pokemon swept through America like a Samurai sword in a subliminal Tsunami this past week as "Pokemon: The First Movie" more than quadrupled its competition with a record take for the first week. Our editorial today best sums up the subliminal message within the entire phenomena that has the promotional wizards calling out the wizards to infiltrate and alter young minds. As for the Top Ten reviews for the second week of November prepared by the NCCB, click on MOVIES AND MORALS
TOP TEN MOVIES
FOR THE SECOND WEEK OF NOVEMBER
1. POKEMON: THE FIRST MOVIE
$50.8 million in one week:
The U.S. Catholic Conference
classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association
of America rating is G -- general audiences. "Pokemon: The First
Movie" is a Japanese animated movie based on the TV cartoon series in
which youngsters and their pocket monsters called pokemons gather on a
remote island where they must defend themselves against an evil
pokemon clone and his minions intent on enslaving the world. Colorful but
crudely animated, the movie's characters battle one another while a
preachy voice-over asserts that violence is wrong, thus sending a mixed
message to little ones.
2. THE BONE COLLECTOR
$12 million last week /$35.2 million in two weeks
Because of grisly violence, an implied affair,
occasional profanity and recurring rough language, the U.S. Catholic
Conference classification is A-IV -adults, with reservations. The Motion
Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. "The Bone
Collector" is a grim thriller in which paralyzed police forensics expert
Denzel Washington relies on rookie cop Angelina Jolie to gather
evidence and clues to the identity of a serial killer who is taunting the
bedridden cop with a series of increasingly grotesque murders. The
police procedural slides from engrossing to disappointing with its
unsatisfying revelations and gory wrap-up. selfdestruction.
3. it's-a-DOG, MA
$8.7 million in one week:
Because of anti-religious buffoonery, intense violence, sexual
references, substance abuse, assorted vulgarities, profanity and
recurring rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is O
-- . The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R
-- restricted. It's-a-"Dog, ma" is a sophomoric religious satire in which a heavenly
messenger persuades the last descendant of Joseph and Mary to leave
her job in an abortion clinic and set out to stop a pair of fallen angels from
regaining heaven by means of a plenary indulgence. The unfunny
proceedings rely on a mindless mix of irreverence and absurdity in poking
fun at biblical characters and Christian stereotypes.
4. THE MESSENGER: THE STORY OF JOAN OF ARC
$6.4 million in one week:
Because of much
graphic violence, including a murderous rape, occasional profanity and
considerable rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification
is A-IV -- adults, with reservations. The Motion Picture Association of
America rating is R -- restricted. "The Messenger: The Story of Joan
of Arc" is a medieval action movie offering little insight in the life and times
of the French teenager who followed her voices to defeat the English
before being betrayed and burnt at the stake. The French production is
uninterested in the religious aspects of this story, with Joan portrayed not
as a saint but as an hysteric whose visions are of her own making.
5. ANYWHERE BUT HERE
$5.6 million in one week:
Because of an implied affair, sexual references
and occasional profanity, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is
A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 --
parents are strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate
for children under 13. "Anywhere But Here" is a heartfelt drama in which
a level-headed daughter played by Natalie Portman struggles through her
teens with free-spirited mom Susan Sarandon who has rashly moved
them from their Wisconsin roots to Beverly Hills with self-delusional
dreams of fame and fortune. The finely acted film explores the unhappy
daughter's love-hate relationship up to its sentimental resolution.
6. THE INSIDER
$5 million last week/ $14.1 million in two weeks
ecause of frequent rough language, and mature subject
matter, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III adults. The
Motion Picture Association of America rating is R restricted. "The Insider"
is a fact-based, largely riveting account of how a CBS news producer (Al
Pacino) is prevented from airing a -60 Minutes" interview with a tobacco
company whistleblower (Russell Crowe) because the CBS corporate
parent feared a costly lawsuit. Superbly acted, the lengthy,
documentary-like drama explores corporate manipulation of journalism as
well as the human cost to those involved in complex ethical issues.
7. THE BACHELOR
$4.7 million last week/ $14.5 million in two weeks
Because of some sexual references, occasional
profanity and an instance of rough language, the U.S. Catholic
Conference classification is A-IV -- adults, with reservations. The Motion
Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly
cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
In "The Bachelor" commitment-shy Chris O'Donnell is rejected by girlfriend
Renee Zellweger then learns he must marry someone within 24 hours or
he will lose a multimillion dollar inheritance. The lightweight romantic
comedy has appealingly goofy characters but its depiction of a priest
willing to marry a couple on a moment's notice should not be taken
seriously.
8. HOUSE ON HAUNTED HILL
$4.3 million last week/ &nsp;$34.8 million in three weeks:
Because of sporadic violence, brief nudity
and frequent profanity and rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference
classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America
rating is R -- restricted. In "House on Haunted Hill" a murderous married
couple and five strangers are locked overnight in a crumbling insane
asylum whose spirits rise, intent on killing all within its walls by dawn. The
uninspired re-make of the 1958 original lacks subtlety, offering more gore
than goosebumps and some nasty characters to boot.
9. DOUBLE JEOPARDY
$3 million last week/ $108.7 million in eight weeks:
Because of some violence, a shadowy sexual encounter, and intermittent
profanity and rough language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III -- adults. The
Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. "Double Jeopardy" is a sleek
thriller in which probation officer Tommy Lee Jones chases parolee Ashley Judd across country to prevent her from murdering the two-timing husband who framed her. The straightforward
fugitive story maintains suspense without relying solely on the expected revenge motive.
10. THE SIXTH SENSE
$2.6 million last week/ $267.7 million in fifteen weeks:
Because of gory violence, a menaced child and coarse language, the U.S. Catholic Conference classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned that some material may be inappropriate for children under 13. "The Sixth Sense" is a clunky psychological thriller in which child psychologist Bruce Willis tries to help a shaky 8-year-old who keeps seeing dead people walking around, though matters ultimately are not what they seem. The story's vague assumptions and boring situations are suddenly thrown into an entirely new light by a twist ending, though few will find the "surprise" worth waiting for.
WORLDWIDE
NEWS & VIEWS
with a
Catholic slant
HEADLINES:
Vatican makes it official with more details of Holy Father's "Jubilee Journey" including late March trip to Holy Land and date of Mea Culpa Day for universal Church
While working behind closed doors to resolve the problems of the planned mosque immediately next door to the Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth which we covered yesterday, the Vatican was upbeat with the announcement that the Holy Father was cleared to travel to the Holy Land in the latter part of March to walk in the footsteps of Jesus and His Disciples in a strictly spiritual journey with no political undertones whatsoever. It was also mentioned that the Pope will open an unprecedented four Holy Doors at the four patriarchal churches in Rome. He will also increase the number of days of beatification to three - March 5, April 9 and September 3 and two canonization dates - May 21 and November 1. There is much speculation as to who will be canonized or beatified - ranging from modern Popes to Mother Teresa. For more, click on Jubilee activities
JOHN PAUL II WILL GO TO HOLY LAND IN MARCH 2000
Vatican Publishes Official Jubilee Calendar
VATICAN CITY, NOV 18 (ZENIT).- John Paul II never stops surprising his
collaborators with new plans; they have again been forced to make
corrections to the official calendar for the Great Jubilee of the Year
2000, which will begin with the opening of the Holy Door in just 37 days time.
The first, and perhaps most significant, change is the newly scheduled trip
to the Holy Land, during the last week of March 2000, announced this
morning by Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe, secretary of the Committee of the
Great Jubilee of the Year 2000. For the Holy Father, the pilgrimage will be
a dream come true.
As the Pontiff himself wrote at the end of June, this pilgrimage is of a
purely spiritual character, embracing the great places of Revelation.
But the changes do not stop here. Archbishop Sepe confirmed that for the
first time in history, the Holy Father will open the Holy Door in four
patriarchal basilicas. In previous Holy Years, the Pontiff only opened St.
Peter's Door in the Vatican, and the others were opened by Cardinals legate.
In presenting the changes to the Jubilee calendar, the secretary of the
Vatican Committee for the Jubilee disclosed that in the year 2000 the
number of expected beatification ceremonies will increase (there will be 3:
the first on March 5, the second on April 9, and the third on September 3)
as well as canonizations (there will be 2: the first on May 21 and the
second on November 1). The increase in these ceremonies is due to the fact
that over the last few months several processes have been concluded,
multiplying by 2 the number of saints and blessed to be proclaimed in 2000.
The announced "mea culpa" (petition for forgiveness), in which the Holy
Father will acknowledge historical sins of the children of the Church, will
take place the first Sunday of Lent (March 12) in St. Peter's, instead of
Ash Wednesday (March 8), as originally established in the official calendar.
Finally, the four official concerts that will be held in the Vatican during
the Jubilee have been added to the official calendar. The first is a gift
for the Pope who will be 80 on May 18: it will be performed by the London
Philharmonic Orchestra. The remaining musical events will take place on
June 8 (Vienna Philharmonic); September 23 (Hungary's 'Danubia' Youth
Orchestra), and October 22 (Brno Symphonic Orchestra of the Czech Republic).
ZE99111708
Holy Father demands the German Bishops uphold the Sanctity of Life at all costs during his no-holds barred stern ad limina talk
The Holy Father didn't hold anything back in addressing and dressing down the German Bishops in Rome for their ad limina visit. The Pope took off the gloves and told the prelates that they had better toe the line and preserve life. It is no secret there have been problems with the German episcopal body in regard the Government vouchers for abortion counseling and the seaping in of modernist thinking and the Holy Father was not shy in bringing up dissidence and relativism as cancers that need to be eradicated for the Church to thrive in Germany. For more, click on Sour Krauts meet the Pope.
POPE CALLS GERMAN BISHOPS TO WITNESS TO LIFE
Refers to Relativism and Dissension Within German Church
VATICAN CITY, NOV 18 (ZENIT).- The Church in Germany must "give unanimous
and clear witness to the Gospel of Life," the Holy Father said to the
second group of German bishops, who are in Rome for their five-year "ad
limina" visit to the Pontiff and the Holy See.
The Pope's appeal had a marked personal dimension. "Perhaps Providence has
entrusted me with the chair of Peter to be an impassioned 'advocate of
life' on the threshold of the third millennium." John Paul II remarked that
in saying this, he was not improvising. "During a particularly dark chapter
in the history of this century, in my youth I experienced how human life
was trampled and annihilated not far from Wadowice, the city of my birth!"
Although he did not mention it, it should be noted that not far from Karol
Wojtyla's birthplace, is the notorious Auschwitz -- one among a number of
extermination camps.
Among the bishops present at the meeting was Bishop Karl Lehmann of Mainz,
president of the Episcopal Conference, and other prelates from Passau,
Spira and Augsburg.
The Pope recalled that in recent letters sent the German bishops, in an
attempt to resolve the divisions provoked by the certificate given by
Catholic consultation centers to pregnant women seeking an abortion, he has
tried to unite them "in the unique and grand symphony of life, to which the
Catholic Church must always and everywhere be faithful."
The Bishops and Pontiff
In this connection, the Pope -- who added no further comments on the issue
of the consultations centers -- took time to analyze the bishops' work, who
"carry out their mission with the Bishop of Rome," as the latter, "being
the pastor of all the faithful, has the mission to attend to the common
good of the whole Church and the good of each one of the churches,
presiding over the universal community of love." This does not mean that
the supreme and universal power of the Pope annuls the bishops' own power,
the Pope clarified. On the contrary, it "is confirmed, corroborated and
affirmed by him." And he added: "together with the Supreme Pontiff, and
under his authority, the bishops have the mission to perpetuate the work of
Christ."
Quoting Vatican Council II, John Paul II explained that "the task of the
pastors consists in teaching Christian doctrine and discipline in a manner
appropriate to the needs of the time in which we live, in such a way that
it responds to the difficulties and problems that afflict the anguished men
of today."
"The men and women of today are more sensitive to the witness of our life
than the power of our speeches. They want to see in us persons whose life
is totally oriented to Jesus Christ."
Relativism
The Pope did not fail to point out "the climate of mistrust and hostility"
in which the German bishops have to carry out their mission, "as many
contemporaries are opposed to the demand for certainty in knowledge of the
truth." This is "a very widespread mentality today, which tries to exclude
from life the questions on ultimate truths and relegates religious faith
and the conviction of moral values to the private sphere."
Consequently, the Pope asked "what is the role attributed to God at
present, to whom fifty years ago the fathers of the fundamental law of your
country wanted to make explicit reference, when they referred at the
beginning of the Constitution to 'awareness of their responsibility before
God and men.' "
Unfortunately, "in a climate of widespread religious individualism, some
members of the Church even arrogate to themselves the right to choose what
in their judgment is admissible in matters of faith and teachings. But the
truths of the faith are an organic whole, which does not allow for such
arbitrary discriminations," the Pope said.
Dissension
Arriving at this point, the Holy Father called on the bishops to announce
the Gospel in a courageous and serene way in all circumstances. "Without a
doubt, moral conscience must be respected as a man's 'sanctuary,' in which
he is alone with God, whose voice resounds in the intimacy of his heart.
But with equal fervor you must remind your faithful that conscience is an
exacting tribunal, whose judgment must always conform to God's norms,
authoritatively proposed by the Church with the help of the Spirit."
The Holy Father said that if the bishops announce "in a clear and unanimous
way the teachings on these questions, they will influence in a positive way
the necessary return to the sacrament of reconciliation in a positive way,
which, tragically, today is deserted, including in the Catholic regions of
your country."
ZE99111804
Fired St. John's University Soccer Coach kicks ball into Court's court in crying foul
On the heels of the Bishops' passage of mandatory enforcement of the Pope's guidelines in Ex Corde Ecclesia, university administrators may be a bit embarassed over the latest flap that threatens to reveal the underbelly of many universities who are selling out. One of those accused was St. John's University in New York City, considered the largest Catholic institution of higher learning in America. Fired assistant coach James Heady charges that St. John's has forsaken human dignity for the almighty dollar in selling out to massive manufacturing giant Nike, thus betraying the Catholic ideals they should promote. For more, click on Penalty kick?.
FORMER COACH SUES ST. JOHN'S UNIVERSITY OVER NIKE FIRING
NEW YORK (CWNews.com) - A former soccer coach filed a
lawsuit against St. John's University, the largest Catholic
university in the US, and the Nike athletic wear company.
James Keady said he was fired from his position as
assistant soccer coach at St. John's when he refused to
wear the Nike logo on his uniform, following pressure by
Nike on the university. Keady said he was an outspoken
critic of the New York school for accepting a
multimillion-dollar licensing deal while workers at
overseas Nike plants were being subjected to alleged
sweatshop conditions.
"We, as a Catholic university ... are called to measure
success by guaranteeing all persons human dignity, not
profit margins," Keady wrote in a recent letter to Nike
officials, explaining his position. Keady's lawsuit
contends St. John's and Nike conspired to damage Keady's
reputation, breached his contract as a graduate assistant
employed by the university, violated his First Amendment
rights to free speech, and forced him out for his religious
beliefs.
University officials said they had no comment until the
lawsuit is officially filed on Friday. A Nike spokesman
said the lawsuit is without merit and that Keady's
contentions were unfounded.
Mother of Princess Diana carries through with her daughter's wish to help handicapped children travel to Lourdes
The mother of the late Princess Diana is trying to do something for both handicapped children and Our Lady by producing an album that will help fund pilgrimages for handicapped children to Lourdes where they, through God's Mercy, hope to be healed of their maladies. Diana's mother Frances Shand Kydd , who converted to Catholicism in 1994 after two divorces, is reluctant to grab the limelight but in announcing this special promotion for handicapped and Lourdes she attested to Diana's sincere interest in these areas and wouldn't have undertaken it if Diana had not wanted it. For more, click on Diana's mother and Lourdes.
DIANA'S MOTHER LAUNCHES CHARITY RECORD FOR LOURDES PILGRIMS
LONDON (CWNews.com) - Frances Shand Kydd -- mother of Diana
Princess of Wales -- on Wednesday launched a charity record
to raise funds for handicapped children visiting Lourdes.
"Will You Walk on By?" is sung by former Runrig lead singer
Donnie Munro and will raise money for HCPT, The Pilgrimage
Trust, which Shand Kydd has supported for the last decade.
It will be launched in the US between Christmas and New
Year.
Shand Kydd stressed that this was a one-time charity
project and that the record captured many of the concerns
close to her late daughter's heart. "The first moment I
heard it I knew it was special," she said. "It captured all
the concerns both Diana and I cared about. I have always
been reluctant to put my name to anything, but this is the
one exception -- it is a beautiful song with a heartfelt
message that should be heard by everyone."
She added, "I hold dear, very dear, events and happenings
which try to continue her caring and I think that is what
tributes should be about, not just remembering somebody
because they are dead, but because what they were to the
world and live on continuously. I would not be involved in
anything that was not ongoing of her concerns. I never
really ever wanted to put my name to anything when she was
alive or dead -- but this is the one-off exception."
Twice-divorced Shand Kydd, who converted to Catholicism in
1994, has only used her celebrity status for one other
cause -- to raise funds to built the first Catholic chapel
and retreat house on the Scottish island of Iona in 400
years.
For more headlines and articles, we suggest you go to the Catholic World News site at the
CWN home page and Church News at Noticias Eclesiales and Daily Dispatches, Dossiers and Features from ZENIT International News Agency. CWN, NE and ZENIT are not affiliated with the Daily CATHOLIC but provide this service via e-mail to the Daily CATHOLIC Monday through Friday.
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November 19-21, 1999 volume 10, no. 220 DAILY CATHOLIC