Spotlight or Risen?

[Austere]

I’m thinking of going to the cinema tomorrow, so which of those two films would you reckon would be the best one to go to? I’ve seen some reviews about Risen and Spotlight seems to be a very sobering experience, so which would you recommend?

 

[anon98328916]

I would probably choose Risen, it has got good reviews and from my research seems to be quite accurate. My beef with spotlight is you can be sure it’s anti-Catholic in parts and I’m sure they added fire to the flames to make it all the worse and make sure to turn people against the church. And to be honest what finished me was when it won oscars for being a great anti-Catholic movie which Hollywood applauds.

 

[Austere]

I was thinking of actually going to see Risen on Saturday with my little brother and what he said was, “Mike, I’m not going to film like that with someone like you!” I got a bit of a laugh out of it anyway! Are you from Ireland Therese?

 

[Micosil]

I would probably choose Risen, it has got good reviews and from my research seems to be quite accurate. My beef with spotlight is you can be sure it’s anti-Catholic in parts and I’m sure they added fire to the flames to make it all the worse and make sure to turn people against the church. And to be honest what finished me was when it won oscars for being a great anti-Catholic movie which Hollywood applauds.

I wouldn’t dismiss Spotlight simply because it makes a specific diocese of the Church at a specific time look bad. I haven’t personally seen this movie, but an apologist’s answer on this very forum seems very sobering and objective:
Michelle Arnold:

No defense needs to be made, and, in my opinion, defensiveness would be an inappropriate response. Rather, I think Catholics ought to accept the occasion of the movie (of which you can read a helpful review here) as a time to once again mourn the evils committed and begin the conversation on what we can do to ensure those evils never occur again.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=1001632

 

[Austere]

I wouldn’t dismiss Spotlight simply because it makes a specific diocese of the Church at a specific time look bad. I haven’t personally seen this movie, but an apologist’s answer on this very forum seems very sobering and objective:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=1001632

You’re absolutely right my friend, there is no point in shying away from such controversy when such things need to be brought to light. If for nothing else, let’s hope such a film dissuades people who would ever, now or in the future from ever attempting similar actions.

 

[Robyn_p]

Spotlight is the better made film, but be prepared to weep. I don’t agree with the poster who said it is anti-Catholic. The Church does come out looking bad, but not because the movie exaggerated or manipulated any facts. It didn’t have to. What those bishops and priests did was inexcusable.

So it depends on what you are going to the movies for. If you want to be uplifted, Risen would be the way to go.

 

[Austere]

Spotlight is the better made film, but be prepared to weep. I don’t agree with the poster who said it is anti-Catholic. The Church does come out looking bad, but not because the movie exaggerated or manipulated any facts. It didn’t have to. What those bishops and priests did was inexcusable.

So it depends on what you are going to the movies for. If you want to be uplifted, Risen would be the way to go.

You’re right, I probably will go to Spotlight, as I said already it will be a sobering experience if I do watch so that’s what I’ll probably do!

 

[Johnny_Local]

I would probably choose Risen, it has got good reviews and from my research seems to be quite accurate. My beef with spotlight is you can be sure it’s anti-Catholic in parts and I’m sure they added fire to the flames to make it all the worse and make sure to turn people against the church. And to be honest what finished me was when it won oscars for being a great anti-Catholic movie which Hollywood applauds.

I haven’t seen Spotlight myself, but most of the reviews I’ve read or listened to on the radio from Catholic sources have stated that it was a pretty even-handed portrayal of the events.

 

[GEddie]

Risen, by all means.

 

[7_Sorrows]

I have seen both movies and both are good. Considering this is the Easter season I would recommend Risen, but I would also make it a point to see Spotlight in the future.

 

[miaboecker]

We saw Risen while on vacation on a cold day with our 20 year old daughter. We all enjoyed it, it was nice especially before Easter. It gives you great perspective but not as deep or graphic as the Gibson movie the passion. Any age could see this movie

 

[Confiteor_Deo]

I’d recommend Spotlight.

 

[hvizsgyak]

May I make an alternate suggestion? Go see Miracles From Heaven. If you really want to see a movie that will move you and strengthen your faith.

 

[1neophyte]

I would probably choose Risen, it has got good reviews and from my research seems to be quite accurate. My beef with spotlight is you can be sure it’s anti-Catholic in parts and I’m sure they added fire to the flames to make it all the worse and make sure to turn people against the church. And to be honest what finished me was when it won oscars for being a great anti-Catholic movie which Hollywood applauds.

It’s actually quite pro-Catholic. It’s anti-child molestation and anti-corruption. Two things that are not part of genuine Catholicism. It’s very troubling that anyone would perceive the film as anti-Catholic.

 

[Lily_Bernans]

I’d go to Risen, but either would be good. Just go to the one that resonates with you most.

 

[dixieagle]

It’s actually quite pro-Catholic. It’s anti-child molestation and anti-corruption. Two things that are not part of genuine Catholicism. It’s very troubling that anyone would perceive the film as anti-Catholic.

I agree.

As someone who grew up in the Archdiocese of Boston, and whose childhood parish had two priests who were later found to have molested children, Spotlight was a very important film to me. It is the very best film about journalism since All the President’s Men. The director, Tom McCarthy, comes from a devout Catholic family and was very concerned about what his mother would think; she was grateful he’d made the movie.

It’s a movie every Catholic must see.

 

[PapyrusDouay]

Spotlight is the better made film, but be prepared to weep. I don’t agree with the poster who said it is anti-Catholic. The Church does come out looking bad, but not because the movie exaggerated or manipulated any facts. It didn’t have to. What those bishops and priests did was inexcusable.

So it depends on what you are going to the movies for. If you want to be uplifted, Risen would be the way to go.

I’ve seen both. I agree, Spotlight is a phenomenal movie and better than Risen, but it is also a very sad movie. If you choose not to see it tomorrow, I’d be sure to make sure to see it at some point. You’ll certainly be moved by it. I didn’t think the movie was anti-Catholic. It is definitely about a sobering period, but I got the impression that the director/producer’s intent was less about the Church, and more about the investigative journalist team. I thought it was fairly done, and worth seeing.

I think Spotlight, spiritually is fitting for lent and Good Friday. I think it will leave you with a certain internal feeling of sadness that is befitting the season, as we await the joy of His resurrection.

I thought Risen was OK. It is more joyfully fitting for Easter though.

 

[Micosil]

I agree.

As someone who grew up in the Archdiocese of Boston, and whose childhood parish had two priests who were later found to have molested children, Spotlight was a very important film to me. It is the very best film about journalism since All the President’s Men. The director, Tom McCarthy, comes from a devout Catholic family and was very concerned about what his mother would think; she was grateful he’d made the movie.

It’s a movie every Catholic must see.

Interesting. I did not know the director comes from a devout Catholic family.

Now I also may check this movie out.

 

[anon98328916]

I actually haven’t seen spotlight but have went by various things and what people have told me, I guess I just asummed it was another anti-Catholic movie.

 

[dixieagle]

Interesting. I did not know the director comes from a devout Catholic family.

Now I also may check this movie out.

Yes, Tom McCarthy. He is a Boston College grad, and was married by a Catholic priest friend. I sense that he is now “fallen away”, as so many in entertainment are, sadly.

I’ve read several interviews with him, and he is very thoughtful and clearly had no intention of making an “anti Catholic” movie, as his connections to the Catholic community are still very close. He just knew there was an important story to be told.