ON FAITH & MEDIA | Phantom of the Opera, The

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Phantom of the Opera, The

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Source: Catholic News Service

Opulent film version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's long-running musical about the disfigured madman in an 1870 opera house in Paris, the young soprano whom he coaches from behind her dressing room mirror, and the young count who loves her. Joel Schumacher's film is visually magnificent, and the lush soundtrack offers a fine earful, but the Phantom (Gerard Butler) is portrayed as too much the handsome Byronic hero to be truly terrifying, Christine (Emmy Rossum) is beautiful but dolefully impassive, and Raoul (Patrick Wilson) bland, with unconvincing lip-syncing that detracts from the drama. Miranda Richardson, Minnie Driver, Simon Callow and Ciaran Hinds excel in supporting roles. Fleeting rear nudity by a background extra, a few coarse words and some violence. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 -- parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

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Bede the Venerable: Bede is one of the few saints honored as such even during his lifetime. His writings were filled with such faith and learning that even while he was still alive, a Church council ordered them to be read publicly in the churches.
<p>At an early age Bede was entrusted to the care of the abbot of the Monastery of St. Paul, Jarrow. The happy combination of genius and the instruction of scholarly, saintly monks produced a saint and an extraordinary scholar, perhaps the most outstanding one of his day. He was deeply versed in all the sciences of his times: natural philosophy, the philosophical principles of Aristotle, astronomy, arithmetic, grammar, ecclesiastical history, the lives of the saints and, especially, Holy Scripture.</p><p>From the time of his ordination to the priesthood at 30 (he had been ordained deacon at 19) till his death, he was ever occupied with learning, writing and teaching. Besides the many books that he copied, he composed 45 of his own, including 30 commentaries on books of the Bible. </p><p>Although eagerly sought by kings and other notables, even Pope Sergius, Bede managed to remain in his own monastery till his death. Only once did he leave for a few months in order to teach in the school of the archbishop of York. Bede died in 735 praying his favorite prayer: “Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As in the beginning, so now, and forever.” </p><p>His <i>Ecclesiastical History of the English People</i> is commonly regarded as of decisive importance in the art and science of writing history. A unique era was coming to an end at the time of Bede’s death: It had fulfilled its purpose of preparing Western Christianity to assimilate the non-Roman barbarian North. Bede recognized the opening to a new day in the life of the Church even as it was happening.</p>

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