Fantastic Four
The Catholic Lens
🎬 David DiCerto journeys into the Marvel Multiverse to review The Fantastic Four: First Steps—through a Catholic lens! 💥⛪ Marvel’s “First Family” finally joins the MCU… but can they save the world and the summer movie season? With retro-futuristic flair, old-fashioned virtues, and a surprising (if unintentional) pro-life image, this cosmic adventure might be the most entertaining superhero hit of the year. 🎥 Topics include: Family, faith, and the moral heart of Marvel’s “First Family” The bold pro-life moment Disney actually let happen Why Sue Storm’s...
info_outline
Superman
The Catholic Lens
🎬 David DiCerto dons his cape and X-ray vision to review James Gunn’s new SUPERMAN—through a Catholic lens! 🦸♂️⛪ Can Hollywood still believe in hope, truth, and heroism without turning them into punchlines? This reboot trades Zack Snyder’s brooding Superman for a brighter, more idealistic take—but does it deliver the goods, or just put red trunks on a hollowed-out icon? 🧨 From CGI kaiju and monkey-bots to political subtext and parental subversion, DiCerto unpacks the spiritual stakes hidden beneath the cape. 🎥 Topics include: Superman’s shifting morality: from...
info_outline
Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning
The Catholic Lens
🎬 David DiCerto is on assignment to decode Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning—through a Catholic lens! 💥⛪ What do the Vatican’s warnings about artificial intelligence have in common with Tom Cruise hanging off a biplane? More than you think. From death-defying stunts to spiritual stakes, this latest installment of the iconic franchise isn’t just about nuclear threats and evil AI—it’s about mercy, sacrifice, and the very essence of free will. 🎥 Topics include: AI, deception, and the vanishing of truth Ethan Hunt vs. Fate: free will, grace, and the Catholic view of...
info_outline
Thunderbolts
The Catholic Lens
Is this ragtag team of misfits the salvation of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or just more CGI noise in a bloated franchise? David digs deep into the unexpected spiritual and philosophical undercurrents of this comic book blockbuster—and why Thunderbolts might just be the one of the most Catholic Marvel film yet (even if it doesn’t know it). 🎥 Topics include: Why Thunderbolts is Marvel’s best film since Avengers: Endgame The surprising parallels between Yelena’s emptiness and the Catholic understanding of the human person Nihilism, redemption, and the prodigal daughter in a...
info_outline
Snow White
The Catholic Lens
🎬 Mirror, Mirror on the wall, what does David DiCerto have to say about Disney’s new Snow White — find out as he takes a look at the controversial live-action remake through a Catholic lens! 🍎🪞 Once a beloved tale of love, virtue, and true beauty, Disney’s reimagining has become a lightning rod for controversy. Is it a bold update or just another victim of cultural decay? David breaks down the HYPE, the BACKLASH, and the deeper spiritual issues lurking beneath the surface—asking what this story used to mean, and what we’ve lost in trying to “modernize” a classic. ...
info_outline
Conclave
The Catholic Lens
🎬 Join David DiCerto as he takes on one of the most CONTROVERSIAL films of the year—Conclave—through a Catholic lens! 🏛️🔥 A Vatican thriller with an Oscar-winning screenplay, Conclave has sparked outrage among Catholics and beyond. Is it a provocative drama or an anti-Catholic hit piece? Why has it been called a “progressive fantasy masquerading as a Vatican drama”? David unpacks what this film says about faith, authority, and modern culture. 🎥 Topics include: Hollywood’s obsession with the Catholic Church—what’s the real agenda? Fact vs. Fiction—Does...
info_outline
David's 2025 Oscar Picks
The Catholic Lens
🎬 Oscar watchers don't fill out your final ballots before checking out this video, as David DiCerto rolls out the red carpet for an Oscar breakdown—through a Catholic lens! ✨🏆 Hollywood’s biggest night is upon us! Which films will reign supreme? Which performances are shoe-ins to bring home the gold? David dives into the SURE BETS, UPSETS, SNUBS, and SURPRISES—all while exploring what these films say about faith, virtue, and the human experience. 🎭 🎥 Topics include: The intersection of Catholic values and Oscar-worthy storytelling The tension between cinematic excellence...
info_outline
Paddington in Peru
The Catholic Lens
🐻🎥 Paddington’s back—but is his latest adventure a little less bear-able? In this Quick Take of The Catholic Lens, David DiCerto from Castletown Media shares his thoughts on Paddington in Peru. While the film still packs in plenty of whimsical innocence and heartwarming moments, a certain plot twist involving Olivia Colman’s singing nun might earn one of Aunt Lucy’s disapproving hard stares. Does the beloved bear’s latest journey stay as charming and family-friendly as the first two films? Or does it mix nuns and guns—like marmalade and sardines? Watch now to find out!...
info_outline
Captain America: Brave New World
The Catholic Lens
Can virtue be a superpower? In this Quick Take Catholic Lens, David DiCerto from Castletown Media reviews CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD. While Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson carries the shield with class and charisma, does the film itself live up to the legacy of Steve Rogers? With a Manchurian Candidate-style plot, a few surprises (including a red-hot transformation from Harrison Ford’s President Ross), and a message about love and forgiveness, this latest MCU installment has its highs and lows. Is it worth your time? Watch now for a Catholic take on the film’s themes, action, and...
info_outline
Nosferatu
The Catholic Lens
🦇 Grab your wooden stakes as David DiCerto ventures into the shadows to review Nosferatu—through a Catholic lens. Does Robert Eggers’ remake breathe new life into the horror classic, or does it succumb to darkness? Sink your teeth into this deep dive as David explores Nosferatu’s gothic terror, its spiritual themes, and what it all means for a Catholic audience. Is this just a vampire flick, or something more sinister? Let’s find out. 🕵️♂️ ⚰️ Topics include: The transformation of vampires: From damned fiends to brooding antiheroes Nosferatu vs....
info_outlineWe’re diving into Wicked – the highly anticipated movie adaptation of the Broadway blockbuster – through a Catholic lens.
What makes a person “wicked”? Are we born that way, or is wickedness the result of pain and rejection? Wicked raises profound questions about morality, identity, and the mystery of evil, while delivering dazzling visuals, powerhouse performances, and unforgettable music.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The film's artistic triumphs, including Ariana Grande’s and Cynthia Erivo’s show-stopping performances
- 🎭 How themes of personal empowerment, self-expression, and identity align with Catholic teaching ✝️
- A nuanced discussion on the depiction of magic in films and its potential moral implications for Christian audiences
- The deeper questions raised about morality, redemption, and the Church’s teachings on the nature of evil
- ✨ Wicked dazzles with its candy-colored world, soaring songs like “Defying Gravity,” and stunning production design, but does its deconstruction of morality leave something important behind? Is the story’s reinterpretation of "wickedness" simply a tale of misunderstood heroes, or does it miss the deeper truth about evil and redemption?
- 📌 Key Takeaway: “Fairy tales don’t teach us that dragons exist; they remind us that they can be defeated.” – G.K. Chesterton
🎶 While Wicked is undeniably entertaining, this Catholic review explores whether the film’s reimagined Oz upholds the values of true goodness or trades them for modern ideals of autonomy and personal expression.
💡 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more Catholic reviews of films and pop culture!
#TheCatholicLens #WickedMovie #FaithAndFilm #DavidDiCerto #BroadwayToFilm #CatholicPerspective #MovieReview
--
Do you love movies and streaming shows but not sure where to turn for intelligent, faith-informed reviews you and your family can trust? Look no further. Join award-winning Catholic film critic, David DiCerto, each week for his take on the hottest movies, streaming series and more, as he ponders pop culture through a Catholic lens. Whether you’re planning to head out to the multiplex with the kids or looking for something to binge watch yourself, David has you covered with relevant, reliable – and always entertaining – reviews you can have “faith” in.
Tune in to the Catholic Lens and:
💻 WATCH on YouTube: YouTube.com/@CastletownMedia
🎧 LISTEN on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4fSU2M7
🎧 LISTEN on Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/4eSAJRG