"Despite its limitations, The Nativity Story is bound to become regular Advent and Christmas viewing for countless Catholic and Protestant families. "

Here's another review, posted early this morning, regarding the film. The review is written by a priest in the order of the Franciscans of the Immaculate. The website also includes a 10 minute vlog including a short catechesis on Our Lady's Perpetual Virginity.

http://www.airmaria.com

thank you!

The reviewer at USA Today was not too kind to the movie. Also, she misuses the term Immaculate Conception by referring the term to the miraculous conception of Jesus rather than the belief that Mary was conceived without sin.

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2006-11-30-review-nativity-story_x.htm

I've just come back from seeing "The Nativity Story", and would give it a thumbs up. First let me say that no movie of the Nativity can fulfill all our our expectations, as faithful Catholics, we pray the rosary and meditate on these mysteries frequently, and thus have formed a mental picture or relationship with the Blessed Mother that's impossible to match. I didn't find Miss Caslte-Hughes performance particularly inspiring, but Joseph's portrayal as a strong, self-sacrificing husband touched me deeply.
So did the warmth and spirituality of the elders in the film, I particularly enjoyed the actress who played Elizabeth, as the professor in "The Exorcism of Emily Rose", and she was luminous as Mary's cousin, adding depth to the Visitation.

I was deeply moved by the manger scene's special effects, My young children saw it as a live nativity, (though I would hesitate to bring very sensitive little ones to the theatre because of the violence of the Roman soldiers).

All in all, it was a faithful rendition of the Nativity, which put me into a meditative spirit for the beginning of Advent. Give it a chance, and let Hollywood know they're on the right track. (next time let Mel pick the Virgin Mary!)

My son and I saw the movie last night and enjoyed it. I think Hughes' performance will grow on me. I wasn't really impressed as I left the theater, but thinking about it this morning, I find I am a seeing a little more depth. I guess this is to be expected- that we should ponder these things. As far as the wise men being comic relief, I had read other reviews about this and how jarring it was and went to the show expecting broad slapstick. I think what was portrayed were just the normal kinds of humor between long term friends and nothing out of place. My son did have a moment of laughter though as the credits ran and we learned this was written by Mike Rich. My son laughed and said "Shouldn't that be 'screenplay by Mike Rich?' Unless he's trying to tell us something."

Give yourself the gift of a meaningful Christmas.

I went to see The Nativity Story last night, opening night. As a recently baptized Christian, I will tell you that this was a most welcomed, meaningful and revolutionary movie for me. It centers around the mother of Our Lord, Jesus Christ.

A superbly crafted and thoughtfully directed movie, it deserves a high rating. It is an unprecedented tribute to a woman who has been relegated to backdrop scenes. Finally, Mary gets to have a movie about her spiritual journey. In my own life, Mary was in the far distant background, giving her fleeting thought if I came across a Nativity scene at Christmas or if I heard the Beatles song, "Let It Be":

"When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be."

It was made for a certain niche -- the ~200 million or so Americans who consider themselves Christians. Two years ago, I was not in this niche, being "spiritual, but not religious." Long story, short, it was Mary who pointed me to her Son, lead me on my own spiritual journey and caused a revolution in my heart, mind and soul.

Those who take the time to learn about her and her role do not, as I was mislead to believe, worship her. They simply respect and venerate her. Leading folks to her Son, as I learned, is her job. In this movie, her character is doing exactly that again for me and viewers who are called to see it.

Ever since she lead me home, Christmas has taken on such meaning as I never imagined. This year, I've started the season -- called the Advent season -- with a faith-based movie that allowed me to slide right into it in a beautiful, gentle and do I dare say, beatific way.

This movie experience is an exquisite gift for the heart and soul. Moreover, it is a feast for the eyes. I went past the inanimate objects of Nativity displays to a visually rich and "fleshed" out Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, shepherds, Magi and stable animals. The director of the movie, Catherine Hardwick, referred to a line in the script: "...the greatest of kings born in the most humble of places."

"Power," she says, "is not a physical power. It's not riches, it's not money, it's not control of governments and nations. It's a deeper power, spirituality."

At the end of the movie, the audience burst out in spontaneous applause. For each of us, Christmas is not at all about holiday parties, frenzied shopping and the trappings and physical accouterments. Now, THAT'S revolutionary.

When this comes out in DVD, it will be a part of our yearly Christmas tradition, reminding us what it is all about.

"Merry Christ-mas!" I hope you will make it meaningfully merrier by giving yourself this movie experience of the life of Mary.