Conclave<\/strong> <\/em>has been a major hit. The conspiracy thriller has been named one of the ten best films of 2024 by the National Board of Review and the American Film Institute. It has also done incredible numbers at the box office, proving that Ralph Fiennes is still one of Hollywood\u2019s most bankable stars. Based on the 2016 novel of the same name by Robert Harris, the film sees Cardinal Thomas Lawrence (Fiennes) organizing a papal conclave to elect the next pope. While at it, he uncovers wild secrets about each candidate.<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n *Availability in US<\/em>\n <\/div>\n With a running time of 120 minutes, Conclave <\/em>feels short and sweet. As soon as the credits start rolling, you might wish this was a long-running show on streaming. Thankfully, the movie has close cousins. For decades, writers and filmmakers have been obsessed with the dark side of the Vatican. They have imagined the dangerous games that people close to the Pope play in order to change the world order or benefit themselves. The church doesn\u2019t always like it, but audiences do.<\/p>\n A woman cannot become Pope in the Catholic Church, but in Pope Joan<\/em><\/strong>, it happens. When her city gets attacked, Johanna (Johanna Wokalek) takes refuge at a monastery, disguised as a male priest. No one realizes she is a woman, and her mastery of the scriptures impresses everyone. Her popularity grows so much that she ends up in the Vatican<\/strong>, where she is soon named Pope. But things become complicated when she gets pregnant. <\/strong>Worse still, she has to deal with a librarian who is also plotting to become Pope.<\/p>\n Pope Joan<\/em> is a return to form for S\u00f6nke Wortmann, and the German director presents a tense, bleak portrait of morality in the Vatican.<\/strong> Neither easy nor pleasant to view, the movie’s impact sneaks up on you, and the close calls creep under your skin. The acting bar is high, with Johanna Wokalek\u2019s believable turn as a member of the opposite sex making you forget Mrs. Doubtfire.<\/em> <\/strong>The ending will break your heart, but you\u2019ll be left clapping.<\/p>\n Was the Vatican in bed with the Nazis? No serious evidence points to that, but Amen<\/em><\/strong> puts the church on trial and sentences it. Here, Nazi chemist Kurt Gerstein (Ulrich Tukur) is tasked with developing Zyklon B, a disinfectant to purify drinking water for the German army, only to realize his invention is being used to kill Jews in extermination camps.<\/strong> He tries to bring the matter to the Vatican, only to be rebuffed.<\/p>\n Greek director Costa-Gravas\u2019 visually inspired conspiracy thriller is a WWII masterpiece and one of the famed filmmaker\u2019s most arresting movies. Stylized locations, expressionistic and high-hued lighting, and a stellar cast,<\/strong> only add to the picture\u2019s grandeur and mystery. Ulrich M\u00fche is also downright creepy as the Nazi official, The Doctor: a definitive embodiment of evil.<\/strong> We\u2019ve seen movie characters dining with the devil before, but Amen <\/em>will haunt you forever,<\/p>\n In The Da Vinci Code<\/strong>,<\/em> American symbologist Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) uncovers a secret that the Vatican has held on to for years. His findings reveal that the Holy Grail isn\u2019t just a cup but a symbol for Mary Magdalene, who was allegedly, Jesus Christ\u2019s wife and mother of his mother.<\/strong> Langdon determines that the church has suppressed this information to preserve Christ\u2019s divinity.<\/p>\n Understandably, The Da Vinci Code, <\/em>was banned in many countries. The Vatican also criticized it and threatened to sue<\/strong>. Even Hanks would later disown the film, but it’s a great piece of cinema. What starts as a story about art morphs into a terrifying psychological thriller in director Ron Howard\u2019s capable hands, with Hanks turning in one of the best performances of the 2000s.<\/strong> Conspiracy theorists will love the film, but skeptics too won\u2019t help but marvel at the daring plot.<\/p>\n Related <\/p><\/div>\n Not available<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n *Availability in US<\/em>\n <\/div>\n Father Gabriele Amorth (Russell Crowe) from The Pope\u2019s Exorcist<\/strong> <\/em>is more detective-like than priest-like<\/strong>. He is notorious for plucking demons from the bodies of humans, and while at it, he interrogates and mocks supernatural beings.<\/strong> Watching him is fun and things get even more interesting when he finds himself in the middle of a centuries-old Vatican conspiracy that might shake the church\u2019s foundations.<\/p>\n Graced with swelling music by Jade Kurzel, a haunting performance by Daniel Zovatto, and impressionistic images. The Pope\u2019s Exorcist <\/em>is a richly powerful, unsentimental meditation on church dynamics<\/strong>. Crowe has given better performances than this, but the intense plot is ideal for any actor intending to be on autopilot mode.<\/strong> Even better, a sequel is on the way, so you\u2019ll have more to look forward to once you are done here.<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n *Availability in US<\/em>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Two Popes<\/em><\/strong> uses a real skeleton and sticks plenty of fake flesh on it. The mostly fictional events revolve around Pope Benedict\u2019s intention to resign following the Vatican Leaks Scandal.<\/strong> The film mainly focuses on the Pope\u2019s conversations with Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio,<\/strong> who would later become Pope Francis.<\/p>\n A buoyant, thought-provoking Netflix thriller featuring the wry talent of Anthony Hopkins, The Two Popes<\/em> treated viewers to an idea that had been imitated numerous times, but never done so convincingly. Oscar nominations came, and so did countless other awards. There is plenty of humor too, but the film never shies away from tackling bold topics like sex abuse in the church.<\/strong><\/p>\n In The Pope Must Die<\/em><\/strong>, a documentation error results in an unqualified priest being declared the new Pope. <\/strong>Such a mistake cannot be reversed, so Albinizi \u2014 who secretly loves cars, women, and pop music \u2014 remains stuck on the job. Within no time, he chances upon details linking the Vatican to the mafia. Predictably, assassins come after him.<\/p>\n In America, the Big Three television networks (ABC, CBS, and NBC) wouldn\u2019t show commercials for the film<\/strong>, labeling it sacrilegious. Despite that, it became a cult classic.<\/p>\n Movies about the clergy are seldom cheery, but this portrait of an isolated Pope is so gag-heavy that you\u2019ll find it hard not to laugh. <\/strong>It\u2019s also hard not to sympathize with the emptiness at the heart of Albinizis\u2019 new job, especially when he has to watch out for a murderous Cardinal.<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n *Availability in US<\/em>\n <\/div>\n Atheist hairdresser, Frankie Paige (Patricia Arquette), develops stigmata (the same wounds as Christ had during his crucifixion) after receiving a strange rosary as a gift. <\/strong>When the Vatican sends Father Andrew Kiernan (Gabriel Byrne) to investigate, he establishes a connection between Frankie\u2019s stigmata and a hidden text \u2014 the Gospel of Jesus\u2014 containing contradictory teachings to those of the Catholic Church.<\/strong> The discovery puts him on a collision path with the Vatican’s golden boy, Cardinal Houseman (Jonathan Pryce), who is keen on suppressing the truth. Will the Stigmata<\/em><\/strong> villain get his way?<\/p>\n Patricia Arquette captures just the right quantity of vulnerability in her portrayal of the troubled Frankie. Her performance especially shines brightly whenever the character becomes overwhelmed by the spirit and starts speaking in different languages. <\/strong>There are a few scary scenes, but the film can easily be viewed by fans of all genres. You\u2019ll also feel more educated about Christianity when the story ends.<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n *Availability in US<\/em>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n End of Days<\/em><\/strong> opens in 1979 when the Pope has sent a priest on a mission to protect a baby, who the Vatican believes has been chosen by the devil to be the future mother of his child: the Antichrist.<\/strong> However, a Vatican faction, led by a corrupt cardinal, insists the baby must die. As the drama unfolds, a former NYPD officer, Jericho (Arnold Schwarzenegger), finds himself caught up in the mess.<\/p>\n We wouldn\u2019t expect Annie to be in a movie like this, but \u201880s and \u201890s action stars always surprise her. Chuck Norris, too, has a religious-themed film that\u2019ll thrill any movie lover. Circling back to End of Days<\/em>, it is a probing, brilliantly acted psychological character study clothed in transcendent horror. <\/strong>Most importantly, the film sounds good. Everything from the hooting to the breathing can be heard. No wonder the Motion Picture Sound Editors nominated it for Best Sound Editing.<\/p>\n Related <\/p><\/div>\n Not available<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n Not available<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n *Availability in US<\/em>\n <\/div>\n Resurrected<\/em> <\/strong>takes us to the near future where the Vatican has devised a way to resurrect people. <\/strong>The process is only known by higher-ups and is only available to sinless people who die while under the age of 65. But the secret doesn\u2019t remain hidden for long. A priest named Stanley finds out about it and hell breaks loose.<\/p>\n The movie\u2019s \u201cscreenlife\u201d format elevates it above others of its kind.<\/strong> Stanley is an online priest, so we only see the events through his screen. The themes of fatherhood and morality are explained in detail here,<\/strong> perhaps in a way that might make audiences uncomfortable, but the uneasiness is worth it.<\/p>\n Starring Christopher Reeves, Monsignor<\/em> <\/strong>revolves around the exploits of Father Flaherty, a priest who is very good at accounting. With the Vatican experiencing financial difficulties during World War II, Flaherty\u2019s financial skills are needed. However, Flaherty is an \u201cends justifies means\u201d kind of person, and he soon pulls the church into black market deals involving cigarettes<\/strong>. It helps, but not for long. And when things go south, he pays the price.<\/p>\n
\n <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
\n Stanley Tucci ,
\n John Lithgow ,
\n Isabella Rossellini , Lucian Msamati , Carlos Diehz , Sergio Castellitto , Brian F. O’Byrne ,
\n Merab Ninidze , Jacek Koman , Rony Kramer , Joseph Mydell\n <\/dd>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n 10 ‘Pope Joan’ (2009) <\/h2>\n
\n <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Pope Joan <\/h5>\n
\n
\n John Goodman ,
\n Iain Glen , Edward Petherbridge , Anatole Taubman\n <\/dd>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Endless Close Calls <\/h3>\n
9 ‘Amen’ (2002) <\/h2>\n
A C\u00e9sar Award Winner <\/h3>\n
8 ‘The Da Vinci Code’ (2006) <\/h2>\n
Bold Accusations Against the Church <\/h3>\n
\n <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n 7 ‘The Pope’s Exorcist’ (2023) <\/h2>\n
\n <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Pope’s Exorcist <\/h5>\n
\n
\n Franco Nero , Peter DeSouza-Feighoney\n <\/dd>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Fighting Demons and Nefarious Church Figures <\/h3>\n
6 ‘The Two Popes’ (2019) <\/h2>\n
\n <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Two Popes <\/h5>\n
Another Essential Anthony Hopkins Film <\/h3>\n
5 ‘The Pope Must Die’ (1991) <\/h2>\n
\n <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Pope Must Diet <\/h5>\n
\n
\n Robbie Coltrane ,
\n Alex Rocco , Adrian Edmondson , Paul Bartel , Herbert Lom , Peter Richardson , Annette Crosbie , William Hootkins , Robert Stephens , Balthazar Getty , Steven O’Donnell , John Sessions , Ralph Brown , Ranko Zidari\u0107 , Bo\u017eidar Smiljani\u0107 , Salvatore Cascio , Janez Vajevec , Relja Ba\u0161i\u0107 , Ernest Clark , Alice Richardson , Jeff Beck , Niall Buggy , Mirella D’Angelo , Ivica Zadro\n <\/dd>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Blending Tension and Humor <\/h3>\n
4 ‘Stigmata’ (1999) <\/h2>\n
\n <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Stigmata <\/h5>\n
\n
Will the Secrets Come Out? <\/h3>\n
3 ‘End of Days’ (1999) <\/h2>\n
\n <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n End of Days <\/h5>\n
A Unique and Satisfying Schwarzenegger Flick <\/h3>\n
\n <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n 2 ‘Resurrected’ (2023) <\/h2>\n
![\"01702871_poster_w780.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/01702871_poster_w780.jpg\")
\n <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Resurrected <\/h5>\n
\n
A Creative Tecno-Religious Film <\/h3>\n
1 ‘Monsignor’ (1982) <\/h2>\n
![\"01259666_poster_w780.jpg\"](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/01259666_poster_w780.jpg\")
\n <\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Monsignor <\/h5>\n
\n
\n Joe Pantoliano , Milena Vukoti\u0107 , Ian Danby , Harrison Muller Jr. , David Mills , Joe Cortese , Gregory Snegoff , Joe Spinell , Pamela Prati\n <\/dd>\n<\/dl><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n