All Saint's Day

Today is All Saints Day, and we are heading to mass this afternoon.  I always like to do this after a wild night of halloween partying!  My favorite saints are Saint Frances of Assisi, and Joan of Arc.  They are pretty popular, I guess.  Recommended films for the day:  

1) The Messenger (1999), directed by Luc Besson, and starring Milla Jovovich, John Malcovich, and Dustin Hoffman... an exciting version of the classic Joan of Arc-story, including some big battles and an interesting take on the internal struggle of this complex historical character. 

2) Passion de Jeanne d'Arc (1928), 

directed by the incomparable Carl Dreyer, and starring the brilliant Maria Falconetti.  This is the quintessential saint- flick, and most assuredly trumps all other Joan of Arc films.  The film gives an intense account of Jeanne's trial, in which she is accused of heresy and relates her "holy visions" to the court.  I am telling you, you are gonna feel her pain.  Dreyer's other silent films are not to be missed:)

3) The Song of Bernadette (1945), directed by Henry King, and starring Jennifer Jones.  This is a beautiful story about the young saint from the French countryside, and while it is not a cinematic tour-de-force, it has definite crowd appeal.  A classic that is both sympathetic and inspirational.  (Must-see for any Roman Catholic, btw.)

4) The Saint (1997), starring Val Kilmer, in which our hero is a professional thief, masquerading under the names and identities of Catholic saints:)  This remake is very fun and well-acted by Kilmer.

Enjoy!