Fatima

Marco Pontecorvo's first English-language feature as a director won't make the angels sing, but it's everything you'd expect from a longtime cinematographer: It's beautifully shot. Dark caves, dingy homes, and drab clothing are made more dynamic, while angelic beings and the purity of children's faces shine bright. The gorgeous photography in Fatima shifts your brain's expectations: This isn't what we've come to expect from the typical low-budget faith-based film. Rather, this is a big production about characters of faith. For those (still) waiting for the moment when stories of faith really go mainstream, this is a step in that direction.

Unfortunately, the script doesn't carry an emotional impact and, therefore, doesn't engage viewers in what should be an earth-shattering tale. By the time we get to the miracle, it's frankly underwhelming. The audience most likely to be singing the movie's praises will be adults seeking insight -- and, of course, those of faith. To parents hoping to show -- not just tell -- their kids that miracles exist or to explain Mariology, this film falls flat. The idea that the Virgin Mary would show children gruesome images of war and a pope being shot in the head, take them on a journey to hell, and tell them that they personally must "suffer greatly" to end a world war and bring home their family members doesn't jibe with most modern-day Christian teachings. Pontecorvo does his best to bring the story to today's audiences by including a more modern-day author who's a skeptic, allowing him to ask a lot of hard questions. But most kids aren't going to be hanging on to find the answer -- they're going to wonder when they can leave the room.