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The Oscars, the Pope and the Woke, Oh My!

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Posted By: Mercedes44, 2/28/2025 4:49:51 AM

As of this writing, Pope Francis is still alive but in serious condition. This Sunday, the Oscars telecast will air and ironically, one of the Best Picture nominees is the film “Conclave” which is about the process to elect a new pope. During my years at the New York Sun, I was frequently asked by my editor, Seth Lipsky, to cover current events involving Pope John Paul II and the priest scandals, presumably because I am a devout Catholic and had some access to the New York archdiocese and the then-archbishop of New York,

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Reply 1 - Posted by: 5 handicap 2/28/2025 5:44:11 AM (No. 1905383)
Insofar as the Francis is concerned, Lucifer awaits his emminent arrival!
24 people like this.

Reply 2 - Posted by: Namma 2/28/2025 7:35:57 AM (No. 1905458)
I watched the movie. Nothing that takes place in the movie happens during the conclave. There was a lot of “ literary license “ used in the film. One is claiming Pope John Paul 23 was a nazi. No he was not! The kid was 7 years old and all the youth in Poland were forced to join the youth group. He did not join of his own free will. The writers certainly did not do their homework but only because Hollywood hates the Catholic Church Even if the person elected to the papacy, in the movie, would never be installed because of Canon Law. But the writers failed to mention this “minor “detail. Which just proves their total dislike of the Church.
32 people like this.

Reply 3 - Posted by: downnout 2/28/2025 7:37:28 AM (No. 1905460)
As a history buff, I thought Conclave might be interesting and watched it. What a waste of my time.
29 people like this.

Reply 4 - Posted by: PostAway 2/28/2025 7:56:33 AM (No. 1905473)
I haven’t seen the movie but let me guess: the new pope is really a woman who masquerades as a man. And she’s “a person of color.”
25 people like this.

Reply 5 - Posted by: Venturer 2/28/2025 8:01:11 AM (No. 1905476)
There was a movie years ago called " The Shoes of the Fisherman" that I thought was pretty good. I think it starred Anthony Quinn.
32 people like this.

Reply 6 - Posted by: janjan 2/28/2025 8:20:32 AM (No. 1905489)
I don’t waste my time or money on any of the garbage Hollywood produces. It’s a little bit sad and pathetic that these actors and actresses are still congratulating each other and think they are revered icons. More than half the country have nothing but contempt for them. If you’re into streaming, Discovery+ and Fox Nation have some great documentaries.
18 people like this.

Reply 7 - Posted by: Mizz Fixxit 2/28/2025 8:38:47 AM (No. 1905500)
Alicia Colon also occasionally posts thoughtful replies on this site.
11 people like this.

Reply 8 - Posted by: udanja99 2/28/2025 8:40:49 AM (No. 1905503)
I haven’t watched the Oscars since Dustin Hoffman in Midnight Cowboy lost to John Wayne in True Grit for best actor. Never been a John Wayne fan as, no matter which movie, it always seemed like John Wayne was playing John Wayne. Hoffman as Ratso Rizzo was astoundingly great.
11 people like this.

Reply 9 - Posted by: coyote 2/28/2025 9:10:14 AM (No. 1905528)
I remember another good movie, nominated for best flick, that fell before the woke tide, Wind River. Sure, there was a slight whiff of woke in it, but, more important, it stunningly portrayed our beloved toxic masculinity to advantage. Villains take note, you don't want to go like that one did.
7 people like this.

Reply 10 - Posted by: Luandir 2/28/2025 10:02:56 AM (No. 1905553)
SPOILER ALERT: #4 is on the money. The new pope turns out to be a hermaphrodite. What had been an engrossing story goes stinko at that point. Stay home and save your money.
13 people like this.

Reply 11 - Posted by: Zigrid 2/28/2025 10:16:04 AM (No. 1905558)
First...I never watch the Oscars ...so that's not an option for my reflection....but it's well known that hollyweird is anti religion...protestant and catholic...so that the facts are all wrong doesn't surprise me...and quite frankly I really don't give a _____fill in the blank....hollyweird is as responsible for the democrats losing their piece of the government pie as heels up harris...and obama/biden....and they still are wondering in their vast waste land....
6 people like this.

Reply 12 - Posted by: bpl40 2/28/2025 10:24:11 AM (No. 1905565)
If you get nominated for the Oscars, you either a pervert or an America hater. If you win you are both!
7 people like this.

Reply 13 - Posted by: JHHolliday 2/28/2025 10:48:57 AM (No. 1905586)
Re #5. The book is also great.
2 people like this.

Reply 14 - Posted by: earlybird 2/28/2025 11:05:01 AM (No. 1905601)
I am SO glad ton see Alicia is writing again and being posted here. She and Monica Showalter are gems from way back...
10 people like this.

Reply 15 - Posted by: oldmagnolia 2/28/2025 11:13:56 AM (No. 1905606)
I saw that movie. The purpose was to give an incorrect account of what a conclave is and, of course, elect a homo as pope.
6 people like this.

Reply 16 - Posted by: Kate318 2/28/2025 11:26:17 AM (No. 1905612)
An interesting, but somewhat rambling column. I saw Conclave and thought it was terrific, with really great performances, until the end which was silly, Hollywood drivel. I predict it will win Best Picture because of just that. I disagree with Ms. Colon about Shakespeare in Love which was one of the last brilliant movies Hollywood produced.
2 people like this.

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As of this writing, Pope Francis is still alive but in serious condition. This Sunday, the Oscars telecast will air and ironically, one of the Best Picture nominees is the film “Conclave” which is about the process to elect a new pope. During my years at the New York Sun, I was frequently asked by my editor, Seth Lipsky, to cover current events involving Pope John Paul II and the priest scandals, presumably because I am a devout Catholic and had some access to the New York archdiocese and the then-archbishop of New York,
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