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New"Apes' offers great effects but little else
THE ANCHOR - Diocese of Fall River - Fri., August 3, 2001
eNS book review THE HIDDEN FACE OF GOD: HOW SCIENCE REVEALS THE ULTIMATE TRUTH, by Gerald L. Schroeder. The Free Press (New York, 2001). 240 pp.. WHY GOD WON'T GO AWAY: BRAIN SCIENCE AND THE BIOLOGY OF BELIEF, by Andrew Newberg, Eugene D'Aquili and Vince Rause. Ballantine Books (New York;2001). 226 pp. REVIEWED BVWAVNE
A. HOLST
CATHOUC NEWS SERVICE
Surprisingly perhaps, in these secular times, the relationship between science and religion is expeliencing some exciting empiIical exploration and debate. Traditionally, theologians led in reaching out to scientists to find common ground. Now, some of the most creative dialogue initiatives are being made by specialists in physics. chemistry, biology and neuroscience. Religion is no longer something beyond the scientific purview. In,~
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"What I am is 'pro-Iook-at-thedata-and-see-what-they-teach," he says, advocating a form of intelligent design. With the big bang, our universe had a metaphysical beginning. The existence of the etemal metaphysical is a scientific reality. Religion and science are made of one fabric and share 'a common wisdom. Schroeder says that the hidden face of God is to be discovered there. "Why God Won't Go Away: Brain Science and the Biology of Belief," by Andrew Newberg, Eugene D' Aquili and Vince Rause, proposes a theory, based on neurobiology, that the religious impulse is rooted in the biology of the brain. They propose that our brains are biologically hard-wired to seek God. The researchers used high-tech imaging devices to investigate the brains of meditating Buddhists and Franciscan nuns and found evidence that something was transpir-, ing among the neurons that doesn't happen otherwise. Their subjects' mystical experiences "were not the result of some fablication or simple wishful
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thinking, but were associated instead with a series of observable neurological events." ,r\,,//""" , ;:;:,-. For centuries the exist"!."~({( 1 ence of ultimate reality has .;:J--, \..C: ~ been supported by claims 1 Qf mysticism, but science c'" -.", ;'Yi . . ' ',. had traditionally avoided'or t:;;:$~:=';:':;;;;:::::;;::::::;=~~,,:=; ..~~;;:;:::::::::::==I rejected these c1aif11s. This study asserts that mystical experience is biologically, observably and scientifically real. Skeptics could argue that the brain's hard-wiring proves that God has no real existence, that "it's all in the brain." Believers could respond by affirming the brain can do this because if there is a God it makes sense for God to creasingly, scientists are acknowl- design the brain so that we can edging spirituality as part of the have some interaction. Newberg concludes that we human condition and are engaging with spirituality scientifically.' need both science and a more sub"The Hidden Face of God: How jective spiritual understanding in Science Reveals the Ultimate order to grasp the full nature of , Truth," by Gerald L. .schroeder, an reality. There is a bracing dimension MIT-trained scientist and Jewish believer, claims that a single con- to the debates ignited by the cursciousness - an all encompassing rent presentations of scientists atwisdom - pervades the universe. tempting to challenge ways by ''The discoveries of science ... have whiCh they, and religionists, have moved us to the blink of a startling. traditionally engaged or dodged realization (that) all existence is an one another. What seems to be. expression of this wisdom." emerging on the progressive cusp Schroeder quotes philosopher of this debate is a growing appreMaimonides, who says we must ciation for some form of intelliform a conception of the existence gent'design at work in an evoluof the Creator according to our ra- tionary universe. There is. more disillusionment tional capacities. The science of physics is closely connected with with agnostic random selection on metaphysics. The nonphysical the one hand and fundamentalist gave rise to the physical. There- creationism on the other. A dynamic fore, Schroeder writes, metaphys- that views both religion and science ics: the science of God (meaning as creatively integrated and contrib"out of the physical"), can only be uting to a fuller understanding of understood after a study of phys- the truth seems to offer the best ics, the science of nature. possibility for the way ahead. Holst is a writer who has iaught Schroeder rejects the theory of . random selection but he is neither religion and culture at the Univer. anti~evolution nor pro-creationist. sity of Calgary. JJ"'"L,!"; ,::V' -h!/_.~ '.~ '\.' <-
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NEW YORK (CNS) - The planet and is captured and enslaved ence to fill in the narrative holes. Self-conscious lines, such as . upside-down world makes a return by the fearsome apes. Coming to in Tim Burton's dark sci-fi fan- his aid is chimpanzee human rights "Don't send a monkey to do a tasy "Planet of the Apes" (20th activist Ari (Helena Bonham man's job," are more useful as publicity ,sound-bites than meanCentury Fox). Carter). Director Burton's reinvention This new world is more socially ingful dialogue that advance the plays with the premise of humans and professionally integrated, with story. Appropriate for the time, the and apes reversing roles. His vi- less animosity among the species. original touched upon such hotsion. is neither a sequel nor a re- But the chimpanIees clearly rule button issues as civil rights and make of the original 1968 film that the planet. Head chimp Thade racial violence and was a blunt restarred Charlton Heston and (Tim Roth) is vohltile, unpredict- minder that in terms of human relations, there was still a ,spawned four sequels, a long way to go. And television show and a wliter Rod Serling ("The Saturday morning carTwilight Zone") gave it toon. an eerie punch. . All of these, including Yet, in all fairness, the Burton's "re-imagined" 1968' "Planet of the versio,n, were inspired by Apes" was also a tad Pierre Boulle's 1963 hokey and melodramatic. novel. . However, in the new verVisually, the film is sion, screenwriter WillstIiking. The world Buriam Broyles Jr. only ton has created is a dense touches upon tensions rain forest inhabited by between faith and science apes whose super and human lights issues . strength is the 路source of without really exploring their power over huthem. And a cynicism to- . mans. The apes still speak ward religion, which' English and still treat hudoes reflect current mans (who,. instead of times, has crept in. being caged beasts, are Burton's weakly deslaves and pets) like dirt, veloped characters make but this is a whole new no connection with the adventure on a whole viewer. Where Heston new planet. In fact, it's had an almost tenifying not Earth at all, but a parintensity, Wahlberg is a allel world that is lush TIM ROTH stars as the ape military leader blank on screen, unable and nearly sunless. Make-up artist Rick in the movie "Planet of the Apes." (CNS photo to shoulder the movie. Bonham Carter's boheBaker's apes are each .from 20~h Century Fqx) unique individuals. Their mian Ali is just a bratty facial movements are extraordi- able and lonely, and commands dilettante whose hobby is human nary as lips and teeth move natu- supreme authority over the hu- rights. Only Roth's performance rally. The apes are much more like mans. has more resonance. simians than humans in' their Apparently BUlton filmed five In Attar (Michael Clarke movements, walking bowlegged Duncan), a towering silverback, different endings. The one he and slightly hunched over. But the Thade has a dedicated follower who chose is illusive and nonsensical, apes are much quicker, faster and callies out his orders with unques- with its only purpose seemingly more powerful as they run, jump tioning loyalty. Heston makes a to lead the way to a sequel. "Planet and attack ferociously. In fact, the cameo appearance as Thade's dy- of the Apes" is certainly different, violence in the film is tinged with ing chimpanzee father, a r91e in but not better, or even good. a surprisingly brutal edge. Due to intermittent action viowhich his personal position on guns lence and menace with a few inYet technological advanceme~ts is played to full ironic effect. overwhelm the narrative, which is Though Burton's film is cer- stances of profanity, the U.S. Contorpid and superficial. The plot tainly to be judged on its own ference of Catholic Bishops clasturns on an experimental space merit, comparisons to the sci-fi sification is A-III - adults. The mission in 2029路as humans and cult classic cannot be helped. Bur- .Motion Picture Association of genetically altered apes get lost in ton skips the social satire and po- America rating is PG-13 - paran electromagnetic storm. Mark litical allegory of the original, yet ents are strongly cautioned. Some Wahlberg plays astronaut Leo the result is a beautifully wrapped material may be inappropriate for Davidson who crash lands on the empty box that requires the audi- children under 13.
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NEW YORK (CNS) - Following are recent capsule reviews issued by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Office for Film and Broadcasting. "Bread & Tulips"
(First Look) Fanciful Italian tale in which I
a bored housewife' (Licia Maglietta), accidentally left at a rest area during a family vacation, . impetuously hitchhikes to Venice where 路she finds a new life and love. Although director Silvio Soldini's romantic film is meant as light and jaunty fare, the story raises some questions about the lead character's scruples. Subtitles. An implied sexual encounter, an affair and an instance of rough language with a few crass words. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-III - adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is'PG-13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13..
"Rush Hour 2" (New Line) Flat action sequel in which a
smart-mouthed Los Angeles cop (Chris Tucker) and straight-laced Hong Kong detective (Jackie Chan) team up agail) to find a dangerous Chinese gang proaucing and shipping millions of counterfeit U.S. $100 bills. A few creatively choreographed action sequences cannot compensate for the forced narrative, witless comedy and no-consequences violence in director Brett Ratner's film. Recurring action violence, some sexually suggestive scenes, fleeting nudity and intermittent Pro7 fanity and crass language. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-IIl- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 - parents are strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under .13.