Your Doubting Thomas

“The Ten Commandments”  Remember that movie?  The one where Charlton Heston plays Moses and parts the Red Sea?   A pretty dramatic movie.  It comes on ABC every Easter and I’m usually glued to the television watching it. 

I didn’t know that The Ten Commandments was endorsed by the Vatican.   But I can see why it was– its an important, well made movie of religious and historical significance. 

The Blues Brothers with John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd might be of historical significance to a Chicagoan, but to The Pope?

The movie which begins with a scene where Jake and Elwood Blues could not stop cursing in front of a nun affectionately referred to as “The Penguin” as she beats them with a ruler?  Apparently for the Pope, The Blues Brothers is a must see movie for Catholics. 

On the 30th anniversary of the film’s release, “L’Osservatore Romano,” the Vatican’s official newspaper, called the film a “Catholic classic” and said it should be recommended viewing for Catholics everywhere.

Seriously.   http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=10937328

Now, don’t get me wrong.  The Blues Brothers is one of my favorite movies.   The scene at Ray’s Music Emporium?  Classic.  See Ray Charles perform “Shake It”   Or Aretha Franklin singing ”Think” to Matt “Guitar” Murphy?  See Aretha Franklin perform “Think”  Even if the movie was not based in Chicago, I’d love it.  Its hilarious and the music’s great.  I just never imagined that I could sit around with the Pope, microwave some popcorn, crack a couple Old Styles and watch The Blues Brothers.