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As director Chris Weitz continues to defend his new film, The Golden Compass, from accusations of anti-religious—and specifically anti-Catholic—agenda, some Catholics are talking back. As it turns out, though, this might fit nicely into New Line Cinema's marketing plan for the movie; Catholic blogger Amy Welborn shares an e-mail sent from New Line's publicists, supposedly expressing "interest" in marketing the film to specifically Catholic publications.

This comes on the heels of the Catholic News Service's positive review of the film, where writers Harry Forbes and John Mulderig note that the "lavish, well-acted and fast-paced" film has "already caused some concern in Catholic circles because of the author's professed atheism, and the more overt issue of the novels' negative portrayal of his (very much fictionalized) church, a stand-in for all organized religion."

Continue Forbes and Mulderig: "The good news is that the first book's explicit references to this church have been completely excised with only the term Magisterium retained. The choice is still a bit unfortunate, however, as the word refers so specifically to the church's teaching authority. Yet the film's only clue that the Magisterium is a religious body comes in the form of the icons which decorate one of their local headquarters."

"Most moviegoers with no foreknowledge of the books or Pullman's personal belief system will scarcely be aware of religious connotations, and can approach the movie as a pure fantasy-adventure. This is not the blatant real-world anti-Catholicism of, say, the recent Elizabeth: The Golden Age or The Da Vinci Code. Religious elements, as such, are practically nil."

The review observes that Weitz's adaptation ought to be taken on its own terms—not judged on the basis of the agenda present in the book series. "Whatever author Pullman's putative motives in writing the story, writer-director Chris Weitz's film, taken purely on its own cinematic terms, can be viewed as an exciting adventure story with, at its core, a traditional struggle between good and evil, and a generalized rejection of authoritarianism."

Catholic blogger Jimmy Akin is not nearly so generous to Pullman or his story, noting his "transparent disingenuity" and accusing him of "being dishonest when he vehemently questions how anyone could know that he is a militant atheist out to convert people. He himself has made it abundantly clear in press interviews."

Director Weitz continues to assert that the story is about the abuse of power and arbitrary authority—that is it not anti-Catholic or even anti-religious.

Prince Caspian trailer debuts December 5 (NarniaWeb)
Fans can get a glimpse of the next Narnia movie online

Motive Entertainment launches GetExpelled.com (official site)
Site is resource for upcoming film about intelligent design

Oscar race looks uncertain (Hollywood Hitlist)
Eleven films in Best Picture field, according to observer

Ralph Winter brings faith to film (Relevant)
Producer influences blockbuster movies with his Christian belief

Susan Sarandon discusses "spiritual activism" (Belief Net)
Actress says Jesus was an activist, expresses dislike of religion

Jake Gyllenhall to play Joe Namath (Variety)
Actor turns to quarterback in upcoming biopic

First photos of The Joker surface (Coming Soon)
Heath Ledger plays villain in The Dark Knight

Captain Sulu returns for next Star Trek (Trek Web)
George Takai confirms his appearance in new film

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