My wife and I lived in France for about a year back in 2004-2005. While there we traveled a bit around Europe. One of my favorite activities was visiting old Cathedrals. These monuments to Christ and the Church fascinate me. I come from the Church of Christ and they abhor pomp and circumstance, rituals, and any type of artifact or icons. Those visits started a lifetime fascination with the rituals of High Church.

Conclave is about one of the biggest Church rituals – choosing a new Pope. It pays out like a murder mystery/thriller and is tons of fun. Its stacked cast includes Ralph Finnes, Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow, and Isabella Rossellini. You can read my full review here.