Priests in Film "The American" & "Machete"

This past weekend offered two movies in which Roman Catholic priests figure prominently, though not as the main character. In "The American," the priest seems to fill a rather traditional role -- voice of conscience, soul care, and reflective on life. In "Machete," OK, it's a comic book, but the priest performs traditional roles -- present in the church, listening to confessions. However, he is also the brother of Machete, so he violates the seal of the confessional by passing on incriminating evidence, blasts bad guys with twin shotguns, and harbors a naked Lindsay Lohan and her mom-figure.

Which is more real? Which is more what priests wish would be?

Priests would go for "The American," I am sure. But certainly there are moments when twin shotguns could seem like a good solution.

Realistically, if one can say that about a movie, the Italian priest is doing good evangelism -- reaching for the lost soul, and as the movie develops there are hints that Clooney's character is listening or being worked on subconciously as he wants out of his life of death-dealing. Sadly, the priest seems to have lost hope for Clooney's character as he confronts him for the last time. But the Spirit may still be reaching.
Sadly, movie-goers may lose some hope for the real Clooney, as this was not one of his better films. Pretty, but not much substance.

Cheech Marin (Machete's brother, the priest) attempts the role of priest as agent of social change -- maybe. But really, this is just a cartoon, and little positive can be said. The issue, not raised in the film, of violating the seal of the confessional for the greater community good is a difficult one, and deserves more reflection than this movie gives it. But this was a loud, noisy live-action cartoon after all!