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REBROADCAST MOVIE DISCUSSION:

In this rebroadcast episode (originally released September 28th, 2021), Melvin & Dan talk about one of Laika's several family-friendly horror-animated features, ParaNorman!

Topics:

• ParaNorman has a comfortable, cozy Fall atmosphere.
• Laika takes advantage of it's medium to create a fun, charismatic animation style that separates itself from the competition.
• Melvin shares about an extremely lonely period in his life where he tried talking to ghosts because he had no one else to talk to.
• Melvin, "When you're just feeling distant and weird, all you want is someone to step into your world and spend time with you."
• How ParaNorman isn't really all that scary, especially compared to something like Coraline.
• But also, how ParaNorman can have these intensely emotional moments elevated by the children's story-book nature of the movie.
• Discussing what it's like to be an outcast, or treated differently, for your interests (in particular, Melvin & Dan being Christians who like horror movies).
• In this particular case, most Christians who enjoy horror movies have a strong understanding as to why they enjoy them than most Christians have with non-horror movies.
• "Weird" people know that they're "weird" and see how others treat people who are also "weird", and it can become a perpetual self-isolating and self-preservation machine to try and keep away from those who may target their "weirdness" for laughs, bullying, or with disappointment.
• In Christian circles, when people are ostracized for certain qualities, social ticks, or "abnormal" hobbies, it's not a far-cry for people to start thinking the Lord sees them in a similar fashion: weird, different, separate, and superfluous.
• And, finally, we talk about that one joke between characters Mitch and Courtney that apparently became the big talking point during the time of ParaNorman's release, despite there being so much more to talk about (as proven by the rest of the episode).

Recommendations:

• Nate Pickowicz's "How to Eat Your Bible: A Simple Approach to Learning and Loving the Word of God"
• Parents: Learn to be interested in your kid's lives!
• Gilmore Girls // Dark Matter

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REBROADCAST MOVIE DISCUSSION:

Before Dune, Daniel saw a trailer for Redeeming Love. After the trailer played, he leaned over to his friend and said, "I think that's supposed to be a sexy Christian movie.". So, here we are talking about that "sexy Christian movie". Boy, there sure is a lot to talk about here. (originally released March 22nd, 2022)

Topics:

• Redeeming Love contains some rather extreme and transgressive content despite having a serious lack of context.
• Daniel details some background for Redeeming Love, author/screenwriter Francine Rivers, and director D.J. Caruso.
• Redeeming Love is loosely based on the Minor Prophet book Hosea from the Bible.
• Each character feels devoid of personality which may work in both a shorter and more artistic film than Redeeming Love ends up being.
• Where Redeeming Love works is where it leans heavily into its "inspiration", but even then, that's not success from talent, that's success from... copying Scripture.
• Discussing the comparatively excessive conveniently censored nudity in Redeeming Love.
• Additionally, discussing all the other crazy content that borders on "Christian misery porn."
• As we continue our discussion, the 2+hour runtime of the film continues to be a recurring issue.
• At least the sets and outfits are fun!
• Questioning why the film didn't display the complicated dynamics of sexuality (gentle self-sacrifice vs aggressive selfishness) in a way that can be both edifying to its performers and beneficial to the narrative structure.
• One glaring issue throughout the film is each character's severe lack of agency.
• Observations from other reviews and responses to Redeeming Love.
• Is this a Christian exploitation film in the traditional sense of an exploitation film?

Recommendations:

• The Boice Commentary Series: The Minor Prophets, Volume 1 // The Preacher's Commentary Vol 22 & Vol 23
• Derry Girls (Show)
• Before the Coffee Gets Cold: A Novel by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (Book)

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PATREON MOVIE DISCUSSION:

This movie was selected by our Patreon Supporters over at the Cinematic Doctrine Patreon. Support as little as $3 a month and have your voice heard!

Shirleon joins Melvin to discuss the 1960s Village of the Damned! Combining weird fiction with childhood mischief, this sci-fi horror offers a lot to chew on, and the two try and parse through everything they can. Join them as they explore concepts of power, small-town fear, homegrown ideological invasions, and so much more!

Topics:

• Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:45:52 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
• The hook for the film is incredible, and each new development is stranger than the last.
• Shirleon talks about the original book "The Midwich Cuckoos".
• There is a complete dearth of information surrounding the event of Midwich which undoubtedly adds to the cosmic horror.
• Melvin talks about what he believes is "the philosophy of the film" which is essentially about the personhood and potential of children.
• Shirleon reads a passage from the book and explores what it is she loves so much about this story.
• Getting into the ending and its culmination of themes.
• Age-based dynamics of mature and immature uses of power.
• Self-destruction is the result of holding self-preservation too tightly.

Recommendations:

• Clair Obscur Expedition 33 (2025) (Video Game)
• The Blair Witch Project (1999) (Movie)

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LET'S TALK:

Kelsey McGinnis: Instagram // Christianity Today // Podcast

Pre-Order: The Myth of Good Christian Parenting: How False Promises Betrayed a Generation of Evangelical Families by Marissa Burt & Kelsey McGinnis

Kelsey Kramer McGinnis, contributor to Christianity Today, returns to the podcast for an impromptu sequel to last year's Let's Talk "Zoetic & the CCM Coconut Tree". As Michael Tait faces truly heinous allegations about his sexual misconduct and substance abuse, Melvin felt it prudent to invite Kelsey to discuss a "Part 2" discussion on specifically the film The Jesus Music, as the film prominently covers both DC Talk and Michael Tait's later career as a massive religious force in the "Evangelical Industrial Complex". The two further lay the groundwork surrounding the film's saccharine presentation of the Contemporary Christian Music industry, the industry's obsession with conflating capital gains and spiritual influence while propagating an unhealthy mono-culture, and what makes us hopeful about seeing change for the future.

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MOVIE DISCUSSION:

Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss an early 1990s horror feature, Jacob's Ladder! That's right, the gang heads back to the 90s to discuss another cult-classic horror feature, and the two get into all its metaphors, scares, and the joy of having changed opinions on rewatched movies.

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 23-minutes discussing Martin Shore's write-up on WhatToWatch titled, "Are movies really getting longer? Were films in the 1980s really shorter? We test the data..." and exploring why that may be. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Jacob and Jacob's Ladder as a movie are both very holistic; the whole film explores the whole-person of Jacob.
• Melvin was caught off guard with how emotional he found the film, especially as this was his second watch, and he shares why he thinks that is.
• Melvin yells at cloud and wants more movies about adults, and he praises Jacob's Ladder for exploring adult experiences.
• Exploring the various metaphors at play within the film.
• Ruminations on memento mori.
• Jacob cries a lot in the movie which is a nice depiction of manhood.
• Understanding the ending as a representation of tragic classism, and the death of the American Dream.

Recommendations:

• King of the Hill (1997-X) (TV Show)
• Labyrinth (1986) (Movie)

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QUARTERLY CATCH-UP:

Movies & Us: Podcast, Instagram

TV & Us: Podcast, Instagram

Quarterly Catch-Up is a co-production between Cinematic Doctrine & Movies & Us! In it, the gang answers 3 questions:

1. What have we been watching?
2. What are we anticipating?
3. What else are we up to?

Things Mentioned:

• How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024) (Movie)
• DJ Ahmet (2025) (Movie)
• Liquor Bank (2025) (Short Film)
• PAPOTA (2025) (Short Film)
• Sinners (2025) (Movie)
• The Phoenician Scheme (2025) (Movie)
• The Pitt (2025) (TV Show)
• Dept. Q (2025) (TV Show)
• Thunderbolts* (2025) (Movie)
• Bring Her Back (2025) (Movie)
• Hairspray (1988) (Movie)
• The Bear (2022-X) (TV Show)
• The Old Guard 2 (2025) (Movie)
• Highest 2 Lowest (2025) (Movie)
• A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025) (Movie)
• One Battle After Another (2025) (Movie)
• Predator: Badlands (2025) (Movie)
• Weapons (2025) (Movie)
• Five Nights at Freddy's 2 (2025) (Movie)

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MOVIE DISCUSSION:

SolSilver: Instagram // YouTube // Discord

SolSilver joins Melvin to discuss a much loved early 2000's Disney animated feature, Lilo & Stitch! With the live-action adaptation bringing new life to the franchise, the two dive headfirst into the story that started it all, discussing their love for its mix of comedy and drama and the importance of "Ohana"!

Topics:

• Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:26:55 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
• SolSilver shares about his faith, how he became interested in fursuiting, and what he's trying to do with his online fursona, Whistler.
• Celebrating the impressive art direction and animation of the film.
• Talking Ohana.
• Melvin, "Kids deserve good movies, too!"
• The relationship between Lilo and Nani.
• There isn't really a villain in Lilo & Stitch other than circumstance.
• Enduring love; voluntarily maintaining an other-oriented hope.

Recommendations:

• Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) (Movie)
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) (Movie)
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) (Movie)
• The Iron Giant (1999) (Movie)

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PATREON MOVIE DISCUSSION:

This movie was selected by our Patreon Supporters over at the Cinematic Doctrine Patreon. Support as little as $3 a month and have your voice heard!

Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss June's Patreon-Picked movie, Event Horizon! This late 90's sci-fi horror feature includes some excellent set-design and atmosphere, but does it satisfy the needs of a horror movie? And what themes are present in this early Paul W.S. Anderson picture?

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 20-minutes discussing Carly Thomas' write-up on The Hollywood Reporter "James Gunn Says the "Movie Industry is Dying" Due to Films Being Made with Unfinished Scripts" and whether we believe in Gunn's interpretation of Hollywood's current hurdles or if the issue is more complicated than that. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• For Kathryn, Event Horizon was a mix of big surprises with a few small disappointments.
• The film balances "being fun" and "about something" without impeding either
• Rewatching a movie sometimes makes it better.
• Is the pursuit of knowledge worth the cost?
• In Event Horizon the antagonistic force is completely evil.
• Each act of the film feels distinct and exciting, with the third act being an explosive climax mixing everything together.

Recommendations:

• Muppets from Space (1999) (Movie)
• Strange Darling (2024) (Movie)

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