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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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• Early access to uncut episodes
• Vote on a movie/show we review
• One-time reward of two Cinematic Doctrine Stickers & Pins

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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)

Support the show

Support on Patreon for Unique Perks!

• Early access to uncut episodes
• Vote on a movie/show we review
• One-time reward of two Cinematic Doctrine Stickers & Pins

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