Checking the Gate Podcast

Sorry about the wait for this episode, I started work again for the church and my time for editing has greatly decreased. The good news is that Mike and I have two more episodes in the can and they will be released shortly. But our latest episode is here, and we are watching the Oscar nominated Persepolis, about an Iranian girl's experience growing up in Iran and France, and the Indian import "Buddha," dramatising the life of the ancient sage. 

Persepolis (2007) - IMDb

Guatama Buddha - Wikipedia

Next episode we tackle more familiar territory with another docu-drama based on the life of prominent Christian, Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ. Then in TV corner, the ABC comedy "Kevin (Probably) Saves the World." See you soon...

What does it mean to be one of God's chosen? Is it a blessing, a curse, a responsibility, or a privilege? Or is it all of the above? The film The Chosen People? A Film About Jewish Identity, asks these very questions. This movie is an independent effort by filmmaker Joshua Gippin. After getting funded on Kickstarter three years ago, Josh is ready to release his film October 9th, 2017 at the Summit of Faiths during Peace Week in our hometown of Akron, OH.  Look for it at a film festival near you.  Mike and I got to see a preview of the movie this summer.  I am especially excited about this film, because not only did I help fund the movie on Kickstarter, but I also have a small part in the movie itself!

Mike and I have also eagerly anticipated the Starz adaptation of Neil Gaiman's novel of the same name, "American Gods."  I read the book at Mike's recommendation, and he has not steered me wrong.  But does the show stand as tall as the novel? Listen to find out.

Next time we will continue our exploration of religions other than Christianity.  (We need a break after the massive amount of Christploitation we covered in our last episode!) First up is the French-Iranian animated feature Persepolis based on the graphic novels, and then the Indian television series “Buddha” which is available to stream on Netflix. Until then, shalom.

http://www.chosenpeoplefilm.com/

This is our 50th episode! We've been podcasting for 6 years! We're releasing this episode on the 4th of July! And we have 7 Christploitation movies watched and reviewed in this episode! It's a triple celebration, Christ-ploitation, extravaganza! (Triple-ation-Christ-ploitation-stravaganza!!!)

As you can tell, I like to make up words and use exclamation points, but Mike and I are very excited about today's episode. We give our reviews on a slew of Christian faith based films. They include:

God's Not Dead 2

Do You Beleive?

Joseph and Mary

The Young Messiah

Christian Mingle

Miracles from Heaven

Risen

Then we do a quick update of all the TV shows we have done in our 6 year history. I mean real quick, this is not a 2 hour podcast, I promise!

Next episode is going to be another special one. We are reviewing a new movie by independent filmmaker Joshua Gippin titled The Chosen People? A Film About Jewish Identity. I had the opportunity to be a part of this film and we got to see a sneak preview. The film will soon be in the film festival circuit so you might be able to catch it there. Then in TV Corner we are looking at the new Starz show "American Gods" based on the book by Neil Gaiman. Be warned, this show is not for the easily offended.

So, thank you for listening and we'll do this again at episode 100! 

Have you ever wondered what really tough Christian ministry looks like? Martin Scorsese gives us a glimpse into the hardships and trials of two 17th century monks witnessing in Japan in his 2016 passion project, Silence. Mike and I have never been as divided in opinion over a movie as this. But we we equally flummoxed by the cable TV show "The Young Pope." What's it's message? Maybe you will know.

Next time we have our 50th episode, and we have so much in store for you, we are going to take a quick look back at all of the shows we reviewed in TV Corner. Then, we are going to review no less than 7 Christ-ploitaion movies for you.

God's Not Dead 2

Do You Believe?

Joseph and Mary

The Young Messiah

Christian Mingle

Miracles From Heaven

Risen

We will see you then to celebrate 6 years and 50 episodes of Checking the Gate: A Film and Religion Podcast.

Welcome, to what has inadvertantly become a bimonthly podcast. The Bible tells us that Jesus spent forty days in the desert fasting, and at the end of those day he was tempted by the devil. Did you ever wonder what happend on the other 39 days? Well, you can keep wondering, because you will not find a satisfactory answer in the Ewan McGreggor vehicle Last Days in the Desert. After Mike and I give our review on that film (with, naturally, a tangent into the artistic quality of the Star Wars Special Editions), we review the funny but now defunct TV Land show "Impastor."

Next time we will dive into Scorcese's new and misunderstood movie Silence starring Andrew Garfield, Liam Neeson and Adam Driver. (Expect more Star Wars tangents, it's a safe bet.) And in TV Corner we review the recent HBO series "The Young Pope" staring Jude Law, Diane Keaton, and James Cromwell.

The Young Pope trailer in IMDB

Silence trailer on YouTube

Welcome back to the podcast after our holiday break. Back at the begining of the season, our Thanksgiving weekend, Michael and I gave our thoughts about the classic comedy Defending Your Life by Albert Brooks and the new NBC somedy about "The Good Life."  Both are very similar in concept, exploring and sending up our notions of the afterlife. If you want to know if they are similar in quality, just listen to the episode.

Next time we review the indie movie Last days in the Desert and the recently cancelled TV Land show "Impastor." See you next month!

PS Get ready for our 50th Episode coming up soon. We have something special in store for you!

Hello faithful listeners! We recently completed our Star Wars Trilogy, this episode rounds out another trilogy of sorts on the podcast.  We have previously reviewed Doubt and Calvary, and this episode covers the Oscar winner for best picture, Spotlight.

Christopher Marlowe Officially Credited As Co-Author Of 3 Shakespeare Plays

George Lucas In Love (1999) (Short Film) on Vimeo

The Resurrection of Gavin Stone

The Boston Globe– The Story Behind the “Spotlight” Movie

                (Contains links to the original exposé)

Was The First Season Of 'Preacher' Even Necessary? -Uproxx

BBC – Rev.

Shaun Of TheDead / Hot Fuzz / The World's End (Blood And Ice Cream Trilogy) [Blu-ray]

Next time we delve into laughs in the afterlife in the old movie Defending Your Life, and the new TV show“The Good Place.”  See you on the othe rside!

PS Yes, that is me cosplaying as Jesse Custer, the Preacher.

“Greetings, exalted one!” 

Jedi census phenomenon-Wikipedia

AT OVER 255,000 STRONG THE CHURCH OF JEDIISM IS A FORCE

The Jedi Foundation

www.jedichurch.org 

So Many Australians Are Claiming 'Jedi' as Their Religion That It's Becoming a Problem

In next month’s episode we offer our Summer TV