Cinematic Doctrine: A Movie Review Podcast Hosted by Christians

Send us a Question!

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 Nine to Five, a much-loved 1980's office-comedy! The two discuss the incredible performances, clever situational humor, its myriad of feminist ideas, and so much more. Tune in now!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 20-minutes discussing Universal Studios being the first studio to hit $5 billion at the Box-Office in 2026, what's setting them apart from the competition, and why Disney didn't reach this milestone despite Spider-Man: Brand New Day's incredible success. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• It's a comedy film, but it also has these little details that speak to a heavier topic.
• The main performances from Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton, and Dabney Coleman are incredibly charismatic.
• Kathryn, "The fact that Dolly Parton herself was so forward in saying, "I'm not a feminist" and it's like, "Okay, but, look at the art you just made!"."
• Why Doralee's fantasy of Mr. Hart is a clever inversion.
• Kathryn noticed that aspects of Judy, Violet, and Doralee's fantasies end up happening in one way or another.
• Applying "fight, flight, or fawn" to the leading ladies at the start of the film.
• The ending has a soft call-to-action, and Kathryn makes note of a costume detail that motivates this idea.

Recommendations:

• Day of the Dead (1985) (Movie)
• Ginger Snaps (2000) (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

Social Links: 

• Threads
• Website
• Instagram
• Letterboxd
• Facebook Group 

Send us a Question!

MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss Zach Cregger's new adaptation of a popular horror franchise, Resident Evil! How does it compare to his previous, original films Barbarian and Weapons? How much does the film draw from the video games? Should comedy be illegal? Tune in and find out!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 23-minutes discussing 2026's current world-wide box-office winners, from Backrooms to Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and where they're placed alongside a myriad of other movies. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• In good practice, Kathryn & Melvin share their experience with the Resident Evil franchise before discussing Cregger's interpretation.
• For Kathryn, there was a disparity between how the trailer advertised the film and the film itself.
• Melvin, "I didn't love it. I don't dislike it. I think it might be Cregger's weakest movie."
• Is the humor here "Millennial" coded?
• Cregger made a Resident Evil movie that draws a lot from John Carpenter's The Thing... why not use more practical effects?
• Melvin wonders if the "controversy" around Cregger's interpretation was bot-motivated, but he shares his thoughts nonetheless regarding the "sanctity" of canon.
• Is the movie actually about fatherhood, or is it using it as window dressing?
• There's a lot of similarities between Resident Evil (2026) and Exit 8.
• Script-doctoring the ending.
• Comparing the dramatic character arcs of Bryan from Resident Evil and The Lost Man from Exit 8.

Recommendations:

• [REC] (2007) (Movie)
• Hope (2026) (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

Social Links: 

• Threads
• Website
• Instagram
• Letterboxd
• Facebook Group 

Send us a Question!

PARTY PLEASER:

Kathryn joins Melvin to summarize what might be 2026's punching-bag movie, The Runner, featuring Gal Gadot! The two endure against the film's confounding plot, poorly edited "action" sequences, and the continued self-inflicted humiliation of Gal Gadot. 

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 20-minutes discussing The Hollywood Reporter's "‘Resident Evil’ Filmmaker Zach Cregger Reveals the Key Adjustment He Made After Test Screenings" from Brian Davids, specifically how Cregger cut-back on the jokes, and why tone is so important in horror. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Melvin & Kathryn are convinced that the majority of the film is Gal Gadot's stunt-double with Gal's face super-imposed over their body.
• Melvin tries to go into movies with a bad reputation thinking to himself, "Well, maybe it won't be as bad as people say."... but sometimes people are right.
• Is the movie confusing, or a plain mess?
• Maybe they're just "too woke", but Melvin & Kathryn agree there's a moment in the middle of The Runner that gives them the ick.
• Kathryn cuts to the chase, "I do not like this storyline."
• Talking the "Gal Gadot" problem.
• Kathryn reveals something that Melvin missed... something that bums him out!

Recommendations:

• Cheap Magic Inside by Beirut (2011) (Music Video)
• Colony (Gunche) (2026) (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

Social Links: 

• Threads
• Website
• Instagram
• Letterboxd
• Facebook Group 

Send us a Question!

MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss a little-seen existential horror, It Ends, a film about a car that drives on and on... and on. From its curious hook to its Gen Z attitude, the two explore what works, what doesn't, and what it has in common with its modern contemporaries.

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 42-minutes discussing The Hollywood Reporter's "Top Genre Filmmakers of 2026: From Curry Barker to Guillermo del Toro", whether its top 10 actually makes sense, why we think these directors are revered so well, and more. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• In honor of the film; Choose two who will attack you and two who will defend you: 50 hawks, a rifleman, 5 gorillas, or 10,000 rats.
• Kathryn feels the movie is "fine", and found the film both easy to understand and not necessarily engaging.
• Melvin feels the first act is the strongest, while the second and third act start to meander and run out of ideas.
• For Kathryn, she didn't connect with the film because she's self-proclaimed, "unc". Melvin, however, feels the characters aren't strong enough to carry the film.
• Choosing when and how to grow up.
• Melvin has a few complaints, although some people may call them nitpicks.
• How the ending probably would have been better if it was part of the second act, and the third act was entirely different.

Recommendations:

• Hidden (2015) (Movie)
• Reread your favorite book!

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

Social Links: 

• Threads
• Website
• Instagram
• Letterboxd
• Facebook Group 

Send us a Question!

MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

Shirleon joins Melvin to discuss an offbeat in-world horror comedy called Buffet Infinity! The two discuss the ease of watching a film told by commercials, the mysterious sinkhole, what's actually happening to the missing persons, and the film's allegorical exploration of capitalism, institutions, and cults.

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 20-minutes imagining what kind of movie would have to be made for Shirleon and Melvin to go full pointing-soy-face-"LOOK!", and whether the other would see their fantasy movie. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Shirleon is "very excited" about Buffet Infinity, and explains why they enjoyed it so much.
• Comparing the prose of Buffet Infinity to a few in-world/found-footage movies, helping to color what to expect.
• How things in media influence, or infect, the real world.
• Melvin reads his Letterboxd review, using it as a jumping-off point for a further discussion on greed, exploitation, and consumption.
• For a movie told through ads, Shirleon reads the ad that convinced her to watch this movie.
• Talking about the "ads", and some of their clever trickery.
• Would we eat that burger?
• Trying to understand the name "Buffet Infinity", if the film is critical of capitalism, and capitalistic overreach.
• Thinking through the abstract third act.

Recommendations:

• Easy Small YouTube Playlist (Let's Plays)
• Learn about local bands, attend their shows, buy their cds!

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

Social Links: 

• Threads
• Website
• Instagram
• Letterboxd
• Facebook Group 

Send us a Question!

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 & Kathryn join Melvin to talk about a much-loved 80's cult-classic comedy; Better Off Dead! Are teen years really like that? Can we enjoy the comedic work of someone controversial? Did everything work? Tune in and find out!

Topics:

• Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:21:19 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
• Kathryn feels Better Off Dead is a movie that people will hate if they despise being uncomfortable.
• For Shirleon, the film was too "kitchen sink": fully of ideas but nothing to do with them.
• The comedy progressively becomes more absurd with each passing scene.
• If the comedy doesn't work for someone, there isn't much in terms of narrative to hold on to.
• Talking the Dan Schneider problem.
• Being a teenager is hard, even if teens are irresponsible.
• As always: the ending.

Recommendations:

• A Sincere Warning About The Entity In Your Home by Jason Arnopp (2015) (Short Story)
• The Brainrot Apocalypse (a DIY survival guide) (2025) (YouTube)
• Nirvanna the Band the Show the Movie (2025) (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

Social Links: 

• Threads
• Website
• Instagram
• Letterboxd
• Facebook Group 

Send us a Question!

REBROADCAST MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

From setting the stage with the world of CCM, to the song I Can Only Imagine's release and world domination, then finally right into the movie itself, Melvin and Daniel dive into many topics throughout this episode! (originally released August 31st, 2021)

Topics: 

• A brief history of CCM in the early 2000's which set the stage for the song I Can Only Imagine. 
• Explaining the impact of the song I Can Only Imagine. 
• Melvin had three not-so-positive (but not deal-breaking) observations that made it hard for him to fully enjoy the movie I Can Only Imagine. 
• I Can Only Imagine is a 'good Christian movie' because "it just does all the things a movie should." 
• Melvin, "I would have liked if the bulk of the movie was the reconciliation between [Bart Millard] and his dad." 
• For Daniel, the ending is too cheesy when compared to the real life events they seem to semi-replicate. 
• I Can Only Imagine, as a movie, isn't trying to sell you anything, and that's likely why it worked well with critics.

Recommendations: 

• John MacArthur's Acts Commentary (Volume One & Two) // Stanley Horton's Acts Commentary
• Donut County 
• Erin Morgenstern's "The Starless Sea"

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

Social Links: 

• Threads
• Website
• Instagram
• Letterboxd
• Facebook Group 

Send us a Question!

REBROADCAST MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

Melvin & Dan can only agree on one thing: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is, in fact, a Marvel movie. To focus their attention, Melvin proposes four ambitions that he feels will make-or-break the film for audience members. (originally released November 16th, 2022)

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 44-minutes discussing Kevin Conroy's passing, Video Rental store nostalgia, and media curation (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 
• Melvin liked that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had a somewhat self-serious profile as opposed to the more flippant, light sensibilities of other Marvel fare. 
• However, Melvin has four headers - ambitions - that he observed within Black Panther: Wakanda Forever that he felt prevented him from "buying in" to the fiction of the film but may actually be beneficial qualities to certain audience members. 
• His first point covers the film's global stage for a political drama between potentially warring counties. 
• His second point covers the personal character stories within the film. 
• A brief aside from the points, Melvin and Daniel agree: the suits at the end of the movie aren't that good. 
• Melvin's third point has to do with the film's metatextual pairing of T'Challa's fictional death and Chadwick Boseman's real-life death. 
• Melvin's final point covers what he would consider inefficient pacing, such as scenes clearly setting up future movies, or scenes having only one purpose at a time rather than being dynamic in detail. 

Recommendations: 

• Galatians: An Expositional Commentary by R.C. Sproul (Book) 
• Amy (2015) (Documentary) 
• The Decade-Long Quest For Shadow of the Colossus' Last Secret (YouTube) 

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

Social Links: 

• Threads
• Website
• Instagram
• Letterboxd
• Facebook Group 

Send us a Question!

MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

Ways to support missions: Open Doors International // Mission Next // Wycliffe Bible Translators // The Voice of the Martyrs

Daniel, returning from some time off the show, joins Melvin to discuss the latest anticipated MCU entry, Spider-Man: Brand New Day! The two talk about how it's the first proper "New York Spider-Man" movie in the MCU, it's third-act getting lost in the weeds, and their disinterest in Avengers: Doomsday when compared against the smaller, more intimate scale of Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Topics:

• Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:56:58 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
• Daniel, "[Spider-Man] is the perfect superhero for externalizing a lot of the issues that his audience deals with."
• Mel keeps things simple and shares what he likes followed by what he dislikes.
• Peter Parker's angst at the start of the movie is simple: "all my friends from high school are not my friends anymore.", and the film cleverly explores this difficult emotional experience.
• Mel wished he could have focused on Spider-Man: Brand New Day without thinking about future MCU projects.
• Disney/Marvel has shied from being "too woke" at risk of backlash, yet Spider-Man: Brand New Day feels like the first of many (from Disney/Marvel's perspective) boundary pushing projects.
• What does the future hold for Spider-Man?
• Mel, "I have tickets for [Avengers: Doomsday]. I do not actually want to see [Avengers: Doomsday] now. I want to see what's next [after Spider-Man: Brand New Day]!"
• Daniel, "I want to be excited, but..."

Recommendations:

• Get off the internet!
• Widow's Bay (2026) (Series)
• Enduring Word Study Bible: Pastoral Commentary from Every Chapter of the Bible (2025) (Resource)
• Tinsman Road (2025) (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

Social Links: 

• Threads
• Website
• Instagram
• Letterboxd
• Facebook Group 

Send us a Question!

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 Sunset Boulevard, a timeless, tragic, Hollywood fairytale. The two meditate on what its like to be transported back in time, the importance of resiliency, finding a place of belonging, and "the medium is the message" as it relates to photography and film. 

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 30-minutes talking about the Avengers: Doomsday trailer, the roster of heroes confirmed, the ones missing, and why there's more excitement behind Spider-Man: Brand New Day (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Kathryn, "Like seeing the source code for filmmaking."
• The opening act tone setting is really strong.
• Sunset Boulevard is grounded, but it has a touch of the fantastical.
• On belonging, resiliency, stagnation, and empowerment.
• Kathryn notices the mention, or visual use, of animals kept popping up in Sunset Boulevard.
• Talking about, as Kathryn calls it, "the car, the other car, and the nose".
• Melvin talks about how photography and film, as mediums of communication, can uniquely impact the world and people, and proposes it as a read for understanding Norma's neurosis.
• Talking about the haunting, tragic ending.

Recommendations:

• To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (1960) (Novel)
• Ed Wood (1994) (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

Social Links: 

• Threads
• Website
• Instagram
• Letterboxd
• Facebook Group