Cinematic Doctrine: A Movie Review Podcast Hosted by Christians

LET'S TALK:

Melvin watched 10 shows on Quibi before its eventual (and predictable) collapse. First things first, Melvin asks Daniel what he thinks a show is about based on its marketing. Then, Melvin describes what it actually is. Afterward, Daniel curiously wonders, "How does this show being on Quibi improve the watching experience?". Throughout all of this, Melvin & Dan explore the grand what-ifs of Quibi like interactive shows, a social media for film a la Letterboxd, and so much more. As such, the Quibi-venture continues!

Shows mentioned in this episode: 

• 50 States of Fright (The Golden Arm, Ball of Twine, Scared Stiff) 
• #FreeRayshawn 
• Agua Donkeys 
• Flipped 
• Run This City 

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LET'S TALK:

Melvin guides Daniel through his Quibi-venture, an exploration of that weird, less-than-one-year-old mobile-only streaming service that came and went in 2020. From it's lead cheerleaders of Jeffrey Katzenberg and Meg Whitman, to how Quibi convinced nearly every production company in Hollywood to invest over $1.75 Billion, as well as those obscenely confusing and downright worthless advertising spots during the Superbowl, Melvin covers everything he can about Quibi's unfulfilled snake-oil promises alongside it's disappointingly awkward service, and ultimately it's quiet, unnoticed downfall. 

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PATREON PARTY PLEASER:

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!

Ant Coughlin, a pastor, joins Melvin in summarizing The VelociPastor. Because, of course! The two goof and gaff about this off-beat love-letter to 80's schlock grindhouse horror, and appreciate it's comedically dense yet economically handled runtime!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 1-hour discussing Dan Foster's "The Seven Pointless Things that Christian's Fight About" blog post, and how some of the things he proposes are actually deeply important theological ideas that Christian's would do well to discuss and affirm. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• The VelociPastor starts immediately with some very clever humor, the kind that benefits the learnt in terms of film and film culture.
• Part of what makes the movie so enjoyable is it's borrowing of the superhero origin-story format to explore it's narrative. It's silly, but it works really well.
• If you've ever been curious what The VelociPastor is, it's basically a Daredevil clone but with a strong comedic angle.
• During the film a character waits outside of a church and we can plainly see very real church signage of a real-life location. Melvin curiously Google searches this church and reads aloud some funny reviews. (And, for the sake of the church, does NOT read-aloud their name)
• By the end of the movie it's very clear that The VelociPastor works not just on name alone but because it's a well made comedy film.

Recommendations:

• Everything Sad is Untrue (a true story) by Daniel Nayeri (2020) (Book)
• The Grudge 3 (2009) (Movie)

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Support on Patreon for Unique Perks! 

• Early access to uncut episodes 
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• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 40-minutes discussing watching habits, from things we enjoy the most, things we emotionally connect with, and things we avoid or are learning we dislike (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• The available video quality for the film is low-res and includes frequent stuttering that impacts the viewing experience. Melvin wonders if it was merely cheaper to license and distribute a lower quality version from a foreign market.
• The lead character Ella is a particularly strong female lead, despite also being "The Special".
• Haunted Mansion (2015) is a Filipino movie and both Melvin & Shirleon reflected on how the language of the film would alternate between Filipino and English.
• Melvin & Shirleon discuss the aesthetics of this haunted mansion. Unlike both Disney movies, this mansion is a real location.
• The two discuss a translation in the subtitles that left both of them shocked, but learn it stands for a ghost-type from the Philippines.
• Melvin likes Teen Drama movies, but the film is titled and primarily tagged as a horror movie, and he laments the films general lack of horror during its first hour.
• Melvin realizes that note-taking for a movie is a great way to find scenes that can easily be cut.
• It takes until 01:07:00 before the movie introduces the threat of violence, and it both works for and against the film as a whole.

• A Clockwork Reader Film And TV Journal by Hannah Azerang
• No One Will Save You (2023) (Movie)

Support the show

Support on Patreon for Unique Perks! 

• Early access to uncut episodes 
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PARTY PLEASER:

Melvin's sister Shirleon joins him on a journey through Disney's latest attempt at making a Haunted Mansion movie. While summarizing Haunted Mansion (2023), the two commentate on what makes this Summer Not-buster awkwardly divisive.

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 30-minutes discussing neat trivia about various Haunted Mansion rides across the globe, their inception, and Shirleon Sharron's mini-review of the 2003 Eddie Murphy The Haunted Mansion film (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Haunted Mansion carries an intense artificiality to it, showcasing nonstop digital effects, weird coloring, cartoonish ghouls, and so much else. It removes a tactile nature from every setting and replaces it with a glossy, plastic sheen.
• There isn't much threat or motivation for the villain's in the movie. Sure, there are reasons characters are doing things insofar as having a ghost around might be a nuisance, but when everything is played like a joke, virtually everything becomes narratively worthless.
• After about 20 minutes the non-stop usage of the Haunted Mansion's excellent melody converted an otherwise brilliant tune into a complete irritant. Melvin couldn't stand it and yet he still had an hour and a half to go.
• For Shirleon, this rendition of The Haunted Mansion on film actually captured the atmosphere of the rides. Melvin prefers the 2003 one.
• Harriette as a character really grew on Shirleon, and in general she really enjoyed all of the characters in their own way.
• By the end of the movie neither Shirleon nor Melvin had taken any notes; there simply wasn't much to write about with regards to the empty plotline.

Recommendations:

• Wheel of Time (2021 - Ongoing ) (Series)
• Totally Killer (2023) (Movie)
• Adopt a Rescue Black Cat

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LET'S TALK: 

Melanie & Melvin dive into one of the most beloved holiday musicals, The Nightmare Before Christmas, alongside two similar features Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie! What connects these films? Why, it's Tim Burton of course! Through varying degrees of involvement, each feature captures the iconography of this Hollywood titan, and the two discuss each film individually while celebrating their unique quirks and perks!

(PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 10-minutes of various tangential content regarding special features and stop-motion animation! (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 

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PARTY PLEASER:

Melanie & Melvin travel back to the early 2000's to summarize the family-friendly cult-classic Disney Adult horror film The Haunted Mansion! From enjoying detailed sets to the generally fun aesthetic of a haunted house, the two kick off Halloween Month with excitement and laughs!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 33-minutes continuing their discussion on modesty (which started in the previous episode) and looking into two passages from 1 Corinthians for some biblical insight, further asserting the complexity and nuance to clothing, modesty, communication, and social interaction. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Before getting into the movie, Melanie & Melvin describe their experience with The Haunted Mansion ride.
• The cast of normal characters in The Haunted Mansion feel straight out of an 80s or 90s dramedy where one of the parents is a workaholic and everyone else puts up with it. For a film released in 2003 this feels wildly outdated.
• Discussing the aesthetics of the mansion, from setting to atmosphere, and how it's ostensibly the best part of the entire film. Also, Melvin shares his frightening fascination with houses.
• There's never a part in the movie that outright "wows" but the middle where each character is exploring different parts of the mansion is definitely a high point.
• The transitions in The Haunted Mansion go hard.
• Melanie & Melvin discuss if ghosts are real, because it's October and that's what October's all about!
• Based upon a few criteria, Melvin wonders if an original cut of The Haunted Mansion contained a more poignant narrative wrestling with drama, romance, and racism that was trimmed for the sake of marketability.

Recommendations:

• Casper (1995) (Movie)
• Hubie Halloween (2020) (Movie)

Support the show

Support on Patreon for Unique Perks! 

• Early access to uncut episodes 
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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!

In this episode, Melanie & Melvin are discussing The Mummy (1999)! Branden Frasier is back in the mix with his popular Oscar-winning performance in The Whale, but we're traveling back over two-decades to a time long ago; one of adventure, excitement, and endless sand!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 53-minutes discussing "modesty", both its literal definition and it's ever-changing, inconsistent, and convoluted cultural usage. Melanie & Melvin each approach the topic from different angles, challenging both cultural and biblical understandings as the two talk comfortably and freely. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Before discussing The Mummy (1999), Melvin gives some background on The Mummy (1932).
• When Melvin watched the staple Universal Monster Movies in 2022, he noticed that The Mummy (1932) seemed the most edgy and sensational among them. The Mummy (1999) carries some of that spirit with its borderline punk-rock nature.
• Melanie downright loves The Mummy (1999), and explains what it is that makes the film so magical for her. Melvin thought it was just okay, and stepped away thinking the movie was exceptionally well-paced.
• Evelyn stands out as a particularly well-written example of a strong female companion, especially among a cast of fairly simple, albeit fun characters.
• Melanie ponders where adventure films have gone, and whether or not the genre has migrated solely to the mini-series or television series format.
• Briefly discussing the sequels in the franchise.
• Melvin shares some insight into how he decides what movies to discuss, when to discuss them, and how, because not every movie is made equal, and not every movie produces interesting or engaging discussion.

Recommendations:

• Ju-On: Black Ghost (2009) (Movie)
• Doctor Sleep (2019) (Movie)

Support the show

Support on Patreon for Unique Perks! 

• Early access to uncut episodes 
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MOVIE DISCUSSION:

Melanie & Melvin talk at length about Akira Kurosawa's worldwide phenomena, Rashomon. From it's forward-feeling filmmaking and pacing to it's gripping drama, Rashomon continues to be in conversation for it's layered entertainment and deep contemplation. And, of course, they also talk about the immensely disruptive nature of lying.

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 32-minutes discussing Vulture's "The Decomposition of Rotten Tomatoes" article from September 6th about how an advertising firm paid reviewers for positive reviews... or, how it's a bit more complicated than that, but still a bad look for Rotten Tomatoes (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Melanie & Melvin recommend Rashomon, full stop, but also recognize it has several details that make it a deceptively hard watch. For Melvin, he's sure the dark complexities could be a turn-off. For Melanie, some fans might be put to sleep.
• The first time Melvin watched Rashomon he felt, "That was a good movie.". The second time he watched Rashomon he went, "Oh, wow. This movie is great!".
• Although Rashomon is very much about the complications of conflicting storytelling, it also showcases the way in which people communicate inherently through biases.
• Rashomon is about a lot of things, one of which is the everyone's internal battle against cynicism and sensationalism.
• Contemplating the reality that God permits evil during this age and the hope in Christ to endure.
• Why do we as humans choose to commit evil amidst so much glorious beauty?
• Rashomon's ridiculous level of digestibility lends it to be a very good "watch with friends" movie. Both Melanie and Melvin wonder what sort of amazing and profound reactions their various friends would have.

Recommendations:

• Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2023 Broadway Cast Recording) (2023) (Soundtrack)
• Feeders 2: Slay Bells (1998) (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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MOVIE DISCUSSION:

Melanie introduces Melvin to another long-standing classic drama, Good Will Hunting, and the joy had in overcoming toxic traits of the male psyche!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 25-minutes of Melanie & Melvin playing "Would You Rather?" with some of the most absurd options available! Even so, it leads to some great real-talk about first-impressions, the resilience of the human body, and the fear of losing their memories. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Melanie proposed Good Will Hunting when she first joined the show. Now, they're talking about it. She shares why she felt it would be perfect for the podcast.
• The first counseling session between Sean and Will is a brilliant expression of the psychologically competitive way in which certain men often interact, and how this scene unfolds is dramatically satisfying, as well as quite funny.
• Melvin has two mini-tangents about how Good Will Hunting showcases mentorship, and also how parts of the movie made him think of Barbie. Nice!
• Although Good Will Hunting is undeniably masculine, Skylar is an exceptionally well-written female character.
• Proverbs 19:22 asserts that a person desires steadfast love, or a love that is full and permanent. Often, we presume to think we can never find such love, will never have such love, or that one must work towards it. God, through Christ, showcases something wholly different.
• A lot of movies about characters overcoming shame often - likely inadvertently -  ignore guilt. 

Recommendations:

• No Need to Argue - The Cranberries (1994) (Album)
• Warning: Do Not Play (2019) (Movie)

Support the show

Support on Patreon for Unique Perks! 

• Early access to uncut episodes 
• Vote on a movie/show we review 
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