Cinematic Doctrine: A Movie Review Podcast Hosted by Christians

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!

Melanie & Melvin travel back to the wonderful world of 2004 and summarize Barbie as The Princess and the Pauper. While it isn't the first Barbie-animated film, it is the first Barbie-animated musical! From it's bouncing musical numbers to its surprisingly complicated plot, the gang have fun explaining this childhood gem!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 32-minutes discussing tabletop boardgames (important!) and then whether or not arriving-late or leaving-early is destroying the modern-day church (less important!) because of that viral mega-church pastor blaming his congregation for what may, actually, be his problem, *shrugs*. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Melvin is taking notes this time and the second Barbie and The Princess and the Pauper started he sighed and realized; he has a lot of notes to take.
• As each song is introduced, Melvin will first explain what happens in the song, then the two will discuss whether they liked the song or not.
• From the start, Barbie and The Princess and the Pauper asserts a maturity in how it trusts people (specifically kids) to keep up with the oddly complicated material within the film, including the tension between personal interests and cultural responsibility.
• Although the animation is like that of an early Resident Evil pre-rendered cutscene, it also looks like toy-dolls so we both feel it gets a pass.
• Melanie, "It's a very cute film. There were just several things I just found to be very unmemorable."
• Erika's song to her cat Wolfie is just perfect.
• The credits has bloopers!

Recommendations:

• The Swan Princess (1994) (Movie)
• Bee Movie (2007) (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 & Melvin discuss David Cronenberg's Scanners, a contemplative psychological horror with intense bookends! From the film's odd casting to its heady-concepts of individual thought and sovereignty, the two discuss what makes Scanners a worthwhile watch for those searching for a little bit more in their thrillers!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 36-minutes further discussing Wall·E, specifically the film's focus on the transcendental nature of love. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Scanners has great special effects, and they are used sparingly. This undoubtedly makes them more fun.
• Howard Shore's score excels in audibly explaining the effect of the Scanner.
• Stephen Lack's performance as Cameron is undoubtedly unfulfilled but Melvin didn't find it so distracting that it took away from the experience. 
• Melvin, "It's a movie that knows you're smart and can keep up."
• How individual scanners find ways to overcome the internal static, or noise, that they suffer is extremely interesting. Some will coexist with other scanners, others will create art.
• The two think through what makes the scanner so frightening, specifically the invasion of the self.
• While watching Scanners, Melvin contemplated the way in which God created humanity, specifically the individual sovereignty of the body, and how the body creates a natural, secure barrier among others both physically and mentally.
• The two agree: being a scanner probably sucks!

Recommendations:

• Overcooked! (Video Game) (Nintendo Switch)
• It's Alive (1974) (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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REBROADCAST LET'S TALK:

In this rebroadcast of Cinematic Doctrine's pilot Let's Talk episode (originally released August 24th, 2021), Melvin and Daniel discuss the concept of narrative canon (or, fictional continuity), whether an over-reliance on canon is necessary for enjoying a fictional property like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and how nearly all of American movies and television is a part of the Tommy Westphall Universe Hypothesis, or, how-everything-takes-place-in-a-snow-globe.

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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REBROADCAST PARTY PLEASER:

In this rebroadcasted episode (originally released June 28th, 2022) you'll hear Daniel and Melvin discuss one of the single-most bizarre stories to come from the documentary world. Journalist David Farrier stumbles upon the strange world of Competitive Endurance Tickling. What ensues is a long-stretching borderline "true-crime" drama of Jane O'brien Media.

Topics: 

• Tickled, as an experience, triggers everything: disgust, surprise, laughter, mockery, heartbreak, excitement, intrigue. It's the full package. 
• Detailing caveats to engaging this movie, because there's no getting around it; the tickling is fetishistic. 
• Beginning the long, twisted adventure of explaining Tickled from start to finish. 
• Competitive Endurance Tickling... except they never explain how to win? 
• How much would they have to pay Melvin to do one of these videos? 
• Detailing how Jane O'Brien Media manipulated and harassed talent that merely said 'no'.
• Discussing the cultural strangeness of the West which dictates that men cannot be physical by any means without putting their sexuality in question, despite it being typical in other countries for comfortably heterosexual men to hold hands or be physically closer to one another.
• Getting into the subsequent 20-minute short-doc The Tickle King which details continued interventions from Jane O'Brien Media during the events of Tickled's festival and limited theater run, including a damning final confrontation.
• The final tragic nail in the coffin of the Tickled saga.
• Discussing the potential availabilities of certain sexual fetishes, regarding they adhere appropriately to biblical sexuality (basking in one another's beauty, other-oriented satisfactory experiences, and honoring each other's image-bearing nature).

Recommendations: 

• The Wolfpack (2015) (Documentary)
• Welcome to Leith (2015) (Documentary) 
• The Drama of Scripture, Second Edition

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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• Facebook Group 

MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

Melanie & Melvin have a blast talking about 2023's not-so-surprise hit, Barbie! From it's nonstop comedy to its sensible-yet-kind display of gender and social economics, Barbie has it all!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 37-minutes further discussing DC's biggest flop, The Flash, and why the movie simply doesn't work on a plethora of levels. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Melanie liked Barbie, but she didn't connect with the movie like she expected. She wonders if it's because of the hype.
• Melvin really enjoyed Barbie and appreciated that the comedy never comes off as mean-spirited.
• Melanie greatly resonated with Barbie's introduction about the Barbie figure greatly changing the landscape of children's toys because that's exactly what it was like for her as a child.
• Contrasting the Barbie figure with the baby doll, there's simply so much more creativity permitted in a child's development when playing with Barbie than with a baby doll. It's incomparable.
• Melvin meditates on the proliferation of products based on products waxing poetic about existentialism, which feels especially strange but makes total sense in a post-post-post capitalist culture.
• Melvin rants about people who don't think men rule the world and asks them to name one female director from before 2018.
• Casting Ryan Gosling as Ken, and then having Ken be a character like this makes total sense when we observe how Ryan Gosling has become somewhat of an icon of the man-o-sphere.
• The third act of Barbie is undeniably frenetic, but it still works nonetheless.
• Daniel had texted Melvin and said a man at his theater was being extremely rude and cheering on the "playful misogyny" of the movie. Melanie and Melvin frustratingly process why anyone would choose to be so rude.
• Melvin, "You cannot believe sin exists and that the potential for sin exists and then not think that men, by their biological power, [would] then abuse it."

Recommendations:

• The Devil Wears Prada (2006) (Movie)
• Tragic Kingdom by No Doubt (1995) (Album)
• The Blob (1988) (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 

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! 

Melanie and Melvin discuss one of Pixar's most celebrated, most loved movies, Wall·E!! From consumerism to essentialism, from despair to hope, Wall·E has it all! 

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 29-minutes discussing why some Pixar movies may not have connected with audiences, as well as the concept of remastering early Pixar features (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Wall·E says a lot despite having very little dialogue.
• Products and tools are best utilized as life-enhancers. When they become life itself - something that is functionally impossible - they become self-destructive. 
• Wall·E  is full of theming but it is also easily palatable for children (and adults) who simply want a fun adventure plotline.
• Community perseveres not on consumerism but on cooperation, communication, creativity, and contribution.
• Prior to The Fall of Man seen in Genesis 3, God had already instated both work (the act of carrying out various strenuous actions to complete goals) and the Creation Mandate (to subdue and care for the whole Earth; or, God's creation). Although the curse God put on man after The Fall introduces some changes to how we engage these functions, they are still good and can-and-do produce good in our lives when we fulfill them.
• The way the music in Wall·E helps to communicate in place of dialogue is exceptional. 

Recommendations:

• Ratatouille (2007) (Movie)
• The Blob (1958) (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 

MOVIE DISCUSSIONS:

Ant Coughlin joins Melanie & Melvin to discuss one of 2022's surprise horror hits: Smile! The classic "You-Die-In-7-Days" trope is refreshed for a new generation and the gang are here to get into what makes Smile so effective, so oppressive, and...  so irresponsible? That's right! So, press that play button and get listening! 

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 26-minutes discussing 8 massive "blockbusters" from 2023, several of which have financially flopped, and various theories as to why these $200 million+ films haven't connected with audiences. Meanwhile, Evil Dead Rise and Cocaine Bear are comfortably profitable! (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Smile is very blunt about its rotating themes of trauma, anxiety, and saving face. That worked for Ant the first time he saw the movie... until the ending happened.
• When Melanie saw the trailer for Smile last year she audibly declared, "Nope!". She also said, "I was deeply invested, discouraged at the end, but throughout the film just terrified." and "I had a hard time sleeping.".
• Smile has infrequent-yet-brutal violence. Melvin very much appreciated this, as well as the pervasive dour vibe.
• Cristobal Tapia De Veer produced a stellar, terrifying soundtrack to accompany Smile. It goes hard!
• A reviewer Melvin respects gave Smile a glaring 1/10 for being near-entirely derivative of better material. During Ant's second watch of the film he found himself agreeing.
• Melvin largely understands most criticisms against Smile, including its irresponsibility regarding the way it handles its themes, but that doesn't matter to him when he really connects with a character's journey.
• Caitlin Stasey is an absolute standout!
• Getting into the controversial, irresponsible ending.
• For Melanie, Smile was really difficult to watch. Melvin asks why.

Recommendations:

• Annihilation (2018) (Movie)
• CCEF.org (Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation), a great resource for those struggling with their mental health.
• Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018) (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 

PARTY PLEASER: 

Melanie & Melvin summarize Beckman, that weird Christian-marketed movie produced by David A.R. White where he plays a John Wick/Taken-esque assassin. The catch? He's a recent Christian convert. Does that stop him from killing dozens of people? Tune in to find out! 

Topics: 

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 27-minutes discussing the content of Christian movies, interpreting what they're communicating, their advertising, and so much more. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 
• Beckman feels like a YouTube movie made by YouTubers back in, like, 2011. You could almost see Freddie Wong making something like it with Corridor Digital, except probably more fun. 
• Melvin never watched Beckman even though he's owned it  since mid-2020. Then, he watched it twice in a row for... reasons. 
• David A.R. White routinely plays pastors in the movies he produces. Melvin finds this to be an odd reoccurrence.
• Gabriel Sabloff shared in the commentary track that he does a hard cut to action in the middle of the first act because he felt audiences would lose interest in the setup. Melvin comments that this is a recurrent problem in which certain director's lack trust in their audience to patiently engage a movie.
• Beckman keeps calling Tabitha his daughter. One big problem: she's not his daughter. They're not even blood related.
• Beckman is too self-serious as a movie to be particularly enjoyable, especially when compared to something like John Wick where the whole franchise is simultaneously "serious" but very aware of its exciting-thrill-ride nature.
• Exploring the wisdom behind applyied violence.

Recommendations:

• Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003) (Movie) & Vol. 2 (2004) (Movie)
• Missing (2023) (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 

LET'S TALK: 

Melanie and Melvin catch-up on some Superhero entries they missed over the last two months. In release order, the two discuss what made Guardians 3 (02 minutes) a decent return-to-form for Marvel, how Spider-Verse 2 (16-minutes) offered and exhilarating albeit overwhelming theater experience, and how The Flash (34 minutes) defied even the worst expectations. 

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 

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!  

Melanie and Melvin summarize Teen Wolf from start to finish with hilarious commentary, goofin' on the supremely weird premise yet laughing over the absurd, hairy comedy within! Plus, stick around to the end for a surprise regarding that rumor!

Topics: 

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 27-minutes discussing the aesthetics and appeal of 80s films. Plus, the celebration of exquisite practical effects prior to the embrace of digital effects in the 90s onward. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 
• Teen Wolf's opening is really strong, setting the groundwork for the drama and comedy that will ensue. 
• Boof is a queen among queens, but she is also very problematic. Especially if we swapped Boof and Scottie's gender.
• The first time Scottie transforms publicly is one of the funniest laughs Melvin has had in a very long time.
• Scottie's dad is a really great movie dad. Facts.
• Melvin exposes Melanie to a long-standing rumor regarding the finale of Teen Wolf, and spent some time rewinding his BD-copy of the film to confirm whether it was true.

Recommendations:

• The Dark Crystal (1982) (Movie)
• Creepshow (1982) (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