Cinematic Doctrine: A Movie Review Podcast Hosted by Christians

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 an underseen 2020 anime flick, Josee, the Tiger and the Fish! Why a tiger? What's the fish? Who's a Josee? All these questions - about romance, symbolism, and if the two even liked the movie - and more are answered in this finale episode to Ani-May! Tune in!

Topics:

• (FREE PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 35-minutes discussing how audience interests have been changing over the years, kicking things off with The Mandalorian and Grogu's weak opening box-office numbers followed by reflecting on the last few year's tentpole flicks, both socially and commercially (FREE PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• For Kathryn, Josee, the Tiger and the Fish is largely innocuous and inoffensive.
• For Melvin, there's a few things he enjoyed but otherwise thought the film "wasn't my thing".
• Too much melodrama drowns out quiet romantic moments.
• Melvin, "All the stuff that's working is crowded out by stuff that's annoying."
• Breaking down the title and what each part of it means.
• The ending, and how the third act is really messy.
• Melvin feels like a particular plot development is a little too mean when considering the character's background and possible maturity.

Recommendations:

• Tales from the Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death (2021) (Graphic Novel)
• Dead Grandma (2026) (Short Film)

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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• Threads
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TV-SHOW DISCUSSION: 

Beneath the Tangles: Instagram // YouTube // X // Website

Twwk (Charles) from Beneath the Tangles joins Melvin to discuss a massive cult-classic sci-fi anime: Serial Experiments Lain! In this incredibly dense episode about an incredibly dense show, the two explore transhumanism, self-sacrifice, predictive fiction, and the show's wildly popular opener song, 'Duvet' by Bôa! 

Topics:

• Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:46:37 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
• Charles catches Melvin up with his appreciation for Makoto Shinkai, Beneath the Tangles new interview series 'Something Genuine', and his thoughts on AI (LLMs & AGI).
• The two remark on the plethora of ideas the show covers in it's 13 episodes.
• Serial Experiments Lain feels intentionally confusing at times.
• Reflecting on the changing Anime landscape and asking, "Are there any Seinen Anime coming out?"
• Melvin feels Serial Experiments Lain is predictive fiction in its exploration how impressionable minds engage the internet; among other things.
• Talking about the opening of Serial Experiments Lain.
• Is love, or loving one another, the next step in human evolution?
• How transhumanism is a delusion antithetical to the Gospel, and therefore antithetical to loving others.

Recommendations:

• Needy Girl Overdose (2026) (Anime)
• Audition (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: 

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• Website
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• Facebook Group 

MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss Tomie, another early Junji Ito live-action adaptation! The two talk about the film's varying quality, constantly curious ideas, and toxic-femininity; something they've rarely seen explored in film. 

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 24-minutes discussing about Zach Cregger's Resident Evil movie teaser trailer as well as responding to the surprisingly divisive online reaction. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Kathryn & Melvin have both read the Tomie manga, but only Kathryn has finished reading it, and the two share their thoughts.
• Kathryn, "[Tomie] is a good highlight reel of Tomie the manga."
• Tomie is playing with a lot of ideas, but very few feel fully realized.
• Perhaps the main idea explored in Tomie, which is inherent to the character, is toxic femininity, and a woman's ability to use their feminine power for their own desires.
• Toxic gender ideologies deny the truth of image-bearing; that both man AND woman bear God's image when in healthy relationship (platonic and/or romantic).
• Talking about Tomie as a character.
• Talking about flowers, and the choice to reveal Tomie's face later in the film.
• Trying to understand the ending, which introduces some complex ideas to an already layered film.
• Cross-examining Tomie and Tsukiko; what they share, how they differ, and forgiveness (or, the lack thereof). 

Recommendations:

• Black Paradox (2007-2008) (Manga)
• Hauntress (Zashiki Onna) (1993) (Manga)

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: 

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• Facebook Group 

MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

Legacy XP Coaching

Paryss Bryanne: Instagram // Tiktok // YouTube // Snapchat

Pixel Paryss: Instagram // Tiktok // YouTube // Twitch

Paryss Bryanne joins Melvin to talk My Neighbor Totoro! The two kick-off Ani-May with a much-beloved Studio Ghibli classic! Nostalgia, curiosity, and a whole lotta whimsy fill this episode from start to finish! Tune in now! 

Topics:

• Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:35:43 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
• Paryss shares about her love of Undertale, her desire to see people grow through Legacy XP Coaching, and how she's wrestling with horror media.
• Paryss, "[My Nieghbor Totoro] does such a good job of taking you back into the shoes of a child."
• Where do Paryss and Mel rank My Neighbor Totoro against other Miyazaki/Ghibli movies?
• On big emotions, and how emotions become more complicated as an adult.
• Enduring against melancholic nostalgia.
• Melvin, "Did you kinda just feel like [My Neighbor Totoro] was, like, really heavenly?"
• Talking Totoro, and wondering if he actually exists.
• Getting into the ending.

Recommendations:

• The Village (2004) (Movie)
• Lucid Blocks (2026) (Video Game)

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
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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! 

Kathryn joins Melvin in discussing Rear Window, a quintessential Hitchcock film! The two get into the film's fascination with voyeurism, L.B. Jefferies complex character, whether or not people can change, and what it means to clearly see others. 

Topics: 

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 22-minutes discussing the Forbes report from Rob Salkowitz "Disney Layoffs Hit Marvel Studios Hard", how visual effects artists switching from full-time to contract work may increase project leaks, and why these layoffs happened in the first place. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 
• The film is exceptionally well paced, and the way it turns people into "television channels" is as gross as it is curious.
• The dialogue in Rear Window is top notch, even if it's very scripted and forgoes any sense of realistic, human communication. Everything's so clever.
• Despite its ups and downs, Melvin really loved the romance and drama between L.B. Jefferies and Lisa Fremont.
• Where does a person's insatiable desire for information come from?
• Talking about perspectives and framing.
• Talking about L.B. Jefferies and the intricacies of his character.
• The ending is only the tiniest bit clunky, but it's strong nonetheless.

Recommendations:

• His Girl Friday (1940) (Movie)
• Loner (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
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• Facebook Group 

MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss another indie-horror-game-turned-movie, Exit 8! First off, how is it as an adaptation? Also, can a 40-ish minute game really get turned into a 90-minute movie? And what about a dramatic throughline; what's keeps audiences emotionally hooked?

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 25-minutes discussing The Hollywood Reporter's "Inside PIxar's Scrapped Movie 'Be Fri' and the "Devastating" Aftermath" by Ryan Gajewski, how we feel about Disney/Pixar canceling a Magical Girl movie, and how it's hard to tell if this is a win or loss post-KPop Demon Hunters. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• What is Anomaly Horror, and what are Kat & Melvin's thoughts on the original indie game?
• For Kathryn, it felt like a really good Twilight Zone episode. For Melvin, there was a moment where he wondered if it'd become his #1 film for 2025.
• How does the film embrace the Anomaly Horror genre, and why is Anomaly Horror so popular nowadays?
• How do we respond during "everyday" anomalies, things that disrupt the status quo?
• There's so much humanity to this story.
• Mel, "It is interesting that his dramatic thing is that, "If I'm not caring for my neighbor, how can i care for my family?""
• The ending feels like a call to action.

Recommendations:

• Cube (1998) (Movie) (Podcast Episode)
• The Fly II (1989) (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
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• Facebook Group 

TV-SHOW DISCUSSION: 

Dreadful Digest: Podcast // Instagram // YouTube

Tessa & Sam of the Dreadful Digest podcast join Melvin to discuss IT: Welcome to Derry, the spin-off prequel series to Andy Muschietti's IT duology! How does the show balance its original and familiar material? Is it scarier than the movies? What's the pulse on Bill Skarsgård's interpretation of Pennywise? Tune in to this INSANELY dense episode and find out! 

Topics:

• Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:57:10 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
• Tessa & Sam explore what's at the heart of their show, if a movie has ever been better than its book, and if there are any in-name-only adaptations that are still good.
• Sam, "This actually is extremely faithful to the book..."
• Tessa is glad she stuck with the show despite episode 3, and the gang talks about why episode 3 is so uniquely bad.
• Melvin liked the show but wishes the whole season carried the tone and attitude of the first episode.
• Finally, a good prequel series to a popular story.
• Nobody can talk about It: Welcome to Derry Season 1 without talking about Stranger Things Season 5.
• Praising Chris Chalk for his performance as Dick Hallorann.
• Overcoming fear and trauma through companionship.
• Thinking about future seasons.
• Talking the ending and all the new Pennywise lore stuff.

Recommendations:

• Castle Rock (2018-2019) (Series)
• Something Very Bad is Going to Happen (2026) (Series)
• Read the original source material of a movie you love!

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: 

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• Facebook Group 

MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

Scream Queen Podcast: Podcast // Instagram // TikTok // BlueSky 

Janecka Olen, creator and host of the Scream Queen Podcast, joins Melvin to discuss a criminally underseen, economically paced sci-fi thriller that's stuck in streaming jail: Significant Other! This 2022 film is loaded with surprises, including an emotional depth seldom seen in "invasion"-type movies. But, is it really an invasion film? It's a lot of things. 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 1:32:25 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here! 
• Talking about Janecka's goals, from building her podcast & Instagram, getting her screenplay made, and her work on "The Horror Community's Ep****n List".
• Janecka loves outdoorsing, and the general fears that come with it kick off Significant Other.
• Yeah, but... what genre is Significant Other?
• How opposites are exhibited through the film, including land & sea.
• Talking various twists and turns, of which there are SEVERAL.
• Significant Other draws from a lot of films, but one of those choices doesn't sit right with Melvin.
• Janecka, "The interesting thing about [Significant Other]... is the emotional aspect."
• The ending is a bit strange, so the two ponder what its saying about relationships.

Recommendations:

• Pretty Lethal (2026) (Movie)
• Something Very Bad is Going to Happen (2026 - X) (Series)
• Forbidden Fruits (2026) (Movie)
• Tomie (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

Social Links: 

• Threads
• Website
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• Letterboxd
• Facebook Group 

MOVIE DISCUSSION:

Kathryn joins Melvin to talk a surprise horror hit of 2026, undertone! This spooky flick has been helmed "the scariest movie you'll ever hear" by Collider, but is that actually true? Also, what's with all the catholic imagery? And does everything gel well together, or would this have been better as a short-film? 

Topics:

• Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:30:31 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
• Kathryn, "I bet you this movie was written and directed by a man."
• Melvin, "Well, there's a really good short film in there."
• There's a lot in undertone, but a lot of it is done much better in other movies, so Melvin lists a few and explains how.
• Pacing, and the film's sense of time, is really off.
• Kathryn enjoyed Nina Kiri's performance, and is curious to see what she does next after otherwise carrying this film on her own.
• As a podcasting hobbyist, Melvin complains about how undertone does podcasting.
• Is the movie dumb? Discuss.
• What does the antagonistic force in undertone have to do with sound?
• Melvin, "There's better movies out there. Watch those instead!"
• Talking about the ending... I guess...

Recommendations:

• Wolf in White Van by John Darnielle (2015) (Book)
• Be My Valentine (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
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• 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! 

Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss the latest Patreon-Picked movie, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey! The two finish out March with a family film about talking animals and giving trust a chance!

Topics:

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 22-minutes of Kathryn & Melvin discussing the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer, their interest levels, and where they are with their relationship to the MCU. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 
• First things first: the movie is humane to its animal "actors", and the two reflect on that.
• The cinematography is top notch.
• Melvin gets distracted by Disney and... Mormons?
• It's undeniable; anyone watching will catch themselves smiling. A lot.
• Talking about why Kids/Family movies are kinda interesting, and mentioning a few that the podcast has covered.
• Learning to trust others, and learning to care about what others care for.
• There isn't a lot to say about the ending, but its definitely cute.

Recommendations:

• The Good Earth (1931) (Novel)
• Livescream (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