In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Daniel Johnson sits down with film critic and author Abby Olcese to explore how movies can deepen our spiritual rhythms throughout the church calendar. Abby shares insights from her book, Films for All Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies, discussing how films like The Last Jedi and Paddington reflect themes of hope and joy during Advent, and how unexpected choices, such as Children of Men, illuminate Christmas. We also dive into the practice of watching films devotionally, regaining community around movies, and Abby’s top film recommendations for 2025.

Key Topics:

• Why Abby wrote Films for All Seasons
• How to watch movies devotionally using Lectio Divina principles
• Advent themes in The Last Jedi and Paddington
• Christmas through the lens of Children of Men
• Building community around film in a streaming era
• Abby’s 2025 film recommendations, including Wake Up Dead Man

Resources & Links:

• Films for All Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies, (IVP, 2024) = https://www.ivpress.com/films-for-all-seasons

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

02:15 – Why Abby wrote Films for All Seasons

08:30 – Watching movies devotionally

15:45 – Advent themes: Hope & Joy (The Last Jedi, Paddington)

32:10 – Christmas themes: New life in Children of Men

45:00 – Regaining community around film

52:30 – Abby’s 2025 film recommendations (Wake Up Dead Man)

58:00 – Closing thoughts