#203 – Tolkien and Differing Expectations
On this episode of the Reel World Theology Podcast: A special PATRON sponsored episode. One of our esteemed Patreon sponsors, Dave Courtney, has selected the latest biopic about the life of JRR Tolkien. We gather the troops to talk about…
Aladdin (2019): Phenomenal, Cosmic Powers; Identity-Giving Loving Space
The luckless Aladdin, whose luck turns around; his beloved Jasmine, a princess far above his station; and Jafar, the dark vizier consumed with a dark purpose. The story would hardly be complete without identities concealed and then discovered; what else…
4 Reasons Not to Be Disappointed with Game of Thrones
We have endless choices with our entertainment today. That’s no exaggeration. We can pretty much watch whatever we want, whenever we want, if we pay the right subscription fee. So, when we choose to spend our time on a show,…
#202 – Shazam! and the Power of Family
On this episode of the Reel World Theology Podcast: Before Avengers, there was another superhero movie that was bringing great joy to the masses– from the DCEU of all places. Shazam! proves that DC’s cinematic turnaround isn’t stalling anytime soon.…
Review| Under The Silver Lake
I am sorry to start this review with a personal anecdote, but I’m white and male and we like talking about ourselves, so just bear with me. I, unfortunately, watched this film over two evenings because I wasn’t fortunate enough…
Of The 2000s
With this piece, we have come to the end of the Decade Series of “Oh! The Horror….” This has been a fruitful endeavor in trying to place horror within a wider context and I, myself, have learned quite a bit…
Review| Impossible Monsters
The concept of sleep paralysis is terrifying on the very surface: one’s mind/consciousness rises from sleep before one’s body does and, in most cases, hallucinations accompany the experience. I had two occasions of sleep paralysis in a one week period…
“Helheimr!”: Tolkien’s Battle Cry for the Living
With a reputation built on works full of staggering narrative detail and deep mythological roots, J.R.R. Tolkien could perhaps be better described as a world builder than as an author. His mythological worlds have mythologies of their own, along with…
Stories and Myths: Fatherhood in The Road (2009) and Life is Beautiful (1997)
It’s hard to be a father. Or so I assume, not being one myself. Though, having been a kid, I can only imagine how awful I was to parent. There are dirty diapers, temper tantrums, scraped knees, and that’s not…
Reel World: Rewind #037 – The Matrix
On this episode of Reel World: Rewind… We know Kung-Fu. Well, not really, unless Gene forgot to tell us he actually DOES know it. However, one thing we do know is The Matrix is a defining movie in the prolific movie year…