Saints and Cinema

Tim and Jay talk about two defining movies of 1999: The Matrix and Fight Club. How do they hold up? Why do they hold up? Should Tim have kept his word to preach a sermon focused on The Matrix? Or was he just dumb (with sincere apologies to all college students who are not as dumb as he was)? Plus, some good feedback for our Magnolia episode.Some of the movies we mention in this episode: The Matrix, Fight Club, Hackers, The Machinist.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Jay and Tim talk with Pr. Mark Pierson of St. Paul's Lutheran Church (Long Beach, CA) about the first in our 25th anniversary series of films from 1999. We talk about where we were in 1999, and then get into free will, chance, fate, God, confession, forgiveness, salvation...and frogs.Some of the movies we mention in this episode are: Boogie Nights, Sidney/Hard Eight, There Will Be Blood, Fight Club, The Matrix.Tim wrote something about Magnolia in 2017 for The Jagged Word.The brief clip is from Aimee Mann's song "Save Me."Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Obviously we haven't seen all of the Oscar-nominated films. Who do you think we are? But we have fun talking about the ones we have seen. 96th Academy Awards air on Sunday, March 10, at 4 pm (Pacific).Some of the films we mention in this episode: Oppenheimer, Poor Things, American Fiction, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Parasite, The Zone of Interest, Barbie, Perfect Days, Society of the Snow, Maestro, Past Lives, Anatomy of a Fall, Four Daughters, To Kill a Tiger, The Eternal Memory, The After, The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, Godzilla Minus One, Mission:Impossible - Dead Reckoning, Part 1, May December, Rustin, El Conde, The Boy and the Heron, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

First episode of 2024, we talk about our favorites of 2023. These might be our most divergent best-of lists so far. Is your favorite on our lists? Are our favorites on your list? Let us know! Some of the films we mention in this episode: Past Lives, Beau is Afraid, Anatomy of a Fall, Sisu, John Wick 4, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1, Oppenheimer, Poor Things, Infinity Pool, American Fiction, Wildcat, Dune 2, The Zone of Interest, The Holdovers, The Iron Claw, Afire, Asteroid City, The Boy and the Heron, Killers of the Flower Moon, Godzilla Minus One, Monster, Tori and Lokita, Talk to Me, The Boys in the Boat, Maestro, Society of the Snow.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

In only our second-ever joint episode, we spend some time with Philip Marinello of The Substance discussing whether movies are serious or frivolous. Are they just entertainment or something more significant? How seriously should we take them? Then we each offer up our own frivolous and serious picks. Enjoy!The SubstanceSpecial thank you to Dave Hallahan of The Gospel According To... podcast for editing this episode!Some of the movies we mention in this episode: Dumb and Dumber, Jackass Forever, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Spotlight, After Yang, Columbus, Calvary, A Hidden Life, Silence, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Boondock Saints, The Rock, The Evil Dead.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

On the last day of the 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival, we finally catch up with Phillip Yaw Domfeh, NBFF alum, filmmaker, producer, and Senior Manager of Disney's Launchpad short film incubator. We talk about all sorts of things, from music, to his films, including Cary in Retrograde (which he made with his wife, Priya), to the films he's working on now for Disney's Lanchpad, to religion and what he's learned about faith. For this episode, Phillip graciously allowed us to use part of his song from Cary in Retrograde, "Give Up the Ghost," which you can purchase here, or wherever you get digital music.Phillip and Priya's production company, Cosmic Otter ProductionsDisney Launchpad Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Jay and Tim preview their favorite week of the year, the Newport Beach Film Festival. We talk film festival programming, feature films, short films, what we've seen, and what we're looking forward to watching. See the schedule and get tickets here: NEWPORT BEACH FILM FEST(Use the code URSpecialNBFF for $5 off a ticket!)Some of the feature films we mention in this episode: Monster, Vincent Must Die, Exposure, Crawdaddy, American Star, The Michoacan File, Gentleman, Remembering Gene Wilder, William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill, Nyad, Fingernails, Susan Feniger: Forked, The First Day of My Life, Without Her, The Holdovers, May December, High Class.Some of the short films we mention in this episode: Astor Place: The American Dream, David Se Va, Cherubs, Eat Flowers, Dark Moon, The Ruse, Blood, The Chosen One, English Tutor, #followme, Detox, The Stranger, Baseball Behind Barbed Wire, music videos by The National, Zach Bryan, shame, Sparks.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

In this episode Tim and Jay talk about The Equalizer 3 and what's going on with some of the symbolism and religious references in the movie. Then we talk about other action franchises, and what sets some apart from others.Some of the films and franchises we mention in this episode: The Equalizer, John Wick, James Bond, Jason Bourne, Mission: Impossible, Taken, Nobody, Transformers, Jurassic Park, The Transporter. Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Jay and Tim talk about Christopher Nolan's latest, and where it fits among our favorite Nolan films.Some of the films we mention in this episode: Barbie, Oppenheimer, The Dark Knight, Memento, The Day after Trinity, Paper City, The Prestige, The Dark Knight Rises, Tenet, Dunkirk, Following, Inception, Interstellar. Wendell Berry's essay, "The Way of Ignorance" (2004), from this book (or here).Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

In our 60th episode, we talk with Josh Larsen of Think Christian and the Filmspotting podcast about his new book Fear Not! A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies. We talk about what Christians can learn from horror movies about themselves and about the world, and then we give our top 3 horror films.Fear Not! Movies are PrayersThink ChristianFilmspottingBrehm Film at Fuller Theological SeminarySome of the films we mention in this episode: A Nightmare on Elm Street, Funny Games, V/H/S, The Exorcist, The Blair Witch Project, Jaws, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Vampyr, Train to Busan, Psycho, Rear Window, The Birds, Them (Ils), The Host, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Cache, The Exorcism of Emily Rose, Us.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Jay and Tim talk to cinematographer (and fellow Lutheran) Ryan Spacone about Jesus Revolution, Christian movies, cinematography, and how Lutherans understand vocation with respect to film. What does a cinematographer do? How does Ryan choose the jobs on which he's going to work? What makes a film "Christian," and is Jesus Revolution that? What would make a good Christian film? We talked about all that and more.Some of the films (and series) we mentioned in this episode: Jesus Revolution, God's Not Dead, Lawrence of Arabia, National Treasure, The Chosen, Fare (although Tim didn't actually say the name of it).Check out Ryan's work here.Tim wrote something about Jesus Revolution here. Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

We're not going to lie; the episode gets a little weird. But so is the movie. Tim and Jay talk Beau Is Afraid, the new neurotic nightmare from Ari Aster. There are spoilers. See the movie first. Do not read anything about it before you go!Some other movies we mention in this episode: MidsomMAR, Hereditary, You Were Never Really Here (sort of; we couldn't remember the correct title), Kandahar and The Covenant (or did I just dream that we mentioned those?); Forrest GumpCome find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Tim and Jay talk about what they liked and didn't like about Russell Crowe's new movie, The Pope's Exorcist. How much is Fr. Amorth's story and how much is Hollywood invention? What is it about priests that they make regular appearances in horror movies? Why do exorcism movies continue to get made?  Can anyone make an original exorcism movie after The Exorcist? Some other movies we mention in this episode: The Exorcism of Emily Rose, The Curse of La Llorona, The Exorcist.Tim wrote about The Pope's Exorcist here.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Jay and Tim talk about all sorts of things stemming from The Whale. Does Aronofsky intend Charlie to be a Christ figure? What kind? Are people naturally good? What is religion good for? What does the ending signify? And more. We also mention Noah, Mother!, The Purge, The Wrestler. Song clips:Hard To Be | David Bazan | Pedro The Lion John Wayne Gacy, Jr. | Sufjan StevensCome find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Bonus episode! Tim and Jay talk about the Academy Awards, the movies they would like to see win, and the movies they think will win. Then they mention a few movies that were robbed of nominations and awards.  Some of the movies we mention in this episode: Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Banshees of Inisherin, Top Gun: Maverick, Women Talking, Triangle of Sadness, The Fire of Love, Tár, The Whale, Elvis, Babylon, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris, The Fabelmans, All Quiet on the Western Front, Argentina, 1985, EO, All That Breathes, Navalny, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, An Ostrich Told Me the World is Fake and I Think I Believe It, Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, Turning Red, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, RRR, Bardo: False Chronicles of a Handful of Truths, Nope, Corsage, Bullet Train, After Yang.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Jay and Tim forget to say who they are, and then talk about Lenten-themed movies. (With an outtake because Tim can never figure out how to end things.)Some of the films we mention in this episode: Hunger, Silence, Last Days in the Desert, The Last Temptation of Christ, The Passion of the Christ, The Gospel According to St. Matthew, Of Gods and Men, Into Great Silence.Tim wrote something about Last Days in the Desert here, and Of Gods and Men here.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

In the first episode of the year, Tim and Jay share their top 10 favorite movies of 2022 (as well as a few honorable mentions); Tim tries to prevent Jay from sharing his top 2 (just kidding); and we talk about a couple movies we're anticipating in 2023.Some of the films we mention in this episode: Guillermo del Toro's Pinnochio, Corsage, Barbarian, Nope, Top Gun: Maverick, Broker, Banshees of Inisherin, After Yang, Three Thousand Years of Longing, Men, Decision to Leave, M3gan, All Quiet on the Western Front, Bardo, The Northman, The Lighthouse, Nosferatu, Fablemans, Triangle of Sadness, White Noise, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Black Phone, Elvis, Petite Maman, This Much I Know to be True.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

In our final episode of 2022, we revisit our very first episode and our top-100 lists with friend and fellow NBFF programmer, Marco Montenegro. And what is the point of making lists, anyway? Then we talk about the once-a-decade Sight and Sound movie poll, and the top film, Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. Time for you to make your own list!  Marco's Top 100.Tim's Top 100. (Also at our website here.)Jay's Top 100. (Also at our website here.)Some of the films we mention in this episode: Star Wars, Pulp Fiction, Once Upon a Time...In Hollywood, L.A. Confidential, Less Than Zero, True Romance, Annie Hall, Guardians of the Galaxy, Jeanne Dielman, 23, Bicycle Thieves, A Christmas Story, Dumb and Dumber, The Dark Knight, It, Citizen Kane, Vertigo, Rear Window, Winter Light, The Sting, Groundhog Day, Office Space, and more.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Jay and Tim talk with the writer/producer, Mokotsi Rukundo, and director, Brian Lucke Anderson, of the newly available (and Newport Beach Film Festival alum!) film East of Middle West about sons repeating the sins of the fathers, forgiveness, and the possibility of change.WebsiteRent or Buy East of Middle West:on Amazon Prime Videoon iTuneson Google Playon VuduTim wrote something about East of Middle West a year ago.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Tim and Jay resolve to make no more promises about recording episodes at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Instead, here's a recap of what we saw and what we liked. Some of the films mentioned in this episode: Broker, Influencer, Banshees of Inisherin, The Moon and Back, A Little White Lie, All Quiet on the Western Front, Bardo, Empire of Light, The Good Nurse, Holy Spider, Manifest West, Peace in the Valley, The Integrity of Joseph Chambers, The Park, Joyride, The Quiet Girl, The Pez Outlaw, Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterOpening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot