Cinematic Doctrine
CINDOC
Cinematic Doctrine is a mature, millennial-infused film/tv discussion podcast from Melvin Benson that features Movie Discussions (conversational episodes about specific movies), Party Pleasers (movies fully-summarized from start to finish to discern if its a 'Party Pleaser' or 'Party Pooper'), and Let's Talks (prepared film-or-Christian related topical episodes). Influenced by Acts 17 and Romans 2:4. Podcast Magazine says Cinematic Doctrine "uses the shared value of human life as a springboard into deeper conversations". // CinematicDoctrine.com
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Top 10 Cinematic Doctrine Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Cinematic Doctrine episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Cinematic Doctrine for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Cinematic Doctrine episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Super Mario Bros. - w/ The Reformed Gamers and Reliving Trauma
Cinematic Doctrine
03/17/20 • 61 min
PARTY PLEASER:
Logan Sharp of The Reformed Gamers has been an incredibly helpful guide during my podcasting venture. Apart from his many years of podcasting experience, his heart overflows with wisdom and knowledge that has helped me to understand deeper what it is to be a Christian engaging culture in such an explicit manner. And it's because of his strong kindness that I couldn't help but take advantage of it and demand we discuss one of the worst video game movies, if not the worst video game movie of all time, on the Cinematic Doctrine podcast.
Yup, that's right, we're talking Super Mario Bros., and after a year of successful video game movie releases (Pokemon Detective Pikachu and Sonic the Hedgehog), I felt it was good to ground ourselves and our expectations for the future. Sometimes... just sometimes... video game movies turn out horrendous.
But also, it's their stereotypical failure that makes for hilariously good content, and in this joint episode of Cinematic Doctrine, you get to hear Logan and I try and figure out what the HECK the Super Mario Bros. movie is all about... and it just might break us...
Tune in weekly for new episodes of Cinematic Doctrine!
Super Mario Bros. is Rated PG for sci-fi action, mild language and sensuality (although we here at Cinematic Doctrine would caution a PG-13 rating).
It features Bob Hoskins, John Leguizamo, Dennis Hopper, Samantha Mathis, and Fisher Stevens.
Directed by Annabel Jankel and Rocky Morton
The Reformed Gamers Website: https://thereformedgamers.com/
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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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Pitch Black - The Proto Syfy Channel Original Movie
Cinematic Doctrine
07/31/24 • 80 min
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!
Shirleon joins Melvin to discuss Pitch Black, one of Vin Diesel's early action outings! The two explore what's cool and what's not-so-cool. But don't worry, they both agree: the eyes are friggin' cool!
Topics:
- (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 37-minutes discussing Anthony D'Alessandro's article "As 'Deadpool & Wolverine' Stomps On Superhero Fatigue, Studios Debate Comic-Con's Relevance", where-in D'Alessandro notes some geeky films that are skipping Comic-Con like Joker: Folie à Deux, Venom: The Last Dance, and Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim, and why some studios may start treating SDCC differently. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
- Shirleon has been on a self-described “Vin Diesel kick” lately, which made covering Pitch Black more enjoyable.
- While watching the film Melvin thought, “Syfy Channel basically copied this movie a thousand times over.”
- Shirleon observed that certain online discourse* compares Pitch Black to John Carpenter’s The Thing. Melvin doesn’t really see it. (*Source: 1 // 2)
- Contrary to its title, it never feels like our characters are in a state of pitch black.
- Old cohost Daniel sent Melvin a list of 7 interesting details about Vin Diesel/Riddick. Melvin reads them aloud.
- The film contains a kind and interesting pre-9/11 depiction of Islam with a throughline about faith.
- Do we like the ending?
- Celebrating Riddick's simple character design in a world of gaudy superhero suits.
Recommendations:
- Gab Smolders (YouTube Channel)
- Call of Duty Campaigns: World at War // Black Ops // Black Ops 2
MAILBAG: Send questions with your first name and we'll answer them in future episodes!
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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Eternals - Certified Rotten
Cinematic Doctrine
11/10/21 • 100 min
MOVIE DISCUSSION:
No time wasted. An earthquake in the MCU has taken place: a rotten score! It's sort of all anyone is talking about, and Melvin & Dan take their turns sharing complaints, frustrations and irritations (a la that 2+ hour runtime). Even so, tune in and hear their thoughts through this wildly strange addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Topics:
- Trying to explain what Eternals is about.
- Immediate plot issues, such as there only being 10 Eternals versus a planet wide infestation of Deviants who clearly seem extremely powerful, requiring upwards of 3-4 Eternals to kill a single Deviant at a time. Therefore, if multiple cities were attacked by Deviants at once, there is likely no chance the humans would survive or populate at a natural rate.
- POP QUIZ: Can Daniel name all of the Eternals?
- Even as the movie came to a close, and set the stage for much anticipation to come, Melvin was still scratching his head trying to figure out what the point of Eternals was in the first place.
- Marvel movies are character movies, and when Marvel movies want to talk about broad topics, concepts, ideas, or philosophies, it always works best when strong characters are ultimately at the forefront. Eternals swaps the focus from characters to philosophy, which seriously brings down the excitement of the film.
- If Eternals are not allowed to interfere much in human affairs, but Druig's power doesn't seem to work on Deviants... then what purpose does Druig satisfy by being a part of the team?
- For a film that wants to have a humanistic subtext, Eternals has a very juvenile perspective of humanity.
- Diving into spoilers regarding the deep lore of Eternals
- Eternals tries to cover so many bases but never lets on that it has a comprehension of what makes those things so interesting.
- There are countless similarities between Dune and Eternals when it comes to themes and tone, as well as the inspiration Chloe Zhao received from Dennis Villeneuve's work. While imitation can be flattering, it can also be pandering.
- Most of the comedy doesn't land except for Kingo and his valet. Also, people quoted the line about the table in Daniel's theater which was extremely cringy.
- How does insurance work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
- But... is Eternals the worst movie in the MCU?
- Visually speaking, Eternals is kind of ugly and washed out, which is a serious disappointment considering the marketing.
- Despite the Celestials, Kang the Conqueror still seems like the most dangerous and powerful villain in the MCU.
Recommendations:
- Steven J. Lawson's "Psalms 76-150: Holman Old Testament Commentary"
- Jack Stauber's "
MAILBAG: Send questions with your first name and we'll answer them in future episodes!
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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Eraserhead - About Maturing, Sex, and Philadelphia
Cinematic Doctrine
12/12/23 • 65 min
MOVIE DISCUSSION:
Melvin's wife Kathryn joins him for an episode discussing Eraserhead, David Lynch's off-beat absurdist film featuring cinema's favorite lil' baby! From encroaching industrialization to a wealth of understated humor, Eraserhead includes an extreme degree of themes and metaphors, and the two explore it all in this engaging and educational episode!
Topics:
- (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 28-minutes of Kathryn quizzing her husband Melvin on early childhood development and safety! Their findings will decide the fate of their future child! Hooray! (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
- Eraserhead isn't really about the plot (although it does have a plot!). It's much more a movie about the vibe.
- Eraserhead is likely not only very easy to understand but incredibly related to people who already feel weird, awkward, or ostracized from whatever is considered "normal" in a social environment.
- Discussing the "Woman in the Radiator".
- There's a very clear sexual theme playing throughout Eraserhead but the film itself is by no means sexual, nor is it inherently about sexuality.
- Kathryn, "Say what you will about, like, the weird imagery, but [Eraserhead] is not a movie that divorces sex from life."
- Describing and interpreting the Eraserhead Baby.
- Wondering if the world of the film is literal, metaphorical, but also realizing that ultimately it doesn't matter.
- Discussing the climax and the eraser factory.
Recommendations:
- Cade: The Tortured Crossing (2023) (Movie)
- Iron Lung (2022) (Video Game)
MAILBAG: Send questions with your first name and we'll answer them in future episodes!
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:
Your Name. - w/ Beneath the Tangles on Shinkai's Melancholic Filmography
Cinematic Doctrine
09/18/24 • 72 min
MOVIE DISCUSSION:
Beneath the Tangles: Instagram / YouTube / X / Website
Twwk (Charles) from Beneath the Tangles joins Melvin to discuss the hugely popular anime film Your Name. from Makoto Shinkai. From its Studio Ghibli-esque accessibility, its stunningly detailed animation, and Shinkai's filmography, the two discuss all sorts of topics in this dense episode! Tune in now!
Topics:
- (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 43-minutes playing an "Anime Draft" where-in Charles & Melvin each draft 5 anime in competition, discuss each show/movie mentioned along the way, and then decide which projects they'd watch in the end. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
- Beyond the Tangles has a lot of functions and contributors: a blog, cosplayers, twitch streamers, podcasts, and a social media presence. Charles shares all about it, and Melvin asks about their mission.
- Charles was surprised to hear that Your Name. is still a critical success in the west, as he never saw the film as a “critic’s movie”.
- Melvin was disappointed he didn’t connect with the film, and distinctly remembers being in the movie theater during its western premiere and thinking during a pivotal scene, “I wish I was emotional right now. I wish I was crying right now.”
- It seems Your Name. is playing with a mixture of various anime tropes, Japanese folklore, and even details in Shinkai’s filmography.
- Discussing themes of threading relationships.
- Melvin complains about the twist, and how it didn't really work for him.
- The whole film functions on a breakneck pace. Mundanity is thrown to the wayside.
- Discussing and appreciating the ending.
Recommendations:
- Frieren: Beyond Journey's End (2023) (Anime)
- Chainsaw Maid (2007) (Claymation)
MAILBAG: Send questions with your first name and we'll answer them in future episodes!
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:
Free Guy - Summer Blockbuster in Winter!
Cinematic Doctrine
12/28/21 • 74 min
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!
2021 is over! Well, almost! Tune into this last episode of Cinematic Doctrine for 2021 with the last Patreon Pick of the year! Patreon Supporters didn't disappoint with their votes, and we're happy to discuss the Summer Blockbuster Free Guy!
Topics:
- Melvin and Daniel's experience with video games, and how their gaming history impacted some of the comedy and atmosphere to Free Guy.
- Free Guy has a decent amount of clever, video-game themed jokes that are clearly written by people who actually play video games.
- It's great that Free Guy doesn't take itself too seriously while also flavoring in serious concepts of individuality, the value of the moment, experience, etc.
- Unfortunately, a lot of people reacted to Free Guy in exactly the way Melvin hates; talking about a ridiculous, non-serious film as a means to discuss theology.
- Talking about other alternate-world video game stories.
- The romance subplot was really effective for Melvin.
- ...except Daniel notices that the ending of the romance subplot is literally the ending of the short-film Paper Man.
- To Melvin's chagrin, there's some light biblical introspection: Does it matter if we're living in a fake world? Would that revelation change how we move or live through this world?
- For Daniel: Does Guy have value if he's an AI? Or are how a human treats an AI more indicative of the human's character than the AI's value?
- All of the Twitch culture stuff in the movie is really bad and really cringe.
- Where does Free Guy rank among video game movies?
Recommendations:
- Steve Gregg - "Revelation: Four Views, Revised & Updated"
- Defunctland (YouTube Channel)
- Steven Hall - "The Raw Shark Texts" and "Maxwell's Demon"
Support on Patreon for Unique Perks!
- Early access to uncut episodes
- Vote on a movie/show we review
Social Links:
MAILBAG: Send questions with your first name and we'll answer them in future episodes!
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:
Sinister - w/ film_junkie_reviews in Home Videos Hide Horrible Histories
Cinematic Doctrine
10/15/20 • 68 min
MOVIE DISCUSSION:
Are you enjoying your October? I know I am! It’s been nice watching the leaves change their color, have a chilly breeze flow through the open windows, and eat copious amounts of candy when nobody’s looking.
I’ve eaten... just... so many Crunch bars.
Last week we had a great time talking with Logan Sharp of The Reformed Gamers about the South Korean zombie film, Train to Busan. This week, we’re comin’ back state-side for Sinister, another fun, accessible, and tame horror flick that we feel fits the spooky-Halloween spirit just right!
As we get things started, Carter and I talk about Sinister’s clever pacing and parallels, how we often view our history and hopes with rose-colored glasses, and the dangers of chasing nostalgia rather than focusing on our responsibilities. Following that, we discuss some fun trivia about the conception of Sinister and give a bit of love to film over digital in the movie-making field. We also lament the transition to digital, even if it is cost effective. And lastly, during our spoiler discussion, Carter talks about how easy our temptations can manipulate us, and I posit another message within Sinister’s subtext, while also scratching my head about the resolution of the film.
Sinister is Rated R for disturbing violent images and some terror. It features Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, Vincent D'Onofrio, James Ransone, Fred Dalton Thompson, and Clare Foley. Directed by Scott Derrickson. Sinister is currently available on Peacock.
- Patreon: http://bit.ly/CinDocPatreon
- Website: CinematicDoctrine.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Twitter: http://bit.ly/CineDoctrineTwitter
- Instagram: http://bit.ly/CineDoctrineInsta
- Facebook: http://bit.ly/FBCinDoc
MAILBAG: Send questions with your first name and we'll answer them in future episodes!
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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TT: A Quiet Place Part 2, Tenet, Morbius
Cinematic Doctrine
02/04/20 • 71 min
TRAILER TALK:
In this episode of Trailer Talk, Dan and Melvin look at January 2020 and talk about A Quiet Place: Part II, and whether JJ Abrams is disappointed he didn’t get the chance to add A Quiet Place into the Cloverfield franchise, Tenet, and how Christopher Nolan is creative insofar as he’s allowed to have men wear suits and ties while talking somberly in an office building, Morbius, a movie that Melvin literally forgot they talked about and still can’t take seriously, and The New Mutants, which is honestly their most anticipated movie of 2018!
January 2020 provided a very strange batch of trailers, and it's a common thread that, throughout their discussion, they're far more interested in what’s going on behind the scenes with these movies than the movies themselves. Sometimes, that’s where the better story is, but they're still hoping these movies turn out great.
Tune in weekly for new episodes of Cinematic Doctrine!
//
Trailer Talk is a podcast/article released at the end of every month and contains an informative and entertaining discussion of a month's trailers.
Patreon: http://bit.ly/CinDocPatreon
Website: CinematicDoctrine.com
Trailers: http://bit.ly/TT01-20CinDoc
Email: [email protected]
Daniel's Twitter: @TomRhonda1
MAILBAG: Send questions with your first name and we'll answer them in future episodes!
Support on Patreon for Unique Perks!
- Early access to uncut episodes
- Vote on a movie/show we review
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Black Christmas (1974) - A Response to the Sexual Revolution
Cinematic Doctrine
11/28/19 • 38 min
PATRON MOVIE REVIEW:
This movie was selected by my patron supporters over at the Cinematic Doctrine Patreon. Support as little as $3 a month and have your voice heard!
Considered a proto-slasher along the likes of The Town that Dreaded Sundown, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and Psycho, we're nowhere near the holiday favorites of A Christmas Carol, A Christmas Story, or even Die Hard. Nope, this is Black Christmas, and we're getting our seasons greetings from Pi-Kappa-Sigma.
This isn't your normal Christmas movie, and there's no guessing what's wrapped up under the tree, but why don't you go ahead and press that play button and I can give you a couple clues?
(First clue: read the title!)
Tune in weekly for new episodes of Cinematic Doctrine!
Black Christmas (1974) is Rated R. It has no detailed certificate, so here's my own certificate: Frightening images, violence and gore, brief sexual imagery, mild nudity, occasional vulgar speech, strong language, and crude humor.
It features Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, Andrea Martin, and John Saxon.
Directed by Bob Clark.
Patreon: http://bit.ly/CinDocPatreon
Facebook: http://bit.ly/FBCinDoc
Letterboxd: http://bit.ly/LetterboxdCinDocList
Website: CinematicDoctrine.com
Email: [email protected]
MAILBAG: Send questions with your first name and we'll answer them in future episodes!
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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The Crow (1994) - w/ Daniel Braindead on Life, Death, Love, & Hate
Cinematic Doctrine
10/09/24 • 92 min
MOVIE DISCUSSION:
Ways to support missions: Mission Next // Wycliffe Bible Translators // The Voice of the Martyrs
Daniel comes out of hiding to discuss The Crow with Melvin, but not before explaining why he vanished from the podcast. The two then explore both the original comic and the 90's production of The Crow. Afterward, they ponder the weirdness of remaking such a beloved film.
Topics:
- (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 41-minutes of Daniel pitching the Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels shows and why he now understands the deep connection Star Wars fans have with the material. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
- Daniel has been in Mission’s during his time away from the podcast. He shares why that's not only important but also a lot easier to assist than you might realize.
- Daniel & Melvin discuss James O'Barr's original The Crow comic book and use it as a foundation for their discussion.
- The Crow feels inextricably personal to its creator.
- Daniel explains how the film represents one of the more faithful hero adaptions prior to the 2000s.
- The special effects put a lot of modern visual effects to shame.
- Daniel, "Brandon Lee hangs heavily over this particular project... [it] imbues every scene that he's in with this kind of, just, interesting eeriness."
- Discussing why it's so cool.
- Complete confusion regarding The Crow (2024), which Daniel & Melvin both have not seen, but surely have a lot to say about it.
- The IMDB trivia page for the remake is filled with pull-quotes from cast and crew members of the original film stating how they are against the idea, and how some had yet to see the original.
Recommendations:
- E-sword.net (Website)
- Reformed Companion (App)
- Literal Word Bible App (App)
- Relight.app (Website)
- An Evening with Tim Heidecker (2020) (Comedy Special)
MAILBAG: Send questions with your first name and we'll answer them in future episodes!
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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FAQ
How many episodes does Cinematic Doctrine have?
Cinematic Doctrine currently has 257 episodes available.
What topics does Cinematic Doctrine cover?
The podcast is about Culture, Christianity, Theology, Film, Faith, Discussion, Religion & Spirituality, Humor, Comedy, Entertainment, Reviews, Podcasts, Movies, Analysis, Tv & Film, Christian and Film Reviews.
What is the most popular episode on Cinematic Doctrine?
The episode title 'Barbie - No Genitals. No Problems.' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Cinematic Doctrine?
The average episode length on Cinematic Doctrine is 65 minutes.
How often are episodes of Cinematic Doctrine released?
Episodes of Cinematic Doctrine are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Cinematic Doctrine?
The first episode of Cinematic Doctrine was released on Mar 20, 2019.
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