Cinema Faith

No one writes movies like Charlie Kaufman. Who else would make his feature screenwriting debut about a portal inside the brain of John Malkovich as he did in Being John Malkovich? Who else would turn his angst of trying to adapt a book into a meta-story of himself trying to adapt a book as he did in his follow-up, Adaptation? For his third feature screenplay, Kaufman took yet another unusual detou...

Cameron Crowe hasn't made a good film in over a decade, but his early work still leaves a mark. Almost Famous will always be his best movie, because it's the one closest to his heart. In the film, William Miller (Patrick Fugit) lands a job writing for Rolling Stone at age 15. He follows the band Stillwater on the road and comes of age before our eyes. The movie is Crowe's unofficial autobiography....

At the end of 2016, we need a movie like La La Land. Musicals offer an alternate universe where people don't sit around mad at each other, they get out on the freeway and sing together. The film is a throwback to the classic era of old-school Hollywood, while still managing to be relevant and fresh. Damien Chazelle, who burst on the scene with 2014's Whiplash, is back with another masterpiece. Cha...

We've been looking forward to Manchester by the Sea since January when it took Sundance by storm. Now, 11 months later, the film is everywhere and it was worth the wait. Writer/director Kenneth Lonergan, best known for 2000's You Can Count on Me, has a crafted a masterful meditation on grief and regret. Casey Affleck plays Lee, a man locked in the prison of the past who's forced to face the harsh...

Few films arrive with as much controversy as Birth of a Nation. A promising run on the festival circuit (complete with a standing ovation at the Toronto Film Festival) gave way to scandal when disturbing details emerged about writer/director/star Nate Parker's past. The movie is here now, but is it any good? Birth of a Nation tells the true story of Nat Turner, a slave who learns to read at a youn...

The prodigal son returns! Tim is back on the show to talk about the big release of September — Oliver Stone's Snowden. Snowden tells the true story of Edward Snowden, a brilliant mind who rises through the ranks of the CIA only to turn his back on the agency after discovering the government practice of spying on its citizens. Stone is best known for controversial films of the past like Platoon, JF...

Tim is on vacation this month which paved the way for a special guest on our show: Jason Thompson. Jason joins Jon to discuss the new film Hell or High Water starring Chris Pine and Jeff Bridges. The movie, directed by David Mackenzie, tells the story of two brothers on a bank robbing spree and the Texas Ranger who hunts them down. Listen in as we discuss Texas, Nick Cave, the story of Jonah, ethi...

July was a difficult month for America. The shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile raised national debates about racism, police violence, and Black Lives Matter. The retaliatory shootings of police officers in Dallas and Baton Rouge ushered in new layers of fear and chaos. Our nation bled from open wounds, and we are still healing. If there is a work of art that can speak to the times we...

On June 20th, Cinema Faith had the pleasure of hosting an exclusive showing of Last Days in the Desert. The film stars Ewan McGregor as both Jesus and Satan and features cinematography by three-time Oscar-winner Emmanuel Lubezki. Christian movies have a checkered past, but writer/director Rodrigo García breathes new life into the genre. This is a film about Jesus' human side as he wrestles with wh...

Shane Black is the king of buddy action movies. He sold the screenplay to Lethal Weapon at age 22. In 1996, Black scored a then-record-breaking payday of $4 million for The Long Kiss Goodnight. The sale made him enemies, and he disappeared from Hollywood for nine years. Then in 2005, Black returned not just as a writer, but a director as well with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Now Black is back with The Ni...

Two years after Boyhood, Richard Linklater is back with Everybody Wants Some!! – a "spiritual sequel" to the 1993 classic Dazed and Confused. Linklater has always defied traditional approaches to storytelling. Instead of a plot and three acts, Linklater films are driven by music, characters, and authenticity. Tune in to this month's podcast as we discuss the works of Linklater, the rules of story,...

This month's podcast is all about the Coen Brothers. Hail, Caesar! is the latest offering from the eccentric duo. Join Jon and Tim as they discuss their favorite Coen Bros. movies, the sacredness of film, and the magic of Hollywood past.

Another February 2nd, another chance to discuss the classic film. Join us as we ponder the question: Are we all stuck in Groundhog Day?

There are few filmmakers as polarizing as Quentin Tarantino. Some celebrate him. Others revile him. Now Tarantino is back with his latest film The Hateful Eight – a fitting title considering this is the eighth film of his career. Listen to this month's podcast as we ask: Is there truth in the works of Quentin Tarantino?

With Oscar season is in full swing, it's time to look back at 2014's best picture winner: Birdman. Join us as we discuss why Birdman is a perfect film, the value of critics, and the plight of the artist.