Popcorn Theology

David Lee and James Harleman (not Heil-me-man) take a jaunty trip to visit Jojo, his imaginary friend, and a jarring world splitting the difference between satire and sobriety. From the form of storytelling itself to themes of propaganda, how people change, and our real enemy, this daring film has a lot to say. Thanks to our Patreon supporters for picking it!  If you like what you are hearing and...

David, James, and Wilson have an express delivery for you: a deep dive into Tom Hanks' Oscar award-winning performance about isolation and separation from life and loved ones. Seemed relevant these days... so we hope you have a ball!   If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support us over on  Patreon ! If you do, you'll be canonized as an official...

Is this a "deplorable" podcast, or will we make some liberal observations about this controversial film? Join David and James as they hunt down some unexpected themes that are in your face, yet nuanced, and maybe not conveying the message you expect.   If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support us over on  Patreon ! If you do, you'll be canoniz...

Go on a quest with David and James to find the deeper meaning of this story of two brothers. What can we learn about magic, fear, faith, sons and brotherhood from this Pixar film? If you take the road less traveled and view it as more than mindless entertainment, there's more than one precious gem!     If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support...

You'll be running and scrabbling like rabid Darkseekers to get your hands (or ears) on this legendary episode!   Stay home, stay safe, bolt the doors and put on some Bob Marley as David and James reflect on this Will Smith post-pandemic classic.   If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support us over on  Patreon ! If you do, you'll be canonized as...

Why do we like murder mystery movies, and what can we learn from Rian Johnson's cutting edge entry? Drawing a Blanc? See if David, James, and Richard get the point as they examine this film's sharp social commentary. If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support us over on  Patreon ! If you do, you'll be canonized as an official Patron Saint of Po...

Join Richard and James as they chat about the theatrical debut of Sonic the Hedgehog! While the flick is a far cry from Best Picture winners like Parasite, it nevertheless gave us some interesting things to think about!    If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support us over on  Patreon ! If you do, you'll be canonized as an official Patron Saint...

Join us for a very special episode: Theology of Popcorn and the Fantabulous Articulation of two Harlemans!   James and Kat host this look at the well reviewed but poorly attended second Harley Quinn movie. The character's origin, her role in this film, and Miss Quinn's critique of the historical harlequin all relate to some basic Christian principles. Crazy, right?   If you like what you are heari...

This week, our Patreon supporters got the opportunity to decide which Best Picture Oscar nominated film we should cover, and the decision was for  Parasite .    It was a good pick that neither Richard or David had gotten the chance to view before this week! Lots of discussion to be had about class, excusing sin, and more!    If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consi...

You have a mission. Pick someone to join you, and deliver this podcast to your ears promptly, or there may be dire consequences!   Join David and James as they wander and wonder through the landscape of 1917.   If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support us over on  Patreon ! If you do, you'll be canonized as an official Patron Saint of Popcorn...

We decided we would follow up our episode on The Rise of Skywalker by jumping directly into The Mandalorian, the first live-action television series set in the Star Wars Universe.    This show has pretty much taken the internet by storm, evoking a mostly positive response along with a slew of great memes. But did it have anything worth discussing on our show? You bet!    Join us this week as we th...

A Long Time Ago, in a theater 42 years away... the Skywalker saga began. James, Richard and David discuss how it ends, including themes of fall, repentance, rebirth, and how our perennial enemy tries to deceive us. It can truly be said (and not in a bad way) that this movie's themes are Forced!   If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support us ov...

With the launch of Disney+, we decided that our Patreon supporters should get to choose ONE flick from the new service and force us to talk about it.. and they chose Atlantis: The Lost Empire!   The movie actually provides us quite a bit to talk about - made family, unequal yoke to the world, why its a bad idea to get an 'ought' from an 'is' (I promise, that'll make some sense!), and more! Enjoy! ...

What if I told you... that Popcorn Theology has reached 200 episodes?    Join us this week as for an extra-long episode of the podcast, taking time to celebrate our 200 episode journey thus far as well as to revisit the very first movie we ever reviewed, The Matrix!    If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support us over on  Patreon ! If you do,...

David and James could not escape their Patreon caregivers and were locked in a room to watch The Peanut Butter Falcon... and it turns out they are glad they did!   They wrestle with some of the film's Themes and discuss why it's one of the better films this year.   If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support us over on  Patreon ! If you do, you'...

We take a break this week from Movie-talk to discuss the cultural impact surrounding the apparent conversion of Kanye West and his most recent Gospel-themed album.   If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support us over on  Patreon ! If you do, you'll be canonized as an official Patron Saint of Popcorn Theology and be given access to an exclusive...

David and James discuss current events... from the 1890s!   Join us to explore illuminating ideas about living life without brakes, making a name versus building a legacy, and what happens to relationships when we get our wires crossed.   If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support us over on  Patreon ! If you do, you'll be canonized as an offic...

David and James stand ominously and stare in through the window of the horror genre at a defining movie that set the course for the slasher genre. They take a stab at understanding our film fascination with fear, and this particular slice of cinematic history in terms of what is says about morality and the "final girl" trope. Join them as they unmask Halloween and examine the film's ambiguities an...

Join our hosts, Seattle and Martinsburg, as they take a shambling look at the second shot of Zombieland.   From the genre in general to the themes of this film - rules, pacifism and a healthy dose of political incorrectness - we see if this comedy has any brain matter in its cinematic cranium.   If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support us ove...

Does this latest interstellar film about a lonely man's space odyssey have the gravity of its cinematic forebears? David and James launch into conversation about our protagonist's physical and emotional vacuum, the sins of the father, and the story's revelation that is open to different interpretation and is certain to fuel conversation. If you like what you are hearing and want to help support ou...

Laugh inappropriately with David and James as they examine the bats in Joker's cinematic belfry. Whether it's contrasting incarnations, discussing external controversy, or considering what this film has to say about morality and mental illness, this episode should put a smile on your face... even if it's forced. If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging...

Go for a ride with David and James as they see how Taxi Driver fares after forty years.   What drives Travis Bickle, and does the narrative steer into dangerous territory?   Considering this (and The King of Comedy, another De Niro film) are noted influences on the controversial Joker film, it seemed wise to review this historic film in light of imminent debate.   If you like what you are hearing...

"IT girl" Kathryn Harleman joins James for our return to Derry... from the book, to the first film, and how the lengthy part 2 stacks up against both King and Curry. Amidst all the clowning around in the film themes of repetition, regret, remembrance, aging and accusations surface for discussion. If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to support us ov...

David and James journey with Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac and Charlie Hunnam to South America, self-interest, and stark consequences. in this heist film that is perhaps more honest and sobering than others that glamorize the criminal behavior. Watch the Netflix original and listen to their reflections on temptation, greed, self-righteousness and more. If you like what you are hearing and want to help...

Did you know that the Joker and Robin went to high school together? That's the (not quite) premise of this 20-year classic, or perhaps it's just a Shakespeare play re-tooled and set in Seattle with sleepless Joseph Gordon-Levitt, dreamy Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles and more. Kat joins David and James to add the needed "feminine mystique" to this episode. We won't pay you to take it for a spin, but t...