Popcorn Theology

Join us as we try to tackle this incredibly unique special from the Black Mirror series,  Bandersnatch ! This is the Black Mirror episode (or is it a film?) where you get to basically 'Choose Your Own Adventure', and it definitely made for some good mind-blown moments. Bandersnatch really puts the viewer into mind of the ideas of free choices vs predestination, and so that's where we camp out for...

Better a little late than never! Join us this week as we finally got around to discussing the latest (and maybe last?) installment in the Marvel/Netflix series,  Daredevil!  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 ex...

James explores why Shane Black's third Iron Man film shouldn't be dismissed, taking the themes of "heart" and "legacy" from prior films and concluding with "identity". Tony then has to yield his obsessive desire for control to three helpers – representing his past, his present and his future – as the Iron Man trilogy "coincidentally" concludes at Christmas. Also, Richard reveals a secret more shoc...

Join us as we use this film to jump into conversation about the importance of having good role models to look up to and imitate, the idea of a 'multiverse' and how that might present a mirror back on the content of our own hearts, and more! What a great flick!   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...

Ever wonder what James Harleman's thoughts were on GROUNDHOG DAY? Well, here you go. We recommend waking up to this episode every day for a few months.. you know, for full effect.  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 t...

Join us this week as Richard and James discuss the newest offering in the 'Unbreakable' trilogy (if it can be called that?), GLASS.  While these co-hosts may go back and forth a bit in their opinion about just how good of a movie this turned out to be, there is no disagreement that this film gives us some really good things to think about and discuss!  Doubt vs Faith, the nature of conversations w...

Join us this week as Richard and James discuss the newest offering in the 'Unbreakable' trilogy (if it can be called that?), GLASS.  While these co-hosts may go back and forth a bit in their opinion about just how good of a movie this turned out to be, there is no disagreement that this film gives us some really good things to think about and discuss!  Doubt vs Faith, the nature of conversations w...

This week, our time machine takes us back to some audio content from James Harleman regarding the original Avengers film! This episode is being released as we follow along with the Road to Endgame calendar!  Enjoy!  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 Pop...

Join the guys this week as they prepare for the release of Glass by diving backwards into the original film in the trilogy, Unbreakable!  This movie is considered by many to be one of Shyamalan's classics, and even his critics tend to view this one favorably. It certainly provided us a lot to talk about! If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider pledging to suppo...

This episode will probably feel like six-in-one... We apologize for how quickly we found ourselves moving through each chapter, but it sure was hard to talk about this film well in a reasonable length of time! Richard and James take the week (sans David) to chat about the Netflix original Coen Brothers film, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs! This movie seems to have some deep ideas it is playing with,...

As our podcast is still on a bit of a Holiday break, we decided we'd take this opportunity to open up the vaults of James Harleman's Cinemagogue content, right here on the podcast feed! Take a listen to this presentation which took place after a live showing of the film, years ago! We'll be back with our regular programming very soon!  (Written content from Cinemagogue on this film can be seen her...

This year, we asked our Patron Saints (that is, our supporters on Patreon!) to decide what movie we should cover for the Christmas holiday. They didn't disappoint. Why not take a listen as we discuss the arguably Christmas film,  Gremlins?  This movie actually proves to be pretty rich in things to chat about at this time of year - greed, consumerism, and our need to place good gifts in their prope...

Take a listen as Richard and David are joined by Aaron White of Feelin' Film Podcast to discuss this latest entry in the DC Cinematic Universe! We all got to see the early showing of the film offered to Amazon Prime members, and spoiler alert... we were all pretty entertained by this one! The film spurs us to conversation about parenting/generational traits, imagery of Christ, jealousy, and more. ...

This past week, Richard and David were on Facebook Live Video to discuss the recent developments regarding the (now deleted) Popcorn Theology Facebook Group, and how we are moving forward. We are including audio from the relevant portion of that video session here, for our listeners' information.  Short version for those who don't have time to listen: The public group is gone, but we have a Patreo...

This week, Richard and James tackled Disney's newest sequel,  Ralph Breaks The Internet ! How did this new film hold up to its quite excellent predecessor?  The movie prompts us to discuss friendship, selfishness, insecurity, and more! If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider dropping a few dollars our way over on  Patreon ! If you do, you'll be canonized as an...

Richard and David finish out our Rock Star Month (A little late, mind you) by covering a movie selected by our Patreon supporters -  Whiplash !  If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider dropping a few dollars our way 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 Facebook grou...

All three of the guys are back together this week to talk about Tom Hanks' directorial debut film,  That Thing You Do!  If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider dropping a few dollars our way 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 Facebook group just for supporters, gi...

Are you ready, Freddie? Take a listen this week as Richard and James chat about the new Freddie Mercury biopic,  Bohemian Rhapsody. The film definitely went in some surprising directions for both of us, and we had a lot to chat about! If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider dropping a few dollars our way over on  Patreon ! If you do, you'll be canonized as an o...

Richard, David, and James were honored this week as they were joined by James' wife, Kathryn Harleman! Truth be told, with her apparent love for the film  Amadeus ... we're not sure we could have kept her away if we tried!  And good thing we didn't, as she helped us greatly in discussing the film! If you've been waiting for us to do another movie that is simply tailor-made for our podcast, this is...

Richard and James were joined this week by Pastor Joe Thorn (known for the incredible podcast  Doctrine & Devotion ) to chat about 2017's remake of the Stephen King classic,  It. You may be surprised just how much substance there is to chat about when it comes to this movie about a killer clown of questionable origins! The idea and theme of Predator vs Prey, the problem of absenteeism (or worse, a...

Richard, David, and James were hugely honored this week as they got the opportunity to speak with Phelim McAleer, one of the producers from the new film  Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer.  Not only that, we were also joined by filmmaker, author, and long-time friend of the podcast Brian Godawa for the discussion!  We chatted and picked the brain of Mr. McAleer about the film....

Join Richard, David, and James as they are immersed in the newest Marvel superhero film, Venom! Fair warning folks.. we are almost always positive about films, even to a fault - defending flicks others might not, but Venom provided a heck of a challenge for us! Despite its problems (which we probably chatted about too much - again, we're usually positive!), the movie did provide us good fodder for...

Richard and James got together this week to talk about the very unique horror/court room drama film  The Exorcism of Emily Rose. This movie really provided us an opportunity to talk about some important ideas. Should believers enjoy films that deal with demonic plot elements at all? If so, is it possible for this enjoyment to go too far? We also got to discuss the ideas of spiritual vs physical ex...

This year, we have decided we will devote the entire month of October to a genre of film we have historically (mostly) neglected: the Scary Movie!  Scream felt like a fitting choice to jump in as it directly and explicitly deals with the genre  in the film itself , providing us an excellent starting point for this month long journey. We think you'll really enjoy the conversation which jumped aroun...

To wrap up our classic literature month, our Patron Saints voted for To Kill a Mockingbird (1962). James and David compare the film and the book(s), talk about their cultural impact, and explore the Christ-like character of Atticus Finch.  If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider dropping a few dollars our way over on  Patreon ! If you do, you'll be canonized as...