Popcorn Theology

In continuing the theme of films based on classic literature, David and James are joined by actor Jamie Costa to discuss The Count of Monte Cristo (2002). We talk about why revenge stories are so compelling, the biblical view of vengeance and justice, and Edmond Dantes as a Christ figure. We hope you enjoy! If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider dropping a few...

Increase your vocabulary and feel more historically cultured as we begin a month Reviewing classic literature films! David and James explore the difference between Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson's Academy award-winning adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel (starring Kate Winslet, Alan Rickman, Hugh Grant, and more). What does this narrative teach us about keeping our vows and even im...

To wrap up this theme month, the Patron Saints have voted for us to cover Bridge to Terabithia. This imaginative film led James and David to discuss childlike wonder, what it looks like to "overcome evil with good", the importance of biblical theology, grief, and culpability in sin. Take the rope swing and join us! If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider droppi...

This week, James and David continue the theme of adulthood and forgotten childhood with Saving Mr. Banks, the 2013 story about the making of Mary Poppins. In this film, we explore love and loyalty for fictional characters, the sunny and rainy sides of life, as well as grief, forgiveness, and redemption. This film is a spoonful of sugar that helps these deeper truths go down... in the most delightf...

Hoo-Hoo-Hoo-HOO! Grab your red balloon and bounce with David and James as they explore Disney's return to the 100-acre wood with Christopher Robin. This film follows a familiar formula of an adult man caught up in the concerns of the world, desperately needing a childlike refresher on what's truly important. How do we balance our most pressing worries in life with our need to rest and invest in ot...

In preparation for the release of "Christopher Robin", James and David are thinking happy thoughts and flying back in time to the 1991 classic "Hook". This magical film explores several topics, including regaining child-like wonder, abdicating adult responsibility, the Christography of Pan, and the battle for the hearts of Peter's children. To record this podcast, why, it was an awfully big advent...

Grab your super-suits and join us ASAP for this week's episode, as we soar into adventure with a double-header of The Incredibles and long-awaited sequel, Incredibles 2! Our reviewing heroes "Movie-Man" David and James "The Pontificator" take off their masks and get candid on the films' flexible views on family, what leads to villainous intent, and what it means to be "special".  Also: for your ow...

Bienvenidos! This week, the Patron Saints (our patreon supporters) voted and introduced James and David to Disney and Pixar's Coco. This fun and vibrant film lent itself to a surprising amount of deep conversation, including the theology of Dia de los Muertos, "seizing your moment" at all costs, and the importance of family and remembrance. We hope you enjoy! If you like what you are hearing and w...

This week, James and David team up to take on Ant-Man and the Wasp. We took a Goliath level look at the MCU and its pattern of balancing weight with levity, then we shrink down for some (quantum) analysis of the finer themes, including pride, foolishness, pain, salvation, and loving your enemies. If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider dropping a few dollars ou...

So tell me do you wanna know... what James and David thought of The Greatest Showman? Besides the amazing production quality, the film explores the highs and lows of chasing your dreams and gives some great imagery for discipleship and taking ownership of mockery. When it comes to this movie, this podcast is everything you ever want; it's everything you ever need, and it's here right in front of y...

What can The Karate Kid help us think through as it relates to mentoring and discipleship, committing to important projects/training/etc, and being able to trust the Lord even when we can't see how His plan is working out for our good (as is promised)?  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 b...

The guys were joined once again by Dr. Marcus Ross, paleontologist and professor at Liberty University, to discuss the newest offering in the Jurassic franchise - Fallen Kingdom! This movie has been getting a lot of hate - but what did the guys at Popcorn Theology think of it? Regardless of how we feel about it, the call to be a mindful consumer remains. As such, we hope you enjoy our conversation...

This week, we were sent back in time by our Patreon supporters with one express mission... to cover The Terminator! We wanted to continue with our theme of ethics, technology, human/machine coexistence, etc -- and this film is pretty much the genesis of much of these ideas in cinema.  In what ways does this story parallel biblical themes? In what ways does it clearly veer away from, or even invert...

Join Richard, David, and James as we discuss the new, came-out-of-nowhere flick -  Upgrade ! This movie was of surprising quality in many areas and gave us a lot to talk about. Moral culpability, the sinful nature, comparisons to movies about demon possession, and more!  Enjoy! If you like what you are hearing and want to help support our show, consider dropping a few dollars our way over on  Patr...

Richard, David, and James are joined by Dr. Marcus Ross, paleontologist and professor at Liberty University in order to discuss the classic and widely beloved film, Jurassic Park!  We chatted about what has caused this movie to stand the test of time. Dr. Ross managed to ruin Richard's childhood by dispelling some of the ways in which the film is scientifically inaccurate. We then jumped into the...

"If you come with us, you're in this life for good." Big news this week, as Richard and David were joined once again by James Harleman - but this time, ' for good '! But wait, there's more! We were also joined by our regular Star Wars correspondent, as well as apologetic and origins guru, Dr. Jason Lisle!  Richard, David, James, and Dr. Lisle spent over an hour talking about the film. What did we...

Once every month or so, our Patreon supporters get to make film suggestions and vote for which one they'd like us to cover on the podcast. This month, they commissioned us to discuss  Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind .  Richard and David have been meaning to talk about this movie for a while and were just looking for an excuse to watch it again! The film really deals with some deep subject ma...

Since James was killed off on a recent episode, Richard and David reached out to Samantha Macarages - fellow admin of the Popcorn Theology facebook group - in order to chat about the hit John Krasinski film, A Quiet Place !  What are the primary theme(s) of the film? How does the movie deal with the ideas of guilt, sacrifice, and family? This movie provides a very interesting picture of these thin...

This episode of Popcorn Theology is going to be a little different. We took a break from chatting up movies and television to talk with Derek Webb - a musical artist who has been around for a long time now and has had a very unique journey spiritually.  We appreciate Derek's willingness to come on the podcast with us to chat with us about some very serious and important subject matter. He was fort...

Richard, David, and James all sit down to chat about the newest offering in the Marvel universe as they round out their Month o' Marvel! Will all three hosts survive this  epic  episode? Only one way to find out!  We hope you enjoy listening in as we chat about what we liked and didn't from the movie before diving into the deep end by chatting about how Thanos does and does not look like the bibli...

As we continue our journey through some of the older Marvel universe flicks in preparation for next week's Infinity War, we asked our Patreon supporters to choose the last film we would cover - and they chose well! We hope you enjoy our conversation on what many consider to be the finest film in all of the MCU. If you want to hear our fresh thoughts on Infinity War, make sure to check back with us...

We continued our trek through some of the earlier MCU films this week by discussing Captain America: The First Avenger! What were Richard, David, and James' initial reactions to this film when it dropped - and how do they feel about it today? A lot of conversation about the nature of heroes in our art and how Captain America was a tricky hero to bring into the modern era - yet was nailed perfectly...

Richard, David, and James continue their look back at some of the earlier Marvel movies - flicks that had previously been overlooked on our podcast due to their having been released before the podcast began. Which one is up? Thor!  Now a trilogy of films, we had a blast taking a look back on this initial introduction to the important character. There are a lot of themes in this one, including idea...

Richard, David, and James are planning to take the month to discuss some of the earlier movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe - flicks that were missed previously because they were released prior to the beginnings of Popcorn Theology as a podcast. This week, we jumped into that plan by taking a look at the original Iron Man film from 2008! This film really provides some of the most overt themes...

Join Richard, David, and James as they sit down to chat about this relatively underrated indy flick made by some amateur filmmakers in small-town Pennsylvania. The movie, despite its low budget and flaws, really give us a lot to talk about: Vengeance, doing evil so that good may prevail, forgiveness, and more!  If you like what you are hearing and want to help support us, consider supporting us on...