Popcorn Theology

Watch video podcast  here . Put on your stillsuits and join David, Jam, and Maddy as they hitch a ride on the cinematic epic, Dune: Part Two. Much like Part One, This long-awaited film is rich in visual spectacle, narrative complexity, and theological discussion. While Paul's similarities to Christ seem to be on the surface, a deeper look under the sand causes us to ask: is Muad'Dib the promised L...

For the rest of this early release, watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/GGRttrVLkso The full audio episode will release the morning of Tuesday, March 12 Much like Paul Muad'Dib, YOU get to have an "early look" at our newest episode on Dune: Part Two. Put on your stillsuits and join David, Jam, and Maddy as they hitch a ride on the cinematic epic, Dune: Part Two. Much like Part One, This long-awaite...

Do you like our owl? Miles and James open their VK briefcases and give this milestone science fiction film the old PT test, probing with deep questions about empathy, consent, creators, prejudice, and inevitable decrepitude. Will they have enough time for James to settle – once and for all – the long running speculation about Deckard? Time… enough. Watch video podcast  here . James' book  Cinemago...

Join James and Kat for a special episode from stately Harlemanor as they look at the underrated and overlooked fun film that kicked off 2024! Matthew Vaughn's bombastic, eclectic action-adventure is a romantic comedy for people who don't like romantic comedies, and also explores foundation themes of myth, caricature vs. reality, identity, and sin. Watch video podcast here . James' book  Cinemagogu...

CODA is a heartfelt "life transcendent" family drama-comedy with a fantastic soundtrack. Join hosts Maddy, Kat, and Eric as they tackle themes of the cost of discipline, what truly binds a family together and what it is like to live with a disability. James' book  Cinemagogue  is getting a new edition! Hear more in this episode and read more  here . For a sneak peak at the  Director's Cut , click ...

Were hosts Eric, James and Rory stuck in a podcasting room over Christmas and forced to spend the holidays together? Perhaps not, but forced relationships at a snowy year's end is where this movie takes an unlikely trio, and our three hosts explore those themes of burnt out teachers, frustrated students, and world-weary mothers struggling to connect and make sense of this life under the sun. Does...

This week, Maddy and David investigate the Oscar-nominated film Killers of the Flower Moon. While this heavy film had a slow pace, it has plenty to say about the broken world we live in. Join Maddy and David as they investigate the themes in this movies, including foolishness (coyotes), deception (wolves), the love of money, and the perversion of justice. We think y'all are gonna love it. James' b...

This week, the boys are back in the RV, cooking up a fresh batch of glass-grade film and theology content. Join David, James, and Jam as they dissect Season 1 of the AMC original series Breaking Bad. From slinging biblical worldviews to blowing up the mindless consumption that has been spread by Tucos of the world, the guys will cover it all. How can Christians engage with a series about dealing d...

Snake Plisskin (Eric), The Brain (James), and the President (Rory) seek to escape the mindless hellscape of 1980's New York. Join them as they rescue a proper view of "living under the sun", masculinity, and government from the nihilism of the 80's. James' book Cinemagogue  is getting a new edition! Hear more in this episode and read more  here . For a sneak peak at the  Director's Cut , click  he...

As a resolution for 2024, James repents of a glaring omission (and potential Popcorn Theologian disqualification) by finally watching this quintessential film! Richard and Miles join James to berate him… AND to discuss the important themes beyond the obvious one in the film's title! James' book Cinemagogue  is getting a new edition! Hear more in this episode and read more  here . For a sneak peak...

Join Miles and Jam as they take their walk down the Green Mile and uncover the secrets of its inmates. Secrets like, who killed those little girls? Do miracles still happen? What does John Coffey have to do with Jesus? We will cover it all on Episode 324. James' book  Cinemagogue  is getting a new edition! Hear more in this episode and read more  here . For a sneak peak at the  Director's Cut , cl...

Watch the episode here . Oh no… they say he's got to go! Join Popcorn Theology's newly assembled G-Force of Godzilla experts – James, Eric and Greg – as they hunt the oversized themes in this explosive new story featuring everyone's favorite radiation-spewing monster in a film that is undeniably fire. James' book  Cinemagogue  is getting a new edition! Hear more in this episode and read more  here...

This week, the Patron Saints jumped down, pulled us off the tracks, and convinced us to cover While You Were Sleeping just in time for Christmas! On this episode, Kat, Miles, and David explore how idle words and divine providence prompt Lucy to find the family she had been longing for, proving that life doesn't always turn out the way you plan. Make sure you're not…  leaning … into mindless entert...

Shhhhh! Listen closely, it may be hard to hear the deep ideas explored in this film nonverbally while bullets and explosions rock the screen, but they are there! Special guest John Perritt from Reformed Youth Ministries teams up with James as they target themes of vengeance, idolatry, keeping covenant, general revelation and more in this unique film by action master John Woo. Find out more about R...

Listen in, trust us, and let us mentor you through the treacherous arena of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. Based on the book of the same title, this prequel to the hit series explores many of the same ideas from the originals as it follows the ambitious rise of President Snow. In this episode, Becky, Maddy, and Miles discuss many tasty ideas including the way that this story p...

Special returning host Richard Foltz interviews our special "guest" James Harleman about the new Director's Cut of James' book, Cinemagogue . Go back to the origins of Popcorn Theology and how you can do your own "home edition" and even encourage others into the how's and why's of being a mindful consumer. Read more about Cinemagogue: Director's Cut here . For a sneak peak click here . — We've got...

Subject to the requirements of the service, Captain "Lucky" David, Lt. Eric, and Midshipman Maddy beat to quarters and set their guns against this 20 year old classic. They engage with the themes leadership, how the crew of the HMS Surprise is an analogy of the body of Christ, and explore the islands of pride and duty. Your mind is under threat of mindless invasion, and though you may be on the fa...

We did this episode for you. For ALL of us! Travel with James, Becky and Rory through time and television as we look at Loki in terms of Norse mythology, his MCU appearances, and of course the glorious purpose of the sensational season 2 and the ending everyone is talking about. All this and some special messages from Miss Minutes! James' book Cinemagogue is getting a new edition! Hear more in thi...

Can our hosts survive Five Nights at Freddy's? Join James, guest host Eric and special guest Melvin Benson from Cinematic Doctrine as they enter they explore the concept of kiddie-horror, video game movies, and themes of guilt, obsession, and corruption that comes in the guise of cuteness.  Check out Melvin Benson's podcast here: Cinematic Doctrine .  Want more? Check out our other episodes on  ho...

As a challenge, our hosts sunk their teeth into Cocaine Bear - an outlandish story about an enormous bear that goes on a killing spree after consuming pounds of cocaine. On this episode, hosts David, Eric, and Miles get their paws around the narrative and demonstrate that a mindful approach to movies can bear spiritual fruit, even from a movie about a drug-addled bear. — We've got new merchandise!...

A veritable horror extravaganza! James is joined by guest host Rory and his friend Thomas Thorogood of the stirandfry YouTube channel as they welcome Josh Larsen, author of FEAR NOT!: A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies . This motley crew delves into the depths of horror and takes a stab at how this genre connects to our faith.  Josh Larsen's film review website: LarsenOnFilm.com Josh's book...

James, Maddy, and Eric give Arsenic and Old Lace the Cinemagogue method. They cover murder as a "charity", the sanctifying influence of marriage, and how your earthly parentage is overcome by Christ's supernatural parentage. Join them as they host an episode that has been 2 years in the making. — We've got new merchandise! Check it out at the  merch store . Help us recruit more film lovers and the...

Welcome, foolish mortals! Join ghost hosts David and Becky as they take you on a chilling journey through the latest Disney attraction-to-film adaptation, exploring the shadows for its themes of grief and seeing the unseen. We should warn you before you hit play on this episode, this could change the course of your entire life.  — We've got new merchandise! Check it out at the  merch store . Help...

Join Miles, Jam and Becky as they talk about the Disney+ series Ahsoka. Dig into the deep lore of Star Wars the Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, the Mandalorian, and how it all fits into Ahsoka. What theological depths call out to our hosts from distant galaxies?  — We've got new merchandise! Check it out at the  merch store . Help us recruit more film lovers and theology nerds by sharing this episod...

Do you like scary movies? Spencer Keller not only likes them, he MAKES them, and we get a chance to talk with this up-and-coming writer, cinematographer and director about his short film "In the Dark", its thematic elements as well as what it's like to craft a film: writing, casting, location shoots and more. We also geek out with Spencer about Nolan films and the movies that motivate him. Join Ja...