Popcorn Theology

Grab your joke books and switchblades, and join David and Jam for a deep dive into The Last of Us. In this episode, we discuss the original video game as well as the HBO series, unpacking the brokenness of the world they present. The story also prompts excellent discussion on the various ways we love, the subjects of our love, and what happens when those loves are disordered. Trust us, you won't j...

Podcast… like lightning! We zoom back to weekly episodes to explore the endless doorways to conversation offered by the Shazam! sequel. Miles, James and Kat power up to discuss wisdom, youth, responsibility and sacrifice. Oh, and dragons.  Tell Steve to add dragons. — Help us recruit more film lovers and theology nerds by sharing this episode with your friends. Rate and review the podcast wherever...

If you told us in 2001 that the sequel to a spin-off to a sequel of Shrek would be this good and even get nominated for an Oscar, we would've said "are you fur real? You've got to be kitten me!" Join David and guest hosts Maddy and Becky as they discuss the pawsitive themes of life, identity, and contentment in this purrfect animated film. — Help us recruit more film lovers and theology nerds by s...

Journey with James to the Quantum Realm by way of the United Kingdom - as our British guest host Rory Martin joins us to look at the the tiny quibbles and gigantic themes in this film. Ant-Man's latest adventure explores what it means to be a Good Samaritan in a broken and wearying world where sometimes it backfires, as well as interesting themes of dictatorship and being forcibly humbled. — Help...

The Patron Saints of Popcorn Theology voted and sent us 70 years into the past to cover Roman Holiday. This classic movie starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck set the stage for many romantic dramas to follow. On this episode David, Miles, and first time guest-host Maddy highlight themes of duty, avoiding one's calling, and good old-fashioned decency vs taking advantage of others. — Help us rec...

Eleven Academy Award nominations for Everything Everywhere All At Once, drew the attention of Popcorn Theology this week. David, Miles, and Becky bent their minds and crossed narrative universes to discuss the exploration of laundry, taxes, nihilism, and unlimited possibilities. Join us as we fight for the fate of the universe and the redemption of crushed souls in this life under the Sun. — Help...

In this live recording, James Harleman (co-host, pastor, author, cinema-guy) introduces the concepts of mindful entertainment. Starting with his Film & Theology events, to his book Cinemagogue and the Popcorn Theology podcast, James explores the history and philosophy behind our mission: dissecting narrative to point people back to the greatest Storyteller of all. — Help us recruit more film lover...

Pack up the family and go for another trip to the blue planet with Miles, James and Kat. They dive into the themes of fatherhood and pacifism, and swim through the shallow philosophy and deep moral dilemmas of this blockbuster sequel. — Help us recruit more film lovers and theology nerds by sharing this episode with your friends. Rate and review the podcast wherever you listen to help attract more...

It's a wonderful way to end a wonderful year for our wonderful Patreon Supporters as we review the movie THEY chose! Miles, David and James explore It's a Wonderful Life, and why this Christmas classic (or is it?) has endured for generations with themes of suffering and life's worth (plus a curious take on angels). Lasso this episode and pull it down! — Help us recruit more film lovers and theolog...

Feeling blue? Well plug in to this episode as James, David and Miles open a Pandora's box of spiritual themes in what James argues is (love it or hate it) perhaps the most Popcorn Theology movie of all time. Revisit this titanic blockbuster before the upcoming sequel. Books mentioned in this episode: - Finding the Mother Tree: Discovering the Wisdom of the Forest by Suzanne Simard - Pollution and...

Popcorn Theology FOREVER! David and James are joined by Kat - seems appropriate as they cover Black Panther - as they dive into the themes of loveless lives, processing grief, vengeance and more in the depths of this thought-provoking and poignant sequel. — Help us recruit more film lovers and theology nerds by sharing this episode with your friends. Rate and review the podcast wherever you listen...

This week longtime listener and first time guest host Eric joins David and Miles for part 2 of our exploration of the Rings of Power. Our opinions differed on the show itself, but we remained united in our fight against the dark forces of mindless entertainment. Rings of power inspired discussions on the honorable choice to help one another, the struggle against evil, the hope of redemption, and t...

Can James, Miles and David brave the thematic darts, swing over the theological pits and dodge the rolling ball of tropes to recover the treasures in this cinematic relic? Whether it's the years or the mileage, this film has aged well and opens up a box of conversation treasure. Thanks to our Patreon supporters for commissioning this narrative expedition! — Help us recruit more film lovers and the...

Hello neighbor. We're so glad that you're here. This week we cover A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood the story of a hardened journalist who comes face to face with Mr Rogers. Listen in as we discuss Mr Rogers's virtue, his impact on others, and his spiritual disciplines that allowed him to maintain such an incredible life. Also this week David and Miles are joined for the first time by Becky Wat...

Is Tolkien rolling in his grave? Have modern political sensibilities warped middle earth beyond recognition? This week Miles, James, and David watched the first two episodes of the Rings of Power to find out. Regardless of your reaction to the show itself this episode may help you commit to being watchful for evil at all times and to fight the good fight of faith even as you hope to leave all the...

This week we cover the award winning movie King Ricard, based on the incredible real life story of Richard Williams and his successful plan to raise the world's greatest female tennis stars. Proverbial wisdom shines through in this story of diligent work and family solidarity. Join our very own podcast king Richard along with James and Miles as they serve up some Biblical insights from the film. —...

Stop trying to make Mean Girls happen" they said, but that didn't deter our Patron Saints from voting this the film we totally had to cover! Kat, David and James talk about Girl World, the company we keep, confession, and why we are all white. — Help us recruit more film lovers and theology nerds by sharing this episode with your friends. Rate and review the podcast wherever you listen to help att...

You know you wanna pick up this phone! James and Kat are joined by Joe Thorn to discuss another great entry in the horror genre, this one with explicit themes of Jesus and faith, prayer and providence. — Help us recruit more film lovers and theology nerds by sharing this episode with your friends. Rate and review the podcast wherever you listen to help attract more listeners.  Follow & connect  wi...

Many movies entered the coliseum, but thanks to the voting of our Patreon saints, only Gladiator survived. This week we are joined by guest host Jam Watkins, of the Christian metal band Context, as we explore this modern classic. This movie reminded us of the real courage of early Christians as they were cast into the arena. Topics discussed include the power of mobs, jealous brothers, and how thi...

Kat rolled the dice and joins David and James for our fourth foray into the saga of Stranger Things. Sins of the "Papa", how we judge others, how we view ourselves, and what forgiveness looks like are just some of the themes that turn this monstrous narrative upside down. Click here for Elias Gannage's article "Misguided Paladins: A Sympathetic Investigation of Cultural Factors That Gave Support t...

Dinosaur Theology! Thunder lizard experts David and Marcus school a clone of James on reptiles and raptors, and then talk turns to family and (what else?) Dominion. Is this a great episode? You bet Jurassic is! — Help us recruit more film lovers and theology nerds by sharing this episode with your friends. Rate and review the podcast wherever you listen to help attract more listeners.  Follow & co...

Our Patreon supporters voted so this week David, Richard and Miles covered the Jimmy Stewart classic Harvey. This 1950 adaptation of the play gave us plenty to talk about. We also discovered that the movie is in the public domain, meaning that you can see it here for free! [link] 
 Harvey made us consider the value of a belief which makes a person more pleasant even if that belief may be a delusio...

Ride into the Danger Zone with Kat, Miles and James as they feel the need for speed, yet slow down to explore the target rich environment of this refined sequel. They navigate themes of age and wisdom, how to teach, surrogate fathers and the difference between confidence and pride. — Help us recruit more film lovers and theology nerds by sharing this episode with your friends. Rate and review the...

In some alternate universe James, Richard and David hate on this movie and discuss no deep or meaningful themes... but fortunately in THIS universe, they take a Strange look at moral calculus, Wong answers, returning to our vomit, and who holds the knife as it relates to this mind-bending spin through the MCU.   — Help us recruit more film lovers and theology nerds by sharing this episode with you...

This week Kat, James, and Miles carry the Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. This surrealist take on the real Nicolas Cage takes a hard look at the pitfalls of fame, self deception, self-obsession, and celebrity worship. Yet through the comedic chain of events that unfolds it gives us a look at the redemptive nature of friendship, repentance, and the power of stories to bring us together. Watchi...