Podcast Archives - Catholic Movie Guy

Best of 2016 Podcast – Hell or High Water

Howdy, ya’ll.

This week we continue our Best of 2016 series with Hell or High Water, the 2016 western starring Jeff Bridges and Chris Pine. It is definitely in my personal Top 5 for 2016. Set in West Texas, I bring on my good friends Dr. Bud Marr and Professor Bo Bonnor of the UnCommon Good on Iowa Catholic Radio to discuss this engrossing picture.

Who was in the right in this movie? Is there space in Catholicism for Robin Hood? What makes a Western, a Western? Did my wife like it?

Hope you enjoy!

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar Betterwithmusic, CC BY-SA. Photo by Siebbi (Wikimedia Commons file copied from Ipernity (archive)) [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons).

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Episode 7 – What’s on Netflix – Burn After Reading

Episode 7 – a slice of heaven (decidedly not)!

On this one, TheTimMan and I have no idea what to focus on, so we decide to discuss what’s on Netflix. Fortunately, since we have genetic similarities, we discover that we both recently watched Burn After Reading. A 2008 Coen Brothers’ film (notice a theme on this podcast?), it is a bawdy (article on bawdiness from a Catholic perspective, referenced on the podcast, at Crisis Magazine) but well-done riff on spy flicks and human vainglory. Content not for everyone (see Kids In Mind description and Steven Greydanus review at Decent Films).

But even if you don’t feel comfortable watching it, won’t you download and even listen to our bourbon-fueled meanderings?

Next week we tackle the best Christmas movies, whether the Brewmaster General likes it or not.

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar (betterwithmusic.com) CC BY-SA.

Photo by Andreas Tai (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

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Catholic Movie Guy Episode 6 – Arrival; Walking Movies

Get your fix with Episode 6!

On the Thanksgiving week edition of the Catholic Movie Guy Podcast, we have a melange. First, I give a brief, spoiler-free review of the new movie Arrival, a sci-fi mind-bender with a great performance by Amy Adams. Then TheTimMan comes by to discuss two “walking” movies: The Way, starring Martin Sheen, and A Walk in the Woods, starring Robert Redford and Nick Nolte.

We address all the important questions on this one. Can a linguist save the world? Why won’t the Brewmaster General come on the podcast? Could Nick Nolte really hike the Appalachian Trail with the Hippy Shakes? What is the proper ash distribution to make along the Camino de Santiago? Did my wife like any of these movies? Brilliant, all the way around.

Happy Thanksgiving!

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar (betterwithmusic.com) CC BY-SA.

Above image by Nieuw~commonswiki CC BY-SA via Wikimedia Commons.

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Catholic Movie Guy Podcast Episode 4 – Hacksaw Ridge and Top 5 War Films

Episode 4 – back for…war? On the eve of the end of America’s long national nightmare, and possibly the dawn of World War III, this week’s podcast is topical. I review the new Mel Gibson movie Hacksaw Ridge, the real story of medal of honor recipient Desmond Doss. A movie that lionizes its subject and delivers just enough (but not too much) schmaltz, I found it to surpass my expectations bigly (big league?). TheTimMan then joins me to discuss our 5 favorite war films of all time, and hilarity ensues.

As always, intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar (betterwithmusic.com) CC BY-SA.

Above photo by Okinawa Steve (Flickr: Urasoe Tunnel Exit) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Catholic Movie Guy Podcast Episode 3 – The Shining

CMG Episode 3!

For our Halloween episode of the Catholic Movie Guy Podcast, we tackle the classic horror film The Shining, by master director Stanley Kubrick. Content cautious types beware: one of my favorite priests is not a fan; nor is the USCCB. But the discerning viewer willing to take the plunge should be rewarded. The film contains incredible directing, luscious cinematography, and iconic performances. TheTimMan and I discuss just what exactly happened in the movie, on and beneath the surface. Was Danny possessed? Is the shining a gift or a curse? Was the hotel the problem, or was it the father? Is Shelley Duvall attractive? We also discuss a couple crazier theories of the subliminal meanings of the movie. Finally, there’s even a connection to Dante.

I owe a large debt on this one to the Catholic Cinephile, whose review prompted me to revisit the film.

For more on the interesting (and/or crazy) theories on the hidden meanings of the movie, check out the documentary Room 237 (available right now on Netflix – same content warnings apply).

If you enjoy the show, please give it a five-star review on iTunes – it makes a big difference. Happy Halloween!

As always, the show’s intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar (betterwithmusic.com) CC BY-SA.

Image above By Carlos Pacheco from Toronto, Canada (Redrum door – The Shining) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

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Catholic Movie Guy Podcast Episode 2 – No Country for Old Men

America wanted it, and now, it’s here: CMG Podcast Episode 2! Even better than Attack of the Clones!

A discussion of the Coen Brothers’ No Country for Old Men, their Oscar-winning magnum opus. Moral content description available here. One of my absolute favorites of all time, despite (or because of?) the difficult themes it presents. I argue strongly against the nihilistic reading of the film by the great Steven Greydanus, the beloved St. Corbinian’s Bear, and countless others.

Plus (spoiler alert) where in the world did Chigurh go in that hotel room, or was he even there at all? And, did my wife like the movie?

I discuss all this and more, bourbon in hand, with TheTimMan.

If you enjoy the show, please give it a five-star review on iTunes – it makes a big difference. Enjoy!

As always, the show’s intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar (betterwithmusic.com) CC BY-SA.

Image above by Georges Biard [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.

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Catholic Movie Guy Podcast Episode 1 – Introduction; On the Waterfront

Well, here it is – the inaugural Catholic Movie Guy Podcast, Episode 1. In this episode, I introduce myself and the podcast and get into an in-depth discussion with TheTimMan about On the Waterfront, the great 1954 Academy Award winning film starring the even-greater Marlon Brando. A wonderful film about conscience, Catholicism, sacrifice, unions, prizefighters, and pigeons (presaging Mike Tyson by 30 years). What more can you ask for from a film?

Along the way you will learn many interesting things about the movie and your humble podcaster. Why is the TheTimMan obsessed with Metropolitan, and will I let him get away with it? Who would win in a fight, Mike Ditka or Marlon Brando? How did the Catholic Movie Guy get Jiminy Glick, Jack Buck, and Brando on the podcast (from beyond the grave, even)? Did his wife like the movie? How many technical fouls lead to a podcast ejection? Why are these two unqualified losers doing a podcast anyway? There’s even a discussion of what the film has to say about a priest’s duties in light of Vatican II.

I hope you learn a new perspective on the film, or at least laugh a little bit (either with or at us). If you enjoy the show, please give it a five-star review on iTunes – it makes a big difference.

In the show we make reference Roger Ebert’s review of the film, and I encourage you to read it for its own sake.

The show’s intro and outro music is Wastecnology by Jahzzar (betterwithmusic.com) CC BY-SA.

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