• 1 hour 8 minutes
    My Neighbor Totoro - w/ Paryss Bryanne on Childhood Whimsy as Adults

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    MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

    Legacy XP Coaching

    Paryss Bryanne: Instagram // Tiktok // YouTube // Snapchat

    Pixel Paryss: Instagram // Tiktok // YouTube // Twitch

    Paryss Bryanne joins Melvin to talk My Neighbor Totoro! The two kick-off Ani-May with a much-beloved Studio Ghibli classic! Nostalgia, curiosity, and a whole lotta whimsy fill this episode from start to finish! Tune in now! 

    Topics:

    • Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:35:43 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
    • Paryss shares about her love of Undertale, her desire to see people grow through Legacy XP Coaching, and how she's wrestling with horror media.
    • Paryss, "[My Nieghbor Totoro] does such a good job of taking you back into the shoes of a child."
    • Where do Paryss and Mel rank My Neighbor Totoro against other Miyazaki/Ghibli movies?
    • On big emotions, and how emotions become more complicated as an adult.
    • Enduring against melancholic nostalgia.
    • Melvin, "Did you kinda just feel like [My Neighbor Totoro] was, like, really heavenly?"
    • Talking Totoro, and wondering if he actually exists.
    • Getting into the ending.

    Recommendations:

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    6 May 2026, 8:00 am
  • 59 minutes 12 seconds
    Rear Window - The Voyeurism Episode

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    PATREON MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

    This movie was selected by our Patreon Supporters over at the Cinematic Doctrine Patreon. Support as little as $3 a month and have your voice heard! 

    Kathryn joins Melvin in discussing Rear Window, a quintessential Hitchcock film! The two get into the film's fascination with voyeurism, L.B. Jefferies complex character, whether or not people can change, and what it means to clearly see others. 

    Topics: 

    • (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 22-minutes discussing the Forbes report from Rob Salkowitz "Disney Layoffs Hit Marvel Studios Hard", how visual effects artists switching from full-time to contract work may increase project leaks, and why these layoffs happened in the first place. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 
    • The film is exceptionally well paced, and the way it turns people into "television channels" is as gross as it is curious.
    • The dialogue in Rear Window is top notch, even if it's very scripted and forgoes any sense of realistic, human communication. Everything's so clever.
    • Despite its ups and downs, Melvin really loved the romance and drama between L.B. Jefferies and Lisa Fremont.
    • Where does a person's insatiable desire for information come from?
    • Talking about perspectives and framing.
    • Talking about L.B. Jefferies and the intricacies of his character.
    • The ending is only the tiniest bit clunky, but it's strong nonetheless.

    Recommendations:

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    29 April 2026, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 53 seconds
    Exit 8 - Notice Your Neighbor

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    MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

    Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss another indie-horror-game-turned-movie, Exit 8! First off, how is it as an adaptation? Also, can a 40-ish minute game really get turned into a 90-minute movie? And what about a dramatic throughline; what's keeps audiences emotionally hooked?

    Topics:

    • (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 25-minutes discussing The Hollywood Reporter's "Inside PIxar's Scrapped Movie 'Be Fri' and the "Devastating" Aftermath" by Ryan Gajewski, how we feel about Disney/Pixar canceling a Magical Girl movie, and how it's hard to tell if this is a win or loss post-KPop Demon Hunters. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
    • What is Anomaly Horror, and what are Kat & Melvin's thoughts on the original indie game?
    • For Kathryn, it felt like a really good Twilight Zone episode. For Melvin, there was a moment where he wondered if it'd become his #1 film for 2025.
    • How does the film embrace the Anomaly Horror genre, and why is Anomaly Horror so popular nowadays?
    • How do we respond during "everyday" anomalies, things that disrupt the status quo?
    • There's so much humanity to this story.
    • Mel, "It is interesting that his dramatic thing is that, "If I'm not caring for my neighbor, how can i care for my family?""
    • The ending feels like a call to action.

    Recommendations:

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    22 April 2026, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 14 minutes
    IT: Welcome to Derry - w/ Dreadful Digest on Not-Your-Dad's-Stranger-Things

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    TV-SHOW DISCUSSION: 

    Dreadful Digest: Podcast // Instagram // YouTube

    Tessa & Sam of the Dreadful Digest podcast join Melvin to discuss IT: Welcome to Derry, the spin-off prequel series to Andy Muschietti's IT duology! How does the show balance its original and familiar material? Is it scarier than the movies? What's the pulse on Bill Skarsgård's interpretation of Pennywise? Tune in to this INSANELY dense episode and find out! 

    Topics:

    • Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:57:10 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
    • Tessa & Sam explore what's at the heart of their show, if a movie has ever been better than its book, and if there are any in-name-only adaptations that are still good.
    • Sam, "This actually is extremely faithful to the book..."
    • Tessa is glad she stuck with the show despite episode 3, and the gang talks about why episode 3 is so uniquely bad.
    • Melvin liked the show but wishes the whole season carried the tone and attitude of the first episode.
    • Finally, a good prequel series to a popular story.
    • Nobody can talk about It: Welcome to Derry Season 1 without talking about Stranger Things Season 5.
    • Praising Chris Chalk for his performance as Dick Hallorann.
    • Overcoming fear and trauma through companionship.
    • Thinking about future seasons.
    • Talking the ending and all the new Pennywise lore stuff.

    Recommendations:

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    15 April 2026, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 15 minutes
    Significant Other - w/ Janecka Olen on Al(ien)pine Divorce

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    MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

    Scream Queen Podcast: Podcast // Instagram // TikTok // BlueSky 

    Janecka Olen, creator and host of the Scream Queen Podcast, joins Melvin to discuss a criminally underseen, economically paced sci-fi thriller that's stuck in streaming jail: Significant Other! This 2022 film is loaded with surprises, including an emotional depth seldom seen in "invasion"-type movies. But, is it really an invasion film? It's a lot of things. Tune in and find out! 

    Topics:

    • Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:32:25 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here! 
    • Talking about Janecka's goals, from building her podcast & Instagram, getting her screenplay made, and her work on "The Horror Community's Ep****n List".
    • Janecka loves outdoorsing, and the general fears that come with it kick off Significant Other.
    • Yeah, but... what genre is Significant Other?
    • How opposites are exhibited through the film, including land & sea.
    • Talking various twists and turns, of which there are SEVERAL.
    • Significant Other draws from a lot of films, but one of those choices doesn't sit right with Melvin.
    • Janecka, "The interesting thing about [Significant Other]... is the emotional aspect."
    • The ending is a bit strange, so the two ponder what its saying about relationships.

    Recommendations:

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    8 April 2026, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    undertone - dumbest movie of the decade?

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    MOVIE DISCUSSION:

    Kathryn joins Melvin to talk a surprise horror hit of 2026, undertone! This spooky flick has been helmed "the scariest movie you'll ever hear" by Collider, but is that actually true? Also, what's with all the catholic imagery? And does everything gel well together, or would this have been better as a short-film? 

    Topics:

    • Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:30:31 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
    • Kathryn, "I bet you this movie was written and directed by a man."
    • Melvin, "Well, there's a really good short film in there."
    • There's a lot in undertone, but a lot of it is done much better in other movies, so Melvin lists a few and explains how.
    • Pacing, and the film's sense of time, is really off.
    • Kathryn enjoyed Nina Kiri's performance, and is curious to see what she does next after otherwise carrying this film on her own.
    • As a podcasting hobbyist, Melvin complains about how undertone does podcasting.
    • Is the movie dumb? Discuss.
    • What does the antagonistic force in undertone have to do with sound?
    • Melvin, "There's better movies out there. Watch those instead!"
    • Talking about the ending... I guess...

    Recommendations:

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    1 April 2026, 8:00 am
  • 47 minutes 3 seconds
    Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey - On Kids Movies

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    PATREON MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

    This movie was selected by our Patreon Supporters over at the Cinematic Doctrine Patreon. Support as little as $3 a month and have your voice heard! 

    Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss the latest Patreon-Picked movie, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey! The two finish out March with a family film about talking animals and giving trust a chance!

    Topics:

    • (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 22-minutes of Kathryn & Melvin discussing the Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer, their interest levels, and where they are with their relationship to the MCU. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 
    • First things first: the movie is humane to its animal "actors", and the two reflect on that.
    • The cinematography is top notch.
    • Melvin gets distracted by Disney and... Mormons?
    • It's undeniable; anyone watching will catch themselves smiling. A lot.
    • Talking about why Kids/Family movies are kinda interesting, and mentioning a few that the podcast has covered.
    • Learning to trust others, and learning to care about what others care for.
    • There isn't a lot to say about the ending, but its definitely cute.

    Recommendations:

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    25 March 2026, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 16 minutes
    The Fly (1986) - w/ Horror Hour with the Hannas on Fragile Bodies, Men, and Stomachs

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    MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

    Horror Hour with the Hannas: Podcast // Instagram // TikTok // YouTube 

    Welcome to Twin Peaks: Podcast // Instagram

    Hannah & Matt Hanna from Hour Hour with the Hannas join Melvin to discuss one of David Cronenberg's most loved pictures; The Fly! From its brisk pacing to dense themes, the three get into the grotesque ins-and-outs of this vile, visual treat! 

    Topics:

    • Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:50:27 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
    • Hannah & Matt talk about their varied catalog of episodes and their relationship with the horror genre.
    • Positivity all around; Hannah, Matt, and Melvin loved The Fly!
    • Matt fell in love with The Fly, and it reminded him why he loves movies in the first place.
    • Hannah explores why she stepped away from The Fly feeling... giddy?
    • The film leaves Melvin profoundly emotional by the time the credits roll.
    • Getting into the specifics of the film's gender politics, man's relationship with his legacy, and Stathis.
    • Intimacy demands vulnerability, and vulnerability is often rejected by men through insecurities.
    • Reacting to the absolutely bonkers ending.
    • Discussing that one scene where Stathis shows a sort of respectful kindness to Ronni, and why that felt like a strange yet extremely important moment in the story.

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    18 March 2026, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 16 seconds
    Scream 7 - Kalshi, MetaAI, and Israel Controversy

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    MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

    Kathryn & Melvin discuss the latest ghostface outing, Scream 7! Overwhelmed with controversy, this hugely popular modern slasher franchise brings back its original final girl, Sydney Prescott, in an attempt to salvage its reputation. Did it pay off? Is the whodunnit of it all still good? What's the meta commentary this time around? What about the boycott? We get into it all; tune in now! 

    Topics:

    • Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:19:54 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
    • Giving an overview of the Scream franchise, something the Cinematic Doctrine podcast hasn't formally covered on the podcast.
    • Scream as a franchise isn't usually all that gory, but Scream 7 pushes those boundaries. Kat isn't about it.
    • There is no sense of time or space in the film, and, frankly, that's the least of its problems.
    • Scream as a franchise at its best is smart, and at its worst is a little strange. But here, its worst is downright stupid.
    • Melvin explores why a lot of fans were "boycotting" the movie; partnerships with Kalshi, MetaAI, and the firing of Melissa Barrera.
    • How Hal Lindsey's book The Late Great Planet Earth continues to damage the Western Christian understanding of Israel/Palestine relations, the Scriptures, and now... the Scream franchise?
    • How Scream 7 really stretched the patience of its audience, and how it has the worst ghostface unmasking.

    Recommendations:

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    11 March 2026, 8:00 am
  • 1 hour 24 minutes
    Bugonia - Rich People Blame You

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    MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

    Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss Bugonia, Yorgos Lanthimos' latest bizarre feature! Is this more accessible than any of his previous flicks? What's up with all the Bees? Is Emma Stone an alien, or are rich people just from another planet? There's a LOT to unpack here, so tune in! 

    Topics:

    • Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:38:13 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!
    • Bugonia is more of a dramatic-satire than comedic-satire, despite its marketing implying otherwise.
    • As he does, Melvin begins with something he likes; the acting!
    • Kathryn, "[Bugonia] plays with what it means to be privileged enough to not have to worry about anything anymore and what it looks like for people who are forced to worry about everything."
    • Mostly, Melvin stepped away from Bugonia with negativity.
    • Talkin' bees and what the word "bugonia" means, and the Old Testament "Creation Mandate".
    • Talking about Don, colony collapse disorder, and getting into the ending.
    • It's common in beekeeping to replace the queen. Why isn't that mentioned through this allegory?
    • A call for the wealthy to be kind to the oppressed.

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    4 March 2026, 9:00 am
  • 1 hour 5 minutes
    Misericordia - Life After Death (and also Mushrooms)

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    PATREON MOVIE DISCUSSION: 

    This movie was selected by our Patreon Supporters over at the Cinematic Doctrine Patreon. Support as little as $3 a month and have your voice heard! 

    Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss our latest Patreon-selected movie, Misericordia! This foreign drama/dark-comedy from Alain Guiraudie offers a lot to talk about: Fall vibes, yearning, secrets, and plenty of small town conflict. Also, mushrooms!

    Topics:

    • (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 27-minutes discussing Movies or art-pieces that become rally-cries for fandoms and garner 10/10 reviews in "support" of those projects, and how this makes Melvin go, "Hmmm..." (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 
    • The setting of the film, a Fall French countryside, is stunning.
    • The film is cozy and even-keeled, but it also has a dash of the grotesque.
    • Melvin hasn't watched a lot of Queer cinema and that's largely due to the genre often included a bit more sexuality in it than other genres.
    • Someone watching movies outside their comfort zone can sometimes help bring a broader understanding to that person's outlook.
    • How we interpret the mushroom as a symbol.
    • Talking about love, justice, and living.
    • Getting into the ending, discussing its abruptness, and closing thoughts.
    • The importance of forgiveness and mercy when expressed and experienced in the right direction, as opposed to from merely observers.

    Recommendations:

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    25 February 2026, 9:00 am
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