Movieology

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Movieology

Welcome to Movieology, your ticket to digging deeper into the meaning of movies. With their monthly reviews and analyses, hosts Eric and Michael sift through new releases, hits of the year, and favorites of all time to uncover the Christian worldview implications of the silver screen. Join the conversation.

1 hour 45 minutes

Movieology #8: He Looks Like a Naked Mole Rat
Joe, Michael, and our first-time guest, Rusty, discusss Spike Jonze’s ‘Her’: the thought-provoking story about the relationships of Theodore Twombly. This lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his computer’s OS that is designed to behave like a sentient being. ‘Her’ stars Joaquin Phoenix, Scarlett Johansson, Amy Adams, and Chris Pratt.
Show Notes & Links
- ‘Her’ on Rotten Tomatoes
  Sweet, soulful, and smart, Spike Jonze’s Her uses its just-barely-sci-fi scenario to impart wryly funny wisdom about the state of modern human relationships.
- Siri
  Siri lets you use your voice to send messages, schedule meetings, place phone calls, and more.
- Red Letter Media video review
  Mike and Jay celebrate cinema’s greatest month by seeing The Legend of Hercules and then try to make up for that by seeing Spike Jonze’s latest film Her.
- I, Robot
  In the year 2035 a techno-phobic cop investigates a crime that may have been perpetrated by a robot, which leads to a larger threat to humanity.
- ‘Her’ trailer
  <iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/WzV6mXIOVl4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
- Director Spike Jonze
  A notoriously shy prankster with a penchant for skateboarding and tall tales, Spike Jonze might not have been the most obvious candidate for "most promising director" or "best first feature" status.
- Starring Joaquin Phoenix
  Staying true to his last name, Joaquin Phoenix has made a career out of making a couple of films, disappearing, and then reappearing from the ashes to rise upward toward greater glory.
- Also starring Amy Adams
  Adams decided on a professional acting career, and appeared in several films, including Catch Me If You Can (2002) and Cruel Intentions 2 (2000). She has also guest-starred in such television shows as The Office, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, The West Wing and Smallville
- And Scarlett Johansson
  Universally known as one of the sexiest women in Hollywood, Scarlett Johansson has actually been acting professionally since the age of eight. A native of New York City, where she was born on November 22, 1984
- And Chris Pratt was in it
  Born June 21, 1979, native Minnesotan actor Chris Pratt scored his first big break on television as the troubled physician’s son Bright Abbott on the WB series drama Everwood, opposite Treat Williams and others
- ‘Her’ profile on IMDb
  A lonely writer develops an unlikely relationship with his newly purchased operating system that’s designed to meet his every need.
- Found the ‘Her’ movie website!
- Michael refers to The Drudge Report
- Joe references ‘The Truman Show’
  An insurance salesman/adjuster discovers his entire life is actually a T.V. show.
- Creationism Debate
- Watch the debate (available for a limited time)
  Last night, Bill Nye the Science Guy and Ken Ham the Creation Man debated the question, “Is creationism a viable model of origins in today’s modern scientific era?” I was happy the “great creationism debate” happened, but I have mixed feelings about how it turned out.
- Facebook “a look back” video parody
  Tripp and Tyler, who most recently entertained us with conference calls in real life, have a fantastic new video poking fun at…well, all things Facebook… <iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/CDmVF_ku7vE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
- Godel, Escher, Bach by Douglas Hofstadter
  Douglas Hofstadter’s book is concerned directly with the nature of “maps” or links between formal systems. However, according to Hofstadter, the formal system that underlies all mental activity transcends the system that supports it. If life can grow out of the formal chemical substrate of the cell, if consciousness can emerge out of a formal system of firing neurons, then so too will computers attain human intelligence.
- ‘Ender’s Game’ books (series)
  The Ender’s Game series (often referred to as the Enderverse or the Ender saga) is a series of science fiction books by Orson Scott Card. The series started with the novelette "Ender’s Game", which was later expanded into the novel of the same title.
13 February 2014, 2:00 pm
1 hour 6 minutes

Movieology #7: The Walls Are Covered In These Mazes…
Eric, Joe, and Michael tear down Denis Villeneuve’s "Prisoners" (which stars Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Viola Davis) and before the guys wrap up, Eric and Michael review the end of AMC’s "Breaking Bad." "Prisoners" seems to make a mess of a simple suspense yet most audiences like it. What’s going on here?! What’s with the tree bark, toy whistle, and the villain’s black juice?
Show Notes & Links
24 October 2013, 1:00 pm
1 hour 31 minutes

Movieology #6: On Insult, Injury, and Insanity
The guys discuss their like/hate relationship with ‘Elysium’—what went wrong with the film and why it matters. Does it live up to ‘District 9’ for director Neill Blomkamp? While exploring it from all facets right down to its absurd foundation, the guys breakdown its origins in liberalism and video games, and its all so surprising biblical themes.
Show Notes & Links
11 September 2013, 1:00 pm
1 hour 24 minutes

Movieology #5: On Chemistry, Collusion, and Judgment
In this episode of Moveiology, Joe Darnell joins Michael and Eric to discuss TV shows, rip-offs, episodic filmmaking, in-depth storylines, character development… and primarily in review, Michael and Eric discuss AMC’s “Breaking Bad.” Since Joe hasn’t watched the show, he fields questions that people interested in getting started with the series might like the answers to. And as always, Eric and Michael wax eloquent in their thoughtful film analysis, and good-natured sarcasm.
Show Notes & Links
3 August 2013, 6:45 pm
1 hour 7 minutes

Movieology #4: On Tricks and Travesties
The Academy has awarded the “Best Picture” to 2012’s ‘Argo’. Is this a case of politicized art or aestheticized politics? Or both? Some think that Hollywood is up to some trick — both political and sensational — with this elaborate movie. Michael and Eric debate the merits of the Academy’s choice, its film craft, and its self-contradicting political themes. Does ‘Argo’ really deserve to be “The Year’s Best Film?” Is the true story of 1979 lost in the pursuit of entertainment?
Show Notes & Links
2 April 2013, 3:05 pm
54 minutes 44 seconds

Movieology #3: On Health, Home, and Happiness
‘Silver Linings Playbook’ walks the genre tightrope in an exemplary fashion, defying its category of Romantic Comedy. Many times over ‘Silver Linings’ takes the viewer by surprise. It proves that not all Rom Coms need to be formulaic to be successful. From The Daily Grind in Marietta, GA, over some french roast and blueberry scones, Eric and Michael explore what makes a great romance story work.
Show Notes & Links
12 February 2013, 9:50 pm
1 hour 13 minutes

Movieology #2: Of Love, Law, and Lucidity
Eric and Michael wax eloquent for the musical ‘Les Miserables’. In their in-depth discussion, they dig deep into the heart of the conflict: the theology of grace versus law. What are the merits in Javert’s worldview? What does the film have in store for Christians? And while dwelling on the craft of ‘Les Mis’, the dynamic duo consider what the ethical limits are for Christians to exploit sin in film narrative.
Show Notes & Links
16 January 2013, 12:39 am
1 hour 10 minutes

Movieology #1: Of Tigers, Technology, and Theology
‘Life of Pi’ is given the royal treatment in the pilot episode of the Movieology podcast. From Joe Darnell’s back porch, hosts Eric Rauch and Michael Minkoff scrutinize everything from Pi Patel’s nuanced religious relationship with Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam, to the 200+ drafts of the script. Along the way, Eric and Michael debate the relevance of movies for religious audiences, the distinction between pluralism and relativism, and the craft and importance of 3D film special effects.
Show Notes & Links
19 December 2012, 9:19 pm
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