Cinematic Doctrine: A Movie Review Podcast Hosted by Christians

Bugonia - Rich People Blame You

Send us a Question!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.Recommendations:Giant-Size X-Men: Tribute to Wein & Cockrum (2025) (Graphic Novel)Savageland (2015) (Movie) Support the showSupport on Patreon for Unique Perks! Early access to uncut episodes Vote on a movie/show we review One-time reward of two Cinematic Doctrine Stickers & Pins Social Links: Threads Website Instagram Letterboxd Facebook Group

Misericordia - Life After Death (and also Mushrooms)

Send us a Question!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:Good News in January (you might have missed) (2026) (YouTube)Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs (2013) (Video Game) Support the showSupport on Patreon for Unique Perks! Early access to uncut episodes Vote on a movie/show we review One-time reward of two Cinematic Doctrine Stickers & Pins Social Links: Threads Website Instagram Letterboxd Facebook Group

Bottle Rocket - Talking Wes Anderson

Send us a Question!MOVIE DISCUSSION: Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss Bottle Rocket, Wes Anderson's first feature-length film! The vibes are cozy and the dramedy is light, and the two get into discussions about classism (go figure!), easy-to-watch films, and what it is about Wes Anderson that makes him so mainstream. Topics: (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 23-minutes discussing Darren Aronofsky's AI-Slop studio "Primordial Soup" which specializes in producing "stories" and "art" through AI programs (LLMs and AGIs a la Chat-GPT and Midjourney) and how this endeavor is actually anti-art. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) Kathryn has stated that Bottle Rocket is her favorite Wes Anderson movie. Is this still true?It's nice to watch a Wes Anderson movie where he isn't overly controlling everything.Talking classism, adulthood, maturity, & empathy.Melvin isn't so sure he likes Wes Anderson's movies as much as everyone else, and he spends some time thinking what it is others see in them.Talking about Dignan, Anthony, and the unique characters therein.The climax of the film feels like a great representation of what Wes Anderson does best.Recommendations:Brick (2006) (Movie)Amnesia: The Dark Descent (2010) (Video Game) Support the showSupport on Patreon for Unique Perks! Early access to uncut episodes Vote on a movie/show we review One-time reward of two Cinematic Doctrine Stickers & Pins Social Links: Threads Website Instagram Letterboxd Facebook Group

Iron Lung - Is Cosmic Horror Hope-core?

Send us a Question!MOVIE DISCUSSION: Shirleon joins Melvin to talk about Markiplier's Iron Lung movie! Is it like the game? Is it claustrophobic? Is it spooky-scary? The game is about 45-minutes whereas the movie is a little over 2-hours... is it bloated? Tune in and find out! Topics:(PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 20-minutes talking about the vibes around Chris Pratt, if he's as popular as Hollywood thinks he is, what the financials of his latest features tell us, and where we think he's going next. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) Setting the groundwork for the Iron Lung game so we can talk the Iron Lung movie.Both Shirleon & Melvin liked the movie, and the two chat about what worked for them.The film succeeded in making Shirleon feel very claustrophobic.Why is cosmic horror or weird fiction so difficult in film?Melvin feels Iron Lung showcases Markiplier's talent as a writer/director.Why do we think people love stories that contain such a degree of hopelessness?Some specifics about the ending are a bit confusing, but Melvin doesn't feel it detracts from the experience.Shirleon chats about the creature.In terms of filmmaking, what's next for Markiplier?Recommendations: Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith: Episode III (2025) (Novel)FoundTV (Streaming App) Support the showSupport on Patreon for Unique Perks! Early access to uncut episodes Vote on a movie/show we review One-time reward of two Cinematic Doctrine Stickers & Pins Social Links: Threads Website Instagram Letterboxd Facebook Group

Stranger Things S5 - Canon Fanfiction

Send us a Question!TV-Show Discussion: Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss Stranger Things Season 5! Was it worth the 9-year adventure? How was it in theaters? Is there a secret 9th episode? The two discuss it all, from the insanely large cast of characters to #ConformityGate! Topics:Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:32:13 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!It's so nice that Stranger Things is actually over during a time where fiction seems never-ending.Kathryn and Melvin went to the theater for the finale. For Melvin, it was great. For Kathryn... well...Melvin, "It is probably the worst season of Stranger Things."Why couldn't it land the plane?Offering rewrites because that's what podcasts do!So... why does Stranger Things avoid killing major characters?Talking #ConformityGate.Mel, "Good coming-of-age [stories have] consequences."Recommendations:A Wrinkle in Time: The Graphic Novel (2015) (Graphic Novel)The Crazies (1973) (Movie) Support the showSupport on Patreon for Unique Perks! Early access to uncut episodes Vote on a movie/show we review One-time reward of two Cinematic Doctrine Stickers & Pins Social Links: Threads Website Instagram Letterboxd Facebook Group