Divine Cinema
18 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 5 years ago - ★★★★ - 5 ratingsOn the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month Divine Cinema looks at films with central themes of faith from a Progressive Christian perspective. The Divine Cinema team will put the good, the bad and the ugly films about faith through the eye of a needle and scrutinize its themes, messages, cinematography and overall portrayal faith on the silver screen. As self-proclaimed experts of fine (and divine) cinema and former Evangelicals, hosts Jeff, Adam and Dylan have a lot to say about movies, their distorted views of Christianity, and the messages of the pop culture we consume. So if you are looking for podcast that appreciates the art of film and how it can beautifully (or horribly) reflect the nuanced ways in which people express their faith, this is the podcast for you.
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Episodes
Dogma - 016
November 22, 2018 14:13 - 1 hour - 30.7 MBDogma is a welcome change of pace for the films usually reviewed on Divine Cinema. Jeff, Dylan and Adam all agree that this movie was fun to watch. It is a good hearted film wrapped in a health dose of adolescent humor and Biblical mythology. In addition, it has an amazing cast of actors; Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, the always amazing Alan Rickman (RIP), Chris Rock and Salma Hayek. Of course the real question is where does this movie stack up on the pieces of silver scale? Listen and find ou...
Come Sunday - 015
November 08, 2018 19:55 - 1 hour - 28.2 MBCome Sunday is a film that finally tells the story of the journey into a type of Christianity that Divine Cinema and it’s hosts abide in. However, is it a good film? Does the filmmaking bring to life the struggle in challenging a tenant of Evangelical theology and all the loss that comes with that, or does it just make you wish hell actually exists? Listen to find out what Jeff, Dylan and Adam think. And of course to hear where they stand on its theological merits as measured by the tried ...
A Thief in the Night - 014
October 25, 2018 17:12 - 54 minutes - 25.1 MBA Thief in the Night may not be the first rapture film, but it is certainly the blueprint for many of the ones we’ve seen since its inception. Including, of course, Left Behind. On this week’s episode Jeff, Dylan and Adam dissect this 1972 ‘classic’. Although there are some surprising bright spots in the film making this film falls so short of being a quality film. Film making aspects aside however, the real question is how does it measure on the silver meter. Does rapture theology hold ...
The Case for Christ - 013
October 11, 2018 22:10 - 1 hour - 27.9 MBIn a surprising turn of events, The Case for Christ is not that bad a movie. The story is decent, the acting is good and the cinematography is solid. They even manage to pull off a pretty accurate period piece, as the movie takes place in the early 1980s. However, how does it do on the pieces of silver scale? Listen to find out what Jeff, Dylan and Adam have to say about the spiritual themes in this 2017 film, The Case for Christ. Initial Thoughts on The Case for Christ (00:46) The...
International Podcast Day 2018 Bonus Episode - More of Our Favorite Things - 012.5
September 30, 2018 13:20 - 1 hour - 31.9 MBOn International Podcast Day 2018 Jeff, Dylan and Adam return to catch everyone up on where the heck they’ve been. Also, in what may very well be an International Podcast Day bonus episode tradition, they break format to share what they are watching and listening to. They talk movie, tv, and of course podcasts. There are enough recommendations in this episode to tide you over until next year’s edition of A Few of Our Favorite Things. ANNOUNCEMENTS Divine Cinema will return to our regula...
Silence - 012
July 12, 2018 17:11 - 1 hour - 33.9 MBWhile all are hosts are in agreement that Silence is a well made film, this episode highlights once again some difference of opinion in terms of its faith aspects. One host thinks it's too problematic, another thinks it’s too ambiguous and the other thinks it’s just right. Listen to find out who’s porridge bowl of cinematic faith goodness hits the spot. Review of Silence (02:58) Ratings and Redeemed Perspectives (53:40) PLOT SUMMARY After hearing that their mentor, Father Ferreira, h...
Don Verdean - 011
June 28, 2018 04:21 - 57 minutes - 26.4 MBThis review of Don Verdean marks the first intentional comedy reviewed on Divine Cinema. Jeff, Adam and Dylan lament the potential of this movie to be a classic. Sadly, the cast is wasted on a lackluster script that leaves a lot to be desired. Listen to the episode to find out if there were any redeeming qualities of this film and how many pieces of silver Don Verdean earns. Initial Thoughts (01:00) Review of Don Verdean (4:16) Ratings and Redeemed Perspectives (47:21) PLOT SUMM...
The Sunset Limited - 010
February 08, 2018 15:22 - 1 hour - 30.1 MBHow does The Sunset Limited hold up as a play turned film? Find out how Jeff, Dylan and Adam think this movie does in using the medium of film to enhance (or take away from) the limited settings and characters. In terms of faith, will this movie be another God’s Not Dead or will it provide the nuance necessary to earn a small stack of silver? Review of The Sunset Limited (3:32) Ratings and Redeemed Perspectives for The Sunset Limited (53:22) PLOT SUMMARY The Sunset Limited is a...
The Shack - 009
January 12, 2018 01:15 - 1 hour - 32.4 MBThe Shack is a cinematic attempt at answering the age old question of, “Where is God when bad things happen to good people?”. Jeff, Dylan and Adam discuss how this film does in approaching such a complex issue. Does The Shack sell out the gospel with over simplified answers to complex questions or does it provide a solid foundation of theological discovery? Initial Thoughts (00:39) Review of The Shack (05:44) Ratings and Redeemed Perspectives (54:31) PLOT SUMMARY Based on the ...
Last Days in the Desert - 008
December 28, 2017 18:41 - 1 hour - 41.5 MBDuring this review of Last Days in the Desert, Jeff, Dylan and Adam dive deep into their own Christologies as they debate this film’s intentions and portrayal of Jesus. Specifically the humanity of Jesus. Is this film compelling enough to be on the upper tier of Jesus films, or does it fail to reach divine status? Find out on this episode of Divine Cinema. Last Days in the Desert Review (00:04:56) Ratings and Redeemed Perspectives (01:14:33) PLOT SUMMARY Last Days in the Desert...
The Star - 007
December 14, 2017 04:23 - 53 minutes - 24.7 MBThis review of The Star marks the first time in Divine Cinema history Jeff, Dylan and Adam have recorded in the same room. Will this movie be the next holiday classic or will it be another in a long line of horrible Christian movies that end of desecrating the art of filmmaking? Review of The Star (04:36) Ratings and Redeemed Perspectives (44:44) PLOT SUMMARY A small, but determined, donkey named Bo feels as though he is destined for more than just being a mill donkey. He wants to b...
The One I Wrote For You - 006
November 23, 2017 05:37 - 1 hour - 30.9 MBThe One I Wrote For You is a far cry from so bad it’s good. This movie is just plain bad. Jeff, Dylan and Adam suffer for the cause and discuss how this film completely misses the mark. Actually, it doesn’t even know what mark it is aiming for. Christian movie? Hallmark movie? After-school special? Bad story, undeveloped characters and phoned-in performances. Review of The One I Wrote For You (03:50) Ratings and Redeemed Perspectives (53:00) PLOT SUMMARY Ben Cantor is a disench...
Calvary - 005
November 09, 2017 13:53 - 1 hour - 31.1 MBIt is safe to say that Calvary is by far Jeff, Dylan & Adam’s favorite film they’ve reviewed for the show thus far. But, of course, this show is not just about the quality of a given film, but it’s portrayal of real life faith. How does Calvary stack up? How many pieces of silver does it deserve? And who killed Father James’ dog? All these questions and much more will be discussed in this edition of Divine Cinema. Review of Calvary (03:17) Ratings and Redeemed Perspectives (56:01) P...
The Visitation - 004
October 25, 2017 22:42 - 1 hour - 27.7 MBThe only thing better than a bad Christian movie is a bad horror movie. This week we combine the two with The Visitation. After all, we are headed into Halloween. Listen as Jeff, Dylan and Adam review this convoluted mess of a film. From plot, pacing and phoned in performances this movie misses all the marks. Find out if this film is so bad it’s good, or just plain bad? Review of The Visitation (00:02:09) Ratings and Redeemed Perspectives (00:45:13) PLOT SUMMARY The Visitatio...
Simon Birch - 003
October 12, 2017 03:03 - 1 hour - 36.1 MBJeff, Dylan, and Adam take a nostalgic look at the 1998 film, Simon Birch on this episode. Hear our take on the small hero, Jim Carrey’s cameo, and the faith portrayed in the Rockwellian setting. Aside from getting a little obsessed over Oliver Platt and his performance, there dissension among the hosts as to the overall quality of this film and its portrayal of faith. Review of Simon Birch (00:03:46) Ratings and Redeemed Perspectives (01:05:34) Staff Pic (01:14:57) PLOT SUMM...
A Few of Our Favorite Things - International Podcast Day 2017 Bonus Episode - 002.5
September 30, 2017 14:08 - 31 minutes - 14.4 MBJeff, Dylan and Adam share some of their favorite things in this episode. This includes what they’re watching, 2017 summer movies and of course their favorite podcasts, other than of Divine Cinema of course. Not only is this bonus episode celebrating International Podcast Day 2017 but it is also the year anniversary of this show. We started as a bonus episode on another podcast called Irenicast and here we are a year later a podcast of our own. MORE ON INTERNATIONAL PODCAST DAY Interna...
The Apostle (1997) - 002
September 28, 2017 12:39 - 1 hour - 35.9 MBIn Divine Cinema’s first outing with an actual good movie, Jeff, Dylan, and Adam have a lively debate about the main character, Sonny, in the 1997 Robert Duvall film, The Apostle. This episode becomes a character study of sorts as our hosts offer up their thoughts on the motivations of the films main protagonist… or antagonist? Film Facts about The Apostle, 1997 (00:01:18) Review of The Apostle, 1997 (00:04:25) Ratings and Redeemed Perspectives (01:09:38) PLOT SUMMARY Sonn...
Left Behind (2014) - 001
September 13, 2017 13:21 - 59 minutes - 27.4 MBJeff, Dylan, and Adam take an in-depth look at 2014 disaster (or maybe more appropriately: a disaster of a film?) film Left Behind starring Nicolas Cage. This film is loosely based on the book of the same name and portrays what would happen in a world where Nic Cage is a pilot and experiences the rapture. The Divine Cinema co-hosts talk about all the ins and outs of the film and try to figure out what is missing from it; besides all the people that got raptured that is. Left Behind Revie...