Watching Theology

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Watching Theology — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 19:05:07 +0000

Loved by millions, generation after generation, The Wizard of Oz remains a symbol of the wonder film can inspire. It is the magical tale of a poor farm girl brought to a Technicolor land of munchkins, witches, and flying monkeys. The story has the power to likewise transport the viewer "over the rainbow" into a land of possibility. And now, all that's over. In this episode Joe and Duke conclude their "Cave" series by looking at how The Wizard of Oz is just another tale of illusion and deception and that Oz and its wizard are part of a conspiracy to mock reality. Bah humbug! This episode is the fifth in "The Cave" series, an examinations of films that feature Utopias, Delusions, and Deceptions. [04.05]

NOW AVAILABLE: Watching, a film book by Joe and Melissa Johnson (also available through Amazon)

WTG: The Lion King

Watching Theology — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 08:30:18 +0000

A G-rated Watching Theology. We're not saying that WT isn't for general audiences, but this version is designed for a younger listener. Join Watching Theology G with Joe and his daughter Elaina. Together, they look at the ideas in films from both an adult's and a child's world. What does The Lion King have to say about family, dying, and leadership? [WTG01]

Note: the regular Watching Theology will return as soon as Joe and Duke quit messing around and record it.

Gattaca (1997)

Watching Theology — Fri, 07 May 2010 01:43:53 +0000

Remember Y2K? In the 1990s, movies were obsessed with the future and what it was like to live at the end of time. Gattaca is no exception. Andrew Niccol's film imagines a near-future in which people's worth is determined by their genetic code and Ethan Hawke doesn't have the right DNA. But he has a dream, a little money, and a lot of determination. On this episode we look at the genetically-enhanced future as a new "cave" — just another way of forming another Eden. Will Ethan Hawke make his dream come true? You could watch the movie or listen to this podcast. This episode is the fourth in "The Cave" series, an examinations of films that feature Utopias, Delusions, and Deceptions. [04.04]

Next Episode: Victor Fleming's The Wizard of Oz (1939).

NOW AVAILABLE: Watching, a film book by Joe and Melissa Johnson (also available through Amazon)

The Truman Show (1998)

Watching Theology — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 23:23:00 +0000

Call it satire, call it an allegory, but The Truman Show is about something. In this production-delayed episode Duke and Joe look over Peter Weir's oddly prophetic take on television. Join us as we examine how Jim Carey represents a helpless philosophical captive striving for enlightenment, a brave seeker battling demonic forces, or an innocent thinker tormented by a cruel deity. How does a satire on reality television turn into an adaptation of Plato's Republic? Step into our "cave" to find out. This episode is the third in "The Cave" series, an examinations of films that feature Utopias, Delusions, and Deceptions. [04.03]

Next Episode: "The Cave" part 4–Andrew Niccol's Gattaca (1997).

NOW AVAILABLE: Watching, a film book by Joe and Melissa Johnson (also available through Amazon)

The Village (2004)

Watching Theology — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 07:13:40 +0000

People respond to trauma in different ways. Some find religion. Others re-evaluate their priorities. Some people, like those in M. Night Shyamalan's The Village, put themselves into an isolated 19th century town hiding away from the world. In this edition, Duke and Joe look at Shyamalan's parable of fear through the Watching Theology lens and ask, "What's the difference between a mythology of monsters and the Amish?" This episode is the second in "The Cave" series, an examinations of films that feature Utopias, Delusions, and Deceptions. [04.02]

Next Episode: "The Cave" part 3–Peter Weir's The Truman Show (1998).

NOW AVAILABLE: Watching, a film book by Joe and Melissa Johnson (also available through Amazon)

Fight Club (1999)

Watching Theology — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 01:43:55 +0000

[NOTE: Explicit Content] New season. New series. New co-host. Same Watching Theology wisdom (sorry). Season 4 begins with an all-male look at twentieth century masculinity according to Pitt, Norton, Fincher, and Palahniuk. Joe is joined by Duke Senter to listen to Fight Club and ask what it means to be male and survive existential vacuums. This extended-length show is the first of a series on "The Cave: Utopias, Delusions, and Deceptions." [04.01]

Next Episode: "The Cave" part 2–M. Night Shyamalan's The Village (2004).

NOW AVAILABLE: Watching, a film book by Joe and Melissa Johnson (also available through Amazon)

WT03.07 Brigham City (2001)

Watching Theology — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 23:50:51 +0000

God's Silence Series: no. 5. In the final installment of the "God's Silence" series–and the last of WT Season 3–we look at Brigham City, Richard Dutcher's third film. Brigham is a little community in Utah, a Mormon town with two police officers and no crime. But a series of murders disrupts paradise. The Sheriff/bishop (played by Dutcher) has to reconcile two worlds, the spiritual and temporal, in an unusual film about the religious life in a secular world. Originally, we hoped to bring a review of Dutcher's Falling, but it remains unavailable on DVD.

See Davey Morrison's excellent interview with Richard Dutcher and his review of Falling.
Need Netflix to watch Brigham City? Click here for a free trial.

Coming in 2010: Watching Theology Season 4 and Fight Club.

NOW AVAILABLE: Watching, a film book by Joe and Melissa Johnson (also available through Amazon)

WT03.06 Breaking the Waves (1996)

Watching Theology — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:33:29 +0000

God's Silence Series: no. 4. When Bess married Jan, it united an outsider and an insider, an oilworker and a member of a strict religious community. Their marriage was a happy one: sensual, fun, passionate. All that ended when Jan returned to his oil platform and Bess was left alone. She resumed prayers to a talkative God, a being who once was her only confidant. When Bess asked God to bring Jan back home to her, she took a significant step to a time of trial and atonement, losing her dignity and experiencing the silence of God in a real and traumatic way. Breaking the Waves is Lars von Trier's controversial parable about the struggle between the sacred and profane, spiritual and physical love, and an angry and loving God. It may also be a 1970s Scottish version of Carl Dreyer's The Passion of Joan of Arc.

See Davey Morrison's excellent interview with Richard Dutcher and his review of Falling.
Need Netflix to watch Breaking the Waves or Brigham City? Click here for a free trial.

Coming soon: In Bruges (perhaps) and Richard Dutcher's Brigham City.

NOW AVAILABLE: Watching, a film book by Joe and Melissa Johnson (also available through Amazon)

WT03.05 Mean Streets (1973)

Watching Theology — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:48:24 +0000

God's Silence Series: no. 3. [NOTE: Explicit Content] Sometimes God is silent. Sometimes he's shut out of the conversation. In Martin Scorsese's breakthrough film Mean Streets, Charlie is trying to find his own way to stay out of Hell. He is the saint of Little Italy, just not the kind of saint anyone would canonize. Although God offers him absolution, Charlie prefers real atonement. He is the savior of the dregs, but his first priority is to save himself without losing anything. Join us for this episode as WT discusses the problem with forming one's own religion.
Coming soon: Breaking the Waves, In Bruges (perhaps), and Richard Dutcher's Falling.

NOW AVAILABLE: Watching, a film book by Joe and Melissa Johnson

WT03.04 Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)

Watching Theology — Thu, 07 May 2009 07:34:52 +0000

God's Silence Series: no. 2. In part two of the "God's Silence" series, Watching Theology considers the profound link between ethics and God's existence. If God exists, He must care, and if God cares, He must punish. So if Martin Landau were to, say, kill Anjelica Huston, you might expect a lightning bolt or two, right? Not according to Woody Allen's masterpiece of tragedy, comedy, existentialism, and literary binaries. Join this episode for a look at Allen's Crimes and Misdemeanors. Also included in this show is a bonus over-simplification of the ways that Christianity has considered the presence of God (and whether it has a category for an apparently silent God).

NOW AVAILABLE: Watching, a film book by Joe and Melissa Johnson

WT03.03 Winter Light (1962)

Watching Theology — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 06:09:32 +0000

God's Silence Series: no. 1. Ingmar Bergman's films have become synonymous with existential terror. In 1962's Winter Light, Bergman explores what could be a typical Sunday for a struggling pastor, except that this pastor may not believe in God. Winter Light is the first episode in a 5 part series on religious doubt, specifically on how "God's Silence" is explored in movies.
(Note: this episode references Arthur Gibson's book Silence of God.) Future episodes in this series: Mean Streets, Crimes and Misdemeanors, In Bruges, and Richard Dutcher's Falling. [#3.03]

NOW AVAILABLE: Watching, a film book by Joe and Melissa Johnson

WT03.02 Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Watching Theology — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 17:02:03 +0000

It's a tale as old as time. On this episode, WT turns it's careful gaze to the waters of the Amazon, watching Jack Arnold's Universal Monster classic Creature from the Black Lagoon. In those dark waters, we find an evolutionary story of Beauty and the Beast and a few bizarre love triangles. As an added bonus, that beastly Joe is joined by a beauty for a brief interview on gender, King Kong, and age appropriate viewing.[#3.02]

NOW AVAILABLE: Watching, a film book by Joe and Melissa Johnson

WT03.01 Choke (2008)

Watching Theology — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:30:36 +0000

In this first episode of season 3, Joe spends a few minutes with Clark Gregg's Choke. This latest adaptation of a Chuck Palahniuk novel is far removed from the David Fincher Fight Club adaptation, but a few threads connect them. Of course there is a fascination with vulgarity and the visceral. There is the strange blend of romanticism, religion and repulsion. But Choke also offers a few comments on the messiah complex of a young man who needs to kill his mother to save his life. All this, and more, waits for the eager and forgiving listener. [#3.01]

NOW AVAILABLE: Watching, a film book by Joe and Melissa Johnson

Watching Reading - Reading Watching

Watching Theology — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:28:22 +0000

Not that you don't have something better to do with your money - like giving to Key Life. But for those listeners who can't get enough movie stuff, the fine folks at Watching Theology offer a collection of film readings. Watching is a mixed collection of articles, papers, reviews and other ramblings from the various projects of Joe and Melissa Johnson (Film-Philes, Watching the Directors, Watching Journal, Watching Theology). We can't promise that you will like the book, find any insights, or even get your money's worth. We can only hope that it will one day be a collector's item.

Note: This book is available only through lulu, a self-publishing site, and requires manufacturing before shipping. In most cases, the book should arrive within two weeks of ordering. Because of this process, the individual cost is a bit higher than we would prefer ($22.72 + shipping). However, an electronic version is available for $5.00.

Enjoy. The Management.

Follow this link to order or preview the book.

WT02.10 A Watching Christmas

Watching Theology — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:44:23 +0000

[NOTE: Explicit Content] If all you want for Christmas is Muppets and Miley Cyrus, avoid this show. But, if you don't mind a little sex, violence, and f-words in your eggnog, we have the gift that keeps giving. On this special (and rare) edition of Watching Theology, we turn our attention toward the Christmas movie. Listen and receive the gift of audio as we count down our Top 5 "Other" Christmas movies of the last 25 (or so) years. Not only will you be treated to our wisdom, but we promise a Santa-free half-hour.
[#2.10]

WT02.09 Star Trek - The Motion Picture (1979)

Watching Theology — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 06:26:55 +0000

God, evolution, the rise of a living machine, theology, humanism and a Vulcan named Spock. It's all in Robert Wise's adaptation of Star Trek mythology. On this episode, Joe does a solo take on what might be the real meaning of the players and ideas behind the first feature of television's most celebrated crew.
(Note: the sound quality is a little shakier than usual. We blame the Klingons.)
[#02.09]
Next WT edition: Aug 1 - Rear Window (1954)

WT02.08 Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

Watching Theology — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:56:31 +0000

Nothing says caring like a close community of Christian believers, compassionate co-workers and a life-like "love doll." Lars and the Real Girl is the story of a lonely man who becomes so gripped by the contrary forces of fear and love that he suffers from the delusion of believing that an internet-ordered mannequin is a girl friend. And in this insanity, he finds that there is no shortage of love – real love – in his life.
On this episode we spend some time with Lars, his family, his co-workers and his church to talk about the need to love and the cost of it all. Is fear a protector or destroyer of the human heart? Is love safe?
Next WT edition: July 18 - Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979)

WT Update

Watching Theology — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:25:23 +0000

Yes, the podcast still exists. And it will return soon.

Here's the quick rundown on some adjusted program dates (and listen to the audio for a preview of some other upcoming shows):

Lars and the Real Girl (July 11), Star Trek: The Motion Picture (July 18), Rear Window (Aug 1)

WT02.07 Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

Watching Theology — Fri, 23 May 2008 17:13:35 +0000

With the long awaited fourth movie in the Indiana Jones series hitting theaters, it seemed to be a good time to revisit our childhood and our collective social consciousness with an adventure. On this episode we go back to the beginning with Harrison Ford, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg to a surprising little homage film called Raiders of the Lost Ark. As we follow Dr. Jones, we are confronted by the nature of God - or what God might do if let out of a box - and the battle of good versus evil in an attempt to stop world domination. Can Indiana save the girl? Will the Nazis capture the ark and control the world?
Watching The Directors next edition: June 3 - The Archers: Powell & Pressburger.
Next WT edition: June 13 - Lars and the Real Girl (2007)

WT02.06 Citizen Kane (1941)

Watching Theology — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:06:33 +0000

Considered by numerous critics and film organizations to be the greatest film ever made, Citizen Kane is large in legend even without our brief examination of the movie. But even Orson Welles – as Charles Foster Kane and director – is not beyond our arrogant ramblings about life and meaning. On this episode, we look at the masterwork and talk about innocence, childhood, nostalgia and giving. We also spend some time talking about technique and whether Citizen Kane may have more in common with Nabokov's Lolita than Capra's It's a Wonderful Life.
(Note: "We" is used liberally here since only Joe is on this episode due to Melissa's workload on other projects. So if you don't listen, it won't hurt our/my feelings.)
Watching The Directors next edition: June 3 - The Archers: Powell & Pressburger.
Next WT edition: May 27 - Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)

WT02.05: A Scanner Darkly (2006)

Watching Theology — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:11:55 +0000

[NOTE: Explicit Content] Whether or not there's a huge government/corporate conspiracy to take over every liberty – to enslave and control us – there's always time to think about reality. Fortunately, in Philip K. Dick's and Richard Linklater's vision of the near future, we're provided with ample examples of how one might go about losing his or her identity. And though drugs are a huge part of that, they're not the whole story. On this episode, we look through the lens of the scanner, trying to find clues on how to distinguish between illusion and reality – between Bob, Fred and Bruce.
Watching The Directors next edition: May 13 - Steven Soderbergh
Next WT edition: May 13 - Citizen Kane (1941)

WT02.04 The Wicker Man (1973)

Watching Theology — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:10:00 +0000

Somewhere on an island outside Scotland, Christopher Lee has built the perfect neo-Pagan civilization. There you will find fertility rites, folk music and a frolicking Britt Ekland (and her body double). You will also witness a clash of civilizations that hasn't been seen since St. Patrick brought Christianity to the heathens in Ireland. On this episode, we'll explore Summerisle and its devotion to the old gods and how that may affect the life of a Christian police officer investigating the disappearance of a young girl.
Watching The Directors next edition: April 22 - Woody Allen (1966-85)
Next WT edition: April 29 - A Scanner Darkly)

Casino Royale (2006)

Watching Theology — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:49:56 +0000

[NOTE: Explicit Content] It may never have occurred to you before, but James Bond is a troubled old man. Being a glossy hit man may have some drawbacks, such as the inability to keep a conscience and a slightly troubled Freudian nightmare of a view on women. We put Casino Royale and Daniel Craig's Bond on the couch for thirty good minutes of free psychotherapy and ask whether the need for "realism" is killing comic book heroes.

Watching The Directors next edition: April 1 - Mira Nair
April 22 - Woody Allen (1966-85)

Next WT edition: April 15 - The Wicker Man (1973)

Bond fan? You must join the Hollywood Saloon for their comprehensive 3-part Bond movie series. Part 1 (1962-71), Part 2 (1973-89), Part 3 (1995-2006)

Pinocchio (1940)

Watching Theology — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 16:24:43 +0000

What do the frontier revival evangelists have in common with pre-War, classic Disney animation? Perhaps a lot more than many of us may have considered. It seems that Pinocchio has more to say about good behavior and the problem of succumbing to the devil's devices - gambling, drinking, smoking, etc. - than many of today's pulpits. But there was a time when the American common religion and the ethics of kiddie culture could be summed up in one simple phrase: "Now, remember… be a good boy. And always let your conscience be your guide."

Watching The Directors next edition: April 1 - Mira Nair

Next WT edition: April 1 - Casino Royale (2006)

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Watching Theology — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 06:03:01 +0000

You don't see a zombie every day, but if you did, would it change your life forever? On this episode - the first of season two - we spend time with some nobody named Shaun, who is having a very bad day. It seems that everyone around the poor guy is turning into the undead, and we're supposed to laugh about it. Join us for our discussion on the nature of life and other family values.
Next edition: Pinocchio (1940)

Watching Theology: Season 2

Watching Theology — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 18:13:00 +0000

Despite our attempts to keep an occasional show posted - our best laid plans to keep Watching Theology alive - we've failed miserably. Quite a few opportunities have come and gone.

So, left with the reality of seeing the show disappear altogether, we've decided to salvage it from the littered heap of podcast debris and bring it back for, what we affectionately call, "Season 2".

Beginning March 4, WT will return as a bi-weekly podcast covering the thematic, philosophical and religious components of movies. Join us as we look at zombie flicks, animated classics, war films and a bunch of other cinematic wonder.

We also would like to thank those of you who have commented on your enjoyment of the show. We appreciate your encouragement to keep it going.

Children of Men (2006)

Watching Theology — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:45:40 +0000

[NOTE: Explicit Content] Since Huxley's Brave New World, novels and films have flowed with a bleak view of the not-too-distant future. Alfonso Cuaron's adaptation of P.D. James' Children of Men doesn't depart too far from this perspective. But it does offer some new thoughts to the genre. Join us as we look at what the film says about the basics of human sexuality and the idea of a world without a future.
Also, we announce, sadly, that Watching Theology is going through some changes.
Watching The Directors next edition: October 30 - James Whale
Next WT edition: tba

Forbidden Planet (1956)

Watching Theology — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:42:08 +0000

1950's science fiction is a wonderful place for finding heavy-handed propaganda. The stories are often parables and metaphors with shiny gadgets and planet-size catastrophes. 1956's Forbidden Planet is an example of great moral lessons buried in the luster of special effects and lasers. Forbidden Planet also has the distinction of being the finest blending of Shakespeare and Freud ever put onto celluloid. So join us as we travel back fifty years and explore the secrets of the id.
Watching The Directors next edition: October 16 - Alfonso CuarÃ³n
Next WT edition: October 23 - Alfonso CuarÃ³n's Children of Men (2006)

Barton Fink (1991)

Watching Theology — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 15:20:47 +0000

Some films are clear - you know exactly what you're getting and exactly what you're supposed to learn. Then there's Barton Fink. In the midst of a bad case of writer's block, the Coen Brothers scripted this tale of a talented playwright with his own unusual case of writer's block. Barton leaves the promise and glory of the New York elite for the heartless, business world of Hollywood. Along the way, he checks into the Hotel Earle, meets Charlie and has probably sold his soul.
On this edition, we take a few glances at this metaphor-rich story about a man's self-delusion and the unfortunate fellow residents of, what may be, Hell.
Watching The Directors next edition: Sept 18 - John Hughes
Next WT edition: September 25 - Fred Wilcox's Forbidden Planet (1956)

Dogma (1999)

Watching Theology — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 04:16:13 +0000

[NOTE: Explicit Content] Religious movies sure have a way of making religious people angry. Kevin Smith's 1999 film, Dogma, is no exception. Fearing death threats - from the "Thou Shall Not Kill" folks who ought to know better - Smith went as far as putting a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie to let people know he's just having some fun (the disclaimer thing didn't work for Scorsese either). In the midst of Smith's fun is a film that is a bit long on exposition, a bit indulgent in profanity and a lot smarter than given credit. Dogma may be one of the most original films of recent years, and the perspectives it offers are more than enough material for a little half-hour show.
Join us as we talk about a few of the primary players and wonder if God is really a Canadian pop star.
Watching The Directors next edition: Sept 4 - Coen Brothers
Next WT edition: September 11 - Coen Brother's Barton Fink (1991)