On Watching Theology, Joe, Duke, and Melissa take a single film and examine it closely, looking at the assumptions and ideas in the story. Every episode considers the theological, philosophical and thematic elements of a film, listening closely to what the author has to say, and interacting with those ideas. (It's more fun than it sounds).

Joe watches too many movies. He grew up in central Washington, earned his B.A. in Education and Fine Art, an M.A. in Theology and is currently completing an M.A. in English Literature. He's smuggled film classes into each degree. He is interested in writing, theology and hopes to one day compose the ultimate Joe Versus the Volcano commentary track.

Melissa has a B.A. in History and an M.A. in English with an emphasis on Film Studies. She has taken classes on everything from silent to romance to post-colonial films and much in between. Her research and interests lie mainly in feminist film theory, women in film, Hitchcock and the studio era. At the end of the day, however, she just loves films; from Notorious to Die Hard!
Duke enjoys the way movies can tell stories like no other medium. He is an amatuer critic that loves the atmosphere of the theater and the taste of overpriced popcorn. He loves a good story and appreciates the effort and skill of good story tellers. He is a nerd at heart and a sucker for heist movies. He hopes to see every good movie and lampoon every bad movie ever made before he dies.

Contact the hosts at mail@watchingtheology.com for more information.

Show DescriptionWatching Theology

WT03.04 Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)

Watching Theology May 7th, 2009

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 C … (Read More)

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WT03.03 Winter Light (1962)

Watching Theology April 19th, 2009

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 … (Read More)

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WT03.02 Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Watching Theology March 21st, 2009

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 … (Read More)

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WT03.01 Choke (2008)

Watching Theology February 20th, 2009

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, a … (Read More)

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Watching Reading - Reading Watching

Watching Theology January 8th, 2009

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 … (Read More)

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WT02.10 A Watching Christmas

Watching Theology December 23rd, 2008

[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 … (Read More)

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