Episodes
Sunday Feb 03, 2013
Episode Twenty-One: Stargate
Sunday Feb 03, 2013
Sunday Feb 03, 2013
We’re back! Thank you for hanging in there last month. We wanted to bring you our best so we took our time. We brought it here this month with our review of the movie “Stargate” and its spin-off “Stargate SG-1.” What is more true, scientific fact or religious faith? We seek to find the answer through the Stargate (or Chapa’ai for all you true believers out there).
Arthur C. Clarke - Wikiquote Clarke’s Three Laws
GEOS - Stargate SG-1 News Article Stargate sequels?
GateWorld » More details on Best-Lock’s new Stargate toy line
Next month we will be watching the original “Clash of the Titans” and discussing the show “Fringe” now that the series has finished. See you then and with any luck we will stay on schedule!
Friday Sep 07, 2012
Episode Seventeen: Planet of the Apes
Friday Sep 07, 2012
Friday Sep 07, 2012
“A planet where apes evolve from men?” This and other mind boggling questions are tackled in this month’s epic podcast on the “Planet of the Apes” series of movies. In our TV/Book corner we review Stephen King’s post-apocalyptic spiritual spectacular: The Stand. We have not had as much fun recording since our “Dune” episode, and we hope you enjoy it too. As always, here are some links for further study.
Planet of the Apes: The Forbidden Zone
The Stand - Stephen King - Google Books
Next show is in October which is Halloween time. So, in honor of this ancient holiday we will be watching two movies: “The Exorcist” and “Constantine;” both are different takes on the Catholic-inspired horror genre and should make for some interesting comparison. See you all then!
Update: Since we recorded this episode, one of the stars of the 2001 "Planet of the Apes," Micheal Clarke Duncan, has passed away at the age of 54 due to natural causes following a heart attack. Our thoughts and prayers are for his family, friends, and fans. All of us will miss him.
Friday Aug 03, 2012
Episode Sixteen: Metropolis
Friday Aug 03, 2012
Friday Aug 03, 2012
Welcome to episode sixteen, on Lang's classic Metropolis and the short lived Caprica, of Checking the Gate: A Film and Religion Podcast. As you may remember, we delayed this episode to focus on Christ centered movies for Easter earlier in the year. At last, we are able to turn our attention to the Medieval religious imagery in an an Expressionist film, to the ethics of cheating death and playing God, and to lamenting unfulfilled promises. Here are some links for those of keen interest. Metropolis The Complete Metropolis - Kino Lorber Home Video Japanese Visual Culture: Explorations in the World of Manga and Anime - Mark Wheeler MacWilliams - Google Books Caprica | Syfy FOX Broadcasting Company - Fringe TV Show - Fringe TV Series - Fringe Episode Guide Septembers episode is going to cover another classic sci-fi piece, the original "Planet of the Apes." We will most likely touch on the sequel "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" and the 2001 remake, but the later two are not required viewing. We will also be discussing the book/miniseries of Stephen King's The Stand, as TV Corner slowly morphs into Book Corner. Until then remember, the mediator of the hed and the hands must be the heart...so say we all!
Friday Jul 06, 2012
Episode Fifteen - Prometheus
Friday Jul 06, 2012
Friday Jul 06, 2012
Greetings! For the last month since Prometheus was released, the whole internet community has been scratching their heads, asking questions, and submitting theories over Ridley Scott's latest cinematic journey. We join in the fervor with our latest episode as we look at some of the popular theories and give you some of our own. As always we try to hone in on the religious subtext. Space Jesus, Xenomorph worshipers, the mystery of Creation--we look at it all. Plus, we add in some extra dialogue from our episode on Paul to add to the creation conversation. Here are the links we refer to during the show. Prometheus Hard Core Review - Part 1 Massive Dissection - SPOILERS -by comicbookgirl19 cavalorn: Prometheus Unbound: What The Movie Was Actually About Prometheus Will Retcon AVP! « furiousfanboys.com Cinefilter.com www.dtrn.co.uk/episode/sci-fi-guys-s517-jessica-parker-kennedy Next time we will (finally) do a show we planned several months ago, but postponed for our Easter episode. We are going to check out the original "Metropolis," and in the TV Corner, "Caprica." Both can be found on Netflix, DVD, and Blu-Ray.
Friday Mar 02, 2012
Checking the Gate: Episode Eleven - Blade Runner
Friday Mar 02, 2012
Friday Mar 02, 2012
Greetings! On this episode we wax philosophic as we delve into the worlds of "Blade Runner" and "Battlestar Galactica." We ponder the meaning of death and the spiritual ramifications of mass producing synthetic humans. Incidentally, we also get a double dose of Edward James Olmos! Along the way we mention these spectacular websites and references. Aiden 5 Web Series Down & Nerdy Blog Blade Runner Ford in Blade Runner 2? Ford NOT in Blade Runner 2 SQPN Battlestar Podcast Although we didn't mention this quote in the podcast, it is fun to see where this line came from. In the commentary for "Blade Runner" the screenwriter mentions in the commentary that this line was put in at a special request from the director. America: A Prophecy Next time we will continue with the replicant theme by watching the newly reconstructed Fritz Lang masterpiece "The Complete Metropolis." DO NOT settle for any dollar store public domain release. Get the DVD or Blu-Ray released by Kino International or stream it on Netflix, search for Metropolis Restored. You'll be glad you did. And in the TV Corner we are going to examine the short lived BSG prequel series "Caprica" available on Blu-Ray, DVD, and the entire series can also be streamed on Netflix. (Update) Mike pointed out that I totally missed out on Easter when proposing show topics… so, change of plan! In honor of Easter we are talking about resurrection: Last Temptation of Christ, Passion of the Christ & Walking Dead. Episode will be posted on Good Friday, April 6.
Friday Feb 03, 2012
Checking the Gate: Episode Ten - Paul
Friday Feb 03, 2012
Friday Feb 03, 2012
Happy New Year, o listeners of faith! Mike and I have whipped up a tantalizing episode for you this month. As we discuss the alien road trip movie "Paul" starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Kristin Wiig, I start to speak my mind on the creation/evolution debate. Then Mike has some deep thoughts in TV Corner all about the classic series "X-Files." We hope you enjoy our dissection and discussion of these mind bending media. IMDB Paul Simon and Nick's version of Star Wars Akron Fossils and Science Center Climate Change and Evolution in the 2012 Election Darwin's Pious Idea The Lazarus Bowl X-Files Wiki In our next episode, we will explore the ideas in Ridley Scott's epic "Blade Runner: The Final Cut" and the 2004 re-imagining of "Battlestar Galactica" in our TV Corner. In two months (yes, we are getting ambitious!) we will continue the robot theme as we examine the new Kino release of Fritz Lang's "The Complete Metropolis" and the short lived "Caprica." See you on the flip side!
Friday Dec 02, 2011
Checking the Gate: Episode Eight - Red State and Godzilla
Friday Dec 02, 2011
Friday Dec 02, 2011
SSKREEEEOOOONK! Welcome to episode eight of "Checking the Gate: a Film and Religion Podcast" in which we look at Kevin Smith's latest effort "Red State" and the amazing monster movie "Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah,: Giant Monsters All Out Attack!" A heartfelt thank you goes out to Kyle Yount of the "Kaijucast" for giving us a plug on his show. For all those "Kaijucast" listeners joining us, the GMK review starts at around the 18 minute mark. Here are some of the things we mentioned in this episode. Red State Beard Cutting Toho Kingdom GMK Review Kaijucast Jizo Bodhisattva Eight-Headed Millennium Dragon I was going to put a link to the Phelps website because it pertains to "Red State", but after visiting it while researching this episode, I found the whole thing too repulsive to ever suggest that anyone else submit themselves to such appalling hatred. I felt sick just looking at it. Next time Mike and I will scrutinize the classic "Indiana Jones" trilogy along with the "Charlie Brown Christmas Special" in the TV Corner. (By the way, we recorded our episode at about the same time that the Kaijucast recorded their November 29th episode, and it is totally by coincidence that we make the same "Crystal Skull" joke.) So whether you celebrate a religious holiday or not, we hope you all have a safe and happy season, and we will talk to you again in the new year!
Friday Nov 04, 2011
Checking the Gate: Episode 7 - Book of Eli
Friday Nov 04, 2011
Friday Nov 04, 2011
Hello faithful listeners! Mike and I had a lot of fun recording this episode, and we hope you enjoy listening to it just as much. We review the 2010 movie 'Book of Eli" and the 1989-1993 series "Quantum Leap." What would it be like to live in a world with no religion? Denzel Washington finds out that it is not the way John Lennon imagined it. We discuss the merits of this film and its comment on religion, as well as the various adventures of Dr. Sam Beckett in the TV Corner. The Book of Eli Quantum Leap The Myth of Religious Violence Next time we will be examining two movies. The first is the new Kevin Smith movie "Red State" (which Mike and I had the rare occasion to view together). The second is simply titled "Godzilla, Mothra, King Ghidorah: Giant Monsters All Out Attack!" Both have strong religious or spiritual themes - yes, even the Godzilla movie - so fire up your DVD player over Thanksgiving. From now on, all episodes will be released on the first Friday of every month. Enjoy our thoughts this month and come back on December 2 for more! Thanks again for listening
Wednesday Aug 03, 2011
Checking the Gate: Episode Four - Dune
Wednesday Aug 03, 2011
Wednesday Aug 03, 2011
Salutations, loyal listeners! Sorry about the delay in July’s episode (as it is already August); grown up stuff got in the way of fun stuff but here we are again. Our thoughts on “Dune” and “Futurama” appear somewhere in between our riotous laughter, but we promise those thoughts are profound. So put on your stillsuits Fremen style and get ready for Episode Four of the Checking the Gate Podcast. To begin, we have a follow-up to our “Thor” episode (Thor now out on DVD and Blu-Ray) and some thoughts from a follower of the Asatru religion, that is, the religion that worships the Norse gods. Special thanks go to Mark Ludwig Stinson. Remember, if you want to contact us with your own thoughts, send us an email at ctgpodcast@yahoo.com, Facebook us at Checking the Gate Podcast, and Twitter us @CTGPodcast. Next month’s episode will focus on the award winning movie “Doubt,” starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, and Viola Davis. Our TV Corner will be on one episode of the show “Babylon 5” entitled “Passing Through Gethsemane.” Both are available on DVD from Blockbuster, Netflix, Amazon, or your local library. Websites: Temple of our Heathen Gods Linda Hunt on CNBC.com Dune-Behind the Scenes Flying Space Underwear
Friday Jun 24, 2011
Checking the Gate:Episode Three-Superman Super-Special
Friday Jun 24, 2011
Friday Jun 24, 2011
Hello faithful listeners! Episode three of our humble podcast is the Superman Super-Special. We look at the Christ-like imagery as it is seen in the movie “Superman Returns” and the television show “Smallville” and try to determine if it is an artistic or commercial decision on the part of the film makers. Here are some of the articles referenced during the podcast for your own study.
Some view new Superman as Christ Figure
Clark Kent is Jesus Christ Superman
Next time we will be looking at the David Lynch movie “Dune” starring Kyle MacLachlan, Sean Young, and Sting. Our TV Corner will look at a few selected episodes of “Futurama” in honor of its return this month to Comedy Central. Please leave any comments or complaints for us at ctgpodcast@yahoo.com. Remember this next episode will be up at the end of July. Until then, keep the faith and peace out!