Episodes
Friday Jun 01, 2012
Episode Fourteen - Kingdom of Heaven
Friday Jun 01, 2012
Friday Jun 01, 2012
Welcome to Episode 14 of CTGPodcast on Ridley Scott’s “Kingdom of Heaven.” Mike and I are eagerly anticipating the release of Scott’s new movie “Prometheus,” so we decided to take another look at his epic of the Third Crusade. We also have some fun extras that we cut from older episodes for time or for being tangential.
Prometheus - Movie Trailers - iTunes
Kingdom of Heaven (2005) - IMDb
The Third Crusade - Middle Ages
CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Crusades
The Babble On Project - GeekPlanetOnline.com
Given the super secret nature of the “Prometheus” marketing campaign, it is hard to tell how much theological issues will be touched on in the film, although early interviews and more recent reviews seem to suggest it is more than worthy for our podcast. Though we are tentatively planning on reviewing this movie next month, we are going to err on the side of caution. Watch this website, our Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/CTGPodcast), or our Twitter feed (twitter.com/CTGPodcast) for any updates.
Friday Apr 06, 2012
Checking the Gate: Episode Twelve - Easter-avaganza
Friday Apr 06, 2012
Friday Apr 06, 2012
Happy Easter and Passover to everyone! Sorry about the change of plans this month, but I felt it appropriate to adhere to Mike's advice to switch from replicants to something seasonable relevant. The result is our Easter-avaganza in which we watch "The Last Temptation of Christ" and "The Passion of the Christ." Keeping with the resurrection theme (you know how we love themes!) we then turn our attention to the recently concluded second season of "The Walking Dead." Here are some of the references we make if you want read some further research. IMDB The Last Temptation IMDB Passion RT The Last temptation RT Passion Criterion's Last Temptation page Many Churches Look to "Passion" as evangelism tool Film Prompts Murder Confession Mel Gibson's Bad Remarks Next time we will keep it comedic, looking at the movie "The Ten" starring Paul Rudd, available on Netflix streaming, and "The Simpsons" in the TV Corner. Also, for our one year anniversary we will reminisce a bit a play some of our bloopers. I promise we will come back to Metropolis and Caprica in a few months; like the Cylons we have a plan!
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 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 Sep 02, 2011
Checking the Gate: Episode Five - Doubt
Friday Sep 02, 2011
Friday Sep 02, 2011
Hello loyal listeners! In this episode of Checking the Gate: A Film and Religion Podcast we take a serious look at the provocative and relevant movie “Doubt.” While we chose this movie in an effort to avoid getting a reputation of focusing totally on the sci-fi genre, we do have a segment in the beginning of the episode that helps to defend our take on the film and religion subject so far. In the TV Corner we revert back to our old ways and evaluate an episode of “Babylon 5.” Here is a link to excepts of the Pope’s letter which we refer to in the show,
BBC News - Pope Benedict apologises for Irish priests' sex abuse (sic)
and if you want to watch the video we play at the beginning, you can do so here:
Religious People Are Nerds - CollegeHumor Video
Next time we will look at the film “Easy A and the TV series “Firefly,” specifically the character of Shepherd Book. Remember, you can always send us an email at ctgpodcast@yahoo.com, Facebook us at Checking the Gate Podcast, and Twitter us @CTGPodcast.
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