Checking the Gate Podcast

Episode Fourteen - Kingdom of Heaven

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.

Episode Thirteen-Anniversary Special-The Ten

May the Fourth be with you!  This month's episode happens to fall on National Star Wars day, but we here at CTGPodcast are celebrating for a different reason. We have been at this for a year now, and Mike and I thank you for listening to us!  So in this super-sized episode we have our reviews of "The Ten" starring Paul Rudd, among others, "The Simpsons," and a variety of outtakes that we have accumulated over the last year.  For further investigation you can check out these resources: Exodus 20 NIV - The Ten Commandments - And God spoke - Bible Gateway Simpsons Have Soul Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly . FEATURE . Religion and the Simpsons . July 27, 2007 | PBS The Simpsons Archive: Religion on the Simpsons Religion in The Simpsons - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Next month we are going to look at the Ridley Scott movie "Kingdom of Heaven" and also listen to some extra conversations that didn't make it into previous episodes. Thank you again for listening and have a blessed day!

Checking the Gate: Episode Twelve - Easter-avaganza

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!

Checking the Gate: Episode Eleven - Blade Runner

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.

Checking the Gate: Episode Ten - Paul

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!

Checking the Gate: Episode Nine - Indiana Jones

Happy Holidays to everyone!  Our gift to you this year is a super-sized, double length episode.  So much has happened this December that we had to get our two cents in all of it.  We have our regular movie and TV reviews on Indiana Jones and "A Charlie Brown Christmas" along with some additional discussion on a commercial and an SNL skit.  Further information can be found at these links: Prometheus - Movie Trailers - iTunes Indiana Jones Trivia Siva Lingam The Feckless Faith of Indiana Jones The Truth Behind the Crystal Skulls Red Letter Media-IJATKOTCS BELIEVE!...In what?? Rick Perry -Strong Pat Robertson Blasts Tim Tebow SNL Sketch Bill Maher's Tebow tweet sparks Twitter war Guster - Stay With Me Jesus Episode Ten will cover the alien comedy "Paul" and TV Corner will continue the theme with "X-Files."  Watch me get on my soapbox as we get into the Creation vs. Evolution debate.  My stance on the subject will probably surprise you! Until then Happy X-mas/Hanukkah/Ramadan/Quanza/Solstice/Festivus/Life Day!

Checking the Gate: Episode Eight - Red State and Godzilla

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!

Checking the Gate: Episode 7 - Book of Eli

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

Checking the Gate: Episode Six - Easy A

Salutations, and sorry for the late release of Episode Six of Checking the Gate: A Film and Religion Podcast.   Starting up a new job and grad school has interfered with my podcast editing.  This was so much easier when I was unemployed!   So now you have it, hope you enjoy our review of "Easy A" and our examination of Firefly's Shepherd Book. Here are some links to satiate any lingering curiosity you may have.

http://www.pluggedin.com/videos/2010/q4/easya.aspx

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/easy-a/

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1282140/

http://www.cbn.com/entertainment/screen/easy-a-review-goodwyn.aspx

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easy_A

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shepherd_Book#Character_biography

http://www.fireflywiki.org/Firefly/ShepherdBook

Next time will feature an all out return to the sci-fi genre as we turn our attention to "The Book of Eli" and, in the TV Corner, "Quantum Leap."  "The Book of Eli" is available on Blu-Ray and DVD, while "Quantum Leap" can be seen on DVD or free online at Hulu:

Quantum Leap - Full Episodes and Clips streaming online - Hulu

Checking the Gate: Episode Five - Doubt

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.