Checking the Gate Podcast

Checking the Gate: Episode Four - Dune

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

Checking the Gate:Episode Three-Superman Super-Special

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

God in a Cape?

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!

Checking the Gate: Episode Two - Thor

Greetings, true believers!  I'm stealing Stan Lee's trademark salutation because in our second episode, Mike and I are going two on one against the mighty movie "Thor."  In this podcast, we praise the work of this movie's director, Kenneth Branagh, and ponder if this movie is as offensive to modern day heathens as "The Last Temptation of Christ" is to Christian fundamentalists.  On the TV corner, we lament the loss of our favorite show "V" starring Joel Gretsch as our favorite Catholic priest, Father Jack Landry.  If you like what you hear or if you disagree with every word we say, please let us know at ctgpodcast@yahoo.com.  Thor is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray. Here are links to some of the books we mentioned: Norse Mythology: The Religion of Our Forefathers Norse Mythology: A-Z The next podcast will be another two weeks from now, and that brings us back to our regular monthly schedule.  On that show we will be looking at "Superman Returns" and then "Smallville" in the TV corner.  It's a Superman Super-Special! Until then, keep the faith and peace out!

Checking the Gate: Episode One - Avatar

Greetings! You are one of the lucky few who have been recruited by the Star League to defend the frontier against Xur and the Ko-Dan armada. Just kidding! Actually, you get to hear the much more epic, Checking the Gate: A Film and Religion Podcast: Episode One! In our premier podcast, we play beach ball on Pandora and try to discern any hidden meaning in the biggest blockbuster of all time, Avatar. After that we have out TV Corner in which we finish our discussion on "Doctor Who"; you can find the first part on our preview episode.

Along the way we mention a few things, which we promised to put in the show notes. So, here are links where you can find Screening the Sacred, Religion and Film, and Film and Religion. You can find the CNN article we mentioned here. Avatar is available On DVD and Blu-Ray in two different versions, the original and the special extended editions.

Next month, we look at the movie Thor, which is still in movie theaters.  Go see it and in two weeks we will have episode two online.  We plan to make this a monthly podcast but to get started we will give you a double dose!  Mike and I will also discuss the recently canceled "V" in the TV Corner.  Thanks for listening and enjoy our first episode!

Robert

Checking the Gate: Episode Zero

Robert here.  This is a special preview of the Checking the Gate Podcast, Episode Zero.  Mike wasn't feeling well when we went to record our first episode, so we decided to simply test out all the gear by talking briefly about our favorite show, Doctor Who.  It was a good thing too, for there are a few glitches in Mike's mic.  We'll have it sorted by the time of the premier.  Our first real episode will be about Avatar and some of the spiritual issues it raises; rather than speculate on the made up Na'vi religion, we will look at some of the secular ideals that the human characters display.  So re-watch Avatar and join us in a few weeks if you want to hear more of what Mike and I have to say.  See you then!