Reel Belief

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A Podcast exploring religion through the medium of film. Two friends from different backgrounds and with different beliefs sit down and discuss faith, cinema, and more! Join us Bi-weekly as we discuss a different movie each week. Movies of every genre are on the table, from horror to drama to comedy if the film has religious ideas it's on the tables. From discussions about Exorcism, Buddhist meditation, and the meaning of God who knows what type of conversation these movies will stir up. Catholicism, Paganism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Islam, atheism, and more. All faiths will be discussed.

Reel Belief Podcast


    • Jun 19, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 49m AVG DURATION
    • 18 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Reel Belief

    Let it Be Written by Paul McCartney

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2022 9:59


    Xavier is away so that means Archie will play. This is a shorter episode and sees Archie riding solo and exploring the 1971 Beatles song Let it Be off of their 12th and final album of the same name. Email us: reelbeliefpod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast Read Archie's new blog: https://atkinsonfilm.blogspot.com/2022/06/roadrunner-film-about-anthony-bourdain.html --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    Under the Banner of Heaven Created By Dustin Lance Black

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2022 45:14


    The boys are back and hitting up Utah in the 1980's and visiting our old friend Andrew Garfield in our first exploration of a T.V. show Under The Banner of Heaven. The show explores one of our favorite themes a crisis of faith and gives us our first dive into the Mormon religion and it's history, practices, and beliefs! "As Detective Jeb Pyre investigates the murder of Brenda Wright Lafferty and her baby daughter in a suburb in the Salt Lake Valley, he uncovers buried truths about the origins of the LDS religion and the violent consequences of unyielding faith." Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast Email us: ReelBeliefPod@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    The Prince of Egypt Directed By Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner and Simon Wells

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2022 26:44


    The boys are back and discussing their first animated film the 1998 Dreamworks Animation release The Prince of Egypt. Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast Email us: ReelBeliefPod@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    Midsommar Directed By Ari Aster

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2022 43:13


    From Jesus's sacrifice on the cross the boys take a trip to Sweden and encounter a pagan cult and witness some of their unique practices in Ari Aster's 2019 Horror movie Midsommar.  "A couple travel to Sweden to visit their friend's rural hometown for its fabled midsummer festival, but what begins as an idyllic retreat quickly devolves into an increasingly violent and bizarre competition at the hands of a pagan cult." Follow us across social media: https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast Email us: ReelBeliefPod@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    The Passion of The Christ (Easter Special 2022)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2022 44:34


    It's Easter Sunday so to celebrate the boys brought in a special guest and discuss The Passion of The Christ. Did they like it? Is it a decent Easter watch? Listen and find out what they think! "In this version of Christ's crucifixion, based on the New Testament, Judas expedites the downfall of Jesus (Jim Caviezel) by handing him over to the Roman Empire's handpicked officials. To the horror of his mother, Mary (Maia Morgenstern), Magdalen (Monica Bellucci), whom he saved from damnation, and his disciples, Jesus is condemned to death. He is tortured as he drags a crucifix to nearby Calvary, where he is nailed to the cross. He dies, but not before a last act of grace." Email us: ReelBeliefPod@gmail.com Follow us on social media: https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    The Eyes of Tammy Faye Directed by Michael Showalter (2022 Oscars Special)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2022 30:01


    This episode the boys are back and covering the recent Oscar winning movie In The Eyes of Tammy Faye which recently won for Best Actress for Jessica Chastain and Best Hair and Make-up. "In the 1970s, Tammy Faye Bakker and her husband, Jim, rise from humble beginnings to create the world's largest religious broadcasting network and theme park. Tammy Faye becomes legendary for her indelible eyelashes, her idiosyncratic singing, and her eagerness to embrace people from all walks of life. However, financial improprieties, scheming rivals and a scandal soon threaten to topple their carefully constructed empire." Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast Email us: reelbeliefpod@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    40 Days and 40 Nights Directed By Michael Lehmann

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2022 42:50


    They boys are back and taking on an early 2000's Lent themed sex comedy starring the ever handsome Josh Hartnett. Does it hold up? How accurate is it's depiction of Lent? Take a listen to find out! "Matt Sullivan's (Josh Hartnett) last big relationship ended in disaster and ever since his heart's been aching and his commitment's been lacking. Then came Lent, that time of year when everybody gives something up. That's when Matt decides to go where no man's gone before and make a vow: No sex. Whatsoever. For 40 straight days. At first he has everything under control. That is until the woman of his dreams, Erica (Shannyn Sossamon), walks into his life." Email us: ReelBeliefPod@gmail.com Follow us on all socials: https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    God's Not Dead Directed by Harold Cronk

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2022 72:45


    The boys are back and together and taking on the film that arguable started the new wave of Christian Gospel films and was the first major film released by PureFlix Entertainment. What do the boys have to say about this movie? Tune in to find out. After he refuses to disavow his faith, a devout Christian student (Shane Harper) must prove the existence of God or else his college philosophy professor (Kevin Sorbo) will fail him. Check us out on all the socials here: https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast Email us: Reelbeliefpod@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    A History of Satan on Film

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2022 32:27


    On this experimental episode Archie alone dives into the history of how The Devil has been portrayed in film. It's a mix of scripted researched and more casual flowing conversation. Let us know what you thought of this episode and if you have any other theological figures you would like us to dive into the cinematic history of. https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast Email us @: reelbeliefpod@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    Pilgrimage Directed by Brendan Muldowney

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2022 66:31


    The boys look at the 2017 movie Pilgrimage another historical drama starring a Spider-Man, this time Tom Holland as an Irish Monk in the 13th Century. Please rate, review and share this episode if you enjoyed it! "In the 13th century, Irish monks embark on a reluctant pilgrimage to escort their monastery's holiest relic to Rome. Their mission soon becomes fraught with danger as they trek across a rugged landscape that's been ravaged by years of tribal warfare." Linktree :https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast Send us an email to: reelbeliefpod@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    The Matrix (1999) and The Matrix Resurrections (2021) Directed by The Wachowski's

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2022 55:04


    This episode is our first double feature discussing the first and last Matrix movies. What does living in a simulation do for faith? The boys discuss that and much more on this episode of Reel Belief. "Neo (Keanu Reeves) believes that Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), an elusive figure considered to be the most dangerous man alive, can answer his question -- What is the Matrix? Neo is contacted by Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), a beautiful stranger who leads him into an underworld where he meets Morpheus. They fight a brutal battle for their lives against a cadre of viciously intelligent secret agents. It is a truth that could cost Neo something more precious than his life." "To find out if his reality is a physical or mental construct, Mr. Anderson, aka Neo, will have to choose to follow the white rabbit once more. If he's learned anything, it's that choice, while an illusion, is still the only way out of -- or into -- the Matrix. Neo already knows what he has to do, but what he doesn't yet know is that the Matrix is stronger, more secure and far more dangerous than ever before." Check out Back Look Cinema Podcast: https://www.backlookcinema.com/ Follow us on Twitter, Youtube and more!: https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    The Virgin Suicides Directed by Sofia Coppola

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2022 64:14


    The boys are back discussing one of Archie's personal favorite films Sofia Coppola's 1998 classic The Virgin Suicides based on the Jeffrey Eugenides novel of the same name. A wine is also reviewed for the first time on the podcast thanks to the Coppola Winery.  "In an ordinary suburban house, on a lovely tree-lined street, in the middle of 1970s America, lived the five beautiful, dreamy Lisbon sisters, whose doomed fates indelibly marked the neighborhood boys who to this day continue to obsess over them. A story of love and repression, fantasy and terror, sex and death, memory and longing. It is at its core a mystery story: a heart-rending investigation into the impenetrable, life-altering secrets of American adolescence." Listen to us everywhere podcasts are available and follow us on twitter! https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast Send us a recommendation or ask us a question by emailing us reelbeliefpod@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    The Nativity Story (2006) Directed by Catherine Hardwicke

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2021 55:42


    The boy's are joined by a special guest, Xavier's wife Bella on this special holiday episode of Reel Belief. This episode we watched and discuss the 2006 version of The Nativity Story starring Oscar Isaac and directed by Twilight Director Catherine Hardwicke. Betrothed to much-older Joseph (Oscar Isaac), Mary (Keisha Castle-Hughes) must remain a maiden for one year, but she subsequently receives a visit from the angel Gabriel, who tells her of her destiny. When Joseph and now-heavily pregnant Mary journey to Bethlehem for the Roman census, they face a threat from King Herod, whose obsession with an ancient prophecy endangers soon-to-be-born Jesus. Links to all our socials and places to listen are found here: https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast Email us: reelbeliefpod@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    The Exorcist Directed by William Friedkin

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2021 91:19


    In this spooky episode Hosts Archie and Xavier discuss the 1973 horror classic The Exorcist based off of the William Peter Blatty novel of the same name. Xavier also gives his hot take on the 2021 theatrical event The Chosen Christmas special. "When young Regan (Linda Blair) starts acting odd -- levitating, speaking in tongues -- her worried mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks medical help, only to hit a dead end. A local priest (Jason Miller), however, thinks the girl may be seized by the devil. The priest makes a request to perform an exorcism, and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow) to help with the difficult job." Send us an email ReelBeliefPod@gmail.com https://linktr.ee/ReelBeliefPodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    Cool Hand Luke Directed By Stuart Rosenberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2021 44:29


    On the third episode hosts Archie and Xavier discuss the 1967 classic Cool Hand Luke directed by Stuart Rosenburg. When petty criminal Luke Jackson (Paul Newman) is sentenced to two years in a Florida prison farm, he doesn't play by the rules of either the sadistic warden (Strother Martin) or the yard's resident heavy, Dragline (George Kennedy), who ends up admiring the new guy's unbreakable will. Luke's bravado, even in the face of repeated stints in the prison's dreaded solitary confinement cell, "the box," make him a rebel hero to his fellow convicts and a thorn in the side of the prison officers. Email us ReelBeliefPod@gmail.com Follow us on Twitter @ReelBeliefPod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    This is the End Directed By Seth Rogan and Evan Goldberg

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2021 77:58


    In the second episode of Reel Belief hosts Archie and Xavier discuss the 2013 comedy film This is the End. In Hollywood, actor James Franco is throwing a party with a slew of celebrity pals. Among those in attendance are his buddies Jonah Hill, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel, Danny McBride and Craig Robinson. Suddenly, an apocalypse of biblical proportions erupts, causing untold carnage among Tinseltown's elite and trapping Franco's party in his home. As the world they knew disintegrates outside, cabin fever and dwindling supplies threaten to tear the six friends apart. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    Silence Directed by Martin Scorsese

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2021 90:27


    In the first full episodes the boys dive into 2016's Silence directed by Martin Scorsese. Two 17th-century Portuguese missionaries, Father Sebastian Rodrigues (Andrew Garfield) and Father Francisco Garupe (Adam Driver), embark on a perilous journey to Japan to find their missing mentor (Liam Neeson). While there, the two men minister to the Christian villagers who worship in secret. If caught by feudal lords or ruling samurai, they must renounce their faith or face a prolonged and agonizing death. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

    Episode 0 Who Are We and What is Reel Belief?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2021 5:23


    Hosts Xavier and Archie give a brief introduction to the concept behind Reel Belief as well a discuss a little bit about themselves, where they come from, what they believe, and other fun things. Follow us on Twitter @ReelBeliefPod Email any questions or suggestions to reelbeliefpod@gmail.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/reelbeliefpod/message

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