Faithspotting "Rising Hope"
Faithspotting
Kenny and Mike are joined by director Theo Avgerinos and cast / contributor Rev. Dr. Jason Coker for a discussion of Rising Hope, a documentary film about the struggles and hope exerpienced by the residents of several towns in the Mississippi Delta. The film examines the rich history, decline, struggles that depleated the area of it's wealth and many of its residents, but not the hope of those who are determined and build a new narrative for the region and people. The film does not shy away from many of the causes of the regions decline including systematic racism and well as the effects...
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Faithspotting "Project Hail Mary"
Faithspotting
Kenny and Mike discuss and spot faith in the popular film Project Hail Mary. Based on the novel by Andy Weir (The Martian) The film was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller, and James Ortiz. Named after the term for desperate, last minute plays in sports, the film tells the story of a desperate space mission to discover a way to stop a mysterious substance named Astrophage (Star-eater) that is killing the Sun and other stars. Ryland Grace (Gosling) a Jr. High biology teacher is recruited by an Govenrment agent and scientist Eva Stratt...
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Faithspotting 2026 Oscar Preview
Faithspotting
Faithspotting friend Ryan Parker joins Mike and Kenny for the annual Faithspotting Oscars Prediction and Preview episode. Overall we thought 2026 was a good year for films as represented by the nominees. Of course there are some films and performances we would have liked to see get more attention but overall it was a strong, diverse year for cinema. Check out the Faithspotting episodes for 6 of the 10 Best Picture nominees: Frankenstein, Bugonia, Train Dreams, Marty Supreme, Sinners, and F1, where we discuss the film and spot faith elements they reflect. We are looking...
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Faithspotting "Frankenstein"
Faithspotting
Kenny and Mike review and disuss faith elements spotted in Guillermo del Toro's latest film and passion project. Frankenstein stars Jacob Elordi as the Creature and, Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, and co-stars Mia Goff and Christoph Waltz. The film received 9 Oscar nominations including best Picture, Supporting Actor, Adapted Screenplay. Frankenstein is a passion project for del Toro as he weaves elements from the Mary Shelley's novel, James Whale's original 1931 film, as well as his reinterpretation of the story. Faith Spotted: Humanity's temptation to play or challenge God. This...
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Faithspotting "Bugonia"
Faithspotting
Mike and Kenny review and spot faith presented in the Academy Award nominated and latest film by director Yorgos Lanthimos. Bugonia marks another colaboration between Lanthimos and two time Best Actress winner Emma Stone, whose second Oscar was for Lanthimos's film Poor Things. Stone stars as Michelle Fuller, a powerful CEO of a pharmaceutical company. Jesse Plemons, a 2021 Best Supporting Actor nominee co-stars as conspiracy theory obsessed beekeeper Teddy Gatz. Aiden Delbis also co-stars as Teddy's autistic cousin Don. Likening her actions to Cology Collapse Disorder...
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Faithspotting "Train Dreams"
Faithspotting
SOME SPOILERS. Kenny and Mike discuss the multiple Oscar nominated film by director Clint Bentley and starring Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Kelly Condon, and William H Macy. Set in the early through mid 20th century, Train Dreams documents the story of Robert Grainer (Edgerton) a common man who life knows simplicity, peace and joy and as well as tragedy and loss. Clint Bentley and production partner Greg Kwedar are nominated for an Oscar for best Adapted Screenplay. The film is also nominated for Best Song, "Train Dreams" as well as Best Cinematography and Best...
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Faithspotting "Marty Supreme"
Faithspotting
Mike and Kenny review Marty Supreme, the latest film by writer / director / producer Josh Safdie and Timothee Chalamet who stars as Marty Mauser, a shoe salesman who has greater ambition, to be the best Table Tennis star in the world. Gifted with great talent, Marty's determination leads him to take advantage of any and all situations and people to get what he believes he deserves, fame and money. The film has so far received many awards nominations including 3 Golden Globes and 8 Critics Choice Awards and it is expected to receive many more Oscar nominations. Chalamet has won a...
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Faithspotting "Plur1bus"
Faithspotting
Kenny and Mike discuss and spot faith in the hit Apple TV series from Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul creator Vince Gilligan. Set in Albuquerque Plur1bus stars Better Call Saul co-star Rhea Seehorn (Carol) and co-stars Karolina Wydra ( Zosia) and Carlos-Manuel Vesga (Manousos) Carol is one of 13 people world wide who are immune from an extraterrestrial derived virus that has united all the worlds population into "The Others," a mind hive where everyone is interconnected, content and peaceful. Every individual "Other" can communicate with all "Others" and have knowledge of everything ever...
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Faithspotting "The Merchants of Joy"
Faithspotting
Kenny and Mike review the Prime Video documentary The Merchants of Joy and speak with the director Celia Aniskovich. The Merchants of Joy offers a look into the people and work behind the Christmas tree stands that seem to magically popup the day after Thanksgiving. Ankisovich presents the stories of the families, the competition that begins in the Summer as they bid on stand locations, their work the with tree farms, the financial risks, the month of 18 hour days managing and selling the trees that play an important part in their customers celebrating the joy of the season, and the...
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Faithspotting Rebuilding
Faithspotting
Faithspotting co-hosts Mike and Kenny are joined by writer / director Max Walker-Silverman to discuss his newest film Rebuilding, which stars Josh O'connor, Lily LaTorre, Meghann Fahy, Kali Reis, and Amy Madigan. Set in Max's home state of Colorado, Rebuilding is a moving story of a family and community coming together in the aftermath of a wildfire that destroyed their homes and scorched their land and lives. Max drew upon his experience of losing a family home and acerage to a fire when he was growing up. Rebuilding is distributed by Bleeker Street. Following Kenny and MIke's discussion...
info_outlineFaithspotting co-hosts Mike and Kenny are joined by writer / director Max Walker-Silverman to discuss his newest film Rebuilding, which stars Josh O'connor, Lily LaTorre, Meghann Fahy, Kali Reis, and Amy Madigan. Set in Max's home state of Colorado, Rebuilding is a moving story of a family and community coming together in the aftermath of a wildfire that destroyed their homes and scorched their land and lives. Max drew upon his experience of losing a family home and acerage to a fire when he was growing up. Rebuilding is distributed by Bleeker Street.
Following Kenny and MIke's discussion of the film and faith they spotted, there is an interview with Max Walker-Silverman. In addition, Mike's co-teacher Michael Logan and one of their students, Trip Breslin join in the interview.
Faith Topics:
Hope in Rebuilding: Hope is grounded in faith in the possibility of new life and community plays an important role in rebuilding. Community can be family, friends, neighbors as well as strangers.
Rebuilding New Not Same Lives. Though the temptation is to seek to rebuild life just as it was before, new life will be different, and even if it seems less, it can often be a more fulfilling life.
Faith is change, and the Paradox of Home. Individuals, families, and communities often seek out "home"because it is known, comfortable, and predictable, yet home is typically changing or under threat of change. Part of faith is growth and accepting and embracing change. Seeking to avoid change and growth is based in fear and the opposite of faith.
Non-Anxious lives. Faith fosters a life that is non-anxious in the midst of change and even struggle. While everyone experiences anxiety in life and seasons of struggle and loss, faith, including the support of community, is an instrument in releasing anxiety.
Resurrection follows Good Friday. As witnessed in the Gospels, Jesus had to experience the suffering of Good Friday and the tomb before the resurrection. Most people will also experience suffering prior to the new life of resurrection. People of the Christian faith are Easter people prior to their death and passage from life unto life.