Reel World Theology

Welcome to Reel World Theology! Host Mikey Fissel welcomes a rotating panel of guests who talk about the popular cinematic narratives that are shaping our culture. The podcast facilitates conversations that illuminate the idea that story is powerful and entertainment is not mindless…

Marvel and Endings (WandaVision Bonus) 03/18/2022

Marvel and Endings (WandaVision Bonus) Connect with us: Contact [email protected] if you want to contribute! We are: on Twitter on Twitter on Twitter on Twitter Catch Reel World Theology here: /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/22488461

WandaVision: Grief on the Small Screen 03/18/2022

WandaVision: Grief on the Small Screen Don’t worry. Nothing is wrong here. We’re not stuck inside a hex, kept prisoner by a chaos witch who literally makes us feel her pain as she feels it. We aren’t forced to play roles that are pastiches of famous sitcoms of decades past. Don’t worry. We’re just talking about WandaVision, and how great and funny it is! It doesn’t have anything to do with grief or trauma or a global pandemic. Just enjoy your time in Westview! Connect with us: Contact [email protected] if you want to contribute! In this episode, we talked about: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is available to watch on Disney+ Iron Man 3 is available to watch on Disney+ The person who maintains continuity on a film set is indeed called a Script Supervisor, David was correct Wanda, who’s doing this to you? Wanda? We are: on Twitter on Twitter on Twitter on Twitter Catch Reel World Theology here: /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/22488446

Free Guy: Liberty to the NPCs 02/26/2022

Free Guy: Liberty to the NPCs This episode is all about 2021’s surprisingly good video game movie, Free Guy (well, I mean, it had Ryan Reynolds and Taika Waititi in it, so how surprising could it be, really?). If you haven’t seen it yet, you may want to check it out on Disney+ before listening in, because we do get into spoilers; but otherwise, please join us for the discussion–and keep the discussion going in our Reel World Discord Server (link below). And in the meantime, don’t have a good day; have a great day! Connect with us: Contact [email protected] if you want to contribute! In this episode, we talked about: There is currently no Pitch Meeting for Free Guy (get on it, Ryan George!) The Truman Show is available to watch on HBO Max Ready Player One is available to watch on HBO Max TRON is available to watch on Disney+ Red Notice is available to watch on Netflix “Albuquerque Boiled Turkey” doesn’t exist We are: on Twitter on Twitter on Twitter on Twitter Catch Reel World Theology here: /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/22262171

Encanto: Mirabel's Miracle 02/13/2022

Encanto: Mirabel's Miracle We talk about Bruno, and all of Disney's Encanto. We also recommend some 2020 television shows you might have missed from Netflix, Hulu and many more. This time Ryan and David are less Fizzy as the Redeeming Culture crew stage a hostile takeover of Reel World Theology. Connect with us: Contact [email protected] if you want to contribute! In this episode, we talked about: Warrior Nun is available to watch on Netflix Alice in Borderland is available to watch on Netflix Altered Carbon is available to watch on Netflix The new Animaniacs is available to watch on Hulu The Great is available to watch on Hulu Queen’s Gambit is available to watch on Netflix Son of a Dungeon is available to watch on YouTube The Good Place is available to watch on Netflix Lower Decks is available to watch on Paramount+ Encanto is available to watch on Disney+ We are: on Twitter on Twitter on Twitter Catch Reel World Theology here: /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/22114163

2021 In Review 01/29/2022

2021 In Review Getting caught up on all the movies, TV shows, and pop culture we missed out on during our sabbatical, today we're reviewing the year 2021. Connect with us: Contact [email protected] if you want to contribute! In this episode, we talked about: Encanto is available to watch on Disney+ is available to watch on HBO Max The Green Knight is available to purchase on home media Free Guy is coming to Disney+ on February 23, 2022 Spider-Man: No Way Home is still playing in theaters Don’t Look Up is available to watch on Netflix The Mitchells Vs. The Machines is available to watch on Netflix Ron’s Gone Wrong is available to watch on Disney+ Bo Burnham: Inside is available to watch on Netflix The French Dispatch is available to purchase on home media Only Murders in the Building is available to watch on Hulu We are: on Twitter on Twitter on Twitter on Twitter Catch Reel World Theology here: /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/21940886

2020 In Review 01/14/2022

2020 In Review Don't call it a comeback! We come back from a longer-than-expected sabbatical to talk about what we missed while we were away. /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/21773096

S07 E07 - 40: The Temptation of Christ and the Powerful Necessity of Suffering 07/17/2020

S07 E07 - 40: The Temptation of Christ and the Powerful Necessity of Suffering On this episode of the Reel World Theology: This episode ballooned from a written article into a full-fledged podcast episode. Friend of Reel World Theology, Reed Lackey, wrote the movie 40: The Temptation of Christ and it debuted this past April. Since Fizz isn't driving this plane, we need two staffers, David Atwell and Josh Crabb, to occupy the co-pilot chairs. We discuss Reed's movie and its international take on Christ as he is tempted in the desert. This movie takes a fascinating angle to Christ's encounter with Satan in the wilderness and centers around the morality of suffering. We think you will like the movie and you will like David and Josh's discussion. /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/15248612

S07 E06 - A Christmas Story and Magic in the Margins 12/25/2019

S07 E06 - A Christmas Story and Magic in the Margins On this Christmas episode of the Reel World Theology Podcast: As we do every year, we take a look at a Christmas classic. This year we are compelled to talk about a movie that has varying degrees of appreciation among the RWT staff. Because of this, we rewatch and talk about A Christmas Story. Does it hold up over time? Why does it connect with people this time of year? We hash it out and talk about what makes this one a yearly revisit for many folks. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/12543788

S07 E05 - The Rise of Skywalker and Choosing Our Family 12/23/2019

S07 E05 - The Rise of Skywalker and Choosing Our Family On this episode of the Reel World Theology podcast: What more appropriate way to end an up and down 2019 than with what will likely be one of the most disagreed upon films of the year, The Rise of Skywalker. Leve it to Star Wars, their fans, and the critics to create a whirlwind of expectations that couldn't possibly be met. However, Where did we land on the film? Was it good? Bad? Somewhere in the middle? What about that one decision about Rey? Why did it connect with some audiences and not others? How did our enjoyment (or not) of The Last Jedi directly affect this one? Boy, do we have opinions! Enjoy. /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/12535748

S07 E04 - A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Seeing Humanity 11/25/2019

S07 E04 - A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood and Seeing Humanity On this episode of the Reel World Theology podcast: In a world of division and social media outrage, it is occasionally nice to have a refreshing voice reminding us of the kinder side of humanity. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood longs to remind audiences to be their best selves and to also never forget the power that one life, earnestly lived, can impact countless others. We discuss how the film holds up to the documentary that came out last year and give some hot takes on Tom Hanks as our Mr. Rogers stand-in. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/12421976

S07 E03 - Zombieland: Double Tap and Sequel Necessity 11/05/2019

S07 E03 - Zombieland: Double Tap and Sequel Necessity On this episode of the Reel World Theology podcast: While maybe not an awards contender in 2019, we talk about a movie that we have been anticipating for nearly a decade, a Zombieland sequel. Is it fun? Was it worth the wait? Does it really have anything to say? When do we need sequels? We discuss. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/12264044

S07 E02 - Ad Astra and a Cosmic Letdown 10/31/2019

S07 E02 - Ad Astra and a Cosmic Letdown On this episode of the Reel World Theology podcast: We continue the latest season of the show talking about one of the most discussed movies that came out during our break, Ad Astra. This movie had a lot going for it, from the cast to a trailer that ticked a lot of sci-fi fan boxes. It also was pushed back to a September release, which is usually a bad sign. Where did this film land for us? Why do we think that some people thought this was a snooze-fest while others thought it was one of the year's better offerings? We discuss! /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/11872538

S07 E01 - Joker and the Final Joke 10/25/2019

S07 E01 - Joker and the Final Joke On this episode of the Reel World Theology podcast: There has been a lot of conversation (and worry) about the effect that the new Joker film could have on our culture. While this may be another case of over-reaction to a movie that people hadn't yet seen, it remains a divisive film critically. What is the film saying, if anything? There was always a worry about a movie that explored the Joker's past only spoiling the character but does the film actually give us the best of both worlds? We explore both the film and what the ending means for viewers and critics, alike. /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/11782865

RWT: Important Podcast UPDATE! 10/23/2019

RWT: Important Podcast UPDATE! A quick update from RWT on the recent unannounced hiatus and what you can expect moving forward from the team. Queue it up and check it out! /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/11759030

Reel World: Rewind #042 - Zombieland 10/15/2019

Reel World: Rewind #042 - Zombieland On this episode of Reel World: Rewind: Josh finally gets Fizz back on Rewind to talk about a movie he loves to talk about, the 2009 Ruben Fleischer movie Zombieland. With the recent release of the surprise sequel, Zombieland: Double Tap, Fizz and Josh explore their history with the movie, as well as the delightful characters in this movie and one surprise appearance of Bill Murray in probably his best cameo/smaller role in a movie. Ultimately, this movie falls right into the Reel World wheelhouse as it is about belonging, community, and grace. Enjoy our October episode! /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/11756024

Reel World: Rewind #041 – Sunshine 09/16/2019

Reel World: Rewind #041 – Sunshine On this episode of Reel World: Rewind - Reel World staff members Josh Crabb and Blake Collier are discussing Danny Boyle's 2007 thought-provoking Sci-Fi movie, Sunshine. A portentous movie about a not-so-implausible future where the sun is dying, Boyle's movie ponders transcendence, spirituality, death, and duty. Blake and Josh reflect on some of the quieter moments of the movie but also address the criticisms of the final third and how it may not be as disjointed and abrupt as people have made it out to be. It's a contemplative episode of Rewind that, unlike the sun, is not too hot to handle. /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/11287526

Reel World: Rewind #040 – Jaws 08/15/2019

Reel World: Rewind #040 – Jaws On this episode of Reel World: Rewind - Closing out the summer on a high note, Reel World staffer Josh Crabb invites on his old podcast pal, Blaine Grimes, to discuss a movie that holds incredible significance for Blaine, Steven Spielberg's Jaws. They talk about how the movie remains significant almost 45 years later, what it can teach modern filmmakers and audiences, and concludes with a very personal reflection by Blaine. This is a "do-not-miss" episode of Rewind. /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/11177057

#207 - Stranger Things 3 and Commoditized Community 08/14/2019

#207 - Stranger Things 3 and Commoditized Community On this episode of the Reel World Theology podcast: The most popular show on NETFLIX is back and brings with it all the nostalgia and mystery that we have come to expect. Stranger Things enters its third season and there is no sign that its popularity is waning. We talk about what the latest edition to the Stranger-verse does for the show's mythos and lore. We also talk about the interweaving of messaging from both the inclusion of Russians and malls into the latest season. All in all, just like the show, a lot of fun! /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/10883623

#206 - Spider-Man: Far From Home and Absolute True Facts 07/25/2019

#206 - Spider-Man: Far From Home and Absolute True Facts On this episode of the Reel World Theology podcast: Spider-man: Far From Home brings to a close the latest phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Does it truly bring closure? Does it pick up on the incredible success of Homecoming? We have a lot of opinions on why Sony is fine sitting back and letting Disney make them money along with the complexity of the latest Spider-Man installment. The divide between Parker and Spider-Man is sharp, but is it... absolute? /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/10654109

Reel World: Rewind #039 - Apollo 13 07/15/2019

Reel World: Rewind #039 - Apollo 13 On this episode of Reel World: Rewind... In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, RWT staff members Josh Crabb and David Atwell talk about one of the only movies eligible for Rewind dramatizing an Apollo mission, Ron Howard's Apollo 13. Starring a cavalcade of 1990's stars, this movie highlights the human drama of a real-life crisis, as well as exemplifying humanity's ability to work together to ingeniously solve problems. David and Josh also discuss the movie's hopeful heroism, beating heart of optimism, and inspiring coda of returning to the moon. Plus, David flexes his space knowledge much to the amazement of Josh! /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/10527308

#205 - Toy Story 4 and Necessary Metaphors 07/05/2019

#205 - Toy Story 4 and Necessary Metaphors On this episode of the Reel World Theology podcast: Another Toy Story movie! Wait, did anyone want this? Surely if they decided to follow up on Toy Story 3 the creators are one-hundred percent sure they had a story that needed to be told. Well, a lot of the talk around Toy Story 4 has been about "how necessary" the film was so we discuss that, and the meta-conversation around describing any film that way. We also have a divided panel about how the film rounded out. Let us know what you think! /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/10442273

#204 - Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Mixed Messaging 06/25/2019

#204 - Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Mixed Messaging On this episode of the Reel World Theology podcast: Another special PATRON sponsored episode. Another of our esteemed Patreon sponsors, Hunter and Stephie Van Wagenen, have selected one monster of a film, Godzilla: King of the Monsters. The 2014 Godzilla film was a hit with the panel but was mixed with audiences and critics. Does King of the Monsters do a good job of following up on its predecessor? Does it lay enough solid groundwork for sequels? We hypothesize. /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/10289498

Reel World: Rewind #038 - The Dark Crystal 06/17/2019

Reel World: Rewind #038 - The Dark Crystal On this episode of the Reel World: Rewind... Journey into "The Age of Wonder" with co-host Josh Crabb and returning co-host Blaine Grimes as they discuss Jim Henson's 1982 visionary classic, The Dark Crystal. Using the bookends of the forthcoming Netflix series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, we talk about the filmmaking legacy this movie has left, how it handles the tension of the hero's journey, and also its spiritual aspects of balance and wholeness. Plus, because it's the two hosts of Home One Radio, we throw in a little Star Wars comparison. You don't need Augra to foretell how great this episode is! /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/10195451

#203 - Tolkien and Differing Expectations 06/06/2019

#203 - Tolkien and Differing Expectations On this episode of the Reel World Theology Podcast: A special PATRON sponsored episode. One of our esteemed Patreon sponsors, Dave Courtney, has selected the latest biopic about the life of JRR Tolkien. We gather the troops to talk about our reactions to the film and what we were hoping to see from the film, what we actually got, and some of the things that may have connected with audiences that really enjoyed the film. Let us know what you thought! /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/10068284

#202 - Shazam! and the Power of Family 05/24/2019

#202 - Shazam! and the Power of Family On this episode of the Reel World Theology podcast: Before Avengers, there was another superhero movie that was bringing great joy to the masses-- from the DCEU of all places. Shazam! proves that DC's cinematic turnaround isn't stalling anytime soon. With a great balance of comedy and heart, the film introduces a new character to the big screen in a way that is impactful and endearing. We speculate how well it could really do and what makes it so enjoyable. /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/9875099

Reel World: Rewind #037 - The Matrix 05/15/2019

Reel World: Rewind #037 - The Matrix On this episode of the Reel World: Rewind podcast: We know Kung-Fu. Well, not really, unless Gene forgot to tell us he actually DOES know it. However, one thing we do know is The Matrix is a defining movie in the prolific movie year of 1999. In honor of its 20th anniversary, Reel World staffers Gene Gosewehr and Josh Crabb discuss a movie firmly planted in the pantheon of movies Christians love to talk about. This episode posits why that's not a bad thing, why the movie still resonates deeply with people twenty years later, and what stuck out on an umpteenth rewatch. From reminiscing about blasting the movie on surround sound to the movie providing insight into Judas Iscariot, it's all covered in this rewatch of The Matrix. /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/9798425

#201 - Avengers: Endgame and Finishing Well 05/06/2019

#201 - Avengers: Endgame and Finishing Well On this episode of the podcast: It's been a long road to Endgame, but we're finally here. We have a show that tries to run the length of the actual film as we talk about the movie's immediate success, how well we thought it tied off the MCU to this point, and what we connected with, in the film. Much like your favorite TV series having its series finale, we remember these past ten years and over twenty films fondly. Whatever it takes! /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/9730376

#200 - 200th Episode Special: A Naval-Gazing Masterclass 04/25/2019

#200 - 200th Episode Special: A Naval-Gazing Masterclass On this VERY special, epic episode of the Reel World Theology Podcast: We cross the 200th episode line! Well, assuming you're not counting mini-sodes or interviews or, well, anything else special we've done, here we are! We thought it was almost absurd that we made it to 100 so now 200 feels every weirder. Some of our Reel World Staff, Josh Crabb, Mark Wingerter, and David Atwell, join Fizz to talk about their favorite memories from RWT's history and how they even got here in the first place. All in all, we have a fun time doing some epic-level naval-gazing. Hey, we've earned it, right? /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/9529841

Reel World: Rewind #036 - Southland Tales 04/15/2019

Reel World: Rewind #036 - Southland Tales On this episode of Reel World: Rewind: Once again, Blake strikes with a challenging and heady movie. Richard Kelly's widely criticized second feature film Southland Tales suffered similar marketing obstacles to his first feature film, the classic film Donnie Darko. Consequentially, his second film has largely been forgotten. Blake Collier and Josh Crabb untangle this serpentine narrative to discuss Kelly's righteous anger, his sharp satirical takedown of LA and popular culture, and how the apocalypse is a bi-partisan initiative. /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/9445427

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: RWT 200th Episode Preview 04/10/2019

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: RWT 200th Episode Preview SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: RWT 200th Episode Preview. We want to hear from you! /episode/index/show/reelworldtheology/id/9343403

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