The Burning Theater

The Burning Theater is a free weekly podcast dedicated to exploring the relationship between faith and pop culture. Co-hosted by Ben Hemphill and Michael Hoffman. New shows on Thursdays.

TBT Episode 147 - Soul 01/28/2021

TBT Episode 147 - Soul This week on the show, we discuss the latest offering from Pixar Studios as we explore The Great Before in our discussion of SOUL. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 10:45 The Warm Up "Born to Play" from Soul 12:01 - 37:38 Soul "Epiphany" from Soul 39:44 - 44:34 Mike and Ben Recommend 44:44 - 44:49 This Week's Music 44:50 - 47:09 Opening This Week STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/17706620

146 - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom 01/21/2021

146 - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom This week on the show, we discuss the Netflix original, based on the August Wilson play of the same name, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" (2020). Music this week is by the queen herself, Ma Rainey. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 10:11 The Warm Up "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" by Ma Rainey 11:54 - 36:44 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom "Prove It On Me Blues" by Ma Rainey 38:19 - 42:58 Mike and Ben Recommend 42:59 - 44:23 This Week's Music 44:24 - 46:50 Opening This Week STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/17630144

TBT Episode 145 - Mank 12/24/2020

TBT Episode 145 - Mank We discuss the latest from director David Fincher, MANK -- a passion project about the writer and mind behind the much lauded classic film Citizen Kane. Music this week is by Taylor Swift. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 11:41 The Warm Up "Coney Island" by Taylor Swift (ft. The National) 14:28 - 42:44 Mank "Evermore" by Taylor Swift (ft. Bon Iver) 45:19 - 50:24 Mike and Ben Recommend 50:25 - 53:12 This Week's Music 53:13 - 56:27 Opening This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/17320121

Bergman Marathon Part 2: Wild Strawberries (Bonus) 12/22/2020

Bergman Marathon Part 2: Wild Strawberries (Bonus) /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/17288783

TBT Episode 144 - Bad Hair 12/17/2020

TBT Episode 144 - Bad Hair We discuss the latest from writer and director Justin Simien -- the high-concept horror feature BAD HAIR. Music this week is by Kid Cudi. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 11:49 The Warm Up "Tequila Shots" by Kid Cudi 13:09 - 37:22 Bad Hair "Lovin' Me" by Kid Cudi 38:38 - 44:03 Mike and Ben Recommend 44:04 - 47:20 This Week's Music 47:21 - 49:13 Opening This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/17227631

TBT Episode 143 - Dick Johnson Is Dead 10/29/2020

TBT Episode 143 - Dick Johnson Is Dead A daughter embarks on a strange journey as she stages a series of fake death scenarios for her father in order to come to terms with his eventual passing in the acclaimed Netflix documentary "Dick Johnson is Dead". Music this week is by Matt Berninger. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 09:11 The Warm Up "One More Second" by Matt Berninger 10:37 - 40:56 Dick Johnson is Dead "Serpentine Prison" by Matt Berninger 42:04 - 45:46 Mike and Ben Recommend 45:47 - 46:49 This Week's Music 46:50 - 49:06 Opening This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/16592546

TBT Episode 142 - The Vast of Night 10/22/2020

TBT Episode 142 - The Vast of Night This week on the show, we discuss The Vast of Night -- a low-budget science fiction offering from Amazon Studios loosely based on the UFO sightings in Roswell, New Mexico in the 1950's. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 08:45 The Warm Up "Sunblind" by Fleet Foxes 10:13 - 37:26 The Vast of Night "Can I Believe You" by Fleet Foxes 39:00 - 43:06 Mike and Ben Recommend 43:07 - 44:00 This Week's Music 44:01 - 46:52 Opening This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/16500005

Episode 141 - I'm Thinking of Ending Things 10/01/2020

Episode 141 - I'm Thinking of Ending Things We discuss the latest from writer and director Charlie Kauffman as he explores...well, we still are not exactly sure...in I'M THINKING OF ENDING THING. Music this week is by Jealous of the Birds. The Run Down 00:01 - 14:40 The Warm Up "Something Holy" by Jealous of the Birds 15:55 - 42:18 I'm Thinking of Ending Things "Pendulum" by Jealous of the Birds 43:34 - 46:35 Mike and Ben Recommend 46:36 - 47:09 This Week's Music 47:10 - 49:11 Opening This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/16226795

Bergman Marathon Part 1: The Seventh Seal (Bonus) 09/28/2020

Bergman Marathon Part 1: The Seventh Seal (Bonus) Part 1 of our Ingmar Bergman marathon discusses his 1957 classic about a knight returning from the crusades who comes face-to-face with Death himself and must confront his own mortality in THE SEVENTH SEAL. /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/16178282

TBT Episode 140 - Tenet 09/24/2020

TBT Episode 140 - Tenet This week on The Burning Theater, we get inverted as we discuss the latest from director Christopher Nolan - TENET. Music this week is by Jay Electronica. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 13:33 The Warm Up "The Neverending Story" by Jay Electronica 15:09 - 50:00 Tenet "Fruits of the Spirit" by Jay Electronica 51:23 - 56:12 Mike and Ben Recommend 56:13 - 57:03 This Week's Music 57:04 - 59:11 Opening This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/16136429

TBT Episode 139 - Blow the Man Down 08/13/2020

TBT Episode 139 - Blow the Man Down We discuss the 2020 Amazon Studios production BLOW THE MAN DOWN. Music this week is by Taylor Swift. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 12:33 The Warm Up "Cardigan" by Taylor Swift 13:57 - 39:08 Blow the Man Down "Exile" by Taylor Swift (feat. Bon Iver) 41:17 - 44:50 Mike and Ben Recommend 44:51 - 48:11 This Week's Music STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/15594761

Episode 138 - First Cow 08/06/2020

Episode 138 - First Cow We discuss the latest from writer and director Kelly Reichardt as she explores the brutal Oregon Territory in FIRST COW. Music this week is by Phoebe Bridgers off her latest album PUNISHER. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 11:02 The Warm Up "Kyoto" by Phoebe Bridgers 12:19 - 42:18 First Cow "Chinese Satellite" by Phoebe Bridgers 43:27 - 49:27 Mike and Ben Recommend 49:28 - 52:13 This Week's Music ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/15503804

Episode 137 - Da 5 Bloods 07/02/2020

Episode 137 - Da 5 Bloods We discuss the latest Spike Lee joint Da 5 Bloods. Music this week is by Run the Jewels off of their latest album RTJ4. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 12:50 The Warm Up "Ooh La La" by Run the Jewels 13:48 - 53:27 Da 5 Bloods "Ju$t" by Run the Jewels 56:10 - 58:53 Mike and Ben Recommend 58:54 - 1:00:06 This Week's Music 1:00:07 - 1:02:02 Streaming This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/14959910

Charlie Chaplin Marathon Part 6: Limelight (Bonus) 06/23/2020

Charlie Chaplin Marathon Part 6: Limelight (Bonus) In the final installment of our Charlie Chaplin Marathon, we discuss Chaplin as an aging entertainer seeking one last shot at glory and love in Limelight. /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/14928938

Episode 136 - The Assistant 06/18/2020

Episode 136 - The Assistant From director Kitty Green and starring Julia Garner, we explore a tale of toxic workplace masculinity in this week's discussion of The Assistant. Music this week is by Beach Bunny. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 12:02 The Warm Up "April" by Beach Bunny 13:14 - 45:44 The Assistant "Dream Boy" by Beach Bunny 47:02 - 51:27 Mike and Ben Recommend 51:28 - 51:57 This Week's Music 51:58 - 54:32 Streaming This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/14869337

TBT Episode 135 - Big Time Adolescence 06/11/2020

TBT Episode 135 - Big Time Adolescence Starring Griffin Gluck and Pete Davidson, we discuss the harrowing coming-of-age drama/comedy Big Time Adolescence. Music this week is by Car Seat Headrest. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 10:30 The Warm Up "Deadlines (Hostile)" by Car Seat Headrest 11:35 - 41:49 Big Time Adolescence "Life Worth Missing" by Car Seat Headrest 43:35 - 49:20 Mike and Ben Recommend 49:21 - 50:53 This Week's Music 50:54 - 55:14 Stream This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/14764436

TBT BONUS Episode - Charlie Chaplin Marathon Part 5: Monsieur Verdoux 06/09/2020

TBT BONUS Episode - Charlie Chaplin Marathon Part 5: Monsieur Verdoux In part 5 of our Charlie Chaplin Marathon, we discuss Chaplin like you have never seen him before -- villainous, out for murder, and talking! /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/14750285

Episode 134 - Wendy 06/04/2020

Episode 134 - Wendy We discuss the much-anticipated return of director Behn Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild) as we explore his latest release -- Wendy. Music this week is by Fiona Apple. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 11:40 The Warm Up "I Want You To Love Me" by Fiona Apple 13:55 - 44:50 Wendy "Fetch the Bolt Cutters" by Fiona Apple 46:16 - 51:05 Mike and Ben Recommend 51:06 - 52:59 This Week's Music 53:00 - 57:50 Streaming This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/14691329

TBT Episode 133 - Onward 05/21/2020

TBT Episode 133 - Onward We discuss the latest offering from Walt Disney Productions and Pixar Studios -- Onward. Music this week is by The Districts. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 11:35 The Warm Up "Hey Jo" by The Districts 13:00 - 39:44 Onward "Cheap Regrets" by The Districts 41:27 - 46:40 Mike and Ben Recommend 46:41 - 47:46 This Week's Music 47:47 - 52:35 Streaming This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/14491580

TBT Episode 132 - The Invisible Man 05/14/2020

TBT Episode 132 - The Invisible Man Starring Elisabeth Moss, we discuss the remake of the 1933 Universal Studios classic The Invisible Man. Music this week is by The Strokes off of their 2020 record The New Abnormal. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 10:50 The Warm Up "The Adults Are Talking" by The Strokes 12:41 - 41:21 The Invisible Man "Bad Decisions" by The Strokes 43:34 - 49:03 Mike and Ben Recommend 49:04 - 50:54 This Week's Music 50:55 - 55:44 Streaming This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/14401070

TBT Episode 131 - Honey Boy 03/26/2020

TBT Episode 131 - Honey Boy /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/13705403

TBT Episode 130 - The Farewell 03/12/2020

TBT Episode 130 - The Farewell /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/13519346

TBT Episode 129 - 2020 Movie Preview 02/20/2020

TBT Episode 129 - 2020 Movie Preview We break down the most anticipated upcoming movies of 2020 and play a bit of Box Office Fantasy. 00:01 - 20:38 Box Office Fantasy "Joker Is My Name" from Joker 22:40 - 1:02:22 Most Anticipated Movies of 2020 STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/13192868

TBT Episode 128 - Top 10 Movies of 2019 02/13/2020

TBT Episode 128 - Top 10 Movies of 2019 We give a recap of this year's Oscars ceremony and count down our Top 10 Movies of 2019! THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 09:35 Oscars Recap "I Can't Let You Throw Yourself Away" by Randy Newman 10:34 - 33:59 The Outliers "Stand Up" by Cynthia Erivo 35:29 - 1:02:38 Consensus Picks Pt. #1 "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" by Elton John 1:04:10 - 1:31:24 Consensus Picks Pt. #2 1:31:25 - 1:35:50 Honorable Mentions STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/13135187

TBT Episode 127 - Oscars Preview / 1917 02/06/2020

TBT Episode 127 - Oscars Preview / 1917 We give you our Oscar Preview and discuss the latest war epic from director Sam Mendes -- 1917. Music this week is by Bombay Bicycle Club. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 20:45 Oscars Preview "Is It Real" by Bombay Bicycle Club 22:23 - 52:35 1917 "Eat, Sleep, Wake (Nothing But You)" by Bombay Bicycle Club 54:24 - 59:27 Mike and Ben Recommend 59:28 - 1:00:06 This Week's Music 1:00:07 - 1:03:05 Opening This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/13025459

TBT Episode 126 - Little Women 01/30/2020

TBT Episode 126 - Little Women We discuss the latest from writer and director Greta Gerwig -- the frequently adapted but perhaps never as masterfully as now -- Little Women. Music this week is by Alexandra Savior. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 10:37 The Warm Up "Soft Currents" by Alexandra Savior 11:54 - 40:59 Little Women "But You" by Alexandra Savior 42:10 - 47:20 Mike and Ben Recommend 47:21 - 48:03 This Week's Music 48:04 - 50:34 Opening This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/12945458

TBT Episode 125 - Uncut Gems 01/23/2020

TBT Episode 125 - Uncut Gems Starring Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner, we discuss the critically acclaimed feature by Benny and Josh Safdie -- Uncut Gems. Music this week is by Field Music off of their latest album Making a New World. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 11:45 The Warm Up "Coffee or Wine" by Field Music 13:19 - 38:28 Uncut Gems "Do You Read Me?" by Field Music 40:15 - 44:30 Mike and Ben Recommend 44:31 - 46:06 This Week's Music 46:07 - 48:27 Opening This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/12855887

TBT BONUS Episode - Charlie Chaplin Marathon Part 4: The Great Dictator 01/21/2020

TBT BONUS Episode - Charlie Chaplin Marathon Part 4: The Great Dictator In Part 4 of our Charlie Chaplin Marathon we discuss the highly controversial and subversive 1940 feature "The Great Dictator". /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/12822146

TBT Episode 124 - Marriage Story 01/16/2020

TBT Episode 124 - Marriage Story We discuss the latest from writer and director Noah Baumbach "Marriage Story". Starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, "Marriage Story" is a heart-breaking drama about a couple's journey through the throws of divorce. Music this week is by Echosmith. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 11:27 The Warm Up "Everyone Cries" by Echosmith 12:48 - 41:37 Marriage Story "Lost Somebody" by Echosmith 42:58 - 47:00 Mike and Ben Recommend 47:01 - 47:56 This Week's Music 47:57 - 50:23 Opening This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/12760925

TBT Episode 123 - The Irishman 12/26/2019

TBT Episode 123 - The Irishman We discuss the latest from director Martin Scorsese -- a Netflix exclusive mobster extravaganza starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino -- The Irishman. Music this week is by Jake Xerxes Fussell. THE RUN DOWN 00:01 - 13:42 The Warm Up "The River St. John" by Jake Xerxes Fussell 15:06 - 51:22 The Irishman "Michael Was Harty" by Jake Xerxes Fussell 53:20 - 59:18 Mike and Ben Recommend 59:19 - 1:00:18 This Week's Music 1:00:19 - 1:02:59 Opening This Week ADDITIONAL NOTES STAY CONNECTED /episode/index/show/theburningtheater/id/12530204

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