In this episode, we get existential, philosophical, and humanistic with Boise-based filmmaker (and NBFF alum) Collin Insley. We work through the implications of Being John Malkovich and Charlie Kaufman's filmography for fame, identity, and what it means to be human. Also puppetry. Collin's film Scam Likely is here. Some of the films we mention in t…

Tim and Jay talk about two of the highest grossing movies of 1999: M. Night Shyamalan's first major hit, The Sixth Sense, and the beginning of the found-footage explosion, The Blair Witch Project. How do they play 25 years later? What do they tell us about our fears and traumas? What makes a genre film work, or not? Some of the films we mention in …

Tim and Jay talk about two defining movies of 1999: The Matrix and Fight Club. How do they hold up? Why do they hold up? Should Tim have kept his word to preach a sermon focused on The Matrix? Or was he just dumb (with sincere apologies to all college students who are not as dumb as he was)? Plus, some good feedback for our Magnolia episode. Some o…

Jay and Tim talk with Pr. Mark Pierson of St. Paul's Lutheran Church (Long Beach, CA) about the first in our 25th anniversary series of films from 1999. We talk about where we were in 1999, and then get into free will, chance, fate, God, confession, forgiveness, salvation...and frogs. Some of the movies we mention in this episode are: Boogie Nights…

Obviously we haven't seen all of the Oscar-nominated films. Who do you think we are? But we have fun talking about the ones we have seen. 96th Academy Awards air on Sunday, March 10, at 4 pm (Pacific). Some of the films we mention in this episode: Oppenheimer, Poor Things, American Fiction, The Holdovers, Killers of the Flower Moon, Parasite, The Z…

First episode of 2024, we talk about our favorites of 2023. These might be our most divergent best-of lists so far. Is your favorite on our lists? Are our favorites on your list? Let us know! Some of the films we mention in this episode: Past Lives, Beau is Afraid, Anatomy of a Fall, Sisu, John Wick 4, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part 1, Opp…

In only our second-ever joint episode, we spend some time with Philip Marinello of The Substance discussing whether movies are serious or frivolous. Are they just entertainment or something more significant? How seriously should we take them? Then we each offer up our own frivolous and serious picks. Enjoy! The Substance Special thank you to Dave H…

On the last day of the 2023 Newport Beach Film Festival, we finally catch up with Phillip Yaw Domfeh, NBFF alum, filmmaker, producer, and Senior Manager of Disney's Launchpad short film incubator. We talk about all sorts of things, from music, to his films, including Cary in Retrograde (which he made with his wife, Priya), to the films he's working…

Jay and Tim preview their favorite week of the year, the Newport Beach Film Festival. We talk film festival programming, feature films, short films, what we've seen, and what we're looking forward to watching. See the schedule and get tickets here: NEWPORT BEACH FILM FEST (Use the code URSpecialNBFF for $5 off a ticket!) Some of the feature films w…

In this episode Tim and Jay talk about The Equalizer 3 and what's going on with some of the symbolism and religious references in the movie. Then we talk about other action franchises, and what sets some apart from others. Some of the films and franchises we mention in this episode: The Equalizer, John Wick, James Bond, Jason Bourne, Mission: Impos…

Jay and Tim talk about Christopher Nolan's latest, and where it fits among our favorite Nolan films. Some of the films we mention in this episode: Barbie, Oppenheimer, The Dark Knight, Memento, The Day after Trinity, Paper City, The Prestige, The Dark Knight Rises, Tenet, Dunkirk, Following, Inception, Interstellar. Wendell Berry's essay, "The Way …

In our 60th episode, we talk with Josh Larsen of Think Christian and the Filmspotting podcast about his new book Fear Not! A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies. We talk about what Christians can learn from horror movies about themselves and about the world, and then we give our top 3 horror films. Fear Not! Movies are Prayers Think Christian F…

Jay and Tim talk to cinematographer (and fellow Lutheran) Ryan Spacone about Jesus Revolution, Christian movies, cinematography, and how Lutherans understand vocation with respect to film. What does a cinematographer do? How does Ryan choose the jobs on which he's going to work? What makes a film "Christian," and is Jesus Revolution that? What woul…

We're not going to lie; the episode gets a little weird. But so is the movie. Tim and Jay talk Beau Is Afraid, the new neurotic nightmare from Ari Aster. There are spoilers. See the movie first. Do not read anything about it before you go! Some other movies we mention in this episode: MidsomMAR, Hereditary, You Were Never Really Here (sort of; we c…

Tim and Jay talk about what they liked and didn't like about Russell Crowe's new movie, The Pope's Exorcist. How much is Fr. Amorth's story and how much is Hollywood invention? What is it about priests that they make regular appearances in horror movies? Why do exorcism movies continue to get made? Can anyone make an original exorcism movie after T…

Jay and Tim talk about all sorts of things stemming from The Whale. Does Aronofsky intend Charlie to be a Christ figure? What kind? Are people naturally good? What is religion good for? What does the ending signify? And more. We also mention Noah, Mother!, The Purge, The Wrestler. Song clips: Hard To Be | David Bazan | Pedro The Lion John Wayne Gac…

Bonus episode! Tim and Jay talk about the Academy Awards, the movies they would like to see win, and the movies they think will win. Then they mention a few movies that were robbed of nominations and awards. Some of the movies we mention in this episode: Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Banshees of Inisherin, Top Gun: Maverick, Women Talking,…

Jay and Tim forget to say who they are, and then talk about Lenten-themed movies. (With an outtake because Tim can never figure out how to end things.) Some of the films we mention in this episode: Hunger, Silence, Last Days in the Desert, The Last Temptation of Christ, The Passion of the Christ, The Gospel According to St. Matthew, Of Gods and Men…

In the first episode of the year, Tim and Jay share their top 10 favorite movies of 2022 (as well as a few honorable mentions); Tim tries to prevent Jay from sharing his top 2 (just kidding); and we talk about a couple movies we're anticipating in 2023. Some of the films we mention in this episode: Guillermo del Toro's Pinnochio, Corsage, Barbarian…

In our final episode of 2022, we revisit our very first episode and our top-100 lists with friend and fellow NBFF programmer, Marco Montenegro. And what is the point of making lists, anyway? Then we talk about the once-a-decade Sight and Sound movie poll, and the top film, Jeanne Dielman, 23 Quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles. Time for you to make yo…

Jay and Tim talk with the writer/producer, Mokotsi Rukundo, and director, Brian Lucke Anderson, of the newly available (and Newport Beach Film Festival alum!) film East of Middle West about sons repeating the sins of the fathers, forgiveness, and the possibility of change. Website Rent or Buy East of Middle West: on Amazon Prime Video on iTunes on …

Tim and Jay resolve to make no more promises about recording episodes at the Newport Beach Film Festival. Instead, here's a recap of what we saw and what we liked. Some of the films mentioned in this episode: Broker, Influencer, Banshees of Inisherin, The Moon and Back, A Little White Lie, All Quiet on the Western Front, Bardo, Empire of Light, The…

Jay and Tim preview their favorite week of the year, the Newport Beach Film Festival. It's happening October 13-20 (less than a month away!) in beautiful Newport Beach, California. Jay says this is the best program in the history of the NBFF, so take a listen and find out what we're looking forward to watching. (There's even a movie that was filmed…

In this episode of Tim Badly Pronouncing French, we look at the 1989 film Jesus of Montreal by Denys Arcand. We talk about efforts to update Jesus and make Him relevant to modern times--and how He refuses to be so. Tim wrote something about Jesus of Montreal for The Jagged Word. Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee Rosevere Closing mu…

All five Winterstein brothers are together in Olympia for the celebration of their parents' 50th wedding anniversary, so what else would we do but record an episode with all of us? (Excuse the microphone bumps, as we were sitting around a card table...) We reminisce about first theater experiences and movies we remember from our childhood. Then we …

Tim and Jay talk about Father Stu, "Christian" movies, and where Mark Wahlberg's labor of love fits, both in the cinematic and theological landscapes. Some other films (and TV series) we mention briefly in this episode: Goodfellas (again), War Room, The Passion of the Christ, Fireproof, God's Not Dead, Uncharted, The Americans, Yellowstone. Tim wro…

Jay and Tim talk with Pastor Mark A. Pierson about the men's movie night at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Long Beach, California. We also say requiescat in pace to Ray Liotta, Jay sounds like he's in a cavern, Tim badly pronounces French movie titles, and a lot of movies get mentioned. Some of the films we mention in this episode: Silence, Calvary, F…

It's the third week of Easter, so Jay and Tim make a list of films where resurrection shows up: Ordet (1955), Cool Hand Luke (1967), Silent Light (2007), The Kid with a Bike (2011), and Happy as Lazzaro (2018). Some other movies we mention briefly: Halloween, La Promesse, The Child, Young Ahmed Come find us: Website Instagram Facebook Twitter Openi…

Tim and Jay talk with Rev. Dr. Scott Stiegemeyer, professor of theology and bioethics at Concordia University in Irvine, California, about the new movie After Yang. We talk about technology, memory, grief, and what it means to be human. Some of the movies we mention in this episode: After Yang, Columbus, Blade Runner, Robot and Frank, Drive My Car,…

Tim and Jay mess around, talk about Academy Award nominations and possible winners, don't really put to rest the highbrow/lowbrow art debate, and mention a few more films they hope to see this year. Some films we mention in this episode: The Power of the Dog, West Side Story, Drive My Car, Spencer, After Yang, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talen…

Everyone has to have a best-of list. This is ours. Some honorable mentions, and then our top five films of 2021 (at least of those we've seen), and then a couple we're looking forward to in 2022. Some of the films we mention in this episode: What We See When We Look At the Sky; Pig; The Tragedy of Macbeth; The Green Knight; Lost Daughter; This is N…

'Tis the season! Tim and Jay talk to Pastor Brian Bowes about his annual Christmas movie watch list and what makes a movie a "Christmas movie." Some of the movies we mention in this episode: Elf, Miracle on 34th Street, Holiday Affair, A Christmas Story, Home Alone, The Bells of St. Mary's, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Going My Way, A Cha…

Jay and Tim get all the answers to all their questions about him & her from writer and director Ice Mrozek. Among other things, Ice tells the best story that has ever been told on this podcast, involving his first acting audition, a major director, an award-winning editor, and a dinner party. Our first episode with Ice is here. Keep up with release…

Tim's and Jay's good intentions go unrealized, they talk about their favorite films from the festival and what they still want to see, what it's like to be a film festival programmer. They also tell you why you should go to a film festival, and why it's like summer camp. Some of the films mentioned in this episode: Belfast, Keeping Company, East of…

Jay and Tim keep the Newport Beach Film Festival episodes rolling with the writer/director of Electric Jesus, Chris White, as well as Contemporary Christian Music historian and music advisor for the film, John J. Thompson. We talk about the film, the unique subculture of CCM, '80s Christian rock, the detailed reconstruction of the musical and perio…

Jay and Tim talk about the film him & her with writer/director/actor Ice Mrozek. We get into a little of how [REDACTED] came about, and what it was like to [REDACTED]. We talk about the filmmaking process, the difference between an idea and the finished product, and look forward to the world premiere screening of him & her at the Newport Beach Film…

Unlike our normal, light-hearted content, we turn slightly darker with both the original and the first two episodes of the remake of Scenes From a Marriage. Tim wrote about one scene in the first episode of the remake here. Some of the movies we mention in this episode: Scenes From a Marriage, A Marriage Story, and, briefly, The Card Counter and Th…

Jay and Tim finally get the Saints and Cinema Nicolas Cage episode done. We talk Pig and about 1 % of the rest of his cinematic output. And the return of outtakes. Some of the films we mention in this episode: Pig, Con Air, The Rock, Mandy, Face/Off, Raising Arizona, Bringing Out the Dead, Leaving Las Vegas. Opening music: "Let's Start at the Begin…

Tim and Jay talk with Dr. Scott Stiegemeyer (ethicist, pastor, professor, and co-host of The Blackest Eyes podcast) about George A. Romero's newly released 1973 film The Amusement Park. It is an anti-ageist film commissioned by the Lutheran Service Society of Western Pennysylvania, but rarely, if ever, seen until now. Aging, religion, churches, hor…

On the two-year anniversary of Saints and Cinema, Tim and Jay have a feature-length conversation with friend and filmmaker Thomas Torrey. We talk The Killing of Two Lovers, Thomas's new podcast, fatherhood, indie filmmaking, and if there's anything so far worth putting on a best-of-2021 list. Some of the movies we mention in this episode: The Killi…

Jay and Tim talk revenge movies, what appeals to us about them, and quoting Dumb and Dumber. Movies we mention in this episode include: Dumb and Dumber, Taken, Death Wish, I Saw the Devil, Braveheart, In the Bedroom, and Nobody. Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee Rosevere Closing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot Come…

Tim and Jay talk Bill Maher, the Oscars, Promising Young Woman, and mostly mess around and laugh too much. Now, more outtakes than ever! Some movies we discuss in this episode include: Promising Young Woman, Minari, Mank, Taken, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Nomadland, a certain unnamed film from the Berlin International Film Festival. Bill Maher on …

Jay and Tim talk to friend, erstwhile Newport Beach Film Festival programmer, and current Programming Director for NewFilmmakers LA, Bojana Sandic about all sorts of things: what is NFMLA, what she thinks about the Oscars, what she looks for in films to program, what her quarantine watching has been like, and descriptive words to use other than "un…

Tim and Jay watch some films from the 2021 virtual edition of the Slamdance Film Festival; they talk high school, death, life, family, loss, and indie filmmaking. Slamdance Film Festival Some of the movies we mention in this episode: Taipei Suicide Story; Teenage Emotions; A Family; Man Under Table; Alps. Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginnin…

With a suggestion from our friend Kurt, we talk about bad movies, movies we don't like, the plot line cliches that make us want to turn off or walk out, and why people make bad movies. Thanks to everyone who gave us suggestions! And outtakes are back Some of the movies we mention in this episode: The Cold Light of Day, The Midnight Sky, Rambo: Last…

Tim and Jay reveal their favorite movies of pandemic-afflicted 2020, along with some honorable mentions. Their lists intersect at one point and one point only! Thanks for listening during 2020, and we're looking forward to talking more about movies in 2021! Movies we mention in this episode, in no particular order: The Truth, Arkansas, The Outpost,…

In a first for Saints and Cinema, we have a crossover episode with Andrew Hackett of The Trace Podcast. We each talk about three movies that disturbed us (in a good way) and made us see the world or film or life differently. Our conversation takes us to a lot of places, covering Lynch, Haneke, Fincher, and more, including to questions about truth i…

Tim and Jay talk film noir and Bogart; what noir has in common with Samson and Delilah; the ambiguity of noir's characters; and Tim laugh-cries over an episode of Wings that may or may not have happened. We mention In a Lonely Place, Casablanca, The Big Sleep, and The Maltese Falcon. Here's the book with the essay on noir by Eric S. Christianson. O…

Jay and Tim rank Meg Ryan's 1990s rom-coms, discuss the male equivalent of romantic comedies, and make a whole bunch of mistakes and ridiculous comments that end up after the closing music. Once again, the best part of the episode. Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee Rosevere Closing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot C…

Tim and Jay talk about their wives' movie picks, Lutherans in Minnesota, and Roman Catholic singing nuns. Then they preview part two of Movies for Wives, with peak Meg Ryan. This episode is "good" enough to earn outtakes. Listen all the way past the closing music, or just skip to that point. We would. Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," …