Saints and Cinema

Send us Fan MailJay and Tim chat with JT Rees, writer and director of the short film White Room about making fiction out of personal experience, grief, and making his first film.Then we talk about the 2026 Newport Beach Film Festival (October 15-22) and the films we're looking forward to seeing. White Room is playing twice at the festival, in the short film block "The Short List" (get tickets) and then by itself (get tickets).NEGU - Jessie Rees FoundationJessie's Story (short video)Some of the films we mention in this episode: Retirement Plan (the short film Tim couldn't remember); The Cycle, The Only Living Pickpocket in New York, Minotaur, Wild Horse Nine, Mimic (short), White Room (short), Something Wild (short), Ithaqua, Unleashed Spirits: The Rise of the Hollywood Vampires, Joybubbles, One of Us, 4000 Days, A Talent For Murder, Behemoth!, Paper Tiger, Fatherland, Die Ältern/Empty Nesters, The Liberation, Summer Project (short), 99 Fantasmas/99 Ghosts (short), Manchester by the Sea, Alps, The Lobster, Monty Python and the Holy GrailCome find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube (starting with Episode 81)Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Send us Fan MailTim and Jay dig into Lars and the Real Girl with Rev. Dr. Scott Stiegemeyer. Join us as we talk about what this cinematic parable can teach us about life, community, and grace.Find Scott at Flesh and Blood Bioethics.Scott's piece on Lars and the Real Girl. We've also talked with Scott about FRANKENSTEIN, AFTER YANG, THE AMUSEMENT PARK, and horror movies.Some of the films we mention in this episode: Lars and the Real Girl, Her, Obsession.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube (starting with Episode 81)Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Send us Fan MailJay and Tim have a not-very-serious discussion of The Beastmaster (1982) and The Rescue (1988) and other movies from their childhood and whether or not they hold up 40 years later. Some of the films we mention in this episode: The Beastmaster, The Rescue, The NeverEnding Story (1984), The Last Unicorn (1982), Flight of the Navigator (1986), Masters of the Universe (1987)Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube (starting with Episode 81)Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Send us Fan MailTim and Jay discourse on the discourse and how we should think about the difference between books and movies, ancient and modern. We talk about what we liked about The Odyssey and what we didn't, and where it might fall on our top movies of 2026. We also ask, Why do we connect with some stories and not with others? What is worth discussing and what are worthless proxies for cultural wars?Some of the movies (and a show) we mention in this episode: The Odyssey, Tenet, The Dark Knight, Spiderman: Brand New Day, Inception, Oppenheimer, Interstellar, The Drama, Obsession, Together, Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube (starting with Episode 81)Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Send us Fan MailTim and Jay talk about relationship horror movies Together and Obsession. What does it mean to be "one flesh"? What does it mean to love another person? What kinds of truth can horror expose? (Also, just give Inde Navarrette all the awards.) Warning: spoilers for both films.Some of the films we mention in this episode: Together, Obsession, Hereditary.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube (starting with Episode 81)Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Send us Fan MailTim and Jay had the opportunity to talk with Brett Neveu, playwright, professor, and screenwriter of (the play and) film Eric LaRue, directed by Michael Shannon. We talk about the differences between writing for the stage and writing for the screen; the absurdity of grief, pastors trying to help, and good intentions. Along the way, Brett gives us great insight into crafting a compelling story.You can watch Eric LaRue at Kanopy through your local library.Find more information about Brett here.Red Orchid Theatre.Some of the films we discuss in this episode: Eric LaRue and Mass.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube (starting with Episode 81)Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Send us Fan MailWe finally get around to talking about our favorites of last year. Did we mention yours? Do you have a favorite we didn't mention? Let us know!Some of the films we mention in this episode: Sentimental Value, Sinners, Frankenstein, Never Get Busted, Train Dreams, Weapons, and a lot of other films that came out in 2025...Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube (starting with Episode 81)Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Send us Fan MailTim and Jay take up our top Duvall films and then discuss The Apostle, depictions of preachers, what makes a character sympathetic, and the nature of redemption.Some of the films we mention in this episode: The Apostle, Apocalypse Now, The Godfather, Part I, The Godfather, Part II, Tender Mercies, Calvary, On the Waterfront, Romero, Diary of a Country Priest, Corpus Christi.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube (starting with Episode 81)Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Send us Fan MailTim and Jay talk to Ryan Tinetti, professor at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, about the newest Knives Out mystery, Wake Up Dead Man. Religion in movies, Christianity, pastors, and culture war in the church and in the world. Check it out!Also, Ryan has a new book out (which we should have mentioned!), Quiet Ambition, which you can find here.Some of the films we mention in this episode: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, Silence, Godfather Part III, Calvary, Stars in My CrownCome find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube (starting with Episode 81)Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot

Send us Fan MailTim and Jay watch Christmas with The Chosen - Holy Night and continue the discussion from episode 85 on what works well and what doesn't work as well, along with what comes from the Gospels and what does not. Choices were made.Come find us:WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterYouTube (starting with Episode 81)Opening music: "Let's Start at the Beginning," Lee RosevereClosing music: "Découvre moi," Marc Senet & Simon Grivot