Checking the Gate

Episode Twenty-Four: Contact

Robert — Wed, 08 May 2013 02:07:12 +0000

May the Fourth be with you! Well, it’s a little after May the Fourth. With Free Comic Book Day, Iron Man 3 premiering, and further celebration for Revenge of the Sixth some of us were suffering from nerd hangovers. At any rate, this month’s episode is edited and posted for your enjoyment and enrichment. We discuss the 1997 Zemeckis film Contact and deliver a diatribe of the TV show “Ancient Aliens.”

Contact (1997) – IMDb

Carl Sagan’s Contact: Summary of the Novel

Ancient Aliens — Episodes, Video & Schedule – H2 on History.com

We have a special theme for our next episode—CTGPodcast Recommends. I recommended to Mike Tyler Perry’s I Can Do Bad All By Myself and Mike suggested I watch select episodes of the “West Wing.” Until then we will be watching something new and catching up on all those free comics!

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Episode Twenty-Three: Life of Brian

Robert — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 03:23:50 +0000

Once again it is Easter time, and here at CTGPodcast we are celebrating by watching what we think should be required viewing for all mature Christians: Monty Python’s Life of Brian. In TV Corner we begin discussing the merits of the show “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” but somehow end up debating the cost of pledging devotion to Vin Diesel. “Huh?” you might say to yourself; just listen.

Monty Python’s Life of Brian – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Monty Python’s Flying Circus – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Friday Night, Saturday Morning – Monty Python’s Life of Brian – YouTube

Next month, we have another theme show in which review the movie Contact and in TV Corner the meme source “Ancient Aliens.” Be sure to listen in on our mobile site at http://ctgpodcast.podbean.com/mobile/ He is Risen!

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Episode Twenty-Two: Clash of the Titans

Robert — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 02:07:54 +0000

Thank you for listening to episode 22 of CTG Podcast where we, Mike and Robert, review the movie Clash of the Titans and the TV show “Fringe.” We discuss why the ancient Greek religion still persists in our imaginations, if those gods are really dead, and if so are we trying to be gods ourselves.

Clash of the Titans

Fringe

Fringe | ‘Fringe’: 19 Best Episodes | Photo 1 of 19 | EW.com

Along the way we talk about these tangents as well:

Sean Bean Dies in Every Movie

Super-8 Funny Movie Poster

Next time we will celebrate Easter once again by watching Monty Python’s Life of Brian. This satirical examination of religious behavior should be required viewing for people of all faiths. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

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Episode Twenty-One: Stargate

Robert — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 02:31:19 +0000

We’re back! Thank you for hanging in there last month. We wanted to bring you our best and we have that here this month with our review of the movie “Stargate” and its spin-off “Stargate SG-1.” What is more true, scientific fact or religious faith? We seek to find the answer through the Stargate (or Chapa’ai for all you true believers out there).

Stargate Wiki

Arthur C. Clarke – Wikiquote Clarke’s Three Laws

GEOS – Stargate SG-1 News Article Stargate sequels?

GateWorld » More details on Best-Lock’s new Stargate toy line

Next month we will be watching the original “Clash of the Titans” and discussing the show “Fringe” now that the series has finished. See you then and with any luck we will stay on schedule!

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Special Announcement

Robert — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 00:17:01 +0000

Hello folks! I know you guys were expecting a full podcast but things are still a little crazy from the holiday busy-ness. We will still be giving you a podcast covering Stargate and Stargate SG-1, only it will be arriving in the beginning of February. In the meantime, Mike and I have some exciting news to share so download this brief segment for the big announcement. Also, here are some interesting websites Mike and I have dug up to satiate you film and religion desires.

The Superhero Delusion: How Superhero Movies created the Sad Perfect Badass Messiah, and what that says about America | PopWatch | EW.com

Jedis And Pastafarians: Real Religion Or Just A Joke?

Avengers – Meeting God – MEME, Funny Pictures and LOL

Big Mike’s Everything Emporium – YouTube

See you next month!

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Episode Twenty-It’s A Wonderful Life

Robert — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 03:38:47 +0000

Happy Holidays to all! “It’s a Wonderful Life” is our seasonal pick for you, and we join in the speculation on what will happen to Star Wars now that Lucasfilm has been sold to Disney in our News Corner.

It’s a Wonderful Life – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Columbia News Service » Blog Archive » Christian Films Find Fans at the Multiplex

Nicolas Cage’s Agent – YouTube

Next month’s episode will hopefully be released back on schedule at the first Friday of the month. We will be talking about Stargate and the last two seasons of Stargate SG-1. Check our Twitter feed for some of the specific episodes to watch on line at places like Amazon or on DVD if you have not seen them before. Merry X-mas!

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Episode Nineteen: Fireproof

Robert — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 23:55:12 +0000

Welcome to this special Thanksgiving Day release of Checking the Gate that reviews a few of the films by Kirk Cameron. Mike has been waiting to watch “Fireproof” and “Left Behind” for a long time and is proud to present this episode to you. We also talk about the Jeff Foxworthy hosted game show “American Bible Challenge.” So after you chow down on the turkey , ham, and sweet potatoes and before you hit the couch for that calorie induced coma, watch one of these movies with the family and give us a listen. But first I, Robert must apologize for the delay in this month’s episode. Usually, I try to release these on the first Friday of every month but at the end of October I had emergency laser surgery on my eye for a torn retina. I’m okay now, just really behind on the podcast schedule! So without further adieu, here are Mike and my thoughts on some of the burgeoning Christian film industry’s most well known contributions.

Fireproof

Sherwood Pictures

Donate to help victims of Hurricane Sandy:

News & Stories » Superstorm Sandy Devastates Northeast

GSNTV.COM – The American Bible Challenge Hosted By Jeff FoxworthyGSNTV.COM The Official TV Network Website for GSN

December brings us back to Christmastime, and in that spirit we will be watching the classic “It’s a Wonderful Life” and (if we can get a hold of any copy of it) the old TV show ‘Highway to Heaven.” The show is hard to find and only the first three seasons were released on DVD. If we make any changes we will update you on Twitter and Facebook. Thanks for listening!

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Episode Eighteen: The Exorcist and Constantine

Robert — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 02:02:26 +0000

Welcome to the Halloween episode of Checking the Gate, where we examine the religious veracity of the classic horror movie “The Exorcist” and the more recent (and not so classic) “Constantine.” We look at the fictions put forth in these movies, the former based on a novel and the latter based on graphic novels, to see if they line up with reality. We have a lot of laughs along the way!

http://theexorcist.warnerbros.com/

The Exorcist (1973) – IMDb

Constantine (2005) – IMDb

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Demonic Possession

Removing Demonic Oppression | Leadership Journal

CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Suicide

Next month we will have a Kirk Cameron Special! We will watch the movie “Fireproof” and also mention the film “Left Behind.” In TV Corner we will discuss the merits of the new game show “The American Bible Challenge” hosted by Jeff Foxworthy on the Game Show Network. See you in a few weeks!

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Episode Seventeen-Planet of the Apes

Robert — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 01:46:06 +0000

“A planet where apes evolve from men?” This and other mind boggling questions are tackled in this month’s epic podcast on the “Planet of the Apes” series of movies. In our TV/Book corner we review Stephen King’s post-apocalyptic spiritual spectacular: The Stand. We have not had as much fun recording since our “Dune” episode, and we hope you enjoy it too. As always, here are some links for further study.

Planet of the Apes: The Forbidden Zone

*Planet of the Apes* as American Myth: Race, Politics, and Popular Culture – Eric Greene – Google Books

The Stand – Stephen King – Google Books

OverDrive – Global distributor of digital eBooks, audiobooks, music & video for library, school & retail

Audible.com

Next show is in October which is Halloween time. So, in honor of this ancient holiday we will be watching two movies: “The Exorcist” and “Constantine;” both are different takes on the Catholic-inspired horror genre and should make for some interesting comparison. See you all then!

Update: Since we recorded this episode, one of the stars of the 2001 “Planet of the Apes,” Micheal Clarke Duncan, has passed away at the age of 54 due to natural causes following a heart attack. Our thoughts and prayers are for his family, friends, and fans. All of us will miss him.

Michael Clarke Duncan Dead at 54 | Fox News Latino

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Episode Sixteen – Metropolis

Robert — Fri, 03 Aug 2012 21:38:42 +0000

Welcome to episode sixteen, on Lang’s classic Metropolis and the short lived Caprica, of Checking the Gate: A Film and Religion Podcast. As you may remember, we delayed this episode to focus on Christ centered movies for Easter earlier in the year. At last, we are able to turn our attention to the Medieval religious imagery in an an Expressionist film, to the ethics of cheating death and playing God, and to lamenting unfulfilled promises. Here are some links for those of keen interest.

Metropolis

The Complete Metropolis – Kino Lorber Home Video

Japanese Visual Culture: Explorations in the World of Manga and Anime – Mark Wheeler MacWilliams – Google Books

Caprica | Syfy

FOX Broadcasting Company – Fringe TV Show – Fringe TV Series – Fringe Episode Guide

Septembers episode is going to cover another classic sci-fi piece, the original “Planet of the Apes.” We will most likely touch on the sequel ”Beneath the Planet of the Apes” and the 2001 remake, but the later two are not required viewing. We will also be discussing the book/miniseries of Stephen King’s The Stand, as TV Corner slowly morphs into Book Corner. Until then remember, the mediator of the hed and the hands must be the heart…so say we all!

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