Soul on Screen

KPop Demon Hunters

Join Drew, Grace, Lucius, and Paola as they react, review, and reflect on Netflix's Grammy and Oscar award winning surprise animated hit KPop Demon Hunters, and share recommendations of some thematically related films, games, music, and books. (0:00) Intro Welcome to Soul on Screen (01:40) React Widely varied initial impressions from "I'm filing this under movies I have to see because of a podcast" to immediate captivation, an 8-minute hate-watch that transformed into genuine love, and being unexpectedly moved to tears by the final sequence (08:53) Review Creative animation blending CGI, anime-inspired styles, and Korean manhwa elements, innovative "breaking the model" techniques, catchy musical numbers that advance the story, playful use of emojis and internet culture, culturally-rooted elements like the tiger and magpie from Korean folklore, well-paced storytelling that doesn't over-explain itself, and confessions about past boy band obsessions that may involve very tight, very bright sequined pants (36:11) Reflect Examining the profound theme of shame as the mark of the enemy, the disarming power of truth-telling and confession, spiritual warfare depicted through music and community, a personal story about confronting voices, the difference between fixing and healing, patterns of behavior that harden over time, the contrast between escapist "couch" and restorative rest, and the deeply human story beneath the K-pop spectacle (01:27:38) Recommend Related movies, games, music, and books: * Perfect Blue (animated film) [https://letterboxd.com/film/perfect-blue/] * Pop Star (comedy film) [https://letterboxd.com/film/popstar-never-stop-never-stopping/] * Brutal Legend (video game) [https://www.doublefine.com/games/brutal-legend] * Sleeping at Last's Enneagram album (Atlas project) [https://fanlink.tv/enneagram] * The Singing Revolution (documentary) [https://letterboxd.com/film/the-singing-revolution/] * Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-screwtape-letters-c-s-lewis] * The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson [https://www.ivpress.com/the-soul-of-shame] * The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-great-divorce-c-s-lewis] * Resounding Truth by Jeremy Begbie [https://bakeracademic.com/products/9780801026959_resounding-truth] * Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks [https://www.oliversacks.com/oliver-sacks-books/musicophilia-oliver-sacks/] * Castaway Diva (K-drama) [https://letterboxd.com/film/castaway-diva/]

Wake Up, Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery

Join Drew, Grace, Lucius, and Paola as they react, review, and reflect on Rian Johnson's third installment in the Knives Out series, Wake Up, Dead Man, discussing how this murder mystery becomes a meaningful commentary on power, the church, and what it means to truly live out Christian calling. (00:00) Intro Welcome to Soul on Screen (01:01) React From Lucius feeling this was an improvement after Glass Onion, to Paola being floored by unexpected spiritual depth, the hosts share their enthusiastic reactions to a film that proved to be both entertaining and surprisingly meaningful (07:03) Review Masterful cinematography and lighting, outstanding performances with impressive shifts from comedy to despair, exceptional writing with subtle dialogue that rewards close attention, intentionally theatrical production design fitting the classic murder mystery genre, and questions about whether the mystery or the social commentary serves as the primary vehicle for the story (22:38) Reflect Father Jud as a beautiful vision of pastoral ministry and faithful witness, the radical nature of Christian forgiveness depicted through confession and grace, critiques of nominal Christianity and religious power-seeking, and a call to action for the church to "wake up" and embody true faith (01:06:52) Recommend Related movies and books: * Lucius's Holy Scripture of Film [https://letterboxd.com/patendude/list/holy-scripture-of-film/] list, including: * Children of Men [https://letterboxd.com/film/children-of-men/] * First Reformed [https://letterboxd.com/film/first-reformed/] * A Hidden Life [https://letterboxd.com/film/a-hidden-life-2019/] * Silence [https://letterboxd.com/film/silence/] * mother! [https://letterboxd.com/film/mother-2017/] * More from Rian Johnson * Brick [https://letterboxd.com/film/brick/] * Looper [https://letterboxd.com/film/looper/] * Hercule Poirot series with Kenneth Branagh [https://www.themoviedb.org/collection/735384-hercule-poirot-kenneth-branagh-collection] * Chariots of Fire [https://letterboxd.com/film/chariots-of-fire/] * A Farewell to Mars by Brian Zahnd [https://a.co/d/0d8i3bS3] * Renovation of the Church by Kent Carlson and Mike Lueken [https://www.ivpress.com/renovation-of-the-church] * The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas [https://www.richvillodas.com/deeply-formed-life] * In Good Time by Jen Pollock Michel [https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781540900548_in-good-time] * A Rule for the Rest of Us by Jen Pollock Michel [https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9798217152285_a-rule-for-the-rest-of-us] (forthcoming)

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (2024 & 1983)

Join Paula, Grace, Drew, and Lucius as they react, review, and reflect on Dallas Jenkins' 2024 adaptation of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, comparing it to the classic 1983 TV movie and discussing why this Christmas story has endured across generations. (00:00) Intro Welcome to Soul on Screen (00:46) React Vastly different reactions to the film—from delighted surprise to frustrated boredom—set up a lively and genuine discussion shaped by generational perspectives and varying familiarity with the source material (08:27) Review Outstanding child performances that carry the film, debate over the soft lighting and heavy voiceover narration, intentional 1980s period piece aesthetics that create a timeless storybook feel, authentic depiction of poverty, and comparing Dallas Jenkins' adaptation choices to the original book and TV movie (27:37) Reflect Hearing the gospel story afresh through outsider eyes, critiquing nominal Christianity and church exclusion, the power of simple storytelling that still manages to surprise, questioning whether this adaptation plays it safe for modern audiences, and wondering what a truly provocative retelling might look like today (01:03:03) Recommend Related movies and books: * The Nativity Story [https://letterboxd.com/film/the-nativity-story/] * Tokyo Godfathers [https://letterboxd.com/film/tokyo-godfathers/] * Lars and the Real Girl [https://letterboxd.com/film/lars-and-the-real-girl/] * The Family Man [https://letterboxd.com/film/the-family-man/] * Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes by Kenneth Bailey [https://ivpress.com/jesus-through-middle-eastern-eyes] * BibleProject: Birth of the Messiah [https://bibleproject.com/classroom/rise-of-the-messiah/modules/2] * The Chosen [https://www.thechosen.tv/] * The Shepherd  [https://watch.thechosen.tv/video/184683594365] * The First Advent in Palestine by Kelley Nikondeha [https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9798889838258/The-First-Advent-in-Palestine] * Winter Fire: Christmas with G.K. Chesterton by Ryan Whitaker Smith [https://www.moodypublishers.com/winter-fire/] * Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan [https://groveatlantic.com/book/small-things-like-these/] (01:18:46) Christmas Benedictions The hosts share personal messages, wishes, and reflections on the meaning of Christmas --- Learn more at http://soulonscreen.com/ [http://soulonscreen.com/] Follow us @soulonscreen [https://www.instagram.com/soulonscreen/]

Godzilla Minus One

Join Drew, Grace, Lucius, and Paola as they react, review, and reflect on Takashi Yamazaki's profoundly moving 70th anniversary Godzilla film and recommend some thematically related books and films.   (00:00) Intro Welcome to Soul on Screen   (01:03) React Surprised by the deeply human narrative, emotional impact that brought tears and lasting reflection—this is no American Godzilla blockbuster!   (08:57) Review The "minus color" black and white version heightened emotional depth and connection with the 1954 original, powerful score that honors and renews themes from the original, masterful VFX on a budget that served the story rather than dominating it, intimate cinematography emphasizing character over spectacle   (22:11) Reflect Examining the tension between cultural values of collectivism -vs- individualism, reframing the true meaning of duty and sacrifice, exploring moments of forgiveness and heart change, identifying Christ-like figures throughout the narrative   (01:01:11) Recommend Related books and movies: * 1954 Godzilla film [https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/godzilla-1954] * On Getting Out of Bed by Alan Noble [https://www.ivpress.com/on-getting-out-of-bed] * When the Church Was a Family by Joseph Hellerman [https://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/product/when-the-church-was-a-family-2/] * One Life (film) [https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/one-life-2023] * Southern Reach trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer [https://www.jeffvandermeer.com/southern-reach-series]

Barbie

Join Drew, Grace, Lucius, and Paola as they react, review, and reflect on Greta Gerwig's surprisingly philosophical pink phenomenon Barbie, and share recommendations of some thematically related books and films. (00:00) Intro Welcome to Soul on Screen (1:20) React Initial skepticism turned to delighted surprise at the meaningful content packed into a story about a plastic doll, nostalgia for childhood Barbie experiences, appreciation for the film's earnestness and refusal to take itself too seriously, and varied emotional responses to America Ferrera's pivotal monologue (9:04) Review Praise for flawless production design that brought Barbie Land to life, the stark material contrast between plastic artificiality and real-world textures, exceptional pacing and editing, clever intertextual references and humor, outstanding music that carries the story's tone, and a script that balances fun with substance (21:13) Reflect Examining the film as a lament about artificial perfection versus authentic humanity, themes of creator and creation through Ruth Handler's role, the complexity of victim-villain dynamics in both Barbie and Ken's journeys, questions of identity and free will, the cost and beauty of choosing real life with its pain and imperfection, and incarnational themes of embracing embodied existence (45:23) Recommend Related books, movies, and more: * Blade Runner 2049 [https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/blade-runner-2049] * Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro [https://bookshop.org/p/books/klara-and-the-sun-kazuo-ishiguro/18514778?ean=9780593311295&next=t] * The Bear (seasons 1-2) [https://www.justwatch.com/us/tv-show/the-bear] * Embracing the Body by Tara Owens [https://bookshop.org/p/books/embracing-the-body-finding-god-in-our-flesh-and-bone-tara-m-owens/21432997?ean=9780830835935&next=t] * The Gift of Being Yourself by David Benner [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-gift-of-being-yourself-the-sacred-call-to-self-discovery-enlarged-expanded-expanded-david-g-benner/21433538?ean=9780830846122&next=t] * Christians for Biblical Equality [https://www.cbeinternational.org/] * Never Cast Out by Jasmine Holmes [https://bookshop.org/p/books/never-cast-out-how-the-gospel-puts-an-end-to-the-story-of-shame/18852194?ean=9781087747163&next=t]