Cinematic Doctrine
Cinematic Doctrine is a mature, millennial-infused film/tv discussion podcast from Melvin Benson that features Movie Discussions (conversational episodes about specific movies), Party Pleasers (movies fully-summarized from start to finish to discern if its a 'Party Pleaser' or 'Party Pooper'), and Let's Talks (prepared film-or-Christian related topical episodes). Influenced by Acts 17 and Romans 2:4. Podcast Magazine says Cinematic Doctrine "uses the shared value of human life as a springboard into deeper conversations". // CinematicDoctrine.com
Episodes
MOVIE DISCUSSION:
Shirleon and Kathryn join Melvin to discuss George Romero's groundbreaking, culture-making horror feature Night of the Living Dead (1968)! From its rich characters to the longstanding influence of horror in US culture and abroad, the gang explores the ins-and-outs of this undeniable classic!
Topics:
- (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 36-minutes discussing the concept of "Cursed Actors", actor...
MOVIE DISCUSSION:
Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss The Long Walk, a film whose premise is extremely simple yet whose content is incredibly challenging. Based on a novel influenced by the woes of the Vietnam War, this film adaptation from Francis Lawrence is updated for a modern yet not-so-different demographic. Class solidarity, the importance of beauty, the vile oppression of facism; The Long Walk has it all!
Top...
QUARTERLY CATCH-UP:
Movies & Us: Podcast, Instagram
Quarterly Catch-Up is a co-production between Cinematic Doctrine & Movies & Us! While answering a few questions about watching habits, we also spend time talking about the industry we love, specifically budgets, revenue, and the profitability of this years films overall (so far!). Otherwise, here's what to expect in ...
PATREON MOVIE DISCUSSION:
This movie was selected by our Patreon Supporters over at the Cinematic Doctrine Patreon. Support as little as $3 a month and have your voice heard!
Shirleon joins Melvin to discuss one of the most influential horror movies of the modern era: The Blair Witch Project! How does it fare against modern horror? What does a first-time watcher think of the film? Did the Blair Witch cause Heathe...
PARTY PLEASER:
Kathryn joins Melvin to summarize this year's cherry-picked so-bad-its-good movie, War of the Worlds (2025)! Featuring a cast of fairly known names (Ice Cube, Eva Longoria, Devon Bostick, Clark Gregg, and many more) this odd adaptation of the H.G. Wells classic limits its prose to a computer screen. What could go wrong?
Topics:
- (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 20-minutes discussing Chris Columbus'...
LET'S TALK:
In the Church Library: Podcast
Kelsey Kramer McGinnis: Instagram // Substack // Christianity Today
Marissa Franks Burt: Instagram // Substack // Author Page
Out October 14th - Pre-Order: The Myth of Good Christian Parenting: How False Promises Betrayed a Generation of Evangelical Families by Marissa Burt & Kelsey McGinnis
Kelsey Kramer McGinnis & Marissa Franks Burt join Melvin to explore Sh...
MOVIE DISCUSSION:
Kathryn joins Melvin return to the MCU to discuss The Fantastic Four: First Steps! It's been 2 years since the gang has talked about Marvel, so what's it like to discuss this latest feature? Also, does it stand well on its own? At the end of the day... is it even good? Tune in and find out!
Topics:
- (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 25-minutes looking at the budgets for each 2025 Marvel release and...
PATREON MOVIE DISCUSSION:
This movie was selected by our Patreon Supporters over at the Cinematic Doctrine Patreon. Support as little as $3 a month and have your voice heard!
Shirleon joins Melvin to discuss Sinners, Ryan Coogler's massive 2025 hit. As the film continues to dominate conversation, the two discuss it's myriad of themes, whether the film mixes its ideas together well, how they interpret th...
MOVIE DISCUSSION:
Jessica LM Jenkins: Podcast // Instagram // YouTube // WeWhoThirst.com
Jessica LM Jenkins joins Melvin to discuss a massive Pixar favorite; The Incredibles! From the simple-yet-deep "traditional" family stereotypes explored among the Parr family, the relationship between self-expression and conformity, and the similarities between Mr. Incredible and Syndrome. Jessica and Melvin get into...
REBROADCAST MOVIE DISCUSSION:
In this rebroadcast episode (originally released September 28th, 2021), Melvin & Dan talk about one of Laika's several family-friendly horror-animated features, ParaNorman!
Topics:
- ParaNorman has a comfortable, cozy Fall atmosphere.
- Laika takes advantage of it's medium to create a fun, charismatic animation style that separates itself from the competition.
- ...
REBROADCAST MOVIE DISCUSSION:
Before Dune, Daniel saw a trailer for Redeeming Love. After the trailer played, he leaned over to his friend and said, "I think that's supposed to be a sexy Christian movie.". So, here we are talking about that "sexy Christian movie". Boy, there sure is a lot to talk about here. (originally released March 22nd, 2022)
Topics:
- Redeeming Love contai...
PATREON MOVIE DISCUSSION:
This movie was selected by our Patreon Supporters over at the Cinematic Doctrine Patreon. Support as little as $3 a month and have your voice heard!
Shirleon joins Melvin to discuss the 1960s Village of the Damned! Combining weird fiction with childhood mischief, this sci-fi horror offers a lot to chew on, and the two try and parse through everything they can. Join them as they explore co...
LET'S TALK:
Kelsey McGinnis: Instagram // Christianity Today // Podcast
Pre-Order: The Myth of Good Christian Parenting: How False Promises Betrayed a Generation of Evangelical Families by Marissa Burt & Kelsey McGinnis
Kelsey Kramer McGinnis, contributor to Christianity Today, returns to the podcast for an impromptu sequel to last year's Let's Talk "Zoetic & the CCM Coconut Tree"....
MOVIE DISCUSSION:
Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss an early 1990s horror feature, Jacob's Ladder! That's right, the gang heads back to the 90s to discuss another cult-classic horror feature, and the two get into all its metaphors, scares, and the joy of having changed opinions on rewatched movies.
Topics:
- (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 23-minutes discussing Martin Shore's write-up on WhatToWatch titled, &qu...
QUARTERLY CATCH-UP:
Movies & Us: Podcast, Instagram
Quarterly Catch-Up is a co-production between Cinematic Doctrine & Movies & Us! In it, the gang answers 3 questions:
- What have we been watching?
- What are we anticipating?
- What else are we up to?
Things Mentioned:
- How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies (2024) (Movie)
- DJ Ahmet (2025) (Movie)
- Liquor Bank (2025) (Shor...
MOVIE DISCUSSION:
SolSilver: Instagram // YouTube // Discord
SolSilver joins Melvin to discuss a much loved early 2000's Disney animated feature, Lilo & Stitch! With the live-action adaptation bringing new life to the franchise, the two dive headfirst into the story that started it all, discussing their love for its mix of comedy and drama and the importance of "Ohana"!
Topics:
- Editor's...
PATREON MOVIE DISCUSSION:
This movie was selected by our Patreon Supporters over at the Cinematic Doctrine Patreon. Support as little as $3 a month and have your voice heard!
Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss June's Patreon-Picked movie, Event Horizon! This late 90's sci-fi horror feature includes some excellent set-design and atmosphere, but does it satisfy the needs of a horror movie? And what themes are...
MOVIE DISCUSSION:
Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss an early 2025 critical hit, Companion! How does the film balance its mix of thriller and comedy? Are the themes heavy-handed or are they handled with maturity? At the end of the day... is it even good? Tune in and find out!
Topics:
- (FREE PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 25-minutes discussing Thunderbolts* being a critical success but failing financially, why we think that ma...
PARTY PLEASER:
Shirleon joins Melvin to summarize another DCOM: Smart House! This one is routinely mentioned whenever peeps bring up the world of Disney Channel Original Movies, and the two run a play-by-play of all its worthwhile moments (or, lack thereof) to decide if it's a "Party Pleaser" or "Party Pooper"!
Topics:
- (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 25-minutes discussing the Five Nights at Freddy...
MOVIE DISCUSSION:
The Substance Podcast: Podcast // Instagram // Threads // Letterboxd
Philip Marinello of The Substance Podcast joins Mel to discuss one of their favorite movies; The Texas Chain Saw Massacre! There is a wealth to chew on in this cannibal-crazed horror film, and the two get into everything from its cultural criticism of the late-60s and early-70s, its stellar filmmaking craft, and so much more. T...
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