Faithspotting

Cross Roads Faith & Film
  • 5.0 (11)
  • Religion & Spirituality
  • Updated Monthly

Faithspotting is a podcasts dedicated to spotting and sharing issues of life, faith, and theology presented in film, television, and music, then empower listeners to use these stories as tools to strengthen and apply faith in their everyday life.

  1. 5h ago

    Faithspotting The Odyssey

    Kenny and Mike discuss and spot faith elements in Christopher Nolan's latest epic film, The Odyssey. Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, and Tom Holland lead a strong cast that also includes Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and John Leguizamo. Both Kenny and Mike think John Leguizamo's performance may result in an Academy Award Nomination for Supporting Actor.  Both the film and Christopher Nolan are most likely to be nominated as well.  Filmed with IMAX 70mm cameras and shown in a variety of formats including IMAX, which have sold out for a year, the The Odyssey fits the epic nature and scope of Homer's foundational literary work. Though not an IMAX screening Mike and Kenny shared their experience seeing the film in 70mm film rather than digital screening. Mike shared his appreciation for the rich contrast presented in the low light photography the IMAX film stock allows. Other technical aspects included the use of practical effects including forced perspective.  Kenny questioned why Nolan did not choose more accurate costumes and other production design elements as well as some more modern words and phrase that took him out of the film briefly. Faith Elements Reflected: Among the many elements of faith spotted in the story, Kenny discusses the very nature of faith from a Christian perspective is as an odyssey as one journeys through seasons of struggle and joy as we travel toward our spiritual home, the Kingdom of God. Calypso's instruction to Odysseus to surrender to and trust the ocean waves and tides rather than struggle against them is akin to surrendering to God's faithfulness, grace, and power rather than reliance of one's own abilities and power against the ooverwhelming power of sin and evil. Athena's care, presence, and guidance to Odysseus reflects God's presence and involvement through the Holy Spirit in the lives of individuals as well as the work of God in transforming the broken world into the Kingdom of God. Zeus's Law of Hospitality echoes the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament teachings on hospitality, especially the welcoming and caring for strangers and even enemies, Abram's hosting of Angels, Jesus's parable of the Good Samaritan. The need for humility in living a faithful life. Echoeing the teaching of Paul in Philippians 2 to imitate the humility of Jesus. Odysseus's boasting set the stage for many of the struggles in his journey home.

  2. Jul 9

    Faith on the Prairie: Faithspotting Little House on the Prairie

    Faithspotting Podcast hosts Mike and Kenny are joined in their conversation on the Netflix reboot of Little House On The Prairie by showrunner, producer, and screenwriter Rebecca Sonnenshine and actor Warren Christie who plays the Wilder's family friend, John Edwards. Rebecca and Warren are very engaging as they share information on the development and production of the series and as well as how the series fits within with the Little House books and original television series as well, and how it speaks to issues and challenges of current times. Faith Reflected: Mike and Kenny also discuss the faith elements reflected in the series which include the importance of community in life, both in the midst of challenges and joy. Christian teaching calls for persons to walk the walk of faith, ie to walk the talk of Christ including loving and welcoming of all peopls as neighbors as Jesus teaches in the Gospels.

  3. Jun 11

    Faithspotting "Disclosure Day"

    Kenny and Mike discuss and spot faith in the latest film by legendary filmmaker Steven Speilberg. Disclosure Day stars Emily Blunt as a Kansas City TV presenter Margaret Fairchild whose life is suddenly changed when she appears to have a neurological breakdown on air. Josh O'Connor co-stars as Cyber Security expert Daniel Kellner who is determined to disclose proof that Governments and other powers have been keeping proof of extra-terrestrial life away from the public. Government agencies race to capture Kellner before he can release the information.  Margaret Fairchild seeks to help Kellner succeed in releasing the information. One of the chief concers about releasing the information is how the public would accept the information that they are not alone as well as the truth that governments have kept this secret.  Faith Issues: Kellner's girlfriend, Jane (Eve Hewson) pushes Kellner if he and those supporting releasing the information have considered the impact on persons including, communities of faith, whether Aliens who may exist on a higher level than humans would impact the Judeo Christian faith in the existance of God, the place of humanity within creation, and if God is soverign over extra-terrestrials. The Hebrew Bible and New Testament teach that humanity is the top of the created order. Genesis 1 teaches God created all of the universe and that humans are created in the image and likeness of God, and Psalm 8 proclaims humans are described as just below the divine. Most theologians would accept that God is God of all the universe including extra-terrestrials. Even without the presence of extra-terrestrials, this conversation can serve to open the consideration of what responsibilities come with being the top of the created orderd, and as Genesis teaches, stewards of God's creation. Created in the image and likeness of God is that which separates humanity from the rest of creation. After considering what the impact of a disclosure of extra-terrestrials should be how should humanity live up to the honor and responsibility of being the highest order of creation

  4. Jun 6

    Faithspotting Double Feature "Obsession and The Backrooms"

    Mike and Kenny offer a double feature episode as they discuss and spot faith presented in the two box office leading supernatural horror films Obsession and Backrooms. Both films are directed by first time feature film directors Curry Barker (Obsession) and Kane Parsons (Backrooms.) Barker (26) and Parsons (20) gained very large followings by directing shorts on YouTube and represent new voices and ways of making and distributing films.   Obsession stars Michael Johnston (Baron "Bear" Bailey) and Inde Navarette (Nikki Freeman) with costars Cooper Tomlinson (Ian) and Megan Lawless Sarah). Inspired by an episode of The Simpsons (The Monkee Claw) the story is a modern parable on being careful what you ask or pray for. Bear is very attracted to Nikki yet is afraid to share his feelings to her, and allow her to decide how to respond, so in a moment of frustration he makes a wish using a novelty item, "One Wish Willow" which promises to grant the owner one wish. He wishes she would love him more than anyone in the world.  The wish is granted and she immediately responds and quickly becomes obsessed with Bear.   Faith Reflections: The destructive nature of obsession which equates with idolatry and coveting. Obsession grows from a desire to own and control and within relationships removes the agency of the target of the obsession. Love cannot be compelled. God offers every person the freedom to accept and return God's love. Romans 1:24-32 reflects the result when persons do not follow the example of God, and in this case is a perversion of the nature of love which seeks to build community, which reflect the essence, nature and desire of God.   Backrooms stars Chiwetel Ejiofor (Clark) and Renate Reinsve (in a Dr. Mary Kline). Clark is seeing Mary for therapy as he seeks to work through his anger, grief, from his divorce.  Mary is also dealing with trauma resulting from her mother's mental illness and distance. Clarke owns a failing discounted furniture store which is adding to his struggles and further fueling his struggle with alchohol. Clarke discovers an entry into a new realm of endless backrooms that are littered with pieces of furniture, cardboard people as well as other entities. Clarke tells Mary of his discovery and she does not believe him. In an effort to help Clarke, Mary visits the store and finds herself lost in the backrooms and chased by an entity.  Faith Reflections: Liminality, the margins of new space and time.  These can be very uncomfortable times and places. Living in the liminal time between the inauguration of God's Kingdom through the birth of Jesus, and the fulfillment of Kingdom, there is confusion, anxiety. While created in the image and likeness of God, through sin and the brokenness of creation, humanity is a deformed replica of what God created.

  5. May 9

    Faithspotting "Rising Hope"

    Kenny and Mike are joined by director Theo Avgerinos and cast / contributor Rev. Dr. Jason Coker for a discussion of Rising Hope, a documentary film about the struggles and hope exerpienced by the residents of several towns in the Mississippi Delta. The film examines the rich history, decline, struggles that depleated the area of it's wealth and many of its residents, but not the hope of those who are determined and build a new narrative for the region and people.  The film does not shy away from many of the causes of the regions decline including systematic racism and well as the effects of the NAFTA trade agreement. Faith Issues: Faith and hope are interwoven throughout the film and history of the region. In depicting the deternimation, courage and faith of residents the film can inspire others facing difficulties to not be defined by what is lacking but by what is present and the possibilities that grow out of determination, community and working together. Rising Hope echos the teaching in Hebrews 11 that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

  6. Apr 14

    Faithspotting "Project Hail Mary"

    Kenny and Mike discuss and spot faith in the popular film Project Hail Mary.  Based on the novel by Andy Weir (The Martian) The film was directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and stars Ryan Gosling, Sandra Huller, and James Ortiz. Named after the term for desperate, last minute plays in sports, the film tells the story of a desperate space mission to discover a way to stop a mysterious substance named Astrophage (Star-eater) that is killing the Sun and other stars.  Ryland Grace (Gosling) a Jr. High biology teacher is recruited by an Govenrment agent and scientist Eva Stratt (Huller) to work on a project to find a way to save the Sun. After discovering a nearby star (Tau Ceti) that seems not to be impacted by the astrophage, a mission is planned to travel to Tau Ceti and discover how it is combatting the astrophage.  Since there is not enough room for fuel for a return trip, the mission is considered to be a suicide mission.  Upon arrival, Grace discovers a spaceship has been sent by Eridani, another planet seeking to also find out how to save it's star. Grace and  Rocky, the pilot/scientist from Eridani must work together despite requiring different atmospheres and speaking different languages in order to discover the secret and save their planets' populations.  Faith Reflected: The major faith element reflected is the need for community, putting aside difference and working together for the common good. Accepting differences and working with other groups who have differing beliefs and practices does not mean that one is abandoning one's belief or practices. Community can and should be established with others faith communities, political organizations, nations, and social groups.

  7. Mar 11

    Faithspotting 2026 Oscar Preview

    Faithspotting friend Ryan Parker joins Mike and Kenny for the annual Faithspotting Oscars Prediction and Preview episode. Overall we thought 2026 was a good year for films as represented by the nominees.  Of course there are some films and performances we would have liked to see get more attention but overall it was a strong, diverse year for cinema. Check out the Faithspotting episodes for 6 of the 10 Best Picture nominees:  Frankenstein, Bugonia, Train Dreams, Marty Supreme, Sinners, and F1, where we discuss the film and spot faith elements they reflect.  We are looking falready looking forward to the films that will be up for Oscars 2027.

  8. Feb 23

    Faithspotting "Frankenstein"

    Kenny and Mike review and disuss faith elements spotted in Guillermo del Toro's latest film and passion project. Frankenstein stars Jacob Elordi as the Creature and, Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, and co-stars Mia Goff and Christoph Waltz. The film received 9 Oscar nominations including best Picture, Supporting Actor, Adapted Screenplay. Frankenstein is a passion project for del Toro as he weaves elements from the Mary Shelley's novel, James Whale's original 1931 film, as well as his reinterpretation of the story.  Faith Spotted: Humanity's temptation to play or challenge God. This tempation dates to the book of Genesis 3 where Eve and Adam were tempted to eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This desire was rooted in a mistrust of God to care for them.  For Victor Frankenstein, the drive to play or become like God was rooted in Victor's loss, grief, and pain associated with the death of his mother and the abuse and rejection from his father, and his father's inability to save his mother. He wanted to reverse his father's failure by not only saving life but restoring and recreating life. Such pain cannot be soothed by satisfying ego and pride. These motivations to create are in direct contrast to God's desire to create which was and is grounded in God's desire for love and community.  The film shows the place and purpose for processing grief and not rushing or suppressing the grief journey. Such processing can involve faith, theology as well as counseling and psychological tools. In Philippans 4 Paul speaks of peace which passes understanding, which includes peace in the midst of the pain and grief of loss of loved ones.  Victor's abuse of the creature models the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father, reflecting the cycle of abusive relationships being passed down to future generations as taught in Exodus 20 and 34. The contrast of the music played during the process of Victor dismembering body parts to be used in the creature reflets the contrast between creation born out of love and that born out of anger and pain. Victor's comment, "It is finished" also reflects on the contrast of Christ's crucifixion which leads from death to eternal life and that of the eternal death the creature experiences in the life given from Victor. Martin Luther's concept of simul iustus et peccator (simultaneously saint and sinner). The human and monster qualities within both Victor and the Creature reflects the saint and sinner within humanity. This concept is at the core of Luther's teaching that righteousness is a gift of grace received through Christ and received by faith. It is Christ who justifies as an act of love and grace.  The film shows the power of forgiveness to bring about transformation and true peace.

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About

Faithspotting is a podcasts dedicated to spotting and sharing issues of life, faith, and theology presented in film, television, and music, then empower listeners to use these stories as tools to strengthen and apply faith in their everyday life.

Information

  • Creator
    Cross Roads Faith & Film
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    138
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Faithspotting