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Melvin and Daniel talk about what it’s like to be back in the theater (officially), how Black Widow compares to the multiple Marvel Mini-series, and how Black Widow feels a bit like two movies at once that don’t always work together.

Topics: 

• Daniel, “This was my first movie back in the theaters.” 
• Discussing the trailers seen before Black Widow 
• Introducing Black Widow [14:17] 
• Trying to figure out the purpose of this movie apart from it simply being a Black Widow stand-alone flick. 
• Melvin, “Yeah, let’s talk about that [opening credits] cause that was, like, really strange!” 
• Daniel, “Like I said, it feels like there’s almost two movies at play.” 
• Fangirling over Florence Pugh and how she’s a brilliant performer 
• Contemplating reasons for audience disengagement 
• Daniel, “Again, they’re trying to do Jason Bourne serious-spy-movie… but then they have secret pheromones that keep you from killing people.” 
• The missed opportunity that is Taskmaster (but potential future hope for the character) 
• Wanting more creativity in the MCU, and comparing Black Widow to the MCU Mini-Series’ on Disney Plus. 
• Rewriting scenes, because we’re a podcast and that’s what podcasts do! 
• Hoping to see more creativity in the MCU movies 

Recommendation:

• G.K. Beale and D.A. Carson’s Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament 
• The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill Podcast by Christianity Today 
• Albert Mohler’s “The Prayer that Turns the World Upside Down” 

Black Widow is Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence/action, some language and thematic material. It features Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, and Ray Winstone. Directed by Cate Shortland. Black Widow is currently available on Disney Plus.

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Cinematic Doctrine is available on iTunes, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and other major podcast apps.