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Daniel shares his extensive thoughts on Donda, the new Kanye album, which segways well into discussing one of Christian music’s most prominent songs, I Can Only Imagine, and the movie that shares its name. From setting the stage with the world of CCM, to I Can Only Imagine’s release and world domination, then finally right into the movie itself, Melvin and Daniel dive into many topics on this Patreon selected episode!
Topics:
- Daniel texted Melvin and asked if he could talk about Donda. So, we talk about Donda for 15 minutes.
- Donda feels like two albums: one a great album, the other an unfinished mess.
- Daniel feels “Jesus Lord” is potentially Kanye’s magnum opus.
- Daniel, “Jesus is King is such a genuine reflection of young faith.”
- Introducing I Can Only Imagine [14:58]
- A brief history of CCM in the early 2000’s which set the stage for the song I Can Only Imagine.
- Explaining the impact of the song I Can Only Imagine.
- Melvin had three not-so-positive (but not deal-breaking) observations that made it hard for him to fully enjoy the movie I Can Only Imagine.
- I Can Only Imagine is a ‘good Christian movie’ because “it just does all the things a movie should.”
- Melvin, “I would have liked if the bulk of the movie was the reconciliation between [Bart Millard] and his dad.”
- For Daniel, the ending is too cheesy when compared to the real life events they seem to semi-replicate.
- I Can Only Imagine, as a movie, isn’t trying to sell you anything, and that’s likely why it worked well with critics.
Recommendations:
- John MacArthur’s Acts Commentary (Volume One & Two) // Stanley Horton’s Acts Commentary
- Donut County
- Erin Morgenstern’s “The Starless Sea”
I Can Only Imagine is Rated PG for thematic elements including some violence. It features J. Michael Finley, Madeline Carroll, Dennis Quaid, Trace Adkins, and Cloris Leachman. Directed by The Erwin Brothers. I Can Only Imagine is available on VUDU.
Consider supporting Cinematic Doctrine on Patreon! As a bonus, you’ll gain access to a once-a-month movie poll where you decide a movie we discuss on the podcast, as well as early unedited episodes of the podcast!!
Melvin Benson is the Founder, Editor-In-Chief, and Lead Host of Cinematic Doctrine. He’s written fiction and nonfiction for over a decade with short stories featured on the Creepypasta Wiki and Wattpad. His novelette Ethereal Temptation, a teen drama with a tinge of magical-realism, can be read for free here. His hope is to see King Jesus glorified as far as the east is from the west!
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