Journey to Bethlehem: A Conviction of Fiction

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 & Melvin wish you a Merry Christmas while discussing a Family-friendly biblical musical, Journey to Bethlehem! The story is simple – a dramatization of the birth of King Jesus – but what about the music? And more importantly, how is it as a biblical adaptation? Tune in to find out!

Topics: 

• (PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 23-minutes discussing Shirleon & Melvin reflecting on the movies they’ve discussed through 2024, whether they have any new feelings about them, and the experience of improving one’s critical thinking. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)
• Spoilers are truly irrelevant for discussing the adaption of the immaculate conception and birth of King Jesus, so Shirleon and Melvin kick things off strong talking about everything.
• Shirleon was moved by two songs: Mother To A Savior And King & In My Blood.
• Melvin felt it wasn’t really his thing, and the whole of the project felt largely forgettable.
• Discussing how virtually every musical number could be removed because they weren’t integrated into the plot or pacing of the film.
• Shirleon & Melvin disagree on some things, and the two go back and forth.
• Talking Lacrae as the angel Gabriel. Or, as Melvin calls it, “Lacrangel”.
• Is the song Mary’s Getting Married supposed to be a Feminist or Trad Wife anthem? It’s messaging is unclear.
• No matter how minimal, Melvin never overcame a perpetual unease over the film’s alterations of the biblical account.

Recommendations: 

• One by One by Ruth Ware (2021) (Book)
• The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley (2020) (Book)
• Top of the Morning Coffee (Blueberry Blast, specifically)
• Terrifier 2 (2022) (Movie)

Journey to Bethlehem is Rated PG for thematic elements. It features Fiona Palomo, Milo Manheim, Antonio Banderas, Joel David Smallbone, Rizwan Manji, Geno Segers, Omid Djalili, Lacrae, and Moriah. Directed by Adam Anders. Journey to Bethlehem is available here.

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Melvin Benson is the Founder, Editor-In-Chief, and Lead Host of Cinematic Doctrine. Whether it’s a movie, show, game, comic, or novel, it doesn’t matter. As long as it’s rich, he’s ready and willing to give it a try! His hope is to see King Jesus glorified as far as the east is from the west!

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

Exit 8 – Notice Your Neighbor – Cinematic Doctrine: A Movie Review Podcast Hosted by Christians

Send us a Question!MOVIE DISCUSSION: Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss another indie-horror-game-turned-movie, Exit 8! First off, how is it as an adaptation? Also, can a 40-ish minute game really get turned into a 90-minute movie? And what about a dramatic throughline; what's keeps audiences emotionally hooked?Topics:(PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 25-minutes discussing The Hollywood Reporter's "Inside PIxar's Scrapped Movie 'Be Fri' and the "Devastating" Aftermath" by Ryan Gajewski, how we feel about Disney/Pixar canceling a Magical Girl movie, and how it's hard to tell if this is a win or loss post-KPop Demon Hunters. (PATREON EXCLUSIVE)What is Anomaly Horror, and what are Kat & Melvin's thoughts on the original indie game?For Kathryn, it felt like a really good Twilight Zone episode. For Melvin, there was a moment where he wondered if it'd become his #1 film for 2025.How does the film embrace the Anomaly Horror genre, and why is Anomaly Horror so popular nowadays?How do we respond during "everyday" anomalies, things that disrupt the status quo?There's so much humanity to this story.Mel, "It is interesting that his dramatic thing is that, "If I'm not caring for my neighbor, how can i care for my family?""The ending feels like a call to action.Recommendations:Cube (1998) (Movie) (Podcast Episode)The Fly II (1989) (Movie) Support the showSupport on Patreon for Unique Perks! Early access to uncut episodes Vote on a movie/show we review One-time reward of two Cinematic Doctrine Stickers & PinsSocial Links: ThreadsWebsiteInstagramLetterboxdFacebook Group 

1. Exit 8 – Notice Your Neighbor 01:00:53
2. IT: Welcome to Derry – w/ Dreadful Digest on Not-Your-Dad's-Stranger-Things 01:14:23
3. Significant Other – w/ Janecka Olen on Al(ien)pine Divorce 01:15:53
4. undertone – dumbest movie of the decade? 01:16:02
5. Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey – On Kids Movies 47:03