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.

Consider supporting Cinematic Doctrine on Patreon! As a bonus, you can gain access to a once-a-month movie poll where you decide a movie we discuss on the podcast, early unedited episodes of the podcast, and merch!!

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, Google Podcasts, and other major podcast apps.

Priest – happy new year i guess – Cinematic Doctrine: A Movie Review Podcast Hosted by Christians

Send us a Question!PATREON PARTY PLEASER: 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 summarize Priest, a forgotten feature from 2011. Loosely based upon a Manhwa of the same name, the two explore some of the neat ideas stuck beneath this unfocused, Syfy-original-like flick. And yes, it starts with a lore dump because of course it does. Topics:Editor's Note: No Patreon Exclusive discussion! But, I do intend to trim this episode down from its original 1:22:34 length, so if you want to hear the UNCUT version, tune in on Patreon here!Priest feels like it should have come out in the early 2000s.Comparing vampire lore.Melvin feels Paul Bettany isn't a leading man, but he has criticisms over the entire casting of Priest.Discussing the vampire design.Priest can't go a few minutes without making mistakes.It's infrequent but occasionally the movie has some cool sci-fi visuals.Shirleon, "It's got good bones."Further vampire-lore conversations.When an ending promises spectacle but pulls the rug out from under you.Recommendations:The Devouring Light by Kat Ellis (2025) (Book)Tech Billionaires Want Us Dead by Taylor Lorenz (YouTube)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 & Pins Social Links: Threads Website Instagram Letterboxd Facebook Group

1. Priest – happy new year i guess 01:07:35
2. Q4 Catch-Up 2025: The Finale! 39:40
3. The Bishop's Wife – Cucked by an Angel 52:59
4. Superman (2025) – Curtains for Comic Book Movies? 57:40
5. Podcast Update + A Royal Christmas Mini-Game 10:56