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, YouTube, and other major podcast apps.

Josee, the Tiger and the Fish – "I will not remember this film." – Cinematic Doctrine: A Movie Review Podcast Hosted by Christians

Send us a Question!PATREON MOVIE DISCUSSION: 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! Kathryn joins Melvin to discuss an underseen 2020 anime flick, Josee, the Tiger and the Fish! Why a tiger? What's the fish? Who's a Josee? All these questions – about romance, symbolism, and if the two even liked the movie – and more are answered in this finale episode to Ani-May! Tune in!Topics:(FREE PATREON EXCLUSIVE) 35-minutes discussing how audience interests have been changing over the years, kicking things off with The Mandalorian and Grogu's weak opening box-office numbers followed by reflecting on the last few year's tentpole flicks, both socially and commercially (FREE PATREON EXCLUSIVE)For Kathryn, Josee, the Tiger and the Fish is largely innocuous and inoffensive.For Melvin, there's a few things he enjoyed but otherwise thought the film "wasn't my thing".Too much melodrama drowns out quiet romantic moments.Melvin, "All the stuff that's working is crowded out by stuff that's annoying."Breaking down the title and what each part of it means.The ending, and how the third act is really messy.Melvin feels like a particular plot development is a little too mean when considering the character's background and possible maturity.Recommendations:Tales from the Umbrella Academy: You Look Like Death (2021) (Graphic Novel)Dead Grandma (2026) (Short Film) 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 

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