This week on the Men at the Movies podcast, we belly up to the Tender Bar starring Ben Affleck and Tye Sheridan, which is based on the book of the same name by JR Moehringer. One of the most important challenges we face is choosing what voice we listen to: will we listen to the voice of the imposter, the false father, or our true father who bestows our identity? When we don’t receive validation and approval, we end up seeking it from all the wrong places. Our most important resource is the relational capital we build with those around us. So come on in, we’ll back up your next drink, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the MATM podcast, we continue our rom-com theme with When Harry Met Sally starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. We all want a timeless love story to tell, but it doesn’t ever look as magical as we anticipate. We long for intimacy, but frequently settle for sex. In this story, we discover a vision of God who knows and loves us fiercely, and will stop at nothing to pursue our hearts. Throw out that wagon wheel coffee table, get out the Pictionary. Baby fish mouth is sweeping the nation. Let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

This week on the MATM podcast, we kick off two weeks of rom-coms to celebrate Valentine’s day with How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days starring Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey. We discuss how lust is like chocolate and love is like diamonds. This movies shows how the games we play prevent us from getting the connection that we most long for. In times of conflict, it’s easy to bail, but love is forged by sticking it out when others would leave. Don’t forget to water the love fern, and lets discover God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald and Sam Eldredge enter a galaxy far, far away and discuss Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. While there are many scenes and themes we could talk about, we chose identity as the path to pursue. Luke had accomplished all he had dreamed about on Tattoine, but he was missing out on his true calling. In order to discover who we are, we will have to make difficult decisions. But those choices reveal our true identity, and who we will become. Climb on your tauntaun, we’re going where no man has gone before…nope, wrong movie. May the force be with you, and lets discover God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney blast off 500 years into the future with Idiocracy. In this Beavis and Butthead meets Brave New World story, we wrestle with how the past has led us to the current culture. We have a choice to lead, follow, or get out of the way. We all have fruit we want to grow, but need to investigate what we are using to grow the life God has called us to. Fill up on Brawndo and get cozy in your hibernation chamber as we discover God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald and Michael Tarwater discuss the story behind the film The Most Reluctant Convert. As a young man, CS Lewis experienced the devastating loss of his mother, leading him to reject God and embrace atheism. However, God continued to pursue his heart, mind, and imagination through the people surrounding him. Grab a pint, find a comfy chair, and enjoy this discussion of CS Lewis: The Most Reluctant Convert.

Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney talk about the 1984 movie Karate Kid. In Daniel, we see ourselves—a flawed individual who longs for a mentor to make sense of the world we live in. But without a battle, there’s no need for discipleship. We see that the real enemy isn’t Johnny Lawrence, but John Kreese. Mr. Miyagi has a father’s heart for Daniel as he prepares him for the fight. But, like Daniel, we must understand that discipleship and training may look more like household chores. Pick up your car wax, and practice your crane kicks, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney break open the 1995 movie Heat. We recorded this conversation back in October, but wanted to save it to help kick off the new year. As we reflect on the past year, we have the opportunity to look at what we chase and what’s really important to us. Will we live in a comedy, where we realize the truth and live by it, or will we choose tragedy, where we know the truth but decide to live aligned with a lie? What are you attached to? And what can you walk away from? The law and legalism is powerless to transform us, but salvation is offered through relationship. Let’s head to the diner and grab a cup of coffee and discover God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney hit the ground running with the 2021 movie Dune. Coming off the holiday and diving into a new year, it’s important to look at the themes of training, preparation, and responding to fear. How will you prepare for the dreams you have? How will you respond to the training you must endure? When you’re going through the trial and pain, which voice will you listen to: the voice of fear or of love? Strap on your still suit, conserve your water, and lets discover God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney close out 2021 with the Christmas movie Lethal Weapon. We discover that we always need to be on the lookout to expand our family, even when it gets messy. We often feel unqualified when God pulls us into our purpose, but retirement isn’t an option. And the real goal of doing things together is to create family and community. Go ahead, draw yourself a bath, but this time lock the door, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney celebrate Christmas with George Bailey in It’s a Wonderful Life. If you want to help a man, you’ll want to know something about him. George is invited into his father’s purpose, but is offered permission to choose his path. Thankfully, he had Mary as a partner to see the potential and live the adventure with him. Grab your egg nog, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald, Britt Mooney, Patrick Creehan, and Ricky Furr Jr. continue the conversation on the Shawshank Redemption. We watch how Andy was redeeming the prison the whole time. Freedom doesn’t come freely, and transformation takes pressure and time. Andy invites Red into his story, and God is doing the same thing for us. But as we see how God is preparing our escape plan and our destination, we have to hold on to our hope. Let’s jump back into part 2 of this discussion.

Paul McDonald, Britt Mooney, Patrick Creehan, and Ricky Furr Jr. celebrate our anniversary episode with the Shawshank Redemption. In part one, we look at Andy as a model of Jesus—an innocent man sent into prison to bring freedom and hope. And if Andy is Jesus, that makes us Red, who is in danger of becoming institutionalized by the struggles and systems of the world. But we find that, even in the middle of fresh bruises and testing, a taste of freedom is a powerful thing. Happy podiversary, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald and Allen Arnold tackle our first series with The Chosen. What would it be like to rediscover the Bible as an invitation to the unknown? God’s framework of story is woven throughout the world, both in the universe and in the Bible. And we find that following the Bigger Story of following Jesus always feels impossible and risky, but leads to the discovery and revelation of our truer selves. Join us as we dive into this series.

Paul McDonald and Rob Porter talk about The Last Samurai (2003) starring Tom Cruise and Ken Watanabe. We love these stories of transformation because they give us hope that we can be restored. We desire having a robust and settled disposition, a sense of inner peace and becoming content in all circumstances. The ancient and the modern are at war for our souls. And the only way to find rest and honor is to follow the ancient paths. Put down your gun and pick up your sword, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney jump back into video games with Free Guy. We have the capacity for change and growth, but it’s only activated when we experience our creator. The truth of the gospel is that you could be more. Your life could be fuller. And we’ve been given our freedom for a reason—to become love letters from God to a world in need. Put on the sunglasses. Step out of the background and become a player as we discover God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald and Matt Gleaves enter the virtual reality of Ready Player One. Reality can be kind of a bummer—where do you go to escape? In this fast-paced, pressurized life we live, what would it be like to unplug and slow down? In spite of the discomfort, we tend to sit the fence and chase comfort and stability—what would it be like to go all-in? Strap on your goggles, get on your omnidirectional treadmill, and let’s discover God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald and Morgan Snyder talk about the 2004 film Crash. This redemptively disturbing movie is a mirror that reflects our faulty vision. Each character is at times a victim, and at other times a perpetrator—our choices determine which way we will go and which identity we will embrace. Thankfully, the person I am today is not the end of the story. Join us as we discover God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney talk about the classic slasher film Halloween starring Jamie Lee Curtis.  Evil exists, and will always target horny teenagers. As followers of Jesus, we are targets of Satan’s fierce hatred, and doing God’s will puts us in the crosshairs.  Our only hope is to stay close to God, humbly submitting to His plan, even when it looks all wrong. Don’t throw away your knife, and let’s explore God’s truth in this movie.

Paul McDonald and Britt Mooney go back to the 80’s and talk about Ghostbusters (1984), starring Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Harold Ramis, and Sigourney Weaver. We have a fascination with the unseen world that drives us. We get to choose how we use our hard times and our pain. Our gifts and talents are given to us so that we can serve others. Strap on your packs, but don’t cross the streams—unless you have to.

Join us as we discover God’s truth in this movie.