POP GOD POPcast: Episode 26 – Left Behind With Kate Doriot

January 12, 2015January 26, 2015 / Alex Doriot / 1 Comment

Welcome to Episode 26 of the POP GOD POPcast – a podcast interview series exploring the presence of God in the present tense.

Left Behind: It’s one of the most bizarre movies of the year. Nicolas Cage starring in a remake of a Kirk Cameron movie based on a Christian book series based on the Rapture? My wife Kate Doriot and I watched all 105 minutes of it and had to talk about on this very special edition of the Popcast. We cover everything from the crazy casting of Jordin Sparks and Chad Michael Murray to the importance of “investigative journalism” to no one in the movie understanding how the Rapture works. Plus we break down how Nicolas Cage might be the best part of this movie and what we think would really happen if 2/3 of the world got Left Behind. Whether you’ve seen the movie or not, listen to find out what really goes down in this controversial “Christian” film.

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Throwback Thursday: Black And White God

February 27, 2014March 6, 2014 / Alex Doriot / 1 Comment

With such loud and showy movies as “Gravity”, “The Wolf of Wall Street”, and “American Hustle” battling it out for Best Picture at The Academy Awards this year, it’s amazing to look back at the big award winner of 2012.

2 years ago “The Artist”, a black and white (and mostly silent) film took home Best Picture at The Oscars.

“The Artist” was a true throwback to the golden days of Hollywood. It was the first black and white film to win Best Picture in 50 years.

Black and white films resonate with people in ways color ones never will. Black and white speaks to something in the soul. It sparks memories of the olden days when life seemed simpler.

Black and white is simple. It is story and beauty at its most basic. There is something true in it.

Yet black and white movies are intimidating to some people. Some people won’t watch a movie if it’s in black and white. They think it’s outdated. As if a movie needs to have color and sound and CGI to be worth watching. Continue reading →

When Is It Ok To Compromise Your Beliefs?

January 8, 2014January 19, 2014 / Alex Doriot / 2 Comments

The greatest compromise a man and woman will ever face is on Movie Night.

Men and women are genetically predisposed to enjoy different movies. It’s a scientific fact. Or something like that.

Women wonder why “How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days” didn’t win an Oscar. Men question why every movie isn’t produced by Marvel.

My fiance and I have worked out a pretty common compromise to avoid Movie Night fights. We usually take turns picking out the movies we watch together.

Of course this means she often has to slug through quirky indie movies the critics love but are really just plain weird. And I fall asleep through cheap horror movies that belong on SyFy. But, you know, love and all that.

I believe a movie should be more than cheap thrills and entertainment. I want movies to transcend entertainment and move me emotionally and other nonsense.

Sometimes our movie choices flop. When she picks a bad movie I get a little angry that I wasted a couple hours of my life to watch a crappy film. I feel like I compromised my beliefs. Continue reading →

Tips For The Beginning Time Traveler

November 11, 2013November 17, 2013 / Alex Doriot / 6 Comments

You may not be able to travel back in time. But you can change the future.

That’s the theme of “About Time”, the new movie starring Rachel McAdams which just hit theaters. My girlfriend and I saw the film this weekend and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The plot focuses on a young man who learns a secret from his father on his 21st birthday – all the males in his family have the ability to travel back in time.

The young man knows instantly what he wants to use his gift for: to find a girlfriend.

At first the possibilities are endless for how to use his new power. He’s able to fix those awkward dinner conversations, perfect the first kiss, even stop the love of his life from meeting a bad boyfriend.

Late in the movie things really get interesting. I don’t think I’m spoiling anything, but the question for the main character becomes “Instead of traveling back in time to fix my mistakes, how can I do things better the first time around?” Continue reading →

Roger And Us

April 10, 2013April 11, 2013 / Alex Doriot / 2 Comments

I was dreading the day Roger Ebert would die.

I selfishly hoped it would never come.

I had known the movie critic and film scholar was nearing death for years, as we all had. When news broke that Roger was stepping back from his reviews for the time being due to his cancer recurring, I was afraid the end might come within days.

I was right. Just a day after he announced he was cutting back on his duties, Roger Ebert passed away.

Turns out I was not the only one devastated to see him go. Continue reading →