[NOTE: Explicit Content] Whether or not there's a huge government/corporate conspiracy to take over every liberty – to enslave and control us – there's always time to think about reality. Fortunately, in Philip K. Dick's and Richard Linklater's vision of the near future, we're provided with ample examples of how one might go about losing his or her identity. And though drugs are a huge part of that, they're not the whole story. On this episode, we look through the lens of the scanner, trying to find clues on how to distinguish between illusion and reality – between Bob, Fred and Bruce.
Watching The Directors next edition: May 13 - Steven Soderbergh
Next WT edition: May 13 - Citizen Kane (1941)

Somewhere on an island outside Scotland, Christopher Lee has built the perfect neo-Pagan civilization. There you will find fertility rites, folk music and a frolicking Britt Ekland (and her body double). You will also witness a clash of civilizations that hasn't been seen since St. Patrick brought Christianity to the heathens in Ireland. On this episode, we'll explore Summerisle and its devotion to the old gods and how that may affect the life of a Christian police officer investigating the disappearance of a young girl.
Watching The Directors next edition: April 22 - Woody Allen (1966-1985)
Next WT edition: April 29 - A Scanner Darkly (2006)

[NOTE: Explicit Content] It may never have occurred to you before, but James Bond is a troubled old man. Being a glossy hit man may have some drawbacks, such as the inability to keep a conscience and a slightly troubled Freudian nightmare of a view on women. We put Casino Royale and Daniel Craig's Bond on the couch for thirty good minutes of free psychotherapy and ask whether the need for "realism" is killing comic book heroes.
Watching The Directors next edition: April 22 - Woody Allen (1966-1985)
Next WT edition: April 15 - The Wicker Man (1973)

Bond fan? You must join the Hollywood Saloon for their comprehensive 3-part Bond movie series.
Part 1 (1962-71), Part 2 (1973-89), Part 3 (1995-2006)

What do the frontier revival evangelists have in common with pre-War, classic Disney animation? Perhaps a lot more than many of us may have considered. It seems that Pinocchio has more to say about good behavior and the problem of succumbing to the devil's devices - gambling, drinking, smoking, etc. - than many of today's pulpits. But there was a time when the American common religion and the ethics of kiddie culture could be summed up in one simple phrase: "Now, remember... be a good boy. And always let your conscience be your guide."
Watching The Directors next edition: April 1 - Mira Nair
Next WT edition: April 1 - Casino Royale (2006)

You don't see a zombie every day, but if you did, would it change your life forever? On this episode - the first of season two - we spend time with some nobody named Shaun, who is having a very bad day. It seems that everyone around the poor guy is turning into the undead, and we're supposed to laugh about it. Join us for our discussion on the nature of life and other family values.
Watching The Directors next edition: March 11 - Terry Gilliam
Next WT edition: March 18 - Pinocchio (1940)

Starting March 4, 2008....

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Since Huxley's Brave New World, novels and films have flowed with a bleak view of the not-too-distant future. Alfonso Cuaron's adaptation of P.D. James' Children of Men doesn't depart too far from this perspective. But it does offer some new thoughts to the genre. Join us as we look at what the film says about the basics of human sexuality and the idea of a world without a future.
Also, we announce, sadly, that Watching Theology is going through some changes.
Watching The Directors next edition: October 30 - James Whale
Next WT edition: tba

1950's science fiction is a wonderful place for finding heavy-handed propaganda. The stories are often parables and metaphors with shiny gadgets and planet-size catastrophes. 1956's Forbidden Planet is an example of great moral lessons buried in the luster of special effects and lasers. Forbidden Planet also has the distinction of being the finest blending of Shakespeare and Freud ever put onto celluloid. So join us as we travel back fifty years and explore the secrets of the id.
Watching The Directors next edition: October 16 - Alfonso Cuarón
Next WT edition: October 23 - Children of Men (2006)

Some films are clear - you know exactly what you're getting and exactly what you're supposed to learn. Then there's Barton Fink. In the midst of a bad case of writer's block, the Coen Brothers scripted this tale of a talented playwright with his own unusual case of writer's block. Barton leaves the promise and glory of the New York elite for the heartless, business world of Hollywood. Along the way, he checks into the Hotel Earle, meets Charlie and has probably sold his soul.
On this edition, we take a few glances at this metaphor-rich story about a man's self-delusion and the unfortunate fellow residents of, what may be, Hell.
Watching The Directors next edition: Sept 18 - John Hughes
Next WT edition: September 25 - Forbidden Planet (1956)

Religious movies sure have a way of making religious people angry. Kevin Smith's 1999 film, Dogma, is no exception. Fearing death threats - from the "Thou Shall Not Kill" folks who ought to know better - Smith went as far as putting a disclaimer at the beginning of the movie to let people know he's just having some fun (the disclaimer thing didn't work for Scorsese either). In the midst of Smith's fun is a film that is a bit long on exposition, a bit indulgent in profanity and a lot smarter than given credit. Dogma may be one of the most original films of recent years, and the perspectives it offers are more than enough material for a little half-hour show.
Join us as we talk about a few of the primary players and wonder if God is really a Canadian pop star.
Watching The Directors next edition: Sept 4 - Coen Brothers
Next WT edition: September 11 - The Coen Brother's Barton Fink (1991)