Join Lucius, Grace, Paula, and Drew as they react, review, and reflect on Phil Lord and Christopher Miller's delightful movie adaptation of Andy Weir's Project Hail Mary, and share recommendations of some thematically related books and films.

(00:00) Intro

Welcome to Soul on Screen — Project Hail Mary, full of grace

(01:14) React

Surprisingly fun and heartwarming despite a fairly bleak premise, a welcome dose of positive science fiction, impressed by Ryan Gosling carrying most of the movie solo, and the delight of watching the story unfold fresh with no prior knowledge of the book

(07:54) Review

Ryan Gosling's perfectly calibrated performance balancing humor and genuine emotion, the directors' experience with animation brought levity to a dense sci-fi premise, seamless blending of practical puppetry and VFX for the alien character Rocky, smart adaptation choices that prioritize character relationship over scientific detail, and an ensemble spirit of global cooperation that feels both hopeful and refreshingly un-dystopian

(22:11) Reflect

Exploring the transformative power of friendship on courage and virtue, Rocky's selfless sacrifice as an image of the greatest love, the transformative arc of Dr. Grace's character, the parallel structure of fear-driven vs. love-driven decisions, the theme of waiting in hope, and what it means to rise to a calling you never sought

(47:45) Recommend

Related books and films:

• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (the novel)
• Arrival (film)
• Contact (film)
• To Live Well by Alan Noble
• Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas

Join Drew, Grace, Lucius, and Paola as they react, review, and reflect on Netflix's Grammy and Oscar award winning surprise animated hit KPop Demon Hunters, and share recommendations of some thematically related films, games, music, and books.

(0:00) Intro

Welcome to Soul on Screen

(01:40) React

Widely varied initial impressions from "I'm filing this under movies I have to see because of a podcast" to immediate captivation, an 8-minute hate-watch that transformed into genuine love, and being unexpectedly moved to tears by the final sequence

(08:53) Review

Creative animation blending CGI, anime-inspired styles, and Korean manhwa elements, innovative "breaking the model" techniques, catchy musical numbers that advance the story, playful use of emojis and internet culture, culturally-rooted elements like the tiger and magpie from Korean folklore, well-paced storytelling that doesn't over-explain itself, and confessions about past boy band obsessions that may involve very tight, very bright sequined pants

(36:11) Reflect

Examining the profound theme of shame as the mark of the enemy, the disarming power of truth-telling and confession, spiritual warfare depicted through music and community, a personal story about confronting voices, the difference between fixing and healing, patterns of behavior that harden over time, the contrast between escapist "couch" and restorative rest, and the deeply human story beneath the K-pop spectacle

(01:27:38) Recommend

Related movies, games, music, and books:

• Perfect Blue (animated film)
• Pop Star (comedy film)
• Brutal Legend (video game)
• Sleeping at Last's Enneagram album (Atlas project)
• The Singing Revolution (documentary)
• Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis
• The Soul of Shame by Curt Thompson
• The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis
• Resounding Truth by Jeremy Begbie
• Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks
• Castaway Diva (K-drama)

Join Drew, Grace, Lucius, and Paola as they react, review, and reflect on Rian Johnson's third installment in the Knives Out series, Wake Up, Dead Man, discussing how this murder mystery becomes a meaningful commentary on power, the church, and what it means to truly live out Christian calling.

(00:00) Intro

Welcome to Soul on Screen

(01:01) React

From Lucius feeling this was an improvement after Glass Onion, to Paola being floored by unexpected spiritual depth, the hosts share their enthusiastic reactions to a film that proved to be both entertaining and surprisingly meaningful

(07:03) Review

Masterful cinematography and lighting, outstanding performances with impressive shifts from comedy to despair, exceptional writing with subtle dialogue that rewards close attention, intentionally theatrical production design fitting the classic murder mystery genre, and questions about whether the mystery or the social commentary serves as the primary vehicle for the story

(22:38) Reflect

Father Jud as a beautiful vision of pastoral ministry and faithful witness, the radical nature of Christian forgiveness depicted through confession and grace, critiques of nominal Christianity and religious power-seeking, and a call to action for the church to "wake up" and embody true faith

(01:06:52) Recommend

Related movies and books:

• Lucius's Holy Scripture of Film list, including:

  • Children of Men

  • First Reformed

  • A Hidden Life

  • Silence

  • mother!

• More from Rian Johnson

  • Brick

  • Looper

• Hercule Poirot series with Kenneth Branagh

• Chariots of Fire

• A Farewell to Mars by Brian Zahnd

• Renovation of the Church by Kent Carlson and Mike Lueken

• The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas

• In Good Time by Jen Pollock Michel

• A Rule for the Rest of Us by Jen Pollock Michel (forthcoming)