Mike and Kenny review and spot faith presented in the Academy Award nominated and latest film by director Yorgos Lanthimos. Bugonia marks another colaboration between Lanthimos and two time Best Actress winner Emma Stone, whose second Oscar was for Lanthimos's film Poor Things. Stone stars as Michelle Fuller, a powerful CEO of a pharmaceutical company. Jesse Plemons, a 2021 Best Supporting Actor nominee co-stars as conspiracy theory obsessed beekeeper Teddy Gatz. Aiden Delbis also co-stars as Teddy's autistic cousin Don. Likening her actions to Cology Collapse Disorder where healthy beehives suddenly collapse, Teddy believes Fuller is an Andromedan alien who is intent to destroy or force humanity into subserivence. Teddy convinces Don to assist him in kidnapping and holding Fuller hostage in an effort to be transported to the Andromedan spaceship.

Faith Spotted:

As with bee hives, communities, whether faith or societal, can function, grow and live for an extended period and then quickly become dysfuntional collapse and die. Typically growth happens when the wellbeing of the collective is prioritized over the needs, fears, or desires of the individual. Fracturing happens when in response to the community facing challenge or change, and individuals or portions of the community begin to act in ways that offer them comfort and assurance based on memories of past glory and success.

Teddy resembles in the description of John the Baptist who comes in from the wilderness with a new message. While John was preparing the way for the new message that was the Gospel of Christ, not every outsider with a new message is to be followed.

The patience of God not to do away with creation or humanity even though it is likely what is derserved. Although there is the flood account in Scripture, there have been other times when God has been tempted to do away with nations or communities, yet resisted the temptation. The continued rejection by humanity of God's grace, love and righteousness (desire) is a source of unimaginable pain to God. Because God's love is complete and perfect, the loss and pain God feels when we reject and retaliate are immeasureable. Yet God continues to love.

Dysfunctional communities such as cults etc. are based on and grow out of fear of real or perceived threats and challenges facing members. Such fear leads to a desire and need to seek to control or to follow those indviduals and groups who promise stability and control over that which is unknown or unstable, regardless of the cost.

The promise of the Gospel is that life does not end in death, collapse and a tomb, but rather continues through the hope and assurance of ressurection to new life.

SOME SPOILERS.

Kenny and Mike discuss the multiple Oscar nominated film by director Clint Bentley and starring Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, Kelly Condon, and William H Macy. Set in the early through mid 20th century, Train Dreams documents the story of Robert Grainer (Edgerton) a common man who life knows simplicity, peace and joy and as well as tragedy and loss.

Clint Bentley and production partner Greg Kwedar are nominated for an Oscar for best Adapted Screenplay. The film is also nominated for Best Song, "Train Dreams" as well as Best Cinematography and Best Picture. The film is currently on NETFLIX

Faith Spotted:

While Train Dreams is not considered a faith film, or faith based film, it is a film of faith lived out, both as individuals as well as communities of faith. The film addresses, the joy of living a simple, contented life as well as working through grief and loss. Train Dreams also demonstrates the place of community and how persons of faith are called to notice and care for those in the midst of loss and grief and offer the ministry of presence, their presence and also the presence of God.

Not mentioned in the podcast, the film also presents guilt and how one's action or inaction an follow one throughout one's life.

Mike and Kenny review Marty Supreme, the latest film by writer / director / producer Josh Safdie and Timothee Chalamet who stars as Marty Mauser, a shoe salesman who has greater ambition, to be the best Table Tennis star in the world. Gifted with great talent, Marty's determination leads him to take advantage of any and all situations and people to get what he believes he deserves, fame and money.

The film has so far received many awards nominations including 3 Golden Globes and 8 Critics Choice Awards and it is expected to receive many more Oscar nominations. Chalamet has won a Golden Globe and Critics Choice awards for Best Performance. The film co-stars Gwyneth Paltro, Odessa A'zion, Kevin O'Leary, and Fran Drescher.

Faith Spotted:

A life of Contentment: There is more to life than fame and fortune, Hebrews 2, 1 Timothy 6, Psalm 46, The stillness and contentment of a righteous life of faith in and with God.

Golden Rule: Matthew7, Luke 6 Treat others as you would be like to be treated.

Regareless of the selfish, unrighteous life one has lived, there is always the hope and promise of Redemption, if one will receive and repent from the life one has led.