In this episode, we continue our look at Oscar-nominated films. In this episode, I explore four films so bizarre that they left me asking, “What the hell was that?”

Links of Interest

SNL sketch from 1979 “What the hell is that?” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DU_Gd623HJo

“The Secret Agent” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Secret_Agent_(2025_film)

“One Battle After Another” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Battle_After_Another

“Nuremberg” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_(2025_film)

“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/If_I_Had_Legs_I%27d_Kick_You

“Bugonia” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bugonia_(film)

“Poor Things” (2023): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poor_Things_(film)

Episode 80a, which discusses “On the Line”: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=437

“On the Line” (2022): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_the_Line_(2022_film)

Movie awards for 2025 releases

98th Academy Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/98th_Academy_Awards

82nd Golden Globe Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82nd_Golden_Globes

32nd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32nd_Actor_Awards

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

Contemplating Life – Episode 110 – “The Cost of Revenge”

In this episode, I recount a harrowing experience with a health scare last week and an incident that angered me so much that I indulged the darkest parts of my personality to plot a revenge that I never intended to deliver, but simply crafted to give me peace of mind. What that plot told me about myself was quite revealing. Trigger Warning: This episode contains misogynistic and offensive language.

Links of Interest

David Gerrold: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gerrold

St. Francis Hospital, Indianapolis: https://directory.franciscanhealth.org/location/franciscan-health-indianapolis

Florence Nightingale: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Nightingale

Lycanthrope: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Werewolf#:~:text=)%2C%20or%20occasionally-,lycanthrope,-%5Bb%5D

Episode 22 “The Reunion” an award-winning article I wrote in 1987: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=149

Matthew 25:34-36 (NASRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/25?34

The Golden Rule: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Rule

Luke 6:31 (NASRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/6?31

“Planet of the Apes” (1968): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planet_of_the_Apes_(1968_film)

Clip from “Planet of the Apes”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cdmqn9JIuzc

Report about racist tweet reposted by Trump: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jImPTGrwF4Y

Rosary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosary

George Carlin “Confession”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEyJ0XZoKSU

Episode 104 “Prophets Aren’t About Prophecy”: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=580

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

In this episode, we continue our look at Oscar-nominated films. We will discuss three nominated films and a bonus film about men who have devoted their lives to show business. As they age, they look back at the sacrifices they had to make to fulfill their dreams.

Links of Interest

“Song Sung Blue” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_Sung_Blue_(2025_film)

“Song Sung Blue” (2008 documentary) Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Song_Sung_Blue_(2008_film)

“Song Sung Blue” (2008 documentary), entire film free on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDukMQIz1Sc

“Blue Moon” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Moon_(2025_film)

Lorenz Hart: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorenz_Hart

Richard Rogers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Rodgers

“Boyhood” (2014): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boyhood_(2014_film)

“Oklahoma!” (1943 Broadway musical): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma!

“A Connecticut Yankee” (1943 Broadway musical): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Connecticut_Yankee_(musical)

“Sentimental Value” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sentimental_Value

“Jay Kelly” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Kelly

Movie awards for 2025 releases

98th Academy Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/98th_Academy_Awards

82nd Golden Globe Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82nd_Golden_Globes

32nd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32nd_Actor_Awards

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

It’s time for my annual review of the 10 Best Picture Oscar-nominated films. In this episode, we review three nominated horror films: Frankenstein, Weapons, and Sinners. I’m not going to be able to finish all of these reviews by the March 15 Oscar ceremony, but even if I can’t get them recorded, I will write the scripts and post them on the podcast website and on Patreon. Post comments and tell me what you thought of these films.

Links of Interest

“Hamnet” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamnet_(film)

“Wicked: For Good” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wicked:_For_Good

“Frankenstein” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein_(2025_film)

“Frankenstein” (1818) novel by Mary Shelley: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein

List of films featuring Frankenstein’s monster on Wikipedia:

“Frankenstein: The True Story” (1973 made-for-TV movie) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein:_The_True_Story

“Frankenstein” (1992 made-for-TV movie): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein_(1992_film)

Stereotypical character Igor on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igor_(character)

“Weapons” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weapons_(2025_film)

“The Thing” (1982): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(1982_film)

“Sinners” (2025): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Thing_(1982_film)

Movie awards for 2025 releases

98th Academy Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/98th_Academy_Awards

82nd Golden Globe Awards: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/82nd_Golden_Globes

32nd https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/32nd_Actor_Awards

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

In this episode, I combine my exploration of religion and entertainment as I discuss recurring religious themes in literature, movies, and television. I also explore ways in which authors can portray people of faith in a positive light. This material is based on a lecture I gave in my writing seminar under our mentor, award-winning science fiction author David Gerrold.

Links of Interest for this episode

“The Red Badge of Courage” (1894 novel) by Stephen Crane: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Badge_of_Courage

“The Citadel” (1937 novel) by A.J. Cronin: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Citadel_(novel)

“South Pacific” (1949 Broadway musical) by Rodgers and Hammerstein: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Pacific_(musical)

“Tales of the South Pacific” (1947 book) by James A. Michener: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tales_of_the_South_Pacific

“Cyrano de Bergerac” (1897 play) by Edmond Rostand: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrano_de_Bergerac_(play)

“The Phantom of the Opera” (1910 novel) by Gaston Leroux: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Phantom_of_the_Opera_(novel)

“Love Never Dies” (2010 musical) by Andrew Lloyd Webber: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Never_Dies_(musical)

“The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” (1950 children’s novel) by C.S. Lewis: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion,_the_Witch_and_the_Wardrobe

“The Greatest Story Ever Told” (1965 film) by George Stevens: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Story_Ever_Told

“The Outsiders” (1967 young adult novel) by S.E. Hinton: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Outsiders_(novel)

“The Outsiders” (1983 film) directed by Francis Ford Coppola: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Outsiders_(film)

“Star Wars Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999 film) by George Lucas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Wars:_Episode_I_%E2%80%93_The_Phantom_Menace

“Blade Runner” (1982 film) by Ridley Scott: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blade_Runner

“Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan” (1992 film) by Nicholas Myers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_II:_The_Wrath_of_Khan

“Star Trek: The Search for Spock” (1984 film) by Leonard Nimoy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Trek_III:_The_Search_for_Spock

“Short Circuit” (1986) by John Badham: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Circuit_(1986_film)

The New Testament: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Testament

“Stranger Things” (2016-2025 TV series): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stranger_Things

The Apostles’ Creed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apostles%27_Creed#:~:text=descended%20into%20hell%2C%20rose%20again%20from%20the%20dead%20on%20the%20third%20day%2C

Johnnycake death scene from “The Outsiders” (1986):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZmMklpMKlw

Enneagram Personality Typology: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enneagram_of_Personality

Resurrection scene from “Short Circuit” (1986 film): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xPu59_MHQ0

Disciples on the road to Emmaus Luke 24:13-35 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/24?13

“Greater love…” John 15:13 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?13

Mr. Spock’s death scene from “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Kahn”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHAOWLhrxhQAdditional links available on our website at https://contemplating-life.com/?p=596

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

In my last episode, I confessed that I had misidentified which translation of the Bible I was using. In this episode, I take a deep dive into various translations to figure out how I got confused about which version I was using.

Links of Interest for this episode

Handout materials for this lesson: https://www.patreon.com/posts/notes-for-106-in-149707860

Dating the Bible on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dating_the_Bible

Biblical Aramaic on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biblical_Aramaic

Septuagint on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septuagint

Vulgate on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulgate

Luther Bible on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Bible

King James Version (KJV) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_James_Version

Papal encyclical “Divino Afflante Spiritu” at the Vatican website: https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_30091943_divino-afflante-spiritu.html

Papal encyclical “Divino Afflante Spiritu” on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divino_afflante_Spiritu

Confraternity Bible (CCD) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confraternity_Bible

New American Bible (NAB) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_American_Bible

Preface to the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) at USCCB gives history of its development: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/preface/0

Lectionary on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lectionary

New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_American_Bible_Revised_Edition

“Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation” at the Vatican website: https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html

Contemplating Life – Episode 94: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=508

Contemplating Life – Episode 104: https://contemplating-life.com/?p=580

New American Standard Bible (NASB) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_American_Standard_Bible

New American Standard Bible (NASB) at Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NASB

“Dynamic and Formal Equivalence” on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_and_formal_equivalence

Revised Standard Version (RSV) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revised_Standard_Version

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Revised_Standard_Version

New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSV-CE) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Revised_Standard_Version#NRSV_Catholic_Edition_(NRSV-CE)

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVue) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Revised_Standard_Version#NRSV_Updated_Edition_(NRSVue)

Jeremy Steele on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/discover/jeremy-steele-pastor

"Unbelief" podcast. January 11, 2026 and where I'm interviewed by Skeptic Pastor Jeremy Steele: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Z7IVARYBRJddJBShHnuNC?si=_mggk3OTQj6AVdq_73A9FA

New International Version (NIV) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_International_Version

English Standard Version (ESV) on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Standard_Version

Article about the upcoming Catholic American Bible (CAB): https://ascensionpress.com/pages/the-catholic-american-bible

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

This is the fourth and final part of my very brief overview of the Old Testament. We continue with our look at Old Testament prophets and how to connect their stories to our present-day experiences.

Links of Interest for this episode

Handout materials for this lesson: https://www.patreon.com/file?h=143872709&m=566923521

New American Bible at the Vatican website: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0839/_INDEX.HTM

New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops: https://bible.usccb.org/bible

New American Standard Bible (NASB) at Bible Gateway: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?version=NASB

Elijah’s Saga 1 Kings 16:29 through 18:26 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1kings/16?29

Song “You Went the Wrong Way, Old King Louie” Allan Sherman on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdSzgJiR4_I

Luke 4:22-24 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?22

Matthew 13:57 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/13?57

Mark 6:4 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/6?4

John 4:44 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/4?44

Jeremiah 1:4-10 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/1?4

Isaiah 6:1-8 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/6

Song “Here I Am, Lord” by Dan Shutte on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3SHkMN3V9tVlbeub0D2QIp?si=103c192441024a48

The Jonah story Jonah 1-3 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jonah/1

Jeremiah 5:30-31 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jeremiah/5?30

Exodus 3:11-12 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/3?11

Exodus 18:7-12 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/exodus/18?7

General reference links for this series.

List of episodes of this podcast dealing with religion: https://contemplating-life.com/blog/category/religion/

RCIA/OCIA on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Christian_Initiation_of_Adults

Catechism of the Catholic Church on Vatican website: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq

This is the third part of my very brief overview of the Old Testament. Recall that we said last time that the New Testament refers to the Hebrew Scriptures as “The law and the prophets.” In this episode, we examine the role of a prophet. This is an attempt to make the Old Testament applicable to our everyday lives.

Links of Interest for this episode

Handout materials for this lesson: https://www.patreon.com/file?h=143872709&m=566923521

Preface to the Old Testament (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/preface/0

Retroactive Continuity or “Retcon” on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retroactive_continuity

Matthew 1:18-23 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/1?18

Isaiah 7:14 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/7?14

Footnote on Isaiah 7:14 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/7?14=#29007014

Song from 1968 “Abraham, Martin, and John” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwn8hIyiHvI

Gettysburg Address on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettysburg_Address

JFK Inaugural Address except on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxa4HDgfWFs

MLK “ I Have a Dream” on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP4iY1TtS3s

Joshua 24 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/joshua/24

Deuteronomy 1:26-28 (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/1?26

2 Samuel 11 – David’s sin with Bathsheba (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/11

2 Samuel 12:1-13 – Nathan’s parable (NABRE): https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/12

General reference links for this series.

List of episodes of this podcast dealing with religion: https://contemplating-life.com/blog/category/religion/

RCIA/OCIA on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Order_of_Christian_Initiation_of_Adults

New American Standard Bible (NASB) at the US Conference of Catholic Bishops: https://bible.usccb.org/bible

Bible Gateway (multiple translations available): https://www.biblegateway.com/

Catechism of the Catholic Church on Vatican website: https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

For more episodes: https://contemplating-life.com/

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/contemplatinglife

Where to listen to this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/contemplatinglife

YouTube playlist of this and all other episodes: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFFRYfZfNjHL8bFCmGDOBvEiRbzUiiHpq