Secrets of Movies and TV Shows

An important thank you message and update from StarQuest's Dom Bettinelli. The post An Important Update from StarQuest’s Dom Bettinelli appeared first on StarQuest Media.

For years, attendance at movie theaters has been dropping, but in 2020 COVID upended the whole movie business. Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Chip Hines, and Andrew Hermiz look at all the changes so far, what studios and theaters have tried, and then look forward to where movie watching could be going. The post The Future of Movie-Watching appeared first on StarQuest Media.

As the penultimate movie of the 6-episode dinosaur series, Fallen Kingdom introduces some new elements that Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Fr. Michael Gossett think raise some new moral and ethical questions, especially in our use of new, advanced technologies. The post The Secrets of Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Tom Hanks is captain of a WWII destroyer convoy escort in the North Atlantic, battling the U-boat wolf pack. Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Chip Hines give their first impressions of the Apple TV+ movie, including the surprising virtues and faith of Hanks' character and the compelling action. The post Greyhound – Coffee and Cinema appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Dom Bettinelli shares an important message about the future of this podcast and all the shows at StarQuest. The post An important message from StarQuest’s Dom Bettinelli appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Chosen brings to TV a Jesus unlike any in recent memory. Dom Bettinelli, Mike Denz, and Joanne Mercier discuss this unique, new multi-season series that features a Jesus that's perfectly balanced in his humanity and divinity and makes the disciples as relatable as they can be. The post The Chosen appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Princess Bride is an undeniably funny and very quotable movie, but as Dom Bettinelli, Mike Denz, and superfan Shelly Kelly discuss, it's also a profound exploration of love on both the grand sacrificial scale, but also in the daily ways we show our love to each other. The post The Secrets of The Princess Bride appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Terrence Malick’s “The Thin Red Line” is hailed as a true work of art and a film worth some thoughtful consideration around Memorial Day. Mike Creavey, Andrew Hermiz, and Thomas Sanjurjo breakdown a film that challenges the viewer to reflect upon human conflict, duty, love, faith, and more. The post The Thin Red Line appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The MCU is the biggest cinematic event in history and Avengers: Endgame is its capstone. Dom Bettinelli, Mike Denz, and Andrew Hermiz dive into the movie's themes of fatherhood, self-sacrifice, family, and dealing with grief and loss while enjoying the humor and superhero action. The post The Secrets of Avengers: Endgame appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 1984 Ghostbusters stands as one of the funniest and most quotable comedies of all time. Dom Bettinelli, Mike Creavey, and Mike Denz delve into the film, its amazing cast, the behind-the-scenes lore, and all the great moments in a laughter-filled discussion. The post The (Original) Ghostbusters appeared first on StarQuest Media.

A Quiet Place was a surprise hit in 2018, and Dom Bettinelli, Andrew Hermiz, and Thomas Sanjurjo discuss what made this movie stand out, including its portrayal of a family as a quiet place that protects us from the horrors of the world; but also shared grief and guilt as a quiet place that burdens us. The post A Quiet Place appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Expanse has moved to Amazon Prime. Dom Bettinelli, Steve Nelson, and Fr. Michael Gossett discuss how much the show has changed, the moral dilemmas faced by the characters this season, and why Clancy Brown should have been cast in a key role. The post The Expanse, Season 4 appeared first on StarQuest Media.

From all of us at StarQuest, we wish you a Happy and Blessed Easter with this brief message from our chaplain, Fr. Cory Sticha. The post Happy Easter from StarQuest appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Mel Gibson's movie starring Jim Caviezel became an immediate classic upon release in 2004. Dom Bettinelli, Mike Creavey, Mike Denz, and Andrew Hermiz examine Gibson's vision of the Passion and discuss the hidden layers and deeper meanings as they prepare for Holy Week. The post The Passion of the Christ appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The popular sitcom The Good Place met its end and Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Mike Denz talk about this sitcom about philosophy and the afterlife in two parts. In part two of their discussion, they discuss the fourth season and how it shows the limits of a heaven without God or the beatific vision. The post The Good Place, Season 4 appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The popular sitcom The Good Place met its end and Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Mike Denz talk about this sitcom about philosophy and the afterlife in two parts. In part one of their discussion, they discuss the third season and the implications and limits of a merit-based system for getting to heaven. The post The Good Place, Season 3 appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Jurassic World restarted the mega-franchise with a roar in 2015. Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Fr. Michael Gossett discuss the movie's messages about consumer and corporate excess as well as humanity's stewardship of Creation and humility before nature. Plus cool dinosaur action. The post The Secrets of Jurassic World appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Groundhog Day is a classic movie that's more than a romantic comedy. Dom Bettinelli, Mike Denz, and Shelly Kelley talk about the truths it speaks about self-giving love, the true source of joy, and of course all those great quotable lines. And lots and lots of laughs. The post Groundhog Day appeared first on StarQuest Media.

1917 takes place on April 6 of that year, which was both Good Friday and the day the United States entered World War I. The movie follows the impossible mission of two British soldiers sent to save their comrades from a trap. In both spoiler-free and then spoiled discussions, Fr. Chip Hines and Dom Bettinelli discuss the film's amazing cinematography, it's compelling story of honor, duty, and self-sacrifice, and what war movies like this have to do with a Christian call to peace. The post 1917 – Coffee and Cinema appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Skywalker Saga has ended and Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Chip Hines are here to give you their first impressions, fresh out of the theater. First, some spoiler-free comments and then, after a warning, a spoiled discussion that delves into the universal themes we find here and in all of Star Wars. The post Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Coffee and Cinema appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The new film Midway is a faithful adaptation of the events leading up to and including the pivotal battle that turned the tide of World War II in the Pacific. Fr. Chip Hines and Dom Bettinelli give their first impressions in a glowing review of the accuracy of the portrayal of the heroism of the men who fought in the battle. The post Midway – Coffee and Cinema appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Is there any redeeming value in an action "shoot 'em up"? Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Chip Hines give their spoiler-free and spoiled review of Hobbs & Shaw, a Fast & Furious spinoff, which is about what you expect, but continues the F&F theme of the importance of family. The post Hobbs & Shaw – Coffee and Cinema appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Dom Bettinelli has an urgent message to all listeners of StarQuest shows. We need your help right now. Please listen to this brief recording and then visit sqpn.com/give today. Thank you. (If you subscribe to multiple StarQuest shows, you may receive this message more than once.) The post A Special Message from StarQuest’s Dom Bettinelli appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Men in Black: International is the fourth installment in the MIB franchise. Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Chip Hines are fresh out of the theater to give you their spoiler-free first impressions followed by a discussion that includes spoilers, including whether it's a worthy MIB sequel and which character steals the show. The post Men in Black: International – Coffee and Cinema appeared first on StarQuest Media.

We take a deep dive into the latest Captain Marvel movie with Angela Sealana, Maria Johnson, Andrew Hermiz, and Thomas Sanjurjo, including a comparison between her and Wonder Woman, plus what problems her massive powers cause the MCU and 90s nostalgia. The post The Secrets of Captain Marvel appeared first on StarQuest Media.

It's an Australian perspective on the LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, as Lindsay Sant, Caroline Knight, and Gerard Trapnell of the Catholics of Oz podcast discuss the pop cultures references and in-jokes of this sequel, whether it measures up to the original, and the themes the movie explores. The post The Secrets of The LEGO Movie 2 appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Avengers: Endgame is already the biggest blockbuster ever, bringing to a close the 10-year Phase I of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Chip Hines give their spoiler-free first impressions fresh from the theater and then--after a listener warning--dive into some spoilers. The post Avengers: Endgame – Coffee and Cinema appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 2nd of J.K. Rowlings' Potter prequel movies is the Crimes of Grindelwald. Dom Bettinelli, Lyn Francisco, and Thomas Sanjurjo return to discuss the movies' turn to the grimness; Newt's enduring likeability; the power of unbreakable vows; and more. The post The Secrets of the Crimes of Grindelwald appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The Godfather is often listed as one of the greatest films of all time. Dom Bettinelli, Mike Creavey, Fr. Michael Gossett, and Andrew Hermiz sit down to discuss how family and faith and lack of faith plays a key role in the story and the masterful filmmaking that make this one of the best ever. The post The Secrets of The Godfather appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The new Shazam! movie promises to continue the trend of making DC movies lighter and more fun, less grim and dark. Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Chip are out just of the theater to give their spoiler-free impressions and then, after a warning, a fuller spoiled discussion. The post Shazam! – Coffee and Cinema appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The third Indiana Jones film brings Sean Connery to the franchise and returns to the search for an artifact important to Christians. Dom Bettinelli, Shelly Kelly, and Mac Barron discuss the movie's classic lines, awesome stunts, religious themes and the exploration of the father-son dynamic. The post SCR037: The Secrets of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Over the past 50 years, the music of John Williams has been the soundtrack of some of the greatest movies of our time. Dom Bettinelli, Mike Creavey, and Angela Sealana discuss the man and his music and how it is integral to the stories it helped to tell. The post SCR036: The Secrets of John Williams appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The 2002 film Minority Report is as relevant today as ever. Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Michael Gossett, and Thomas Sanjurjo talk about pre-crime and free will, the danger of seeing events out of context, the loss of human dignity in the name of security, and that sleek technological future which overlays an authoritarian dystopia. The post SCR035: The Secrets of Minority Report appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The new Captain Marvel superhero movie is out and Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Chip Hines are fresh out of the cinema to give you their first impressions over a cup of coffee. The first part of the podcast is spoiler-free and then, after a warning, they get into spoiler territory. This format is an experiment for us and we hope you'll let us know what you think. The post CNC001: Captain Marvel appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Continuing their series on the Jurassic Park movies, Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Michael Gossett, and Thomas Sanjurjo come to the third installment, which is the first without Spielberg at the helm. Could it be best of them all? Does the return of Dr. Alan Grant mean a return to the fun of the first film? The post SCR034: The Secrets of Jurassic Park III appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What defines a Christmas movie? Which ones are on your list of the best? Dom Bettinelli is joined by Shelly Kelly and Andrew Hermiz to talk about Christmas movies and their favorites, including some you might not expect. The post SCR033: The Secrets of Christmas Movies appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Bohemian Rhapsody, the movie about 70s supergroup Queen, unexpectedly became one of the biggest movies of 2018. Angela Sealana, Joanne Mercier, and Steve Nelson discuss the film from the perspectives of Queen fans and music lovers and dig into the hidden layers and deeper meanings found within. The post SCR032: The Secrets of Bohemian Rhapsody appeared first on StarQuest Media.

This summer's Marvel antidote to the grim ending of Avengers: Infinity War was the fun and light Ant-Man and the Wasp. Dom Bettinelli, Trent Horn, and Andrew Hermiz discuss what makes this movie such a fun and exciting romp, but also why it might hold the key to the upcoming Avengers 4. The post SCR031: The Secrets of Ant-Man and the Wasp appeared first on StarQuest Media.

SEAL Team is more than a shoot-em-'up military procedural. Dom Bettinelli and Fr. Chip Hines discuss the moral and dramatic dimensions in this patriotic, gritty military show that deals not only with war and violence, but also the personal and family challenges faced by the characters. The post SCR030: The Secrets of SEAL Team appeared first on StarQuest Media.

At listener request, we're talking about the cult classic TV show, Firefly. Dom Bettinelli, Mac Barron, Shelly Kelly, and Maria Johnson discuss what makes this space western so compelling and why it has endured despite its way-too-short single season. Browncoats unite! The post SCR029: The Secrets of Firefly appeared first on StarQuest Media.

What new network TV shows are we watching this fall that you might be interested in? Dom Bettinelli, Lisa Hendey, and Joanne Mercier look at a bunch of new shows, including God Friended Me, FBI, A Million Little Things, Manifest, and The Rookie, and give their take on whether they're worth your time. The post SCR028: Secrets of New Fall 2018 TV Shows appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan has been cast and re-cast in movies since the 1980s and Amazon is trying again with a new series. Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Chip Hines, and Fr. Cory Sticha look at the series, discuss the morality at the heart of the Jack Ryan character, and decide whether this new series lives up to Tom Clancy's vision. The post SCR027: The Secrets of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan on Amazon appeared first on StarQuest Media.

After the success of the first movie, Jurassic Park 2 took a darker turn while Ian Malcom becomes the hero of the dinosaur island and San Diego hosts a T Rex. Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Michael Goessett, and Thomas Sanjurjo continue their discussion of the Jurassic movies with the Lost World. The post SCR026: The Secrets of The Lost World: Jurassic Park 2 appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Is Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them the best movie in the Harry Potter cinematic universe? Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Lyn Francisco discuss the 2016 movie, how it relates to the Potterverse as a whole, and why magical justice is so cruel. The post SCR025: The Secrets of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Fr. Michael Gossett go back to the classic Steven Spielberg movie, Jurassic Park, to see what holds up after 25 years, what has aged, and how the movie is at root a Frankenstein story with the mad scientist replaced by an idealistic grandpa. The post SCR024: The Secrets of Jurassic Park appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Dom Bettinelli, Maria Johnson, and Lisa Hendey discuss the Pixar movie The Incredibles 2, including whether the true superpower in the Parr family is their ability come together as a team, how Bob and Helen come to appreciate each other's roles, and how Jack Jack steals the show again. The post SCR023: The Secrets of The Incredibles 2 appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Dom Bettinelli, Shelly Kelly, and Fr. Cory Sticha continue their discussion of the Indiana Jones movies with 1984's Temple of Doom, including why this movie was so much darker and violent, how fan assessment has changed over the years, and the very best thing about the movie. The post SCR022: The Secrets of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Dom Bettinelli, Thomas Sanjurjo, and Fr. Michael Gossett discuss Black Panther, the Marvel movie that was an unexpected blockbuster, looking at the hidden layers and deeper meanings in a movie about identity and our obligations to those around us. The post SCR021: The Secrets of Black Panther appeared first on StarQuest Media.

The story in recent Pixar animated movie Coco revolved around the Mexican celebration of the Days of the Dead/Dia de Muertos. Dom Bettinelli, Deborah Schaben, and Angela Sealana discuss the Mexican and Catholic cultural traditions that informed the movie from both insider and outsider perspectives, as well as the deeper layers and meanings in the music and even the names. The post SCR020: The Secrets of Disney Pixar’s Coco appeared first on StarQuest Media.

Dom Bettinelli, Steve Nelson, and Fr. Michael Gossett discuss the first three seasons of The Expanse (and the book series it's based on), especially the moral choices faced by the characters, the complex societies that it showcases, and how religion shows up in surprising ways. The post SCR019: The Secrets of The Expanse, Seasons 1-3 appeared first on StarQuest Media.