*READ BOTH AMAZING BOOKS!

James “Cinemaguy” Harleman has written and taught on film and theology for over two decades at churches, conferences, and through the Cinemagogue website. He now co-hosts the popular Popcorn Theology Podcast. Get the original “Cinemagogue” book and its super-sequel!

*BOOK ONE: CINEMAGOGUE (Director’s Cut)

Reclaiming Entertainment and Navigating Narrative for the Myths and Mirrors they were Meant to Be

Get your copy today from Amazon.com!

For signed copies or BULK orders (with discounted rate) email james@cinemagogue.com

Do you like movies? Are you a cinephile? Do your friends consult YOU instead of IMDB? Were you raised on television? Do you spend hours talking cinema? Then this book is definitely for you. Or if you’re a casual consumer who thinks Hollywood simply exists for occasional diversion, this book may change your life.

“I am a film and Television student… your interpretations of the films have helped formed the kind of filmmaker I am becoming, and also the way I experience films.”

We crave narrative and usually don’t stop to question why. Are we perhaps created to consume story, or create story, because we’re image bearers of a Master Storyteller? In this book, movies meet God at the multiplex as the author challenges readers to redefine entertainment, understand the story they’re in, and experience a new integrated level of spirituality and entertainment.

“You actually look at the film aspects and see how the artist’s worldview really comes through.”

What can we learn about God from Doctor Who and Han Solo? What are people like Jon Stewart and even Michael Bay helping us understand about story, good and bad? Peppered with movie quotes and metaphors, journey through the incredible changes film and storytelling have had on 21st century culture. Instead of an overly-academic offering on film and faith, Cinemagogue weaves a narrative from the author’s own pop culture saturated life to the Greatest Story Ever Told: from Superman to Citizen Kane, Bertrand Russell to John Frame, Kurt Vonnegut to the apostle Paul, Optimus Prime to Jesus Christ. The journey takes us from our favorite narratives to our shared meganarrative, from a story-filled gluttony to the greatest story ever told. Again and again.

“…I grew up on television in the 80s and relate to the context you grew up in…. I thank God for you and your ability to glorify him in everything, no matter what.”

Classic notions of story structure, “monomyth” and universally shared themes in both popular and classic tales are examined in light of ancient scripture. From there, readers can see the genesis of creativity and worldview distortions from which conversation can bring us back to the future. After a dirty dozen examples of popular film in chapter five (with questions for discussion) the book tackles common objections with genre and content: horror movies, foul language, violence, sexuality, magic and more… and how many traditional objections are overshadowed by incredible opportunities for those brave enough to overcome fear and wade into the culture stream, secure in their faith.

“Your talk was one of the final confirmations of our move to Los Angeles to re-engage the film business by getting upstream in culture and trying to influence from the top down. Worked as an assistant on a TV series for a year, and now I’m working at a digital marketing agency that does a ton of film/TV work, as well as writing/producing my own projects.”

The book ends with a call and commission to those who consider themselves spiritual and religious to get their heads out of the sand, to start realizing and utilizing the power of narrative.

“…really convicted me in both the movie and gaming arena to analyze what I am watching/playing and why. I had almost zero discernment before stumbling onto your series…”

A requested resource by movie-goers, movie-makers, pastors and teachers, Cinemagogue is an extension of a website and podcast, providing a “how-to” for those who want to experience the transforming power inherent in all story.

“Listening to your podcasts… opened my eyes to examine what I watch even closer.”

Take your entertainment seriously while simultaneously having more fun with it than ever before. Learn how to watch to glorify, to be edified, and possibly to evangelize. Even better, create to magnify.

*BOOK TWO: CINEMAGOGUE: The MARVEL-Us Era

Love superheroes and cinema? This book is for you. Ever wondered WHY they’re so beloved? Even better.

Get your copy today from Amazon.com!

For signed copies or BULK orders (with discounted rate) email james@cinemagogue.com

CINEMAGOGUE: The MARVEL-Us Era… How the 21st century has transformed storytelling—for better and for worse—and how we can use it for God’ glory. 

This book explores how the landscape of storytelling has changed since the dawn of superhero cinema and a franchise frenzy took the cinema by storm, taking an extended journey through the MCU’s shared universe and what we can learn through from the Infinity Saga and more.

“Before all your people I will do MARVELS, such as have not been created in all the earth …” 
– God, Exodus 34:10

We also look through some highlights of their “Distinguished Competition” and other story universes that have made their mark over the decade plus, concluding with the darker side as franchises seem to be fizzling (why that is, and what that means). What happens when secular Hollywood learns all the wrong lessons from bad Christian storytelling? We now know the answer…

“I’ll sell my invention so that EVERYONE can be superheroes, everyone can be super! And when everyone’s super [laughs maniacally] NO ONE will be.”  – Syndrome, The Incredibles

With a bevy of quotes, a wealth of scriptures, and a smirk this book tackles the best and the worst of an unforgettable era of filmmaking, and points us toward a possible future where not only movies are better, but how we view them and use them are more exciting and best of all, redemptive.

“You’ve changed things!” In 2008’s The Dark Knight, the Joker confronts Batman with this fact,but he should have credited Iron Man as well, as both films heralded an explosion of comic book characters at the movies. Entertainment changed dramatically in the 21st century, so film and faith commentator James Harleman sets his sights on superheroes to examine the evolution of Hollywood and franchises in this follow-up to the first Cinemagogue book.

Whether you’re religious or not, this book should intrigue with its exploration of recurring, resonant themes that pulse within the heart of heroic storytelling, begging the question: do they point to something more? And what happens if these themes are co-opted or corrupted?

Has Hollywood’s messaging gotten worse? Boldly exploring ways these marvelous mythologies correspond with conversion, Christian living, church history and reformation, James also highlights the entertainment industry’s darker, indoctrinating decade, as well as toxic fandom and the dangers of an immersion in pop culture that might drown us spiritually.

What does Loki tell us about culture’s view of God? Why does the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the “Infinity Saga” continually align with biblical themes? The Cinemaguy reviews each film and shows how individual movies express gospel parallels, while each “Phase” essentially reveals a multi-point sermon. He also explores DC, Star Wars, the Monsterverse and more. If you’ve enjoyed, or been enraged by, franchises in the 21st century, you’ll find something to resonate with or challenge your perceptions in this book. Without compromising scriptural truth, James sifts the stories and shows how we can reject, receive, and redeem ideas for personal reflection and Christian conversation. Whether you started with the X-Men in 2000 or just watched Deadpool and Wolverine (or enjoyed any superhero movies in-between) you’re bound to find interesting ideas to ruminate on, or start some super conversations with others.