Ocarina of Time – A Masterclass in Subtext

Hey! Listen! Take 30 minutes to immerse yourself in this erudite and beautifully executed documentary piece about one of the most beloved video games of all time. Javed L Sterritt and Satchell Drake elucidate how Ocarina of Time's dialogue, locations, characters, architecture, mechanics and sound design introduce themes of sadness and healing, adventure, growing up … Continue reading Ocarina of Time – A Masterclass in Subtext

‘Juda’, Vampires, Choice and Jewish Identity

What does an Israeli TV series about vampires and the criminal underworld have to say about Jewish identities, choice and community? Written by and starring Tzion Baruch, "Juda" is a stylish, dark and humorous 8-part series following an egotistical gambler who crosses paths with a vampire and is faced with decisions about life, death, God … Continue reading ‘Juda’, Vampires, Choice and Jewish Identity

Frankenstein at the National Theatre.

From Thursday 30th April 2020, The National Theatre are showing Danny Boyle's Frankenstein with Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller alternating the lead roles. National Theatre - Frankenstein CLICK HERE You can go deeper into the theological themes of Mary Shelley's gothic masterpiece by listening to this excellent discussion from the BBC's Beyond Belief programme.Beyond … Continue reading Frankenstein at the National Theatre.

Podcast: Lewis, Tolkien, Potter and Satanic Panic.

This conversation was recorded during the CS Lewis festival in Belfast. The festival took its theme from a collection of essays that Lewis wrote arguing for the importance of fantasy and speculative fiction. The title of that collection: Of This And Other Worlds. I met with Johnny Lowden in the Lamppost Café in East Belfast … Continue reading Podcast: Lewis, Tolkien, Potter and Satanic Panic.

Reading “The Dæmons”

by Michael Spence This paper was delivered to the University of Manchester’s 2013 “Religion and Doctor Who” Day Conference, developed from a chapter of my 2006 undergraduate dissertation. Thanks to Chris Kitson, Steven Kitson, Richard Clutterbuck and Andrew Crome. Abstract 1971’s The Dæmons could be seen as the paragon of anti-religious sentiment in Doctor Who.  Following … Continue reading Reading “The Dæmons”