I so appreciate Matt's comments on not watching content with tons of nudity and sex. I catch a lot of flak from people because I refuse to watch anything on that level. Nobody really respects this opinion even within Catholic circles and it even took my husband forever to understand my views on it. I blame my dad, he set such a wonderful example throughout my life (please pray for him as he passed in 2019).

My daughter Flannery Mary Elizabeth was just born on the feast of the visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Cheers!

I’m with Matt on this one. If all Christians held to their faith and convictions, Hollywood would be forced to stop stuffing trash in every film.

I 100% agree with Matt on putting the Communion rails back in churches to see real change in Eucharistic devotion.

I'm with Matt Fradd 100% about that vulgar Emma Stone movie. There is absolutely no good reason for anyone, let alone a priest, to go see these disgusting Hollywood movies!

I really love this guest. I disagreed with his stance on watching films, and listening to music that glorify sin, but I loved the humility he showed when he discussed it honestly with Matt. He even said that he may be wrong about it and will be thinking on it more. I love the simple childlike acceptance of the possibility of personal error. Matt's guests, and Matt himself, show that quality often, and it always inspires me. Most of Fr. Damian Ference's insights and opinions were beautiful, and I really enjoyed this discussion. Thanks for providing it, Pints!

Thanks for standing up to Father on not watching the movie! I agree with your position

Thank you, Matt, for challenging Fr. Ference on watching movies containing degeneracy. It's a scandal that a priest would admit to watching and praising a movie like that.

On the Bp. Barron comments: I understand Matt’s sensitivity, but Barron’s analysis of Coen Bros movies on podcasts I heard in 2017-2018 was instrumental in my conversion to Catholicism as opposed to just returning to some Evangelical church I’d abandoned a decade before. The Church teaches through Beauty, and what Beauty there is belongs to God as much as does Truth. And Barron allowed me to see what was possible through the Catholic tradition instead of the prudish opposition to most art I’d experienced as a young Protestant. Especially coming from a Christian background that had perpetuated so much falsehood and propaganda about the Catholic Church, with Barron’s film and fiction reviews, I felt invited in. I felt, these people have access to something that I did not know because I’d only heard lies. All of which is to say: Barron’s approach does in fact reach people in “the culture”. It reached me. And my wife. And now we have four sons, two of whom just appeared mysteriously upon our reception into The Church on Pentecost 2020. Separately: Fr Damien: fellow Clevelander here. I’ve got all your books. Looking forward to The Hillbilly Thomist this weekend. God bless you!

I’m coming off taking a semester long course on American Literature which devoted only a single lesson of 1 hour and 15 minutes on O’Connor’s “A Good Man Is Hard to Find” (20 of which was taken up by my professor making completely unnecessary announcements that had nothing to do with the subject of the class meeting or the course); I feel like I learned more information, more clearly, and was more affected by what I learned listening to this 45 minute podcast episode that the entirety of that course. I also now have plans to buy a copy of O’Connor’s prayer book; I’m Protestant, but I can’t help but think it would still be a good and helpful read.

Well said, Matt. And thank you.

Thank you Matt and Father Damian for the rigourous discussion! I think these are precisely the ones that NEED to be had, not shied away from, even if it gets a little contentious at times (but in a healthy, not demeaning way).

50:06 Thank you so much for making the argument against watching movies such as Poor Things. I didn't watch it, but saw a few online reviews about it and it sounded so repulsive I don't think there's any convincing argument in favor of watching it or recommending that others do so. It's a little disturbing that a priest would justify watching it in order to have discussions about it.

This was a very good discussion. Kudos to Matt on the hard push back, as it initiated a deeper conversation about to what extent should we participate in possibly degenerate art. We are not impervious to temptation, so why act like we can be an "objective" (protected) observer? Some things are just better left alone.

The Nicelodeon series, Avatar, has an amazing redemption arc!

Rear Window is my favorite movie ever. Great story with 'not too sappy' romance, mystery, & beautiful dresses worn by Grace Kelly ✨

I am looking forward to this interview. Fr. Damian works in my diocese! I love your show, Matt. You always have the best guests. Thank you! -Melissa D. From, Cleveland, Ohio

Thank you, Matt, for pushing back. The damage that priests do when they recommend things like this is devastating. No, you don't need to watch those movies to do "culture research" to be able to have conversations with people. This need to be overly relatable is why the Church looks ridiculous to people. Keep pushing back on stuff like this.

I have so many tabs open on the books and movies that were name dropped in this interview. So much to learn!

"I dont need to get in the sewer and play with shit to know what it's like" - Matt Frad

Your reaction to being invited to watch the movie is the same reaction I have to D&D and Harry Potter. I was happy to see you react so strongly to protect boundaries!

Priests should encourage people to move closer to God, not dabble in sin or invite evil into their lives. We don't need to watch porn to know it is evil or just to relate to non-Catholics. He needs to spend more time in prayer, and he definitely needs our prayers.

You don't need to watch a movie to be able to connect with someone. You can always ask them to explain why they like it and connect with them that way.

A true dialogue…thank you both. Love Fr. D…great pushbacks on either side…I see both sides and have struggled with the line…prudence and prayer…Be not afraid! Btw, Fr Damian as a holy priest is definitely #flourishing

i love father damian so much he’s great. i went to a retreat at the borromeo seminary where he teaches and he’s just incredible

42:00 Being in construction, I was recently on a jobsite near a Catholic parish that was on a hill. The parish is fairly dead now but it is very traditionally built. I was noting to my foreman that when people drove this road they could see the church without obstruction. Now, with the building we built, the church is all but hidden from view.

Let's all pray 7 Hail Mary for the protection of the entire Christendom

I just went and read a portion of the IMDB parent guide on “Poor Things”. It is disgusting that anyone, let alone a priest, would even attempt to justify watching such sinful and harmful content. Paul is clear in Ephesians 5:3, “But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints.” ‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5‬:‭3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ No matter what you think of that scripture verse, it clearly leaves no room for watching pornography, let alone trying to justify it to others. Moreover, encouraging a man who has spent his adult life battling against, apparently winning said battle, and helping others to get free of a sinful addiction such as pornography, to watch the movie as well so they can discuss it, is a grotesque and evil act. We should never encourage others to engage in sin. There’s no way you can willingly view such things and not be sinning against God.

Matt, you're the man. Thanks for pushing back on the porn movie. Priests should know better.

John Wick movies are brilliantly choreographed. They are very violent but in a highly skilled martial arts performance and very little blood and guts is shown. I find it interesting that it has so many Catholic references.

I think often of how I and we can unify everyone into the Fullness and Truth of the Body of Christ and after my thought, I remember that I am not God and to empty myself and Trust in Him that this will happen because of Him and not just what made me want Trust in Him. 🎉

When thinking about a fun romantic comedy... Nothing tops the movie "Overboard" With Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell! I can watch the movie over and over and still feel the emotions that the movie brought out!⚘️

Very thoughtful discussion!! Thank you both!

Very interesting talk

50:11 Fr. Ripperger gives a great talk on the principle of the integral good speaking to this Highly recommend.

Enlightened and mature discussion of art that sometimes offends moral sensibilities. Matt did not have to explain himself but I am grateful that he referenced his wounds and weakness. Thanks to both men!

Totally agree with Matt on Altar Rails. I switched parishes to attend a newer built Church (NO Mass) that has one. Father is right though it’s not a silver bullet. 95% of parishioners still receive standing on the hand 😳

I dedicated my first book to Flannery O'Connor

I used to be okay with violence in movies but the more I prayed about it, I’ve noticed that movies and games have gone so so violent that it desensitizes me from it. I think this ultimately comes from the world trying it’s best to desensitize us from the passion of our Lord. But that’s just my .02

@15:34 - Love this point about many of us not feeling like we "fit in" the Church and we can find hope in people like Flannery

I listened to this on Spotify but wanted to comment. What a fascinating conversation. I love how you can push one another in argument with charity. What's more, the topics the come up are so worthy of intelligent discussion. Love this!

'Poor things' was extremely pedophillic in its depiction which is something I dont see many people memtion.

The part where Father Damien was talking about what he was wearing, I don't think it only has to be about that. I think things like that could also be because being a faithful practicing Catholic is difficult. I think recognizing what is good and bad, what shouldn't be tolerated, what is and what isn't 'coloring within the lines' of the church as they said can be very difficult at times. Or certain things can be difficult for certain people to recognize. So I think that is also a reason

Yall just got me reading Flannery and i love it! Thank you!

This helped so much, thanks

wow this was my absolute favorite talk to date! A contemplative priestly perspective + classic literature. More of this pleeeeease! Madeline L'engle may be interesting to discuss

Oooo exciting! I hate waiting, but looking forward to this interview.

You should watch Vinland Saga. It's a redemption story of a revenge seeking viking

The Hillbilly Thomists are great! I love bluegrass, perhaps it was my Appalachian Ohio upbringing or the Marty Stewart 8 tracks my grandparents would play.

Fr. Damian is delightful! I want to be part of his little nerd camp.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - greatest movie of all time

Because of this podcast, I finally got a copy of A Good Man Is Hard to Find and Other Short Stories. I love em! Reminds me of the TV series, Fargo. I didn't expect A Good Man to end so abruptly and the way it did. (I also read Dostoevsky because of this channel, and my 2 favorite books are Crime & Punishment, and The Brother's K) This channel promotes a lot of good books and resources. Good stuff 👍😎👊✌️

Why does no one mention voyeurism when considering evaluating a movie? Is it not sinful to pay to watch actors actually commit a sin on film? Many of these sorts of scenes require the actor to commit sin.

Bishop Barron didn't like the Shape of Water and had a great video reviewing it! He talks a lot about the philosophical messaging behind the movie, and the bad moral values.

The first time that I really don't share the point of view of one gest, if we see "trash" movies it reminds in our hearts, the same with music and others. And promote them for the "study" is very very dangerous. I'm saying that knowing that for sure is something that I did, and trying to stop because I feel the pain that causes to the soul

I'm an hour in and I just realized Father reminds me of Steve Zahn. 😂

This episode made me think of The interview with Gabby after hours, when he said, I'm too charismatic for the traditionalists, and I'm too traditional for the charismatics.

I'm a little late to the party, very intrigued by the flannery O'Connor title. If he hasn't already, I hope father or Matt reference one of my favorite flannery quotes, “All human nature vigorously resists grace because grace changes us and the change is painful.” ❤

Can’t wait for the video shorts! Love the solar eclipse totality metaphor! Wow!

Kudos Matt. I think when it comes to pornography in Hollywood films, the quality of the acting shouldn't play into an opinion of the sinfulness of it at all. I'm unconvinced a talented actress doesn't win an award or jumpstart her career precisely because she's engaging in immoral behavior on film. I'm sure there's a version of this that applies to men as well but I'm not as sensitive to it.

It's been years so I don't remember the movie well, but this Harvey (1950) quote was meaningful for me: Elwood P. Dowd : Years ago my mother used to say to me, she'd say, "In this world, Elwood, you must be" - she always called me Elwood - "In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant. You may quote me. Jimmy Stewart is my pick for greatest actor, and It's a Wonderful Life is my pick for greatest movie I've ever seen because of its illustration of the priceless precious gift of a single life! I might have only seen them once out of order with people multitasking, but from a fuzzy childhood memory of movies onward, these are the only imo 10/10s I could think of trying to be impartial with my wacky criteria, so not my favorite movies: It's a Wonderful Life- This is my choice for greatest movie. The rest of these aren't in order. Ben Hur (1959) Dial M for Murder Raiders of the Lost Ark Gone With the Wind The Incredibles Rear Window Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Wizard of Oz To Kill a Mockingbird Sound of Music Muppets Christmas Carol And then for best performances: Maria Falconetti's Joan (1928 The Passion of Joan of Arc) these are also the most three dimensional characters from film I can remember: Liv Ullman's Eva (1978 Autumn Sonata) Ernest Borgnine's Marty Piletti (1955 Marty) Daniel Day Lewis' Reynolds Woodcock (2017 Phantom Thread) If anyone thinks this stinks, feel free to let me know! Thanks Matt. Hope you and your family have a wonderful week!

Once is such a good movie that was forgotten too quickly!

These actors and actresses are people and their acting out these scenes and showing their naked bodies is offensive to their dignity. Never mind what it also does to the viewer.

Regarding Eucharist revival I 100 billion % agree with you Matt

I attend sacred heart in milledgeviile Ga.

Yes! Alter rails please!

Cudo's to Matt for standing his ground during the Emma Stone film/pornography bit. Yes pornography IS evil. I wonder if the guest actually realized what podcast he was on and about Matt's crusade against pornography? Anyway something else: Roy Schoeman, the Jewish Catholic,would be a great guest on this show. His conversion story is very inspiring.

Matt, it would be worth having a guest talk about the rosary. Your comments about it in this episode were the thing that hit me more than anything else. If you never had a "rosary" episode I think you need to. Fr Patrick Peyton, among others, pushed the ides that the rosary become part of the official liturgy of the Church. Disagree if u like, but it indicates that the rosary is not merely optional piety. In Canon law for priests (in the old one) it was legislated that priest ought to pray it.

Fr. Damian is amazing!! Great guests, Matt!!

Game of Thrones is not only full of porno sex, but also full of obscene and diabolic violence. I was tucked into it, but I didn't watch the last two series. I couldn't take it any more.

Every time Matt brings up Hitchcock, I'm surprised he or his guest never talks about I Confess or The Wrong Man

The mother in a good man is hard to find is so common in the south. At least it was when I was a kid. I went to church with a lot of them.

Flannery’s mother volunteered with our community (the Hawthorne Dominicans) in Atlanta. Flannery also wrote the introduction to a book about one of our patients many years ago.

Hi! I watch and enjoy many of your videos- you are a wonderful interviewer and I appreciate the types of questions you ask your guests. Very informative. I am Catholic and have been my entire life. My husband became Catholic this past Easter and his journey and passion of the faith has reignited my love for the Catholic faith. I was a little surprised, actually disappointed, to hear Father Damien approve the watching of a film like what he described with Emma Stone. You mentioned your wounds and could possibly be part of the reason you feel the way you do - however….I do not believe there has to be any other reason- other than, these types of movies Do Not Glorify God. This has kind of been my barometer. And I feel so much better living my life that way. That’s been my go to question- Does this ( movie, book, speech, behavior, thought, etc) Glorify God??? Maybe it’s sounds drastic, but isn’t that how we are called to live our lives? Glorifying and Praising God. Am I successful all the time- absolutely not, lol- I sin everyday probably🙄BUT I also try and keep a conversation with God throughout my day- it keeps me in check so to speak. It makes me more aware of my sins and prompts me to either choose differently or definitely change the behavior in the future. But movies today- my goodness, I can not even begin to understand the underlining evils throughout them. Whether it is sex, violence, blasphemy or otherwise- it’s simply disturbing and saddens me that society finds this normal and acceptable. I found great comfort in hearing you say, that you do not even entertain certain themed movies- I think creating a zero tolerance policy works best and encourages our faithfulness to Gods teachings.

The quote you were looking for is by George Orwell: "we read to know we are not alone."

Do we bring back the index? Yes.

I’m a religion teacher and I showed my fifth graders Nacho Libre. It’s so fun.

Y’know, between this and the Shayne Smith video from last week, I would love to see Matt interview a Christian metal musician.

Matt, you need to look up a video game called Red Dead Redemption 2. It's been six years since it came out and I've still gotten videos in my feed making the case that the main character is the best character in all of fiction. Know why? Because he goes through the journey you're talking about. He starts wicked, and you're given the option to choose goodness. Just about everyone I've seen always takes the good route.

In relation to whether it is okay to see violence or nudity, I just want to say: scenes with violence are typically made with theatrical blood and no one gets hurt. scenes with nudity, there are literally naked people. These are not robots, but real naked people. For me there is a big difference there. Not that all films and series with scenes of violence are something I would recommend, but I think there is a big difference between seeing something fake and something real. I think a bit about how I would feel to be in the same room as the actors. If some did a bloody war scene with theatrical blood in front of me, that would be okay - but if some threw their clothes in front of me, kissed intimately for several minutes, or something more intimate, I would not be okay with that. It may be different how people will experience it, but I think there is a big difference between fake and real. I love when they only hints and don't show the intimate stuff, or show the relationship indited - like in Pride and Prejudice. May God bless you all, and may we all learn to navigate these times.🥰

Matt’s comment ..how do you evangelize a culture you do t know…is so right. Early in our homeschool years we we’re learning our faith becoming very fervent and more radical…then we observed other homeschool families whose kids were enter high school age with zero ability to communicate with others bc they didn’t understand even basic pop culture they were so far removed they literally couldn’t function and several went off the deep end in young adulthood…so we rengaged the culture doing what father calls “cultural research” and spent a ton of time talking about movies books social media stuff…we made some big mistakes and the kids did see things I wish I would have protected them from…however we considered it a “social cultural inoculation” small doses with lots of conversation on the topics and agendas presented and overall our kids learned more and all live in the world and usually not of it

I can't find how/where to see this Flannery movie anywhere. The movie ticket website says the film was released in May, but that no tickets are available and that it is not showing anywhere no matter which state I search??

Dang would have loved to get his thoughts on the Young Pope

Unsure if Matt was saying the council called for removing altar rails(she did not) However the Catholic both end is why not both? Eucharistic Congress, altar rails, better catechesis, prayer etc

The movie is also violent, for no reason they showcase Emma stabing a corpse.

1:20:07 What virtue comes from watching Poor Things?

Unpopular opinion based on the comments I read here. But I agree with Fr.

I would argue that as soon as you record a sex act where it can be accessed by a third party, it becomes pornography. Even if the intent was only for the two participants to watch it, there is always the chance it will be accessed by others.

First?

34:24 Brian Holdsworth should heed this advice.

01:07:15 Watch "The Young Pope" as it shows the catholic church's dazzling visual beauty, how an intimate prayer-relationship with God can look like, the liberating force of confession and that Christianity is a gateway to the mystery of God 😶‍🌫 rather than a mere collection of rules. God bless. ☀

Matt: if you want to understand the real danger of the attitude of puritanical elimination of pornographic/violent images, you should do a deep dive into Ian McGilchrist’s work. Being reactively opposed to anything that might be considered pornographic will ultimately only lead to extremism and disorder. Watch the McGilchrist speech he gave for Ralston - titled, “The Coincidence of Opposites.” Great work, and very enjoyable interview, as always!

I wonder is Catholics like Matt and this priest know about Vid Angel?

I want to like Flannery. I have tried to like her, but I just don't. And I am Catholic, an English teacher, and a little bit of a writer, mostly essays.

Fight Club was a very interesting film. I thought it raised a lot of ideas surrounding the disillusionment of men and the turning toward ideologies that would destroy the current society. That said friends its got serious content problems and I dont recommend it. I wish films could explore the disillusionment of men without resorting to "corn"ography

“Keep your tone sober” should be the only disclaimer above comment sections

Father, with respect, I think you may be too proud of not watching Star Wars. If you want to engage with the culture, you must see the original 3 movies. Ignore all the rest. I was a young teenager when the first Star Wars movie came out. It rocked our world! There were lines at the theaters for almost a year. It was a dark and depressing time: the scope of the Vietnam war was just beginning to be understood, we had the scandal of Watergate, and all our movies were depressing. Then Star Wars came and everything seemed somehow brighter. It was a lot of fun, and a great story of redemption. The special effects were like nothing we had seen before. (I know by today’s standards they are nothing special. But then : Wow! ) Consider it, please .

One of the increasingly lost things about movies and certain other media is the ability to communicate without showning any more than what is needed. You write about sex and violence without describing either act. You can write about a war without writing the gore of each soldier's death. It is not unlike the fairy tale in which the wolf devours the girl and yet the biological implication of how that would occur is never entertained in the mind. Our modern media with its "realism" and its high quality cameras has made the fatal mistake of equating the depiction of some vice with the glut upon the same thing. It is a fatal empiricism. We think we are being realistic but we are fools for thinking so. When a man dies in a story only the athiest and the empiricist would think the most important thing in that moment is the means by which his life is rended from his flesh. It is the ontology of death experienced by the person which carries the true gravity. It is the same with nudity and sex, to reduce the dignity and love, or violence and indignity between these people to merely what is occurring to their bodies is disgusting.

Great, strong, argument Matt against 'Poor Things'--emma Stone movie. Bravo.

Is Fr.'s surname related to the Hungarian first name Ferenc? It's pronounced almost the same.