Alan & Jono's Watching/Reading List: February 2025
Added 2025-02-26 20:45:58 +0000 UTCAlan:
Hello Heroes!
February. The month of love, for marketing/sales reasons? It’s also a month in which I read and watched things!
What I’m reading!
Buster Keaton: A Filmmaker’s Life - by James Curtis. This was a hefty tome, though not nearly as heavy as last month’s reading. It also wasn’t as well written, though the subject is much closer to home for me. Buster Keaton is probably the greatest to ever do it. The “it” in that sentence is vast though. He not only acted, but directed, wrote, created gags physical, situational, and verbal, and was a wonderful person to be around. After going through his entire (often very hard) life in the book, I teared up in the final pages at his death. The world is a better place for what he did. Even if he played a Confederate in The General.
What I’m watching!
Severance s2 on Apple TV+. Guys, season 2 is just as good as the first. How is that possible? Seriously, if you’re not watching this show, you need to start. It’s so so so good.
Lots of Buster Keaton films. I just watched The General with my kids last night. Accompanied only by piano and no sound effects, they never got bored, and at the end of the movie asked if Buster Keaton had made any other movies we could watch. Holy crap, I’m so excited to show them Steamboat Bill Jr., Cops, Seven Chances, and The Cameraman!
What I’m playing!
Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora Much like the movies, this is a bit of an uneven experience that I just can’t tear myself away from. Though I’ll defend this a bit less. It’s a visually stunning game, and the movement is maybe second only to the Spider-Man games from Insomniac (of all the many games I’ve ever played!) But the writing is pretty thin, and the gameplay loop is a bit meh. Combat is not as satisfying as I’d like it to be. This one is going to take me awhile though, so stay tuned for more updates. Like, I think later I get to bond an Ikran and fly around. I may never come back to the real world!
Watch Movies! (And television, and read books, and play video games)
Jono:
Hey all, how's your February? This month, in addition to my Cinema Therapy prep, I'm treating myself to a James Bond marathon, one movie a day. Bond IS generally a poor relationship role model, but the movies are my junk food and very entertaining. As I always say, watch with your brain turned on and know what's real and what's fantasy. What's more, I've forgotten just how many intelligent and capable female characters there are, almost from the beginning. Not kidding. Still problematic, but there are positives I had forgotten, and I love watching the series evolve and grow more progressive.
Right now I'm reading The Law of Love, by NFL Hall-of-Famer Steve Young. It's not for everyone, as it's got some faith-based elements in it, BUT I really appreciate how Young pulls ideas from various religions and philosophies to draw a unifying picture of how, exactly, love holds society together. Also, a lot of the points he makes are just universally applicable and beautiful.
What about you lovely folks? What have you been watching and reading this month?
Comments
The General is so good! The part when he's on the front of the train is SO WILD! I love Buster Keaton. What an awesome guy.
John Kuruc
2025-03-04 16:50:43 +0000 UTCReading: The Rogue Crew by Brian Jacques - I'd been putting off reading it for a while because it's both the final Redwall book and the final novel by Jacques due to his passing a few months before the book's release. It's not one of my favorite books in the series, but it's not the worst. It does, however, have my favorite name for Redwall Abbey's Bellringer: the squirrel Ding Toller. Watching: Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man - I'd been looking forward to this one since I found out Charlie Cox was reprising his role as Daredevil for it, but got concerned when the previews seemed lackluster. However, I didn't need to be concerned as the show is an absolute blast! It's yet another take on Peter Parker's Spider-Man, but it's presented in a way that feels slightly familiar and fresh all at once. Its first (and currently only) season is only 10 episodes long, but it covers a lot of ground without feeling too rushed. Can't wait to see what season 2 brings! The Owl House - Despite hearing a LOT of good things about this show while it aired, I was hesitant to watch until the hype went down a bit. Upon finding it in Disney+'s Pride Collection the other day after not thinking about it for a while, I finally caved in and started watching it. Fell in love with it as soon as the first episode started! I viewed episode 16 (aka the Grom episode with the iconic dance scene and a certain dress Luz briefly considers that's colored like a certain Caped Crusader whose mission is to strike fear into the hearts of criminals) last night and the twist at the end with Luz's mom has me on the edge of my seat! Playing: The Lost Legends Of Redwall: The Scout Anthology - I was a beta tester for the three separate "acts" of this game before they were combined, but I didn't get around to playing the Anthology until earlier this month. It's still fun, though it has cut out and/or changed multiple things (especially in Act 1) that I honestly kind of miss. However, I admit that the things I did like that were cut out slowed down the pace of the game considerably, especially in the first level that initially took a couple of hours to complete if you wanted to get every single collectible and skill but now takes under an hour to do so. Considering most other levels are relatively short in comparison, it was a necessary change to keep the flow as even as possible. If you're a fan of Redwall and are looking for a new story from that world, I recommend giving this game a try! Bonus: Listening: Eden's Curse, Megadeth, Dynazty, Disturbed
WaterBat95
2025-02-27 18:47:10 +0000 UTCI've been rereading some favorites but I just started the Daindreth's Assassin fantasy romance series and am halfway through book 5. I bogged down there because I really don't like what's happening, even though I know that it should be coming up to a "happy ending." Hard to push through at the moment. Before I got to book 5, my kids and I were watching Muppet Treasure Island and The Lost City, two lighthearted and fun movies!
Ann Brookens
2025-02-27 03:20:50 +0000 UTCYeah I feel the same way. I thought Tom Bombadil was an interesting character. I do wish in the books they had showed the conversation between Gandalf and Tom. I am super curious about what they talked about
KrissyArtist
2025-02-27 03:18:03 +0000 UTCI read all the Ian Fleming books when I was in high school. The movies were rarely available to me, a rural teen in 1970! I'm not even sure if I've seen all of them yet.
Ann Brookens
2025-02-27 03:10:55 +0000 UTCI'm with you on preferring LotR movies over the books! I missed the inclusion of Tom Bombadil, but agreed that he was a red herring in the progression of the story!
Ann Brookens
2025-02-27 02:59:07 +0000 UTCGood to know!!!
Ayesha Ali
2025-02-27 01:41:57 +0000 UTC100% agree!!!
KrissyArtist
2025-02-27 00:21:09 +0000 UTCYES. As soon as the occult part was brought in, I was ready to walk out the theater. Such lazy writing, in my opinion.
SaucyJTD
2025-02-27 00:09:32 +0000 UTC@Krissy, there have actually been many moments of progression even as early as the Connery era. I was pleasantly surprised at it. Not perfect, and still problematic overall, but glimpses over time. I've been really loving my fresh watch of the series! I'll be watching the final Craig movie tonight 😊.
SaucyJTD
2025-02-27 00:08:30 +0000 UTCOmg amen! Like it was just awful. Like at least the plot of Silence of the Lambs makes sense! I was sold on it being similar but it was not at all. That ending was just terrible and honestly a little confusing.
KrissyArtist
2025-02-27 00:07:49 +0000 UTCTHANK YOU for hating Long Legs. I was scared for the first part when she was in the house, and that was literally it. I thought it was so freaking dumb otherwise.
SaucyJTD
2025-02-27 00:06:39 +0000 UTCIt was such a great time. Being able to have the cast and crew there to ask questions was seriously awesome. I'm hoping to be able to make any event that they do like this ❤️.
SaucyJTD
2025-02-27 00:05:40 +0000 UTCI was sad I couldn't make it to the showing because of my job but I am so proud of everyone who worked on the short film. I am proud of all of them!
KrissyArtist
2025-02-27 00:04:26 +0000 UTCI love the James Bond movies even though he is an awful person. Like Jono says I just watch with my brain on and always remind myself that it's not reality. Still amazing movies. They usually have wonderful opening songs and soundtracks. Also the action especially the Daniel Craig ones are 10/10
KrissyArtist
2025-02-27 00:03:06 +0000 UTCWatched: Long Legs and honestly hated it. I really like Silence of the Lambs but this movie was not that at all. I see the ways it could have been but the occult themes kind of ruined it for me honestly. The acting was amazing though, and the cinematography was incredible but I didn't like the plot. Also streamed What We Do in The Shadows and loved it. Hilarious TV show! Didn't care for the final episode but overall great show. Cast is incredible! Also rewatched the lord of the rings movies extended cut since I finished the books! Speaking of Reading: The Two Towers and Return Of the King. I loved both books! I am glad the movies cut out the saving the shire chapter it was honestly not needed. Was super bummed the "My friends you bow to no one." Scene wasn't really in the books. The rest was wonderful though. I cried when I got to the end of Return of the King. Book and movie. Overall wonderful book and movies. Still prefer the movies slightly better. Aragorn is still my favorite character in the series though that hasn't changed. Wish the books had his reluctant to be king character arc though. Playing: I am finally playing Resident Evil 2 Remake. So far it's really fun. I am not the best at it but I'm not doing badly. I have never played the original so I don't know the plot but so far so good! Had a medical scare in the family earlier this month so I am hoping for better next month. Overall not a bad month though. Hope everyone had a fantastic February!
KrissyArtist
2025-02-27 00:00:38 +0000 UTCI'm all over the place with reading. But a five star was The 1619 Project. Haven't really watched anything.
Becca Notkin
2025-02-26 23:34:34 +0000 UTCThere's a point in Warbreaker that changes everything. It's so good.
SaucyJTD
2025-02-26 23:29:58 +0000 UTCI’m a huge Buster Keaton fan! I’m a member of the International Buster Keaton Society, and I am on the archives team. 😊 If you would like to read more about Buster, I highly recommend “Cameraman” by Dana Stevens. I loved every page! And don’t forget the shorts, all available on YouTube. “One Week” is a personal favorite, I also recommend “The Electric House” and “The Goat”. Did you know that “The General” is based on a true story? Historically, it was a Confederate plot to steal an Union train, but Buster flipped it. One, to be different and two, he felt that making the South the bad guys was too easy. I just finished reading a book by Rue McClanahan called “My First Five Husbands”, and I am currently reading “The Other Ancient Civilizations” by Raven Todd DaSilva, who has a YouTube channel called Dig It with Raven. My family and I are watching “Frasier”. I was sick earlier this month, and I watched a hole bunch of movies whilst languishing on the couch to include “Ever After”, “Pride and Prejudice”, “My Fellow Americans”, and “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein”.
Heather Hegefeld
2025-02-26 23:08:45 +0000 UTCOh yeah Cyrano. Never heard of it :)
Ayesha Ali
2025-02-26 23:05:22 +0000 UTCContinuing my Sanderson reads with Elantris (absolutely loved), Arcanum Unbounded, and now a third of the way through Warbreaker (everyone seems to like that more than Elantris, but I'm having a bit of trouble with it. I just can't connect to any of the characters, and since everyone is basically trying to do the same thing, it feels really slow). Watched the newest Captain America, which I thought was really good. I'm glad they didn't try to do anything "new" but made it a what-would-Sam-do film. Oh yeah, and some random short film called Cyrano; loved that!
Ayesha Ali
2025-02-26 23:04:45 +0000 UTCWatched a lot less than previous months, this was more of a reading month for me. Gotta keep up on my Goodreads goal for the year! I did just start watching a new K-drama (A Good Day to be A Dog) and I'm reminded that, as a trauma therapist, I really need the light, happy ending, fluff that is this genre. Though I did watch Vagabond on Netflix, which was not at all light and it was a nice break from the usual. Hubby and I also watched Alone: Australia. I wouldn't last two days, let me tell you. Re-read a few books that I own and have read many times before. It's always nice to know exactly where everything is going. Read books 2 and 3 in the Emily Wilde series by Heather Fawcett, then discovered it was my introduction to cozy fantasy and this genre is AMAZING. See the above for why I enjoy it so much lol. Proceeded to read The House Witch #1, #2, and #3 very quickly after. Also broke away from my usual fantasy obsession to read Fairest of Heart and If the Boot Fits by Karen Witemeyer (fairy tale retellings set in 1800's Texas, very fun, but very Christian fyi), as well as You're My IT by C.N. Holmberg. Currently migrating back to fantasy by reading The Will and the Wilds by Charlie Holmberg, and will be continuing in cozy fantasy-land after that. :)
Lydia Hartzler
2025-02-26 22:19:34 +0000 UTCStill plugging away at Braiding Sweetgrass, but I’m in the final stretch! I recently watched season 1 of Arcane, and season 2 is on my radar but I’m waiting for a point where my emotions can handle it 😅
LG Alfonso
2025-02-26 21:48:22 +0000 UTCI finished reading Upgrade by Blake Crouch after I finished The Silmarillion to give myself a break before diving into The Lord of the Rings. Been watching the ten Best Picture Nominees and I got four left, one of which I’m not excited to see in the least. For games, I beat South Park: The Stick of Truth which was a blast, then I got into Avowed and it’s alright so far, but on Friday I’m going to be all about that Monster Hunter Wilds. C’mon son! Also, watched all of Cobra Kai season 6, and it was fantastic. Really hope the show is covered in the future here or on Mended Light.
Drewseph
2025-02-26 21:35:48 +0000 UTCJono: At the start of the pandemic, while I was isolated at home for months, I started watching and reviewing each of the James Bond movies, one a day. If you're interested, my marathon series is posted on my review blog. There is an archive on that page to the right where you can click each film post in order. The final film, No Time to Die, was reviewed in Oct 2021, since its release got delayed so long. https://cobyreviews.blogspot.com/2020/03/casino-royale-1954.html?m=0 I'm a huge James Bond nerd, so I enjoyed re-watching all the films and discussing them, with a little compare/contrast to the original novels they were based on, plus other James Bond trivia intermixed.
Coby Sevdy
2025-02-26 21:26:46 +0000 UTCFinished reading In at the deep end by Kate Davies, well written and fascinating story, thought it would be a fun book about a newly out Lesbian and her first relationship with a Woman, but was a bit darker as it showed a controlling and coercive behaviours in a same gender relationship, as I feel it's more often shown in different gender relationships. Might be of interest to people. Watched the last season of Big Boys, even though I predicted that ending from season 1 good series exploring mental health, friendship and (won't spoil the ending).
ImperiatrixMatt
2025-02-26 21:15:57 +0000 UTCBeen reading a lot but the highlight was ”notes of an execution”. Right up my alley, 5 stars. Follows a man on death row and 3 women who’s lives he forever changed. Sort of a thriller but also a discussion about what good, evil and justice is. And dare I say empathy? ”It’s ok to be angry about capitalism” by Bernie Sanders: I’m angry and Bernie has my back. I sort of went crazy at the library one day because I was angry at the world so I’ve read a lot of books like this that I won’t spam your comment section with 😅 and then I felt sad and read a romance to pick me up. ”practice makes perfect” by Sarah Adams. It was nice, but there’s always part of me wondering if Jono would roast it hahahah (and a part of me that sort of want to watch him do?). Watching Severance, of course. What’s the deal with the goats??! 😂
Sara Wagiström
2025-02-26 21:14:56 +0000 UTCReading A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens, The Structure of World History by Kojin Karatani, and Slow Down by Kohei Saito. Watching Deadwood and the Mad Max films. Playing Red Dead Redemption.
Lucas
2025-02-26 21:03:44 +0000 UTCWell, I took a 12.5 hour drive to see this short film written and directed by this little YouTube channel and crew. Every minute spent getting there was worth it! Finally getting to meet Emily, David, Megan, and Shona was awesome. Those people really know how to find awesome people to work with 😊. I've also been watching all the Bond movies. I've never seen them before, so it has been a genuine pleasure to watch them. I absolutely agree with Jono's statements about the series. I did subject myself to finally watching Napoleon Dynamite for the first time yesterday after an evil friend encouraged me to do so. Did I kind of like it? Yes. Will I ever watch it again? Hell no. I also watched all of The Good Place to prep for your upcoming episodes, and I watched Agatha All Along to better understand the Mended Light episodes. I plan to start Arcane next. I took a break from reading, but I did start She Comes First by Ian Kerner. I haven't read much, but I have been highly amused and entertained by it so far. Thanks for sharing these! They're a genuine pleasure to read through ❤️.
SaucyJTD
2025-02-26 20:57:09 +0000 UTCI finished the Big Bang Theory (I feel personally attacked by some of their nerdy conversations) and started on Young Sheldon. Both shows are great! Not got get political but I also listened to Hillbilly Elegy (regardless of your views it’s just an inspiring story) but senior year has prevented me from extensive reading.
Kate Larson
2025-02-26 20:53:19 +0000 UTC
