Alan & Jono's Watching/Reading List: September 2022
Added 2022-09-29 12:14:18 +0000 UTCAlan:
Hey Heroes!
Just wanted to start things off right. With a bunch of unsurprising stuff! This month I’ve been reading (or listening, I “read” a lot of audiobooks as well, especially when I’m traveling,) a weird range of stuff.
What I’m reading!
- The Pacific War Trilogy by Ian W. Toll - The Pacific Crucible, The Conquering Tide, Twilight of the Gods. My grandfather passed away a little over a year ago, and he was a naval aviator in WWII. He never talked about it. At all. But after Toll completed his trilogy of in-depth history, I decided to read them to learn more about my grandpa. It’s harrowing, sad, but full of stories of heroism and meaningful self-sacrifice from sailors and soldiers on both sides of the conflict. I’m fascinated by the extremes of human stories, and there is little in human history more extreme than the Pacific in WWII.
- The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. I re-read these books every few years. I think this is my 12th reading of them (including 2x in Russian! One with a very mediocre translation, and one with an absolutely incredible translation!) It’s a classic for a reason. The story still holds up, warts and all, but the language is transcendent.
- Skyward & Starsight by Brandon Sanderson. My current favorite fantasy author (and almost neighbor!) writes a sci-fi series about space fighter pilots? I’m in. I’m so in. I’m so far in, I’m actually looking with my lawyer into where the film rights are at, cause I’d love to adapt these to film. They’re extremely cinematic (as Sanderson books tend to be) and they’re really fun. They’re also pretty YA, so it’s not... ya know, LOTR. But they’re really entertaining me!
What I’m watching!
- Megan and I have been watching Abbot Elementary, after it picked up a bunch of (well-deserved) Emmys. It’s great! Megan taught Middle School and High School English for a few years, and she’s very involved at our kids’ Elementary School now, so the show hits close to home. But it’s also really sweet and very funny. Quinta Brunson is a national treasure!
- Re-watched AVATAR (blue people) with a bunch of fans to celebrate 1M subs last week. Holy crap. That movie’s good! (Our producers disagree. Rare point of contention in our taste). I was part of the backlash against it for a long time, but I’ve rewatched it a couple times the last few years, and damn. It’s a finely crafted, beautifully shot, spectacular rendering of a... fairly bla story.
Bonus Content!!!
- I’ve been listening to Marc Streitenfeld’s spectacular score to Prometheus a lot this month while I work on VFX for Moonstruck (my short film). It’s so much better than the movie. Especially the track “Life.” It just feels like the beginning of life on a planet. Which is what’s depicted onscreen. Spellbinding!
- Finally got a PS5 about a month ago, and I’ve been playing through Spider-Man Miles Morales. Fun story. Takes a pretty typical open-world-unlock-towers game and makes it incredibly fun because the swinging and fight mechanics are so good. I love playing games that make me feel like I can do amazing things, and the Insomniac Spider-Man games make me feel like Spider-Man!!! Not the “best” games out there, but for me, maybe the most fun?
And...
Watch Movies! (And television, and read books, and play video games)!
Jono:
I'm currently reading Knowing Her Intimately: 12 Keys for a Sextraordinary Marriage by Laura Brotherson. I work with all kinds of clients, some of whom come from traditional religious backgrounds where celibacy is practiced before marriage. In these cases, many struggle with transitioning to a mindset (and body...set?) where sex is no longer forbidden and is to be embraced as part of one's emotional and relational health. This book is for those folks, and in that context is very helpful. It isn't for everyone; more sexually-open folks will find it quaint. But it's very sex-positive, encourages healthy relationships and marriages, and for those without much of a sex education it gets the particulars right. If you come from a more traditional background, it's a solid read. If you don't, I'll try to pick something for you next time. :)
As for what I'm watching, right now the missus and I have started Modern Family over from the beginning, because the work we do is often heavy and this show tends to be light, breezy, positive, and funny. It's a perfect bedtime palatte-cleanser. Cam and Mitchell are a riot, Gloria and Jay are great, and we relate a little too well to Claire and Phil. It's on Hulu.
Also recently rewatched Firefly and the follow-up film Serenity to prepare for a CT episode and a FanX: Salt Lake Comic Convention panel on the same. I'm not thrilled with Joss Whedon these days, but I still LOVE this show. It cemented Alan and my friendship all those years ago and the very talented cast, crew, writers, and directors who worked on it put something beautiful and meaningful into the world. If you've not seen it, it's on Hulu and is a short binge. You'll have to rent the film.
What have you been watching and reading this month?
Comments
Did Alan say he read LOTR in Russian...
Julia
2024-04-15 20:19:14 +0000 UTC'Firefly and Serenity' I was really excited to see some fellow 'Brown Coat' love ❤️ from fellow fans of Firefly and Serenity! And I too would love to see an episode about either the series or Serenity - there's definitely several topics y'all could probably delve into, Lolol 🙂. 'The Mists Of Avalon' - I'd love to see a video about the book, 'The Mists Of Avalon', which I also reread once a year, which is the Arthurian legend told from the prospective of the women in the legends . Just that book however and not the others that came later. I've never read those nor had any interest to. The book only and definitely not any of the several attempts to make series/movies out of it, Lolol 🙂. 'The Hobbit & The LOTR' I too also reread The Hobbit & The LOTR about once a year, as well as all the other books Tolkien, and his son Christopher have published. I love them all. As a rule, I've never been a big fan of making movies out of any book. For me at least, the magic of books is each person develops their own pictures in their minds of what places and characters look/sound/feel like. As far as the Jackson movies of Tolkien's works go though, I'm not a fan at all - although, I was extremely pleased they got the look of Smaug right, albeit the only thing, at least for me. **I ABSOLUTELY RESPECT those who were fans of the Peter Jackson movies. Please understand what follows are just MY OWN PERSONAL THOUGHTS & FEELINGS and I SINCERELY APOLOGIZE if ANYTHING I SAY is upsetting to anyone who are fans of these films - you have every right to love any movie(s) and I ABSOLUTELY RESPECT that and ABSOLUTELY LOVE that you truly enjoyed them,🙂!** However, taking something like The LOTR and The Hobbit, both epic tales to be sure, and Jackson feeling he had the right to go through changing, adding and removing things to fit HIS personal 'vision' or because he felt his way was/is better. I'll never forgive Jackson for what he did to Tolkien's original magically beautiful works. Again, I ABSOLUTELY mean NO OFFENSE; these are just my own personal thoughts and feelings. More importantly, and back on topic, Lolol 😀, I encourage everyone to find their own personal favorite genres they have a passion for and read as many books you can find! 🙂♥️ My apologies again if I said anything upsetting to anyone 😔 - ALL OPINIONS ARE VALID and I absolutely cannot thank CT Staff and all its Patrons for encouraging everyone here to responsibly and respectfully share our ideas, comments, and views! Very Respectfully, LadyAnne ^^ö^^ (Jessica M. Kandal, PhD)
Jessica M. Kandal, Ph.D.
2023-09-20 13:58:15 +0000 UTCI couldn't get into Temeraire - I made it to the third book and just petered out. However, Spinning Silver and Uprooted were both EXCELLENT. I love retelling of fairy tales, particularly the lesser known ones.
just me
2022-10-31 18:28:20 +0000 UTCYAAAAASSSSSSS FIREFLY!!!! It's been one of my favorite series for years - although Serenity was a tragic train wreck. WHY did Joss Whedon turn out to be one of Hollywood's assholes when both Firefly and the first Avengers movie were both so spectacular?? Also, can we talk about how Alan Tudyk had become THE voice of Disney animals? (See Hei Hei, et. al)
just me
2022-10-31 18:25:35 +0000 UTCI'd do anything to have them do Heartstopper! I know it's a series, but it's a pretty quick watch and it's soooo important!
SorceryTortoise
2022-10-21 05:06:04 +0000 UTCI’m currently making my way through The Great Shame and the Triumph of the Irish in the English-Speaking World (written by Thomas Keneally, also author of Schindler’s List) and The Poems of Thomas Davis. These are the latest additions to my collection of texts covering or representing the history and culture of Ireland, which I have been making a self-study of over the past few years since my love of Ireland was reawakened. I’ve also watched several amazing films as part of this study (though none of them were watched in September). I highly recommend Michael Collins and The Wind That Shakes the Barley as introductory viewing. If any Brandon Sanderson newbies are looking for a recommendation, I could speak more highly of The Rithmatist. However, I should warn you that there is a planned sequel that you will absolutely want to read, but it hasn’t come out yet and we haven’t been given any dates for when it might be released. I’ve personally been waiting for over five years, and its both the most anticipated and most annoying thing in my literary life.
Catherine Ginn
2022-10-12 23:09:32 +0000 UTCI've been reading the Graphic Novel series Heartstopper, and I'm obsessed with it! It's my favorite book series of all time. I discovered it this past month. It covers the topics of LGBTQ+, bullying, Eating Disorder, Abuse/Assault, etc. The series manages to talk about all of that while still keeping a lighthearted feel and not invalidating anything. As for watching, I've been rewatching The Maze Runner series, Divergent series, lots of Studio Gibli, and Black Clover anime. As for Playing, I've been playing Slime Rancher, Bioshock, and Sims 4. I 💖 you guys!
Opal Evergreen
2022-10-05 00:28:55 +0000 UTCI finished the Naomi Novak Scholomance Trilogy this week. I loved her aTemeraire series and this one was gold too. No spoilers but the ending was a bit vague. But still worth a read. Currently watching a lot of Korean and Chinese dramas
Ariadwyn
2022-10-04 23:54:33 +0000 UTCBooks: Bought tons for one of my University Victorian Fiction course, so currently I'm reading through Vanity Fair and the Moonstone. For pleasure rereading Dracula and Frankenstein. With movies, I've watched Blonde recently (not a fan personally) but did enjoy X, Life is Beautiful and Spirited Away again
2022-10-03 23:28:54 +0000 UTCAh! Skyward! Knew you were a BrandoSando fan from your bookshelf in early videos. I am a big fan of his and love that series. Every book goes in a different direction than I anticipated and I can't wait for the conclusion next year.
Reilly Willoughby
2022-10-03 23:26:25 +0000 UTCAlan, if you like the Fantasy genre, you will likely enjoy the Garrett, P.I. series by Glen Cook. It takes the Fantasy genre and often turns it on its head. It's in the mode of the Nero Wolfe books by Rex Stout, creative, engaging, self-deprecatingly humorous, and altogether a worthy read (14 books in all, start with Sweet Silve Blues (1987) the first to see if you'd like the rest of the series). I also enjoy audio books with good narrators. I presume you've listened to Rob Inglis' The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings narration? Wonderful! As far as what I'm watching, I'm kinda out of fiction viewing. I'm watching the YT minidocumentaries on RealLifeLore (fascinating tidbits of this reality and whatifs). I also enjoy the breadth of films discussed on the YT site CineFix. And of course I'm watching CinemaTherapy and Mended Light! Thank you both so much for your content and compassion!
Bravehome
2022-10-03 20:50:56 +0000 UTCMy sister got me hooked on Ertugral: Resurrection. I’m on a break from it at the moment as it’s a lot of reading - unless you already speak Turkish. Lol
2022-10-03 16:19:21 +0000 UTCMaybe we could make that a Patreon subscriber goal or something. Like if we get to 1,000 or 2,500 or whatever. We’re still figuring out what those stretch goals should be.
Cinema Therapy
2022-10-01 18:50:47 +0000 UTCMovies: She’s Out of My League, Law Abiding Citizen, Blue Lagoon, Cool Hand Luke, Hateful Eight, Django Unchained, Tucker and Dale vs Evil, Gone Girl, I Care A Lot, The Giver, Get Out, Us(PLEASE MAKE AN EPISODE FOR JORDAN PEELE’s US!), A Time To Kill Netflix: Love on the Spectrum, You, I Think You Should Leave, Atypical, Stranger Things, On My Block, Ozark, Bloodline, Black Mirror, The Last Dance, Master of None, Maid, Jo Koy, Tom Segura, How To get away with Murder, The Lincoln Lawyer Your Honor w/ Brian Cranston
Tres Ring
2022-09-30 16:48:38 +0000 UTCCan y’all do Bringing Down the House (Queen Latifah) and talk about racial/ethnic themes? Movies Want to see: Barbarian, Where the Crawdads Sing (after I read it) Netflix: Greenleaf: black soap opera produced by Oprah about Memphis preacher family Nonfiction: In the realm of Hungry Ghosts-Gabor Mate Coddling of the American Mind The Autobiography of Malcom X To Hell with the Hustle - Bethke The ruthless elimination of hurry Preston Sprinkle’s People to be Loved: Why homosexuality is more than just an issue Blink, Outliers Malcom Gladwell
Tres Ring
2022-09-30 16:33:07 +0000 UTCOoh, I've heard really good things about Andy Serkis's audiobook version of LOTR. What do you think of it?
Cinema Therapy
2022-09-30 14:58:27 +0000 UTCGood Omens is amazing! And let's be honest, we'd happily watch Michael Sheen and David Tennant in just about anything.
Cinema Therapy
2022-09-29 22:12:32 +0000 UTCI've been reading Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr and The Myth Of Normal by dr. Gabor Maté. I'm re-watching Good Omens for the umpteenth time and it's just as amazing as ever. I love the Michael Sheen-David Tennant duo.
2022-09-29 21:38:24 +0000 UTCI haven't been reading anything this month, but I have been watching a lot. I've been watching: Cobra Kai s5 She Hulk Mighty Ducks Game Changers Andor Jurassic Park: Camp Cretaceous
Matt
2022-09-29 19:57:08 +0000 UTCthis is my official request Alan to record gaming videos for patreon
Avery Panganiban
2022-09-29 16:51:14 +0000 UTCI always loved Avatar, it was my favorite for several years. Granted I was like 11 when it first came out, so in retrospect I can understand some minor criticisms. But it always got way too much hate for a genuinely solid film and I’m happy to see people showing it love again.
RhoBean
2022-09-29 16:29:29 +0000 UTCI’ve been reading 3 books; Andy Serkis’s audiobook for LOTR Gideon the Ninth And Dracula (the classic) except broken up by date and then emailed on that day for reading. It’s called Dracula Daily Haven’t been watching anything except for second hand watching House of the Dragon, Alt Shift X does some wonderful Q&A I watch
Steven S
2022-09-29 15:53:45 +0000 UTCNot yet but it's 3rd on my read list 🙌🏻 so I'll get to it next week lol 😋 Right after some J K Rowling books
2022-09-29 15:10:49 +0000 UTCThe Good Place is always a good choice! LOVE that show.
Cinema Therapy
2022-09-29 15:06:26 +0000 UTCWe've heard it's really good! Haven't had a chance to watch it yet, but hoping to get to it soon.
Cinema Therapy
2022-09-29 15:05:40 +0000 UTCThe Martian (both the book and the movie) is so good! Have you read Project Hail Mary (also by Andy Weir)? Highly recommend.
Cinema Therapy
2022-09-29 15:03:56 +0000 UTCI'm rewatching The Good Place and I'm reading The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz
2022-09-29 15:03:05 +0000 UTCHello! I read a lot 🥲 so my list of recently read books are A ballad of never after They both die at the end Bullet train Six of crows (for the 30th time) What I watched? I rewatched arcane And that’s about it
Evs
2022-09-29 15:00:46 +0000 UTCI also binged Abbott Elementary after it's big Emmy wins. A must see! I am also watching: Reservation Dogs Star Trek Lower Decks Andor Ghosts And rewatching the Big Bang Theory with 2022 eyes. It's amazing how POV changes over time. In between books at the moment, but I have been listening to The Sandman on audiobook again, and will probably start part 3 soon. As for gaming, just completed Ghosts of Tsushima, starting Horizon Forbidden West.
Jeffrey Hale
2022-09-29 13:38:48 +0000 UTCReread and rewatched the Martian. Love both of them 🥰 Currently reading The Spanish Love Deception while listening to my younger brother rave about my all time favorite series, the Eon: Dragoneye Reborn (and later it's sequel Eona) (I've been trying to get him to read these for years so I'm practically rereading it with him) Currently watching nothing (ahem, I meant CINEMA THERAPY 🪩💃🏻) (I'm back into my school routine until December) but JUST finished watching the latest season of Cobra Kai and season 5 of Resurrection: Ertugrul
2022-09-29 13:24:53 +0000 UTCI've been reading a series by RJ Blain that self describes as magical romantic comedy (with a body count). It seems like candy at first and they are very easy reads, but there's some real depth and she touches on some serious issues amidst the humor. If anyone is interested, the first book is Playing With Fire. There are currently 20 books in the series.
Faith Donovan
2022-09-29 13:19:18 +0000 UTCi recently watched marcel the shell with shoes on, based on the viral youtube shorts from years ago. it was deceptively profound and heartwarming, to say the very least. cried a lot
ajanim
2022-09-29 12:57:30 +0000 UTCI just finished reading The Martian by Andy Weir! So good and really funny but also deals with strong emotions in a really human way. I always love books that just follow one character the way through and when they're done well like this one it really let's you know the character deeply. My next read is The Grapes of Wrath. I've also been watching The Sandman on Netflix which is giving me big Twilight/Edward Cullen vibes but its something different! And I've been watching Dahmer with my mum, it definitely took a while to get going and though I suspect Evan Peters has nailed Dahmer's mannerisms, he's not the most interesting character. The episodes are now starting to focus on those affected by his crimes which I'm finding much more enjoyable so I'd stick with it! I've been listening to Dominic Fike whose voice and music style I just love and only discovered earlier this year. My favourite song of his is 3 Nights! Loving the bonus content guys! Xx
alia
2022-09-29 12:56:06 +0000 UTCHello together, i Just finished Justified and startet a rewatch of Person of interest. I guess for the fith time now. 🤭 Currently i am Reading mascarade by Sir Terry Prattchet.
Jens Romnoneck
2022-09-29 12:44:54 +0000 UTC
