Alan & Jono's Watching/Reading List: June 2023

Alan:

Hello Heroes!

June has been a bit insane, as we were prepping a shoot (done last week!) shuttling kids to summer camps, and getting rained on almost constantly, because what even is weather anymore now that the climate is on fire? Our garden is thriving though, so that’s nice?

What I’m reading!

• The Godfather. I’ve never read the book before. It was a monster hit in the late '60s and early '70s, obviously inspiring the movies. It feels like a slightly trashy novel from the late '60s/early '70s. It’s definitely an entertaining read. And it’s fascinating to see just how deeply organized crime was embedded into so much of the American system in the parts of the 20th century before I was alive. Just feels like a museum artifact in a way? I dunno. I enjoyed reading it though!
• The 3-Minute Rule by Brant Pinvidic. He teaches how to pitch things using lessons from pitching TV shows to Hollywood studios for years. It’s structured as a business book teaching every business leader how to pitch well, but I’m reading it because the dude has sold 100+ shows, and I want to make movies. Which I have to sell. In a pitch. Directing is not as glamorous as people think.
• The Fall of Numenor by J.R.R. Tolkien (edited by Brian Sibley). What can I say, I’m a huge nerd. I want to know more about the land of the Dúnedain, the descendants of the Edain. Is that so wrong?

What I’m watching!

• The Flash. I’m not a big fan of the DCEU, though there are some bright spots. I enjoyed this movie. Didn’t love it, thought it leaned a bit hard on the nostalgia button in the third act, but it was a fun ride. I do wish Ezra Miller would get some help, and pay for a lot of help for the people they’ve hurt. But it was a fun performance from them, and the rest of the cast was really giving it the beans. Benjamin Wallfisch is my current favorite working composer. This score is lights out great.
• Everything else I watched this month was for future episodes, so I don’t want to spoil them?

What I’m playing!

• Holedown on iOS. It’s a block breaker, but pointed downwards instead of upwards. I’ve played A LOT of it this month to de-stress.

And…

Watch Movies! (And television, and read books, and play video games)

Jono:

Hi everyone! This month I've been catching up on the entire series of Ted Lasso, from beginning to end. It's definitely in my top three favorite shows now! So wise, so sweet, so funny. I'm also enjoying The Bad Batch from the Star Wars universe.

I'm reading Radical Love by Zachary Levi. I've always enjoyed him as an actor, but I'm really digging him as a human being, especially with this book. Such a marvelous look at loving yourself and others wholeheartedly.

What have you been watching and reading this month?