Yeah, so, Smith and I got a chance to chat about this year’s Oscar nominations just a little while after they were announced. We had a fun discussion about this year’s Academy Award contenders, including some movies that we truly love.
We have SUPER FUN episode coming out next week in which we do a deep dorking out about 1992’s “The Last of the Mohicans” with AJ Muller from Horrorview and Daily Grindhouse. I have a lot of affection for this movie, so AJ and I had a great time talking about our favorite scenes and sharing why we love it.
Last week, we reviewed “The Post,” starring Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks. As a recovered newspaper reporter, I have a real soft spot for journalism movies. This one is good, but not great. We talk about it riiiight here.
There’s a lot of good movies and TV shows planned for 2018, and Smith and I made a list of some of the stories we’re most looking forward to, including “Isle of Dogs,” “The Alienist” and various Marvel and Star Wars movies. You can listen to that one riiiight here.
We have a sexual predator in the White House, and – with the help of an enabling GOP – he is attacking this country’s most vulnerable citizens, including the sick, elderly, disabled and immigrants. It’s disgusting and depressing as fuck. It fills me with rage.
I have donated money to organizations and candidates who are helping people and fighting for what’s right. I’ve been calling my reps, and occasionally reps in other districts since their votes affect me. I do what I can handle, and it makes me feel a little less helpless.
BUT, I wanted to focus on some good things that happened this year in the MansTracy household.
My mighty, mighty good boy Calvin started kindergarten, and he is flourishing. He’s so happy, and he’s learning so much. His language skills have improved by leaps and bounds.
I got a new job … kinda. The big corporate overload moved me from the Oakland office where I was the lone content person from the past 8 years to the San Francisco office to join the content team. And instead of just working on content for one brand, I will be working on the content with the team on all the brands. I’m really excited and nervous. Writing is in my comfort zone. Thinking big picture is outside my comfort zone. But, I’m down to expand my skillset. Plus, I super love being in the SF office. Not only has it cut my commute in half (and I’m taking BART instead of driving), but I absolutely adore my content coworkers. They are fuckin’ rad as hell.
I got on an airplane all by myself for the first time ever. True story. I met up with my mighty, mighty good man David in Portland after his work trip. We had a great time exploring the city, which is swimming in vegan options for me and beer for both of us. Plus, we got to see our friends Caitlin and Kirk, which made the trip even more awesome.
I got to go to Washington, DC to see my good buddy Katie and her husband Nathan. I finally got to see their house, and we spent some awesome time together walking around the Newseum, going to a Nationals game and sitting on the couch watching YouTube videos, because that’s how we roll.
We went to Santa Cruz again this year for our little family vacation, and we had an amazing time. Calvin has been asking to go back pretty much every day since we got back.
I started baking bread this year. I have always wanted to bake my own bread, but I thought it was too difficult and too time consuming. I found a perfect bread baking book: “Bread Illustrated” from America’s Test Kitchen.
My sister Michelle and my sister from another mister, Amanda, did a spa day at the Sonoma Mission Inn. We got massages and lounged by the pool with drinks. It was heaven.
I went to Bourbon & Branch for David’s birthday, and I discovered that I like gin. That’s a good thing.
My 15-year-old (!) niece Lorelei came out for the weekend, and we saw “IT” at the Alamo Drafthouse. Lorelei is a Tiny Sonia, so I knew she would love the Alamo Drafthouse. We had so much fun hanging out together. I was scared to see “IT.” I thought it was really fuck me up, but it turns out that I loved being scared about something other than the news.
After our weekend together, I went on a scary movie watching spree. It turns out I love horror movies! Funny enough, I’ve been listening to F This Movie for years, and the host Patrick Bromley is always taking about horror movies. Now I have the courage to actually watch all those movies he’s talking about.
Speaking of podcasts, Dorking Out with Chris & Sonia is still going strong. We recorded a podcast every week, except for one week. Even dorks need a week off once in a while. Super-big, mad props to my co-host Smith for keeping us on schedule, and all the work he does recording the podcast. Oh, and we got this amazing new logo by Jeff Heerman.
I’ll end this post with what everyone wants to see: Dog and cat cuddling action!
Happy New Year, you guys! Let’s hope that 2018 is chrome and shiny.
Yeah, so, we went on and on about “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” on Dorking Out with Chris & Sonia.
In episode 79, we review “The Last Jedi” with Raymond Scott Daigle, who used to work for Lucasfilm. I really loved the movie, even though I thought it was a little too long. I sing the praises of Mark Hamill, and mourn the loss of Carrie Fisher. Also, I think the Porgs are adorable, and I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise.
In episode 80, Scott sticks around for a State Of The Star Wars Galaxy discussion, in which we chat about all the upcoming “Star Wars” projects, including the Han Solo movie and “Star Wars: Episode 9.” Plus, Scott tries to convince us to watch “The Clone Wars” and “Star Wars Rebels.”
In episode 81, we talk about “Star Wars” stories we’d like to see. A Star Wars horror movie? A Star Wars romantic comedy? Why not? The podcast goes off the rails because, ummm, someone didn’t do their homework.
And finally, if you’re sick of “Star Wars” (whaaaaaaat?!), you might enjoy episode 82, our podcast in which we share some underappreciated family movies. It was a perfect opportunity for me to talk about “A Town Called Panic.”
Yeah, so, I have two really good episodes of Dorking Out with Chris & Sonia for you.
In episode 74, we review Pixar’s “Coco,” and we’re joined by my mighty, mighty good man David and Juan Uriarte of the Instant Ramen podcast. After we chat about “Coco,” we share some underappreciated animated movies. We’ve got some comments that it’s one of our funniest episodes ever, so you should definitely listen.
In episode 75, Smith and I review “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” which turns into a really interesting discussion about all the sexual harassment and sexual abuse news and stories that just go off the rails. In our second segment, BFF of the show, Peter Brown, associate editor of Assignment X joins us to talk about the new trailer for “Avengers: Infinity War.” Then we end the show with me going on and on about my love of Sam Rockwell. It’s really fun. You should listen to that one, too. If you don’t I’ll kick you in the crotch,
Yeah, so, we’ve got a few really good episodes of Dorking Out with Chris & Sonia.
This week episode, we reviewed “Justice League,” which – surprisingly – I kinda liked. It’s a mess of a movie, but there was enough in it that I enjoyed for me to give it a recommendation.
In our second segment, I go on and on about my love for “Lady Bird.” Seriously, you guys, see “Lady Bird.” I also talk about “Alias Grace” on Netflix, which is really worth watching. It’s only 6 episodes, so do it!
In last week’s episode, we shared some movies we’d like to see rebooted or remade. I don’t have the knee-jerk aversion to remakes that a lot of people have. I think there are plenty of stories that can be retold and updated in a new way. I picked – wait for it – the “Before” franchise: “Before Sunrise,” “Before Sunset” and “Before Midnight.” Now, before you get out your pitchforks, listen to the episode, because I justify my pick with really good casting choices.
Smith and I also talk about all the sexual harassment and sexual abuse allegations in Hollywood. My short answer: Fuck these people. Let’s make room for creative artists who don’t sexual harass and abuse people.
Yeah, so, I accidentally took a little break from blogging. Sorry about that. I was swamped at work all day for a few weeks, and the last thing I want to do is turn on the computer and write when I got home, which really isn’t like me. I like writing.
I’ve got a few stories to share about Halloween and shit like that, which I’ll try to publish before Thanksgiving. In the meantime, I’ve got a few episodes of Dorking Out for you.
Dorking Out Episode 69: We reviewed “Battle Of The Sexes,” starring Emma Stone and Steve Carell. Plus, the ol’ Pop Show podcast gang reunites, including Anthony C. Ferrante, Ryan Mitchelle and Peter Brown, to talk about our favorite scary movies.
Dorking Out Episode 70: We review “Mindhunter” on Netflix, which is really, really good, you guys! I know you’re all watching “Stranger Things,” but when you’re finished with that, you should watch “Mindhunter.”
Yeah, so, it’s Friday! Also, the country is shit. Wheeeee!
Let’s try to have some fun. Here’s six things I’m loving right now.
1. “Rick and Morty”
I know, I know. Everyone loves “Rick and Morty,” but my mighty, mighty good man David and I just started watching it a month or so ago. The show is hilarious, and strangely dark and serious occasionally. It brings us so much joy. We are always sharing scenes with each other and giggling, like this sext I sent David.
One of my favorite podcasting people and friend of Dorking Out, Margo D. from Book vs. Movie, has another podcast that she co-hosts called The Best Neighbors Podcast. She co-hosts it with her neighbor Erin (hence the name). They just talk about TV, movies, podcasts – the same thing we talk about on Dorking Out, but it really feels like a conversation with your favorite girlfriends. I love it. You should listen.
3. “Battle Of The Sexes”
You guys! You need to see “Battle Of The Sexes.” I really, really, REALLY liked it.
With all the sexism and discrimination in Trump’s America right now, I think we all need to see this movie. We’re going to review it in next week’s Dorking Out, so I won’t go on and on here, but it’s a great movie. It’s probably going to be one of my favorites of the year.
Whenever I hate the internet, I read stuff like this to remind me that there are some people who are still having fun out there.
5. Scary movies
I saw “It” a few weeks ago, and it felt so good to be scared of something that wasn’t the news. I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since, and I started watching scary movies at home. I’ve watched “John Carpenter’s The Thing,” “The Witch,” “Beyond The Gates,” “Tales Of Halloween” and “The Monster Squad.”
Of those movies I’d say that ‘The Witch” is the one that legit creepy and scary – the kind of horror movie that sticks with you. “Tales Of Halloween” and “The Thing” are scary fun. And “Monster Squad isn’t really scary. It’s more of a “Goonies” with monsters, but I’m putting it on this list anyway, dammit, because it’s my blog.
If you like scary movies, my favorite podcast F This Movie hosts Scary Movie Month. Everyone watches scary movies and writes seven-word reviews on their website. The reviews are amazing.
6. This tweet.
Ha ha! I love it when brands have fun on social media.
Yeah, so, in this week’s Dorking Out we review “Blade Runner 2049,” with one of my favorite podcasting people, Margo D. from Book vs Movie and The Best Neighbors Podcast. Is it a sci-fi-fi masterpiece like the original? Probably not. But I really loved it, and I can’t stop thinking about it. I need to see it again.
In our second segment, Smith and I chat about the new HBO documentary “Spielberg.” It’s basically a good reason to sit around for more than 2.5 hours and watch Steven Spielberg movie clips.
And finally, we end our show with our thoughts and feelings about the latest episode of “Star Trek: Discovery.” I’m really digging it.
We hope you enjoy our dorky podcast. You can listen to us here, or you can find us on iTunes and Stitcher.
Yeah, so, I forgot to share last week’s episode, so you get two episodes of the price of one. The price = free, by the way.
In last week’s podcast, we chatted about the Emmy Awards … remember those? It seems like forever ago I was all upset about Sean Spicer’s redemption tour. So yeah, we talked about that.
My former editor at the Chico State Orion (seriously), Todd Bishop stopped by to talk about the Silicon Valley-ing of Hollywood. He also reminded Smith and I that we used to have noble ambitions, and now we talk shit on a weekly pop culture podcast.
In this week’s episode, we talk about the long-awaited premiere of “Star Trek: Discovery.” We’ve been talking about this show for more than a year, so it’s pretty exciting.
I like what I’ve seen so far, and I’m happy for the opportunity to get in on a “Star Trek” show at the ground level and watch it from the beginning. I’ve always missed the boat starship on the other shows, watching them sporadically.
We also discuss Ken Burns’s documentary series “The Vietnam War” and review “Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” which I kinda hated.
We hope you enjoy our dorky podcast. You can listen to us here, or you can find us on iTunes and Stitcher.
Yeah, so, we review “IT” on this week’s Dorking Out. My niece Lorelei (who is 15 now, you guys!) and I went to the Alamo Drafthouse to see it. Honestly, I was prepared to be terrified. I imagined myself breaking out into tears in the theater, and Lorelei repeating softly, “It’s just a movie. It’s just a movie.”
Instead, I really loved the movie. I know. I’m as shocked as you guys. I haven’t read the book or seen the 1990 TV movie, so I went into it without any baggage. It’s a good movie. It’s very “Stranger Things”-esque, which makes sense. “IT” came first.
Anyway, Margo D. from Book vs. Movie podcast joins us to review “IT.” She’s read the book and saw the movie twice. She’s a big Stephen King fan, and she graciously agreed to stick around for our second segment in which we share our favorite Stephen King adaptations. Margo and Smith only laughed for a little while as I defended my love of “The Running Man.”
Dana Buckler from the awesome How Is The Movie podcast was supposed to join us, but he couldn’t make it for Hurricane Irma reasons. His podcasting studio is flooded, but I’m so glad he’s safe. He did a really great episode about the TV movie version of “IT” that is definitely worth listening to.
So, yeah, it’s a really fun episode. You should listen.
You can listen to our podcast here, or you can find us on iTunes and Stitcher. If you listen to the show, I’d love to hear what you think. You can comment here, or on our website or Facebook page.
