So Pretentious... a podcast

So Pretentious

Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers.

Episode 20, Good Grief: Today we discuss grief. We are all grieving something or someone so lets do it together. If your grief is overwhelming you, please see the resources below. Don’t go through this alone. We also briefly discuss this year’s Academy Award Nominations.

Suicide Prevention

Suicide Prevent Lifeline

• 800-273-8255
• Text HELLO to 741741
• https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org

Prevent Suicide CT

• https://www.preventsuicidect.org

National Mental Health Institute

• https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/index.shtml

Therapy Resources

• Finding Therapy
• Find a Therapist via Psychology Today
• Good Therapy 

Mental Health Resources for People without Health Insurance

• How to Access Therapy and Other Mental Health Services If You Don’t Have Insurance
• Mental health services: How to get treatment if you can’t afford it
• Getting Mental Health Help When You Don't Have Insurance

Stationary and Comic Bookshops

• Hartford area
  • Hartford Prints
  • Key Book Store
  • A Hero’s Legacy Comic books  
• USA
  • Greer 

Sleeping On

Helder: Fountain pens

Vivian: Stationary

Moment in Self Care 

Helder: Baking

Vivian: Audiobooks, short stories, and the Scam Goddess podcast - Start with the  Hilaria Baldwin or Mena Chang episodes.

Shout outs

Joint shout out: Helder’s cousin, Vera

Helder: The Late William Harnish 

Social media

Twitter 

• SoPretentious2
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

Instagram

• SoPretentiousPodcast
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

WandaVision, Part 2/Finale

@heldermira and @edwardodell are joined for the finale recap by Courtney King (@connecticutting)!  We dive into  the finale, give our takes and share thoughts in the implications going forward.  Spoilers, as always, so buckle up.

Sleeping On:

Courtney: Sleep and News not brought to you by twitter

Helder: (totally slept on his own question)

Ed: Les Blank's Documentary on Werner Herzog’s Fitzcarraldo:  Burden of Dreams
And Blue Anon

Shout Outs

Courtney:  Joe Milone (@joemilone)

Helder: @connecticutting and @edwardodell

Ed: Susan Campbell, Hearst Media, @campbellsl, fresh out of Twitmo


Self Care:

Courtney: Spending time outside with her goats

Helder:  Opening windows to let fresh air in!

Ed: Resting

WandaVision, Part 1

So Pretentious recaps are back! Sort of...

@heldermira and @edwardodell are here to recap the new WandaVision series that just wrapped on Disney Plus.  We’re jumping in head first as we build to the series finale, discussing the Marvel source material, the myriad connections within the extended MCU, casting/story choices, references and influences.

So Pretentious

Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers.

Episode 17 -  Our Watchmen Finale: We (finally) close the loop on our Watchmen discussion. Topics include: Lady Trieu, Judd and white supremacy, further exploration of Hooded Justice, and the show’s finale. With special guest, Edward Odell. 

Sleeping On

Ed: Thrice Upon a Time

Helder: Lupin, Netflix

Vivian: L Word Generation Q, Showtime

Moment in Self Care 

Ed: Cooking 

Helder: Building LEGO sets

 Lighting a fire

 Binge watching

Photo a day project 

Vivian:  Walking the dog

 Listening to audiobooks and Here to Slay

Shout outs

Ed: Susan Campbell, Hearst Media 

Helder: Eugene Goodman

Vivian: Black and brown content creators

Dionne Warwick on Twitter 

Social media

Twitter 

• SoPretentious2
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

Instagram

• SoPretentiousPodcast
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

So Pretentious

Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers.

Episode 16 Miami or Bust: This week we fangirl over our queen Regina (THEEEEEE) King and her directorial film debut One Night in Miami. There is so much to talk about! The writing, the performances, and of course, the directing! Take the journey with us. 

Leslie Odom Jr. singing A Change is Gonna Comefrom One Night in Miami

Sleeping On

Helder: The last seasons of 30 Rock

Vivian: Las Culturistas podcast 

Moment in Self Care 

Helder: Taking a day off 

Vivian: Deciding to NOT to be productive 

Shout outs

Helder: James Hadley and Peter McMorris of Cinestudio

Vivian: Race & Democracy: America is Always Changing, But America Never Changes featuring Dr. Eddie S. Glaude Jr. - Virtual event hosted by Trinity College 

Social media

Twitter 

• SoPretentious2
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

Instagram

• SoPretentiousPodcast
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

So Pretentious

Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers.

Episode 15: So Valentine’s Day got us thinking about love...wait, but not in the way that you are thinking. There are many types of love out there yet the world only seems to focus on romantic love. Love exists beyond romance so let’s talk about it. I’ve got a sneaky feeling that after you listen to the show you’ll find that love actually is all around😉

Rest In Peace: Cloris Leachman, Christopher Plummer, and Cicely Tyson

Sleeping On

Helder: High Fidelity, the tv show (Hulu) 

Vivian: The Expanse (Amazon Prime), Hear to Slay (Luminary), and Politically Reactive 

Moment in Self Care 

Helder: Listening to records 

Vivian: Cava 

Shout outs

Helder: Angela, Priya, and Su-Chee

Vivian: Luiselle

Social media

Twitter 

• SoPretentious2
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

Instagram

• SoPretentiousPodcast
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

So Pretentious

Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers.

Episode 14 - Saying No is Self-Care: Dr. Viana is back and we need her! She shares advice and critical self-care tips. Enjoy! 

Mental health resources for the uninsured

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA)
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA) 
• Better by Today

Sleeping On

Helder: Listening to music more 

Viana: Local news before 11 am, particularly Fox 61 News’ segment, Verify

Vivian: Parable of the Sower, graphic novel 

Moment in Self Care 

Helder: Naps and not beating himself up

 Logging off social media

Viana: Naps and listening to music

Vivian: Enjoying the still/peaceful moments

Shout outs

Helder: His dad 

Viana: Her friends Kenny and Avoleen   

Vivian: Ice cream and candy

Social media

Twitter 

• SoPretentious2
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

Instagram

• SoPretentiousPodcast
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

So Pretentious

Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers.

Episode 13: ...Happy New Year... I guess...

The new year just started and we are already tired. Anyway, welcome to season 2. 

Sleeping On

Helder: Reading and Love and Rockets, graphic novel
Vivian: Survivor 

Moment in Self Care 

Helder: Practicing acceptance and forgiveness
Vivian: Walking/Being outside 

Shout outs

Helder: Vivian
Vivian: Helder’s mom 

Special announcement: Next month we are discussing the graphic novel adaptation of Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower adapted by writer Damian Duffy and artist John Jennings

SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter 

• SoPretentious2
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

Instagram

• SoPretentiousPodcast
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

Helder's Photo A Day project:

• Follow on Twitter
• Flickr

So Pretentious

Two friends talking about the intersections of popular culture, society, and the world. And yes, there are spoilers.

Episode 12 - The Holidays are for Streaming (featuring special guest Edward Obell)

Because of COVID-19 going to the movies seems to (temporarily?) be a thing of the past and streaming new blockbusters releases is the “wave of the future.” Join us as we discuss Wonder Women 1984 and Soul. We also discuss The Photograph, starring Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfield, a smaller film that didn’t get enough attention because it was released right before pandemic really hit.  Our final episode of 2020 (Good riddance!) packs a punch. 

Sleeping On

Ed:

1. Book: Between the World and Me
2. Podcast: QAnon Anonymous 
3. Music: Low-fi hip hop
4. TV Show: Call My Agent/10% (from France)

Helder:

1. Movie: Knives Out & Jojo Rabbit
2. Books/Graphic Novels: The MARCH Trilogy, The Complete Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck, and Green Lantern/Green Arrow
3. Podcast: The Last Post by the Bugle
4. TV Show: The Mandalorian, The Good Place, and The Agents of Shield
5. Music: A special playlist created by Helder and his friend

Vivian: 

1. Book: All Boys Aren’t Blue
2. Music: Soca (on Saturdays while you clean the house)
3. TV Show: Watchmen and Girlfriends 
4. Movie: Horror Noire and Coherence 
5. Podcast: Scam Goddess 

Social media

Twitter 

• SoPretentious2
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

Instagram

• SoPretentiousPodcast
• LivelyVivian
• HelderMira

Mandolorian Chapter 16: “The Rescue”

Summary:  

We’re gathering up our Grogu rescue posse, including Boba, Fennec Shand, Bo-Katan, Koska Reeves and a not-particularly-reluctant Dr. Pershing.   After the crew intercepts Pershing and commandeers his Imperial Lambda Shuttle, Boba and Koska trade a few blows on an unnamed refinery planet before establishing yet another hasty alliance. The plan: Mega-Mando Team Up! Mando gets Grogu, Cara gets Moff Gideon and Bo-Katan gets the Darksaber, while Boba uses Slave One as a decoy.  Jumping out of hyperspace, Boba will give the appearance of a chase, with the rest of the crew looking to sneak aboard Moff Gideon’s Light Cruiser using Pershing’s stolen shuttle. 

Helder and Edward on Twitter: @heldermira @edwardodell

IMPORTANT FOR FRIENDS OF THE SHOW:

We’re planning a post-season recap show! We want to invite as many of you on as can reasonably be managed, so, rather than one, giant, impractical Zoom call, we plan to do sessions either one-on-one, or in small groups, then edit it together. IF you’re interested, hit us up either in the DMs, or snitch tag us at the show’s main account: @sopretentious2

Notes:

Chapter 16 delivers on the much anticipated season two finale with some nice, big payoffs in terms of action and pathos. Spoilers were dropping like crazy on social media on the day of the premiere, and if you aren’t aware that the Jedi who comes in to save the day is Luke Skywalker, well, all we can say is you’re listening to the wrong Mando-recap podcast.

This is a superb way to cap off what has been an excellent season for Mando. Favreau, Filoni and Director Peyton Reed delivered in a way that was emotionally strong and poignant without going entirely over to cloying sentimentality.  Kudos to the entire cast and especially the production staff.

Most of the criticism seems to focus on the practical matter of Mark Hamill’s casting-via-CGI, which was wisely kept to a minimum. It didn’t maintain the suspension of disbelief for everyone:

https://www.thewrap.com/the-mandalorian-that-cgi-character-luke-skywalker-was-really-weird/

Temuera Morrison’s Boba Fett makes this season finale an “all-helmet” event, though not before popping Bib Fortuna straight in the dome in the post-credit sequence:

https://www.looper.com/298550/the-mandalorian-chapter-16-post-credits-explained/

Interesting Tweets:

@MingNa talking about The upcoming Book of Boba Fett:

https://twitter.com/MingNa/status/1341063828130332672?s=20