So Pretentious... a podcast

Two friends discuss The Mandalorian. 

So Pretentious

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

Episode 6: Self Care Thy Name Is Cupcake 

We end spooky season by discussing movies and television shows that creep us out. And yes, we do talk about Lovecraft Country again, primarily episode 7 and a little bit of 8 and 9 so consider yourself warned. Helder shares the origins of the waves monologue featured in an earlier episode.

Discussion topics (partial list):

• Lovecraft Country (mostly episode 7)
• Event Horizon
• Tenet
• The Medieval Fun Time extended trailer
• The Good Place 
• The Brood
• Night of the Living Dead
• Shaun of the Dead
• Get Out
• Screaming Jay Hawkins
• The Ring
• LEGO sets
• Obama by Pete Souza
• The Mandalorian 
• 99 Percent Invisible podcast
  • The Green Book episode
• Warshan Shire quote about naming daughters
• Key and Peele
  • White Zombies
  • Alien Imposters

A Moment in Self Care

Helder: Eating a cupcake from Hall’s Market and reading “Obama” by Peter Souza to support a local book store, River Bend Bookshop.

Vivian: Watching the documentary, Horror Noire 

What Are You Sleeping On

Helder: Los Espookys

Vivian: Movie - The Evil Eye and the Spooked podcast 

So Pretentious

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

Episode 5: The Snobbery of Reading 

We discuss the snobbery surrounding reading. In order to be seen as “literate” you must read the right books written by the right people which means graphic novels are a big no-no. Also, even if you read the right books they only count if you read them the “right way” so no audiobooks and for god sakes, do not even think about using an e-reader. We believe people should read what they want in whatever format(s) work best for them. 

We discuss (partial list):

• Graphic novels
  • The March Trilogy 
• Audiobooks
  • The Passage by Justin Cronin
  • Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way by Bruce Campbell (read by author)
  • Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin
  • God Bless the Child by Toni Morrison (read by author)
  • Becoming by Michelle Obama (read by author)
• E-books
• The Kid Stays in the Picture by Robert Evans
• Chicken soup from Hall’s Market
• Hartford Stage’s Breakdancing Shakespeare 
• Orson Welles’ “Voodoo” Macbeth
• The queen, Octavia Butler - Parable of the Sower 
• Philip K. Dick - Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?
• Bubba Ho-Tep
• What are people sleeping on? 
  • Helder: Love and Rockets, the graphic novel. 
  • Vivian: The Public Theater’s theatrical podcast Richard the II (Vivian accidentally said Richard the Third….ooops).

So Pretentious 

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

We started the conversation with a discussion about Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the importance of mammograms then we decided to keep the cancer talk going (because f*ck cancer). How does it impact the person living with it? How does it impact family and other loved ones? What can you do to help people dealing with it? Should we use words like “battle” and “fight” in regards to cancer? 

Believe it or not we somehow managed to pivot to a discussion about Batman. Is he a friend or foe? Is he really the good guy or is his white privilege showing? We also announced the date of our Watchmen episode! Buckle up, kids. We are going to Tulsa...soon. 

Mammogram Services for those without health insurance:

• Where to Get a MaEpisode 4 - F*ck Cancer or Who Are the Good Guys? mmogram
• Find a Screening Program Near You 

We discuss (partial list):

Breast Cancer

F*ck Cancer 

X-Men

Batman 

Watchmen 

Spin, documentary on YouTube

Bitch Planet

Politically Reactive

March trilogy

Voting

Widows, the movie

We wanted to honor World Mental Health Day by sharing our own mental health struggles and coping strategies. We hope this helps. Please be kind to yourself, especially during these difficult times.

Mental services/resources for those without health insurance:

• 7 Ways to Seek Therapy Without Breaking the Bank
• How to Access Therapy and Other Mental Health Services If You Don’t Have Insurance 

We discuss (partial list):

• Mental health
• Therapy
• Grief
• Sister Sister (Yes, again)
• Marvel: Chadwick Boseman (Rest in Power), Thor/Chris Hemsworth, and Infinity War
• Haunting of Hill House
• Podcasts centering mental health: 
• The Hilarious World of Depression 
• Therapy for Black Girls
• Imani State of Mind

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

We discuss (partial list):
Lovecraft Country episodes 1-5n - HBO & HBO Max
The Alien Trilogy (yes, trilogy)
The Terror: Infamy (season 2) - Hulu & AMC
A.P. Bio - The Peacock streaming service
Gremlins
Child stars and the film and television industry
Tia and Tamera Mowry
Living Single
Wine and sommelier
Som, documentary
Uncorked, Netflix
Regina the King
Watchmen
The Emmys
Southland
227
Poetic Justice
Yahya Abdul Mateen II
Jean Smart
Octavia Butler
Graphic Storytelling and Y.A.
Racism
H.P. Lovecraft
America
Please note that this episode was recorded prior to the announcement of the Breonna Taylor decision.

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

We discuss (partial list):
October is all about scary movies! 

• Scary movies that Helder hasn’t watched
• Aliens (yes, again but very briefly)
• The Exorcist and James Baldwin
• The Scream films
• Candyman
• Wine - Drinking culture
• Friday the 13th
• Nightmare on Elm Street and a New Nightmare 
• Marianne (Netflix)
• Haunted (Netflix)  

What's your favorite scare?