Alan & Jono's Watching/Reading List: June 2026 (Patreon)

Alan:

Hello CT Studios Filmmakers!

Summer time, and the livin’s easy? Sure. I mean, I had a lot of time for reading?

What I’m reading!

The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr: I loved this book so much I immediately bought copies for several friends, including Jono. One of the best books I’ve ever read about storytelling, both from an analytic standpoint, and from a practical, how-do-I-do-this-better standpoint. Strong recommend!!!

Carl’s Doomsday Scenario and The Dungeon Anarchists Cookbook by Matt Dinniman: Are the Dungeon Crawler Carl books good? Not really, no. Are they fun and escapist? Very much, yes. Sometimes we all need to make things go boom.

Who is Government by Michael Lewis: Love me a good Michael Lewis. And I’m a genuine believer in good government. While also acknowledging that lots of parts of the US government aren’t that good. Still, love to read a few stories, of the zillions, of people doing it right!

The Last Kings of Hollywood by Paul Fischer: Deeply reported, loads of interviews, fascinating time in the world of movies… Consider me hooked. Great read on the late '60s through early '80s when Hollywood remade itself in the image of Coppola, Lucas, and Spielberg.

Anything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-Earth by Ian Nathan: Deeply researched. Tons of new interviews. Though lots of Appendices content as well. Still, the most in-depth book I’ve ever read about the making of my favorite films. Prompted what I’m watching this month.

What I’m watching!

Shrinking S2: I’m way behind on this, but it’s a great show, and I like shows that are great. Especially ones that are great and funny. Definitely recommend if you haven’t watched it yet.

Disclosure Day: Opening day for me, because duh. I really enjoyed it. Felt shaggy and a bit undercooked in a very similar way to how Close Encounters feels (minus the titanic score). Not a perfect movie, but very worth seeing in theaters. Spielberg hits different on the big screen. Don’t wait for streaming with this one.

What I’m playing! Still! 

Nuclear Option - Just lots of Nuclear Option while I wait for Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resync and Halo Campaign Evolved to come out. Yep. Nostalgia-bait works for me! But seriously, two of the greatest single-player games of all time! I’m gonna be into it.

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

Jono:

Hey all. How was your June? I got married and went on my honeymoon, but we still found time to catch some great movies in theaters!

Masters of the Universe was so much fun. Plot holes and inconsistent characterizations didn't deter me when the world-building, performances, music, comedy, and action hit so hard. Big fan of the film's core message about healthy masculinity. I am shocked, shocked, that Jared Leto is actually GREAT in this as Skeletor.

Disclosure Day is mid-tier Spielberg, which means it's still better than most movies. It's too long and self-important, but the direction as well as performances by Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth, and Colman Domingo carry it through. Haunting and meaningful.

Toy Story 5 is delightful, funny, and emotional. It totally justifies its existence with a genuinely sweet story. Watch our episode with filmmakers Andrew Stanton and Kenna Harris now!

As for books, Karlie (my wife) got me Horror Movie Monsters for my birthday. Written by John Landis (director of the Thriller music video and An American Werewolf in London), it covers more than 100 years of practical monster effects and history. My scary-movie-loving daughter and I adore it!

What have you all been watching and reading?