Socially Isolated

Jp and Ryan talk with the Pacific Northwest own, The Little Donuts, an all-Filipino Hall & Oates cover band. We talk about their start, their success, and what is next for this incredible group.

Jp and Ryan are back for one of their favorite recurring episodes, talking Sundance with Phillip Cowan and Chase Hutchinson. Hear their favorite picks and where you can catch the best of the fest.

The Allure of the "Page Turner" -- Talking Thrillers with Taylor Adams We are so happy to be joined by Washington-State based author Taylor Adams, writer of the books Hairpin Bridge, Eyeshot, Our Last Night, and No Exit, which was recently adapted into a Hulu feature film. We talk about what makes a great page turner, his writing process, how to adapt a book to the screen, and more. Share your favorite page-turning and thrilling books on our social media!

Jp and Ryan are pleased to welcome back Chase Hutchinson and Philip Cowan for what has become an annual tradition -- the Sundance episode! Chase, a film reviewer who has written for The Stranger and Collider, among others, and Philip, the Executive Director of The Grand Cinema and a longtime Sundance veteran, join us to tell us what's hot and what's not after viewing many many movies. Some titles we discuss include AFTER YANG, THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD, DUAL, and A LOVE SONG.

Tacoma's Narrows Bridge is a regional icon for many reasons. There's the classic footage of "Galloping Gertie" buckling in the wind before collapsing in 1940. And fifteen years ago the second span opened, bringing with it the iconic "Greedy Gertie" toll. But the real lure of the bridge is what lurks beneath the waterline -- a fabled octopus of unusual size. Filmmaker Carly Vester tells the story of the bridge and it's deeper mysteries in her documentary 700 FEET DOWN. She joins us to talk Gertie, and explore our regional fascination with the mysterious giant octopus that haunts the Narrows.

In honor of the 30th anniversary of "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle" shooting in Tacoma, we revisit the classic 90s thriller along with another era gem, "Assassins." Jp and Ryan are joined by film critic and 90s movie aficionado Amie Simon to discuss what holds up -- and what doesn't -- in these Pacific Northwest set movies. You can listen to more of Amie's movie thoughts on her podcast I Love Splatter, or via her Twitter @reamimator.

Actor and writer Greg Sestero joins Jp and Ryan for an in-depth conversation about the films that have had the greatest effect on his work and career. We discuss the 1950 classic SUNSET BLVD and Tim Burton's 1994 comedy-drama ED WOOD, along with THE DISASTER ARTIST, based on Greg's book of the same name. Greg will be in Tacoma at the Grand Cinema on December 17th, 2021 with the cult classic THE ROOM — get your tickets now!

The end of year is famously a time for top 10 lists and reflecting on a year's worth of movie achievements. But we decided to do it a little differently and look back 20 years at some of the movies of 2001 — a landmark year for movie franchises! We discuss The Fast & the Furious (the original!) and Planet of the Apes. Where were YOU in 2001?

Hello from the Tacoma Film Festival! This special episode was recorded live on location from the Filmmakers Lounge at the beautiful Grand Cinema in downtown Tacoma. We had the opportunity to chat with filmmaker Pete Ohs, producer Jesse Reed, director Zach Weintraub, writer-director Kelly Pike, as well as the festival organizer Wade Neal and graphic designer Oliver Johnson. Join us for some great conversations—and there's still time to join the festival in person before it wraps October 14th. Intro/Outro music by Dude York Transition music by Wataboi from Pixabay

Testing…testing! Jp and Ryan go live from The Grand Cinema lobby in advance of our Tacoma Film Festival episode, which we'll record on location during the festival. Tune in to hear a few of our top festival picks! If you are in the area or are planning on attending, make sure to stop by on Friday afternoon. Get your tickets to the film festival at https://www.tacomafilmfestival.com/

We are back from our summer break with a show too good to wait any longer! The latest edition of DUNE is due in theaters this October, and though the film stars some big names, you might not know the book the film is based on has some deep Tacoma and PNW roots. We talk about what inspired author Frank Herbert, and where you can explore his legacy in Tacoma, with author Erik Hanberg.

Part 2 of our blockbuster episodes. Dyer Oxley of the NW Nerd podcast joins us to talk about the great summer tradition of blockbuster movies. We reflect on our second classic fan favorite, Dick Tracy. We had such a great conversation, we've decided to break this conversation into two episodes. We also discuss blockbuster bombs. Tell us your favorite summer movie on one of our socials!

We wrap up our first season with a bang -- a blockbuster, in fact! Dyer Oxley of the NW Nerd podcast joins us to talk about the great summer tradition of blockbuster movies. We reflect on the history of the blockbuster and talk about the classic fan favorite INDEPENDENCE DAY. We had such a great conversation, we've decided to break this conversation into two episodes. Tell us your favorite summer movie on one of our socials!

School's out for summer! For this episode, Jp and Ryan discuss some graduation movie classics. Jp watches DAZED AND CONFUSED for the very first time, and shares his surprising reactions. The conversation includes other last-day-of-school favorites like Ryan's favorite, CAN'T HARDLY WAIT. Join us to kick off summer!

Jp and Ryan are joined by Tacoma's Library Director, Kate Larsen! Kate fills us in on all the ways Tacoma Public Library has been supporting people's virtual knowledge needs during the pandemic, including the essential provision of steady audiobooks for our listening pleasure. Then we dive into our first-ever book discussion, taking a look at the charming young adult novel I AM NOT YOUR PERFECT MEXICAN DAUGHTER, written by Erika L. Sánchez.

In anticipation of summer here in the Pacific Northwest, we take a look at how outdoor pursuits are portrayed in the movies. Fellow Tacoman and outdoorsman extraordinaire Jonathan Grove joins us to discuss the 2017 film THE CLIMB, directed by Ludovic Bernard, based on the true story of a young man who sets out to climb Everest with no mountaineering experience. Listen in as we talk about what movies get wrong and right about outdoor adventuring.

Jp and Ryan have put together a feeling-the-feels playlist to help you get through the rough times. Join us as we share some of the tracks that have been helping us through the hard times with joy and catharsis. The lineup includes songs from Yola, Justin Townes Earle, Toulouse, Nina Simone, Mayte Martin, and many more. Find the link to the full Spotify playlist at soisopodcast.com.

For this month's Double Feature episode, we explore the theme of isolation, one of the inescapable aspects of living in 2021. But it's not the first time pop culture has played with the pros and cons of isolation. We had some fun rewatching the 1971 sci-fi adaptation of THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN and the 1995 techno-thriller THE NET.

Jp and Ryan are joined by two special guests! Writer Chase Hutchinson (Tacoma News Tribune, The Stranger) and Philip Cowan (Executive Director of The Grand Cinema) come by to tell us their highlights from the recently wrapped Sundance Film Festival, including how you can also watch many of their film picks. Plus, Philip shares some big news from The Grand Cinema!

Jp and Ryan talk with writer, filmmaker, and advocate Jamika Scott about the wonder that is TikTok, where she is a hugely popular creator. Jamika explains the highs and lows of the popular video sharing platform, and why it's where she thinks it's where the most exciting creative energy is today. Check out soisopodcast.com for links to TikTok picks curated by Jamika.

In this Double Feature episode, we discuss two very different cinematic displays of public service in our exploration of elections and holding office. We start with Alexander Payne's classic satire Election, followed by Roger Donaldson's noble docudrama 13 Days. Let us know which portrayal of public service resonates with you; follow us on social media @soisopodcast.

Think you don't like holiday music? Maybe you just haven't heard the RIGHT holiday music! Seasonal tunes aficionado Katy Evans shares some of her favorite tracks, joining Jp and Ryan for a fun discussion about why this music is special. Check out the accompanying playlist on Spotify.

When we can't be with our family, thank goodness we have movie families! For our first "Double Feature" episode, Ryan and JP take a look back at two great movies that take on family life -- though in very different ways. Join us in revisiting "While You Were Sleeping" (1995) and "Big Fish" (2003). Keep the conversation going, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook @soisopodcast and rate and review on Apple Podcast, Spotify, or wherever you listen. You can follow us on Twitter; Ryan is @indieartsvoice and Jp is @jpavila. The music you hear on the show is by Dude York.

Jp and Ryan talk with the director of the new documentary SINCE I'VE BEEN DOWN, along with two of its featured guests, Tonya Wilson and Kimonti Carter. We discuss how initiatives among Washington State's prison population, such as the Black Prisoner's Caucus, are helping bring new direction and hope to inmates. We also talk about director Gilda Shepherd's inspiration and other films that explore criminal justice. SINCE I'VE BEEN DOWN is the opening night film of the 2020 Tacoma Film Festival.

On this, our first episode of Socially Isolated, Jp and Ryan talked with Wade Neal, Assistant Executive Director of the Grand Cinema in Tacoma, Washington about journalism in the movies. We wanted to explore the larger context and themes that the upcoming film THE FRENCH DISPATCH fit into. Each person brought an example of a movie that fit that subject. Jp discusses "The Paper," Ryan discusses, "Live from Baghdad," and Wade discusses, "All the Presidents Men." Listen in as we find some common threads and unique perspectives to these films. Music by Dude York

Hello, we are Ryan & Jp and together we made up Socially Isolated. We are about to launch this podcast and wanted to introduce ourselves and tell you what you expect in the coming episodes. Check out episodes every three weeks and follow up on Instagram, Twitter, and on our website @soisopodcast to keep up with what we are watching, reading, listening to, and enjoying.