pop culture
Modern popular culture topics in the geek sphere.
Spongebob Review
“Jellyfish Jam,” the second half the seventh episode of SpongeBob SquarePants’ first season, unfolds as a tightly woven narrative that juxtaposes the carefree exuberance of Bikini Bottom’s most beloved insect with the chaotic consequences of an unfiltered dreamscape. The episode opens with SpongeBob’s ordinary routine—blissfully chasing jellyfish after work—only to have his bliss disrupted when a sudden storm forces him to seek shelter in a nearby sea‑cave. Inside, a bolt of lightning flickers, the cavern’s natural acoustics reverberate, and SpongeBob drifts into a vivid, psychedelic slumber. In his dream, the jellyfish swarm becomes an electrified rave, complete with pulsating neon lights, a thumping bassline, and an endless loop of Jellyfish Jam‑style dancing. When SpongeBob awakens, the dream’s residue lingers in the real world, turning the mundane act of jellyfishing into an almost hallucinogenic marathon. The episode’s structure cleverly layers diegetic and non‑diegetic elements, allowing the audience to experience the same disorienting blend of reality and fantasy that SpongeBob does, thereby reinforcing the show’s core thematic preoccupation with the thin line between imagination and everyday life.
By Forest Green8 days ago in Geeks
Spongebob Review
The "Hall Monitor" episode of SpongeBob SquarePants has a simple yet classic premise: SpongeBob, having finally earned his hall monitor badge after an exhaustive test, is brimming with an almost terrifying enthusiasm for enforcing school rules. His transformation from cheerful fry cook to a rigid, power-drunk authority figure is instantaneous and absolute. He immediately begins patrolling the halls of the boating school with militaristic precision, his once-friendly demeanor replaced by a stern, pencil-pushing rigidity as he mercilessly issues citations for the most minor infractions, from improper shoe-tying to walking in a straight line. This rapid descent into bureaucratic tyranny sets the stage for the episode’s central chaos, showcasing how a good-natured character can become dangerously comical when given a tiny sliver of power, all while his friend Patrick looks on with bemused confusion.
By Forest Green8 days ago in Geeks
"Solo Mio" (2026): A Fresh Romantic Comedy
Love brings challenges and adventures. Solo Mio flew into theaters in 2026. Matt Taylor’s fiancée stands him up at the altar. As he attempts to find answers about his lost romance, Matt ventures the streets of Rome doing activities alone. In his journey, he meets new people.
By Marielle Sabbag9 days ago in Geeks
Regina Spektor's FAR (album review)
Regina Spektor's 2009 album Far,* her fifth studio effort, arrives like a whimsical comet streaking through the indie-pop cosmos--bright, unpredictable, and leaving trails of introspection in its wake. Produced with the polished touch of multiple heavyweights like Jeff Lynne and Mike Elizondo, Far refines Spektor's signature blend of piano-driven quirkiness, vocal acrobatics, and lyrical depth without sanding off her eccentric edges. It's an album that feels both intimate and expansive, as if Spektor is whispering secrets from a crowded room while gazing at distant stars. Clocking in at just over 45 minutes, it explores the absurdities of existence through a lens that's equal parts playful and profound, inviting listeners to laugh, cry, and ponder the human condition. But beneath the melodic charm lies a rich vein for analysis: from psychological unravelings to sociopolitical undercurrents, Far begs to be dissected like a dream journal scribbled in the margins of a philosophy text.
By ANTICHRIST SUPERSTAR9 days ago in Geeks
Our Lady Peace's CLUMSY (album review)
Our Lady Peace's 1997 sophomore album Clumsy* crashes onto the alt-rock scene like a meteor from the Canadian suburbs--raw, introspective, and laced with the kind of anthemic hooks that defined the post-grunge era. Frontman Raine Maida's lyrics, paired with the band's muscular yet melodic soundscapes (courtesy of guitarist Mike Turner, producer Arnold Lanni, and drummer Jeremy Taggart), transform personal turmoil into universal anthems. Clocking in at around 45 minutes across 11 tracks, Clumsy builds on their debut Naveed by amplifying the emotional stakes: it's less about ethereal mysticism and more about the gritty grind of identity, alienation, and the quiet wars men wage against themselves and society. Released amid the tail end of grunge's heyday, it captures the 90s zeitgeist--think flannel-clad existentialism meets radio-friendly riffs--while probing deeper into the psyche. Entertaining as a head-banging road trip companion, it's thought provoking as a mirror to male vulnerability, making it a staple for anyone who's ever stared at the ceiling at 4 a.m., questioning everything.
By ANTICHRIST SUPERSTAR9 days ago in Geeks
Only Lovers Left Alive
Today I watched "Only Lovers Left Alive," a 2013 Jim Jarmusch film. It is hard to define its genre: Wikipedia describes it as "Gothic fantasy comedy-drama," but I've also seen it defined as "horror thriller." I guess to say it has a little bit of everything would be fair. I'm going to run it quickly through my usual media literacy analysis, with major spoilers included. So if you want to watch it and hate spoilers, you should probably stop here.
By Lana V Lynx9 days ago in Geeks
Amy Rose was the first Time-Travel Hedgehog
When you think of time travel in the Sonic the Hedgehog lore, who is the first that pops into your head? I thought it was Silver the Hedgehog, just like several other people. But guess what? Amy Rose did take part in time travel, and so did Metal Sonic.
By stephanie borges10 days ago in Geeks
100 Years of 'Winnie The Pooh': 10 Real Life Facts About This Beloved Bear
2026 is a double anniversary for the classic character Winnie the Pooh, marking 100 years since the release of A.A Milne's first Pooh book, Winnie-the-Pooh, in 1926, and 60 years since the first appearence of Disney's Winnie the Pooh, in the 1966 featurette Winnie The Pooh and The Honey Tree.
By Kristy Anderson10 days ago in Geeks
Which Sonic Character has the saddest backstory?
I recently watched a video by YouTuber Tyrecordslol discussing how many fans believe Shadow the Hedgehog has the saddest backstory in the Sonic franchise. While I understand why Shadow’s story resonates with so many, I actually think there are two characters who could rival him: Knuckles and Silver the Hedgehog.
By stephanie borges10 days ago in Geeks
From Variants to Legacy
This idea didn’t come from a panel, a publisher, or a Comic-Con keynote. It came from a comment section. After I published my article about how comic shops don’t need more collectors but more readers, I came across a comment that quietly reframed the entire conversation. The commenter pointed out something that, in hindsight, feels almost obvious: libraries are often the genuine point of entry for new comic readers, not comic shops.
By Jenna Deedy11 days ago in Geeks
