pop culture
Modern popular culture topics in the geek sphere.
Hidden Meanings you had no idea were in Harry Potter!
The Harry Potter books have been in circulation for over 20 years now (I know, I can't believe it either) but how many of these hidden gems did you know about the characters and spells that we've come to know and love?
By T. Freya Taylor5 years ago in Geeks
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance & The Mandalorian
The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Series Review In a surprise move, although not so surprising considering the company itself. Netflix has canceled the eye-popping wondrous, sometime violent but full of delightful masterpiece, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance.
By Louis Mihael5 years ago in Geeks
What Can Superhero Movies Learn from ATLA & TLOK?
With the recent addition of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse to Netflix and having begun a rewatch of The Legend of Korra, I found myself noticing a large number of plot parallels between the acclaimed Avatar series and many of the superhero movies that have come out in the past decade or two. Some are more obvious, as both pertain to individuals of superhuman ability (most of the time), with the plot centred around their development as people with great power, and thus, great responsibility. But after diving deeper into this comparison, its applicability only increases. Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra, having remained free of many of the pitfalls that befall highly focus-group-tested films like those in the Marvel and DC cinematic universes, managed to tell stories that would feel fresh, although not necessarily unfamiliar in the same company as Marvel and DC. By addressing a few of the familiar tropes in modern superhero movies that also show up in ATLA and TLOK, perhaps we can find some new life in a genre many have turned their noses up at. For the sake of accessibility, the phrase “superhero movies” will mainly refer to the Marvel and DC cinematic universes, as well as the X-Men films and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse.
By Connor Thiessen5 years ago in Geeks
"Reimagining" Fandoms as Cults
If you spend much of your time discussing pop culture on Twitter or, God forbid, Tumblr, chances are you’ve encountered one or two toxic fandoms in your day. Maybe you’ve been exploring forums about a long-running series you’ve grown a new interest in, only to be met with aggressively-unnecessary gatekeeping. Perhaps you’ve been perplexed by a fandom’s idolization of a possibly-problematic celebrity. Maybe you’ve just been creeped out/taken aback by the intensity with which discourse about said media is discussed. In any case, at some point, you’ve come to notice the cultish characteristics that many fandoms have taken on, in a world of identities entirely invested in two or three movies or television series, outdated philosophies perpetuated by the sheer force of nostalgia, and misplaced desires for a sense of both community and individuality. In that spirit, I thought it’d be fun to imagine how some of these fandoms would actually operate as full-fledged cults.
By Connor Thiessen5 years ago in Geeks
#BLOGMAS2020 (DAY 1)-FATHER CHRISTMAS: FROM SAINT TO POP CULTURE
We start this #blogmas2020 series with the man, the myth and the legend himself, Father Christmas. Ah yes! The white-bearded, fat man in the red suit who sneaks in the chimney and brings us gifts and rides a sleigh with reindeers.He is hard to miss, physically and socially, from live meet and greets at the mall, to the ever famous coca-cola adverts, there isn't a person alive that doesn't know who he is. What many people don't know, is that his popularity is based on traditions associated with St Nicholas, who was a christian saint in the 4th Century. This post briefly explores the legend and the evolution that is Santa Claus.
By Chantal Cleland5 years ago in Geeks
‘Christmas time is here’ fun facts
One of the highlights for many people each December is viewing A Charlie Brown Christmas. This 30 minute animated holiday program has entertained generations of television watchers for more than half a century. Prior to the days of multiple household TV sets and the Internet, entire families would sit down together and watch this cartoon classic. Many would also sing along with the theme song.
By Cheryl E Preston5 years ago in Geeks
Our Villians are Heros, our Media isn't.
Have you noticed that the villains you see in today's media are, well, relatable? Two of the biggest and most praised comic book movies, Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War, feature antagonists whose motives are not only relatable and relevant but whose arguments are...correct. And yet, both of these characters are extremely problematic in their nature.
By The MEDA Project5 years ago in Geeks
Twilight Tantrum
I'm still a little bit shocked that I decided to write this. Currently, it's 5:06 on a Saturday and my wonderful husband decided to take our daughter out so I can get a break to do the human person things that I need to do... in order to feel like a human being. I guess this is one of them? Midnight Sun came a few months ago and I debated for about two weeks with myself whether I was actually gonna read it. I read it. One day during that debate I was having a super hard day and I found myself in the Walmart book line grabbing a copy because honestly... it was a mental escape. That day I didn't rationalize or think I just did it. Plus, I was influenced by a few friends who had just rewatched the whole series.
By Mariam Tocco5 years ago in Geeks
The Strange Misandry of 40 Days and 40 Nights
I noticed the other day that 40 Days and 40 Nights was on Netflix Canada. Right now, familiar things are comfort food to me. Yeah, I like new but sometimes you just want to throw on something stupid and fluffy that doesn't make you think. Boy was I surprised.
By Melodie Mulder5 years ago in Geeks
