pop culture
Modern popular culture topics in the geek sphere.
O.J.: Made in America
We’ve all heard the story: O.J. Simpson brutally murdered his wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ronald Goldman and got away with it. It’s as simple as that. The story is one of prosecutorial ineptitude, ill-fitting gloves and media sensationalism- that’s how O.J. was acquitted of a crime despite the seemingly overwhelming amount of evidence implicating him. To me it really was that simple. But I was wrong.
By The Ticket9 years ago in Geeks
"Gon," a Manga Without Boundaries
Narrative art is unique in its method of conveying a story by not being necessarily reliant on text. Ask any comic book artist, art instructor or publisher, and they'll tell you that a good comic should be able to visually tell its story without the need of text. The flow of the narrative must work even before the words and balloons are added in. But what if you take this philosophy to its most extreme lengths? You end up with a little manga series that transcends both language and culture called
By Joachim Heijndermans9 years ago in Geeks
Post Apartheid in South Africa Film Received Much Accolade but Critics Probably Read the Book
Roger Ebert deemed Disgrace a rare movie whose characters are uncompromisingly themselves, flawed, stubborn, vulnerable, and after reading a number of reviews that provide corroborating insight on post Apartheid South Africa, I may agree with all the accolades from numerous critics. But in a real time viewing without reading the book by the same name, the 2008 adaptation proceeds as another day in the life conglomeration of dramatic scenes that goes in search of an ending thread to tie everything together. Looking for something to pull as the credits rolled, my aspiration ended in exasperation.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
The Real Gladiator of the Roman Empire
I got a look recently at Gangster Squad with Josh Brolin and Sean Penn. Inspired by the true events of Los Angeles gangster Mickey Cohen and the police force that took him down, the Hollywood version gives a sanctioned group of officers free reign to eradicate his syndicate by any means necessary. In fact, Brolin instructs his underlings to leave their badges at home as they stalk, maim and murder the enterprise out of existence. The truth is a bit less dramatic, according to the real life crime fighter at the helm. “I fired my gun once,” said John O’Mara in a recent interview in regards to the film events depicted. So with that in mind, I decided that one of my favorite’s – Gladiator – needed a little historical separation from a formula that usually elevates the facts and typically draws a distinct line between good and evil to deliver a story.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
Previewing DC Comics' July 2017 Solicitations
All heck will break loose this July according to the latest batch of DC Comics solicitations. GEEKS Media has the inside scoop on some of the hottest stories from the House That Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman Built that will make its readers sweat.
By Jacob Elyachar9 years ago in Geeks
Elle (2016) - Review
Dutch provocateur Paul Verhoeven has long been a film-maker I admire; I first saw Robocop (1987) at about 10 years old, having previously only seen family/children's fare, and it kick-started my true love affair with movies. It's outrageous violence and bitingly satirical humour, combined with a surprising humanism in dealing with Murphy's fate, made an unmistakable impression on me. 30 years after Robocop's release and I'm blown away by the maturity and evolution of Verhoeven's style in his latest film, the intoxicating Elle. The black humour is still there, but it's punchlines are now people and their behaviours, not society; the violence is still intense, but more considered and impactful, and a damn sight less gory. Stronger than ever though is the humanism; Verhoeven appears a man that believes in the importance of freewill, of agency, in our lives. You're only truly alive when you own all of your decisions and their consequences.
By James Giles9 years ago in Geeks
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is Hollywood Noir and Irreverence At Its Best
I’ve now seen Kiss Kiss Bang Bang three times. A lightly noir dark comedy, I still cannot trace all the threads back and forth to tie the plot together without help from Wikipedia. So even if this Shane Black multiple murder mystery fails to unravel on your watch, the ambiguity doesn’t stop it from being one of the most creatively funny gems out there.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
The History of Anne Bonney and Mary Read
As closely as historians can determine, the story of Anne Bonney and Mary Read started in an English port town in the 1680s when a comely, "young and airy" sea wife gave birth to a robust baby girl. The mother's joy was marred by the somewhat glaring fact that her husband had been away at sea for more than two years. But she displayed a kind of ghoulish resourcefulness in dealing with the problem. Her legitimate baby son had recently died, and rather than report the death to kin, she dressed young Mary in the boy's clothes and hoped that no one would notice the deception.
By Frank White9 years ago in Geeks
5 Feel Good Movies For When You're Feeling Bad
For me I look to the 1980's for the handful of movies that make me feel good for when I feel bad. Perhaps it is because, like the 1980's, we are living in a world of uncertainty of foreign policy issues and fiscal concerns. The movies that do it for me are the romantic comedies that, even though I've seen them before, I can't seem to stop watching again and again.
By Stefanie Ratzker9 years ago in Geeks
