pop culture
Modern popular culture topics in the geek sphere.
Twin Peaks 2017
Twitter went into meltdown again last week when the first images from Twin Peaks new season emerged, courtesy of Entertainment Weekly. The promotional machine is now kicking into full gear, ahead of its May return to TV; for fans of the original series, there will doubtfully be any more significant TV moment this year. But those who weren't around during its '90's peak (pun intended) or haven't yet watched are likely wondering what all the fuss is about. So here's everything you need to know...
By James Giles9 years ago in Geeks
Movie Review: I Called Him Morgan
Rock ’n’ roll makes a pretty flashy claim on the title when it comes to live-fast, die-young stars, to the point that they’re sortable by age, with 27 alone accounting for the losses of Jimi, Jim, Janis, and Kurt. But the more sublime world of jazz has its own tabloid-worthy roster of geniuses taken before their time. Seminal jazz age cornetist and Louis Armstrong contemporary Bix Beiderbecke drank himself to death at 28 in 1931. Charlie Parker dragged his heroin habit across his 15-year career before succumbing in 1955 at 34 (a coroner took a look at his corpse and adjudged it to be closer to 60). Clean-living hard-bop trumpeter Clifford Brown, who had already laid claim to being one of the all-time greats, died a year later in a car accident at the tender age of 25.
By Kenneth Gerard9 years ago in Geeks
Must-Listen Podcasts To Match Your Vibe
March 2017 has been coined as "Trypod Month," where podcast fans are encouraged to introduce their favorite podcasts, and just the idea of podcasts in general, to friends and family. Earlier in the month I recommended some of my fave true crime podcasts and since I got such a great response, I thought I'd close out the month with some more recommendations. There really is a podcast out there for everyone, so get listening!
By Kat Walcott9 years ago in Geeks
Beyond Toxie, Five Troma Movies You Need to Watch
Troma Entertainment has had the market cornered on low-budget, schlocky, but incredibly fun films dating back to 1974. Countless actors, writers, and directors can trace their career paths to Troma, from actors like Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Costner, Marisa Tomei, and Vincent D'Onofrio to directors like Sean Gunn, Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Oliver Stone, and more.
By Stephen Hamilton9 years ago in Geeks
Joss Whedon Plans Batgirl's Big Screen Adventure
Pop culture phenom and director Joss Whedon is about to enter the DC Extended Universe. Multiple news outlets such as Entertainment Weekly, IGN, and Newsarama have revealed that the Marvel’s Avengers director is about to put Barbara Gordon on the silver screen with a standalone solo film.
By Jacob Elyachar9 years ago in Geeks
Audrey Hepburn Succumbs to Charade as the Age of Cary Grants' Movies Come to an End
In 2017, as Netflix or your DVD aligns its digits to the opening of "Charade," the 1963 film gives off a sense that the world is in the midst of an identity crisis that ties to the end of an era for Cary Grant Movies. Stuck between the social restrictions of the past and the tsunami of changes that are coming, Hollywood seems unsure of how to define "cool" in its presentation of this romantic comedy thriller. Lucky for them, Cary Grant transcends such considerations, and while he didn’t necessarily provide a bridge to the future, the past had to fade away because he was the only one left to – well – carry it.
By Rich Monetti9 years ago in Geeks
Who's Tougher Than Samuel L Jackson?
Samuel L Jackson has made a career being an absolute badass who can tough it out with the best of them. This guy shows up, you know that everyone else around him is going to have to live up to his standard. He remains king of the mountain–the most bad-ass mother-f***er around.
By Anthony Gramuglia9 years ago in Geeks
Blac Chyna Goes Off On Tyga
It would seem that Blac Chyna is generating some of her own image problems. The American model and entrepreneur made a name for herself for her multiple appearances in hip hop videos and is still referred to as a "video vixen." She met Tyga, the father of her oldest child King Cairo, at the F.A.M.E. Tour After Party in October 2011, and after a somewhat tumultuous relationship, they split in 2014. By January 2016, Chyna was dating Rob Kardashian, and the duo had their first child together in November 2016. That relationship came to an end in December 2016, and Chyna has been in and out of the spotlight since then, largely as it pertains to issues with the children she has had with both Tyga and Kardashian.
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in Geeks
The Life Force Driving Us All
The 1999 acclaimed film American Beauty depicts what "should" exemplify a typical, well-to-do American family. In a struggle to conform to societal standards of a respectable lifestyle, dysfunction only ensues. Simply witnessing the angst and struggles experienced by the characters of American Beauty, viewers gather that the film is a satire of American culture. But by paying closer attention to the dynamic use of the color red and the red rose, viewers will better appreciate the film's criticism of American standards of beauty.
By Kristine Brown9 years ago in Geeks
Toxic Avenger is the Best Schlock Movie Ever
Melvin Junko is a dweeby mop-boy at Tromaville's most popular health club, hated by the evil fitness freaks that go there. After a cruel prank, Melvin falls through a window and into a vat of toxic waste. He undergoes a painful transformation. He becomes taller, more muscular, and possessed with an unstoppable urge to punish evildoers. He starts with the small-time crooks who litter the back alleys of New York, but his do-gooding makes the absurdly corrupt authorities nervous, especially as they're looking at dumping even more toxic waste in the area. Can Toxie take them on while looking after his new girlfriend, and making sure his violent urges are restricted to the bad guys?
By Eddie Wong9 years ago in Geeks
Top 5 True Crime Netflix Picks
With the success of true crime podcasts like Serial and Reddit forums dedicated to arm-chair detectives who discuss unsolved cases, people's fascination with crime and mystery seems to be at an all-time high. In response to this and the success of their 2015 original docu-series Making a Murderer, Netflix has been continuously adding awesome true crime content to their stream over the past year. Here are a few of my personal favourites that I just can't get enough of.
By Kat Walcott9 years ago in Geeks
