pop culture
Modern popular culture topics in the geek sphere.
TV Throws Down the Gauntlet, Again
The night of September 17 was a cracked bellwether in the world of entertainment. The Emmy Awards, the television industry’s homage to its movers and shakers (and by extension itself) stepped off at the Microsoft Theater in Hollywood, and marked what would become a night of historic firsts, firing broadsides on the complacency of the Emmys' own past:
By Michael Eric Ross8 years ago in Geeks
Why Sadness in Disney Matters
In the eight decades since their conception, the Disney princess has become synonymous with the dream of a happily ever after. Early on in each Disney princess feature, the protagonist will sing their "I want" song, establishing their unhappiness with their current situation and expressing their goals, and as Disney and the world around it has changed and progressed over the years, so have the dreams of its princesses. But no matter what they now wish for, it remains to be guaranteed that they will have their happily ever after. Of course, it's important to focus on these happy endings, on the idea that "No matter how your heart is grieving/If you keep on believing/The dream that you wish will come true," but the euphoria that comes from this happy ending is arguably only because we have followed our protagonist on their journey to get there, because we have seen them struggle and rise above everything the world threw at them. As important as the happily ever afters are, I wholeheartedly believe that it is the sad moments that make Disney films so special — the moments when all seems lost, and the "I want" song seems to be nothing but wishful thinking.
By Fern Wigfield8 years ago in Geeks
Black Otakus vs. The Black Community
"You're Black, why do you watch anime?" I don't know how many times I've heard that from my parents, my middle sibling, and amongst all people I despise, my ex. Sigh. Now in the Black community it's a right of passage in black males to watch all forms of the Dragon Ball franchise. Yet some grow up and tell you "oh anime is cartoon." Which after heavy meditation I can say without getting angry, "ANIME IS NOT A CARTOON, THEY DO NOT USE PROFANITY AND NUDITY IN CARTOONS!"
By Angelica Regine8 years ago in Geeks
Geeks' Favorite Jewish Characters
The 2017 Jewish High Holy Days will begin this Wednesday at sunset. To commemorate both Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement), Geeks is revealing some its favorite Jewish characters that you might find attending a synagogue service, sounding the Shofar, having multiple portions of round challah and apples and honey at the dinner table.
By Jacob Elyachar8 years ago in Geeks
'It' Proves Humans Are Just as Terrifying as Killer Clowns
Clowns. Why did It have to be clowns? Okay, so maybe that isn't an original hook. However, what is original is the concept that lives in the underbelly of It, the 2017 remake of the Stephen King adaptation.
By Tina Daquilante8 years ago in Geeks
The Day I Discovered I Was a Slytherin
I've been a big fan of the Harry Potter series for as long as I can remember. I have read all the books and seen all the films. I've also read and written Harry Potter fan fiction. But I never really considered what my Hogwarts House would be until this year. Well, I wouldn't have a house, I'm a muggle after all. If I did have to be put in one house, then I would say it would be Hufflepuff as people all consider me to be friendly and loyal. I heard about Pottermore and saw people sharing what houses they were put into. I then decided to sign up to Pottermore and try the test.
By Chloe Gilholy8 years ago in Geeks
10 Reasons Comic Cons Are Sweeter than Christmas Morning
There is a certain kind of magic that surrounds comic cons, all sorts of people proudly count down the days until this feast of geekery returns. While I cannot feasibly list all the marvelous things that go on during these events, I can at least narrow it down to the top ten. So sit back, relax and enjoy.
By Kelley Pace8 years ago in Geeks
19 Years Later...
J.K. Rowling has managed to create her own army of wizards. The series that she first began publishing in 1997 (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone) has earned a huge following. The author herself has over 12 million followers on twitter and continues the series discussion throughout the years revealing secrets during her time writing them. She continues to engage fans in the world that she created, a world that absorbed the imaginations of millions. The novels can be seen in high schools (and elementary schools) around the world. They sit snugly in bookcases, in backpacks, and on beside tables. Movies are played on TV while families gather and enjoy the magic together (the movies earning $7.7 billion in total). A world has been created based upon the magic that stemmed from the imagination of one individual: an amazing task to be accomplished in the literary world. Harry Potter World opened to thousands of excited fans who wanted to get a chance to enjoy the wizarding world they grew up reading about. They wanted to experience Diagon Alley and Platform 9 3/4; introverts and extroverts alike came together in a giant social setting to engage about a literary phenomenon. Twenty years after the first novel was published (ten years after the final, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows) people are still bonding over the series. Toys and models are still being sold in stores depicting the famous characters with their lightning bolt scars, ginger hair, and intelligent stare. These novels have brought people together in a world that appears to constantly be drawing them apart. The author herself has added to this drawing together by continuing conversations and remaining down to earth in her public appearances.
By Katrina Thornley8 years ago in Geeks
Remembering Tobe Hooper Through His Masterpiece, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Director Tobe Hooper died today, he was 74 years old. Hooper’s very first film, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre became an iconic horror classic in 1974 without getting the credit it deserves as a film. People like my critical brethren to this day write off The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as just a slasher film intended to shock and appall. But there is so much more to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre than just hack n’slash. Whether he knew it or not, Tobe Hooper was directing the last movie of the Hippie Generation and capturing, in the most visceral and violent metaphor imaginable, the death of the ideals of an entire generation of people.
By Sean Patrick8 years ago in Geeks
Why Critics Are Important
Since the birth of artistic expression, criticism of that art followed close behind. In fact, in the 21st century, it's hard to deny critic's influence on media. Whether it's music, movies, books, or television—the effect critics have on art is undeniable. Visual media, in particular, are constantly adding new movies and television shows on a weekly basis. There's an over stimulation of new art and limited ways to filter the good from the bad. Really, criticism is the only way we as a society have to weed out the gems from the clods of dirt.
By Michael Bergonzi9 years ago in Geeks
