pop culture
Modern popular culture topics in the geek sphere.
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
Fast and Furious 8 Movie Review
Released: 12th April 2017 (UK) Length: 136 Minutes Certificate: 12A Director: F. Gary Gray Starring: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Dwayne Johnson, Jason Statham, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Scott Eastwood, Charlize Theron, Kurt Russel and Helen Mirren
By Robert Cain9 years ago in Geeks
Historically Accurate Facts from 'Black Sails'
Black Sails has become a smash hit series on the Starz Network. It's debauchery, sex, drinking, and pirate drama is everything you could imagine life on the high seas to be like - if you were reading a drama novel.
By Ossiana Tepfenhart9 years ago in Geeks
The Meaning (or Lack Thereof) Of Life With "Rick and Morty"
It's a safe assumption nearly everyone has at one point asked these simple yet unanswerable questions: “why are we here?” and “is there a purpose to our lives?” We might never get the answers to these questions. But one alcohol abusing super scientist and his hormonal teenage grandson not only shrug at those questions, they point and laugh at those who ask them, choosing to instead revel in the chaos and anarchy that is life. This is the tale of
By Joachim Heijndermans9 years ago in Geeks
Kendall Jenner Laying Low, Rightfully So
While Pepsi is making some smart choices in diversifying what it does, with a mere 25 percent of its United States sales being devoted to soda, and the rest being divided between its snacks and its drive towards a more healthy approach, its least intelligent choice lately is twofold.
By Christina St-Jean9 years ago in Geeks
