pop culture
Modern popular culture topics in the geek sphere.
Video Games of the 80s
The eighties were totally awesome. Everything about them was great. The clothes, the hairstyles, the music-it was all good and uncomplicated. Truth is, any time period before everyone had their heads in their phones was a good time. There was no texting-there was talking. People had to look you in the eye; What a concept! If there was a boy you liked, you would call him and then hang up when he would answer the phone and no one would know it was you. The television shows taught you life lessons and the movies had incredible soundtracks. You would listen to your tapes on a walkman and if you were really cool, the walkman had a buckle attachment-the first hands-free technology; And then there were the video games...kids today would look at those games and scoff at them, but they were so radical, dude. What was cooler than being able to type your initials into the game when you got the high score? It was so awesome! Let's take a look down memory lane at some of the great video games of the 80s...
By Banji Ganchrow8 years ago in Geeks
History of the 'Evil Dead' Franchise
A plague threatens to destroy all of mankind and the only one that can save us is a loner who is avoiding all responsibilities. The Evil Dead is an American horror film franchise created by Sam Raimi and consists of four feature films. The films revolve around the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis, an ancient Sumerian text which wreaks havoc upon a group of cabin inhabitants in a wooded area in Tennessee. The protagonist, Ashley J. "Ash" Williams is the only character to appear in every installment of the original trilogy, consisting of The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (1987), and Army of Darkness (1992), all written and directed by Raimi.
By Geeks Staff8 years ago in Geeks
Was Nintendo's Metroid Character 'Samus Aran' Transgender?
Where both Mario and Link were tasked to save their respective princesses, Samus Aran can be seen as the princess herself. Arguably, a self-contained logic for her own volition, Samus is an intergalactic bounty hunter tasked with saving the world in Metroid (1986), easily the third most famous Nintendo game of that era.
By George Gott8 years ago in Geeks
The Birth of Jessica Biel
Good looks and talent may be two characteristic traits that Jessica Biel possesses, but it was her rise as an action heroine that made Hollywood give the sought-out actress her merited position in the industry. Born in Ely, Minnesota to parents Kimberly and Jonathan Edward Biel, this action movie icon started showing signs of being a child star at the early age of nine.
By Geeks Staff8 years ago in Geeks
History of Monopoly
Did you know that the game Monopoly was supposed to show players the negative aspects of private monopolies? With topics such as the stock exchange, bankruptcy, mortgaging, and jail, we probably should have seen how realistic this game is. A while back, comedian Louis C.K. explained what generally happened every time he and his daughters played the game together: “My six-year-old totally understands Monopoly but she isn’t quite ready for the emotional trauma of her inevitable loss. I look her dead in the face and say, ‘You see all your properties and houses and all your money? That’s mine now. Oh no, no, no, you can’t play any more because even with all your stuff, it doesn’t come close to what you owe me.’” Obviously children cannot grasp the full meaning of Monopoly, but that’s because they were not the target audience at first.
By Geeks Staff8 years ago in Geeks
Most Iconic Cartoon Moms
Moms come in all shapes and sizes, even in cartoon form. The most iconic cartoon moms are some of the best and some of the worst. From the prehistoric age, to the future, and everything in between, the women featured on this list are tough to beat, and sometimes even tougher to listen to. They have been part of our lives for years, leading the families we watch on TV every Saturday morning. Whether they were berating their sons, or making out with their daughter's boyfriend, they are the moms we will never forget from the cartoon world.
By Geeks Staff8 years ago in Geeks
Scariest Roller Coasters in the World
Some roller coasters have rotten personalities, and are some of meanest sons of bitches that ever rattled man. They give you a headache and bruised ribs, and some roller coasters make you wait three hours in line for a 60 second thrill ride. With roller coasters, as with everything else, there is the good and the bad that comes along with these rides combined with its own personality. Roller coaster buffs travel the country hunting for the cleverest, highest, fastest, steepest, meanest ride. These people have strong opinions, and these opinions, along with my own experiences, are the basis for the following craziest and scariest roller coasters list.
By George Gott8 years ago in Geeks
Greatest Video Game Soundtracks
Video game soundtracks are perhaps the most underrated part of any video game. Usually, critical criteria will venture far more towards the gameplay or presentation, but rarely an in depth dissection of the soundtrack. Soundtracks not only are key to creating a mood in video games, but they are usually excellent pieces of music in their own right. This is a flaw we seek to reprimand with our list of greatest video game soundtracks.
By Patricia Sarkar8 years ago in Geeks
Rise of Harley Quinn
Every hero needs a villain. Villains resonate with people in ways that many superheroes can't. The villain represents the untapped potential for evil and mayhem in all of us. Pop culture has been obsessed with the anti-heroes’ in comic book series like "Batman" since it first went into syndication. The rise of Batman and his demons drew in fans; Fans that needed Batman to have enemies of substance.
By George Gott8 years ago in Geeks
Most Underrated Wes Craven Films
Wes Craven, the legendary horror director, died on August 30th 2015 after a long battle with brain cancer. Unfortunately, there’s no plot twist in this story. Wes Craven left behind nearly 50 years of genre-defining films and an immortal artistic legacy. While some of you may be familiar with his cult classics like Scream, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Hills Have Eyes, the most underrated Wes Craven films are equally as engaging, surprising, and hard-hitting to older and younger audiences alike. To truly appreciate the man who defined the slasher film, take a look at the most underrated Wes Craven films that you need to see.
By Natasha Sydor8 years ago in Geeks
History of Fan Theories
There’s something remarkable about fan theories. I doubt that when an author puts his pen to paper, he is conscious of what a potential fanbase may add to the story. Indeed, many argue that fan theories are pointless, simply because they do not derive from the original writer. However, fan theories became widely accepted after the release of an infamous essay known as "Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex." This essay details the sexual life of popular DC Comics character Superman.
By Stephen Hamilton8 years ago in Geeks
Rise of Adult Comics
Those Batman fans lucky enough to have arrived early on the third day of New York City’s 2015 Comic Con were treated to a preview of the thirtieth anniversary celebration of Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns. Despite the long lines and confusion, fans eagerly awaited the arrival of Miller onstage to discuss his work. As he stepped under the lights, the air became charged with the excitement of those who witnessed the monumental 80s comic hit stands during their childhood. The crowd was full of men in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, meaning that the comic had stuck with them over the years. Miller’s story is certainly special in its staying power, but it also speaks to the nature of adult comics as an industry.
By Geeks Staff8 years ago in Geeks