pop culture
Modern popular culture topics in the geek sphere.
Goodbye, Mr. Duvall. Top Story - February 2026.
It is turning out to be an interesting year. I was in the middle of teaching a class when a pop-up appeared on the screen announcing the death of Mr. Robert Seldon Duvall (yes, that was his full name). I was in the middle of a discussion on the obsession we have with winning when it comes to sports (the Winter Olympics was a theme), and I felt as though things were coming full circle. We had already lost Gene Hackman last year, and along with that titan, it feels though one particular golden age has closed off to be replaced by...?
By Kendall Defoe 22 days ago in Geeks
In Defense of Hamnet: Why Emotional Truth Matters More Than Historical Permission
When Sir Ian McKellen recently dismissed Hamnet as “improbable,” suggesting that Shakespeare’s imagination “certainly didn’t just come from family life,” he was not merely critiquing a film. He was, perhaps unintentionally, applying the wrong standard to the kind of story Hamnet is trying to tell.
By Sean Patrick22 days ago in Geeks
SpongeBob Review
The SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Pickles" is a fascinating and entertaining installment of the beloved animated series. In this episode, SpongeBob's enthusiasm and dedication to his job at the Krusty Krab are put to the test when a peculiar customer, known as Bubble Bass, orders a Krabby Patty but claims that it doesn't have pickles on it. Despite the fact that SpongeBob is certain that he included pickles in the sandwich, Bubble Bass insists that they are missing, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings. As the situation escalates, SpongeBob becomes increasingly flustered and determined to prove that he did, in fact, include pickles on the Krabby Patty. This leads to a series of hilarious and creative attempts by SpongeBob to rectify the situation, including using an absurdly large magnifying glass to search for the missing pickles and even resorting to using a pair of binoculars to examine the sandwich from a distance.
By Forest Green22 days ago in Geeks
SpongeBob Review
The SpongeBob SquarePants episode “Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy” is a poignant and action-packed exploration of nostalgia, hero worship, and the enduring bond between SpongeBob and his aging idols. In this installment, SpongeBob, starstruck by the golden age of superheroics, becomes obsessed with meeting the legendary duo Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy, whose tales of underwater peril and daring feats have captivated Bikini Bottom for decades. Despite their physical decline and crumbling reputations, SpongeBob sees them as timeless icons, even attempting to mimic their heroic antics by creating a makeshift costume. The episode juxtaposes SpongeBob’s unwavering admiration with the reality of the duo’s faded glory, as Mermaid Man, once a sleek and swashbuckling hero, is now a frail, and paranoid figure, while Barnacle Boy, his sidekick, has been reduced to a senile, elderly crustacean. The narrative cleverly highlights the contrast between youth’s idealism and age’s vulnerability, underscored by SpongeBob’s innocent determination to prove his idols’ enduring greatness.
By Forest Green22 days ago in Geeks
Celebrities You Forgot Starred on 'ER'
The original hit medical drama, ER, sure has had its fair share of actors walk through the doors of County General Hospital. Over the course of 15 seasons, the amount of patients, doctors, nurses, medical students, and secondary characters to appear on the show are endless. Whether you know it or not, ER served as a stepping stone for some actors and actresses that went on to become some of the biggest stars in Hollywood.
By Jenika Enoch22 days ago in Geeks
Concord Players' Powerful Rendition of "The Curious Incident"
Four red cars mean it will be a good day. Concord Players brings the pages of Mark Haddon’s novel, “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” to the stage. Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy on the autism spectrum, investigates the murder of his neighbor’s dog. His sleuthing leads to uncovering serious discoveries about his own family.
By Marielle Sabbag22 days ago in Geeks
Wuthering Heights Movie Review
Over a century after its release, Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights remains a classic of English literature; it has been adapted many times on the big screen, reaching across many cultures and filmmaking styles. The latest attempt goes for a modern approach and style, but it’s a rotten production from top to bottom.
By Robert Cain23 days ago in Geeks
SpongeBob Review
The SpongeBob SquarePants episode "Home Sweet Pineapple" is a memorable and entertaining installment in the series. The episode begins with SpongeBob's pineapple house being eaten away by nematodes, which are small, worm-like creatures that feed on the pineapple's flesh. As the nematodes continue to devour the pineapple, SpongeBob's home begins to shrink and eventually collapses, leaving him without a place to live. This sets off a chain of events as SpongeBob sets out to find a new home, while also trying to figure out how to get rid of the nematodes that destroyed his beloved pineapple abode. Throughout the episode, SpongeBob's optimism and resilience are put to the test as he faces various challenges and setbacks in his search for a new home. Meanwhile, his best friend Patrick Star tries to help him out, but his efforts often lead to more problems and hilarious misunderstandings. As the episode progresses, SpongeBob's desperation grows, and he begins to consider some rather unusual and humorous options for a new home, including a rock, a sandcastle, and even a plastic bubble.
By Forest Green24 days ago in Geeks
