Current events side-eye of the week: Rick Santorum’s offensive speech, demanding that Puerto Ricans all follow “federal law” and treat English as “the main language.” Crude, racist, and uninformed: Rick Santorum, ladies and gentlemen.
- WELCOME BACK, COMMUNITY!!!! Did you happen to catch the season premiere? We’re super excited to welcome back Greendale friends, including (Oscar winner) Dean Pelton. We’re also enjoying Blastr’s look back at past Community brilliance, with a list of 12 hilarious sci-fi themed moments from the show.
- If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, why not avoid the usual St. Patrick’s Day madness and instead head to the Castro Theater for a double feature of Coffy and Jackie Brown, hosted by Peaches Christ. Pam Grier herself, film legend and Head Bitch In Charge, will be there in person! Better act fast, so check ticket details here.
- WonderCon is this weekend in Anaheim! While we are unable to attend this year, hopefully some of you can make it. The schedule is full of exciting sneak peaks and creator spotlights, as well as unique panels like the “LGBT Disney Fandom” hosted by Prism Comics and “I Can’t Write, I Can’t Draw, But I Love Comics!” session offering career insight within the comic book industry for those without the creative gene.
The Starwatcher (Moebius)
- The geek world was shaken by yet another loss (Ralph McQuarrie passed away March 3) this past Saturday, when we had to bid farewell to visionary French comics artist Jean Giraud, better known to his fans as Moebius. His creative output holds a far reaching influence over sci-fi and fantasy as we know it, and this loving and thorough tribute on Tor is a really great place to get acquainted with his work.
- First peek at the footage of the upcoming reboot of Total Recall looks promising. The cast includes Kate Beckinsale, Colin Farrell, Jessica Biel, Bill Nighy, and John Cho. Overall, the visuals make us hopeful for a slick re-imagining of Philip K. Dick’s original concept.
- Ron Swanson is easily everyone’s favorite government official from Pawnee, but what does Nick Offerman think of the caricature-like nature of his manly character? This one-on-one with the actor is a good source of insight.
YESSSSSS, congratulations on your EVERYTHING
- We can’t get enough of Idris Elba – can’t wait for Prometheus and Season 3 of Luther, whenever that might happen! – and this scoop has us buzzing. Elba might take on two roles in Ascension, a series penned by Warren Ellis (Transmetropolitan, Red), where he’ll be playing Ancient Egyptian royal scientist Imhotep and a near-future astronomer. No updates on Ellis’ own site yet, but hopefully more details will be revealed soon.
- It’s easy to adore Harry Potter, but even everyone’s favorite wizarding universe deserves some side-eye, as served up in this six-point list on Cracked.
- Cartography, LOTR style! It’s fun to imagine the continental U.S as a mystical, Tolkien-esque landscape, a reflected in this redone map. Then again, alluding to various GOP members as orcs isn’t too far from the truth.
- The Jim Henson Company released concept art for a new movie in the vein of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? called The Happytime Murders. It should be no mystery (har har) that we’re excited!
- John Carter released last week to lukewarm reviews and a pretty low box office pull, but Alice Marie still went to see it and was pleasantly surprised. The movie gets her thumbs up for equality (in skimpy armor) and for the highest count of man-nips in a film so far this year. (At least until “Wrath of the Titans” is released.)
- The Legend of Korra announced their premiere date on Pi Day (and confirmed that is in fact the official title). The show comes out April 14th on Nickelodeon. Get ready for the next chapter of one of the best animated series in recent history!
We aren’t ashamed to say there’s some truth to these travel posters for lazy people. Besides, what IS more fun than killing dragons, really?- Elyse is super excited about the new Mass Effect class shirts in the Bioware store (available in men’s and women’s sizes).
- Gamers on a budget can play Star Wars: The Old Republic for free this weekend, and have their trial characters saved should they decide to purchase a subscription.
- Fans and new readers of Malinda Lo should consider entering a drawing to win an Advanced Reading Copy of her upcoming sci-fi novel, Adaptation. The drawing for the give-away is open for entry until Friday, March 23.
- The art design in this teaser for Telltale’s Walking Dead: The Game is intriguing, but we’ll have to wait until Monday to get a more in-depth look at the game play, when Up at Noon with Greg Miller reveals some more footage and talks to story consultant and screenwriter Gary Whitta (The Book of Eli) about the project.
What’s on your radar this week?
Check out our previous Geeking Out posts.
Yeah, about Santorum?
What really, really, really offended me was his statement that English was not taught in Puerto Rican public schools, when it in fact has been a compulsory for all levels for a hundred and twenty years.
To put this in perspective, one hundred years ago, 34 states in the union had compulsory education requirements of any kind, and only four of those were in the south.
So, yes, I felt insulted. Puerto Rico has loads of issues, and education ranks high among them. But this is not for lack of of teaching of English.
It’s shameful how culturally illiterate he is. And he’s no better when it comes to foreign policy, he sweats jingoism.