Sunday, May 01, 2016

Tip#952: Celebrate Your Inner Geek - Keanu

I am so happy and grateful we live in a time that celebrates being a geek! Today anyone can celebrate their love for Harry Potter, Star Trek, etc. at whatever age you are. There is even a whole global culture of fans dressing in elaborate costumes of their favourite fantasy/Sci Fi characters called Cosplay. Just check out #cosplay on Instagram and you will see!

There are many definitions of this geek term but the best I found was on Wikipedia: The word geek is a slang term originally used to describe eccentric or non-mainstream people; in current use, the word typically connotes an expert or enthusiast or a person obsessed with a hobby or intellectual pursuit, with a general pejorative meaning of a "peculiar person, especially one who is perceived to be overly intellectual, unfashionable, or socially awkward". 


As I’ve written before I loved the original Star Trek TV series but it wasn’t “cool” while I was in junior high school in the 70’s. Today it is “cool” to be a nerd and to love almost any topic that was once considered an outcast/outsider type theme. Many actors, such as Simon Pegg, Tina Fey, Wil Wheaton and Jennifer Lawrence, are self-proclaimed geeks as well as writer/director Joss Whedon who helped make the Marvel Cinematic Universe a massive, global success! Read about: Tina Fey and Conan O'Brien geeking off!


Action star Vin Diesel surprised the media when he shared his gamer passion for Dungeons and Dragons since the 70’s. He said, “We were all drawn to the game because it allowed us to become these characters. Playing D & D was a training ground for our imaginations and an opportunity to explore our own identities.”
See: Video clip of Vin Diesel “geeking out” for D&D
See: Video of Vin Diesel playing D&D on Geek & Sundry

I'm with Toronto Film Critic, Richard Crouse at the Keanu advance screening

I recently attended an advance screening of the comedy Keanu written and starring comedy duo Key and Peele. They are self-proclaimed movie geeks in real-life and they constantly demonstrate this in their Comedy Network series. One hilarious example is their segments about their passion for Batman and Liam Neeson. See: Key & Peele Batman clip 

At the advance screening I sat near my fellow movie reviewer pal, Toronto Film Critic Richard Crouse who, of course, shares a passion for films. During the screening there were many movie references and quotes that got laughs from the audience. The loudest laughs though came from Richard and I especially when some of the film references were obscure! That’s when I felt an inner geek bonding with Richard and the actors/writers Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele. Even the title of this comedy is meant to invoke a connection to a major movie star!

Keanu movie posters parodies other popular films!

Keanu (2016)

The action comedy film, Keanu, is about two friends Rell (Jordan Peele) and his cousin Clarence (Keegan-Michael Key) retrieving Rell’s new found kitten named Keanu stolen from his home by drug dealer named Cheddar (Method Man). Despite the film’s flaws it has some hilarious moments, amazing comic timing by the film’s leads and hugely adorable scenes every time the kitten is on screen! See: movie trailer


The film is also a spoof and parody of film genres like the buddy cop theme and Michael Bay action films with its excessive violence. It also parodies and challenges racial and cultural stereotypes thanks to Key & Peele’s funny performances. In the end I recommend this to other movie lovers to enjoy all the film references and to stay during the end credits for more that will tickle the funny bone of every film geek! And if you love kittens you have to see this fantastic little actor!

Being a geek is about being true to yourself and what you love. It’s about celebrating your unique identity that always leads to your unique skills, gifts and talents that you can offer the world. And embracing your inner geek is also knowing you are not alone in your passions. There are others that understand your personal interests and will be eager to share their enthusiasm with you! Connect with them today!


Related Tips:
Tip#251: Be Yourself - Fanboys
Tip#702: Great Leadership in Movies, Part 1 – Ender’s Game
Tip#759: Expand Your Mind with Time Travel Movies, Pt 2 - X-Men: Days of Future Past




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4 comments:

Candice Frederick said...

good to hear that this is enjoyable. long live the geek!

Emmanuel Lopez - Motivatorman said...

Candice, yes Keanu was enjoyable but I wished there was less parody of violence and much more kitty!! And yes long live the geek!

Aeryn Lynne said...

It's definitely a great time to be a geek! :) Happy Batman Day!

I agree with you on all things Keanu. I actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would. I knew it would be funny, but figured it would be over the top in ways that drive me to change a channel, lol. Was pleasantly surprised that, while OTT, it was still pretty fun to watch.

Emmanuel Lopez - Motivatorman said...

Thanks Aeryn! I was surprised too with Keanu being funny especially all the pop culture and film references. I also love their TV sketch as valets geeking out over Batman and Liam Neeson!