Popped by Culture

We're live!!! youtube.com/watch?v=DodUNir4…

I find this interesting. I genuinely suspect nobody at the #Pentagon watched this series, because it does a lot to honor and respect the #Marines and those who choose to serve our country. I watched Boots and was pleasantly surprised. It wasn’t nearly as gay as I thought it was going to be based on the marketing and interviews. Now, I understand there are different tolerances of gayness, so before you throw an, “Are you kidding me? The lead character is gay!” Yes, the lead IS gay. This series is based on the real-life memoir of Greg Cope White who is a gay man that joined the Marines in 1979 and served for six years. The story is told from his perspective, but reimagined for 1990 (to allow a tie to the Gulf War if another season is green lit). We get to explore recruits that have family legacy in the Marines, brothers who join together, a guy who chooses serving over prison, a man who didn’t share with his family that he enlisted because his black family had prejudice against institutions but he believes in serving and protecting his country… There are good stories here! This series focuses less on being #gay, and more on #brotherhood, #resilience, self-worth, and tearing yourself down to build yourself back up as a better person. Multiple other characters get the spotlight, and a number of (straight) Marines have watched and praised this series for many elements that it “gets right.” In fact, the main negativity I’ve seen from actual Marines has mostly just included small things like, “You’d never be talking while running drills or in the head! This series is shit!” Or “of course there’s a gay character!” Yeah, it’s not going to be perfectly accurate. This is a series for entertainment. There has to be plot. There has to be characterization and dialogue. And this team is compressing 13 weeks into 8 episodes, so something can’t be exact for the sake of time. Remember, the goal here is to entertain and tell a story, not make a historically accurate representation. We have documentaries for a reason. If you watch the first episode only, you’re probably going to think this show is gayer than it is. The story plays into Cope being gay to try and present him as a fish out of water and suggest that he doesn’t belong (something Cope acknowledges and believes)… but by the end of the episode, it makes a point to stress that everyone has secrets and nobody belongs… and that fact is exactly why they belong. The episode also ends with their new D.I. saying, “Your enemy isn’t in front of you or next to you. Your enemy isn’t behind you. Your enemy is IN YOU! My goal is to help you kill that enemy and make you men, and in the end, hopefully, Marines!” There is another homosexual character in the series, and that character’s #homosexuality is explored more than the character of Cope’s because this character actually served in combat. It’s meant to show the tension of the reality that Cope is CHOOSING. In a series where I expected multiple gay scenes (because it’s been touted as a gay show on #Netflix), I was surprised that there was only one or two legitimately gay scenes (men kissing or being intimate). So, yeah… If that’s too gay for you, then don’t watch. But when we live in a world of weak men, it’s a shame that you’d let something like that prevent you from getting a good message. I’ve been asked, “Why even make a show about a gay Marine?” To share a historical perspective and honor the experiences of real individuals. It’s merely a vehicle used to highlight the personal conflict and themes of identity. The message in #Boots is universal and for everyone. We are all Americans. We are all brothers. #Kill

#DeadpoolAndWolverine is a fun experience with lots of laughs, a handful surprises (if you avoid spoilers), and some solid action. But is it a good film? Not really. It’s a “meh” film at best that doesn’t have much re-watchability outside of a few scenes. But it’s worth seeing! So, go see it in theaters, get the full audience experience, and enjoy this for what it is: a fun time. (And don’t take it too seriously. This is Deadpool.)

Oh, shit!!! McDizzy's here and we're getting slizzard Saturday night to celebrate hitting 500 subs over at @ByPopped! Saturday. 9:00 PM CT! Bring your boobs! I mean, booze! BOOZE! youtube.com/watch?v=IndKfsq9…

Hey folks, no show tonight. I’ve got some family engagements to attend to, but I’ll see y’all next week!

Woot! Woot! I'm excited to drop our first discussing in two days!!! #Marvel #MCU #CaptainAmerica

Writing projects that I’m actively working on. (A thread…)