S4 EP 1.3 – Were we not entertained?

The guys (Kareem, Ken, and Pat) conclude their review of 2023 and its biggest cultural moments. Tangents include dumb AI, workers strike, dead pop tarts, and more.

Show Notes

Today we’re going to look back at the year 2023 and highlight some of the most memorable moments and stories that shaped pop culture.
First, let’s talk about the phenomenon that took the internet by storm: Barbenheimer. For those who don’t know, Barbenheimer is the name given to the simultaneous release of two movies on July 21, 2023: Barbie, a fantasy comedy starring Margot Robbie as the iconic doll, and Oppenheimer, a biographical thriller starring Cillian Murphy as the father of the atomic bomb. The contrast between the two films sparked a wave of memes, jokes, and fan art, as well as a debate over which one to watch first or as a double feature.
Barbenheimer also became a cultural phenomenon that transcended the movies themselves. Celebrities, politicians, and even the cast and crew of both films joined in on the fun, expressing their support and enthusiasm for both projects. Tom Cruise, for example, bought tickets to watch both films while his own movie, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, was still in theaters. 5 Both films also received critical acclaim and commercial success, earning a combined 21 nominations at the 96th Academy Awards, including Best Picture for both.
Next, let’s talk about ChatGPT, the AI-powered language model that revolutionized the way we communicate, create, and learn. ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is capable of generating human-like text based on context and past conversations, as well as creating images, voice, and custom GPTs for various purposes.
ChatGPT became a popular tool for people to ask questions, find creative inspiration, learn new skills, and have fun. Some of the most common uses of ChatGPT were to help with writing, coding, planning, translating, teaching, and entertaining. ChatGPT also spawned a number of viral trends, such as rapping, storytelling, gaming, and prank calling. ChatGPT was praised for its versatility, intelligence, and humor, but also faced some criticism for its ethical, social, and legal implications.
Moving on, let’s talk about some of the actors who dominated the screen in 2023: Chris Pratt and Pedro Pascal. Both actors had multiple starring roles in blockbuster films and TV shows, showcasing their range, charisma, and talent. Chris Pratt played Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Owen Grady in Jurassic World: Dominion, Mario in The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Dieter Bravo in The Bubble. Pedro Pascal played Joel Miller in The Last of Us, The Mandalorian in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, Clint in Freaky Tales, and Silva in Strange Way of Life.
Both actors received critical and fan acclaim for their performances, as well as nominations and awards for their work. Chris Pratt was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and Pedro Pascal won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series for The Last of Us. Both actors also used their fame and influence to support various causes and charities, such as environmental conservation, mental health awareness, and social justice.
Finally, let’s talk about some of the other pop culture highlights of 2023, such as:
- SAG-AFTRA
- Pop Tart death
- The death of the MCU.
- New Comics
- Ghostbusters: Frozen Kingdom
- Madam Web
- Civil War

EP.121 – Catching Bullets With His Teeth – A Review of The State of Martial Arts Films pt.1 – Tangential Giants Podcast

This week on Tangential Giants, Kareem, Ken, Patrick, and guest JPG attempt the impossible: giving a straight, disciplined breakdown of the state of martial arts films today. Naturally, it goes off the rails immediately.Kareem and JPG revive their long‑running feud over who the real host of Tangential Giants is, Ken tries to keep the peace like a weary kung‑fu mentor who never asked for this, and Patrick wonders aloud how Superman ever got talked into snapping necks in the first place.From the elegance of classic martial arts choreography to the modern trend of turning every fight scene into a small‑arms convention, the crew eventually lands on Roadhouse and its staggering devotion to gunfire. They try to talk technique and philosophy, but Roadhouse keeps showing up like an uninvited bar brawler.If you like martial arts cinema, chaotic detours, and the kind of debates that only get louder when no one is winning, this episode is your dojo.#tangentialgiants #martialartsmovies #actioncinema #roadhouse #superman #moviepodcast #filmtalk #popculturepodcast #JPGvsKareem