Science/Nature - Forces of Geek

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The Footprints of Monsters: Symbolism and Biology of KOLCHAK: THE NIGHT STALKER’s “They Have Been, They Are, They Will Be”

Before there was The X-Files, there was Kolchak: the Night Stalker. Most of his cases saw the intrepid reporter, Carl Kolchak, battling vampires, monsters...

Stefan BlitzFebruary 16, 2012

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The Footprints of Monsters: Symbolism and Biology of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER’S “The Pack”

Hyenas get a bad rap. A really bad rap. They’re looked at as thieves, scavengers and parasites. Right next to Vultures, they’re the lawyers...

Stefan BlitzFebruary 2, 2012

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The Footprints of Monsters: Symbolism and Biology of REPTILICUS

In the 60s, there were a lot of monsters following in Godzilla’s footsteps. Each nation wanted its own Kaiju: Korea created Yongary; England created...

Stefan BlitzJanuary 20, 2012

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The Footprints of Monsters: Biology and Symbolism of “Kevin”

Sometimes, monstrous creatures appear in the oddest of places. Disney/Pixar’s Up being one such example. The mysterious animal fits in well with the monsters...

Stefan BlitzDecember 1, 2011

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The Footprints of Monsters: Symbolism and Biology of ALIEN

If there is one thing good monsters do, it makes a franchise. If defies death and comes back for one more thrust to the...

Stefan BlitzNovember 17, 2011

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The Footprints of Monsters: Symbolism and Biology of THEM!

In the 1950s and into the 60s, there were quite a few giant insect movies. They’re rare in the modern era, but do crop...

Stefan BlitzNovember 3, 2011

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The Footprints of Monsters: NOSFERATU Biology and Symbolism

Vampires are one of the classic monsters and one of the oldest. The idea of the hungry dead dating well back in time to...

Stefan BlitzOctober 27, 2011

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The Footprints of Monsters: THE KILLER SHREWS

One of the silliest B-Movie Monsters ever created (right up there with the monster from The Giant Claw and the rabbits from Night of...

Stefan BlitzOctober 7, 2011

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The Footprints of Monsters: IT! The Terror from Beyond Space

21 years before Alien there was this horror. Taking a look at the basic structure of both films, a movie buff can clearly see...

Stefan BlitzSeptember 30, 2011

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The Footprints of Monsters: ZOMBIE BIOLOGY PART 2 (Animal Zombies)

Zombies are almost always blamed on viruses. In movies, books and comics, if an explanation is given, it’s usually a virus. Or radiation—that stuff...

Stefan BlitzSeptember 23, 2011

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The Footprints of Monsters: ZOMBIE BIOLOGY PART 1 (Animal Zombies)

Zombies are almost always blamed on viruses. In movies, books and comics, if an explanation is given, it’s usually a virus. Or radiation—that stuff...

Stefan BlitzSeptember 7, 2011

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The Footprints of Monsters: BIGFOOT Symbolism and Biology

Bigfoot is one of the great public domain monsters of the 20th and 21st centuries. Iconic, widespread in the concept and easy to pull...

Stefan BlitzAugust 11, 2011

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The Footprints of Monsters: GRABOID Symbolism and Biology

Animalia Bilateria Cephalopoda Coleoidea Sepioida Vermiformidae Caederus Americana a.k.a. “Graboid” The Tremors film series is one of the few inhuman monsters of the 90s...

Stefan BlitzJuly 13, 2011

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Children's Book Cryptozoology: Curious about George

Throughout his series of books, Curious George is referred to as a monkey. Taken from his home in Africa by the mysterious, unnamed “Man...

Steve AhlquistJuly 11, 2011

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Welcome to the future

In the past few months, I’ve been re-watching The Cosby Show in entirety. I’m currently on season 6, when the show jumped the shark...

Marvin C. PittmanJune 9, 2011

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A CONVERSATION WITH MARK STEVENSON: OPTIMIST; Author of AN OPTIMIST’S TOUR OF THE FUTURE

Mark Stevenson is not afraid to ask questions, regardless of what the answer might be. In his book, AN OPTIMIST’S TOUR OF THE FUTURE:...

Stefan BlitzMarch 3, 2011

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Undiscovered Worlds: The Search Beyond Our Sun (review)

Produced by the staff of the Charles Hayden Planetarium at the Museum of Science, Boston Narrated by Debra Wise, Lisa Kaltenegger, David Charbonneau Running...

Stefan BlitzFebruary 21, 2011