Author: Swara Salih

Swara is a data analyst and a co-host of The Middle Geeks. He loves talking about politics, animals, nature, and all things Star Trek and DC.
Marvel, MoviesLeave a comment

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ Explores Geopolitics and Shows the MCU Can Go Further

Swara Salih

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is, at its core, a moving drama about the grief of a nation for their lost King T’Challa and the grief of his closes loved ones. But the film also takes a deeper dive into the geopolitics of the MCU, and really our own world and how the legacy of colonialism, European slavery of Africans, Indigenous genocide, and the pillaging of resources of Black and brown countries continues to this day.

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Interview, Movies, Sports

Director Sally El Hosaini on Showcasing the Refugee Experience in ‘The Swimmers’

Swara Salih

The Swimmers is the powerful and visceral story of real life Syrian sisters Yusra and Sara Mardini and their journey from war-torn Syria to Germany, and Yusra’s entry into the 2016 Rio Olympics. Groundbreaking in its showcasing of a refugee story, the film takes viewers on a journey through the Mediterranean and Europe, showcasing their various trials and tribulations as the strive forward to achieve their dream.

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Movies, Sports, Trailers

‘The Swimmers’ on Netflix Makes a Riveting Splash with First Trailer

Swara Salih

For over a decade, the Syrian Civil War has seen the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the displacement of millions of Syrians, and the war sees no signs of ending. But among those who have had to escape their home country, hope and perseverance has persisted among many Syrians, as shown in the riveting first trailer for The Swimmers, set to debut in select US theaters on November 11 and on Netflix November 23.

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DC Comics, Movies, Reviews3 Comments

‘Black Adam’ is Less Than the Sum of its Parts but Still a Fun Time

Swara Salih

“The hierarchy of power in the DC Universe is about to change,” we’ve heard for weeks on end from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Did it really change that much with the release of Black Adam? Honestly? Yeah, kind of!

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Animation, Interview, Star Trek

Brett Gray and Ella Purnell on What’s Next for Dal and Gwyn on ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’

Swara Salih

When we last saw Dal (Brett Gray) and Gwyn (Ella Purnell), along with the rest of the crew of the USS Protostar, they had made a daring escape from Gwyn’s father The Diviner (John Noble), but not before he revealed the reasons for Gwyn’s existence. But Gwyn lost her memory in the midseason finale, leaving where her journey will go more uncertain as she and her friend get closer to Starfleet. What will the latter half of this season of Star Trek: Prodigy have in store for her, Dal, and the rest of their crew?

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Animation, Interview, Star Trek

Kate Mulgrew on Returning as Vice Admiral Janeway on ‘Star Trek: Prodigy’

Swara Salih

It was a landmark moment for the Star Trek franchise when Kate Mulgrew, Captain Kathryn Janeway herself, returned to voice a version of her character in the thrilling Paramount+ Nickelodeon animated series Star Trek Prodigy. The twist was that she would be playing an AI version of the character, one who guides the next generation in the ways of Starfleet.

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Interview, Streaming1 Comment

The Cast of ‘Ramy’ on What’s in Store for the Hassan Family in Season 3

Swara Salih

When we find the Hassan family at the start of Ramy Season 3, the son of the family has brought not only shame, but severe consequences for his family that threaten the life they’ve built in the States. Where do they go from here, and will they ever be able to pay back their debts? How will the Hassan family change through their experiences this season?

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Reviews, Streaming, Television

‘Ramy’ Season 3 is As Funny and Engaging As Ever

Swara Salih

Ramy is never an easy show to watch. It’s compelling and funny, but it never shies away from showing the (many) faults of its title character, and occasionally those of his family and friends.

Slight setup spoilers for Ramy Season 3 follow:

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Streaming, Television, Trailers

‘Ramy’ Season 3 Teases a Spiritual Crisis for the Hassan Family

Swara Salih

Ramy Hassan’s stated journey has been finding moral clarity on his life and what it means to be a good Muslim. Only problem is, he’s a constantly selfish screw-up. When we left him at the end of last season, he was at his lowest and most morally depraved, having completely humiliated his new (and immediately former) wife Zainab (MaameYaa Boafo), and rightfully enraging her father Sheikh Ali Malek (Mahershala Ali). Where does he go from here, and how will this inform his apparent crisis of faith in Islam?

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Streaming, Television

The Middle Geeks Episode 42: ‘Mo’ Review

Swara Salih

We review the first season of Neflix’s first ever Palestinian original series, Mo! Co-created by Palestinian American actor and comedian Mo Amer and Ramy Youssef, this outstanding comedy-drama is a semi-autobiographical take on Amer’s own life in Houston.

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Streaming, Television

Mo Amer Brings the Palestinian Experience to the Screen with Netflix’s ‘Mo’

Swara Salih

When Hulu’s Ramy premiered in 2019 on Hulu, it was heralded as a landmark for Egyptian, Arab, and Muslim representation in Western media. Representation for Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) people remains scant, even with the small gains made, but it’s been especially rare for Palestinians, who must constantly endure attempted erasure in their homeland in Palestine and abroad.

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DC Comics, Interview, Television1 Comment

‘The Flash’ Showrunner Eric Wallace on the End of Season 8 and What’s Ahead

Swara Salih

Spoilers for all of The Flash Season 8 follow

With so many trials and tribulations for Barry, Iris, and their friends and family this season, they have finally defeated Eobard Thawne (once again) and the Negative Forces. But with things seeming so conclusive, where does the show and WestAllen go for Season 9?

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Interview, Star Trek

Babs Olusanmokun on Playing Dr. M’Benga on ‘Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’

Swara Salih

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds takes us back to the original Star Trek era where Captain Christopher Pike (Anson Mount) led the Enterprise and her crew on daring missions to explore the vastness of Space and make new discoveries and advancements on behalf of the Federation. The crew of the Enterprise is has a vast range of experience and skill they bring to their mission, and one Dr. M’Benga, played brilliantly by Babs Olusanmokun, gets his own featured episode this week.

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DC Comics, Interview, Television

Kausar Mohammed on Joining ‘The Flash’

Swara Salih

There’s a new speedster in town on The Flash! Dr. Meena Dhawan made her debut in “Keep it Dark” and received the spotlight in last week’s “The Man in the Yellow Tie.” Who is Dr. Meena and why has she sought Barry Allen and his team out?

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Marvel, Podcasts

The Middle Geeks Episode 39: ‘Ms. Marvel’ Episodes 1-2 Review

Swara Salih

We discuss episodes 1-2 of the new MCU Disney+ series Ms. Marvel, starring Iman Vellani!

Ms. Marvel is here! We discuss the first two episodes of the series, discussing how wonderful Iman Vellani is in the main role, how well the series does at portraying Kamala and her family and friends, how well it does on portraying Islam, the change to her powers, and where it can do better in certain fronts.

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