Scene

Tom DeLuca hypnotizes at LaFortune

Country comes to Compton

Campus Musician

If you attend Mass in Knott Hall on Sunday nights, you might be able to catch junior music major Michael Thompson playing bass for the dorm's choir. He's a tenor in the Glee Club, bassist for the Pasquerilla Music Company and Notre Dame's Symphony Orchestra and plans to attend graduate school for music theory. He said it all started with a song he heard by Led Zeppelin in high school. "I heard 'Black Dog' by Led Zeppelin," he said. "And after hearing that, I thought, 'I want to do that.'" Thompson has played ever since. "I practiced a lot," he said. "When I came to Notre Dame, I was originally planning on doing economics, but I was also planning on the music track as well. But by the end of that year, I just liked my music homework so much more than my economics work so I just stuck with that instead. I don't regret it at all. I enjoy being a music major." He studies with Prof. Darrel Tidaback, Notre Dame's bass professor. "Darrel Tidaback is a jazz guy. He is probably one of the only solidly jazz guys here," he said. "I worked with him last summer doing some research with him at the University of Chicago on altered dominant chords." Dominant chords are built on the fifth scale degree of the diatonic scale. "A dominant chord is the chord that pulls back to the tonic chord. To alter a dominant chord, you take the fifth and raise it slightly by a half-step," he said. "It makes it a bit more tense." Thompson said he wanted to know more about the altered dominant chords he heard in jazz and earlier variations found in composers like Chopin. "I was looking at Chopin's use of [altered dominant chords], and I got the idea from looking at some jazz stuff with Darrel," he said. "It's a longer process than I was able to cover. I'm planning on building a timeline of the fully altered dominant chord. The fully altered dominant chord has four alterations to it. Hopefully next summer I can look at some later music to see how the other alterations piled in." Between Glee Club and the orchestra, Thompson studies Schenkerian analysis. "It's is a way to analyze different tonal compositions. It's kind of necessary to know if you want to go to grad school for music," he said. Thompson said he is considering the University of Chicago for music theory. "I'd like to continue my quest to find the origins of the altered dominant chord," he said. "But I'm going to try looking into schools who have Glee Clubs. I get a joy from playing [and] listening that I just can't get from really any other study or thing to do. I just really enjoy music. I can't really give a better answer than that," he said. "It puts a smile on my face." Contact Meghan Thomassen at mthomass@nd.edu 

Paradise' Almost There

Being a female pop star today entails more than just singing. In fact, on the list of requirements to make it big on the music scene, the ability to sing ranks pretty low on necessary traits. Higher on the list includes cultivating a certain persona or act, collaborating with the hottest producers and maintaining a certain degree of fame (or infamy). This formula of sorts has been followed to a "t" by American songstress Lana Del Rey, whose latest EP, "Paradise," was released Nov. 13. "Paradise" continues the development of Del Rey as both a singer and an artist following the release of her debut studio album "Born to Die" in January. Featuring just eight songs, "Paradise" fits in with Del Rey's act while also being more tightly produced and efficient than "Born to Die". Del Rey's music is based not so much in her talent (which she does have) as it is in her persona. Born Lizzy Grant, Del Rey took several stage names before settling on her current title. The singer describes her image best as a "self-styled gangsta Nancy Sinatra" or "Lolita lost in the hood". Either are bizarre descriptions, but they are fitting: Del Rey takes cinematic music that harkens back to the 1960s and gives it a modern twist. It's high-concept stuff and it sounds better in theory than it does on an album. Del Rey has crafted a persona to live up to, and her progression as a singer-songwriter is as much about crafting better music as it is crafting music that better fits into and pushes her role. With such a challenging character to portray, it's only natural to think it is going to take time for Del Rey to get "better" at playing it. And in "Paradise," she does. The first track, "Ride," might be Del Rey's best song ever. It is sweeping and grandiose and has a remarkable way of being multi-faceted, a departure from many of Del Rey's glum one-dimensional songs. Additionally, "Ride" isn't bogged down by some of ultra-melancholy themes that can be repetitive in Del Rey's work. Instead, the track, produced by Rick Rubin, is catchy without being generic, extravagant without being pretentious. Be sure to check the song's mini-film (It's hard to call it a music video when it's longer than 10 minutes.) It's trashy, kitschy and American in the best (and worst) way possible, but also highlights one of Del Rey's weaknesses: Sometimes, it seems like she is trying too hard and is being controversial for controversy's sake. This notion of trying too hard serves as a perfect segue to the second single off the album, "Cola.". Shockingly enough, the song is not about the drink but how Del Rey claims her boyfriend describes a certain one of her body parts. The song itself is catchy and fluid, but when combined with her playing a prostitute in the "Ride" music video and describing her act as Lolita-like, it sometimes seems like Del Rey is being a lightning rod of controversy so people will listen to her music out of shock or curiosity, rather than because of her talent. It's a bit of a shame, because listening to "Paradise," it is readily apparent Del Rey has the vocals that so many female singers are lacking. Normally, pop stars use an "image" or "act" to cover up vocal deficiencies, but in Del Rey's case, her persona can tend to mask or hide her true talent. Listening to "Paradise," it is readily apparent that her voice caresses and plays with the lyrics in a beautiful, gentle way, especially on "American" and "Body Electric". Del Rey has also done a good job of singing about more diverse themes than her typical "sadcore" sound. Her signature melancholy sound achieves new dimensions in the spritely "Blue Velvet" and the aforementioned "Ride" and thus her music is a more enjoyable listen. Overall, "Paradise" is a solid effort from Del Rey and a nice collection of songs - a step in the right direction, if you will. Del Rey's next move as an artist is to discover a balance between "Lana Del Rey" and her music. It couldn't hurt to further develop the themes and emotions behind her music. The talent is there, now she just needs to highlight it better. Contact Sam Stryker at sstryke1@nd.edu 

Keep Calm and Style On

We all have those days. We sit with our laptops open in front of us and our books sprawled out aimlessly across our desks. We write the headings for our seven-page papers and then reward ourselves with hour-long Facebook, Twitter and Instagram perusing extravaganzas. Some refer to this phenomenon as the nightmare of procrastination: an unavoidable disease that infects many a college student, many a day or night, inhibiting them from reaching their full potential of academic productivity. I, on the other hand, like to refer to this sort of behavior as normal and necessary. Here at Notre Dame, as well as at other top-level colleges and universities worldwide, students know what it means to work hard. We stay up late and wake up early. Most of us participate in a series of extracurricular activities, where we act as leaders, learners, pioneers and problem solvers. No matter how unlikely it may seem, at the end of the day, the seven-page paper, the extensive lab report, the business presentation, the acting monologue, and the musical composition are all miraculously done. This, my friends, is the art of the being a college student. Like coffee and Taco Bell, Starbucks and Au Bon Pain, methods of procrastination are just ways to keep us up and working. So why have I written this long paragraph about the necessity of procrastination when this is a fashion column and you're most likely interested in fashion? Well because if you're anything like me, then you're tired of always resorting to the common social media websites to temporarily free you from your studies. You're looking for something new and exciting that will spark your attention and will keep you up and wanting more. You're looking for websites that are fun, fashionable and procrastinator-friendly, and you've come to the right place. I've scoured the web to find some of the most fun and interesting fashion sites in all the land. Check them out, and don't forget to do your homework too!. STEALHERSTYLE.NET Do you ever find yourself wondering where the heck celebrities get certain pieces in their wardrobes? I wonder the same thing, and for many years I would either keep an eye out for similar pieces when I hit the mall, or I would simply call it a lost cause. This all changed, however, when I stumbled upon a little website called stealherstyle.net. The website takes stylish photos of A-list celebrities and breaks down each element from their looks, detailing both the price of each item and the store from which each item originated. Feeling a little more edgy? The site also profiles different celeb hairstyles and tattoos, so if you're interested in changing up you're look or simply looking - then check it out for some of the best secrets for celebrity style. LOOKBOOK.NU If you're interested in fashion, photography, business, or blogging, then lookbook.nu is the website for you. LB is, in layman's terms, one huge fashion photo blogging database. Like any other social media website, on LB users can create an account and connect with other individuals worldwide. The site attracts people from all walks of the fashion world and encourages them to take photos of interesting looks that they find or create. As a result, they develop an online collection of their own looks to share with the rest of the world. So what's the catch? Well, LB prides itself on exposing the world to high-quality imagery from the most passionate fashion-goers. Therefore, if you're interested in taking photos for your own account, then your photos can only be taken with a high-quality camera. Additionally, the site only allows for one photo upload every few hours. The rules seem a little annoying upon first consideration, but the result is a crazy cool website with some of the edgiest looks from all over the world. Plus, because of the website's high quality, top brand names like American Apparel, H&M, and Dr. Marten's have teamed up with LB to allow bloggers to come up with styles for the brands clothes. Not interested in taking photos? That's cool! Creating an account is easy, uploading photos is optional, and you gain the ability to "hype" your favorite looks, "fan" your favorite lookbookers. You can then refer back to your choices whenever you need some fashion inspiration! iPhone, iPod and iPad app available. WEHEARTIT.COM Are you one to scroll through pictures on Iinstagram only to find yourself thoroughly disappointed when you come across pictures that you've already seen? Well get ready for the procrastination goldmine. Weheartit.com is a never-ending database of photos of all types. Want a little bit of everything? Go to the site's home page and scroll away. Every day users all over the world post thousands of new photos so you'll never get bored. Or, if you're interested in finding something more specific, type a word or phrase into the search box and you'll find an endless number of results matching your request. Like lookbook, if you're interested in keeping track of photos that you like or posting your own, then signing up for an account is easy and free. In minutes, you'll have infinite "hearting" privileges, and like "hyping" or "liking" you'll be able to spread the fashion love while also storing images that inspire you. iPhone, iPod and iPad app available.

Glee club fall concert

As their first Fall Concert of the year approaches, members of Notre Dame's Glee Club stay calm, cool and collected, as usual. Through all their intense rehearsals and spontaneous performances around campus, these guys never lose their smiles and excitement. Brian Scully, this year's Glee Club treasurer, described the club's hectic schedule. "Glee Club is entering one of its busiest seasons right now," Scully said. "Our fall concert this Friday is only one in a long list of events for us. In the last week alone we've also sung for the residents of Holy Cross Village, at a wedding in the Basilica, at Baraka Bouts, and had a master class with the King's Singers, a world-renowned men's chorus." In addition, Christmas is right around the corner, meaning nonstop Christmas caroling around campus for the Glee Club. Although this sounds like a strenuous schedule, club president John Kemnetz stressed the positivity of the club. "Usually the intensity level goes way up in our rehearsals leading up to a concert," Kemnetz said. "Focus is important and oftentimes our rehearsals will run longer, but we don't mind. We love to sing for crowds at Notre Dame and have fun doing so - we're less about stress and anxiety and more about having a good time and making sure our audience does the same." Even when not preparing for a specific concert, the Glee Club has a demanding rehearsal schedule, but according to Scully they love this time spent together. "Glee Club has rehearsal Monday through Thursday for about an hour and 15 minutes," Scully said. "We also have some added open rehearsals on the Fridays of game weekends. Glee club definitely keeps you busy, but it's time spent doing something you love with one of the tightest and most caring social groups on campus. It's hard to beat that." This Friday's fall concert is structured around various genres of music and features songs from the club's new album. "Our concerts are usually separated into two halves -- what we like to call the 'serious half', during which we perform more classical, liturgical, and modern choral music, and the 'fun half', during which we get to sing some more light stuff including African American spirituals, folk songs, and barbershop numbers," Kemnetz said. "One unique feature of this concert is that many of the pieces we will perform are a part of our newest album, Rocky Road to Dublin, released in August. Music themes range from the horrors of war to Marian devotion to drunken revelry, so there's really something for all of us to relate to." As Friday draws closer and closer, Glee Club sophomore Joey Copp expresses nothing but positivity and excitement. "I expect a really good show, we've all put in a lot of hard work, especially [our director] Dan [Stowe], and I expect a great audience," Copp said. "We've sold out the main house and we think it'll be a real treat for everyone who can make it." Kemnetz keeps up the same enthusiasm, urging students to come even if just to see what the hype is all about. "We're Notre Dame's oldest and most well known choir, but more than that we present music that is accessible and fun to listen to," Kemnetz said. "If you're a Notre Dame student who has never been to a choral concert at Notre Dame, then this is the concert you won't want to miss." Contact Maddie Daly at mdaly6@nd.edu

Playing out the playlist

"Fangs" - Little Red Lung If you love the ethereal and mysterious, then this song is the one for you. Featuring acoustic guitar, echoing harmonies, and eddying violins, "Fangs" is a beautiful little musical experience that you can't help but be drawn in to. "Work Around It" - Them Swoops This band from Australia has released literally only this song thus far, but from the way this sounds, I'm anxious to hear their first full-length album. With its catchy guitar riff, you'll feel like you're driving along a sea-sprayed California coastline at sunset (which is a nice thought considering South Bend's recent weather conditions). "Laura" - Bat For Lashes The first time I heard this song off Bat For Lashes' "The Haunted Man," I think I played it on repeat about a dozen times. Singer Natasha Khan is backed mostly by piano throughout the majority of this ballad, but the cello and horn bits that hit in the chorus give the track an oomph that leaves you wanting to listen to it again ... and again...and again... "Priscilla" - Sea Wolf I can never get enough folk-infused indie rock. Sea Wolf brilliantly executes this style, adding a just the right dose of effects to round it off. It's no different with this excellent track from Sea Wolf's third album "Old World Romance." "Clone" - Metric Metric never ceases to keep me interested in their work. They have a style that dips into an extensive array of genres, from synth pop to pure rock to electronica. This track off of their newest album "Synthetica" with its electronic melody repeated throughout seems modest, but singer Emily Hayes' vocals and the song's outro are simply captivating. "Litost" - Ambassadors Leading in with eerie harmonies and featuring beautiful strings and a prominent drum beat throughout, this track is a real heart-wrenching song. Lead singer Sam Harris' pining vocals ooze emotions that you can't help but feel yourself. "Wild" - Royal Teeth This is a charming song from a new band hailing from New Orleans, La. The tempo is upbeat and catchy and the oohs and ahs are delightful. You'll find yourself singing and dancing along in no time. And sometimes belting it out in the car. Not like I would know anything about that. "Lazuli" - Beach House I have already expressed my love for Beach House. I will continue to do so by presenting you with another one of their dream-pop delights. And I have played this one on repeat as well. I have no shame. "Glide" - Pinback This song quite literally glides along. After a long 5-year hiatus, Pinback released their fifth album "Information Retrieved" just last month. Pinback has had a whole slew of musicians rotate through the band, but they have consistently kept with their distinct style of unusual, syncopated rhythms and prominent bass lines. "River" - Civil Twilight We're going international again with this one, but this time we'll find ourselves in South Africa. This track from South African alt rock band Civil Twilight's sophomore album "Holy Weather" has a delightful gloominess (does that even make sense?) about it. Acoustic guitars, emoting harmonies, and slight grunginess will leave you begging for more. "Eyeoneye" - Andrew Bird Andrew Bird as an extensive repertoire under his belt thus far. This track off of his latest album "Break It Yourself" is one of my favorites. Andrew Bird is a multi-instrumentalist who has a charming quirkiness about his music that always keeps you interested, featuring plucky violins, the ever elusive glockenspiel, and just about the coolest whistling I've ever heard. "Feels Like We Only Go Backwards" - Tame Impala A psychedelic rock band from Australia, Tame Impala channels the swirling, dreamy synth effects characteristic of late 60s psychedelic bands. And as soon as you hear vocalist Kevin Parker's voice, you'll swear that John Lennon has been reincarnated. This track is a chill tune to groove to off of their sophomore album, "Lonerism." "Strange Attractor" - Animal Kingdom This song was a favorite on the radio airwaves this summer and it's not hard to see why. It's cheerful and upbeat, it's about finding unexpected love, and it's Brit-pop. What more could you ask for? "Back Seat" - Atlas Genius Yes, I'm adding another song from an Australian band. Why? Because I can. And this song is just awesome.  

French director screens powerful film

Critically acclaimed French director Claire Denis appeared on campus Tuesday evening to screen and discuss her film "Beau Travail" as part of the Nanovic Institute's ongoing film series. The 1999 film was met with an incredible amount of acclaim upon its release, winning the National Society of Film Critics Awards in 2000 and receiving the highest ratings from publications like "Rolling Stone." Denis originally began work on "Beau Travail" after being approached in Paris by television producers to make a film about "foreignness." As a daughter of a French civil servant, she had grown up in in French colonial Africa, but said she never felt like a foreigner. "I was not a foreigner," Denis said of her life in Cameroon. "I was home, in a way. Everyone was speaking French there." She decided that her new project would focus on the French Foreign Legion, a wing of the French military comprised of men from many different countries who serve and eventually gain French citizenship. The Legion recruits men from countries all around the world, and Denis summarized the aims of most involved in the Legion, stating, "When you run away from your country, you get a passport to your new life." The story is centered on a small troop of the Legion receiving training from their sergeant, Galoup (Denis Lavant, in an incredible performance), in the deserts of Djibouti. When a heroic and charismatic new soldier, Sentain (Grégoire Colin), joins the troop, Galoup feels immediately threatened. Tensions between the two men grow throughout the movie, leading to the sergeant's eventual demise. "The fiction became a sort of derivation of 'Billy Budd,'" said Denis, referring to Herman Melville's novella that takes place aboard a British Royal Navy ship. Denis not only incorporated the general theme of story, but also included music from Benjamin Britten's opera, "Billy Budd," based on Melville's novella. While Beau Travail's plot focuses on two characters in the Legion, Sentain and Galoup, the film is comprised mostly of scenes of the troop's vigorous training and striking images of Djibouti. This way, French presence in Africa becomes a character in itself. The cinematography, done by award-winner Agnés Godard, gives the audience sweeping pans of the desert, plenty of wide, distant shots of the Legion's routine for most of the film, and unexpected angles during dialogue. The style of the film at first seems extremely monotonous - dialogue is virtually nonexistent, and scenes of the men running around in the desert go on for almost uncomfortable lengths of time. But as the film continues, the combination of the Djiboutian landscape and the troop's exercises paired with the striking "Billy Budd" opera music begins to look like a choreographed art piece rather than the slow-moving military drama one may have expected. Denis described the making of the film and the conditions under which she and her cast worked, bringing to light how the film became what she calls "an almost abstract representation" of the French Foreign Legion. She had very few actors, a tight budget and four weeks to shoot. Her initial idea of having a realistic troop of 100 men turned into a small collection of fifteen actors. Denis shared that the film was shot without any professional lighting, and instead was lit by only the sun by day and car headlights at night. Occasionally, all that can be seen in the dark scenes of the film are the butt of a lit cigarette or the occasional glare of a gun. Denis focuses many of her films on, as Donald Crafton of the Nanovic Institute described, "the tensions, distractions, and absurdity the colonized life engenders." "Beau Travail" is certainly no exception. With a small budget, short filming period and relatively no equipment, Denis managed to turn a set of 15 men in a desert into a beautiful and haunting examination of both French presence in Africa as well as the intriguing "Billy Budd"-like relationship between the two main characters, chronicling the unraveling of Sergeant Galoup. The film ends with a simple yet striking scene of Galoup dancing, letting loose and letting go of his time with the Legion. It is perhaps the most important scene in the film, and Clair Denis chose to introduce the movie rather than follow it with questions because she hoped the audience would leave "with the music in mind." Her introduction was enlightening and helpful in understanding the film, but her allowance of the audience to ultimately leave with their own thoughts is indicative of the power of the "Beau Travail" and Denis as its director. Contact Allie Tollaksen at atollaks@nd.edu

Aloha': Relaxed Summer Tunes

I've always enjoyed the Guy Ritchie film "Rocknrolla," despite critics and friends disagreeing with me. In the movie, one specific scene features two comical, drug-addled thieves/back alley salesmen attempt to sell a group of men a thick fur coat in summertime. One salesman tries to circumvent the likely lack of demand by asserting, "I agree it doesn't seem the right time of year to be acquiring a coat with such thermal efficiency, but Christmas is always around the corner." Gerard Butler's character responds bluntly, "It is the middle of [expletive] summer." Cisco Adler's debut solo album, "Aloha," evokes a parallel emotion, only reversed. Adler made his name as a member of the alternative hip-hop duo Shwayze, and fans of Shwayze's biggest hits will feel an identical vibe from this solo effort. Fans of Mickey Avalon might also recognize Adler's vocals, as he was featured one of Avalon's biggest hits, "What Do You Say?" which was featured in the 2009 comedy "The Hangover." The album as a whole plays slow and relaxed, with percussion driving the steady pace throughout the record and giving the feel of beaches, palm trees and paradise. And while it may not be the most original sound in the world, the warm weather, party-all-night-sleep-all-day smoothness of the sound would make for a solid summer soundtrack - if only the album had been released in June. Instead, the record was released on October 22, just as the last vestiges of warmth and color faded away into the grips of winter (somebody told me it snowed on campus Monday). Adler did release an EP with a few of the tracks on this album in July, but the full record didn't hit stories for another three months. As said before, the album sounds almost exactly like almost all of Shwayze's songs, so Adler is not venturing into any new territory here. The biggest difference is that while on Shwayze's albums the verses almost entirely consist of the rapper Shwayze's vocals, this record allows Adler to show off his lyrical ability in more than just the hook. The singers' vocals have always maintained a chilled out, smooth vibe and that continues here. With Shwayze's hip-hop sensibilities and delivery removed, Adler's songs edge close to Jack Johnson territory, and listening to the album it's not hard to imagine Adler having a more similar sound to Johnson if he had grown up in Hawaii instead of Los Angeles. Independent rapper G-Eazy is featured on the first two tracks, building a good bridge between the hip-hop centered efforts of Adler's work with Shwayze and the more reggae-inspired work of his solo album. "Boom Boom Boom," one of the two songs featuring G-Eazy, is one of the more dance-friendly songs on the album and a solid crossover track. "The Good Life" exemplifies the album's mood, featuring a slow beat, a catchy, laid back hook and lyrics about sunshine, California and happiness. "Waking Up in Paradise" is another memorable tune, with another slow beat and catchy hook. But it stands apart slightly, featuring southern blues-rock band "North Mississippi All Stars" which give the song a stronger blues feel than the rest of the album. Maybe it isn't the perfect time for a carefree summer album, but if anyone's looking to escape the dull grays and bitter cold of the coming winter, "Aloha" isn't a terrible to place to turn. Contact Kevin Noonan at knoonan2@nd.edu 

Consider the Alternative

I bet your mother told you that it is never a bad idea to try new things. When it comes to female pop stars, I'm going to tell you the same. With Lana Del Rey's release of "Paradise," her third EP, music fans get to enjoy an alternative to the regular rotation of female pop stars. Even I will admit there is more to life than Lady Gaga and Ke$ha. In fact, it's pretty easy to find some innovative pop songstresses who will treat your earlobes to their delightful sonic confections. And let's face it, you're pretty basic if you aren't making an effort to move beyond what's playing on the radio. Whether you want to hit the dance floor or satiate your sadness on the couch with a pint of Ben & Jerry's and a rom-com, there is a pop star out there to suit any one of your moods. Here's a list of the top female pop stars that you should be listening to but probably aren't already.

Campus Cafes by Claire

If you go wandering down the grand spiral staircase of the Mendoza College of Business, adorned with lights and Christmas garland, you'll eventually find Café Commons, hidden away in the hallways of the basement. It's a perfect place to get a quick bite, and students and faculty alike come here to enjoy the trendy new furniture and calm atmosphere.

Wreck-It Ralph' Nostalgic Fun for All

"Wreck-It Ralph" is Disney Animation's latest feature film following an arcade villain of the same name. The movie is a genuine and well-developed story of finding oneself and identity outside of the labels placed on us. At the same time, "Wreck-It Ralph" is an ode to gamers and retro video games, spotlighting beloved characters like Sonic, Q-bert and Pac-man. Regardless of any preconceived notions of how Disney will handle the beloved "Star Wars" franchise, their incredible use of licensed games and characters in "Wreck-It Ralph" is certainly a good sign. Overall, the movie, in typical Disney fashion, is a good-hearted feel-good movie that has enough humor and allusions to appeal to kids and adults alike. The movie's namesake, Ralph, is a typical arcade "bad guy" whose days consist of smashing the same building of condos while Fix-It Felix Jr. uses his magic hammer to repair any of Ralph's wreckage. After a long day's work of wrecking, Ralph heads home to the neighborhood dump filled with broken bricks and his stump. On the game's 30th anniversary, and after being left out of the party the other characters were throwing, Ralph becomes fed up with being a bad guy and just once wants to be the hero. Moving from game to game, Ralph tries to find a good fit where he can in fact be a hero, win that shiny medal and be accepted in his own game as a friend and member of society. In the process, Ralph goes to a Halo-esque military combat game and a polar opposite candy-coated go-kart racing game. Filled with puns and references to games from our past, "Wreck-It Ralph" is sure to become a Disney classic. John C. Reilly is the voice of Ralph and puts on a performance on par with his from "Step Brothers." While not personally the biggest fan of Sarah Silverman and her typically juvenile humor, her character Vanellope suited her persona well, of course with a fair share of "doody" jokes. It would be tough to find a better person to play the intense female military commander than Jane Lynch, but the character's romantic encounters with Jack McBrayer's Fix-It Felix Jr. are beyond awkward. Still, the casting as a whole was surprisingly great for the movie. It should not take much to convince one to watch a vintage heart-warming Disney movie, and "Wreck-It Ralph" is no break from the tradition. Using retro gaming and classic characters as vehicles in the movie only adds to the story and provides more than enough for the college-aged viewer to feel nostalgic about. Be sure to take your little brothers and sisters to see it when you go home for the Thanksgiving holiday - you won't be disappointed. Contact Amkur Chawla at achawla@nd.edu

Bond Back With A Bang

Whether or not you go into "Skyfall" as a Bond fan, you'll definitely leave as one. "Skyfall" exceeds expectations of a Bond movie, fully bringing 007 to the modern day in spectacular cinematic style. After an impressive reboot with "Casino Royale" and an average but forgettable sequel in "Quantum of Solace," the four-year wait for "Skyfall" was well worth it. The task of the iconic opening sequence song is given to Adele, who more than rises to the challenge in the song she performed and co-wrote. The moody, emotional piece already on playlists across the country sets the movie's tone. The movie has barely begun, but from the opening song you immediately get drawn into the story. The "Skyfall" beginning is as psychedelic, artistic and kaleidoscopic as ever, consisting of artsy underwater scenes featuring blood, fire and of course, silhouettes of women. Though at times very self aware and abstract, paired with Adele's smooth and haunting voice, it works to create the darkness and the beauty of the film. As far as characterization, "Skyfall" doesn't feature the reckless, cocky Bond of "Casino Royale." Instead, it's an aging, vulnerable Bond being dragged down from the beginning. The audience sees their once-confident hero fight against dark forces and the inevitability of time passing, his true humanity brought out through his weaknesses. M is featured in "Skyfall" much more, too, played so well by the sharp, strong Judi Dench, of whom we see a new side. Another fun bonus is the introduction of Q (Ben Whishaw), the witty, clever brains behind the technology, often comically contrasting Bond's rugged violence. It wouldn't be a Bond film without a sexy, foreign femme fatale or two for Bond to tangle verbally and physically with (this time a more kick-butt, intelligent female is around to challenge Bond as well.) However, Bond isn't so much absorbed with a woman like in "Quantum of Solace," but a dangerous new villain who has infiltrated too close to home and made the battle personal. This movie also doesn't have the brutal physicality in its action scenes as Daniel Crag's Bond has had in the past. The chase and fight scenes are still prominent and charged with breathless action, but are more stylistic and mesmerizing deadly dances. This moment in Bond history makes a point to define itself as a cultural force in a new modern time while still paying homage to Bonds past. The movie reminds the audience of the true "British-ness" of Bond with scenes all over historic London and more of a locational presence in the iconic city. The plot follows the international scandal of the British Secret Service and the dangerous consequences of a hacker villain. Even a viewer who has never seen anything Bond will be dazzled by the scenes of international travel - from the glamorous, glowing neon of Shanghai to the scenic, rustic hills of Scotland. "Skyfall" not only is a good Bond movie, but an all-out stunning, thrilling movie for today. The cinematography at times is art in motion, seamlessly blending beautiful and dramatic shots with the action of the story and the emotional stakes of Bond and M. The score sucks you into the action of the chase, the intensity of the fight and the drama of the emotions and the intricacy of the new technology. "Skyfall" is a promising and exciting new chapter in Bond history, electrifying for devoted fans and pulling in new ones by being so darn good. Contact Claire Stephens at cstephe4@nd.edu

Twilight' and Notre Dame Football

"The Hobbit," a children's fantasy book following a diminutive adventurer and an enigmatic wizard as they battle dragons, trolls and magic, hit the shelves in 1937. In 1950, four English children stumbled through a wardrobe and into a land of lions and legends in "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." In between, Frank Leahy led the Notre Dame football team to four AP national championships.

Know Thy Shelf

Texts, emails, tweets, Facebook messages, snapchats, pings, letters, pokes, iMessage - which one doesn't belong? It doesn't take an SAT whiz to figure this one out. Letters don't seem to fit into our modern landscape of communication. This is an unfortunate side effect of our efficient, economic, environmentally-friendly new system of email and instant messaging. Letters are an intensely personal and cathartic way to develop and deepen relationships. It doesn't matter if you're writing to your sister on the other side of the country or to the cutie in organic chemistry. Sitting down and putting pen to paper is the next best thing to a face-to-face conversation. Not only does writing down your thoughts help organize and clarify how you want to say something, it also helps you understand what you are trying to say. People talk about how they sometimes compose angry emails to vent. That annoyance doesn't seem so important once you actually see your complaint composed on paper. Letters force us to really consider what we are putting into words. Typed, instant messages are more likely to be regretted. Letters provide the same release without the danger of the "send" button accidentally clicked. They can be revised, restructured and reworded to fit the message you're trying to send. Perhaps the most important part about writing letters is the stationery. Letters give people the excuses to obsess over stores like Papyrus and Hallmark. Calligraphy pens and cardstock letterheads beckon like catnip. Sending a letter lets your personalize your signature in more ways than one. Letters are also a wonderful form of memorabilia, a record for you to look back on. When you're feeling sentimental, what sounds more appealing: scrolling through a litany of texts and abbreviations on a tiny screen, or keeping important letters to frame on your wall or tucked into your journal? Most Notre Dame students probably have their acceptance letters still tacked on their bulletin boards. Cards from grandparents, love letters from deceased spouses and notes scrawled by a marker-wielding kindergartener decorate refrigerators and living room walls. When we're dead and gone, will our children spend hours ticking through tweets to figure our what their parents were like? Or will they have physical heirlooms of our intellect, sentiment and personality? Is there any delight greater than waiting for a letter? The delayed gratification increases the importance of the message and makes it more of a gift. When someone opens their mailbox to find a letter, they usually perk up and think, "I wonder who it's from?" When someone notices they have yet another email in their inbox, they usually groan and think, "Why do these people keep bothering me?" Envelopes even look like gifts. Here's a letter, wrapped, signed, sealed, delivered and all just for you. So here's a little lesson about writing a letter, for those of you have never trotted to Hammes-Mowbray to buy postage stamps. When you're trying to make a romantic gesture, you don't shoot your significant other an e-card. You don't send a potential employer a text, "Hey! Thanx 4 the gr8 interview!" While formal letters are something of a societal antique (alas!) there's something classy, sophisticated and memorable about a composition. So, take a minute and jot down a note to your mom, your dad, your boyfriend, your roommate, your grandparent, your mentor or anyone who has been on your mind. If you're abroad, make everyone on campus jealous and send a postcard from your latest day trip. Just remember this: Writing a letter breaks your message away from the mundane blitzkrieg of electronic overload and shows that you are far more mature, considerate and classy than the lucky recipient of your letter ever imagined. Contact  Meghan Thomassen at mthomass@nd.edu The views in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.  

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Top Bond Cars

1. Aston Martin DB5 - "Goldfinger," 1964 2. Lotus Espirit - "The Spy Who Loved Me," 1977 3. Aston Martin DBS V12 - "Casino Royale," 2006 4. Aston Martin DBS -"On Her Majesty's Service," 1969 5. Ford Mustang Mach 1 -"Diamonds Are Forever," 1971

Top Bond Villains

1. Ernst StavroBlofeld The leader of the criminal organization SPECTRE, and the exact basis for Dr. Evil's character in "Austin Powers," Blofeld appears in six different Bond films, constantly at war with Bond and the British Secret Service. 2. Goldfinger A classic bad guy obsessed with gold and wealth, Goldfinger plots to devalue the entirety of America's gold stock in Fort Knox with some pretty fancy radiation technology. A very economically devious plan. 3. Jaws A monstrous figure with unlimited strength, Jaws actually appeared in two different Bond films, "The Spy Who Loved Me" and "Moonraker." He survives a building collapsing on him, being thrown from a train, being hit by a car and even a fight with a shark. Not bad. 4. Oddjob A Japanese henchman in "Goldfinger," Oddjob was famous for his nasty hat-throwing skills. 5. Scaramanga Bond's nemesis in the 1974 film "The Man with the Golden Gun," Scaramanga is a three-nippled assassin who wields the infamous golden gun. Christopher Lee, who found villainy again later in life as Saruman in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, played the villain.

Bond Rankings

1. Sean Connery His accent. What more is there to say? Sean Connery will always be the one and only original James Bond. 2. Pierce Brosnan As James Bond from 1995 to 2002, Brosnan brought the most suave English sophistication to the screen. Another Bond with a great accent, Brosnan embodies 007 flawlessly. 3. Daniel Craig Craig ranks as the third best Bond, positioning himself as a beautiful compromise between Connery and Brosnan. Craig is equal parts tough and smooth. Craig, at the center of the present Bond era, hasn't disappointed so far. 4. Roger Moore Though Moore had one more appearance than Connery as Bond, their representations of the agent differ. While Connery brings a gruff sort of secret agent style to the screen, Moore's handsome yet funny portrayal makes him a top contender for the best Bond. 5. Timothy Dalton Timothy Dalton takes the prize for most intense and driven Bond. He brought a certain seriousness to the role when he took on villains in "The Living Daylights" and "License to Kill." 6. George Lazenby As Bond for only one film, Lazenby is at a numerical disadvantage for judging. As the Ringo Starr of James Bond, there is little to say about his performance, though "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" is one of the best of the series.