Scene
Repo Men' unravels
By
The Observer
· Monday, March 22, 2010
This movie had all the pieces for a decent, or possibly really good movie: thought-provoking social commentary, high-tempo action sequences and solid actors like Jude Law and Forest Whitaker. However, a sloppy story line and a horrendous, "surprise" ending made this movie as much a waste of two hours as standing in line at Reckers after parietals. If you were planning on seeing "Repo Men," I'd suggest saving the $7.50 and avoid being sorely disappointed.
Music Under the Radar that Should Be on Your Mainstream
By
The Observer
· Monday, March 22, 2010
Have you ever been in a conversation with someone who's name-dropped a band and you've nodded emphatically, agreeing that said band is so good/cool/innovative, only to completely forget the name the minute you walk away? Fear no more, because here is a list of some of the most noteworthy music out there today, at least in the category of slightly-more-important. Did I unforgivably ignore your favorite? E-mail me and maybe I'll include it in the next list.
The Best, Worst, and Brightest of Oscar Fashion
By
The Observer
· Thursday, March 18, 2010
The daring, the beautiful and unfortunately the ugly all brought their best to the 82nd Academy Awards two weeks ago, highlighting upcoming fashion trends and sending out blaring warning signals of "don't try this at home" with the swish of some over-the-top gowns. Sandra Bullock: As everyone knows, this star was a winner on every level possible on March 7. The Oscar she won was a mere accessory to the gorgeous, elegant and classy but sexy Marchesa gown she chose to clothe her fabulous figure. The sheer metallic and lacy details were perfectly balanced with simple side-swept hair and a smack of pink lipstick to add a punch of color to Bullock's otherwise statue-like presence. She aced yet another award's show red carpet and even has the Oscar to prove it. Mariah Carey: Mariah, Mariah, Mariah. It doesn't always have to be about the boobs. Carey disappointed once again with an obvious presence of her décolletage that left little to the imagination and an overabundance of decadent jewelry. It doesn't always have to be "Go big or go home" Mariah. Large earrings, stacks of diamond bracelets on both wrists and an overwhelming brooch made for an uninspiring and blatantly flashy red carpet appearance. No one, not even Eminem, is going to be "obsessed" with this look. Sarah Jessica Parker: You've got to give the woman props for trying to stay in character, even on the red carpet. Parker's pale gold column Chanel gown with a silver embroidered crown at the bosom and gold drapery across the neckline screamed Carrie Bradshaw. Parker brought something new and daring to the red carpet and though it admittedly looked better on the runway, it was innovative and inspiring and helped up the couture quota for the night. Meryl Streep: You're always classy, adorable and a pleasure to listen to. It almost doesn't matter what you wear since your smile is one of the most dazzling and endearing images we've seen. Your white cowl neck long-sleeved gown by Project Runway's Chris March was simple yet flattering and proved that it's possible for a woman to age with grace. Cameron Diaz: Finally, Cameron, you maximized on the beauty you were given. Past red carpet appearances left critics confused as to why this gorgeous woman with a fit figure and dazzling presence constantly failed to pick a gown that matched, but this year she aced it to the approval of all. Her strapless, shimmery embroidered Oscar de la Renta gown, sideswept hair and punch of red lips made her look like an old school Hollywood muse, overflowing with elegance and glamour. Though her look resembled Bullock's, it was refreshingly new, demure and much appreciated on Diaz. Vera Farmiga: Mixed feelings hid in every ruffle of Farmiga's billowing fuchsia Marchesa gown. At first I loved it, then I wasn't quite sure, then I was distracted by the beautiful Sandra Bullock and finally I reached this conclusion: Farmiga's gown was Oscar appropriate and I appreciated that she graced the red carpet with it. It added some flavor and though it wasn't the most flattering fit because it hid every contour of her amazing 36-year-old body, it did bring a punch of color and a fresh spring feel to the awards show.
Proof Positive
By
The Observer
· Thursday, March 18, 2010
This Friday and Saturday Notre Dame students will be staging David Auburn's play, "Proof." The production is directed, produced and acted by Notre Dame students.
Weekend Events Calendar
By
The Observer
· Thursday, March 18, 2010
Thursday: "The Blind Side," Debartolo 101 @ 10 p.m. "The Blind Side" depicts the true story of Michael Oher, a homeless young African American boy who is taken in by a white family, the Tuohys. Through their loving support, Oher excels both in football and athletics, eventually becoming a first round draft pick for the NFL. In developing their relationship, the Tuohys and Oher make important discoveries about themselves and each other. The all-star cast includes Tim McGraw and Sandra Bullock, who won an Oscar for her role as Leigh Anne Tuohy. "The Blind Side" is also showing Friday and Saturday nights at 8 and 10:30 p.m.
Chatting It Up with the Oscars' Producers
By
The Observer
· Thursday, March 18, 2010
Once every year, there comes a day when all the cobwebs of this simple life wash away and we as a human race come face to face with real dreams coming true. It is a collective experience, shared by those across the country and across the world. Warriors lay down their weapons and feuds subside, even if only on the outside. But for three hours (or so) in March, the entertainment world stands still, takes a deep breath and congratulates itself for continuing to exist. This, ladies and gentlemen, is Oscar Sunday. It has been my favorite day of the year for some time. I think it was the moment I realized Bjork could wear a swan as a dress and get the privilege of standing on stage to sing "It Is Oh So Quiet" that I realized, the Academy Awards offer a most unique opportunity for anyone to pull out pretty much whatever they want and get away with it, because everyone is so worried about being nice to each other (or at least appearing like they are). A few weeks ago my own dreams came true when I got to interview Tom Sherak, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Adam Shankman and Bill Mechanic, the producers of this year's Oscars and Mark Shaiman, the musical conductor. For two hours, I participated in a conference call with other students from across the country, beeping in whenever I had something pressing to inquire about (which was pretty much every 30 seconds). During the call, my last name magically transformed into "Deprue," so unfortunately these guys won't be recognizing me anytime soon. Sherak seemed most pleased to even be talking. This fresh-into-office president made the point that the Oscars should be fun, and when he hired Shankman and Mechanic, that's what he told them to do. When I first succeeded in getting a question through, and was announced as "Stephanie Deprue from University of Notre Dame" I have to admit, I panicked. "Hey, Tom. I hope you're warmer than I am right now!" Thus opened the barrage of comments about Notre Dame that spanned not only Sherak, but Shankman and Mechanic, too. "I love it. Midwest. I love it. I love the South too … but Notre Dame!" Pretty auspicious start, don't you think? He said that his favorite part of the Oscars is sitting back and watching the audience's faces. In an extreme highlight moment, he told me specifically after a question I posed that he would not be speaking at the Oscars, because he wanted to help keep the show within the time frame (which, you may have noticed, didn't work — it still ran over, causing Tom Hanks to rush onto the stage to present Best Picture without so much as a reference to the 10 nominees). He informed me that I was the first person (besides his wife) to receive this information. Flabbergasted with joy, I did the only thing I could — tweeted the information to the Ausiello Files at Entertainment Weekly. Talking to Shankman and Mechanic was probably the highlight of the interview, especially since it became frighteningly clear that both were USC fans. As soon as my name (Deprue, again) and university were announced, the hits started coming. "You guys gonna win one of these years against SC?" "Oh please. Oh please. Let's not." In retrospect, it was not the idyllic "your momma's so fat" response I would have expected to come out of my mouth in the face of such a comment. All I could think of to do after that was say, "Now you get a tough question," and proceed to present a fairly involved, probing, insightful inquiry about balancing the Oscars as a commercial event and as an honor ceremony. "I love that question." Good retort, USC. After their answers, which were highly satisfactory, I said, "I forgive the USC comment." (But I didn't, really. Not in my heart.) The last interviewee was Shaiman, who wrote the musical "Hairspray." He opted not to conduct the orchestra for the event, not only because he didn't feel comfortable as a conductor but also because he doesn't have the guts to cut off people's speeches. He did, however, take great care to pair pieces of music with the different presenters that were a bit unexpected. The chance to participate in the conference call was quite a rush, even if I did have to deal with Trojan chatter. I think the Oscars lived up to the hype, if only because the image of Kathryn Bigelow holding two Oscars and looking utterly dazed saved the show from its somewhat mediocre level of scripted comedy. Then again, it's always the unexpected moments that make the telecast so interesting to watch.
Our Family Wedding' Not Worth Attending
By
The Observer
· Thursday, March 18, 2010
Director Rick Famuyiwa's "Our Family Wedding" advertises itself as an ensemble romance dramedy with a promising premise and strong cast. Unfortunately, the film does not find success due to an overabundance of main characters, clichés and contrived situations.
Kindles, Nooks & e-readers: Imaginary Libraries or iPods for Books?
By
The Observer
· Thursday, March 18, 2010
Ostensibly, e-readers like the Amazon Kindle and the Barnes & Noble Nook are like iPods for books. You load them up with digital goodies that you can use but aren't supposed to share. It is an enormous, real-but-not-real library of content that can go pretty much anywhere at any time. The imminent release of the Apple iPad, with its purported e-book capabilities, makes the comparison even more apt. So far, though, I've only used the Kindle.
Flame the Band to Perform at Century Center to celebrate Disability Awareness Month
By
The Observer
· Wednesday, March 17, 2010
South Bend's Logan Center will host its second big event for Disability Awareness Month Thursday with a free concert by the band FLAME at 7 p.m. in the Century Center downtown. FLAME, a cover band that has released three CDs and plays about 90 shows a year, is made up of 11 musicians with physical and developmental disabilities. The group originated in upstate New York in 2003 as a recreation program at a center for people with disabilities, and the band now tours internationally. It performs from a catalogue that includes over 100 classic rock, country and blues songs. The concert follows "Spread the Word to End the Word" Day on March 3, a national campaign that asked people to pledge to stop using the R-word. Nichole Maguire is the volunteer coordinator at the Logan Center, which this year celebrates 60 years of providing resources and recreation for people with disabilities. "I think this is going to impact our community quite a bit especially following ‘Spread the Word to End the Word,'" Maguire said. "I think we felt some momentum for Disability Awareness Month. [The concert] will highlight how amazing people with disabilities are," Maguire said. "I really like the aspect of bringing the community and Notre Dame into awareness about disabilities." Many students already work closely with the Logan Center. Senior Maeve Raphelson is president of Super Sibs, one of the clubs the Logan Center sponsored. Super Sibs is a mentor program that pairs up Notre Dame and Saint Mary's students with South Bend-area youth who have siblings with disabilities. Raphelson herself has a sibling with autism, and she said she hopes the concert can show another side of disability awareness. "I think it's really great to see adults with disabilities doing something that they enjoy and that are successful at," Raphelson said. "My little brother's autistic, and he really wants to be an author ... It gives me hope for my little brother's future." While many Notre Dame and Saint Mary's students participate in the Logan Center's programs now, Raphelson and Maguire said they hope the concert will call more attention to the Center's activities. "This is really the main event for Disability Awareness Month. ‘Spread the Word' was mainly an on-campus thing," Raphelson said. "This is a way to bring the Notre Dame and Saint Mary's community and the South Bend community together. It's a way for people to learn about disabilities and that they're not as debilitating and life-ending as people think they are. "If there's a good showing from Notre Dame and Saint Mary's to show the community that we really care. I hope everyone bring a friend and people that haven't been involved before can start getting involved. You can learn so much from people with disabilities. It's a really important part of human diversity." Doors at the Century Center open at 6:30 for the 7 p.m. show. Tickets are free, and the first 100 students in attendance will receive free t-shirts.
You Know It's St. Patrick's Day at ND If...
By
The Observer
· Wednesday, March 17, 2010
If you're reading this, you're at least 10 hours into St. Patrick's Day by now. The celebration is in full swing and you're taking time from it to read the newspaper?!? Here at Scene, we'd never abandon you on Notre Dame's second favorite holiday — the first being the football home opener. To help you through the rest of the day and deep into the night, here's a handy little guide on what to expect from the Feast of St. Paddy's here at Notre Dame. The lovely green grass is complemented by a few extra green shirts around campus, and if you really have the luck of the Irish, maybe even a shamrock or two. What's the tune blaring from your neighbor's room? The Dropkick Murphys' traditional Irish hymn, "I'm Shipping Off to Boston". On repeat. For hours. Beginning at 6 a.m. Even Yankee fans pretend to like Boston. No one pretends to like Yankee fans. St. Joe's Lake and its year-round sickly green hue becomes not only tolerable, but festive. Still, don't swim in it. Trust us. Did you know there are no snakes in Ireland? St. Paddy drove them out. Did you know there are no snakes on this motherflippin' plane? Samuel J. drove them out. It doesn't matter who you are or where you're from, you're 50 percent Irish, at a minimum. Finny's is packed on a weekday. You begin the night by skipping the college-approved Keystone in favor of a Guinness. Twenty minutes later, you're right back with your old friend Natty. Your noon appetizer? Candy from a pot distributed by an overly excited stranger on the steps of the dining hall. What's that interrupting your afternoon nap? Bagpipes. It's almost like football season. Potatoes and cabbage boiled until they're devoid of both color and flavor? It helped my ancestors get through the famine so sign me up. Digger Phelps showcases a vibrant green tie and highlighter combo on Sportscenter. That water bottle in front of you probably isn't water. Pinching becomes socially acceptable for the non-grandmothers among us. You and half of your 100-person lecture at 5:30 p.m. share a "I immediately regret this decision" look. First and foremost among them, your professor. The proper response to "Top o' the morning to ya" is "And the rest of the day to you!" No matter how much you consume today, remember this. You wake up; the sun seems sunnier, colors more colorful, smells are smellier and the people are people-ier. The dining halls serve the traditional "Lucky Charms and skim milk in a plastic bowl." Green eye shadow seems like a good idea. Deep in your heart you know that students are every other college are green with envy. You wonder how the trinity would work if Patrick and gotten lucky and picked a four leaf clover. Even the trees are dressed accordingly. You one goal for the day is finding a pot of gold. And that's before you start drinking. "Kiss me, I'm Irish" is used by every guy on every girl with a surprising success rate. Being Catholic is a reason to drink. Protestants believe in Saints for one day. So laddyes and lasses go out there into the wild green world and celebrate! This is our holiday. Be safe, be fun and remember: Today, everyone is Irish.
Burton's 'Alice in Wonderland' falls flat
By
The Observer
· Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Tim Burton's new film "Alice in Wonderland" is not the "Alice" that fills your childhood memories. Thirteen years after the events in Lewis Carroll's book "Alice in Wonderland" (and the Disney movie adaptation), Alice, played by newcomer Mia Wasikowska, returns to Underland, which she mistakenly called Wonderland on her last visit. Although she has dreamed of her visit to Underland since childhood, she thought it was merely that — a dream — and is convinced she is once again dreaming her fantastical surroundings.
Scene grades this spring's movie trailers
By
The Observer
· Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Iron Man 2 - 4 shamrocks
Michael & Michael Are Canceled
By
The Observer
· Thursday, March 4, 2010
One of the fall back defenses to being unpopular is the tale of the misunderstood genius. Luminaries such as El Greco, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Alfred Wegener were widely unappreciated before their respective deaths but are well-respected today. While it's a great, if fantastical, comfort for those struggling to make it, the simple fact remains most unpopular art is just plain bad. For every Van Gogh, there are 1,000 artists willing to paint a vaguely familiar landscape, portrait or still life. With that in mind, after months of speculation, it was announced yesterday that Comedy Central's "Michael and Michael Have Issues" was canceled. The short-lived series was the latest vehicle for the perpetually comedic minds of Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter. It is also the latest piece of theirs canceled before its third season. Both comedians cut their teeth in their mid-20s on the MTV show "The State." Back when MTV was still playing music videos, "The State" was the best sketch comedy on the air, bridging the gap between Saturday Night Live's fall from grace and HBO's equally uproarious "Mr. Show." Never truly appreciated in its time, "The State" found a cult following and, 15 years later, a long-awaited DVD release. Rumors of a full-length film have been persistent, but so far unfounded. Many of the show's alumni have gone on to successful Hollywood or standup careers, including Robert Ben Garant, Thomas Lennon and Ken Marino. None are exactly household names, but most are recognizable character actors. Black and Showalter ended up in the same situation as their costars. Following "The State," both Showalter and Black went on to star in their most successful enterprise to date, the 2001 movie "Wet Hot American Summer." The movie again found a cult audience — noticing a theme? The smart meta-commentary on 1980s teen comedies was directed by David Wain, a frequent collaborator with the Michaels. Again, it was a classic example of a film being critically acclaimed but ignored at the box office. Four years later, Black, Showalter and Wain, with the support of Comedy Central, embarked on a promising partnership. Comedy Central, still searching for success in the vein of Chappelle's Show, was airing pilots from any promising comedians they could find. From this caviler dissemination of money sprung the creative pinnacle of Black, Showalter and Wain's career: "Stella." It was a magnificent mixture of satire, wit, absurdity and dumb humor, often featuring famous guest stars and fake mustaches. The show lasted one short, 10-episode season but inspired a sold-out nationwide tour. Perhaps most insultingly, "Mind of Mencia" replaced the show. Showalter and Black left television for a while but returned last year, again on Comedy Central. Their show, "Michael and Michael Have Issues," was a hybrid sketch show and sitcom about its two title characters, both loosely based on their own personalities, trying to make a sketch show. (They say write what you know.) The duo lost some of its sensibility with Wain's departure, and the show dragged at times, but its glimpses of comedic gold showed promise. Seven episodes in, Comedy Central halted production, finally canceling the show months later. A DVD release with strong sales is expected, but not strong enough to ultimately bring the show back. While consistently funny, Black and Showalter have a remarkable record of turning out failed products. Make no mistake, both make excessively comfortable livings, but it's hard to not feel bad for two intelligent comedians putting out excellent material only to see it canceled, especially in a world where "Two and a Half Men" is the top-rated comedy on TV. So please, whatever their next efforts, be it on stage, screen, or TV, buy a ticket or tune in and support the Michaels.
Top 5 Movies of 2009
By
The Observer
· Thursday, March 4, 2010
1. "The White Ribbon" Michael Haneke ("Cache," "The Piano Teacher") creates a simple tale chronicling the strange atrocities committed in a seemingly quaint, innocent German town before World War I. A trip into the heart of darkness, "White Ribbon" is an inquiry into a certain kind of evil bred by a society left stagnant by its own strict moral code and Protestant teachings — the same society that no less than two decades later would commit atrocities that would kill millions of people. One of the most intriguing character and cultural studies ever made, "White Ribbon" succeeds for its insight into a society and culture where facades bottle up the inescapable human capacity for evil, only to unleash it in the worst of ways. This is the year's best film and the first since "There Will Be Blood" deserving of being called a masterpiece. 2. "Antichrist" Costars Charlotte Gainsbourg and Willem Dafoe give their entire selves and then some unto director Lars von Trier's bare-as-bones, uncompromisingly bleak view of human nature. The self-proclaimed "best director in the world" admitted to having suffered from chronic depression during the filming of the movie, and the film undoubtedly benefits from it, as it crosses into rare territory of being truly affecting art. Art that at once will horrify his audience, abandon it, but ultimately, attest to the true visceral power of film and its ability to not only unnerve but leave permanent scars. 3. "Inglorious Basterds" The most fun I had at the movies this year, Quentin Tarantino's history-bending, tongue-in-cheek World War II flick about a band of bloodthirsty Jewish Americans known only as "The Basterds" is pitch-perfect. It loses some of its gusto towards it harrowing end, and it often borders on offensive, but Tarantino and his cast — led by sure-fire Oscar winner Christopher Waltz and a brilliant Brad Pitt — "might just make this his masterpiece." Or, since we're speaking about Tarantino, just another masterpiece to put on his ever-growing mantel. 4. "Up in the Air" What makes "Up in the Air" a deserving candidate for Best Picture is not only George Clooney's unassumingly great performance or Jason Reitman's "breath of fresh air" directing, but also the fact that the movie turns out to be something that we don't expect it to be. It's truly a movie for this time. A moving story made for all of us as we move through the recession, and in many ways, life itself. 5. "The Hurt Locker" Director Kathryn Bigelow's muscle-flexing, full-throttle portrayal of a special unit of bomb disarming soldiers in Iraq, "The Hurt Locker" stands as a king among men in the small but growing group of Iraqi War films. What's different here is that the movie is neither action-driven, nor overly story driven, and it avoids the thus far unsuccessful pitfall of trying to pass itself off as a psychological analysis of soldiers in the heat of the current war. Instead, "The Hurt Locker" is a beautiful marriage of a bare bones portrayal of human nature when the line between life and death is so thin and momentary, and a classic tension-ridden portrayal of the heat of combat. Films that just missed the cut: "The Prophet," "Goodbye Solo," "A Serious Man," "Hunger," "The Cove"
Oscars Promise Excitment Entertainment & Glamour
By
The Observer
· Thursday, March 4, 2010
For those students not traveling to a warm beach or exotic location for Spring Break — yes, some people actually go, gasp, home — the highlight of break may just be the 82nd Academy Awards. Airing on ABC at 8 p.m. on March 7, this year's show promises all the glamour, glitz, and prestige of before, but also a new sense of fun and levity. This is thanks to producers Adam Shankman ("Hairspray" director, "So You Think You Can Dance" judge) and Bill Mechanic (chairman and CEO, Pandemonium Films), who vow to lighten up the show that sometimes takes itself too seriously. Co-hosts Steve Martin and Alex Baldwin should also assure some quality comedy at the Oscars this year. Both will bring a comfortable stage presence: Martin has previous experience hosting the Academy Awards, and Baldwin is always a hit when he hosts "Saturday Night Live" — which he has done 14 times. The potential for the comedic interactions between the two hosts is one of the biggest reasons to tune into the awards show. But let's get to the most important part of the Oscars (well, to some people): the awards. Most of the winners should be quite obvious, as they have been picking up every award in sight for the past few months. This is especially apparent in the Supporting Actor and Supporting Actress categories. Christoph Waltz ("Inglorious Basterds") will rightfully win for his turn as a cunning Nazi who spoke an impressive four languages in the film. For Supporting Actress, comedienne Mo'Nique is a shoo-in for her portrayal of an abusive mother in "Precious." What adds to the impressiveness of her performance is that before this role, Mo'Nique was mostly known as the host of several trashy reality shows. The Best Actor award will likely go to Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart") as the Academy will want to honor a respected actor who has never won, despite being nominated five times. So, why tune in if all the winners have basically already been chosen? Well, there is still debate about who will take home the Best Actress prize. It is a tight race between Sandra Bullock ("The Blind Side") and Meryl Streep ("Julie and Julia"). Both actresses have managed to stand out in films that received only so-so reviews (despite "The Blind Side's" Oscar nomination for Best Picture). Bullock stretched her acting chops by taking on a role much different than her usual romantic-comedy leads, which many voters will want to reward her for. On the other hand, Streep disappeared into her portrayal of legendary chef Julia Child, and she just so happens to be the most-nominated actor in Academy Award history. Another close call is for Best Picture and Best Director, between "Avatar" and "The Hurt Locker," and their respective directors, James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow. One is a little-seen but much-acclaimed film about a bomb disposal unit in Iraq, and the other — well, let's just say basically everyone has seen it. If Cameron wins Best Director, it even further establishes his claim that he is "King of the World." If Bigelow wins, it would be the first Best Director win for a female, which is a huge accomplishment. Adding to the stakes is the fact that Cameron and Bigelow actually used to be married. If awards and competition aren't really your thing, then watch for the endless amounts of Hollywood A-list sightings. Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Sacha Baron Cohen, Kristen Stewart and Miley Cyrus have all been scheduled to present, even if some of them do not deserve to be anywhere near an awards show celebrating acting ability (I'm talking to you, Stewart and Cyrus). Past winners are also sure to walk the red carpet in beautiful couture gowns. The Academy Awards on Sunday are a must-see for any film-lover or pop-culture addict. Unless you are lying on the beach in Florida, of course, and then you are totally excused.
10 Reasons to Love Heath Ledger
By
The Observer
· Thursday, March 4, 2010
"It's a story for every guy who has ever tried, for every girl who has ever hoped, and anyone who has ever been taken completely by surprise." The "it" is "Ten Things I Hate About You," the witty comedy that served as the breakout hit for young stars Heath Ledger ("Brokeback Mountain") and Julia Stiles ("The Bourne Ultimatum") and launched them into stardom. The hilarious movie is a modern day adaptation of Shakespeare's classic play, "Twelfth Night." It is the story of Kat (Stiles) and Bianca Stratford, sisters who could not be more different and who live with their excessively overprotective father. His house rule: Bianca can't date until Kat does. Bianca, the pretty, popular younger sister, has multiple guys knocking at her door, while Kat, the feminist anti-conformist, scares them all away with her acerbic tongue. What follows is undoubtedly a solid 90-minute chick flick, but not a formulaic, overly cheesy one. The script is clever and quick, seamlessly intertwining lines from Shakespeare with modern jokes and references. It takes an old story and proves with its modern application that The Bard and his themes are timeless. The actors help advance the movie without allowing it to sink into the mindless stereotypes generally found in teen comedies. Although the cast was relatively unknown in 1999 at the movie's release, they brought their characters to life and helped launch their own careers. Such stars include Ledger, Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("(500) Days of Summer"), David Krumholtz ("Numb3rs"), and Larry Miller ("Kiss Kiss Bang Bang"). Stiles plays her character flawlessly. She nails the feminazi, driven personality of Kat, all the while making her escapades as a drunk girl and her growing affection for Patrick Verona (Ledger) believable, not just the creation of a director trying to use clichés to appeal to a teenage audience. Shining in her role, Stiles is a breath of fresh air among the usual teenage heroine who flip-flops and generally ends up abandoning her principles for the boy. Verona is the resident bad boy of Padua High School, around whom rumors abound because of his dark clothing and mysterious accent. Ledger sparkles in his role and is the best part of the movie, from his superb acting to his brilliant smile. He portrays his mysterious yet soft personality perfectly. The character of Patrick is multi-faceted. A senior in high school, he frequents a local bar to play pool and drink beer, but he also hands out advice on love, telling Cameron (Gordon-Levitt), "don't let anyone, ever, make you feel like you don't deserve what you want." The movie allows Ledger to display his true acting skills. He illustrates that he can play a variety of roles and complex characters. His bad boy persona as Patrick captivates the interests of his female audience, while his boyish good looks and adorable smile melt their hearts. Even as Patrick accepts money to pursue and date Kat, it is impossible not to fall for him because Ledger allows every aspect of Patrick's personality to shine through. It also does not hurt that movie showcases Ledger wearing leather pants and later singing in a beautifully romantic scene. This zippy comedy is one of the best chick flicks out there, pleasing to both males and females. It is appropriate for any occasion, from a pick-me-up film to a quiet Saturday night in, and it never grows old, especially now that a 10th anniversary edition is available with extra behind-the-scenes footage. Also, it is a fitting remembrance of Ledger in his youth, just over two years and one month after his sudden and untimely death. Just be sure not to confuse this movie with the TV show on ABC Family bearing the same name and very loosely based off the movie. It is a poor substitute, though Larry Miller still shines in his hilarious role as the overbearing father.
Two person harmony: Yale students find YouTube fame with cover songs
By
The Observer
· Wednesday, March 3, 2010
As with much else on the Internet these days, YouTube has become a part of life. Just as "Google" became a verb several years ago, we now use the word "YouTube" in precisely the same way.
Figure skating fashion at the Olympics: the elegant, the sparkly and the feathery
By
The Observer
· Wednesday, March 3, 2010
The 2010 Winter Olympics figure skating competition showcased amazing athletic artistry, but along with triple toe-loops come the costumes. They ranged from blandly tasteful to perfectly ludicrous. Here's a small sample of the standout outfits from the men's, women's, pairs and ice dancing competitions.
Typical Trips Every Notre Dame Student Makes
By
The Observer
· Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Midterm week means sleepless nights and stressful studying, but thankfully Spring Break is coming along to bring a smile to everyone's distressed face. And with Spring Break, many of our Notre Dame students will be making their way either to some warm and exotic location, or just home to sleep and watch TV for many uninterrupted hours. Yes, we all know these midterm breaks always come in at exactly the right time, and the very much-anticipated Spring Break is only a few dreadfully long, exam-packed days away. As of mid February, plans were made and the "so what are you doing for Spring Break?" question is the newest go-to conversation starter. Unlike in the fall, rarely does anyone stay on campus for this semester's break, and the traveling plans begin. Taking this into account and thinking of other breaks and typical Notre Dame student traveling habits, I have assembled a list of trips that every Domer makes throughout their time as a student. In a sort of undergraduate bucket list, you cannot graduate with ‘student experience honors' without completing most, if not all, items on this list. Appealing to the reality and the stereotypical, in no particular order, here goes: 1. Notre Dame vs. University of Michigan football game in Ann Arbor Fall at Notre Dame equals football, and going up to the Big House to watch the Irish play the Wolverines is definitely one of the defining experiences of Notre Dame undergraduate studies. Forget about those difficult books you had to read in class and that one time you understood what was being taught in your Orgo class. Wearing Muck Fichigan shirts and driving three hours to maybe have the chance to glorify your victory against one of ND's favorite rivals in their own stadium ... that is Notre Dame. 2. Appalachia It seems that everyone does Appalachia. Service is, without a doubt, a big part of Notre Dame life and these trips serve as proof to this. Students that go always love it, and the number of applicants for these programs is always large, and increasing. Included in this section are the SSLP and ISSLP, which also offer summer service programs that are extremely popular and successful. 3. Chicago Every Notre Dame student goes to Chicago for a weekend. They take pictures at the Bean and make it their Facebook profile picture, and then they eat deep-dish pizza. 4. Pro-life march in Washington, D.C. Much like Appalachia, another aspect of your typical Catholic Notre Dame student is going to D.C. in January, to the pro-life march. Frequently, during that week of January, you'll see students absent for class, and then back with a "Irish Fighting for Life" sweatshirt. To some, hopping on that bus to D.C. is a marking experience of life at Notre Dame where Catholic principles can easily be applied in every aspect of daily life. 5. Home for the weekend If you go to Notre Dame, you're from Chicago (which basically means you live anywhere in the Midwest). Therefore, you sometimes go home for the weekend. Actually, on your way there you'll probably be sitting next to someone who decided to go to the city for the weekend (view item No. 3 of the list). 6. Michigan City outlets This is mostly for the girls, although it applies to both sexes. Since South Bend isn't your typical idea of the perfect college town and the Mishawaka Mall can become a little tiring after a while, the outlets in Michigan City provide a quick escape from academia to the wonderful world of shopping! An experience Notre Dame students have to have, at least once. 7. Spring Break in Daytona Beach, Florida Finally, the most relevant item in the list for this week! Although some decide to be more ‘culturally diverse' and go to Puerto Rico or Cancun, this trip is not so much a Notre Dame must-do, but more of a college student requirement. Popular nation-wide, Spring Break in Daytona Beach is where all things tan and sunny happen. Many wild nights are experienced and yet memories of them are lost as you wake up hungover, in the clothes you wore last night, and completely unable to recall anything that happened after 9 p.m. Might sound like a regular weekend at Notre Dame, minus the sun, bikinis, beaches and tanning.
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