Movie Review:
Cloverfield
by Derek Gayle ‘11
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It’s a given that the majority of the audience of January’s most hyped film probably only showed up because of the secretive—albeit obnoxious—viral marketing campaign. Most didn’t really care so much about the story of Cloverfield as much as they just wanted to know what in the world chopped off the head of the Statue of Liberty. I’m not going to take the high ground here, either; I paid my eight dollars to see what the “monster” was and didn’t care too much about anything else.
To answer one of the most asked questions regarding the film: yes, you do get a very good look at the monster fairly early into the film. The filmmakers don’t drag that mystery on for very long, allowing for more focus on the core of the story: a group of humans trying to escape the danger. Nevertheless, the monster does live up to the hype. It’s a creative work of imagination, and it’s got a very creepy aspect to it that comes as a great surprise. Just don’t expect too much exposition on what it is or where it came from; like the characters, the audience is left relatively in the dark the entire time.
The most unique technical aspect of the movie, of course, was the style in which it was filmed. Instead of showing off their special effects expertise, the filmmakers made it a point to only show the monster when it was necessary, and instead focus on what was important. We’re following these people through the eyes of one man’s handheld camcorder, and it looks just as it should—very shaky and amateur, with the camera going exactly where we’d expect it to go if we were holding it. While it does take a bit to get used to it, once you’ve been sucked into the story, the sheer intrigue makes it easy to get past it. And with the running time being only 90 minutes, the audience isn’t subjected to it for a long period of time; it lasts just long enough to tell the story.
One of the most intelligent decisions in the film was the aspect of jump cuts to a previous home movie. It’s revealed early in the film that what we are watching is accidentally taping over an earlier filmed date between two characters, Rob and Beth. Thus, when the pacing needs to be slowed down—something that is hard to do when everyone is constantly running for their lives—the film will “accidentally” stop and revert back to a scene from the earlier home movie, showing the characters’ happier moments. It then immediately shifts back to the narrative, usually after a great deal of time has passed, hence avoiding the problem of having the film in “real time”.
There were only two big flaws that really stuck with me. First, some of the dialogue seemed way too forced; it was sometimes easy to tell the writers were trying way too hard to make everything sound “realistic”, and tried to add some hip lingo in place of what should have been general exposition. Secondly, and what I disliked the most, was the romantic sub-plot (though I’ll admit that I almost always despise the forced love stories). Basically, Rob doesn’t want his friend Beth to die without saying he loves her, so he spends a portion of the movie trying to find and save her. Even for a film with a mostly unoriginal plot to begin with, this seems far too uninspired. Regardless, I can see why it would have been hard to fill out 90 minutes without some sort of a subplot, so it can be overlooked.
Something else that many would consider to be a low point in the film regards the characters. In fact, I agree that probably the only characters we really come to care about at all are Rob, the poor guy whose going away party gets ruined, and Hud, who we only like because of his status as the comic relief. For all the others, their bland existence seems solely for the purpose of having someone else to possibly kill off. The characters can’t get anymore fl at or forgettable—but then, the film isn’t really about character development, is it?
I’m sure every film aficionado is baffled by that statement. Yes, a truly “good” movie should invoke to power of capable storytelling and character development. But Cloverfield doesn’t intend to rival Citizen Kane. The unique thing about it is the fact that its sheer purpose is merely there to entertain.
I consider film an art form as much as the next person, but Cloverfield is something different. Essentially, you get exactly what you expect; we all heard it was some sort of a monster movie, and lo-and-behold, we get a monster movie. It doesn’t carry an underlying political or social message. It doesn’t make a statement about the world today. It simply tells the story of a bunch of people who are caught in an insane situation. These people do what you’d expect them to do; they do exactly what we would do.
Therefore, if you’re looking for an Academy Award-winning, thought provoking, artistic film that is soon to be on the Film Institute’s Top 100…then Cloverfield is something you should definitely stay away from.
But for those of you who want to be entertained and witness the most intense and insane 90 minutes of your life, then it’s worth the cash.
Cloverfield gets 4.5 severed Statue of Liberty heads out of 5, only because of a lame sub-plot and some clunky dialogue, both of which are still very tolerable.
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Chinese Restaurant Review
by Tian Xu‘11
Staff Writer··································
Are you tired of the food in Estes? Do you want to try something new? Are you looking for a place to hang out with friends? New China Buffet, a restaurant near U Krops, is the right place.
When you first see the name “New China”, you may think it is a Chinese restaurant. However, New China is a restaurant that has international food to dine in and take out. New China provides Chinese food, Japanese Sushi, Mongolian B.B.Q., Hong Kong Dim Sum, American salad, Italian seafood, appetizers, fresh fruits, and deserts. The owners of New China Buffet are a couple from the southern part of China. The Chinese food there is almost authentic. The indigents are the same. However, the food is a little bit salty.
Besides the diverse food supply, the atmosphere is also elegant. It is a large area with a party room. You can listen to real Chinese music from traditional to popular songs. Most of the songs are instrumental version.
One more thing here I want to mention is the reasonable price. Lunch buffet for weekdays is 5.50 per person, for weekends it is 6.95 per person. Dinner buffet is 11.50 per person. The only difference between lunch and dinner is that you can have crab at dinner. Other food at dinner is the same as lunch. However, the price is doubled for dinner. Therefore, I recommend going there for lunch.
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R-MC Horoscopes
by Troy Carter ‘08
Staff Writer
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Aquarius (January 20-February 18)You’ve got things pretty well figured out, Aquarius. Lately you’ve
been taking care of business and making good decisions. You’re not letting
back to school stress get to you and you’re feeling pretty confident about
the work load for this semester. There’s not a lot of excitement in the old
love life, but with things going so well who needs a valentine? You’re independent.
Your friends may need you and your communication skills though
to help patch up the snags in their relationships.
Pisces (February 19-March 20)It’s time to look before you leap, Pisces. A few hasty decisions have
hurt you lately and you’re beginning to think that you need to pay a little
more attention to how your actions impact others. Try not to be so impetuous
this week and get the facts before you make your choices. Your Valentine’s
Day will be one of self-indulgence and indulgence of others… just be
wary of being too generous.
Aries (March 21-April 20)You’ve been spending a lot of time lately trying to figure out just
how you measure up against others. Don’t worry about it so much, Aries.
You’ve got a pretty good sense of your own strengths and limitations. Do
you want to know who else has been measuring you up, though? A new
love interest. See who has been paying extra close attention to you lately
and make your move because the time is right.
Taurus (April 21-May 22)The successes just keep coming, Taurus. Coming off of a productive
January Term you seem set to keep on accomplishing your goals all through
Spring. You find yourself leading instead of following and you’re starting
to like it. There is one potential snafu ahead in your love life though.
There’s going to be a difference of opinion with a love interest on the horizon.
You don’t have to agree with them, but make sure that you understand
their position.
Gemini (May 23-June 23)Gemini, you’re becoming a creature of habit. You’ve gotten into
a dull and drab routine and now find yourself in need of a creative outlet.
Forget finding a valentine this week, what you need to do is find a way to
release all of this tension that you’ve built up inside yourself. This will be
made much easier when someone tries to make amends with you this week.
Accept it. The season of love is the perfect time to bury the hatchet.
Cancer (June 24-July 23)Has your significant other found you too moody lately, Cancer?
There’s a reason. Don’t have a significant other? It’s because you’ve been
too moody lately. You’ve got to learn how to keep your emotions in check
if you want to have successful long term relationships. Disappointed by
this horoscope? It’s because you’ve been too moody lately.
Leo (July 24-August 23)Emotions have been running high for you lately, Leo, and I don’t
know if you’ve noticed or not, but it’s started to put some strain on your
relationships. People aren’t going to want to be around you if you’re this
easily upset. Besides, the stress isn’t good for your health. I think you’ll
find that if you calm down and channel that emotion into productive activities
you’ll find yourself accomplishing things you never thought possible.
Virgo (August 24-September 22)You had a tough decision to make recently, Virgo. You had to turn
down what others wanted to pursue what you wanted. The stars say you
made the right call. You’re going to find yourself using your talents in new
ways soon and with it you’re going to be achieving a lot of goals. Like
maybe finally finding that special someone? Don’t tell anyone I said anything,
but you might want to be looking Taurus’ direction…
Libra (September 23-October 23)You’ve been doing a lot of building lately, Libra. Figuratively, of
course. You’ve been working hard towards your goals, but it’s time to
check out that foundation you’ve been building on and make sure that
it’s secure. All of that building is going to be for naught if it’s not on top
of something solid. This valentine’s day, take another look at that crush
you’ve been working on lately and try to decide if there’s anything really
going on beneath the surface.
Scorpio (October 24-November 22)It’s been a sharp mind and a sharp wit for you, lately, Scorpio. If
you’re smart about it, that silver tongue of yours is going to get you what
you want. The only trouble is that you don’t know what you want, do you?
You’ve been philosophical lately, seeing both sides of everything, but making
choices hasn’t been your strong suit. It’s time to set your goals and get
to achieving them while you’re still feeling on top of your game.
Sagittarius (November 23-December 21)The stars often point us in the direction of clichés, Sagittarius.
Clichés like the starving artist. You, however, have a rare chance to defy
clichés in your near future when an opportunity to express yourself creatively
will also provide you with a modest profit. Things are going your
way this week and you’re loving life. Sure, Valentine’s Day left you feeling
a little lonely, but you’ve got a great group of eccentric friends to keep you
company.
Capricorn (December 22-January 19)So much has been given to you lately, Capricorn, and what have you
been giving back? You’ve been spoiled by good friends and have developed
a sense of entitlement. The stars are telling you to lose the vanity
or else you might start to lose your friends. However, if you change your
ways now, you’re still going to be seeing the good things coming your way
as love, generosity and luxuries all flood in.
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Music Review:
Graduation
by Becky Johnsen ‘10
Culture Editor
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Graduation stirred up the music industry when Kanye West moved its release date to September 11, the same day which fellow hip hop artist 50 Cent introduced his own album Curtis. West, who is constantly highlighted in the news for his legendary ego, almost outdid himself in promoting his third studio album. Almost. Amassing in record-breaking first week album sales in the United States and favorable reviews from Rolling Stones to XXL, Mr. West has once again lived up to his reputation.
This album, at fifty-one minutes long, is a little more condensed than his previous albums. Each of the thirteen tracks includes either collaboration or a sampling from other artists, spanning Rap, Classic Rock, Soul, and Pop. However, despite the variety of genres he works with, West masterfully incorporates his own style. My personal favorite was his choice in using Labi Siffre’s My Song for West’s I Wonder. Siffre, an English singer and songwriter in the seventies, lends a smooth, whimsical quality that surprisingly complements West’s straightforward tone and beats. West uses Siffre as an appropriate layer to a form a quirky, relaxing, yet provoking song.
In addition to West’s hit Stronger, which was reason enough for me to buy this album, another noteworthy track is Big Brother. Here, Kanye throws aside his patented egoism somewhat and focuses on his appreciation of his mentor, renowned hip hop artist Jay-Z. I especially like the lyrics, creating a surprisingly humble message tinged with brilliant wordplay. The lyrics are appropriately emphasized by a smooth beat and a simple melody. Although specific to the hip-hop industry, Kanye’s sincere message to his personal hero may be universally appreciated.
I was also particularly impressed with the album’s depth in purpose. Listeners are ushered through a variety of messages and tones; Kanye introduces himself in Good Morning, is confident yet sincere in Champion, and becomes entertainingly egotistical in Stronger. In I Wonder Kanye straightforwardly tries to inspire people to act upon their dreams, revels in his own victory in The Good Life, then reminds us of the dark side of idolizing wealth in Can’t Tell Me Nothing. The next seven songs are similiarly varied and unique in style and function.
This especial individual attention sets Graduation apart in that each song can stand on its own instead of just being filler between a few hit singles. I sincerely enjoyed each track in different respects, and I found myself wanting to listen to this multifaceted CD on many different occasions. For its versatility and depth, I give Kanye West’s Graduation five yellow jackets.
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Concert Review:
Toad’s Place
by Tommy Proffi tt ‘11
Staff Writer
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Metal-heads and hardcore fanatics rejoiced on January 26th as Toad’s Place in Richmond brought together four of the best acts in metalcore today. With a lineup consisting of As I Lay Dying, August Burns Red, Evergreen Terrace, and Still Remains, Toad’s Place looked to offer Richmond a bonecrushing, ear-ringing, head-banging treat that would not be soon forgotten.
Still Remains opened the house and attempted to get the crowd warmed up by playing songs off their newest album The Serpent, as well as some fan favorites from their first studio album, Of Love and Lunacy. Although I am not an avid fan of the band, I still thought that they would have something spectacular in store for their anxiously awaiting audience. Unfortunately, I found it hard to truly enjoy their performance. Aside from being the first band to play, vocalist T.J. Miller announced early on that he and his fellow band members were all suffering from an unknown illness. This caused the band to be less than energetic, and generally unentertaining throughout their halfhour set.
Following shortly after Still Remains was Evergreen Terrace. One of the interesting aspects about their performance was the band’s “surprise” entrance. The crowd was shocked to find the band members actually checking their own instruments and mics, rather than a couple of roadies. After they finished, the band immediately exploded into their set, playing songs from their newest album Wolfbiker. The band’s fascinating mix of hardcore, punk, and metal stirred the crowd into a whiling pit of excitement that got everyone moving. Finally, the entertainment had arrived.
August Burns Red filled the third spot and had a tough part to play. Not only did they have to keep the crowd’s vigor up, but they also had to up the ante in order to get everyone thoroughly pumped for the headliner As I Lay Dying. Playing a slightly longer set than the previous two bands, roughly forty-five minutes long, August Burns Red’s Christian metalcore magnificently kept the crowd moving and incited more mosh and slamdance pits than either of the two opening bands. Die hard fans of the band were pleased to find songs from older albums Looks Fragile After All and Thrill Seeker intermingled with songs from their newest album Messengers.
After August Burns Red’s powerful performance, the crowd began to bustle with anticipation for As I Lay Dying’s upcoming set. Minutes passed, and excitement began to gather until finally, the lights dimmed and the instrumental song “Separation” began to play. The crowd screamed as the band made their way onto the stage, moving from “Separation” to the single “Nothing Left.” Playing a set that lasted a little over an hour and a half, the band had more than enough time to play songs from albums Frail Words Collapse, Shadows are Security, and An Ocean Between Us, pleasing both new and old fans. Overall, As I Lay Dying’s performance was spectacular; from the amazing light show to their commanding stage presence, the band’s performance was one of the best I have seen in a very long time.
All in all, the entire show was solid, with the exception of Still Remains’ “sickening” performance. However uninteresting they may have been, they were unable to contaminate the rest of the entertainers. Evergreen Terrace, August Burns Red, and As I Lay Dying all did an excellent job of making this one night of metalcore a true extravaganza, full of bruised bones, aching necks, and ringing ears. And so, I am pleased to say that this show fully deserves 4 and a half possibly broken bones, out of 5.
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Habitat For Humanity
by Laura Wilson ‘10
Staff Writer
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For the 2008 Spring Break, the Randolph-Macon campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity will be heading to New Orleans to help with the Katrina reconstruction efforts. Staying at Camp Hope, these 19 students and 2 staff members will network with alumni located in New Orleans and explore the area of Southern Louisiana as well as offer their construction services throughout the community. To accomplish this great task, the Habitat group has been fundraising extensively this school year. Their fundraising efforts include a coin drive in collaboration with the school’s Sophomore Class Board, a spaghetti dinner held at Duncan Memorial Church, t-shirts in support of Yellow Jacket basketball, leaf-raking and car wash for the community, and letter writing campaigns to both local businesses and supporters of the group.
Last school year, the chapter stayed in Ashland during spring break and cultivated a relationship with the Hanover Area Habitat for Humanity, a relationship that has continued to grow this school year. At the 2007 Macon a Difference Day, Habitat for Humanity and Students for Environmental Action combined their efforts to construct a Can Condo that has been integral in the school’s recycling program and is a continuous source of support for the Hanover Habitat for Humanity. Members of this organization, such as Tia Bryant ’10, learn that “when you work hard, the greatest reward is seeing a smile on everyone’s face. That’s when you know the experience was worth it.”
It is the goal of Randolph-Macon College’s Habitat for Humanity Chapter to raise enough funds to support all of its endeavors. Donations can be sent to:
C/O Christina Brown, Assistant Director of Residence Life and Housing
P.O. Box 5005
Ashland, VA 23005-5505
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