The Whistling Shrimp Present...

Justin Bieber  

by 5 months ago

The Whistling Shrimp Present...

Gripes II  

by 9 months ago

Entertainment Exclusive

The Evolution of a Superhero  

by 10 months ago

~photo courtesy of http://cariart.tripod.com/SUPERMAN-5.html~

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. It’s [insert actor’s name here]. The Superman character has been portrayed by over five actors (cartoons not included) on television and in film, and soon there will be another name added to the list.

While my favorite Superman will probably always be Tom Welling’s Clark Kent on Smallville—I mean, just look at him—I am interested to see Henry Cavill (recently in The Tudors) take on the role. What’s always interesting is to look at how the different films and shows develop the story behind the hero.

Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman was a truly great series starring Dean Cain as Clark and Terri Hatcher as Lois. This show didn’t focus at all on Clark Kent’s upbringing-how he got to our planet, who his family was, or when he started to wear his suit. Instead, it begins as Clark works at the Daily Planet in disguise (you all know the tale). In this story, like most of the stories, Superman and Lois fall in love while Clark and Lois fall in love. Only after they begin to have a relationship does she discover that these men are the same man. Smallville, on the other hand, tells the story of how the hero gains his abilities and it allows the audience to see the man before he becomes a hero.

It’s currently the 10th and final season of Smallville and it’s just now aligning with the story presented in Lois and Clark/ most of the other Superman tales. Clark and Lois meet because of the character Chloe, who is not present in the prior television series, but does exist in the comic series. In recent episodes Clark has alluded to the fact that he wants to disguise himself in glasses that will somehow change his appearance and possibly wear a red and blue cape-suit-outfit. Last season, the show brought us into the future where Clark sees himself as a Superhero who saves the world time and time again, which reassured anxious viewers who awaited the classic story.  One major difference that I’ve noticed between these shows is death of the character Jimmy in Smallville. It was great to see this character introduced to the series, as he is quite alive and well in Lois and Clark, but Smallville kills him off unexpectedly! Was this the show’s way of saying: Hey, we aren’t exactly like all of the other Superman stories. WE ARE DIFFERENT!?? I don’t know. Rumors say that Jimmy’s younger brother is in fact the “real” Jimmy Olsen that we should expect to see working at the Daily Planet. Only time will tell.

Lastly, I wonder why there is yet ANOTHER movie about Superman planning to be released. We’ve heard the story many, many times. Same goes for the Spiderman tale, which will be retold as THE AMAZING Spiderman—I won’t even mention the Broadway rendition. It’s already gained too much media attention.

While I do love my share of superheroes…there comes a time when it all just becomes a little redundant.

Entertainment

A Journey to the Other Side  

by 11 months ago


The beauty of college really is that you can become anything you want. There are no restrictions as to how you spend your time or what kind of new experiences you can get yourself into. Being in my last semester of college, I thought that I had the fullest college experience I could have hoped for. However, there was always that one thing that I never got to try.

My story is the classic one about the sports kid who never had time to do anything in drama but always wondered what it was all about. I was always given the ultimatum in high school of one or the other, and I always found myself going towards my comfort zone rather than the unfamiliar. When I came to Cornell, however, theatre was a long shot that I thought just wasn’t ever going to work out in this lifetime.

Last fall semester, I decided to take an Introductory Acting class because I want to pursue a career in screenwriting when I graduate. I took the class with Michael Kaplan, who is beyond words a man who loves his craft and can instill any student with a new connection to his/her inner self. Acting, for me, became this self-expression that was limitless and freeing. It was more than just a class for me; it was more of a self-discovery that broke open the side of my self that I don’t usually let people see: vulnerability.

As the semester came to an end, Michael encouraged me to audition for the spring production of Precious Little. Not really expecting much, I rehearsed a monologue and gave it a shot. Filling out the audition sheet covering certain skills was rather intimidating because on paper I looked like the most inexperienced and inadequate actor at the audition. However, I figured that it would be good practice in front of a crowd and something new and challenging, so why not? After getting a callback, I began to not count myself out so quickly. In less than an hour of running lines with six others, my audition was over. Well, what do you know; I was cast in one of the six roles four days later.

Rehearsals began in mid-January, following a rigorous schedule of six days a week for many hours a day. My fellow cast-mates, Residential Professional TA Sarah Chalmers, Bridget Saracino ’11, Sharisse Taylor ’11, Alessandra Hirsch ’12, and Julie Reed ’12, and I dove into the beautifully dynamic and unfamiliar world of Madeline George in her story about the different types of connections people make throughout life. Myles Rowland ’11, was our fearless director who allowed us freedom to explore our characters and find our own interpretation of the play. After four and a half weeks of hard and committed work, he told us “this is your play now guys, and it has the possibility to become whatever you make of it.” It wasn’t until that moment that I truly realized how much this play meant to me because I was allowed this opportunity to reach people in a whole new way.

Opening night was indescribable. It was an adrenaline rush I had never felt before, and I felt camaraderie with my fellow cast and crew that differed from my relationships with my previous teammates. This was different than winning a game or making sure that I performed my best; it was about entering into another person’s life and as a collective effort, showing people a world of meaning, wonder, and discovery. Theatre is less clear-cut than the outcome of a game. Everyone has his or her own interpretations of how well you did or what parts didn’t fit. However, it wasn’t about how I personally performed anymore. It was about whether or not we as a group were able to depict our most meaningful message to the audience.

Theatre represents a world that is unknown and somewhat mysterious to people who haven’t been a part of it. I not only was given my last opportunity to step inside this foreign place, but I was also allowed the time to fully appreciate the work of actors and actresses. Being an outsider allowed in, I was able to see the theatre’s importance and meaningfulness in our everyday lives. Actors truly give everything for their story and don’t regret it in the least. Their passion and drive is something that I don’t get to see everyday, and it has been overwhelmingly inspiring.

My journey to the other side impacted me more than I anticipated. It served as a reminder to myself to always give it a shot. It reminded me to always find that passion for my craft and remember that it all lies in the collective message. Lastly, it reminded me to always take that chance even when I want to count myself out because at the end of the day, you never know how it’s all going to turn out.

Entertainment

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards: Snoozefest?  

by 11 months ago

Well, that wasn’t too exciting, was it?

It seems that every year, we walk into the Oscars kinda knowing how it’s all going to turn out. We desperately want there to be a surprise or two, but in the end, the awards for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences happen so late in the season that we clearly know how things will end up. We knew it would be The King’s Speech, Natalie Portman, Colin Firth, Melissa Leo, and Christian Bale. And listen, I am no fan of The King’s Speech. Period-British dramas are most certainly not my cup of tea. But you had to be completely delusional to think that the Academy would not go bananas for it. There was a slight chance that The Social Network would edge it out, but director Tom Hooper’s win sealed the deal for the tale of speech therapy/World War II. Hell, even the “Best Picture Nominees” final montage had Colin Firth’s final speech in the film playing in the background, in case we didn’t get the point yet.

So when the winners are so obvious, it’s up to the hosts to make a fun, exciting show. So how were Anne Hathaway and James Franco in their first gigs, you might ask?

Not so great. I understand the Academy’s attempt to appeal to a younger audience by having these hot young stars host, but this just didn’t work. In fact, it was terribly awkward. Although Anne has a lovely voice and presence and James is simply a likable guy, maybe the Academy should hire some real comedians next time. Perhaps it was the writing, but their attempts at humor fell a little flat and they seemed out of place on that stage. Not to mention the best parts of their segments didn’t even involve them (thanks Morgan Freeman, Alec Baldwin, Anne’s Mom, and James’ Grandma). I felt a little bad for them, putting so much energy into hosting with such meager results, but they seemed just the wrong fit entirely. It was really sad when host-veteran Billy Crystal stole the spotlight from them for a few minutes and you ended up wishing he stayed the entire time. At least an in-drag Franco got a good dig at Charlie Sheen, and Hathaway got to sing about “Hugh Jack-ass.”

The only exciting series of unexpected moments were when a 94-year old Kirk Douglas said really funny, old-man things before announcing Best Supporting Actress. Melissa Leo won, dropped an f-bomb, took Kirk’s cane, and ran offstage with him. We already kne Melissa Leo is freaking insane (http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/02/watch_melissa_leos_1985_catfig.html) and that she would probably win, but who knew she would curse and laugh around with a Hollywood veteran. If the show had more moments like this, instead of the awful scripted banter between presenters, it would have been a hell of a lot more interesting.

It was painfully obvious that the Academy was trying to be young, cool, and hip. With these hosts, “cool” visuals, and even a strange auto-tuning segment about Twilight, the producers felt the need to attract viewers through what they believed was “young.” In the end, the Academy is really just a conservative bunch of old dudes who love The King’s Speech. People do not like being told what is “cool;” we know what it is when we see it. So a lesson the Oscar producers should learn for next year: be funnier, embrace the spontaneous, and try a little less hard to be “cool.”

Some other observations:

-       What was up with those strange visual segments to older films that just left us with an awkward silence for ten seconds each? Someone is getting fired for that.

-       Though a lot of people were predicting David Fincher to win Best Director, recent The King’s Speech obsession and Tom Hooper’s recent Director’s Guild of America made this “upset” kind of obvious in the end.

-       Gwyneth Paltrow. Ah, I like you. I really do. But you were Country Weak tonight. Even though you closed your eyes, we could still see and hear you crack those notes! Plus, that disco-style white microphone didn’t help you either.

-       Celine Dion scares me. I don’t know whether it is the fake teeth or whenever I think of her I imagine a boat sinking, but please do not let her sing during my “In Memoriam.”

-       Christian Bale = great speech!

-       Best one-liner: In response to The Wolfman, Cate Blanchett says, “That’s gross.”

-       Marisa Tomei, when will you ever start looking old?

-       Oprah…you are old.

-       Let the “Was James Franco Stoned?” debate commence!

-       Someone please hire me Jennifer Hudson’s personal trainer. Thank you.

-       Sandra Bullock might have won an Oscar for the worst performance of the decade in The Blind Side, but she is so nice and funny, it’s hard to be mean!

-       Best dressed of the night: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Michelle Williams, Hailee Steinfeld, and Jennifer Lawrence

-       Worst dressed of the night: Cate Blanchett in a tablecloth, Helena Bonham Carter looking expectedly like a vampire, and Anne Hathaway somehow looking horrible in every single one of her forty-three outfits.

List of Winners (in ceremonial order)

Art Direction – Alice in Wonderland

Cinematography – Inception

Supporting Actress – Melissa Leo, The Fighter

Animated Short Film – The Lost Thing

Animated Film – Toy Story 3

Adapted Screenplay – The Social Network

Original Screenplay – The King’s Speech

Foreign Film – In a Better World (Denmark)

Supporting Actor – Christian Bale, The Fighter

Original Score – The Social Network

Sound Mixing – Inception

Sound Editing – Inception

Makeup – The Wolfman

Costume Design – Alice in Wonderland

Documentary (Short Subject) – Strangers No More

Live Action Short – God of Love

Documentary Feature – Inside Job

Visual Effects – Inception

Film Editing – The Social Network

Original Song – “We Belong Together” from Toy Story 3

Best Director – Tom Hooper The King’s Speech

Best Actress – Natalie Portman, Black Swan

Best Actor – Colin Firth, The King’s Speech

Best Picture – The King’s Speech

Entertainment

Oscar Predictions: The King’s Speech May Reign  

by 11 months ago

The 83rd Academy Awards, which will take place this Sunday, February 27 with first-time hosts Anne Hathaway and James Franco, will be a night dedicated to celebrating the art of great film, in which the best films for each of the 24 different competitive categories will hopefully be rightly honored.

This year’s nominated films for best motion picture are an interesting group, including everything from a stuttering King to a disturbed ballerina, with “The King’s Speech” leading the pack with 12 nominations, followed closely by “True Grit” with 10 nominations and then “The Social Network” with 8.

Photo courtesy of the Weinstein Company

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

It is fairly certain that Colin Firth of ‘The King’s Speech” will nab the award for Best Actor. Though John Wayne received an Oscar for his leading role in the original “True Grit,” it is unlikely that Jeff Bridges will pull through, especially since he won Best Actor for “Crazy Heart” just last year. Jesse Eisenberg was good in “The Social Network,” but the fact that his nomination was a bit of a surprise to most people makes me think he doesn’t stand a chance against Firth, a much more versatile actor who also didn’t have someone like Mark Zuckerberg around to help him out with his character portrayal. I’m assuming Javier Bardem was excellent as a man dying of cancer in the Spanish film “Biutiful,” but the Academy will most likely side with Firth, whom you see only as “Bertie” by the end of the film.

Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Although I haven’t seen Michelle Williams, Jennifer Lawrence, or Nicole Kidman in their roles, I would be both surprised and disappointed if Natalie Portman did not win. Though Annette Bening’s performance was powerful in “The Kids Are All Right,” and I’ve heard Jennifer Lawrence was impressive in “Winter’s Bone,” Portman deserves the award for her acting and for all she did to prepare for the role.

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures/Everett Collection

BEST ACTOR AND ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

This one belongs to  Christian Bale, whose portrayal of Micky Ward’s brother as a crack-addicted, good-hearted, and lost man who helps coach his brother to boxing victory is startlingly memorable and dominates the whole film.  Actress in a Supporting Role is a tough one, specifically because two actresses from “The Fighter”—Amy Adams and Melissa Leo—are up for it, and because I would love Hailee Steinfeld from “True Grit” to win but I don’t think she will. I would say Leo will take the win for her performance as Micky Ward’s mother, but the Academy seems to have a certain affection for Adams, so the award may just go to Helena Bonham Carter for “The King’s Speech” instead, which she would certainly deserve.

Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures

BEST PICTURE

The biggest award of the night, which 10 films are nominated for, will most likely be received by “The King’s Speech,” a film that seems as if it was practically made for the enjoyment of the Academy. Best Director, however, is another story. Though it is possible Tom Hooper could win for “The King’s Speech,” it would not be surprising if David Fincher of “The Social Network” swiped it, specifically based on all of the BAFTA and Golden Globe awards the film has already received. Fincher turned a very simple story into a compelling, relevant one; the film would have turned out very differently (and most likely not for the better), if he hadn’t directed it.

It seems that some great films will be left out in the acting categories, but are sure to sweep in some awards before the night is over. “True Grit” will most likely grab the award for Cinematography, and “Inception” should win for Best Art Direction, though, being a huge Harry Potter fan, I’m happy that “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows Part 1” was at least recognized in this category. I also hope that “Inception” wins for Best Score, which is simple but extremely powerful, memorable, and contributory to the effect of the film as a whole.

Nothing is certain when it comes to the Academy, which means the ceremony is sure to be entertaining, so tune in on Sunday night on ABC at 8pm to see who wins.

Entertainment

Human connection takes center stage in Precious Little  

by 11 months ago

Kalesuuala.  Issakauula.  Baluualka. In the fictional language of Kari, these words mean “morning,” “ribbon,” and “dog.”  Spoken as a sentence, they mean absolutely nothing.

Sarah Brodie, the main character of Precious Little, doesn’t care what they mean.  After years of working as a linguist, Brodie has lost touch with the meaning of the words she reveres.  “I know it might seem weird,” Brodie says, “but remember we’re not telling a story.  We’re just collecting the sounds you make.  The meaning of the words isn’t important.”

Precious Little, playing this weekend and next at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, deals with the role of language in communication—a means which truly separates humans from other species.

Bridget Saracino ’11, who plays Brodie, noted the intricacies of her character, a 42-year-old woman trying to have a child through a donor.  Brodie’s obsession with language has “gotten to the point where she can’t even love it anymore,” Saracino said.  “She dissects it into pieces.”

But, as both the cast and the audience learned, language is not the only method of communication.  When prenatal tests reveal that Brodie’s baby has genetic flaws that might impair her ability to talk, Brodie is left helpless, unable to deal the possibility of a child with whom she cannot communicate.

Brodie grapples throughout the play with the problems of communication, eventually coming to understand that there are ways to connect with people other than the “language and words and sounds [which] are so essential” to her, Saracino said.

“There will be some sort of connection [between Brodie and the baby] that’s deeper,” she said.  “More full, more valuable, more fleshed out, more real.”

The somber topics faced in the show do not weigh it down.  Rather, they provide balance.  Precious Little is filled with comedy, irony and touching moments that feel incredibly genuine.  Coupled with a visually astonishing set and spot-on contemporary dialogue, the show is a testament to the talents of both the cast and everyone involved in its production.

The playwright, Madeleine George ’96, visited Cornell this semester to speak with students about her piece, which is still a work in progress.  She also visited last fall for a workshop in which she met with students and worked with director Myles Rowland ’11.

Many audience members have seen Rowland perform at the Schwartz Center, where he has acted in ten mainstage shows.  Most recently, he played Giuliano in Big Love.  As an outstanding Theatre Arts major, Rowland was offered the opportunity to direct a production as part of the Advanced Undergraduate Theatre Program.

Rowland is a “brilliant director,” according to Saracino.  He encouraged his cast to focus on the objectives of the characters.  For Saracino, this method helped her relate to Brodie’s character and seamlessly play a middle-aged woman.

The cast members agreed the message of the show would be different for everyone because each audience member’s unique experiences would affect how they interpreted it.

“It comes back to the basic human connection and it’s not so much about speaking as it is listening and just being present with someone,” Saracino said.  “I feel like that’s our job as actors: to just be present and be able to digest information and give it back in some way that is possibly helpful and meaningful and affects people.”

Precious Little runs next weekend at the Schwartz Center from Thursday, February 24 to Saturday, February 26.  Performances begin at 7:30 PM.

Music

Nelly to Perform at Slope Day 2011  

by 11 months ago

Photo courtesy of Universal Motown and Derrty Entertainment -

Your questions have been answered. The Slope Day Programming Board announced at the Student Assembly meeting that hip-hop extraordinaire Nelly will grace Cornell with his presence on May 6th, Slope Day 2011. Picture this: You’re lounging on the slope, basking in the glory of the annual event, when suddenly it starts to get warmer, and warmer…Oh it’s getting hot in here, so take off ALL your clothes.

Nelly has had hits, such as “Ride Wit Me” and “Hot in Herre” that will bring us a nostalgic feeling, and recently, “Just a Dream” reached the number three spot on the US Billboard Top 100.

On a day when attending class is out of the question and the party starts at 9 am, we ask ourselves, “Does it really matter who actually performs?” Yes. Yes, it does. Last year’s event gained some negative hype, as the general consensus about Drake’s performance was overwhelmingly unenthusiastic.

The slope has seen its fair share of hits: The Pussycat Dolls, Gym Class Heroes, Snoop Dog, and Kanye West. Those days are long gone, and many of the students who experienced such musical wonders have moved past their college days. We only hope that in years to come students will talk about the Slope Days of our time with high praise. It’s time for a comeback, and we can keep our fingers crossed that Nelly will provide us with a purely slopetastic performance.

Entertainment Exclusive

Mann Library Causes Me Movie Madness  

by 11 months ago

Mann Library, sometimes an arena for my most productive hours…but currently this comfortable couch chair and the dim lighting is helping me channel my counterproductive side. Thus, a blog post ensues.

I am not able to read books for pleasure very often, but when I do I become extremely enveloped in plot lines. I visualize every detail, every plot occurrence, and every character trait. While I know that these books that I connect so deeply to shouldn’t be tampered with, I do feel excited when I hear they are to be produced on screen. Recently I read Emily Giffin’s two-part series “Something Borrowed” and “Something Blue.” Yes, these may not be the most intellectually enticing novels, but they are entertaining and thus, a film script develops.

Over the past few months, with the knowledge of this future feature film, I’ve checked imdb constantly. And a few moments ago, during the peak of my procrastination stage, I finally saw the movie’s promotional poster. Chills went down my spine. However, I am worried that this movie will not fulfill my expectations, as most movie version of books do not.

Kate Hudson and Ginnifer Goodwin star in the film as two best friends who are in love with the same man…well basically…there is much more to the story than just that. Kate Hudson’s character is an extremely vain, self-consumed, beautiful, bitch. I hated this character when reading the book, and I wonder if the movie will portray Hudson in such a horrible light. I’m sure they will change things around in order to insure her popularity remains. Her character, does, in the second book have a more dominant role and I did learn to love her. Thus, the movie may focus more on that plotline.

The film’s catch line : There’s a thin line between love and friendship. Profound? I’m not entirely sure. Now I’ll just sit and wait until the film’s trailer is released.

Entertainment

Dispatches from (A)mended America: A Conversation About Race  

by 12 months ago

Everyone is a racist. At least, that’s the perspective of a character in Dispatches from (A)mended America, a documentary play about race.  Usually, the stereotype of a “racist” brings to mind someone who treats others as inferior because of race.  Dispatches gives us an alternate definition: “Racism is being able to benefit from the way society is set up.” By this token, everyone is a racist. The only way to fight back is to question these benefits, forcing people to analyze their actions.

After six months of performances in New York City, Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr., and Brandt Adams ’06 brought Dispatches to Beverly J. Martin Elementary School in Ithaca on February 5. They, along with six other actors, portrayed twenty characters, culled from hundreds of interviews. Simmons and Adams, who both hail from Virginia, spent two months traveling in the Southern states after Barack Obama’s election in 2008, interviewing Americans about the significance of the event.

“We knew that [Obama’s election] meant something very different to both of us.  We wanted to see what it meant to other people,” Adams, who is white, said of the motivation behind the piece.

The play’s staging was simple: a large circle of folding chairs in the gymnasium, where the audience sat. Actors crossed through the center of the circle, with different characters identified by changes in vocality. Simmons and Adams, who played themselves, interjected narration for context. The actors performed with scripts in hand, with text revised as recently as two days before. Adams regarded this as a positive factor, as the conversation about race they hoped to start will be ongoing and not set in stone.

“There will be things that will be set eventually, but I do think that there is some part of it—and I cannot tell you what part of it that is—that will always evolve,” he said.

For Jim Wallert, one of the actors, the constant revision and evolution of the script was a new experience. Wallert, who is a member of the Epic Theatre ensemble, along with director Ron Russell, said that this was his first production with a changing script and focus. Regardless of where it is performed, the play is a “terrific conversation-starter,” according to Wallert.

Jeni Josephson, an audience member and employee of Finger Lakes Migrant Health, agreed. “It was beautiful. I think they did a great job,” she said. “They were able to take a whole lot of different perspectives and open up a conversation so that people can reach back into their own experiences.”

Josephson discussed a past incident where she dealt with racism. While teaching Spanish in Elmira, Josephson, who is Jewish, told her students she would be missing school for Pesach, a religious holiday. When Josephson returned to school, “the classroom was filled with swastikas,” she said. The incident forced her to confront discrimination in her classroom, fostering a discussion among her students.

The Ithaca performance also sparked candid discussion. After the performance, small groups met over dinner to discuss their reactions. Attendees were encouraged to share their own experiences on index cards.  This process was helpful to Adams and Simmons, as well as to twenty-one Cornell students who will follow their lead to create their own documentary piece, to be presented in April.

“I’ve had a lot of experience with race and racism. I’m Mexican-American [and] I have family and friends who are undocumented,” Jorge Silva ’12 said. “My views of race have been shaped as a result of that.”

Silva has been involved in other social justice theatre, including Latins Anonymous at the Schwartz Center. “I decided that if I was going to continue doing theatre, I wanted to make sure that whatever I was doing meant something,” he said. “We saw real people in real situations express themselves on a topic that isn’t discussed, in a brave manner, and in a safe manner.”

He noted that the project at Cornell is still in its early stages. The group is deciding on the scope of the project (whether it will include the Ithaca community or just Cornell), and aspects of Cornell history they would like to include. Cornell, for instance, was the first university to integrate living spaces.

The students are hopeful that it will open up discussions about race relations on the Cornell campus. As a character in Dispatches said, “You can’t get beyond race. You have to go through it.”

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