From the vault: Stomping the Pavement March 25, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentBy Ian Crocker, Broadside Correspondent
When thinking about the year 1992, what comes to mind?
Gangsta rap? Flannel shirts? Nicktoons? Maybe the 90s are a forgotten memory — a period of time that was much like today in that the underground had become the mainstream.
With the sudden and widespread recognition of albums like Nirvana’s Nevermind and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, popular music had shifted.
While “Smells Like Teen Spirit” blasted at every jock-laden party around, the independent music fan wondered what was left to look forward to in terms of ingenuity and edginess.
Enter Pavement and their debut album, Slanted & Enchanted. Not only did this ’92 release showcase a talented young group, but it also laid the blueprints for bands decades later.
The best way to describe Slanted & Enchanted’s sound would be to compare it to a night of cheap whiskey on the rocks — it goes down smooth yet comes up harsh. With jagged guitars and lyrics resembling the spoken word, Pavement constructed a splintered sound unheard of at the time.
The album’s opener, “Summer Babe,” sets the stage with an effervescent bass line and noodling guitars juxtaposed with the start and stop musings of lead singer Stephen Malkmus. Whereas a majority of mainstream and indie acts take a wildly serious approach to their performance, Pavement is able to outdo them all in execution and appear to have much more fun while doing so.
“Two states, we want two states,” Malkmus shrieks on the track “Two States.” Well, Slanted & Enchanted made sure that was the case in the American rock ‘n’ roll scene in the early 90s.
Separating themselves from the polish of major label radio rock, Pavement put out an album filled with fuzzy lo-fi gems.
From the Wire-inspired post-punk of “Perfume-V” to the urgent Black Francis-esque yelping on “No Life Singed Her,” Slanted & Enchanted puts to display the myriad of influences of the band. Moving away from the feedback, Malkmus and Co. put forth the indie-balladry of “Here” and the delicately arranged “Zurich is Stained,” further cementing the versatility of this masterpiece.
Sure, several great albums come out each year — a collection of songs that invade your mind and get your toes tapping — but how many albums can take their place as truly influential? Pavement’s Slanted & Enchanted deservedly takes the cake as a truly inspired and important piece of work.
Not only an aesthetic landmark, this album also laid the groundwork for today’s current trends; Slanted & Enchanted helped rejuvenate the independent music scene long before “indie rock” was a genre and household term.
When the levees broke… March 25, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentBy Patrick Wall, Style Editor
T he images and videos have been burned into the American conscience: families separated by rising waters, survivors desperately searching for food and scrambling for shelter on rooftops. Even after four and a half years, the events of Hurricane Katrina remain an open wound on the American psyche.
To commemorate the tragic events, George Mason University will be screening Trouble the Water, a documentary chronicling the story of two survivors of the hurricane. Kimberly and Scott Roberts, the film’s creators and stars, will be at the Johnson Center Bistro at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 25 to talk about the documentary and their experiences in surviving the storm.
The documentary will be screened in the Office of Diversity Programs and Services, located in SUB I on Monday, March 22 from noon – 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 23 from noon – 7 p.m. and Wednesday, March 24 from noon – 5 p.m.
The screenings are free. The event is sponsored by the Office of Diversity Programs and Services, African and African American Studies, Women and Gender Studies, Amnesty International GMU, Black Student Alliance, Somali Student Association, Akoma Circle, George Mason University Department of Communications, Program Board Speakers Committee, George Mason University Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Center for Leadership and Communinty Engagement and University Life.
In my own words… March 25, 2010
Posted by studentmedia in : Style , add a commentBy Erin Thompson, Broadside Correspondent
Hi, my name is Erin Thompson and I am a senior in the George Mason University LIFE Program. I have been eating a gluten-free diet since I was 7 years old.
At the beginning, my parents and I didn’t exactly know what the problem with my health was. I was sick and was losing weight. I went to many doctors, and one told me that I had celiac disease. Celiac is made of oats, barley and rye. The only foods that are safe for me are rice, gluten-free bread, gluten-free English muffins, gluten-free muffins and shrimp.
I can name many foods, but it is easier to supply you with an online gluten-free list: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401191131.htm. Wegmans’ website also has a helpful list of gluten-free items.
Celiac disease (CD) is a lifelong digestive disorder that affects children and adults. An individual with CD should follow a gluten-free diet to treat the disease.
When people with CD eat foods that contain gluten, it creates an immune-mediated toxic reaction that causes damage to the small intestine and does not allow food to be properly absorbed.
Gluten is the common name for the proteins in specific grains that are harmful to persons with celiac disease. These proteins are found in all forms of wheat and related grains like rye, barley and triticale and must be eliminated.
Even small amounts of gluten in foods can affect those with CD and cause health problems. Damage can occur to the small bowel, even when there are no symptoms present.
Vargas March 9, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentThe Obama Campaign in the recent Presidential Election harnessed mass media technology as away to get votes. Social networks Facebook, YouTube and text messaging became campaign platforms. Washington Post Reporter Jose Antonio Vargas http://www.joseantoniovargas.com/ on a CSPAN video conference talked about how politicians were beginning to interact with voters through new media.
Vargas said the Obama campaign’s strategy of using new media would influence how future elections would be run.
“The Obama Campaign in many ways was ground breaking,” said Vargas. “They realized that you can’t just run a campaign anymore you have to build a movement around you. You have to somehow convince a very big, very diverse country of many demographics. And what the brilliance of the Obama Campaign was to really try to attract as many people as you could to the movement.”
Some political thinkers said the Obama Campaign could credit their victory to their use of new media. The daily phone calls, text messaging and late night e-mails with vote for Obama YouTube videos from the presidential nominee caused the second-biggest turnout from young voters. This movement caused a craze of “Obama Mamas” and voters who wanted to “Barack your World.”
Vargas said the Obama Campaign’s use of new media gave them a clear advantage over the McCain Campaign.
“I remember asking a McCain staffer about this because they didn’t have a text messaging system and here’s Sarah Palin. Theres a lot of “soccer moms” who are like texting with their kids, that is something they should have used,” said Vargas.
Legislation could also be in for a change. Some politicians are using the Internet as starting point for ideas. The Internet is not used just to share ideas, but now allows people to engage with their political leaders. Vargas was interested in the way politicians were giving American voters the chance to share their opinions.
“Tom Daschle used change.gov to gather ideas about health care; he basically had these townhall meetings. First he said send us your ideas. Then he posted a YouTube video. He would ask what do you think about this. Before you know it the actual transition team is holding townhall meetings in which everyday people came in and gave their input about a bill,” said Vargas.
Vargas is currently writing for the Washington Post specializing in the marriage of the Internet and politics. He also won a Pulitzer Prize for his involvement in covering the 2007 Virginia Tech Massacre.
http://projects.washingtonpost.com/staff/articles/jose+antonio+vargas/
Hunting for an Oscar: Christoph Waltz Looks to Win Big March 1, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentChris Demarco, Staff Writer
Before his turn as Hans Landa in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, Christoph Waltz was an Austrian actor who had never done an American film.
Having never been featured in a film outside of Europe, the worldwide audience that lined up to see Inglorious Basterds was surprised, albeit pleasantly, at the performace of the previously unknown Waltz. Those who didn’t know who Waltz was sure know now, with the steady amount of critical praise he’s received since the film’s release.
Waltz was a fairly successful actor in Austria prior to working on Basterds. He began his acting career as a stage actor at venues all over Austria and Germany. Shortly thereafter he jumped into television, where he found more success.
He also became a writer and director, working on the film Wenn man sich traut. He has starred in over 90 projects, mostly in television.
Waltz is considered a method actor, meaning he essentially becomes the character he is portraying. This was the type of actor Tarantino was in search of when trying to cast the role of Hans Landa.
The part was originally offered to Leonardo DiCaprio, but Tarantino decided to go after an older, lesser-known actor instead. Tarantino had deemed this role as “unplayable” until he found Waltz. When finally cast, Tarantino apparently remarked that Waltz “gave me my movie back.”
As Hans Landa, Waltz was able to create the movie’s most memorable character. Going in, the audience is made to believe that Brad Pitt’s Aldo Raine is going to be the scene stealer, par for the course in contemporary Hollywood.
Instead, audiences left the film talking about the remarkable job Waltz did.
Tarantino has said that he believed that the character was one of the greatest he’d ever written or ever will write and believed that if the movie didn’t have Waltz, it would not have been as successful.
Waltz’s portrayal of Hans Landa has garnered him a lot of critical acclaim.
It all started when he won the Best Actor Award at the 2009 Cannes Film Festival. After that, he has swept in his category at all the key awards ceremonies, including winning Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
He has been deemed the “front runner” for the Academy Awards this year. In his category of Best Supporting Actor, he is up against four other very deserving actors, including Matt Damon (Invictus), Stanley Tucci (The Lovely Bones), Woody Harrelson (The Messenger) and Christopher Plummer (The Last
Station).
Out of all the major acting categories at the Oscars this year, Waltz seems to be the one “shoo-in” because he, by far, played his character the best. He was the one actor whose character people were talking about weeks after seeing the movie.
I believe Waltz will be coming home with his much-deserved Oscar gold.
Great Mason Dates: Students Weigh in On Their Favorite Date Ideas March 1, 2010
Posted by Sonya Hudson in : Style , add a commentThis list contains the top 10 affordable ($30 or less) date ideas accessible by George Mason University transportation, which were received by Sexual Assault Services during Healthy Relationships Week.
1. For lunch, walk to University Mall to Otani Japanese Steak House and get the hibachi ($7 each, or less if you use a 10 percent off coupon found in the Mason coupon pamphlet book).
Next, see a movie at the University Mall theaters ($2 each on Tuesdays). Then take the Mason shuttle to the Vienna Metro and go to Ibiza nightclub for a night of dancing (free if you go before 11 p.m.).
[Bri Green]
2. Take the Mason shuttle to the Vienna metro and ride it down to U-Street to eat at Ben’s Chili Bowl (cheap food, historical location) and enjoy a walk downtown. The U-Street district is beautiful and full of D.C. culture.
[Melissa Edwards]
3. Here’s a great idea for a ‘home date’: get some arts and crafts supplies from a craftstore (like Michael’s), a pizza and make fun crafts for each other in the comfort of your own home.
[Nicholas Brightwell]
4. Go to Fat Tuesday’s at University Mall across the street. Two shrimp po’ boys cost $22, and then see a movie at the theater for $2-3 each.
[Isi Amenkhienan]
5. Take the Gunston-Go-Bus to Fair Oaks Mall and see who can buy the most items for $30.
[Priscilla Switzer]
6. For a spring date to D.C. when the cherry blossoms are in bloom: Pack a lunch with a blanket, take the Mason shuttle to the metro, metro to the Mall in D.C., have a picnic and enjoy the cherry blossoms.
[Giovanna Maya]
7. Take a bike ride from Rosslyn to Georgetown. Have ice cream and hang out at the water taxi dock and water fountain. Watch the sunset together before heading home.
[Ngoc Tran]
8. For those who just want to dance: go to a free salsa club session with a date, and rent a movie afterwards with some cheap champagne. [Jaclynn Foster-Wittig]
9. Take the Gunston-Go-Bus to Fair City Mall, walk to Trader Joe’s across the street, buy some yummy organic food and some flowers and make dinner for your date.
[Alison Jones]
10. Take the Gunston-Go-Bus to Fair Oaks mall, go to the Apple store, play loud music and try to create a musical right there in the store.
[Randall Parrish]
The Crazy Heart of Jeff Bridges March 1, 2010
Posted by Sonya Hudson in : Style , add a commentEvan Benton, Staff Writer
This year, Los Angeles native Jeff Bridges is the forerunner for the Best Actor award for his role as Bad Blake in Crazy Heart.
For fans like me, this attention, praise and heaps of “shoo-in” talk is a long time coming. A major Hollywood presence since 1971 with the release of The Last Picture Show (where he starred with his brother Beau), Bridges has been a fan favorite for decades.
Besides his Best Supporting Actor nomination for Show, Bridges has also been nominated for 1974’s Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, a car-theft thriller that featured alongside the great Clint Eastwood, and 2000’s The Contender. He also earned the first of his two Best Actor nominations for the sci-fi film Starman in 1984.
Following several flops in the early to mid-90s (the terrible remake of The Vanishing, Blown Away and Wild Bill among them), Bridges appeared in what is arguably his most widely recognized role as “The Dude” from the Coen Brothers’ cult classic The Big Lebowski in 1998. Already known for his on-screen charisma and formidable talent, Bridges channeled his inner So-Cal stoner to give a performance that united classic Bridges fans with a younger generation of viewers.
Coming into the new milennium, Bridges earned several accolades (albeit non-Academy) for his role as Charles Harding in Seabiscuit, and contributed to several animated films before 2009’s Crazy Heart.
In Heart, Bridges plays Otis “Bad” Blake, a washed-up, alcoholic country singer eager to straighten his life out after getting involved with a young journalist played by Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Bridges showcases his considerable musicianship in the film, playing several songs for Heart, and he displayed this talent recently on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. I would describe his voice as a little Waylon Jennings and a lot Kris Kristofferson.
But textured singing voice and intricate fingerpicking aside, Bridges is nominated for his great acting. And in Heart, this performance is considerable. Not quite late enough in his career to be called a swan song, Heart features Bridges as a remorseful, discombobulated man swimming in alcohol, passing through the twilight of his life. Bridges, who has no need to justify himself to anyone given his resume, nevertheless makes an otherwise lackluster, plot-ambiguous film gripping to watch.
Of all the American actors of his generation, none are more natural and less self-conscious in their work than Bridges. Indeed, when you see a movie featuring Jeff Bridges in any capacity, his time on-screen is probably the most enjoyable part of the movie.
Hidden Talents of Oscar Night March 1, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , add a commentRoss Banaime, Staff Writer
Ever watched the Oscars and thought, “How could this film be nominated? I’ve never even heard of it”? Every year, categories are filled with nominees most moviegoers have never heard of.
To help get acquainted with these films for the big night, enjoy a description of some of these films, as well as information about where you can find some of them.
One of the strongest categories this year is the Best Short Film (Animated) category. Each of these films can be found online and are playing at local theaters.
The most familiar entry is Wallace and Gromit in ‘A Matter of Loaf and Death’ in which the duo start their own bakery while dealing with a murderer who is killing bakers.
Also nominated is Logorama, which takes place in a world of nothing but corporate logos and where Ronald McDonald goes on a gun-crazy rampage. Granny O’ Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty features a grandmother telling her granddaughter the famous fairy tale, yet getting sidetracked with her own commentary. French Roast is about a stingy businessman who forgets his wallet at a coffee shop and tries to stall the check.
Finally, The Lady and the Reaper is about an old woman who is on her deathbed and waiting to see her late husband again. However, the Grim Reaper and her doctor fight over whether she will live or die. The best animated short film category is one that everyone should take some time to check out. Best Foreign Language Film of the Year showcases some of the best films from around the world. Ajami shows five stories about life in an area of Tel Aviv where Muslims and Christians live together.
The White Ribbon, showing in local theaters, is the story of a town in Germany before World War I and the strange incidents that leave people injured and shaken.
The Secret in Their Eyes follows a man trying to solve a decades-old murder.
A Prophet is about an Arab man in a French prison who becomes a leader in the Mafia.
The Peruvian film The Milk of Sorrow features a woman who realizes she has a disease that her mother has recently died of as she tries to not end up like her mother.
One category that always has some great nominations is Best Documentary. Winners have included Man on Wire, March of the Penguins and Bowling for Columbine. This year, the category has some great choices as well. Burma VJ is about a protest of thousands of monks in Burma.
The Cove, available on DVD, uncovers the murder of dolphins in Japan through undercover cameras. Food Inc., also on DVD, looks at the corporate food industry.
The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers, in local theaters, is about a Pentagon insider that was influential in the end of Nixon’s political career.
Which Way Home follows children in Mexico who were left behind while their parents went to the U.S., and their goal to be reunited with them. In these lesser known categories lie some great nominees that shouldn’t be missed.
From Sundance to Oscar Gold: Silver Screen Novice Gabourey Sidibe Hoping for Precious Win March 1, 2010
Posted by Sonya Hudson in : Style , add a commentEvan Benton, Staff Writer
In the history of the Academy Awards, there have been several times that a talented newcomer has come along and won the hearts (and votes) of the Academy.
Hilary Swank surprised the world with her 1999 Boys Don’t Cry Best Actress win. In 2007, American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson won the best Supporting Actress award for her role in Dreamgirls.
Both pale in the face of Gabourey Sidibe, nominated this year for her debut role in Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.
Sidibe plays Claireece “Precious” Jones, an obese, illiterate African-American girl impregnated for the second time by her father, and enduring long-term mental and physical abuse from her unemployed mother, played by actress and comedienne Mo’Nique.
As you can obviously tell, it’s a tough movie to watch. Sidibe plays the title role with such vulnerability and hopelessness that the hardest parts of the film, especially the moments of abuse, make you want to look away.
Born and raised by her mother in Harlem, the 26-year-old half-Senegalese Sidibe attended several New York City-area colleges, including Mercy College, where she was in the middle of taking an exam when a friend phoned her and encouraged her to audition for Precious.
It only took one audition for the filmmakers to make the decision, but it’s an effort and a decision that has led to Sidibe being touted as the dark horse for the Best Actress Academy Award, possibly beating out Sandra Bullock and such heavyweights as Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren.
To say her breakthrough role as Precious is impressive is a severe understatement. Sidibe is a contender for the Best Actress award with little to no formal acting training, but her work strongly speaks for itself.
Precious is a pathetic, neglected creature, made to feel subhuman and worthless by her closest family and friends. Only with the help of her teachers and guidance counselor does she realize her worth, and strives to find love for herself in a world where none exists.
Sidibe is an acting phenomenon in Precious, and along with Mo’Nique, who shows the visceral dramatic flair no one thought she had, the two may sweep the actress awards on Oscar night.
Walking the Red Carpet Walk: A-List Newcomers and Veterans Bring the Latest Fashions to the Oscars March 1, 2010
Posted by style in : Style , 1 comment so farDeena Smith, Staff Writer
Every year at the Academy Awards, E! hosts a red carpet special to watch the stars arrive in their sometimes elegant couture designer dresses and sleek expensive tuxedos and suits.
Certain celebrities always have a particular style, whether it is more sophisticated or sexy, but someone always brings something new.
The red carpet fashions from previous awards shows have been quite disappointing in the shock factor category — except for Lady Gaga and her well-known extravagancies.
But the Oscars are when the gloves come off and the best designs come out. Aside from the Oscar winners, the fashions are the most talked about part of the evening.
“Who are you wearing?” is always the first question asked on the carpet for guys and gals alike, but the women’s dresses always receive the most critiques.
So, starting with the females, in a surprising new trend for the season, fashionistas are rocking bridal couture down the carpet, instead of down the aisle.
Most of them alter the color of the gown, like Glee star Lea Michele who looked sensational at the Golden
Globes in a black Oscar de la Renta bridal gown and, again, in a shorter bridal design dress by Romona Keveza at the Grammys.
One person took it the extra mile and actually kept the wedding gown white and dominated the carpet: Kate Hudson in a stunning white bridal gown by Marchesa at the Golden Globes.
So don’t be shocked if a few other celebs accept their award (instead of their husbands) in bridal gowns.
Some popular designers that will definitely be on the carpet are Stella McCartney, Christian Dior, Oscar de la Renta and YSL. Elie Saab is also a high fashion brand that has been a favorite of previous award winners, such as Halle Berry when she received her Oscar for Monster’s Ball.
The red carpet is also a great place for new, up-and-coming designers to be showcased.
Suzy Amis Cameron, wife of Avatar director James Cameron, announced that she will be wearing a dress by Jillian Granz.
Granz is a student at Michigan State University who won a dress design contest.
Her work may start a new trend, like the one-shoulder craze that began with Jason Wu’s gown that he designed for Michelle Obama to wear to the Inaugural Ball in 2009. As for the color scheme, expect to see silvery tones, pale peaches and the typical black.
As with everything in Hollywood, the red carpet is not only a fashion show but a competition. Actresses and musicians are pitted against each other to see who is the best dressed.
The ever-popular country singer Taylor Swift and pop songstress Miley Cyrus have been compared at previous award shows this season and are expected to be even more scrutinized for the Oscars, even though neither is up for an award.
Some red carpet veterans never disappoint. But this season, former American Idol Carrie Underwood and House actress Olivia Wilde have stepped out in stunning pieces at both the Golden Globes and the Grammys. Look out for actress Sandra Bullock; this is her first year receiving a nod, so she is bound to wear a head-turner.
Now, for the fellas, expect to see lots of the classic black tuxedos by high end designers such as Armani, Versace, Hugo Boss, etc.
The key is to find a sophisticated suit that also matches the personality and style of the person wearing it.
But everyone comes prepared. Even rock stars like the Kings of Leon dressed for the occasion in Burberry suits at the Grammys.
Look out for the gossip on the blogs for who received the votes for best and worst dressed at this year’s 82nd annual Academy Awards.