Volume 6, Issue HTTP://VALENCIAVOICE.COM January 28, 2009 Afternoon of Gothic Horror
By Courtnee Rattigan Valencia Voice
The room was captivated by the one man standing at the stage in the front of the room. His voice inflections, different tones for char- acters, and exaggerated pauses held every au- dience member in the palm of his hand and on the edge of their seats. Joshua Kane, a New York City actor, was on West campus Wednesday afternoon per- forming several readings of Edgar Allan Poe in celebration of the poet’s 200th birthday. Kane started the event by giving a brief description of how he got started in the business of “gothic horror” and one man shows—“perverted grandparents.” Theresa Carli / Valencia Voice According to Kane, his grandparents Gov. Charlie Crist casually addresses constituents by removing himself from the podium and interacting with the crowd at Valencia Community College’s Osceola bought him the complete works of Poe, Campus on Monday Jan. 26, 2009. which he read over and over again. They gave him his inspiration he needed to heavily con- sider a career in acting. Governor addresses VCC town hall An English and history double major at Continued on Page 2 By Brian Cronin planning to do to decrease the fore- Valencia Voice closure rate?” Crist responded by saying he and other members of the Florida Governor Charlie Crist government have asked banks to spoke at a town hall meeting to ad- work out negotiations and free up dress public concerns on Valenia’s money so the working class can af- Osceola Campus. On Monday night, ford housing. He further asked the more than 160 people attended this public for their help by going to their meeting to address concerns ranging state senators and representatives to from property taxes, foreclosures, put policy into laws that would spe- education, and finally to the econo- cifically address those issues. my. The crowd was eager to see the The podium was then turned Governor and ask their questions over to the Lieutenant Governor. He but a time constraint allowed for fielded an education question from only a few to be heard. Marion Carrol, a Florida PTA repre- After introductions of the state sentative, who inquired how the stim- and local government officials, in- ulus plan would affect education. He cluding Lt. Governor, Jeff Kott- replied by answering, All this has to kamp, Governor Crist took an in- play out. As an advocate and believer formal approach to addressing his Theresa Carli / Valencia Voice that education is the great equalizer to Gov. Charlie Crist fields pre-selected audience questions, ranging from social constituents. He stepped from be- values to the economy, from the podium. the economy, he realizes that funding hind the podium and walked around is a critical question. the room, illustrating that we are all employment rate. He recommended my mom, her property taxes have After addressing a few more in it together. His opening comments visiting the employ Florida website gone from $25,000 to $50,000, why? questions, the Governor concluded focused on the unprecedented eco- (http;//www.employflorida.com ) Governor Crist replied that property by quoting President Lincoln, “a nomic instability Florida residents as an aid for all residents. Like many taxes should not be rising due to the government of the people, by the are all experiencing. He continued others, he is unhappy with the 8.1% passage of Amendment Two last year, people, for the people,” Crist ex- to express that even though times unemployment rate. and an appeal to the county regarding pressed that this is the type of gov- are tough and worry is real, the sun Jerry Lee Jackson, a 44-year resi- such raises can be made. This would ernment he wants to be a part of will come up in Florida. dent of Kissimmee, was the first to allow a new appraisal to be made and by continuing to be invited to local Before arriving at Valencia, Crist ask a question. He addressed a con- taxes to be adjusted. forums granting him the opportu- Kyle Beard / Valencia Voice visited a workforce center in Central cern several attendees had regarding A part time realtor and native to nity to interact with the people who Joshua Kane reading Poe’s ‘The Raven’ Florida to address the growing un- property taxes. This is a question from Florida, asked, “What is the state elected him to this position. Florida community colleges feel economic crunch By Jessica Frelow cation, over $1 billion has been issued to com- age annual salary ranges from $35,000-60,000 their education the demand for funding will rise. Valencia Voice munity colleges, however, the failing economy and since local tax dollars cannot be used for Since 1988, budgets increased from the hundred has made it troublesome to hire new faculty and education the only way to get funding to hire thousands to the billions. The inauguration of President Obama brings to help struggling families keep young adults in additional instructional faculty is through the In light of President Obama’s term comes a wave of expectations for improving general school. Financial trouble hasn’t negatively im- state. promises of education reform, there is new education. Despite nationwide budget cuts, pacted the enrollment rate especially at Valencia; Much cannot be done for the faculty but the hope that increases in funding and improve- which has greatly impacted Central Florida, over 55,000 students were enrolled for the 2007- students do have some benefits. Fortunately, ments in programs like, No Child Left Behind there is hope that the new administration can 08 school year and has significantly increased for the state has provided programs such as: FL are likely to be expected. To assist students to “bail out” education and save schools. With 28 the 2008-09 school year. Student Association, FL Work Experience Pro- pursue higher education, the American Oppor- community colleges throughout the state, find- Funding per full time student decreased $104 gram, and Bright Futures Program to aid in col- tunity Tax Credit has proposed to make college ing funding is difficult since community colleges to $5,117 for the 2008-09 school year. Cuts have lege costs. With more than 800,000 thousand more affordable. Changes in the Education are among the last type of schools to be consid- effected class schedules hindering students from community college students, over $5 billion Policy will allow for states to get the funding ered for budgeting. getting into the classes needed to graduate. was grossed from the 2007-08 school year in needed and help future generations to get a val- According to Florida’s Department of Edu- Depending on credentials, Professors’ aver- Florida. As more young adults strive to further ued education.
Special feature • The boy who sees sound • Page 4 VALENCIA VOICE January 28 2009
Kayla Hernandez / Valencia Voice
Handout / MCT Visitors crowd Kennedy Boulevard to celebrate the life and works of Zora Neale Hurston ‘Zora!’ 20th Anniversary By Cassie Weinz Murrell family in terms of setting up for the around Jacksonville. One Woman, by the name of Lugenia presentation. Zora came to live in Jacksonville with Shipp, came all the way down from Connect- The 20th Anniversary of the Zora! Festi- During this time Murrell made polite her brother John at the age of 9 after the icut to be apart of the magic that is Zora. val continued on strong Friday as enthusias- casual conversations with guests about her death of her mother. Despite losing such an Shipp, who attended the festival for the first tic participants arrived at local venues eager love of hats while commenting on the black important figure at a young age, Zora still time, could not contain the excitement she to learn more about the extrordinary life of ruffled feather hat, dressed with a red broach maintained a lovely personality. Murrell re- felt as she began to mention that she has a hometown legend, Zora Neale Hurston. that she herself was wearing. called that she was an, “ideal person…full of been promising herself for 5 years that she The Enzian Theater presented its guests Murrell’s grandson, Quincy Murrell, be- life. A free spirit and I always thought that I would one day attend the Zora festival. with a discussion and book signing by author gan the presentation by, “inviting guests into wanted to be a free spirit.” The friend who was there accompanying M. Alene Murrell, a relative of Hurston’s. [his] family’s living room,” as he called it. She also remembers that Zora had a Shipp has been a regular attendant for 19 In a large room adorn with brightly up- When Quincy was a boy, he would con- unique look. Mostly recognized for her bold years. Shipp began to explain that the two holstered chairs and pop culture memora- tinually visit his grandmother who would choice in hats, Zora was filled with other spe- of them have been trying to get a group to- bilia, a small group gathered to hear Murrell graciously tell him stories about Zora and cial attributes such as the fact that she was, gether for quite some time, “I’m sure when speak on her book, “Zora Neale Hurston her wild adventures. That is precisely what “such a loveable person. She was a person of we get back there will be more people who In and Around Jacksonville, Florida in the the day was filled with. It was an hour and interest and you wanted to be near her.” come with us next time” she said. She also 1920s, 30s, and 40s.” a half special dedicated to the storytellings The duration of the presentation filled stated the enthusiasm she felt for all the The guests huddled together exchanging of Zora. the room with the magic of storytelling. Just speakers she has heard thus far, “though all stories of past Zora festivals while they ea- Murrell recalled to her audience that from as Murrell would sit eagerly on the floor as the speakers have different subjects, they all gerly awaited the arrival of the highly antici- the age of 8, she began to remember every- a child and listen to Zora’s tales, the present have the same goal. Reaching out and help- pated author. thing Zora did and everything she said. company was much in the same way hang- ing others, that’s what it’s all about.” Enthused guests got their wish as Murrell The Jacksonville years, which are referred ing on every word Murrell felt compelled to Reaching out was certainly the theme of entered the room with her family by her side. to as the missed years of Zora’s life by her share. Once the storytelling came to an end, the day. The Murrell family reached out to Almost as soon as she sat down, individuals family, contain essentials stories of Zora guests fluttered to Murrell’s side to express tell their stories of their beloved Zora and slowly began to approach Murrell and of- and her best friend, as well as the trouble their thanks for allowing Zora into their the audience extended their ears to soak it fer their respects as well as their help to the they managed to get themselves into in and lives. all in.
Ihab Ghusain, a spokesman for the Hamas- led Interior Ministry in Gaza, said Tuesday that Poe stories Juggling delicate Palestinian militants had every right to launch such attacks because Israel had broken the calm brought to life repeatedly with its attacks on Gaza in the past week. Continued from cover Middle East peace Residents in Gaza have been on edge for days the University of Bridgeport, Kane as rumors have swept across the area that Israel dropped out three months into study- By Dion Nissenbaum bility for the roadside bomb. Late Tuesday, Pal- was preparing to resume its airstrikes. ing to pursue an acting career. McClatchy Newspapers estinian militants released a high-quality video to Over the weekend, Palestinians cleared out He started off reciting Poe’s poems local journalists showing the explosion and sub- of government offices and security compounds in college and university libraries which GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — President sequent shootout along the border. amid rumors that Israel was going to attack. On he still does to this day. Kane then Barack Obama’s efforts to stabilize a tenuous Tuesday’s incidents were the most severe test Sunday, Hamas guards temporarily closed the shared his history of being in a “ma- cease-fire between Israel and Hamas were jeop- so far of the uneasy cease-fire that took hold Rafah crossing with Egypt amid rumors that Is- cabre” magic show as a teenager and ardized Tuesday when a roadside bomb planted when Israel unilaterally ended its three-week rael was preparing to hit the network of adjacent “interning” with the late Vincent Price. by Palestinian militants hit an Israeli patrol along military campaign to destabilize Hamas rulers in smuggler tunnels, which were a prime focus of At twenty-five, he graduated with both the Gaza Strip border, killing one officer and Gaza and halt persistent Palestinian rocket fire airstrikes during the military campaign. of his degrees. wounding three others. aimed at southern Israel. As the violence resumed Tuesday, Israel and Starting with “Alone” and recit- Israel launched a series of counterstrikes after Hamas and the other main Palestinian mili- Hamas reopened indirect talks in Cairo with ing several well known poems such the explosion, killing a farmer, according to Pal- tant groups soon followed the Israeli cease-fire Egyptian mediators who are working to solidify as “The Tell Tale Heart” and “The estinian medical officials. declaration with their own unilateral truce. Since the cease-fire. Egypt has been unable to secure a Raven,” Kane performed highly emo- The tit-for-tat assaults cast a cloud over the then, Gaza militants have fired no rockets into breakthrough in the complex talks. tional and personalized renditions of arrival in Cairo, Egypt, of George Mitchell, southern Israel, though they did launch several Israel is seeking assurances that Gaza mili- the poetry. Obama’s Middle East envoy, who’s on a mission mortars one day last week. tants won’t resume rocket attacks on Israeli cities In “The Raven”, Kane requested to cement the 10-day-old cease-fire. The Israeli strikes killed more than 1,200 Pal- and that Egypt will prevent Hamas from using for audience participation by whisper- The former U.S. senator heads to Jerusalem estinians during the 22-day military campaign in smuggler tunnels to rearm. Israeli negotiators ing the word “nevermore” at his cue. on Wednesday with Israeli leaders warning that Gaza, making it the most deadly Israeli opera- also are looking to secure the release of Gilad It “lended breath to the piece,” causing they’ll inflict punishing responses to cease-fire tion in Gaza since it seized the Mediterranean Shalit, a young Israeli soldier whom Hamas-led a somewhat eerie effect. The last per- violations. strip in the 1967 war. militants captured in 2006. formance was “Annabel Lee”, the only “Whoever hits us will receive a severe blow,” During the campaign, nine Israeli soldiers Hamas is demanding that Israel release hun- piece that he started off by singing. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Tues- were killed in Gaza, and Palestinian rocket fire dreds of Palestinian prisoners in return for Kane tours the country performing day. “We cannot achieve peace unless we are will- killed four Israelis in southern Israel. Shalit’s freedom. The Islamist militant group Poe as well as Shakespeare in addition ing to stand determined, ready with the left hand During the early days of the truce, Israeli naval that’s running Gaza also wants Israel to open to teaching workshops; he also does a looking for any opening for peace and the right ships repeatedly fired on fishing boats along the its borders to allow a normal flow of supplies few commercial voiceovers. hand on the trigger.” Gaza coast. At least 11 Palestinians were injured into the Gaza Strip, which is home to 1.5 million After his performance Kane held a Gaza residents had anticipated the Israeli re- by the Israeli shelling, which ended last Friday. Palestinians. free writing workshop: the “Imaginary taliation, and braced for more. When Israeli leaders announced the unilateral Tuesday’s clash came two weeks before Israel’s Tool Kit,” his remedy of how he got Residents in central Gaza said they’d seen cease-fire, they warned that Gaza would face a national elections. Polls find former Israeli Prime through writer’s block while in college. small numbers of Israeli tanks and Special Forc- painful response if militants resumed their at- Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his conserva- Kane is planning to start producing es units slowly pushing into the isolated Medi- tacks. tive Likud Party holding a solid lead over the rul- his own CD recordings of his shows; terranean strip. Gaza health officials said Israeli Amnon Lipkin Shahak, a former Israeli army ing Kadima Party, led by Foreign Minister Tzipi his website www.joshuakane.com cur- forces killed a Palestinian farmer soon after the chief of staff, told Israel Radio on Tuesday that Livni. rently has several twenty minute clips morning bomb attack. An Israeli airstrike later “there needs to be a painful strike against those Barak and his center-left Labor Party also of video from previous shows. His up- hit a moped in Khan Younis, injuring a driver responsible” for the bombing. haven’t made any advances that have altered the coming engagements are at a theater in who Israeli military officials said had taken part “We need to make rules that will protect the fundamental dynamics of the campaign. Tampa, as well as the Kravitz Center in in the morning attack. residents of the south,” he said. “We cannot ac- West Palm Beach. No Palestinian group has claimed responsi- cept attacks from Gaza.” — MCT Campus January 28, 2009 VALENCIA VOICE Palestinian smugglers back in business
By Dion Nissenbaum Israeli airstrikes repeatedly hit the eight- McClatchy Newspapers mile stretch along the border that’s filled with as many as 1,300 tunnels, used to RAFAH, Gaza Strip — Abu Nissim rose smuggle in everything from young brides from the covered tunnel entrance and tri- and lion cubs to rocket-propelled grenades umphantly raised a box of Cheer Up choc- and advanced missiles. olate-covered wafers over his head. Destroying the tunnels was a central “New from the tunnel,” the young Pal- goal of the Israeli military campaign, which estinian tunnel digger boasted Thursday Gaza medical officials have said killed as his friends tore open the packages of around 1,300 Palestinians. Israeli officials Egyptian cookies. estimated that the attacks destroyed 80 per- One day after the last Israeli soldier cent of the tunnels, and Palestinians agreed left the Gaza Strip after a 26-day military that the strikes crippled their smuggling campaign to destabilize the militant Is- business. lamist group Hamas and demolish the tun- Smugglers along the border said they’d nels used to bring in weapons, Palestinian be able to dig out within weeks, if not days, smugglers _ and tunnel diggers _ were back however. in business. Some tunnels already were back in op- Bulldozers rumbled along the border, eration Thursday. clearing away tons of earth for new tun- A strong smell of diesel drifted along the nel entrances. Young boys climbed 90 feet border as Mohammed Barhoum stood in down into the ground to recover supplies front of two makeshift, 8,000-gallon fuel Dion Nissenbaum / MCT from storerooms in partially demolished tanks slowly filling with diesel and liquid A Palestinian smuggler climbs into the entrance of his partially-destroyed tunnel in Rafah, Gaza Strip tunnels. Fuel trucks pulled up to makeshift propane as they were pumped through depots to fill up on diesel fuel and liquid plastic pipes that stretched 450 yards un- try’s borders and into the Gaza Strip as long In the midst of the Israeli strikes on the propane, which is used for cooking, that’s derground across the border into Egypt. as its Hamas rulers stand by the group’s tunnels, the United States agreed to provide pumped underground from the Egyptian Like other smugglers along the border, long-standing pledge to destroy Israel. more tools to combat smuggling, but it re- side of the border. Barhoum said that the Israeli economic Abu Ahmed, a 33-year-old tunnel owner mains unclear when or how the U.S.-Israeli “We will be like the phoenix rising from blockade of Hamas-led Gaza had forced who used a pseudonym out of fear of Is- agreement would get up and running. the ashes,” Hamas political adviser Ahmed him to become a smuggler so that he could raeli retaliation, said that the best way for While the flow of goods into Gaza is Yousef said as he walked through the rub- take care of his family. Israel to shut down the tunnels would be to a concern for Israeli leaders, their biggest ble of buildings destroyed by airstrikes near Before he launched his fuel-smuggling open the borders. worry is that Hamas will resume smuggling the border. business last month, Barhoum ran a fac- “If they opened the borders all the way, in arms from Egypt. His boast coincided with new warnings tory that makes construction blocks, but he all our work would be canceled,” he said as One seasoned tunnel digger, who also from Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. said that Israel’s refusal to allow concrete he took a break from digging out his col- feared being identified, said that Hamas “For the tunnels, nothing will be as it and other supplies into the Gaza Strip had lapsed tunnel. arms tunnels usually were longer, deeper was before,” Livni said while meeting with forced him to shut it down. Israel is trying to persuade Egypt to take and wider than the ones run by commercial European officials in Brussels, Belgium, “If they opened the terminals tomorrow, tougher steps to shut down the tunnels. smugglers. to discuss efforts to ensure that Hamas I would go back to my business,” Barhoum Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has It was unclear how severely the strikes isn’t allowed to use the tunnels to smuggle said as his friends filled a Volvo tanker rebuffed suggestions that he allow interna- had damaged the Hamas tunnels and how in more weapons. “Things must be clear: truck with fuel. tional forces to patrol the border, but Israel long it would be before they could resume Israel reserves the right to react militarily Israeli leaders refuse to allow a normal hopes to convince him to crack down on normal operations. against the tunnels once and for all.” flow of supplies and aid through the coun- the smuggling. — MCT Campus t u S o u b d a e Y . s “I was surprised how t l i u a A t @ e s d n D r
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Kevin German, Sacramento Bee / MCT Ben Underwood leans back to listen to his braile instructor John Cox tell him what the math teacher wrote on the front board backon Tuesday, May 2, 2006, in Elk Grove, California. Blind teen who “sees” sounds fears no death
By Cynthia Hubert months, to live. But whenever the end comes, in humans. likes taking pain medication, but gets some McClatchy Newspapers he will have left a powerful imprint. Thanks to his spirit and his incredible navi- relief when his mother gently massages his Since The (Sacramento) Bee published his gational skills, Ben has been able to take part head and shoulders. SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Time is growing story in May 2006, Ben has been featured in in all of the rituals and activities of childhood Her son is aware that his time is running short for the boy who “sees” with sound. magazines, newspapers and television pro- and adolescence. out, Gordon said, and he accepts his situa- Ben Underwood, the blind teenager who grams from Japan to Great Britain. He gave He has attended mainstream schools, most tion, though he has not talked much about it. has dazzled people all over the world with his an inspirational speech to some 10,000 people recently Sheldon High, and has refused to use “After the doctor told us what was going on, ability to navigate using a tongue-clicking skill at a Christian conference in Hawaii and has a white cane identifying him as blind. He’s I asked Ben, ‘Are you afraid to die? Are you called echolocation, is getting weaker day by become an Internet sensation. He has chatted played basketball, practiced karate, skated and scared? Do you need me to hold you?’” she day. with Oprah Winfrey and danced with Ellen ridden a bike through his Elk Grove neigh- said. He told her that he had no fear, and that The cancer that took his eyes when he was DeGeneres on national TV. He has become borhood, clicking his tongue and listening for he looks forward to seeing her in heaven. a toddler has returned with a vengeance, in- friends with the iconic musician Stevie Won- sound waves that tell him whether he is facing “He’s totally at peace,” Gordon said. “My vading his brain and his spinal cord. Ben’s legs der, who celebrated his 16th birthday with a brick wall, a metal car or other obstacles. strength comes from him.” no longer are strong enough to support him, him and slipped into town quietly again last He’s learned to type 60 words per minute and In recent weeks, as Ben has become weak- and his mother must carry him up and down week for a visit. text message his friends. er, his many friends have been spending long the stairs of their Elk Grove, Calif., home. “Ben is an extraordinary young man who He’s played video games by memorizing hours at his bedside. The teenager who traveled the globe the has inspired literally millions of people,” said scenarios and identifying sounds that charac- They rub his hands and feet, fluff his pil- past two years giving inspirational speeches his doctor, Kaiser Permanente pediatric on- ters make before they move or strike. lows and play his choice of music on the ste- and impressing people with his ability to get cologist Kent Jolly. “He has fought a heroic Jolly and Ben’s pediatric ophthalmologist, reo in the living room. Some of his favorite around in a world he cannot see, spends most battle.” James Ruben, said they have never met any- tunes are songs from a gospel rap CD that of his time these days in a hospital bed in the Blind since he was a toddler, when a cancer one quite like him. he created. The project is not quite finished. living room, sleeping, praying and listening to called retinoblastoma took both of his eyes, “It’s extraordinary that Aquanetta has Maybe Stevie Wonder will take up the task, music. Ben adapted remarkably well. He taught him- raised him without treating him as if he was Gordon mused. Ben is under the care of hospice nurses, self to reach places safely by counting steps disabled, and Ben has risen to the challenge,” “Ben has always been a kid I could rely and he understands what that means. But he and by using his keen senses of hearing, smell Jolly said. “He’s never been allowed to cut on,” said Gordon, who has four other chil- insists he is not afraid of dying, even at the and touch. Gordon insisted that her son at- corners or take it easy or feel sorry for him- dren, ages 13 and up. “Always responsible. tender age of 16. One day soon, he told his tend mainstream schools and be treated no self.” Always taking care of business. mother, Aquanetta Gordon, he simply will go differently from his classmates. She encour- Ben’s cancer was in check until 2007, when “I only get him for moment. I won’t get to sleep and wake up in heaven. aged him to take risks. he developed a tumor in his sinus cavity. In- to see him get married or have a family or go “He is such a strong kid. He never com- When he got older, Ben taught himself tensive chemotherapy, radiation treatments to college. plains,” Gordon said on a recent day, as Ben to identify objects by making clicking noises and experimental measures have failed to “But Ben’s life wasn’t just for me. It was slept nearby under a fuzzy blue blanket. “I am with his tongue, creating sound waves that he cure it, Jolly said. to share with the world. Now Ben is dying the one who cries. The idea of having to bury uses to identify objects and get around. The The teen continues to get radiation treat- in a graceful way. That’s part of his purpose, my baby? I’m not sure how to do this.” skill, called echolocation, is commonly seen ments that keep him more comfortable, but too.” Ben’s doctors said he could have weeks, or in bats and dolphins but rarely documented the effects are temporary, said Jolly. Ben dis- — MCT Campus January 28, 2009 VALENCIA VOICE Triple victory for ’Push’ at Sundance
tion that works with sexually abused chil- Sergio,” director Greg Barker’s moving dren. examination of the life and death of top Havana Marking’s “Afghan Star,” a look U.N. diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello, took at an “American Idol”--type TV program the editing prize for Karen Schmeer. in Kabul, was the only documentary to win “The September Issue,” directed by the two prizes, taking the world documentary veteran R.J. Cutler, won the documentary audience award and the world documentary cinematography award for Bob Richman’s directing nod. ability to gain access to the Kremlin of fash- Four other films, all dramas, took home ion, the offices of Vogue Magazine, and its Martin Gee, San Jose Mercury News / MCT a pair of prizes apiece, starting with Lone editor--in--chief Anna Wintour. Scherfig’s captivating “An Education,” about New site aims a British high school girl meeting an older “Good Hair,” which earned a special jury man, which earned both the world drama prize for director Jeff Stilson, makes the audience award and the world drama cin- most of comedian Chris Rock as he turns to enhance ematography award for John de Borman. an investigation into the nature of African Two other world drama films received two American hair into a window into contem- networking awards apiece, including Sebastian Silva’s porary black culture as well as quite a funny “The Maid,” from Chile, which received the film. By Brier Dudley world dramatic prize and a special world A trio of worthy world documentaries The Seattle Times drama jury prize for acting for star Catalina also took home awards. Saavedra. The other world double winner “Burma VJ,” which captured the world SEATTLE — Here’s a way to start le- was Oliver Hirschbiegel’s “Five Minutes of editing award for Janus Billeskov Jansen and veraging your social network. Heaven,” starring Liam Neeson and James Thomas Papapetros, features riveting foot- FriendlyFavor, a Seattle “social-media Nesbit. Screenwriter Guy Hibbert con- age smuggled out repressive Myanmar. utility” that launched this month, offers a structed an intense what--if narrative about “Big River Man” won the world cinema- system for tapping into your network of what might have transpired if two individu- tography award for director John Maring- friends, family and acquaintances. als, involved in different ways with a murder ouin for its examination of the exploits of It’s designed to complement social- that actually took place in Northern Ireland the overweight Slovenian who is the world’s networking services such as Facebook, Fitzroy Barrett, Landov / MCT in 1975, happened to meet decades after the most famous endurance swimmer. MySpace and LinkedIn. Mariah Carey arrives at Universal City Walk to event. Hirschbiegel won the world drama “Tibet in Song,” directed by Ngawang Started by Seattle-area tech veterans sign CD’s from her new album E=MC2, at Universal City, California, April 17, 2008. directing award, Hibbert the world drama Choephel, won a world special jury prize by Scott Larson and Jeff Patton, Friendly- screenwriting nod. linking Tibetan music to that land’s quest to Favor calls itself an “all-purpose request By Kenneth Turan The only film in the dramatic competition preserve its cultural identity. tool” designed to help people “more ef- Los Angeles Times to win two awards was writer--director Cary On the dramatic side, The Waldo Salt ficiently leverage their trusted networks Joji Fukunaga’s effective “Sin Nombre,” screenwriting award went to Nicholas Jasen- of friends, family, and colleagues for help “Push: Based on the novel by Sapphire” about the intersecting lives of a Guatemalan ovec and Charlyne Yi for “Paper Heart,” a with referrals, recommendations, advice scored a rare triple victory at the Sundance teenager fleeing to the U.S. and a Mexican special jury prize for spirit of independence and other favors or requests.” Film Festival on Saturday night, winning the gang member. Already set for distribution went to Lynn Shelton’s “Humpday,” and a The service delivers, archives and man- grand jury prize and the audience award for by Focus Features, the film won the dramatic world cinema special jury prize for original- ages requests for registered users. It can drama, as well as a special jury prize for act- directing award and the excellence in cine- ity went to France’s “Louise--Michel.” also be used to build tailored contact lists, ing. matography award for Adriano Goldman. Though it didn’t win anything, one including lists where sensitive favors — Directed by Lee Daniels, best known for Because the quality of U.S. documenta- of Sundance’s most haunting films was the such as requests for a baby-sitter — can producing the Oscar--winning “Monster’s ries was so high, another five won deserved Japanese science--fiction drama with a most be handled and narrowly targeted. Ball,” and adapted by Damien Pearl from awards. unusual title, “The Clone Returns Home,” FriendlyFavor can also be used to the 1997 novel, “Push” tells the raw, night- “The Cove,” a muckraking doc by Louie written and directed by Kanji Nakajima. A broadcast “favors” being offered by us- marish story of a 16--year--old pregnant girl Psihoyos that plays like a thriller and follows mysterious and mystical story, both deeply ers, such as extra tickets to an event or who tries to escape from the domination of pro--dolphin activists as they try to expose human and futuristic, this tale of attempts to services. her terrifying mother (played by Mo’Nique, slaughter in Japan, won the audience award. clone an astronaut held audiences rapt even The five-person company was started who won an acting prize) and make some- “El General,” made with assurance by when they couldn’t quite understand what in 2007 and raised $500,000 from angel in- thing of her life. documentary directing award winner Natalia was going on. vestors affiliated with companies includ- Taking the grand jury prize for docu- Almada and beautifully shot by Chuy Chavez, Over on the Slamdance Film Festival ing Microsoft, Google and Amazon.com. mentary was Ondi Timoner’s “We Live in persuasively examines the long shadow the side of town, awards were given out as well. It’s expecting to make money from tar- Public,” about a renegade artist who did past casts over the present by looking into The grand jury award for narrative went to geted ads, licensing its platform and com- just that, while the world documentary the connections between the director and her “A Quiet Little Marriage,” and the audience missions on “thank you gifts” purchased prize went to Kim Longinotto’s “Rough great--grandfather, revolutionary general and award was given to “Punching the Clown.” at Amazon.com and other sites. Aunties,” about a South African organiza- Mexican President Plutarco Elias Calles. — LATWP News Service — MCT Campus Opinion: And the Academy Award should go to...
debt spending that our great grandchildren TMZ-like analysis, as warned about earlier, it for his performance as Benjamin But- are going take to their graves, and all the oth- let’s just go ahead and give Ledger the award. ton from the F. Scott Fitzgerald short story, er overly negative, horribly real troubles that Yes, it may be easy, but even if he were alive made feature film, “The Curious Case of we deal with on a daily basis. That’s right, it’s today to see the labor of his hard work, he Benjamin Button.” Special consideration Oscar time! would still be deserving of the honor. Re- should be given to the actor who not only Perhaps not providing as critical an analy- member, they almost gave Johnny Depp an had more to lose, but also had the steepest sis as TMZ, or ETV, the Voice would like to Oscar for his role as Jack Sparrow; very simi- climb back to the top of the elite Hollywood elect to make some bold predictions for a lar, except The Joker was infinitely cooler. heap: Mickey Rourke. few key categories; specifically in Best Sup- With that settled, let’s take a polite glance Rourke provides us both a sympathetic porting Actor and Supporting Actress, and at the starlets of the supporting role. character, and a realistic character. Someone of course the industry standards such as Another relatively solid performance that we love to root for, but at the same time Best Actor/Actress, and Best Movie. should be focused on revolves around an ex- chastise for his decisions. Easy win. Without further ado: Best Supporting Ac- otic dancer. In “the Wrestler,” we follow, go Moving right along to the final, yet most tor. figure, a wrestler. Mickey Rourke, as Randy, important category (wouldn’t it be fantastic Now, in this section we have some tricky faces the end of this career, and he looks to if the actually awards’ ceremony was this de- nominees. Well, one tricky nominee: Heath reconcile with his estranged daughter, Steph- cisive and fact-paced?): Best Movie. Ledger. Our natural inclination would be to anie (played, with far too much sulkiness, by “Milk,” the story of California’s first give him the posthumous nod because of Evan Rachel Wood), and woos the stripper openly gay elected official, Harvey Milk the events, and untimely death, surrounding he has long had a crush on, a flinty vixen (played by Sean Penn), a San Francisco su- his captivating performance as the iconic vil- whose stage name is Cassidy. (She’s played pervisor who was assassinated along with lain The Joker. But in doing that, you would by Marisa Tomei, who manages to present Mayor George Moscone by San Francisco DreamWorks / MCT be doing a great disservice to the other fine us with a moving, three-dimensional charac- Supervisor Dan White (it’s not a spoiler men who provided outstanding performanc- ter, despite the fact that the picture gives her when it’s actual American history). Robert Downey Jr. played Kirk Lazarus, an in- tense, three-time Oscar-winning actor in 2008’s es in their individual movies. little to do.) This film gets the nod for both its timeli- “Tropic Thunder” For example, Robert Downey Jr. in Her presence, which lends the movie a ness (we as a people just so very ignorantly “Tropic Thunder.” You heard that right, a much needed, softly delivered, female touch voted down gay rights bills in multiple states) by Frank Tobin once down-and-out alcoholic, who received compliments Rourke’s own Oscar worthy and its sheer perfection from the writing, di- a second chance after his dead-on depiction acting job. Without her this movie might fall recting, and acting standpoints. Does that It’s that glamorous, sparkly, suspended of Tony Stark in “Iron-Man,” gave an Oscar under its own testerone-filled weight. To- not make the “best movie?” disbelief, time of year again. Yes, that time worthy performance with his role as a “black mei? You get another Oscar. Congrats. And there you have it, bold Oscar predic- of year where we forget, especially this year, man” in the best comedy of 2008. As far as Best Actor goes, it might be too tions. Now to see how very wrong we may about the failing economy, the trillions in However, without going into said critical simple to just let Brad Pitt run away with be come February. Enjoy. Entertainment January 28 2009 Lisa Lopes, Ciara release new albums Eye Legacy it has never been told. Legacy” it is easy to understand the path that Tracks such as “In the life,” featuring Lopes was looking to take her career into as Artist: Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes R&B crooner Bobby Valentino, and “Leg- she stepped out of the shadows of TLC and Label: Mass Appeal Entertainment endary” details the trials and tribulations of built her own image. Release Date: January 27, 2008 the late rapper’s life setting the tone for the “Eye Legacy,” though it starts off to a emotionally driven songs that follow while rocky start, holds up to its desired mission By Emiliana White those of “Block Party,” featuring Lil’ Mama, of keeping Lopes’ voice, talent and legacy Valencia Voice and “Bounce,” featuring Chamillionaire and Bone Crusher, and the bonus track “Crank “Let me live live, Almost seven years after her death in It,” featuring Lopes’ sister Reigndrop Lopes, Let me live, 2002, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes’ voice reigns pop out as the albums only club bangers. In inside inside intelligence, on throw the memorial release of “Eye Notable songs such as the spiritually Say say say say what you gotta say, Legacy.” Consisting of songs recorded prior based “Listen” and anthem for the lost and Always asking you will be amazed” to her demise and featuring vocals from the abused “Let It go,” featuring Wayne Morris - L.I.S.A likes of Missy Elliott, Chamillionaire, TLC of Boyz II Men, reveals the lost potential of Fantasy Ride and others, the posthumous album is set to this female version of Common. alive for her past and future fans to remem- Artist: Ciara tell the story of Lopes’ life and creativity like Listening to the tracks that make up “Eye ber and embrace. Label: Sony/Laface Release Date: January 27, 2008 separate the singer-songwriter from her fe- ing particularly makes it extraordinary. ing an alter ego of Ciara named “Super C” male counterparts. The actual official single “Never, Ever,” showing that the creativity of her image by Emiliana White However, if the two previously released featuring Young Jeezy and produced by makers is extreme low. Valencia Voice singles are meant to be evidence of her orig- Polow da Don, though catchy does not af- Perhaps the only original aspect of this al- Ciara releases her third studio album inality, Ciara may not be able to make her firm Ciara as a force to be reckoned with. bum is the fact that it’s broken up into three- “Fantasy Ride” Tuesday after months of case with this one. The love ballad that copies selected lines disc consisting of the slow jam filled Groove keeping the details of the album’s creation Released as a promo single, the T-pain from the 1972 single “If You Don’t Know City, dirty south crunk inspired Crunktown under tight secrecy. produced and featured track “Go Girl” uses Me by Now” by Harold Melvin and the Blue and the up-tempo house mix Kingdome of With production from T-pain, Polow da the same overly used and horribly popular Notes simply shows that Ciara is still in dire Dance. Don, The Dream and others as well as guest audio tuned effect to alter the songstress’ vo- need of vocal training if she’s going to re- With three-disc full of eclectically mixed appearances by top headliners such as Chris cals and to provide the song with a futuristic cord songs that require a varied vocal range. songs, hopefully the album with be better Brown, Ludacris, Young Jeezy, Missy Elliott appeal. Besides the practically chosen singles, than it appears to be. along with her two noted producers T-pain Yes, the song is perfect for the clubs but it “Fantasy Ride” follows the steps of Beyonce and The Dream, the 3-disc album is set to could have been recorded by anyone. Noth- and Garth Brooks in the terms of introduc- Back in the day: Classic gaming returns on DS By Frank Tobin challenge he throws at you. er complete short challenges in a wide-va- The games are definitely infused with Valencia Voice But you are not alone in your quest. riety of games to keep the game play fresh tons of retro appeal, but more importantly Armed with access to gaming magazines, and rewarding. they’re a blast to play in their own right. Thrown back in time to the 1980’s, (was cheat codes can be found to warp to later Specific challenges in shooters, racing, Even if you’re not old enough to re- it really that long ago?) you are turned into levels, receive unlimited continues or even action and a role-playing game are inte- member blowing into the circuitry of the a young boy and forced to play video games become invincible (like the good old days). grated into the story, while the in-game cartridges to make them “work” (yes, be- by an evil self-proclaimed “Game Master,” A young Arino is at your side to keep magazines offer cheat codes as well as fake fore CDs and DVDs, there were only hard Game Master Arino. you company during your challenges, quite 80’s news stories paying tribute to the rich plastic circuit boards that held our favorite Doesn’t sound too bad… amused at the fact that he grows up to be history of the gaming industry. games), Retro Game Challenge is a winner The story in Nintendo DS game gets so evil in the future to be the cause of your The graphics are a highlight, seeing as in the game play department. even more B-rate, which is not at all a bad current predicament. they’re chunky, blocky, and primitive. (You Simply put, this game is a gooey love thing. Test your skills with the awesomeness (a mean, they aren’t “Gears of War” realistic letter to the NES (Nintendo Entertain- Game Master Arino will test your gam- little lingo for you 80’s challenged young- and bloody?) In other words, absolutely ment System, circa 1984) era, giving said ing skills by throwing various challenges lings) of the 8-bit era and prevent the retro perfect for not only the game, but also for nostalgia junkies and fans of classic game at you in a wide-variety of retro games in- games from exacting their revenge. any nostalgia nut out there who refuses to play, plenty to chew on. cluding shooters, racing, action and even An original game based on the popular forget their roots. Whether it’s 80’s nostalgia for the sea- an epic role-playing game. Japanese GAME CENTER CX TV series, Once you beat all of the challenges on soned gamer or experiencing classic 8-bit Your only way to return to the present “Retro Game Challenge” reinvents how a given game, it’s unlocked, allowing you to game play for the first time, Retro Game day is to defeat him in every retro game classic games are played by having the play- play it whenever you like. Challenge has something for everyone. Brendan Fraser helps put the heart in ‘InkHeart’ By Ann Hornaday that’s not a luxury but a necessity in bringing Elinor’s beloved tomes and take the family nelly), is nothing short of a revelation. In The Washington Post “Inkheart’s” outlandishly convoluted story back to their boss, Capricorn (Andy Serkis). a movie that could easily be tossed quickly to convincing life. Fraser plays Mortimer Once they reach the malevolent Capricorn’s aside as a pleasant but disposable piece of WASHINGTON — The makers of “Mo” Folchart, who as the movie opens fortresslike kingdom, Mo, Meggie and Eli- tween entertainment, Bettany commits an “Inkheart” would like to put J.K. Rowling’s is reading “Little Red Riding Hood” to his nor are imprisoned _ alongside a ticking act of serious acting, imbuing Dustfinger wizards-in-training on notice: They will see baby daughter when he suddenly conjures crocodile, a unicorn and a flotilla of flying with generous doses of angst, sensitivity and their Dumbledore and raise them one Dust- an actual red cape. Mo, it turns out, is a “sil- monkeys. dour humor (purely incidentally and this is finger. vertongue,” who can make stories come to They’re all characters who have been for all the moms out there he looks pretty Potter, you’ve been served. literal life just by reading them aloud. “read out” of books by Capricorn’s own good with his shirt off, too). “Inkheart,” Iain Softley’s vivid, super- Twelve years later, Mo and his daughter, silvertongue, whose stuttering recitations With several scenes of intense peril and serious, sometimes lurid adaptation of the Meggie (Bennett), are traveling to a remote result in people arriving with the writing of a subtle emotional undercurrent of dan- young people’s novel by Cornelia Funke, Swiss town in search of vintage books for their native books inscribed on their skin. ger and desire, “Inkheart” might qualify as manages a neat trick of indirection. Filmgo- Mo to repair, but also to aid him in his search These eerie tattoos are just a few of the ar- “Twilight” for a slightly younger generation ers may attend this fantasy adventure, which for an obscure novel called “Inkheart.” It resting visual touches that make “Inkheart” (or maybe “Bedtime Stories” for a slightly stars Brendan Fraser and Eliza Hope Ben- seems he was reading the story to Meggie such an appealing sensory experience, full of older one). nett, thinking that they will be captivated by back when she was a toddler and things went imaginative creatures, vibrant colors and rich Surely its dark themes, furious action and the characters they play, a bookbinder and desperately awry, a disastrous turn of events textures from the pair of Chuck Taylors giv- often frightening scenes won’t be particu- his 12-year-old daughter. Instead, “Inkheart” that comes fully to light in fits and starts en to a young character plucked from “One larly suitable for youngsters under 12. (Even is completely dominated by its ensemble of throughout the movie. One clue to what Thousand and One Arabian Nights” to the Bennett, now 16, looks and acts much older supporting players, including the marvelous happened lies with Dustfinger, a literally and film’s harrowing climax, which plays like a than the 12-year-old she plays in the movie.) Paul Bettany as the quasi-villainous fire jug- figuratively smoldering fire juggler who ap- boho-goth wedding staged by Albert Speer. But for the young teens in its demographic gler Dustfinger, and Helen Mirren delivering pears suddenly in Switzerland and becomes, The plot of “Inkheart” is so bursting and wheelhouse, “Inkheart” packs a welcome a droll portrayal of a dotty bibliophile with if not an ally, then a broodingly colorful busy that it’s occasionally impossible to fol- amount of entertainment value, creating a fabulous design sense. companion on Mo and Meggie’s search for low, although fans of the book will no doubt genuinely original world of enchantment Indeed, the aesthetics of “Inkheart” are the elusive book. complain that too much has been left out. when that territory has otherwise been colo- part of what make it such a surprisingly en- That search takes them to the home of But even when the sledding gets tough, nized by the imperial forces of Hogwarts joyable experience to watch. Traveling from Meggie’s vinegary great-aunt Elinor (Mir- Bettany provides the film’s true north. His and Middle Earth. a picturesque town in Switzerland to a mag- ren), who lives alone in a vast lakeside villa in performance, as a tortured character des- “Inkheart” (106 minutes) is rated PG nificent villa in northern Italy, this is a movie Italy with a library to die for. In fact, the three perate to be read back into his book so he for fantasy adventure action, some scary that often moves with dizzying speed, but actually almost do die for it when a troop of can return to his wife (played in a cameo moments and brief profanity. always with a rich sense of visual detail. And henchmen arrive to pillage the place, burn by Bettany’s real-life spouse, Jennifer Con- — MCT Campus January 28, 2009 Entertainment
Warner Bros. / MCT Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood, from left), Thao (Bee Vang), Vu (Brooke Chia Thao), Grandma (Chee Thao) and Sue (Ahney Her) in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ drama “Gran Torino.” Eastwood reigns surpreme in ‘Gran Torino’ By Frank Tobin a triumphant return to the business end of morals derived from the bitter-sweet em- 100 wins & 58 nominations). the camera, behind which he has made a brace of looking down the barrel of an M- The ending, while still a touch predict- Amidst a recent plethora of horribly remarkable career with such modern-day 1 Garand Rifle. Throughout the course of able, resonates with you, and shows that not mediocre movies (save for “The Dark classics as “Million Dollar Baby” and “Un- the story he befriends a young boy named only are all people capable of salvation, but Knight”), a shining light of superb writing forgiven.” Thao; a typical teenager rife with teen angst that Eastwood still has a lot of magic, even (rare in this industry) and tremendous act- The transformation that occurs within, and insecurity. for a 78 year old, for making quality pic- ing prowess, by an icon of the silver screen, and without, Walt is a marvelous blend of Drawn against his will into the life of tures in an age where computer generated bursts out of the Hollywood chum-bucket. cultural shock and old school traditional Thao’s family, Kowalski is soon taking superheroes are the norm, and spoof-mov- There are no bending bullets, no poorly “manning-up.” Living in a desecrated, gang- steps to protect them from the gangsters ies are nothing like they used to be (how conceived slap-stick, pop-culture referenc- ridden Detroit neighborhood, Walt begins that infest their neighborhood. hard is it to emulate “Airplane!” properly… es, no car chases (though there is a beautiful the story with a profound, deep-seeded Cantankerous in his demeanor, but hon- do your homework film students, and learn 1972 Gran Torino), and no teeny-bopper, hatred for the Hmong immigrants who orable in his intentions, Eastwood conveys your roots). sappy romantic emo-Vampires. have moved next door. As time goes on, a character that has been seen before, by This is a man’s movie and should be re- Instead we get Walt Kowalski; a racist, he discovers the history of their heritage, Eastwood himself no less (Dirty Harry quired viewing for every overly emotional Korean War vet, who loses his wife at the and their, albeit unwanted, connections to comes to mind immediately), but still re- momma’s boy, and the fathers who failed end of his life, and who has seen horrors the family’s gang member associations. The tains a fresh appeal, and demands your them, in our society. Take notes kids, you’re beyond measure; a broken man, a survi- bond that forms between Walt and this attention from start to finish. It’s not like about to be schooled by the best of the vor, a real man, a man who finishes what family is both wonderful, and spiritual. Eastwood hasn’t been doing this sort of best: The Man with No Name (Eastwood’s he starts. Walt finds himself alone in a changing thing for more than 50 years, and doing it character from “The Good, The Bad, and In “Gran Torino,” Clint Eastwood makes world; a man from a forgotten time, with extremely well no less (four Oscars, another The Ugly.”) ‘Underworld 3’ entertains but lacks in originality By Piel Thach this theme was repetitive, a war fought be- tween two different classes while Lucian Having not seen the first or second in- and Sonja fought for each others love. Be- stallment of the Underworld series, I easily ing the third film, I would expect the story caught up with the plot told throughout the to have more complexities to it. Than again, prequel, Underworld 3: Rise of the Lycans. prequels are known to be not as interesting This episode explains the origin of how the or well put together as the first or second series began. Unfortunately, the storyline film. traces a Romeo and Juliet story which is A positive is the large amount of ac- predictable and simple. What kept the mo- tion displayed through out the film. The mentum of the film going were the bloody core entertainment came from watching battles between monstrous supernatural Lycans, who can transform from humans werewolves named Lycans and a dark Vam- to werewolves battle Vampires equipped pire kingdom known as Death Dealers. with majestic swords and arrows. The dark Taking place during the dark ages, the and gothic vibe gave it a realistic feel as secret love between Lycan leader, Lucian well. Any man can appreciate realistic gory (Michael Sheen) and Sonja (Rhona Mitra), battles and action packed war scenes. daughter of the Vampire King unravels and Though some scenes were exciting, erupts a war. This forbidden love sparked due to lack of originality and content I a rebellion from the enslaved werewolves wouldn’t recommend spending the ten dol- Lakeshore Entertainment/MCT Bill Nighy and Rhona Mitra star in Screen Gems’ action thriller “Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.” fighting against the dominant Vampires. lars. If you’re not a fan of the series, I’d For the one hour and thirty two minutes make it a Blockbuster night. VALENCIA VOICE January 28 2009 Your Voice: Television becomes learning tool Watching television proves to be educational as well By Adam Fishman grams, you have pale pasty skin, you get Valencia Voice pissed off when the phone rings during a show, you’re always looking for the re- Handout/ABC/KRT Have you ever tried to justify sitting in mote, or you can’t imagine life without a The cast for ABC’s TV show ‘Lost’. Lost is now in its fifth season, where opening numbers dropped to front of the television for hours on end? TV. a staggering 26 percent. You say to yourself, “I should be doing Guilty? It’s ok; the local Yellow Pages homework, exercising, or reading that contain numbers to some great thera- book my professor asked me to look at, pists. Our Voice: ‘Lost’ loses what was it again?” If you do find yourself watching TV Then you’re procrastination takes over. more then two hours per day, in order “I can do it tomorrow, or I’ll start it right for your viewing to be productive, watch ratings to reality TV after this episode of That 70’s Show.” programs that are beneficial in expanding You tell yourself, “CSI is imperative in your brain power. By Frank Tobin to lose themselves (another horrible pun) furthering my knowledge towards my For example, channels such as National Valencia Voice in the story. Criminal Justice degree.” Geographic, Discovery Channel, or The “Lost” is in its 5th season, this decline is Who are you kidding? Those are the Learning Channel contain programs that Mythological undertones, metaphysi- viewership was inevitable. Not to mention lamest excuses since “my dog ate my...”, can help stimulate your mind. cal theorems, and time-traveling bun- it has the most complicated, intricate and well, you know. What if watching a sub- View them for two hours or more per nies; thus is the magic of ABC’s hit show intelligent plotline on network TV, which stantial amount of your Sony 65-inch day, and you will probably know a lot “Lost,” now entering its fifth season. After makes it difficult for casual viewers to stay television was a good thing? more then what you learned in a semester season 4, where they had to rush some of in-tune. Casual viewers usually prefer the Good news couch junkies, overdosing of algebra. the ground-breaking reveals, “Lost” tri- brainless entertainment along the lines of on MTV or the Discovery Channel may In a 2007 Kaiser Family Foundation umphantly returns… to its lowest season- “American Idol,” and that’s unfortunately be productive after all. study, researchers conducted interviews opening numbers ever. how TV has been for a while. In a Business Week study conducted on approximately 5,000 households. Say that again, no one could hear you Compare the ratings, and demograph- May 25th, 2008, researchers surveyed Families whose children did not watch any over the incessant nonsense bellowing out ics: According to the iTunes store website, 1,051 college students about their view- sort of reality TV were performing better of the bowels of the juggernaut that is the “American Idol” rakes in +26% among ing habits. in school than children who watched an dreaded reality TV. Adults 18-34 years old (19.6 million); and “Electronic media is a central focus hour or more of reality TV per day. The two-hour Season 5 launch of the +26% among Total Viewers (29.3 million); of many students’ lives, helping them to “Reality shows deaden the minds of island thriller delivered an average of 11.4 whereas, in the same survey by iTunes, manage schedules, relax, and fall asleep,” our future and stimulate nothing but neg- million total viewers, according to data “Lost” procures a paltry 9.3 million viewers researchers stated. ativity,” one researcher stated. from Nielsen Media Research. among the same demographic. “TV also contains educational benefits Enact common sense when going about In adults, ages 18 to 49, “Lost” averaged What this says, is that the American and can teach positive behaviors,” re- your daily routines. Don’t let TV become a 5.0 rating, its worst season opener ever public school system is failing our children searchers stated. a distraction in your life, plan school ac- and down a rather large 26% compared (sic). Wait a minute, watching MTV’s The tivities such as studying and homework with last year. In maybe the most troubling Not in the slightest, but it does point to Real World, or Fox’s (God forgive me outside of TV land, not during it. sign for ABC, the premiere lost (no pun in- a growing concern that perhaps reality TV when I say this) American Idol, can teach If you find yourself watching more tended) viewers every half-hour it was on. isn’t on its way out the proverbial back-door positive behavior and contains education- then two hours of programming per day, What is wrong with you people? Would of mediocrity like so many have predicted al benefits? dedicate the majority of your viewing you rather be watching said asinine reality in the coming months, now that the writer’s Researchers concluded students watch time to productive shows. TV? strike as abated. on average two hours of television pro- If you absolutely cannot miss Lost, The answer to those inquiries is simple: If the current trend is any indication, gramming per day. go ahead and watch it for that hour, but decline in interest. America will also continue to become in- Students watch TV during meals, while follow-up with four hours of The His- Every show will see a decrease in viewers, creasingly dumber thanks to said intelli- studying, and before sleep. So, how do tory Channel. Positive learning can take or popularity, when it lasts over 3 seasons, gence-reducing drudge. you know if you’re really watching too place from your television, the programs according to a survey done by ABC, where With any luck, young people ages 18-34 much of The Biggest Loser or Jerry are out there. It’s up to you to decide they asked 100 males and 100 females about will have done to them a collective, creative, Springer? whether you will use it to your advantage their taste in television fiction. and highly metaphorical, enema that will You probably watch too much TV if: or not. As an objective observer of said study, clean out their insistence on watching such you’ve seen every rerun, when mealtimes There is one exception to all of this; it can be surmised that, perhaps, the aver- unmitigated garbage. are planned around your favorite pro- football on Sunday’s of course. age viewer is simply becoming less inclined “Lost” will prevail… hopefully. Your Voice: Why watching too much TV is bad By: Kenny Wagner cide for ourselves to abstain from televi- Valencia Voice sion, even if it’s for a week. In the mean time I’m sure you can and will Tivo all of For some people February 17, 2009 your favorite shows and catch up later. will be just another rudimentary day, Perhaps Valencia’s own SGA can take business as usual, but, for a lucky few a stand and declare a month long morato- this date will mark the day they redeemed rium on television viewing for February. their lives and ended the hypnotic spell They should also point out how trivial cast on them by their television sets. Feb- T.V. is and encourage individuals to get ruary 17 is of course the date television out of the house, watch a film with ar- stations around the country will end their tistic value and substance, or god- forbid analogue broadcasts and air exclusively in read a book. Who really cares about Ka- digital. leigh from Dallas who drove 400 miles to I admire those individuals who are un- New Orleans in a beat up Dodge Neon willing or unmotivated to replace their to audition for American Idol only to be televisions or purchase a converter box called a fat talentless cow by Simon Cow- and allow their televisions to turn into a ell for the fifth season in a row, anyway? blank cube. If more people were willing According to Anne E. Cunningham in to follow suit (myself included) we could her paper entitled “What Reading Does all achieve a new kind of social con- for the Mind” 68.3 words per 1,000 in a sciousness that doesn’t revolve around newspaper are words most people do not technology. use on a regular basis, are slightly more More often than not, we get far too sophisticated than one might have in their caught up in the romantic qualities of vocabulary. In your average children’s television shows, the drama and melo- book 30.9 per 1,000 words are “rare” drama, the over acted emotions of char- and in your average television show 22.7 acters and the poorly written drivel of the words per 1,000 are “rare.” writing staff. The WGA writer’s strike in So, hopefully, we can actually come 2007 was the best thing to happen to this to some sort of agreement all together country since the “New Deal.” and finally end our mindless gazing at Perhaps, if we are unwilling as individ- the televisions and find something more Michael Becker / Courtesy Fox Broadcasting Co./MCT uals to overt our gazes from the idiot box productive and interesting to occupy our Randy Jackson, from left, Kara DioGuardi, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell judge the competition on when the digital transition occurs, then time, on Feb. 17 I say, let the television “American Idol,” which premiered January 13, 2009 on FOX. we can come together as a group and de- screens go blank! January 28, 2009 VALENCIA VOICE What is your favorite TV show for this season? “The new season of Lost is “I’m not really into watch- pretty cool. I’ve been catch- ing TV. I’m more into the What’s new ing up on it. There’s a lot of news. TV is more corrupted suspense and I love figuring today.” on TV this things out.” —Jeannie Bradley —T.J. Cole week
By Chuck Barney Contra Costa Times (MCT) TUESDAY: You just never really know what’s going to go down on “Scrubs.” In tonight’s episode, J.D. tries to teach a lesson in com- “House. The main charac- “I like to watch House. I passion €” with the help of “Sesame ter is a very sarcastic person study Biology and I like the Street” creatures Elmo, Grover and and you usually don’t get main character’s ideas.” Oscar the Grouch. 9 p.m., ABC. that with doctors.” — Sam Al Khatib WEDNESDAY: The bizarre adventures continue on — Nalini Mohammed “Lost” as Desmond seeks a woman who might be able to help Faraday stop the island’s erratic movements through time. For the record, we just hate it when islands move erratically through time. 9 p.m., ABC. THURSDAY: Let the food fight begin as chef Gordon Ramsay returns for a fifth season of “Hell’s Kitchen.” Tonight, the show intro- duces us to 16 new contestants who “ Lost because the char- “I like Grey’s Anatomy, but will have, well, heck to pay. 9 p.m., acters are going back to the I don’t have time to watch it Fox. island. It also has to do with this semester.” THURSDAY: Another rea- time travel.” son to avoid revisiting your old high —Shiva Ramcoobair —Natalia Soberanes school days: On “Supernatural,” Sam and Dean return to campus where people are turning up dead. So much for the homecoming celebration. 9 p.m., The CW. FRIDAY: It’s not too late to join the boosters club for “Fri- day Night Lights,” one of the best dramas around. Tonight, Dillon Pan- thers’ fans are pressuring Coach Tay- lor to switch to a new quarterback “I like to watch Grey’s “I like watching America’s (Jeremy Sumpter). But we’re still Anatomy, that’s the only Next Top Model because it’s pledging our allegiance to adorable prime time show I watch. interesting.” Matt Saracen. 9 p.m., NBC. Most of the time I just watch —Johanna Lherisson SATURDAY: Everyone movies.” knows that the ads are often the best things about watching the big game. On “Super Bowl’s Greatest Commer- — Rachel Richardson cials,” Jim Nantz and Daisy Fuentes look at 10 of the best commercials of past seasons, and viewers name their all-time champ. 8 p.m., CBS.
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Photos by Collin Dever/ Valencia Voice
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Advisor Ken Carpenter Features Editors If you would like to respond to any of the opinion/editorial stories in [email protected]. Ebony Chance the section, send any comments or concerns to our website at: edu [email protected] http://www.valenciavoice.com Directors of Design Olivia Pullinger Robert Navaille [email protected] [email protected] Omshante Lee Kyle Beard [email protected] [email protected] Emiliana White Director of Sales [email protected] Jackie Minto [email protected] Copy Editors Ashley Bland News Editor [email protected] Trey McConnell [email protected] Leah Reidenbach [email protected] Sports Editor Alex Barrett Editor / Valencia Voice Interactive [email protected] Adam Butterfield [email protected] Opinion Editor Shaneece Dixon [email protected] 10 VALENCIA VOICE January 28 2009 What was your New Year’s Resolution?
By Omshantee Lee news. be exposed. Valencia Voice Neighborhood basketball courts are left deserted as its Every January, millions of people commit to self-improv- prior inhabitants neglect their late afternoon games, to stay ing New Year’s resolutions, but somewhere along the way, As January comes to an end the newness of the year settles in the warmth of their homes instead. their dedication easily wavers. in, so does reality. With the Winter holidays behind us, many The combination of more food intake and less calories “I think I had a New Year’s resolution but I forgot what it have found that the festivities of the season has left more to being burned result in an overall decline in health and fit- was,” says Alex Carlson, west campus student, while he holds remember than just Christmas gifts alone. ness. a cigarette. “I think it was to quit smoking but obviously that They have also left bulging waistlines and tight fitting Apart from physical factors, emotional and mental issues didn’t work out.” Whether it be to build stronger relation- clothes. are major components to this decline as well. Stress caused ships, or to receive better grades, many look at the new year The weight gained by millions of Americans each year by rigorous holiday shopping, spending, and traveling con- as an opportunity to make significant changes in their lives. prompted by your typical Thanksgiving and Christmas meals tribute to a significant amount of anxiety. So why is it that the achievement of these various personal can cause real damage in both the issues of health and self- Studies show that stress is directly related to weight-gain. goals are rarely met? esteem. Inspiring commercials advertising discounted packages Although some are focused on their goals to quit smok- In addition to the excessive consumption of the carbohy- for memberships at almost any gym one can think of flood ing or to save money, sticking with a diet is challenging to drates that are found in most traditional holiday foods like television screens everywhere. many individuals; young people in particular. breads, potatoes, and pastries, individuals are less likely to en- One is constantly reminded that the summer months With tight schedules that include academics as well as fi- gage in athletic routines. As the temperature drops, so does will be approaching, bringing sunny beach days and cut off nancial responsibilities, the average college student finds it outdoor activity. Morning strolls are replaced with more rest- shorts along with them. Hesitantly, one must come to the difficult to fit breakfast in before an early morning class, let ing time, as would-be walkers sleep in to catch the morning realization that all of their holiday eating mischief will soon alone commit to an intense work out routine.
“My New Year’s resolution was “I didn’t have any New Year’s to finish my degree. I’m going resolutions because I didn’t think to graduate this semester so its I would be able to keep any. I al- going well.” ready get good exercise, I already —Jose Suarez eat well and I’m comfortable with my body so I don’t want to lose weight.” —Chelsea Rokus
“My New Year’s resolution was “My New Year’s resolution was to have a better attitude towards to not have a New Year’s resolu- life. I have been having a better tion because it always ends up attitude lately.” going wrong.” —Marie Joseph —Teree’ Douglas
“My New Year’s resolution is to I think I had a New Year’s reso- become a better student, and I’ve lution but I forgot what it was. I been working on my procrastina- think it was to quit smoking, but tion.” obviously that didn’t work out.” —Eveline Joahim —Alex Carlson
“My resolution was to quit “My resolution was to save smoking and to drink less liquor. money and to get a new job.” I have almost quit smoking —Tommy Lee cigarettes, and I have stopped drinking linquor.” —Johnathan Muszynski
Photos by Omshantee Lee/Kenny Wagner January 28, 2009 SPORTS 11 Say a prayer for the NFL in 2009
By Alex Barrett Hochuli’s lengthy career. With one minute for San Diego’s playoff push. most made the catch to spite, but the no-call Valencia Voice and change remaining in the 4th quarter, an Speaking of the playoffs, you would think erased an almost 70 yard gain through the otherwise decorated official of over 10 years that the zebras would taper it down and make air. None of these were tough calls to make, This NFL season may forever be known was involved in the worst call of his career, sure calls were right to the best of their abili- every single one of them were reviewed, and for many things; Miami’s improbable playoff and it was only exacerbated by the fact that ties, right? still were called incorrectly. Unfortunately, run after last season’s 1 win outing. The De- it changed the outcome of the game. Even Then you can’t overlookthe Titans playoff referees aren’t super-soldiers, they are going troit Lions, finally becoming as bad on paper after reviewing a clear Jay Cutler fumble call game against the Ravens, where bad calls ran to get just as many calls wrong as they are as we knew they were on the field. New on the sidelines, Hochuli returned to the rampant. right, but this clearly needs to be addressed and stoic coaches patrolling the sidelines. field, ruled an incomplete pass, and Cutler Now, Tennessee lost this game because of by the NFL’s competition committee in the Possibly, and hopefully, the end of Adam capitalized; scoring the go-ahead touchdown their 3 turnovers in the redzone. But it wasn’t off-season. And with Jeff Fisher’s Titans on Jones’ career. But there’s one thing that I after what was sure to be a clincher for the helped by the fact that an obvious forward the receiving end of one of these erroneous will always remember this particular NFL San Diego defense. pass call was botched on third-and-long, al- calls, you can bet the Committee head (Fish- season for —and that’s the horrifically blown While this was a huge call in the game, it lowing the Ravens to run out the clock in- er) will bring the problems to light as soon calls. It started early, and never looked back was proven to be instrumental all the way to stead of facing a punt situation, which would as possible. So let’s say a prayer for the next - and affected almost all of the officiating the last game of the season, where the Char- have given the Titans ample time to drive for NFL season, hoping for better, more accurate crews; even those tagged for being the elite gers had to play the Broncos in a rematch to a score. Even in the Eagles game, a streak- calls from veteran officiating crews; especially flag-tossers of the league. The first of many, decide who went to the post-season. Had the ing Kevin Curtis was tangled up intentionally, in game-changing scenarios - and just maybe, an early meeting between Denver and San Chargers been the benefit of a correct call, and tripped. No flags were thrown for pass a better vision plan from the NFL benefits Diego, was most likely the sorest spot of Ed the game could have been used to rest starters interference against the Cardinals. Curtis al- package. Obama supports BCS playoff system
By Brian Cronin Championship Series (BCS); a playoff sys- in college football. I’m fed up with these due to playoff brackets and schooling in- Valencia Voice tem in college football that would allow the computer rankings and this, that, and the terruptions as reasons to abandon a play- top teams to truly compete regardless of other. Get eight teams—the top eight off scenario, though contributors have College football’s playoff scenario, or what division they belong to collegiately. teams, right at the end. You got a playoff. found ways to fit a new playoff tree into lack thereof, has been addressed and chal- The BCS Presidential Oversight Com- Decide on a national champion.” the same amount of weeks currently used lenged for years, but there has never been mittee neglects to believe that anything is Days later in an interview with 60 Min- for BCS bowl games. enough people arguing to change the cur- wrong with the current selection of bowl utes, Obama also stated, “...I will use in- Continuing with a computer ranking rent system. candidates; while a majority of the college fluence as president to create such a sys- system, in many fans eyes, will only lead Right now, a complex formula is used viewing audience believe that a playoff tem.” to a show down of BCS picks, instead of a to decide the rankings of teams in BCS needs to be put into place for a champion With all of President Obama’s involve- real showmanship of the best of the best contention, and looks at vectors such as to be crowned. ment on this matter, the situation looks in collegiate football. strength of schedule, record, and how As President, Obama will attempt use bleak. Also, many believe that the BCS Com- badly teams have been beaten, or beaten his influence to have a playoff system used BCS Presidential Oversight Committee mittee has only their interests in mind, as a others. in collegiate football. has the final say. They have discussed the decaying system may ultimately lead heads The problem, as many argue, is that Obama made his opinion clear at his future of postseason football on numer- of the committee, as well as employees to there should be a playoff, where teams appearance on Monday Night Football, ous occasions, and believe that it would loss of jobs due to a playoff shift. decide their fate rather than a computer. November 12, 2008, one of the biggest not be in the best interest of the sport to Only time will tell if President Obama President Barack Obama supports the in- stages for American sports fans. have a playoff. will be able to swing the opinions of his stitution of a playoff system in the Bowl “I think it’s about time we had playoffs The committee sights time constraints colleagues to change to a playoff system.