Issue 135 December 2016/January 2017

A NEWSLETTER OF THE ROCKEFELLER UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

Memories of the Golden State

O w e n C l a r k Armed with a DSLR camera, travel guitar, two Haight and Ashbury-acquired shawl- cardigans, and three of my oldest friends, I left the perpetual fog of the San Francisco Bay. Having played out the scene a thousand times in my head, I had romanticized the drive down California’s scenic Pacific Coast Highway to levels approaching cliché. But despite trading the flashy convertibles of Entourage’s Vincent Chase or Californica- tion’s Hank Moody for a grey Hyundai So- nata rental car, it still failed to disappoint. /NATURAL SELECTIONS Practically every bend on that winding road greeted me with a stunning scene of pure, rugged beauty. California’s jagged cliffs are lined with earthy hues of bright red and

orange, while each inlet of the vast Pacific OWEN CLARK Ocean contains a perfectly balanced array of turquoise and green pastels that one might have found on Winslow Homer’s palette. Despite navigating hairpin turns sur-

rounded by 300-foot drops under cover of by All Photos total darkness, we made it safely to Big Sur. A smokestack towers above Mono Lake. My friends liked to joke that being the ob- Though I had fallen in love with the Cal- Tuolumne Meadows area of the park. After sessive ball of neuroses that I am, I had al- ifornia coast, we had to move on to the next returning to my friends relaxing by the lake, ready lived out the entire trip through the stop on our long list. After stocking up on we were instantly rewarded by the photo lens of professional photographers on Insta- instant noodles and mac-and-cheese ahead gods, with the arrival of an actual cowboy, gram prior to leaving, and was only in for of our first foray into camping, we headed actually leading his horses to water. disappointment at the real sights. The reality out across the eerie plains of middle Califor- Keeping with the Western theme, we left was the opposite—I couldn’t shut up about nia’s desert to the iconic Yosemite National Yosemite the next morning in search of gold. how gorgeous it all was. Warming my hands Park. Having spent several hours driving Well aware that the California gold rush with a dawn-break coffee on the porch of down deserted roads, where the only sites had ended a good century ago, we thought our log cabin surrounded by towering red- of interest were dust devils and “Another we would give it a try anyway. After a quick woods; driving up-and-down the coastline Farmer for Trump” billboards, the granite stop off at the saline Mono Lake Tufta (as in search of that perfect photo; soaking up rock formations of the Yosemite Valley were pretty as it was smelly), we navigated the the previously elusive sun on the pictur- a welcome treat. As with many experiences, three miles of bumpy dirt track leading esque Pfeiffer Beach; capping off the day a departure from the beaten path yields the to the historic High Sierra ghost town of with fireside beers: everything just seemed most satisfaction. I had that feeling in mind Bodie. Blazing heat, dried-out long grass, to fall perfectly into place. Fitting on a day when I raced up 200 feet of granite rock face corrugated iron shacks, a chapel, a school, when one of my travel companions and I to capture the stunning panorama of Upper a saloon; it was something straight out of a woke up to the bizarrely coincidental news Cathedral Lake and the peaks beyond, away that we had both become uncles overnight. from the day tourist Valley crowds, in the CONTINUED TO P.2 * 1 Editorial EDITORIAL BOARD

Jim Keller Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor

Qiong Wang Copy Editor, Webmaster, Public Relations Manager

Juliette Wipf Copy Editor, Webmaster Johannes Buheitel, Peng Kate Gao, Lisa Hang, & Aileen Marshall Copy Editors

Chew-Li Soh The famous Bixby Bridge at Big Sur. Associate Editor * CONTINUED FROM P.1 Yvette Chin video game. Though saintly patience was Editorial Assistant required for the authentic ghost town shot (i.e., minus groups of dawdling tourists) it Nan Pang & Guadalupe Astorga was quite the experience. Once again our Designers departure yielded an instant photographic selections.rockefeller.edu gift. There aren’t many days where you -ex [email protected] perience awe-inspiring natural phenomena while blasting Chris Brown’s “Forever” from your car stereo, but this was one of them. As a blues guitarist, I was familiar with How- lin’ Wolf’s classic “Smokestack Lightnin,” but like many I had absolutely no idea what it meant. We had been monitoring a strange cloud throughout the day that was now tow- High Sierra ghost town Bodie. ering above the distant Mono Lake and Yo- semite, resembling the mushroom clouds of the early atomic bomb tests. As I proceeded to photograph/Snapchat away, a professional Upper Cathedral Lake, Yosemite National nature enthusiast informed me that a distant Park. forest fire had generated enough smoke to form an entire cumulus cloud (smokestack) that then created enough thermal pressure to produce lightning! Touché nature, touché. After a thrilling journey spent playing a profession guessing game through the twisty, scenic High Sierra roads and the Secret Cove, Lake Tahoe. strange casino-and-gun-shop lined small towns of Nevada, we arrived at our next seen YouTube videos of this classic, but like major destination: Lake Tahoe. The rela- many things on the trip nothing could truly tively palatial luxuries of South Lake Tahoe prepare me for the extreme multisensory were a welcome retreat from the cruel reali- experience of engaging in an adrenaline- ties of nature that we had just experienced pumping ride coupled with stunning 360 Mountain biking the Flume Trail, Lake Tahoe. (camping), and we took advantage of the degree views 8,000 feet above the banks of a flowing booze and ubiquitous live music to 200-square mile lake. try something that we hadn’t really done all Sad to leave, we departed Lake Tahoe the trip—relaxing. Stock images of Lake Tahoe next morning, down a winding mountain always show someone diving into its crystal pass that led to the golden hills of Napa Val- blue waters and this was a real bucket list ley. Navigating hectic Highway 1 back to San item for me. I managed to get a near perfect Francisco was a stark reminder that we were dive on video despite a throbbing gin and back to civilization. With my friends headed tonic-induced headache. Definitely worth it back to my homeland of England, I sat alone for those two likes on Facebook. at the airport gate, waiting for my delayed That night I stayed off the booze in -an flight, looking back over my many images of ticipation of what would be one of the big- stunning landscapes and wild animals, and gest highlights of the trip: mountain bik- dreaming of my next adventure in this vast A cowboy rides the dusty trail, ing the world famous Flume Trail. I had land. Yosemite National Park. 2 Creating Unnecessary Addictions in our Kids

G ua da lu p e A s to r g a

When my younger brother was a child, he had a hard time following the teacher’s in- structions at school. He was not intellec- tually incapable, but a restless and viva- cious youngster. When the teachers found themselves unable to create any method to capture the interest and attention of this little creature, he was evaluated by a psychiatrist. The result was categori- cal—he was one of the unfortunate kids diagnosed with attention deficit hyperac- tivity disorder (ADHD). My mother had to choose between dealing with a lively child or having to medicate him with psychostimulants such as amphetamines. The risk behind these drugs is not only that they do not improve learning abili- ties or memory, but essentially that they cause strong addiction, psychosis, heart attacks, dysfunction of heart tissue, and even sudden death. While brain disorders affect as many as one out of every five people, over-di- agnosis boosts these numbers due to the lack of specific biological markers in the field, resulting in millions of people over- medicated with antipsychotics, psycho- stimulants, pain relievers, and tranquil- izers. Particularly alarming is the dramatic increase in antipsychotic prescriptions in children under eighteen, including infants between one and two years old. Stimulants like amphetamines are chron- ically prescribed to adults, children, and toddlers diagnosed with ADHD in order to improve their concentration capabili- ties. But, why obsess over a toddler’s con- Modified from Dr Case/ Kid Image CC centration? Do they need to be under the effect of one of the most addictive and electronic devices, video games, and TV We should ask ourselves as a society, destructive drugs to receive love and ad- shows, kids no longer struggle to create as a health care and educational com- equate boundaries as they grow up? their own entertainment, they are con- munity, whether this form of parenting is For a kid that is constantly bombard- stantly bombarded with more informa- responsible for the high levels of anxiety, ed with excessive information, duties and tion than they can assimilate, and they depression and attention deficits shown activities, focusing is not trivial. When I don’t have time to get bored. If we also by our children. How can we justify giv- was a child (and that now feels like a long consider that couples are having babies at ing psychostimulant medication, such as time ago), children had tons of free time older ages, often helped by fertility treat- Adderall or Ritalin, to toddlers? These to play and socialize with other kids, to ments, the scene looks very scary, with drugs will not increase their learning ca- struggle with their homework, to develop kids being a precious trophy that must pabilities, nor their memory capacities. their creativity by building new toys from be protected at any price. This is a well- Isn’t this a case where the remedy is worse old pieces of wood or cardboard, and to known psychosocial phenomenon known than the disease? think about the failures and victories as “helicopter parents”, middle class Before prescribing a stimulant drug to in their hitherto short lives. Nowadays, couples that behave in an over-protective a toddler or a child, we must be aware of modern society has brought technol- way, hovering above their kids at every their psychosocial environment and ask ogy deeply into our intimate spaces, even moment, making them insecure, anxious, ourselves whether chronic medication is those of children. Surrounded by tons of highly dependent and depressed. going to make their lives better. 3 Culture Corner Blood Diamond and the Epic Death of Danny Archer B e r n i e L a n g s Caution: spoilers ahead smuggling efforts to get stones to Libe- As Solomon, his son and Archer flee the ria and then, through a complex series retaliating soldiers of the late Colonel in In the fabulous comedy Shakespeare in of transactions, on to the European and this lush landscape, Danny’s wound be- Love, Queen Elizabeth boldly sets a wa- American markets. Archer learns that gins to incapacitate him. As they climb ger to her obsequious courtiers: “Can a Solomon, now freed from his slavery, has a steep plateau towards an airstrip atop play show us the very truth and nature of hidden the diamond deep in the country’s of which Archer’s partner in stealing the love?” I’ve been wondering about a simi- interior, and they team together (and for diamond will soon be landing a small lar notion: Can a contemporary film show a danger-filled time, with the journalist, aircraft, Solomon is tasked with carrying us the essence of human tragedy in the Maddy Bowen) to retrieve both Solomon’s Archer on his back towards the summit. epic sense of the word? son and the stone. At one point during their desperate Sometimes in the evening, I roll Archer has witnessed a lifetime of the ascent, Archer demands that Solomon put around through the cable stations on tele- terrors of war and violence, including the him down and explains that he’ll fend off vision and particular films grab my atten- brutal murder of his parents as a child. the approaching soldiers as Solomon and tion again and again. There are movies He and Colonel Coetzee are as hard and his son race to the plane and to safety. The I’ve seen at least a dozen times and a great tough as any man can be, their emotional final exchange between Archer and the number I’ve viewed portions of 20 or 30 dictionaries long shut after participat- African tribesman, Solomon, is one that times. Recently, I’ve found myself trans- ing in years of battles, but bent now only can move the viewer to tears, and includes fixed with several films starring Leonardo on making their personal profit and, for a laugh between them on how they both DiCaprio, including The Aviator, The De- the Colonel, managing wars in Africa for knew that Archer might just as well have parted, and Inception. DiCaprio also won power and gain. When the lives of Bowen stolen the huge diamond. Solomon and an Oscar this year for The Revenant, a and Archer intersect, she is able to slowly his son make it to safety and Archer is left movie that in itself is a remarkable, stun- bring him to a state of empathy for the leaning against a large rock, bleeding out. ning achievement. long trail of innocent victims of war and He takes a moment to use his army com- But it is DiCaprio’s performance as to fully comprehend the horrors in Sierra munications phone to call Maddy Bowen, Danny Archer in the 2006 film Blood Dia- Leone. Archer especially learns to feel for now in Europe, and charge her with writ- mond that I find most fascinating.Blood what Solomon is seeking in regaining his ing the exposé of the blood diamond in Diamond is like no other movie I’ve ever son and how willing Solomon is to risk Solomon’s possession, and to see to the re- seen and Archer is a unique, stand out death in the slim hope of reuniting his lease of the rest of Solomon’s family being character, with his strong Rhodesian ac- family. held in a massive internment camp. cent, mannerisms, and mindset. Blood Colonel Coetzee, when meeting Ar- The love that had been growing be- Diamond takes place in 1999 during the cher on the Colonel’s massive South Af- tween Danny and Maddy hits its peak as horrific unrest in Sierra Leone, and the ti- rican property, tells Archer that he must she realizes that he is doomed. Her final tle refers to the mined conflict diamonds find the huge diamond and hand it over words to him: “I wish I could be with illegally financing the combatants while to compensate him for a deal gone bad. you,” to which he replies gazing out at the enriching foreign companies that go on to Archer notes that he wants to take Solo- beautiful sight of Africa, “it’s alright, I’m sell the goods around the world. Jennifer mon’s stone to make his way out of Africa, exactly where I should be.” Connelly portrays Maddy Bowen, a jour- as his ticket “off of this God-forsaken con- Archer grabs some soil, the blood run- nalist set on exposing the trade in hopes tinent.” In a moment of intense drama, ning off his hand to mix with the dirt, ful- of stemming it, and it is her efforts that the Colonel has Archer crouch down on filling the Colonel’s prophecy that Danny show the modern audience how complicit his farmland and as he runs a reddish soil would never leave Africa and that very we could be in the crime if anyone who through his hands, explains to him that ground of the continent is mixed with the innocently buys diamonds for a necklace, its crimson tint is said to come from the blood spilled over its riches, in the name earrings, or engagement ring turns away area’s long history of bloodshed. He tells of colonialism, and through tribal ha- blindly from knowing the terrible, often Archer to face that he’ll never leave Af- tred. We last see Archer leaning against murderous source of the stone. rica. Archer squints in resignation, and the rock, head tilted to the right, as the The movie’s plot centers on a poor fish- feigns acquiescence, saying, “If you say so, camera pulls away to expose the beauti- erman, Solomon Vandy (played by Oscar- Colonel, if you say so.” ful land with its one tragic son. Danny has nominated Djimon Hounsou) whose After much soul-searching and blood- come to know the love between a father young son is captured by the crazed Rev- shed, Danny and Solomon locate the and son, and the love of a woman who, olutionary United Front and forced to be diamond amid the rebel stronghold and although American, is very much akin to a child soldier for their rampaging cause. retrieve Solomon’s son. The Colonel, who him. His heroic death is not in the vein Solomon is coerced to mine diamonds by with his mercenaries, attempted to take of ancient tragedy, where a strong-head- the group and secretly, far out in a stream the stone by murdering Archer and Solo- ed king gets his comeuppance while the in the wilds, comes across an enormous, mon, is killed when shot by Archer, but chorus weeps and wails, tearing their gar- priceless stone which he conceals. In the not before firing a bullet into Archer’s ab- ments. Danny dies in the bright light of meantime, Archer is a diamond smuggler domen. This is where we begin to find the the lush African wild content from hav- working secretly with a large South Af- essence of a modern tragedy. ing learnt more about life and love than rican mining company and is a gunrun- The many camera shots of Africa he could ever have believed was within ner for the fighting factions as well. He shown in Blood Diamond are stunning, himself and that his compatriots on the has formerly been trained as a soldier by leading one to wonder how such a place dangerous journey, are righteous, good, the Afrikaner Colonel Coetzee (Arnold so different from America could exist on and set to change the world for the better. Vosloo) and works with the Colonel’s the same planet, just a plane ride away. 4 For Your Consideration Ones to Watch, Vol. 3 Edition

J i m K e l l e r As laid out in last year’s column, the Best Sup- porting Actor and Actress races are extremely unpredictable. Just take a look at the outcomes below in comparison to what was discussed to see for yourself. It is for this reason that I have chosen to keep the format adopted last year for this edition instead of laying out each

actor’s accomplishments and why I would, or A24 would not, bet on them for a nomination, I have broken down the different circumstances these actors find themselves in and how that narrative may or may not ultimately influence

Oscar voters. Various critics groups, including CourtesyPhoto of Mahershala Ali in Moonlight (2016) The New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC), the National Board of Review (NBR), and the released until after the completion of this col- Lion, respectively. Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAF- umn. However, of the film’s sprawling ensem- CA) have announced their respective winners ble, Bale’s is the one that awards groups rallied Eyes on the newcomer: Oscar voters will of- and The Broadcast Film Critics Association around and he completed the all white acting ten rally around a newcomer and anoint them (BFCA) has announced its nominees. These category. the prom king/queen, e.g., Alicia Vikander in events help to form a consensus of Oscar The Danish Girl). nominees and make the acting categories all The results show that by the same time last the more clearer as we approach nominations year, it was pretty easy to determine more Here is a guide to the precursor awards on January 24th. Together with nomination than half of the actors in supporting roles that that have already been awarded: BFCA (*), announcements from the Screen Actors Guild would go on to be nominated by the Academy. LAFCA (+), NBR (~), NYFCC (^). The sym- (SAG) and the Hollywood Foreign Press As- bols appear after the contender’s name. sociation (Golden Globes), these announce- Before we delve into this year’s contender list, ments signal the start of the Oscar race’s sec- allow me to refresh your memory regarding #OscarsSoWhite ond leg. the supporting actor and actress races: Mahershala Ali (Moonlight) *+ ^, Dev Patel Two for one: The same film can often have (Lion) *: ~THE GENTS~ multiple supporting nominees. The precedent If you’ve paid any attention to this column, was set back in both supporting categories in you know that the Academy’s big problem for Last Year’s Best Supporting Actor Results: 1939 when Hattie McDaniel competed against the past two years has been their inability to Mark Ruffalo and Michael Keaton — Spot- Olivia de Havilland for Gone with the Wind diversify the list of nominees in the major cate- light: Both were nominated, but the latter in and Harry Carey and Claud Rains were nomi- gories. The twenty slots that comprise the ma- lead (due to category fraud). nated for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. jor acting categories have been filled by white Robert De Niro and Bradley Cooper — Joy: This has occurred 29 times for the ladies and nominees, which has been well-documented Neither were nominated because the film only 16 times for the men in the 88 years of with the use of the #OscarsSoWhite on Twit- tanked with critics. the Academy Awards’ existence. The phenom- ter. Further, our nation has plunged into tur- Mark Rylance — Bridge of Spies: Nominated enon last occurred in Supporting Actor for moil following a brutal election that saw the and won. 1991’s Bugsy, when Harvey Keitel and Ben president-elect incite violence and hatred Tom Hardy — The Revenant: Nominated Kingsley were nominated and in Supporting among his supporters and white supremacy Idris Elba — Beasts of No Nation: Not nomi- Actress for 2011’s The Help, which yielded a dusted off, repackaged as “alt-right,” and, most nated. Hollywood proved just how scared it win for Octavia Spencer and a nod for Jessica unforgivably, accepted as a trait of some of was of streaming services by snubbing the film Chastain. those shoved into the president-elect’s cabinet. entirely. This latter point is poignant because this year Ride Along: A Best Picture nomination can of- is one where the zeitgeist could play an impor- Last year’s fourth nominee was Sylvester Stal- ten yield supporting nominations for the film’s tant part in determining who the Academy lone for Creed, a film that saw its release after actors, e.g., Rachel McAdams in Spotlight. chooses to vote for. For my money, the Acad- completion of this column. For many, Stallone emy will choose to not only take the oppor- became the frontrunner, and while the Holly- Category fraud: In years where there is an em- tunity to address #OscarsSoWhite, but stand wood Foreign Press, the BFCA, and the NBR barrassment of acting riches, Academy voters up to the normalizing of white supremacy in dressed him up with their awards, Hollywood often nominate lead performances as support- America. Take a look at the Academy’s move to turned its back on Oscar night. ing and vice versa to get the actor(s) a nomi- increase membership in January coupled with nation. This year, this started early with Viola the action it took in June, which represents a This leaves our last nominee, Christian Bale Davis and Dev Patel campaigning in the sup- for The Big Short. Like Creed, the film wasn’t porting category for their work in Fences and CONTINUED TO P.6 * 5 * CONTINUED FROM P.5 7.5% membership increase. Enter Moonlight, one of the year’s best reviewed films with a 99 Metacritic score and therefore, a serious Best Picture contender. The film chronicles the life of a young black man who struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough Miami neighborhood. Like Spotlight last year, it has already won the Gotham Jury Award for Ensemble Performance at this year’s Gotham Awards and, with a slew of BFCA and Independent Spirit Award nominations under its belt, looks be a strong player this Oscar season. Be-

cause the film is a true ensemble piece, with FOCUS FEATURES Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders, and Trevante Rhodes all playing the same character through different stages of his life, it’s difficult to -pin point a lead. The result is that all of the ac-

tors inhabit supporting roles. Unfortunately, CourtesyPhoto of as brilliant as their performances are, actors Michael Shannon in Nocturnal Animals (2016) from the same film can cancel themselves out Lucas Hedges (Manchester by the Sea) * tion for its star Colin Firth. Still, last year four in the Oscar race, leaving room for only one and Michael Shannon (Nocturnal Animals) out of five supporting actor nominations were to get awards attention. For Moonlight, that is *: With only 14 acting credits to date, you’re accompanied by a Best Picture nomination. Ali’s drug dealer come father figure Juan, who probably unfamiliar with Hedges. Maybe you Because this isn’t a likely path for Nocturnal provides Hibbert’s Little with a foundation to saw him in the background of either of Wes Animals, you can do the math. build on, thereby acting as a shining beacon of Anderson’s last films,Moonrise Kingdom hope for the young boy. Ali, who was nomi- or The Grand Budapest Hotel? Perhaps you Old Favorites nated for a Primetime Emmy award for his glimpsed him in Labor Day, or The Zero Jeff Bridges Hell( or High Water) * ~: Although supporting role in Netflix’sHouse of Cards, is Theorem? Outside of those films, sightings Bridges is also white, I chose to separate him a newcomer to the Oscar conversation, but is of Hedges are slim pickins’. That is about to out for some contrast. The actor plays a Texas the frontrunner after the precursor announce- change: countless pundits have raved about Ranger hot on the heels of two brothers (Chris ments to date. Combine that with the Acad- his performance in Kenneth Lonergan’s lat- Pine and Ben Foster) who set off a desperate emy’s goal to beat back #OscarsSoWhite, and est concerning an uncle (Casey Affleck) who bank robbery scheme to save their family’s you have a path to victory. is forced to take care of his nephew (Hedges) ranch. The film is a surprising Best Picture when the teenager’s father dies. Even though contender and recently earned six BFCA With Patel’s work in Lion also catching a bump Hedges film is a Best Picture contender (as nominations, including Best Picture. Bridges from the precursor awards, it’s comforting that evidenced by its eight BFCA nominations, in- has a long and storied history with the Acad- Ali isn’t the sole chance for a person of color cluding Best Picture), young actors are often emy that began in 1972 with a nomination for to be nominated. The film recounts the true not given the same amount of weight as adults Best Supporting Actor for The Last Picture story of a five-year-old Indian boy (Patel) who in the Oscar race. So even if #OscarsSoWhite Show and continues to this day. was lost on the streets of Calcutta and sur- were to rear its ugly head again, Hedges would He has three Best Supporting Actor and vived many challenges before being adopted face a steep climb. three Best Actor nominations, including by a couple in Australia; 25 years later, he set a Best Actor win for Crazy Heart in 2010. out to find his lost family. Patel, who is British Unlike Hedges, who will likely benefit from Bridges was last nominated for Best Actor but of Indian descent, first came on the scene a Best Picture nomination, Shannon stands in 2011 for True Grit. Given his high pro- through his work in 2008’s Slumdog Million- to be the sole nomination for Nocturnal Ani- file with the Academy, I would count on aire, which earned him a best supporting ac- mals in the major categories. Not only does him taking one of the five slots, and if there tor SAG nomination and a best actor BAFTA he deliver a nuanced performance as Detec- is any wiggle room, he could unseat Ali. nomination. He also won the Best Young Ac- tive Bobby Andes in Tom Ford’s second film, tor/Actress (Under 21) BFCA award in 2009 but his performances over the years have been Other considerations: If Martin Scorsese’s Si- for the role. Lion premiered at this year’s To- consistent in caliber. Shannon was nominated lence becomes a Best Picture nominee, look ronto International Film Festival, where it was in 2009 for his supporting role in Revolution- for the film to pull along Liam Neeson. If first runner up for the People’s Choice award. ary Road and has been in the Oscar mix ever Academy voters remember the first half of the It earned six BFCA nominations, including since. On paper, with one nomination under year, Ralph Fiennes performance in A Bigger Best Picture and is on many pundits’ lips for his belt, Shannon has the strongest probability Splash might spark with them. Best Picture. If it gets in, Patel could follow. for a win, but critic response to the film has been divisive, which is never good in the Oscar Wanted: White Male Supporting Perfor- race. It’s worth mentioning that Ford’s first film mances A Single Man racked up a best actor nomina- CONTINUED TO P.7 * 6 * CONTINUED FROM P.6 ~THE LADIES~

Last Year’s Best Supporting Actress Race Re- sults: -Rooney Mara – Carol: Nominated -Alicia Vikander – The Danish Girl: Nominated and won -Kate Winslet – Steve Jobs: Nominated -Jane Fonda – Youth: Not nominated -Jennifer Jason Leigh – The Hateful Eight: Nominated PARAMOUNT PICTURES PARAMOUNT Last year’s fifth nominee was Rachel McAd- ams for Spotlight, the lone female nominee for the eventual Best Picture winner, and a classic example of ride along when she did next to nothing throughout the film. Photo CourtesyPhoto of Viola Davis in Fences (2015) The results illustrate that by the same time last year, it was pretty easy to determine almost all feature film from Garth Davies. Kidman was er Moonlight. While she certainly struck a of the actresses that would make up the even- first nominated in 2001 for Best Actress in a chord with critics, she may find herself on the tual supporting actress nominees. Leading Role for Moulin Rouge!, and won the outside of the top five come Oscar nomination following year (by a nose, har har!) for The morning. Two Birds, One Stone Hours. She was last nominated for Best Ac- Viola Davis (Fences) *: tress in 2011 for Rabbit Hole. Given her star Greta Gerwig (20th Century Women *): Ger- Going back to the Academy’s objective this power, she stands a very good chance of be- wig’s leading role in Frances Ha earned her year, Davis not only stands the biggest chance ing nominated, but as with anyone, a much a Golden Globe nomination for Best Perfor- for a nomination because her role is really a stronger one if her film lands a Best Picture mance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - leading role (see last year’s winner Vikander nomination. Comedy or Musical and a BFCA nomination whose role was just as meaty), but she is the for Best Actress in a Comedy. These accolades frontrunner. Back in 2008, Davis burst out on Michelle Williams (Manchester by the Sea) give her a slight edge over Monáe, but any- the Oscar scene with her searing Oscar nomi- *^: Williams has three nominations under her thing can happen. nated supporting performance in Doubt. Da- belt: Best Supporting Actress for Brokeback vis was last nominated in 2012 for The Help Mountain in 2006 and Best Actress for Blue A number of other men could feature this year alongside Meryl Streep who was campaign- Valentine and My Week with Marilyn, in 2011 including Ben Foster in Hell or High Water, ing for her third Oscar for her leading role in and 2012, respectively. She gives a wallop of a British heartthrob, Hugh Grant in Florence The Iron Lady. Streep famously won that year performance in Manchester, seriously, bring Foster Jenkins, and newcomers, Stephen Hen- after a neck and neck season. It was the only tissues. Some pundits have complained that derson and Jovan Adepo in Fences. For the la- year that I bet against Streep, and I, like many Williams doesn’t have nearly enough screen dies, other contenders include Molly Shannon others, learned to never bet against her. After- time in the film to warrant a nomination, but for Other People, newcomer, Lily Gladstone ward, Davis found success starring in ABC’s Beatrice Straight, who holds the record for for Certain Women, and Octavia Spencer for How to Get Away with Murder. Between the shortest amount of screen time: five min- Hidden Figures. 2015 and 2016 the role netted her back-to- utes and two seconds of screen time, was only back SAG wins for Outstanding Performance nominated for Best Supporting Actress for Something to keep in mind: The Academy by a Female Actor in a Drama Series, as well as Network in 1977, but she won! may nominate people of color, but until they Best Performance by an Actress in a Television start awarding them as well, #OscarsSoWhite Series – Drama Golden Globe nominations, Newcomers should get comfy. and a Primetime Emmy Award in 2015 for Naomie Harris (Moonlight) * ~ ^: The British Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. actress won much acclaim for her role as the On a sincere note: I recognize that we are Now, Davis returns with a stock of hardware drug addled mother of Moonlight’s protago- standing on the precipice of what could be a that includes a Tony Award for playing the nist. Having previously been honored with very dark time in our nation’s history. I en- same role on Broadway in 2010, and this time BAFTA’s rising star award in 2007, you can courage everyone to build relationships with Streep is in the Best Actress race for Florence pencil her in the top five, for her star has most those with similar ideals and to remain vigi- Foster Jenkins giving the Academy the oppor- definitely risen. lant. Remember to laugh, that it’s OK to cry, tunity to award Davis. Here’s hoping! and always share your voice. If you’re afraid, Janelle Monáe (Hidden Figures) *: Monáe is a remember that you’re not alone and I stand Old Favorites Grammy nominated musician who made her with you. Together we will weather the storm Nicole Kidman (Lion) *: Kidman plays the acting debut this year, both in Hidden Figures and come out stronger because of it. adoptive mother of Patel’s Saroo in this first and the aforementioned Best Picture contend- 7 Christmas Holidays in Italy Fr a n c e s c a C ava l lo This is my favorite time of year. There are so many great aspects to the Christmas season: good food, good music, and the special traditions that come along with the “reason for the season.” Come experience and discover how Italians celebrate the holidays. The Christmas atmosphere is really felt in the Bel Paese (beautiful country) since the holiday is one of the most important ones in my country. Although there are com- mons traits, the magic of Natale (Christ- mas) is different all over the world. Christ- mas, for every Italian, is like Thanksgiving in the United States. It is a big family re- union that no longer reflects the symbolic

religious tradition of the nativity, although CourtesyPhoto of Food52.com Abbacchio al Forno (Roast Lamb with Potatoes) many services still run on Vigilia di Na- tale (Christmas Eve). There is a famous Natale for the gifts. is December 31. This is another crazy op- phrase: “Natale con i tuoi, Capodanno portunity to meet with friends and fami- con chi vuoi” (Christmas with yours [rela- The joy of this time reaches a fever pitch lies and have a big party all night long. tives], New Year’s Eve with whoever you on December 25, which is a day for eat- Capodanno (New Year’s Eve) normally want). Italians really feel the spirit from ing! This is the perfect occasion to meet starts late in the afternoon with the fa- late November, but the Christmas season up with your family, sit around the table mous aperitivo, followed by a traditional officially starts on December 8, the Day almost all day long and enjoy good food. big meal called cenone (big dinner), and of Immaculate Conception. We decorate This happy and peaceful atmosphere lasts the right party to welcome the new year! our homes and trees, bake cookies, wrap late into the evening, while households The day after, if you still have the energy presents, and schools and offices are for- play board games, taste Italian delica- and your stomach is up for more food, it’s mally closed. From this day on, up to De- cies and unwrap presents! On Christmas time for another substantial lunch! If each cember 26, the holiday spirit grows. On Day, the table abounds with different en- Christmas meal differs from one family many Italian streets decorations and huge trees: insalata di mare (seafood salad), to another, each New Year’s Eve dinner Christmas trees are displayed, presepi types of salami, cured meats, and flat is carefully thought out to serve the right (Nativity scenes) are placed outside for all breads. The main course, depending on the food that promises to bring you luck, such to see, and the smell of chestnuts, wine, region, consists of the famous tortellini in as cotechino (pork sausage) lenticchie and Italian delicacies, is apparent on ev- broth, lasagna or pasticcio (the amazing (lentils), and uva (grapes). January 1 is a ery corner. People hurry across the streets baked pasta prepared following grandma’s day to relax, stay with the people you care with lots of packages in their hands, zam- style), and lamb. Normally, after the main about most, and have some traditional pognari (double chanter bagpipers) play meal, a tasty variety of meat is served. food and dessert. Christmas melodies all around, and Bab- Whatever the menu, all Italians cannot bo Natale (Santa Claus) gives candies to end their lunch without some famous As we approach the last day of the year, the children. Natale and Vigilia di Nata- Christmas treats: pandoro and panet- you may think that the holidays are over, le are observed in different ways all over tone. The former is a traditional Veronese but they are not. Christmastime in Italy the country, depending on where you are. sweet yeast bread, whereas the latter is a is not complete until January 6, gior- Some Italians start celebrating with a nice tall sweet bread enriched with raisins and no della Befana (Epiphany Day) . On dinner on December 24. My family and I dried fruits, hailing from Lombardy. One this night, children wait for the Befana, prefer a light meal without meat and wait of my favorite things is to add more sugar who, according to Italian folklore, is an for a huge Christmas lunch the day after. to my sweet meal, with torrone (classic old witch-like woman who arrives on a However, the midnight Mass at the local Italian nougat), hazelnut chocolate, and broomstick, climbs down chimneys and church is a tradition from the North to homemade cookies. fills kids’ stockings with sweets, chocolate, the South. Afterwardwe brindiamo (make or a lump of coal for those who have been a toast) with a glass of spumante (Italian December 26, Santo Stefano Day, is a na- naughty. It is a story of the good witch sparkling wine), a slice of panettone or tional holiday in Italy, and obviously an- versus the bad witch, depending on how pandoro (sweet treats), and open pres- other occasion to gather with your loved you behaved during the past year. After ents. When I was a child I was so excited ones and taste other homemade special- her arrival, there are many parties and by Santa’s arrival that I used to prepare a ties, and sometimes the Natale’s leftovers. Italians go from home to local squares glass of milk, and place a slice of Christ- Celebrations are not over yet! After these mas cake under the tree to thank Babbo three days of merrymaking, the next date CONTINUED TO P.9 * 8 * CONTINUED FROM P.8 How to make Roman Lamb oven and bake for 30 minutes. Turn the potatoes, sprinkle with sea salt and bake celebrating with family and friends. A fa- Ingredients: for a further 30 minutes, or until crisp and mous sentence that marks an end to the Rosemary potatoes and lamb golden. holiday season is: “l’epifania tutte le feste 125 ml (4 fl oz/½ cup) extra virgin olive oil Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a heavy- si porta via” (Epiphany takes away all the 2 rosemary sprigs, each about 12 cm (4½ based frying pan with a lid. Add the lamb holidays). We have to wait until Easter to inches) and cook in batches over medium heat for celebrate again with family and friends. 8 garlic cloves, unpeeled 3-4 minutes, turning to brown all over. I leave you with a typical Italian nursery 1.5 kg (3 lb 5 oz) roasting potatoes, peeled Return the lamb to the pan and add the rhyme that children will sing for “La Befa- and cut into 4 cm (1½ inch) cubes garlic, sage and rosemary. Season with sea na” and my preferred Christmas recipe: 3 tablespoons olive oil salt and freshly ground black pepper, stir Roman Lamb. 1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) shoulder of spring lamb, well and cook for 1 minute. Enjoy your holidays everybody! bone in, cut into 2 cm (¾ inch) pieces (ask Using a small, fine sieve, dust the lamb your butcher to do this) with the flour, then cook for a further Italian nursery rhyme: 2 garlic cloves, crushed minute. Add the vinegar, simmer for 30 La Befana vien di notte 6 sage leaves seconds, then add 250 ml (9 fl oz/1 cup) con le scarpe tutte rotte 1 tablespoon plain (all-purpose) flour water. Cook, partially covered, over low col cappello alla romana 125 ml (4 fl oz/½ cup) white wine vinegar heat for 50–60 minutes, or until the lamb viva viva la Befana! 6 anchovy fillets is tender, adding a little more water if needed. Translation: Methods When the lamb is almost cooked, mash The Befana comes at night Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4). the anchovies to a paste with 1 tablespoon wearing old broken shoes To make the rosemary potatoes, pour the of the cooking liquid using a mortar and dressed in Roman (hat) style olive oil into a large baking pan, add the pestle. Add to the lamb and cook, uncov- long live la Befana! rosemary, garlic and potato and toss to ered, for a further 2 minutes. Serve imme- coat. Transfer to the middle shelf of the diately, with the rosemary potatoes.

NEW YORK STATE OF MIND This Month Natural Selections Features Stefannie Moak, Research Assistant, Gilbert Lab.

I n t e r v i e w by G ua da lu p e A s to r g a

What do you think is the most overrat- What is your favorite weekend activ- ed thing in the city? And underrated? ity in NYC? The excess of urbanity and the conve- Playing ice hockey at Lasker Rink in Cen- nience of the city. tral Park.

What do you miss most when you are What is the most memorable experi- out of town? ence you’ve had in NYC? The multicultural spaces and the Sunday Seeing my first Broadway show and brunch restaurants. watching Garth Brooks perform at Yan- kee Stadium. Has anything (negative or positive) changed about you since you became Bike, MTA or walk it? one of us “New Yorkers”? Definitely walk! You see so many more It has expanded my view in general things. about the diversity of people. There are If you could live anywhere else, where How long have you been living in the people from every walk of life. would that be? New York area? I’m a Canadian so I’m biased, therefore I Seven months now. If you could change one thing about would like to try living in Vancouver. NYC, what would that be? Where do you currently live? Which is I would make people take a deep breath Do you think of yourself as a New your favorite neighborhood? before their morning commute. It would Yorker? I live in the Upper East Side and my fa- be a better start to the day if everybody Maybe not yet, but getting there. vorite neighborhood is SoHo. was less stressed. 9 Lesson 3 New York City Dialect New York-ese A i l e e n M a r s h a l l

Hey, how ya doin? Or in other words, The Empire StateBuildin used to be offer. Visiting small neighborhood stores welcome back to our series on learning the tallest in the world. and restaurants in the outer boroughs is the New York City dialect. Hopefully by probably the best way to experience the now, you have your ears trained to pick up This month’s lesson: language. The outer boroughs have a lot more words you hear about town. The R is dropped from some words in to offer. There is a zoo, and Yankee Sta- New York City. It sounds more like an Ah dium in the Bronx. There is a huge park To recap last month’s lesson, the G is or Aw sound. in Queens, called Flushing Meadows. dropped in words ending in “ing.” Our Here are some examples of dropped R Queens also has Citi Field and Arthur vocabulary words were doin, callin, and words used in a sentence. Some examples Ashe Stadium. There is an aquarium, and walkin. Here are some more examples of of these words are: beer, here, river, and the boardwalk at Coney Island in Brook- them used in a sentence. morning. Click on the links to hear the lyn. One can take a ferry ride to Staten Is- How are you doin? (a greeting) pronunciation. land and see the Staten Island Yankees, the I’ve been callin you for hours. Get your beah heah. [Sound] New York Yankee’s farm team. This is just I wouldn’t go walkin through Central I am takin a rivah cruise up the Hud- a small representation of attractions in the Park at night. son. [Sound] outer boroughs. Whenever you have the Other examples of the dropped G are I only get the Times on Sunday chance, take the subway past Manhattan thing and building. Here are some exam- mawnin. [Sound] and explore a neighborhood. ples of these words used in a sentence. The onlythin that doesn’t belong on While learning the dialect of this great Watch next month for a lesson in the pizza is pineapple. city, you might as well enjoy all it has to elongated A sound. Photo fromPhoto Wikipedia Commons Quotable Quote

“Where after all do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home—so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any map of the world. Yet they are the world of the individual person: the neighborhood we live in; the school or college we attend; the factory, farm or office where we work. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world”. Eleanor Roosevelt (1884 – 1962) 10 Life on a Roll Shaoxing—the Venice in the East

Qiong Wang

During my recent trip to China, Shaox- ing was a pleasant surprise. The city sits nicely over a complex water canal system, woven together by stone bridges. Until today, local residents inside the old town often used canal water for their daily life activities. Just like Venice, man-powered gondolas are the only vehicles that could fit and roam in these narrow canals, mostly for tourist purposes. Shaoxing was the capital city of the Yue kingdom over 2,000 years ago. Many important historic scholars and important figures were born there or had resided there, which left an incredibly rich cultural heritage in and around the city. Shaoxing is also geo- graphically convenient to get to, only one hour train ride from Shanghai and twen- ty minutes from Hangzhou. Don’t miss it if you happen to be in the area. 11 The three politically themed puzzles that follow come to you from a consortium of Crossward progressively-minded friends of Rockefeller alum (1977) George Barany, who is currently on the faculty of the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. Prepare to laugh and cry. For George Barany and Friends more information, including links to the answers, visit here, here, and here. More Barany and Friends crosswords can be found here.

Debate and Switch

Across Down 1. Shack 1. Inappropriate adjective, 4. Refused to make one’s taxes when applied to one’s public, e.g. teenage daughter 7. Plays a sophomoric prank on, 2. One fine day, to Puccini informally 3. Proportional 10. Lennon’s lady 4. Schmooze with the elite 11. Suffix with Capri 5. Hughes poem reprinted 12. Mens ___ (criminal intent, on a full page in “The New in law) York Times” (September 13. Bee’s channel 22, 2016) 14. Moving to the beat 6. Literally, with 7-Down. 16. Field for Krugman catch-phrase introduced 18. Academy head by Hillary at Hofstra 19. Collapse an arch 7. See 6-Down 21. Wing it 8. Pascal collection 22. U.S. Grant adversary 9. Grp. once headed by 23. Word frequently used by Ronald Reagan The Donald, and about The 15. One who mopes Donald 17. Big name in elevators 24. Lock 18. Hang (around with) 20. “___ we can”

What Happened in Vegas?

Across Down 1. Escalante who inspired 1. Campaign issue “Stand and Deliver” 2. Jai ___ 6. Muslim leader 3. With .com, web site for 10. Ancient Mexican cinephiles 11. Like the first 44 US 4. Verbal shrug Presidents 5. Campaign issue 12. Deportation targets? 6. Saturate 14. Bro, for one 7. Opportunity visited it 15. Sickened feeling 8. On the quiet side 16. Got up 9. Large butte 17. Punctual 13. Attack bigly 20. “Bingo!” 16. Quick with quips 23. Hillary, to Donald 17. What a Jewish astronaut 25. “L’___ c’est moi” (Louis celebrates returning to XIV) 18. Defense alliance in the 26. Rip from the mother’s news: Abbr. womb, rhetorically 19. Russian autocrat 27. Type of details 20. “Famous” cookie maker 28. Goes high 21. Fabled loser 22. Formicary denizens 24. Samurai’s sash

CONTINUED TO P.13 * 12 * CONTINUED FROM P.12

In a Blue State

Across 1. Enthusiasm 5. Point of view 9. Macho military type 14. Khayyám or Sharif 15. “Goldfinger” fort 16. Certain Alaskan 17. It means everything 18. Like some rumors 19. Composition of a metaphorical ceiling yet to be broken 20. Title for 48-Across on January 20, 2017 ... we wish 23. “Star Wars” princess 24. Holiday quaff 25. Bill, to 48-Across ... we wish 32. DC VIP 33. Target of Cain’s mutiny? 34. Year-round quaff 35. Has ___ with (is connected) 36. Majority leader, ironically? 38. Cultivate 39. NFL six-pointers 40. Piano, to a pianist 41. “Soave sia il vento” and “”Hab mir’s gelobt,” for two 42. Anthem for 48-Across ... we wish Down 21. Cluttered condition 45. Matched, as a poker bet 46. Be under par? 1. Whiz (by) 22. Hacker’s harvest, briefly 48. Sharpen 47. Palindromic Indian 2. Statue of Liberty poet 25. Henry of “Fail-Safe” 49. Creep bread Lazarus 26. Formal “Who’s there?” 50. Big bird 48. One who won the 3. Novelist who was answer 51. Website for customer popular vote on November romantically involved with 27. “___ in the Balance” reviews 8, 2016 Chopin (1992 book by Gore) 52. Russian autocrat 55. In a musical key 4. Dress rehearsal 28. Draft org.? 53. Russian name meaning 56. Make well 5. “Let’s not go there” 29. Nobelist Curie “holy” 57. Lesbos, e.g. 6. Costumed for “La Cage 30. Distant 54. An “Untouchable” 58. Jeb, to Jenna and Barbara aux Foiles,” perhaps 31. A lot of it was fake 55. Place to soak 59. Ultimatum word 7. He had a cameo in 32. Way to go 60. Hounds “Wordplay” 36. Cabbage 61. “The View” co-host Joy 8. Donald and Ivana, e.g. 37. Frequently, in verse (anagram of REHAB) 9. Ann or Andy, e.g. 38. Like the Cheshire cat 62. Parodied 10. Profess without proof 40. Ben or Jerry 63. Mardi ___ 11. Like the Grinch 41. Spicy Asian cuisine 12. Arrest 43. “I can’t hear you!” 13. Tiebreakers, briefly 44. Sheathe

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