ENTERTAINMENT Sierra Gillespie, Entertainment Editor ‘Dear John’ not quite ‘The Notebook’ soldier who enlisted to keep out Just before John’s enlistment or connecting with the story, of “Dear John,” he needed to Sierra Gillespie of the trouble that constantly is over, the September 11 but a person who both read set his priorities in order and Entertainment Editor followed his teenage self. attacks occur, and John feels the book and watched the write about what the public Savannah is the opposite. it is his duty to re-enlist. In film would have a complete wanted to read: love. REVIEW2.5 out of 5 stars She is timid and sometimes the book this area is basically understanding of Savannah “Dear John” is a love story, soft-spoken, and, though not brushed over. John describes and John’s story. though it shows more anguish Nicholas Sparks, the author emphasized in the film, in Savannah as understanding Still, their story was and altercation than any of of “The Notebook,” just turned the book she is incredibly about his patriotic duty, but somewhat lacking. Sparks’ previous works. In out another book- religious. The pair comes in the film, her reaction is Sparks is considered some ways, “Dear John” turned-movie. from different backgrounds completely different. o n e o f t h e b e s t could be considered the most according to either story, and, Still, in both stories, romance authors of realistic of Sparks’ novel- as the two weeks go on, their John re-enlists for all time and is notable turned-movies, though in another two years. among the romance some ways that could be a readers and movie downfall. viewers of the day. He When reading a romance wrote such modern-day novel or watching a romantic classics as “A Walk to movie, people want to get r e l a t i o n s h i p Remember,” “Message in a lost in the unrealistic ways. The novel, “Dear John” was grows. Bottle” and “The Notebook.” They generally do not pick released in 2006, but it has just When their time is over, the But for as widely renowned up a book from the romance been made into a film. Though pair vows to continue their H i s and treasured as these novels section and hope to read the book and movie follow relationship through letters. central base and movies are, “Dear John” about conflict. the same general storyline, John is stationed in Germany, is in Germany, should not even be considered But maybe that is why “Dear there are obvious differences, and Savannah lives in North but for some time in the same category. While John” has all the appeal it does. making them two completely Carolina and is attending he fights in Iraq. reading “Dear John” it was It shows love in a true form, different versions. c o l l e g e . T h o u g h This puts a strain on difficult to imagine that the which could be considered The general story in both thousands of miles John and Savannah’s same author who wrote this good or bad, depending on works follows a soldier named apart, they stay relationship and causes mediocre novel wrote the how you look at it. Either John Tyree on his two-week close and write incredible conflict for the sentimental and endearing way, Sparks is a demanded leave. While on the beach, constantly. In remainder of both stories. novel “The Notebook.” romance author, who probably he meets a college student all of their Both plots share the same Sparks did not capture will not be ending his career named Savannah Curtis who letters and central idea, but the majority Savannah and John’s love the anytime soon. Hopefully his is vacationing there. Savannah s c a r c e of the events in the book and way he captured Allie and next book will embody the and John hit it off right away, p h o n e c a l l s , movie are different, ranging Noah’s. It seemed that he sort sappy characteristics that pull though their personalities are the pair c o u n t s from slightly contrasting to of spit it out and did not care on our heartstrings far more completely different. down the few days polar opposites. A person who to think twice about it. than “Dear John” did. In both the book and the until John’s enlistment is saw only the movie would not Sparks is obviously a movie, John is a muscular over. have trouble understanding fantastic writer, but in the case Lil’ Wayne’s rock album: disappointing and unnecessary Kelly Boruff When I first read about this Instead of the hip-hop bass With a new style should come songs off the album include Columnist album in Rolling Stones, I was beats that usually accompany a new batch of accompanying “One Way Trip,” featuring left in awe, with nothing but his voice in the songs, we vocals. However, with Rebirth, Kevin Rudolf, and “Knockout,” disbelief. “Lil’ Wayne doing a are faced with the sounds of Nicki Minaj, Shanell and featuring Nicki Minaj. The REVIEW2.5 out of 5 stars rock album?” I thought, “This guitars and drums. The songs Eminem, among others, are song “Drop the World,” cannot be serious.” And yet, have taken on a much slower still featured backing up featuring Eminem, has After topping off his 10 months later, with the album feel, and now, instead of driving their fellow already stuck its nose three-part saga of Tha Carter sitting in front of me, I was able down the street blasting my m u s i c i a n . out as the album’s IV, Lil’ Wayne takes a new to hear this transformation for Lil’ Wayne feeling more street Another artist first single. Expect spin in the music industry. myself. It was all too serious. than I could ever hope to featured on the to hear it constantly Rebirth is not just another The voice stays the same, with be without the presence of album is Kevin as soon as the name of an album, but a literal the synthesizer intact. The his music, I am faced with a Rudolf, the radio stations rebirth of the style and even language and the lyrics all D-list rock artist barely worth musician get their hands genre of the rapper-turned- have that Lil’ Wayne feel. So blasting at all. b e h i n d on an edited rock star’s signature musical what changed? The strangest thing of all is “Let it version of the sound. the featured artists on the CD. Rock,” song. w h o When you m a y are as close help Lil’ to the top as Wa y n e ’s Lil’ Wayne transition is, you can between take a risk the world a n d t r y of rap and rock. Rudolf new things. We should just himself seems to have a style hope, for the future of Lil’ that fits into both genres. Wayne, that Tha Carter IV Songs like “Get a Life” and heads back to where he came “The Price Is Wrong” show the from, instead of following the greatest change, and change road he is currently taking. for the worse at that, in his Rebirth was released on music. February 1, 2010, a change However, staying true to his from its original April release roots, his songs such as “Da Da date. I am sure we can thank Da” and “On Fire” do not fail to the concealed weapon charges Comic by Shay Corless please the fans of his former for that one. Proceed to buy albums. Other promising with caution. Page 10 The Purple Sage February 17, 2010 ENTERTAINMENT Films that lit up the silver screen in ’09 “An Education”—as is the birthday. I will admit outright Joe Meeker against it. Really, the only even though Academy voters Opinion Editor Academy’s wont to do—in that I have yet to see “The animated film that should owe the man for passing addition to “District 9,” “Up” Blind Side,” but a review from be walking home with over “Pulp Fiction,” this Ah, Oscar time, when a and, er, “The Blind Side.” a source close to me likened an Oscar this year is likely is not his year. It young man’s thoughts turn to Expanding the number the experience to “having your “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” but I remains a contender and high caliber film. A beautiful of nominees led to some head banged against a wall for digress. “District 9” is too a good third choice, but time, and one of my favorites, interesting picks. What the an hour and a half straight,” so weird, “The Blind Side” was a win would be a major as I love to discuss who will other five films would be I might hold off. In any case, never a legitimate upset. and should walk away with was anyone’s guess, and the most would agree that “The candidate, and “A “The Hurt that most prized of trophies. Academy used the opportunity Blind Side” is a bit of pandering Serious Man” and L o c k e r ” a n d And boy, what a year for to recognize some films to the audiences that helped “An Education” “Avatar” are discussion. with a bit more mass-market make it so popular. I read an are too little the front- This year, the Academy appeal.