Month: October 2013

Anna Jones

Arts & Life Editor

The University began to get into the spirit of Halloween last weekend with many holiday themed events. One of the largest, Spooktacular, was hosted by Activities and Campus Events (ACE) on Oct.18 in Larison Dining Hall. Over 300 students attended the Halloween-themed event.

The event began with a Zombie Run that ended at Spooktacular. Students who ran in the Zombie Run finished the run, then hopped over to the ACE event to enjoy all it had to offer. Once the event was over, students could participate in the kickoff of the weeklong Zombies vs. Humans game, sponsored by Outdoor Education.

Spooktacular featured Galloway House’s intense haunted house, sponsored by the University’s theater club, Cap and Dagger.

For students who wanted to get in the Halloween spirit in a less scary way, Spooktacular had plenty of food and activities. Guests of the event could make and eat their own candy apples, decorate pumpkins, and even decorate masks. There were also competitions for eating a donut off a string. The movie “Casper the Friendly Ghost” played in the background, acting as a throwback to childhood Halloweens.

Though ACE’s event is over, the University still has plenty of Halloween events to participate in, so don’t miss out on the fun.

ACE’s next event, DIY Bison Pride, is tomorrow from 9 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. in the ELC Hearth Space, so be sure to stop by to decorate cookies, make t-shirts, and even glaze your own University “B.”

Anna Jones

Arts & Life Editor

While most students traveled home or to New York City for fall break, a handful stayed right here in Lewisburg. Forty-five students from all grades participated in the annual Common Ground retreat that lasted for five days at the Cowan Conference Center just minutes away from campus.

Common Ground is a forum for students to discuss and create a dialogue about issues involving race, gender, and sexual orientation. This year’s retreat was led by 12 facilitators and overseen by Director Ana Gabriela Aguilera Silva ’14, and Assistant Directors Alexander Vining ’14 and Anthony Gomez ’16.

Any student is eligible to participate in the activities offered by the retreat.

“Not only has Common Ground been the best activity I have done [in my four years at Bucknell], but it has challenged me as an individual, opened my eyes to the struggles and stories of others,” Kate Albertini ’14 said.

“[The retreat] made me a better person, and single-handedly [gave] me hope for the future,” Albertini said about the deep conversations involving personal issues.

“Everyone should experience Common Ground–no one ever regrets [his or her] decision to do so,” Albertini said.

Anna Jones

Arts & Life Editor

The Organization for Hispanic and Latin American Students (O.HLAS) partnered with the Spanish Department to host their first annual OHLAS Gala on Oct. 19. The party was held in the Terrace Room and had plenty of Latin cuisine, as well as poetry and music.  

People from the entire Lewisburg community were able to enjoy art, music, food, and to discuss Latin American issues throughout the evening. Students from all across campus worked the event, setting up before and socializing with the guests during the event.

“Each table represented a different country and there was no assigned seating so people could mingle with one another as they learned about the countries [at each table] and the culture of [those] countries,” OHLAS member Cheyenne Mendes ’16 said.  

Prior to the event, there was a pre-reception from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Samek Connections Art Gallery. José Galvez, the first male Mexican-American journalist to ever win a Pulitzer Prize, had many of his photos on display in the gallery.

The sold out event lasted about an hour and a half. It was the first time that OHLAS hosted this gala, but they hope to hold the event each year from now on.

“I think the gala was a success as it incorporated people from all over the Bucknell community … It was a brilliant way to address some Latin American issues around the world and even in our communities,” Mendes said. “I have never been so proud to be a Hispanic student as I [was] that night.” 

Andrew Marvin

Writer

There’s a time for intellectual stimulation and there’s a time for purely entertaining trash. “Escape Plan” is trash. It’s difficult to dismiss it outright since it functions as easy, unchallenging fun. Previews made it look like the second coming of the action-junkie Christ: where else can Rambo and Dutch work together to escape a modern-day Alcatraz? Unfortunately, all of the punch-throwing, one-liner-spewing, helicopter-jumping charisma in the world can’t fix a film made from a thin concept and with half-baked execution. This movie might revolve around the personality of its stars, but those stars are so consistently entertaining that their personality is a given, while their material is so weak that even they can’t carry it.

What makes a no-frills action movie like “Predator” or “Cliffhanger” different from a no-frills action movie like “Escape Plan?” They all work from high-concept premises, finding a situation-of-the-year for the protagonists to fight their way out of, and are so far removed from any sort of realism that at any moment you’d expect the cannon fodder to start bleeding green. Despite these similarities, “Escape Plan” doesn’t compare to the excellent films that Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone churned out at the heights of their careers. Those two are not to blame. Both are great fun to watch, still exuding the macho magnetism that established their careers.

The problem here is one of style: slick, modern, and boring. This film has been sold as action-driven exploitation, but comes across more as a slow, cautious, average blockbuster. There’s not much style behind the substance, and shaky cameras, de-saturated color pallets, and quick cuts don’t count for style. These are modern techniques for modern sensibilities, not the cheesiness that “Escape Plan” should have reveled in. It feels unfamiliar–flat, cold, and lifeless. It also seems a bit cynical, forgoing the cheerful bloodshed of films like “Conan the Barbarian” in favor of a grim-faced solemnity that feels wildly out-of-place in a movie about muscular guys killing less muscular guys. “The Expendables” has similar problems with style, but at least it can crack a smile while pumping baddies full of lead.

Still, all of the films that these two stars have made over the last few years have suffered from one overbearing flaw: they are all supposed to be comeback films for stars who don’t need them. Audiences still love these actors, so why should every film have to be the one that rejuvenates their still-lucrative careers? Why not just accept that they can carry films that are based off of good material? Instead of trying to imitate or modernize the films that made Schwarzenegger and Stallone famous, anyone who has the good fortune of getting to direct a movie starring these people should go about it with the same degree of sincerity that older directors did. They should aim to make a good movie that just happens to have these names on its posters instead of an otherwise weak star vehicle.

“Escape Plan” doesn’t try to be good in its own right. It tries to ape the good movies that its leads used to regularly star in. The intention of bringing older-style action back to the big screen is admirable, but flawed. Action isn’t dead, but our culture has forgotten what quality trash is. We have to forget our standards for modern action and remember what made those older films so good: they were made with heart, not from a formula. They weren’t necessarily ambitious, but they weren’t afraid to try new things and break their own rules. Even when they weren’t innovative, they were at least made with a certain level of quality. Sure, Schwarzenegger and Stallone are great, but having those two on board doesn’t mean anything if they don’t have a good crew behind them. We would be better off looking to revive the careers of directors like John Carpenter or John McTiernan than of capable action stars.

University prepares to welcome home alumni

Jen Lassen

The University’s annual Homecoming celebration kicks off today, with events lasting until Sunday, Oct. 27.

Students, alumni, and families can start Homecoming weekend on a good note by watching songwriter Christopher Williams ’92 in Bucknell Hall tonight at 8. Williams comes from Nashville and is also known as a talented storyteller and entertainer. All are welcome to enjoy his free concert.

Prior to Williams’ concert, the women’s volleyball team takes on Army in Davis Gym at 7 p.m. The Bison Club will induct five athletes (Molly Creamer ’03, basketball; Gene Depew ’71, football and head baseball coach; Ian Joseph ’01, baseball; Becki Marshall ’02, cross country/track & field; and Jennifer Zimmerman ’00, field hockey) into the Hall of Fame during a commemorative dinner celebration in the Terrace Room at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person.

Also this evening, the Class of 2013 will celebrate their Zero Year Reunion at the Lewisburg Hotel with hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Tickets are $25 at the door.

Saturday’s events will start with a tour of Academic West at 9:15 a.m., guided by Associate Provost Robert Midkiff, and Campus Tours at 10 a.m., led by tour guides (meet outside of Freas Hall).

The day continues with an alumni book signing with Eric Hart ’01 for his book “The Prop Building Guidebook: For Theatre, Film and TV” at 10 a.m.; then, author Jack Wheatcroft will host a signing for his book “The Disappearance of Felix Kulp” at 11 a.m. Both signings are at Barnes & Noble. Everyone is invited to take a walk on the Poetry Path at 10 a.m. to experience Downtown Lewisburg through poetry readings and recordings. Meet inside the auditorium at Bucknell Hall.

Following tradition, the football team will play their annual Homecoming Football Game at 1 p.m. in Christy Mathewson-Memorial Stadium vs. Lehigh. Before the game, visit the tent next to the stadium for the Homecoming Tailgate and Little Bison Kid’s Zone for food, games, and other activities. Tickets for adults are $15 each; youth (age 3-18) are $10 each.

Other athletic events for the weekend include women’s soccer vs. Holy Cross at noon at the Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium; men’s and women’s swimming vs. Pittsburgh at 1 p.m. in the Kinney Natatorium; men’s soccer vs. Colgate at 4 p.m at the Emmitt Field at Holmes Stadium; and women’s volleyball vs. Holy Cross at 5 p.m. in Davis Gym.

Students, alumni, and families can also check out many other events on Saturday. These include GALABI & Fran’s House Meet and Greet at 2 p.m. at Summit House; Costume Studio Grand Opening and Reception at 4 p.m. in Coleman 252; International Commons Grand Opening and Reception at 4 p.m. in Coleman 151; Residential College Alumni Event (free refreshments and hors d’oeuvres) at 4 p.m. in the Smith Quad; Engineering Student Research Symposium and Reception at 4 p.m. on the Second  Floor of the Elaine Langone Center; Black Alumni Association Reception at 4:30 p.m. in Seventh Street House; and “The Unfinished Journey–Then and Now: 10 Years of the Civil Rights Trip” reception and forum at 5 p.m.in the Freas Hall Lounge.

Saturday of Homecoming concludes with a concert featuring longtime friends Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell to celebrate their new album “Old Yellow Moon.” The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center.

On Sunday, The Gulden 5K Run/Walk and Brunch is at 10 a.m. (9 a.m. registration). The race loops around the Mod Fields and returns to the KLARC for the finish. The Run/Walk includes a catered brunch for all participants and spectators. At 11 a.m., the Rooke Chapel Ringers will celebrate their 30th Reunion with a Performance in Rooke Chapel.

With a variety of activities and events, this year’s Homecoming Celebration boasts a well-rounded itinerary with something for everyone. Take part in celebrating our University and the people who make–and have made–it such a special place.