Author: Laura Crowley

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Arts & Life Books Review

‘Weird Sisters’ bogged down by allusions

By Carolyn Williams

Staff Writer

Eleanor Brown’s debut novel, “The Weird Sisters,” attempts to bring the language of and love for Shakespeare to a more mainstream audience. The title is an allusion to the witches of “Macbeth,” and the connections do not end there.

The story revolves around the lives of the three grown Andreas sisters. Their father, a professor specializing in Shakespeare at a small liberal arts college in Ohio, has named them each after one of the Bard’s heroines, and each suffers under the weight of her namesake’s legacy. The eldest, Rosalind (“As You Like It”), feels enormous pressure to find her Orlando. Although she is happily engaged to a fellow professor, she balks at the idea of change, hating the notion of feeling unneeded after a lifetime of being responsible. She leaps at the opportunity afforded by their mother’s newfound breast cancer to move back in and care for her. She must eventually face her fear of moving outside of her own comfort zone or lose her fiancé.

The second sister, Bianca (“The Taming of the Shrew”), called Bean by her family, has no trouble finding a date but realizes that her glittering New York City life is empty when she is abruptly fired from her job on grounds of financial fraud. A failure, she slinks back home, making the excuse of helping the family when she is in actuality licking her wounds and attempting to extricate herself from the crushing dual burden of her debt and her guilt.

The youngest of the three is predictably named after King Lear’s favorite daughter Cordelia and is called Cordy. She is a lovable college dropout, nearing 30 but still following bands and living a carefree nomadic lifestyle until she realizes she has accidentally become pregnant. Never having dealt with any real repercussions for her irresponsibility, she too returns home under the guise of helping her mother cope, while really seeking solace and guidance for herself.

Throughout Brown’s novel, the family members quote Shakespeare back and forth to each other, alluding to the works in a way which, though certainly clever, eventually becomes tiresome. Though Brown clearly has a firm grasp of the Bard’s vernacular, the overall effect feels somewhat forced. The book’s plot, simple enough that it should work well, is tired and, at times, unbelievably cliché. As Bean chases a married man, Rose obsesses over the idea that her family may not need her as much as she needs them, and Cordy falls conveniently in love with a local businessman she knows from her college days who is fine with dating a pregnant woman.

“The Weird Sisters” is by no means a bad book, but at times it suffers from its constant internal comparisons to Shakespeare’s works. Still, Brown delivers a diverting read and, as expected, all’s well that end’s well by the novel’s finish.

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Arts & Life Columns Cooking Corner

Cooking Corner : Pooh Bear French Toast

By Emily Fry

Staff Writer

Pooh Bear French Toast

This is a great twist on classic French toast. The peanut butter melts while cooking and complements the honey nicely. Try sprinkling a little bit of powdered sugar on top for a decadent breakfast treat. Happy baking!

Ingredients:

Bread slices

Honey

Peanut Butter

1 egg

Splash of milk

Dash of cinnamon

 

Directions:

1. Spread peanut butter and honey on a slice of bread and top with the other slice.

2. Mix together the egg, a splash of milk and a dash of cinnamon.

3. Dip the sandwich in the egg mixture, being sure to coat both sides.

4. Cook in a skillet over medium heat, flipping once.

 

Source: Helen Kennelly

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Arts & Life Review Television

‘The Biggest Loser’ plays weight-loss game

By Laura Crowley

Arts & Life Editor

“The Biggest Loser” has gained immense popularity nationwide while raising awareness about the poor health of our nation. Now in its 11th season, trainers Bob Harper, Jillian Michaels, Brett Hoebel and Cara Castronuova are helping 24 more obese Americans shed hundreds of pounds with the hopes of inspiring the greater overweight American population.

Producers have designed the show such that these obese contestants compete for the $250,000 grand prize. As the show’s format fosters drama-laden episodes, it has raised controversy among health experts who question the intentions of the producers. One such expert, Dr. Charles Burant, finds the show “exploitative” as producers “are taking poor people who have severe weight problems” and shifting their focus towards “trying to win the quarter-million dollars.”

With the show’s competitive format comes painstaking game playing between contestants as they attempt to lose or gain weight to some competitive end. In episode 12 of this season, Kaylee “threw the weigh-in” by losing no weight because she felt it was her time to sacrifice her place on the show to protect heavier players, such as her father, who may have a better shot at winning the whole competition.

Such competitive strategy undoubtedly stokes drama between players and trainers. In week 12, Hoebel excited audiences by openly losing his temper as he reminded contestants that “game play” is not constructive toward achieving weight loss and long-term health.

While such actions make for exciting episodes, they paint over the heart and good intentions that try to shine through each episode. When Arthur was sent home at a life-threatening 390 pounds due to greedy game-playing in week nine, hopes of such “heart” were completely lost and a sense of injustice was left. Host Allison Sweeny expressed this injustice with her first tear shed in “Biggest Loser” history.

This sense of unfairness was expressed in the first contestant to be sent home. In week one, Ana was sent home when her nine-pound weight loss could not hold its ground next to the steep weight losses of her competitors. On the Today Show, Ana expressed that she felt her elimination was unfair as she left before she had any knowledge of diet and exercise. As a result of her elimination, she says has had very limited success at home.

Perhaps more frustrating than competitive game play is the advertisements that are forcibly interwoven into dialogue throughout the show. Any fan of the show knows well that Subway, Brita, Ziploc, Extra Gum and Gortons are all sponsors of the show from the several staged scenes that promote these brands. “Biggest Loser” fan Reilly Price ’13 says she knows advertisements are coming on “when the scene becomes brighter and cheesy music comes on.”

The promotion of health and well-being on “The Biggest Loser” is refreshing and relevant. In 2009, 63% of Americans were overweight or obese, and related health costs soared into the billions. In past seasons, Michaels and Harper have made this very clear with their catch phrase “Well America, you did it. You hit rock bottom.” It is my hope that this message is blunt enough to pierce through the show’s twisted design.

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Arts & Life Review Television

Jonas disappoints in PBS ‘Les Mis’

By Tracy Lum

Senior Editor

Twenty-five years ago, “Les Misérables” premiered in London, paving the way for a new kind of musical. It was a musical that replaced the slaphappy grins, noxiously sweet melodies and mindless dancing common to many performances with revolutionary furor, an intricate plot and all the passion and drama found in the original novel by Victor Hugo. Its legacy was nearly destroyed by the whiny voice of Nick Jonas in the play’s anniversary concert currently airing on PBS.

Jonas, of the pop group the Jonas Brothers, entertained the thousands crowded into the O2 arena in London as Marius, one of the student revolutionaries. Jonas strained to hit the same notes that the experienced actors so easily belted. While he certainly looked the part of naïve, love-struck Marius, the tone and quality of his voice failed to properly mesh and harmonize with that of his love interest, Cosette (Katie Hall). While Hall’s chilling voice filled the entire arena, Jonas’s unconvincingly whimpered his undying love. Their relationship consequently faded into the background of the multifaceted plot.

The plot of “Les Misérables” centers on Jean Valjean, who was imprisoned for stealing a loaf of bread in the period leading up to the French Revolution. He violates parole but vows to turn his life around. After assuming another identity, he becomes mayor of Montreuil-sur-Mer, and later adopts Cosette from an innkeeper and his wife to save her from a life of poverty and servitude. A myriad of colorful, secondary characters embellish the bleak French background with their own personal conflicts while Valjean struggles with his secret.

Fortunately, the remaining cast members more than compensated for Jonas’s lackluster performance. Alfie Boe soulfully sang the part of Jean Valjean. While his voice lacked clarity, his face conveyed the necessary emotions for “Who Am I?” and “Bring Him Home.” Lea Salonga, who played Eponine in the 10th anniversary concert, returned as Fantine, Cosette’s mother. During “I Dreamed a Dream,” tears welled up in Salonga’s eyes as her character bemoaned the death of hope and promise in her life. Norm Lewis stole the show as Javert, the policeman who pursues Valjean relentlessly. With his precise diction, bounding vocals and rigid stance, Lewis flawlessly portrayed the stern and righteous Javert.

The anniversary concert lacked the turntable stage and set typical of “Les Misérables” performances, but the music was no less stirring. The characters appeared on stage in costume but sang to the audience rather than to each other. Behind them was a full chorus of backup singers who bobbed along to classics like “Do You Hear the People Sing?” and “Master of the House.”

In reimagining the play for the concert, directors Laurence Connor and James Powell also incorporated Hugo’s original illustrations into the background images. Three enormous screens displayed close-ups of the characters on stage and scenes from prior stage productions of the musical. Red, white and blue lights also shone on the stage, recreating the French flag, while confetti showered the audience during the epic finale. As an added bonus, members of the original 1985 cast joined their counterparts in reprising fan favorites.

Despite the glitzy features of the concert, however, what has carried “Les Misérables” throughout the years is its powerful music and its timeless themes of love and revolution. Even without the full action, props and set, the concert was just as gripping as any full production. Compelling, complete and emotionally charged, “Les Misérables” in all forms will undoubtedly continue to resonate with audiences worldwide.

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Arts & Life

Student club promotes food sustainability

By Laura Crowley

Arts & Life Editor

Although it has just five members, the University’s Dining Sustainability Ambassadors Club has made its presence visible in the five years of its existence. The group was founded in 2006 when Bostwick Marketplace’s general manager John Cummins got the idea from Cornell University to “make the caf as local, organic and sustainable as possible,” member Reilly Price ’13 said.

The efforts of the group can be seen in the cafeteria today. For instance, only organic eggs are now offered in the cafeteria, 37 percent of the food is bought locally, and there is a program with reusable to-go containers.  The cafeteria is also planning to go “trayless” to prevent unnecessary consumption of food. In the future, “we want to make all of our plasticware biodegradable and increase the amount of food bought locally,” Price said.

Members Melissa Koenigsberg ’13, Blair Allen ’11, Olivia Tomeo ’13, Price and Alex Hom ’13 act as ambassadors between students and Parkhurst Dining Services to facilitate communication between the two bodies in order to create new initiatives.

According to Price, the student members are also trying to “raise awareness about food sustainability and its importance.” Such efforts can also be seen in posters scattered around the cafeteria that detail the initiatives and goals of the group. According to Angelika Iordanou ’13, these posters are “informative and easily readable.”

The club also hosts a local food dinner once every semester that offers local ice cream, bagels, pasta and fresh fruits and vegetables. Such events “attract sizeable crowds and help encourage students to buy local products,” Price said.

To help raise further awareness about food sustainability, there is “an upcoming showing of ‘Food, Inc.’ to raise awareness about the environmental impact of food production,” Price said.

Price joined the group when she became interested in trying to decentralize food production from an introductory sociology class. She hopes that this group will raise awareness about food production “so that there will ultimately be less industrial agriculture across the country.”

The Dining Sustainability Ambassadors Club meets once a week and is open to new members who are similarly interested in the importance of food sustainability.

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Arts & Life Movies Review

New ‘Jane Eyre’ film an impressive adaptation

By Carolyn Williams

Staff Writer

First published in 1847 under the pen name Currer Bell, Charlotte Brontë’s “Jane Eyre” has since become one of the best-loved and most widely read books in English literature. Eighteen film and nine television adaptations later comes the latest film version, Cary Fukunaga’s vision of the classic Gothic romance.

Much of the book’s beginning is conveyed in less detail than prior adaptations. Fukunaga breaks tradition by starting the film as Jane (Mia Wasikowska,“The Kids Are Alright”) wanders the moors on the verge of death. Much of the story is told by flashbacks during Jane’s stay in Moor House with St. John Rivers (Jamie Bell, “Billy Elliot”) and his sisters Mary and Diana. As Jane conceals her identity with the alibi of Jane Elliot, she is haunted by images of the life she has left behind, and she tells her prior story in unexpected fits and starts.

An orphan, Jane was raised by her spiteful Aunt Reed, who shares her children’s distaste for the fiery and passionate Jane, defying her husband’s dying wish by sending Jane off to Lowood School. There, slandered as a liar, Jane suffers further, emerging 10 years later as a young governess to take her place at Thornfield Hall.

At Thornfield, Jane is the governess of the endearing Adele Varens, ward to the absent master of the estate, Mr. Rochester (Michael Fassbender, “Inglorious Basterds”). Genuinely happy for the first time in her life, Jane befriends the elderly housekeeper Mrs. Fairfax (Judi Dench) and is, for a time, at peace.

Mr. Rochester’s arrival changes everything, as Jane finds a true kindred spirit and falls in love, despite the disparity in situation and age between them. Though she despairs over the problem posed by her far more suitable rival, Blanche Ingram, she believes herself truly happy when Rochester declares himself, and they prepare for their unusual union. However, as Jane fans everywhere know, things certainly do not go according to plan.

This adaptation of “Jane Eyre” varies from its predecessors in several vital ways. It takes a more visceral perspective on the novel and is probably more accurate because of it. Cutting through the typical folderol of a period romance, starkness abounds, which better suits Brontë’s characters. Wasikowska wears ugly dresses and, thankfully, is made as unglamorous as possible, in keeping with the Jane of Brontë’s vision. As usual for actors in the role of Rochester, Fassbender is a little too handsome to pass muster, but his performance is a strong one.

“I was blinded by the performance of Michael Fassbender as the morose but charismatic Mr. Rochester,” Ava Giuliano ’14 said.

Fukunaga’s “Jane Eyre” is also notable for its well-placed use of the book’s more frightening aspects as he plays upon the tangible sense of eerie uncertainty at Thornfield which permeates the work. But most importantly, Wasikowska shines in the title role. Like Fassbender’s Rochester, her Jane is less dramatic than some, drawing upon Jane’s firm strength of character and religious conviction to create an albeit subdued, but overall more believable interpretation of the story’s heroine. “Jane Eyre” truly captures the spirit of the beloved novel and is quite possibly one of the best adaptations yet.

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Arts & Life Columns Cooking Corner

Cooking Corner: Chex Muddy Buddies

By Emily Fry

Staff Writer

Chex Muddy Buddies

Since it’s House Party Weekend, you’re probably going to want something to snack on throughout the weekend. Most of you probably remember the chocolatey, sweet goodness that is “muddy buddies” from when you were younger, and it’s so easy to make. You can make it quickly Friday in the afternoon and enjoy your snack all weekend long, or however long it lasts. Happy baking!

 

Ingredients:

9 cups rice Chex or corn Chex (or a combination)

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

 

Directions:

1. Measure cereal into large bowl; set aside.

2. In a one-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter, uncovered, on high for one minute; stir. Microwave the mixture about 30 seconds longer or until the mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in the vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.

3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in an airtight container in your refrigerator.

 

Source: chex.com

 

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Arts & Life

Interview with MTV’s ‘The Buried Life’

By Laura Crowley

Arts & Life Editor

The cast of “The Buried Life” visited the University on March 10 to present a more in-depth explanation of their MTV show. The cast, which consists of four men in their 20s (Jonnie Penn, Duncan Penn, Dave Lingwood and Ben Nemtin), has embarked on a mission to complete 100 things on their “bucket list.” The items range from streaking in a stadium to running a successful business.

In an interview with Jonnie and Dave, the two said that they got the idea to complete their bucket list when they were in college and “all had this frustration with what we were doing.” Dave explained that they were all “going through the same thing at the same time,” as they were largely unsatisfied and restless while attaining their undergraduate degrees.

With this restlessness, the four decided to cross items off their list over summer vacation while filming it as a documentary. Segments were uploaded onto YouTube, and offers to make a television show ensued from various networks. Jonnie said the group turned down tempting offers because they felt they did not match their vision and only later accepted MTV’s offer because the network allowed them to act largely as their own producers.

While the group is enjoying their contract with MTV, one grievance Jonnie noted with the network was the labels that they recently gave to each group member. MTV labeled Ben “the agent,” Dave “the optimist,” Duncan “the pragmatist” and Jonnie “the think tank.” While he says they are somewhat accurate, Jonnie resents the labels because “we don’t want people to think MTV casted us.”

The originality of the group is clear when they help a stranger accomplish something on his or her bucket list in each episode. In this part, one group member will ask an unsuspecting person, “What do you want to do before you die?”  In recent episodes, the group has promoted awareness of depression, helped a band get signed by a record label, and united a father with his long-lost son. Each experience, Dave noted, “triggers a different emotion in each of us.”

One emotion that may be the common denominator in the outlandish goals they try to achieve is nervousness. In episode four, “#74: Help Deliver a Baby,” Dave said he was “terrified.” Jonnie said he was similarly terrified before “#50: Streak a Stadium and Get Away With It” and that Duncan was nervous before asking Taylor Swift out in “#59: Ask Out The Girl of Your Dreams.”

The group has acquired visible fame while accomplishing these extravagant goals. They are now sponsored by Pizza Hut, were nominated for VH1’s “Do Something Award” in the TV show category and recently shot a commercial with Orbit gum. The “Orbit lady,” Jonnie noted, is “like a Barbie” and is not actually British, but from Vegas.

In future episodes, the group hopes to run a marathon, party with a rock star and travel to space. The latter, Jonnie emphasized is “a huge, huge task for us.” In 10 years, Dave and Jonnie said they hope to still be entertaining their friends one way or another. Perhaps most important to future episodes in season three, according to Dave, is “to keep on talking to people” and “hearing peoples dreams and list items.”

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Arts & Life Movies Review

‘The Adjustment Bureau’ suffers from unoriginality

By Michelle Joline

Contributing Writer

“The Adjustment Bureau” suffers from a “been there/seen that” plotline and many lackluster acting performances, making it fail to meet the promise of director George Nolfi’s successful prior films, “The Bourne Ultimatum” (2007) and “Ocean’s Twelve” (2004).

“The Adjustment Bureau” stars Matt Damon as David Norris, an underdog politician, and Emily Blunt as Elise Sellas, a New York ballerina. The plot follows Damon and Blunt through a romantic tale based in a world where occurrences are decided by fate and an organization known as The Adjustment Bureau works to ensure that each person’s fate comes to pass. This unoriginal premise seems much like the American classic “1984.” Both the classic novel and this film center around the idea that we are constantly being watched with our thoughts monitored and our destinies predetermined by a “Big Brother” figure.

Although the premise is much like that of “1984,” the storyline is unfortunately not as compelling. After David discovers the reality of The Adjustment Bureau, he realizes that only it stands in the way of his being with his true love, Elise. The story takes us through David’s battle to protect the secret of The Adjustment Bureau without losing the thing that makes him most happy–Elise. Despite its interesting previews, the film only captivates for about four minutes. By the end of the 105-minute movie, nothing breaks off course from the expected, making the movie a poor combination of “Inception,” with its not-so-successful suspense, and “You’ve Got Mail,” imitating the formula romance.

Damon’s purposeful sprints across the screen did not pull me in like his prior “Bourne” roles, missing the mark for making this an ever-popular intense action flick. Damon just managed to pull off his role as David Norris, a native to the streets of Brooklyn who captured the public eye as the youngest member of the Senate, most likely because we have seen him portray very similar characters in the past. The fault should not be pointed at Damon for the film not meeting expectations, because we know he can successfully capture this sort of character; perhaps the blame should be pointed to the less-than-original plotline written by Nolfi.

The saving grace to the film is Blunt’s performance. Blunt captivates everyone in the audience when she is on screen with her honest portrayal, forcing Damon to raise the bar from scene to scene. It is unfortunate that Blunt and Damon were not given a better story to play with and explore character developments together since they do actually play a convincing couple. Maybe if we are lucky we will get the chance to see the two attempt another pairing role in the future.

With a story that has already been drilled into everyone’s heads over the past decades, “The Adjustment Bureau” disappoints despite its many promising previews and its celebrated cast. Your money is not well spent on this film; hopefully Damon and Blunt will bring more to be desired in their next big screen roles.

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Arts & Life Columns Cooking Corner

Cooking Corner : The Freez

By Emily Fry

Staff Writer

The Freez

As many of you may already know, the Freez re-opened on Thursday. I figured that rather than share another recipe, this week I would honor the Freez. As loyal fans of the Freez already know, there is already a plethora of mix-ins listed as options for your “freez,” but did you know you can ask for any kind of ice cream flavor you want? The possibilities are endless. To pay tribute to the Freez, I thought I would share some of the best my friends and I have tried. You’re welcome.

-Strawberry ice cream and chocolate covered pretzels.

-Coffee ice cream with brownie pieces.

-Caramel ice cream with chocolate covered pretzels.

-Cheesecake ice cream and strawberries.

-Peanut butter ice cream and brownie pieces.

-Be creative; the possibilities are endless.