Staff Writer

Students hear them at the pep rallies, in the stands and on the field, but once fall is over, they cease to hear from them until the next year rolls around.

However, these percussionists do not just rest after the fall; they are in the band hall almost every day after school preparing for their upcoming concert, Purely Rhythmic.

Coppell High School percussionists are working for more than six hours per week to prepare for this annual concert, working to make it even better than before.

These students have been playing percussion for more than four years and have developed advanced musical skills. Almost every day before and after school, the percussionists work to enhance their skills in order to make this show their best yet.

“I like to feel as if the percussion is the heartbeat of the band,” sophomore Mikki Hoffman said. “I like to feel the rhythms and beat rather than the melody.”

Some of the pieces to be featured at this concert include ‘Head Tock,’ a piece in which the percussionists will only be playing on the heads of the drums with no shell, making it one of the percussion section’s favorite.

The ensemble concert will be split up into two nights. The first night will feature all of Coppell middle school percussionists, and the second will feature the CHS percussionists, who will be performing more advanced pieces.“People can expect to see a lot of hard marimba pieces, which is very technical, and some fun pieces that will keep the audience entertained,” sophomore Ali Martinez said. “I will also be performing a solo called ‘El Tour de Ritmo.’”

For some, this percussion ensemble concert will sadly be their last, making this concert the most memorable one of them all.

“I am going to miss playing with really talented people who always try their best.” Drum captain senior Jamie Reed said. “I will always remember this group when I am playing drums at San Diego State next year.”

Many of the instruments that will be featured include marimba, multi-percussion instruments, drum-set, bells, and many more. With the correct synchronization and technicality of each piece, this particular concert will be challenging, yet fun for all of the musicians.

“[At the concert] there will be serious music, light hearted music and silly music,” percussion instructor Alan Miller said. “[The concert] will have a little bit of everything. Compared to the previous years, there will be more pieces, harder music than we have done before, and more variety.”

Coppell percussionists are working diligently to make this concert their best yet. With unique pieces and talented musicians, the Purely Rhythmic concert is sure to be amazing. The concert is March 3 at 7 p.m.

When asked how she feels about her artwork being showcased, senior Michelle Yi is shy and humble. A modest smile comes across her face as she says “I just had a good feeling” about the piece.

AP Art students selected for the 2012 Young Masters exhibition include: (From left to right) Front row: Ian Maley, Michelle Yi, Austin Huens Back row: Christina Wagner, Andy Scott, Jahnavi Udaikumar. The final four finalists for Young Masters are Austin Huens, Iam Maley, Christina Wagner, and Michelle Yi. Their artwork will be on display at the Dallas Museum of Art on February 5 through April 8, 2012.

Yi is one of fours students at CHS who have received recognition through The Young Masters Art Exhibition. Seniors Christina Wagner and Michelle Yi, and juniors Austin Huens and Ian Maley, will have their art displayed at the Dallas Museum of Art from Feb. 5 through April 8.

The Young Masters Art Exhibition has been an annual competition since 1995. It is sponsored by the Dallas Museum of Art and the O’Donnell Foundation.

To enter the Young Masters competition, a student must be enrolled in an AP art class, and submit an original piece of art or an art history essay. Then, a panel of judges will select 60 applicants to be finalists.

After these pieces of art are accepted, the judges will review the art to make sure every piece is original.

Wagner, Yi and Huens have entered young masters before. Huens even had one piece in the show last year, and though he was not sure he would get in again, but he still hoped for the best.

“I thought it was a very slim chance that I would get in the show again, but I’m pretty amazed that it happened,” Huens said. “Watercolor – the medium of my piece – is my favorite medium.”

Several artists inspired the students to create art that would eventually be accepted into a prestigious show.

“I was pretty inspired by surrealism, line work, and the master of both of those would be M.C. Esher,” Wagner said.

The students are often encouraged in their art class to find an artist to motivate them.

“There is an artist named Ryan Hall, and I really like his art and wanted to do something similar,” Maley said.  “I really like Adobe Illustrator and it is just a medium that I think I have gotten really good at.”

But artists are not the only ones who inspire students.

“[My work] is about my brother getting attacked by a junebug. I hate junebugs; they scare me,” Yi said.

Students are also inspired by the big prize in the contest – having their work displayed in the Dallas Museum of Art.

“I would say this is a huge motivation for all AP students to step up their game and try to get their work in the museum,” AP art teacher Tamera Westervelt said. “Just by the nature of your artwork being in the museum, I think it makes them work harder.”

The students at Coppell get the opportunity to enter the contest because of a grant Coppell is involved in.

“We get the opportunity because we are a part (of the AP strategies) grant. It involves the top ten schools in the Metroplex, so we are competing against the best of the best,” Westervelt said.

Westervelt, who has worked at CHS for 19 years, has had her students participate for the past seven years.

“The most we have ever had in the show in this school was five, and we were hoping for six,” Westervelt said.

It was a hard choice for some of the students to pick which pieces to submit.

“I chose two pieces I made last year,” Huens said. “I chose one that was really strong conceptually and the other was stronger technically. So I submitted both of those to compare and contrast.”

Wagner agreed.

“In the words of a famous artist, he got the best of both worlds,” Wagner said.

However, all of this success does not come easy to these students.

“I am really honored,” Maley said.  “I think that there are people that have worked harder than me.“

It looks as though the hard work has paid off for Westervelt’s AP students.

“I am very proud of my students,” Westervelt said. “To get your work even on the selection table to me if you see this work you should be proud that yours is even amongst those. I am so excited that they get this opportunity. For any artist let alone a high school artist.”

Entertainment Editor

Chinese New Year has marked 2012 as the Year of the Dragon, and it may be just that, in more ways than one. With a striking five Academy Award nominations for its American movie adaptation, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo craze seems to have reached new heights.

Author Stieg Larsson’s The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was first published in his native Sweden in 2005. Since then, the book has risen in popularity, with translated copies popping up all over the world, including the United States in 2008.

During the past four years, the book has grabbed the attention of American readers in a way that is rarely seen nowadays with novels. I found myself seeing the book in someone’s hands on a regular basis, which in and of itself draws intrigue.

Following the book’s publication, two sequels have been released, as well as a Swedish movie adaptation of the trilogy, and most recently, an American version of the film starring The Social Network’s Rooney Mara and Quantum of Solace’s Daniel Craig. Sadly, Larsson has not been able to witness the success of his novels due to his passing in 2004.

After witnessing for years the appeal the story seemed to carry with it, I decided I wanted to experience the new pop culture sensation myself. I had asked many people if they had enjoyed the novel, and was met with a similar answer, along the lines of “Oh yes, I love. But I am not sure if you would like it…”

This vague statement had an enticing effect, for it only made me want to read the story more (as hearing the word “no” often does). What could be so scandalous about this novel that would make those who love it so much not want to recommend it?

So I set off into the land of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. And it was then that I understood exactly where readers were coming from.

The novel is set in modern day Sweden, and intertwines an unsolved disappearance, a case of corruption, and the dark and unfortunate life of the main character, Lizbeth Salander. Crime, mysteryand drama are woven throughout the book in a way that left me, and seemingly many others, addicted to the tale.

Upon reading the book, it was also clear why some seemed hesitant in their recommendation: Lizbeth Salander is no Nancy Drew. As a tattooed, damaged, bisexual computer hacker, Salander certainly is an escape from the typical heroines we see in books and movies today.

While the book can be somewhat macabre, I would not say that its only appeal is its shock value. It is well written and the story line was so engrossing it sometimes pained me to put it down. For those who are considering reading the book, I will not be as discouraging in my recommendation. Read it, but be prepared for passages that will leave you disturbed. Larsson does not attempt to sugar coat the reckless and scarred life Salander lives.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’s transition onto the big screen came as no surprise given the book’s high acclaim. With both a Swedish and American film adaptation released, as well as the book’s continuous residence on the New York Times’ Best Sellers list, it is hard to decide where to start for those who want to become part of the phenomenon.

Having finished the book last summer, I impatiently awaited the release of the American film. I could have easily rented the Swedish version, or its two sequels, but I decided I wanted my first time watching it to be sans subtitles.

Rooney Mara on the red carpet at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards show at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on Sunday, January 15, 2012. (Kirk McKoy/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

When the movie hit theaters in December, I hurried to a showing the first chance I got. I am happy to say that I was not disappointed. On the whole, the tone and plotline of the story were intact, the actors chosen matched my vision of the characters, and it was just as engaging. It was also just as graphic. The film stayed true to the risqué subject matter of the book by including explicit torture and love scenes. Watchers be warned; this is probably not the film to see with your grandmother or young siblings.

Not to say that the Swedish version was any less shocking. After watching the American produced film, I took the plunge and rented Sweden’s movie adaptation. While this film maintained the overall plot, as well as many controversial scenes, it ended up being somewhat of a disappointment. Key scenes were ignored, and the overall tone of the film was more dreary than dark and suspenseful.

For those who find reading subtitles frustrating, the foreign language aspect of this film may also detract from the viewers overall experience.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo led me on a journey, for it allowed me to witness how a tale can be conveyed in various art forms and cultures. An opportunity to experience a story through literary and cinematic media (both foreign and domestic), is rare, and if you are up for it, I highly suggest investing your time in all three. You will come away with both questions, laughs, and the desire to know what comes next.

However, if you’re looking for a straight answer on where to start in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo craze, this is what I suggest in order of their greatness.

1. The novel, “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson
2. The American film adaptation The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo directed by David Fincher
3. The Swedish film adaptation The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo directed by Niels Arden Oplev

Author John Green took the time to speak with fans in the reception hall before beginning his presentation on censorship.

Young people sporting assorted articles of clothing featuring the words “Don’t Forget to Be Awesome” in some fashion formed a dense mass in the entrance hall to the Dallas Public Library on Jan. 22, waiting to meet New York Times Bestselling author and YouTube sensation John Green.

Green, whose most recently published novel, The Fault in Our Stars, has become the No. 1 New York Times Bestseller after having been on the market for less than a month, began his “Tour de Nerdfighting” on Jan. 10, travelling across the nation to promote the book’s release. Many of the events, such as appearances in New York and California, sold out almost immediately after Green announced the tour dates via Tumblr. In addition to his new release, Green has written popular novels such as Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines and Paper Towns.

“I heard about this event through Twitter,” senior Michelle Bizzell said. “I really wanted to come meet John Green. He is one of my favorite authors.”

Not only did fans of Green’s writing turn up at these events, but his large and loyal YouTube following showed up to get a glimpse of the man behind the camera. John and his brother Hank began a joint YouTube channel in 2007 under the name “Vlogbrothers” in an effort to keep in touch. So, it came as a great surprise when the number of viewers of their videos (now affectionately known as “Nerdfighters”) began to increase exponentially, spawning a pseudo-community John and his brother refer to as “Nerdfighteria.” From this YouTube channel came countless other projects, such as DFTBA (Don’t Forget to be Awesome) Records, charity events and online reading experiences.

“I discovered John Green through his YouTube channel,” senior Emma Hair said. “After watching John and his brother Hank talk about their wonderfully nerdy lives, I found out John was a writer. I bought all of his books, but in my heart he will forever be a Nerdfighter first, and an author second.”

However, it was neither his new book nor his YouTube stardom Green chose to speak about during his visit to Dallas. His topic of choice was censorship, which has become quite a pertinent topic as censorship talks take over Congress. However, the type of censorship Green was addressing was a bit more close to home.

After publishing his first book, Looking for Alaska, in 2005, Green was met with high praise for his groundbreaking work of teen fiction; however, it was not long until people began to object. After two teachers at a public school in New York tried to teach the novel in the year after its publication, a long, difficult battle with the school board and concerned parents ensued. Green’s supporters eventually won out over the opposition, but Green has tried to use this experience as a basis to talk about censorship in public schools and libraries.

“In high school English curricula, there are books that I don’t think should be taught,” Green said. “For instance, I do think you should read and talk about The Great Gatsby in English classes. I do not think you should read and talk about Penthouse Magazine. It contains words; it has sentences, but I do not think it is a useful thing. I think it is complicated. There is a line somewhere.”

Green, as he mentioned, was not advocating for a complete lack of discretion on the part of teachers and librarians; he was calling for the community to take a step back and let these professionals do their jobs.

“The vital thing here is that we have already come up with a solution to this problem. We hire teachers and librarians to do this job well,” Green said. “It is important that teachers and librarians be trusted to make these decisions.”

So, using the sense of humor and eloquence for which he is known, Green appealed to the audience on the topic of the sanctity of literature and its place in the American education system.

“It is vital to the health of intellectual discourse in America that we have this astonishing diversity of literature available to us,” Green said. “What is really core to this nation’s ideals is the fact that all people, at any time, should have the same information available to them, should have the same opportunity to learn, should have the same opportunity to discover this astonishingly diverse world of information that we have. You can say that Google does that, but you are dead wrong.”

Staff Writer

Daniel Radcliffe poses at the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2" premiere at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center in New York City, July 11, 2011. (Donna Ward/Abaca Press/MCT)

The Harry Potter film franchise has been a huge part of culture all over the world since the first movie premiered in 2001, and it has continued to play a significant role in entertainment today, even with the conclusion of the series.

But the actors are finally putting the series behind them, moving on and beginning new projects that stray away from what the actors are known for.

Many fans are upset the series is over, but truly devoted fans of the cast are willing to follow them even as they move on to new projects.

“It is saddening, but they are growing up and we are growing up with them,” sophomore Kristen West said.  “And now they are moving on, so we are moving on with them, which is cool.  Also, it is strange seeing someone that you have always seen play one role for all your life, and then boom, they are playing something completely different.”

Many think it is great the stars of the series are doing new things and continuing on with their careers.

“They do not want to only be remembered for Harry Potter,” senior Maxwell Fillingim said. “They don’t want to pull a Luke Skywalker where they are only in that one series and are always Luke Skywalker. They want to move on with their lives.  They will always remember Harry Potter, but people want to move on and do other things.”

Daniel Radcliffe, the face of the legendary Harry Potter, is one of the first to move forward with a part in the Broadway production, “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying”.  The musical centers around J. Pierrepont Finch, who is trying to rise from mail boy to the vice president of his company.  However, Finch’s poor and morally questionable business practices jeopardize his career and relationship.

This was Radcliffe’s second stint on Broadway, following his performance in “Equus” in 2007.

Emma Watson attends the premiere of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1" at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City on November 15, 2010. (Graylock/Abaca Press/MCT)

Radcliffe starred as Finch up until his new project came along, The Woman in Black, which hits theaters Feb. 3.  This thriller follows Radcliffe as a young lawyer named Arthur Kipps who travels to a remote town and discovers a vengeful ghost, the woman in black.

“It is weird to see him as an adult because Emma Watson is still in that high school role [in her upcoming movie The Perks of Being a Wallflower], a 21-year-old playing an 18-year-old,” Fillingim said.  But in The Woman in Black, I think he is supposed to be a widowed man.”

Sophomore Kenzie Hitz also agrees it is strange seeing him in this completely different role, but thinks it is going to be an exciting new change.

“I am looking forward to The Woman Black; it looks to be pretty good,” Hitz said.  “I don’t think this new role will affect my view of him because it is a totally different character and a totally different story.”

While it is definitely not like the Harry Potter series, the movie looks to be truly frightening and promising horror flick.  With that in mind, the film is definitely a new role for Radcliffe and might take some getting used to.

“Whenever I see him running through the previews [of The Woman in Black], I want to say, ‘Pull out your wand Harry!” Fillingim said.

Radcliffe is not the only one straying away from his Harry Potter roots.  Emma Watson, the quirky Hermione Granger, is taking up the role of Sam in the movie adaption of the novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky.  Many fans of Watson and of the novel are excited for the movie, which comes to theaters this summer, including Fillingim, who has read the novel three times.

“I think it could be different [with Watson as Sam], I have not decided if I like it or dislike it yet, but it is certainly not the person I pictured in my mind when I was reading the book,” Fillingim said.

Watson plays the love interest of Charlie, played by Percy Jackson and the Olympiansstar Logan Lerman.  The story follows Charlie, a lonely, confused freshman in high school who is plagued by the recent suicidal death of his best friend.  While struggling to find friends, he meets two seniors, one being Sam [Watson], who take him under their wing and help him figure out his life.

Rupert Grint does interviews as stars from the Harry Potter film franchise make an appearance during a special event at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando on Saturday, November 12, 2011, in Orlando, Florida. Cast and fans gathered to celebrate the DVD release of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows-Part 2." (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/MCT)

“I loved Perks of Being a Wallflower because I could relate myself to it.  I read it during my freshman year, so it was kind of what I expected, although not so extreme,” Fillingim said.  ”I have already seen Rupert Grint in another movie, so it is kind of interesting.  I liked the movie, but with Watson, it is going to be different.”

Grint, who portrays Ron Weasley, finally makes a name for himself with four movies coming out within the next two years, in addition to one that came out this past year, Wild Target.

“I thought [Wild Target] was pretty awesome.  It wasn’t him having this love affair, it is him being kind of like the third wheel the entire movie, so I didn’t have to compare his girl in this movie to Emma Watson,” Fillingim said.  ”He was his own, individual character and played the kind of scared actor who rises up at the end and proves that he is a decent person.”

Into the White, one of his upcoming projects, is in post-production and hits theaters this year.  His next three movies do not come out until 2013. In fact, two of them, Eddie the Eagle and Cross Country, are still in pre-production.  The film he is focusing on now is Postman Pat: The Movie-You Know You’re the One, which is still in the filming process and comes out in 2013.

But the heroes of the series are not the only ones getting stardom. Tom Felton, who played the antagonist Draco Malfoy in Harry Potter, has been busy with movies left and right, and most shockingly, music as well.  Felton has gotten a newfound interest in music, beginning with singing on YouTube and most recently with the release of four singles on iTunes.

“It is interesting.  When you picture Tom Felton, you picture Draco Malfoy from Harry Potter.  It is weird, but I like it,” Hitz said.

Not only is Felton focusing on music, but he is also continuing with his acting career with three upcoming movies and, most recently, the release of Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Although the actors are moving on from the beginning of their careers, fans will always remember Hermione, Ron, Draco and, of course, Harry Potter.

“It is great they are moving on, but I don’t think anything will be the same as Harry Potter, I don’t think they’re ever going to have the same kind of fame again,” West said.

By Madison Ford

Entertainment Editor

From left: Rodrigo García, Cami Goff, Glenn Close, John Goff, and Bonnie Curtis pose for the press at the private screening of Albert Nobbs at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Photo by Mary Whitfill.

Hollywood came to Fort Worth on Sunday, bringing with it cinematic royalty and a film that is already pushing boundaries and opening minds. Albert Nobbs, Glenn Close’s newest film, held a private screening at the Modern Art Museum, where prominent figures in the Dallas/Fort Worth area gathered to get a sneak peak.

In a matter of hours, the entrance to the museum was transformed into a venue that emanated both class and Hollywood glamour. Rose filled vases and subtle Irish tunes set the tone of the evening as guests flooded the gala. With attendees ranging from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones to Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price, the event was a hot spot for the Dallas elite.

This occasion was much more than a simple screening of an upcoming film. It was a celebration of years of determination finally paying off, and a recognition of those who made it possible. The release of Albert Nobbs has been decades in the making. Based off of a short story of the same title by nineteenth century Irish author George Moore, “Albert Nobbs” was made into a play in 1982, starring Close as the titular character.

Following this experience, Close began what would be a long journey to get the story produced on film. Finally, in 2012, 30 years after Close’s premier performance as the character, the story of Albert Nobbs is finally being shown on the silver screen. This was largely due to the financial support of Fort Worth residents Cami and John Goff, chairman and CEO of Crescent Real Estate Equities.

The Goffs are not the films only ties to Texas. The movie’s producer, Bonnie Curtis (Schindler’s List, Saving Private Ryan) grew up in Texas and attended college at Abilene Christian University.

Close, Curtis, and director Rodrigo García (Passengers, “In Treatment”), walked the red carpet (which was, incidentally, gray in this case)and openly discussed their passion for the project. As screenwriter, producer, and actress, Close had especially strong feelings about the release of Albert Nobbs.

Glenn Close discusses her role as Albert Nobbs and the journey it took her to get the movie produced. Photo by Mary Whitfill.

“It’s the most wonderful feeling in the world because there comes a time where you have to really ask yourself; ‘Are you willing to throw in the towel?’ ‘Are you saying you’re going to give up?” Close said. “And at that point I said ‘No I’m not,’ and here we are. And it’s really exciting. This is a particularly exiting night for me because it was because of John and Cami Goff who, for reasons that I have not really asked them about, they met us and we pitched this movie and they believed in us.

“They decided to risk it with us. And to believe in the story and to believe in the talent that we had assembled, and here we are. And the sense of closure is really phenomenal. I’ll never experience this again. This particular chemistry. This particular story.”

The film is close to Curtis’ heart as well. Having been involved in its production for close to a decade, she could not help but share Close’s sentiments towards the project.

“My initial interest was strictly just because Glenn Close handed me the script,” Curtis said. “I’m such a huge fan and the opportunity to work with such an incredibly genius actress, who I grew up watching her films was too good to pass up. And then we embarked upon a journey that took us, for my part, about eight years, and during the course of that is think I got as emotionally invested in it, closely to as emotionally invested in it as Glenn did.

“We’ve ended up with something we’re very proud of. We’ve accomplished something that not a lot of people are able to accomplish now in this economic  environment and it’s kind of a brilliant twist of fate that we had to come back to Texas, where I’m from, to get the final amount of money to make the film. We’re very proud to be here and were very happy that there seems to be a buzz in the room.”

Close’s determination and talent was a draw for García when he was faced with the opportunity to direct the project.

“The fact that it was Glenn’s dream project [made me want to get involved], that it was something that she was trying to make for years,” García said. “So just the fact that she asked me to be a part of that was just, that would have been enough.”

However, García also expressed that the story line of Albert Nobbs intrigued him.

“I read the script and I found in it the subject matter where people are trying to survive, trying to pretend to be something that they’re not in order to survive,” García said. “That I thought was timeless, that I thought was worth telling. And then the character of Nobbs herself, which is very unique, very unusual.”

Nobbs is a complex character, who struggles with her identity after disguising herself as a man for the majority of her life in order to make a living in 19^th century Ireland. While the film appears to have LGBT undertones, Close explains that the film is not about Nobbs’ sexual orientation, but rather her journey to find herself.

“That’s what is interesting about Albert, because she’s an unfinished person,” Close said. “She became invisible when she was 14. She is not a lesbian, she is not a cross dresser, she is not a transvestite. She doesn’t know really who she is. But I think there are certainly gender issues. The thing that I think is powerful about this story is that it speaks to all kinds of people. I think [the LGBT] community will really embrace this film because it shows things that you’ve never seen before in film and I think that is important. I think ultimately, gender should be irrelevant. I think what is important is that human beings can find a place of safety and connection.”

This film, set in the 1800s, confronts issues that have faced human beings for centuries.

“It is a period piece because the story is set in a period,” García said. “What I thought was timeless about it is that aspect of who you are, what part of yourself do you have to sacrifice in order to fit in, what part of yourself do you not tell anyone about, in order to make it in your world, in order to be accepted. I think that’s something that goes beyond time, beyond sexual identity. I think everyone always has something that they have to sacrifice in order to be accepted.”

Albert Nobbs has already received high acclaim. Close has been nominated for both a SAG and Golden Globe award for her performance as lead actress in Albert Nobbs.  “Lay Your Head Down”, the film’s original song, whose lyrics were written by Close herself, is also nominated for a Golden Globe.

“Well you never expect [success and recognition], there are so many things that can go wrong that you can’t control,” Curtis said. “You hope for it and all you can do as a producer is hire the most experienced, talented, appropriate people for the project, and then hope that the chemistry between the people you hire works. Rodrigo and Glenn are such good people from a human standpoint and they bring that to work. So it really made getting up at 5 a.m. and shooting in the coldest winter Ireland had had one of the warmest experiences of my life.”

As the minds behind Albert Nobbs stepped off the “gray” carpet and into the crowd of well dressed movie goers, one thing was certain; Albert Nobbs was finally getting her moment of recognition.

Staff Writer

As I sat down to watch the fourth installment of the Mission Impossible series, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, I expected something great. Based on the reviews the movie was getting from not only critics, but also from my friends, I just assumed this would be the best Mission Impossible yet.

Tom Cruise plays Ethan Hunt in "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol," from Paramount Pictures and Skydance Productions. (Courtesy Industrial Light & Magic/MCT)

When the credits started to roll, however, I left thinking the movie was good, but certainly did not meet my expectations.

The plot is once again about saving the world. This time, the Kremlin has been bombed and the Impossible Mission Force is being falsely accused of the act. Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team must prove the IMF innocent and stop the enemy from starting a nuclear war that could kill everyone.

The acting is good as always. An aged Tom Cruise still has that element he brings to all of his movies and played his part perfectly. The other three on his team do a fantastic job as well. Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) adds the comedy to an otherwise intense film and Jane Carter (Paula Patton) does a great job in her role as the only woman on this four-person team who will not take anything from anybody. The most impressive performance, however, is that of up-and-coming actor Jeremy Renner who has been in movies such as The Hurt Locker and The Town. In this film, Renner plays assistant William Brandt, a man with a haunting past who joins the team. He amps up the seriousness and intensity of the movie in a way only he can.

The effects and scenery are astonishing. An action scene involving the Burj Khalifa Hotel in Dubai is definitely one to be remembered. The film is shot in many other fascinating areas around the world, keeping the viewer wondering where the team might end up next. The gadgets and effects used are phenomenal. I do not think I have ever seen so much technology used in an action movie of this kind. The Kremlin scene in the movie really maximized the effects that are now available to filmmakers.

However, as I said before, the movie is not great but just OK. This is due to a few aspects which include believability, corniness and the pace of the movie.

I am sorry, but Cruise hits his head way too many times in action scenes throughout this movie to still be alive. I know a lot of aspects in movies like this are not meant to be completely believable, but I can not be too excited with the outcome when Cruise should have died long before the movie ended.

Also, I expect a movie like this to be serious with some comedy mixed in. Although the actors did their part, I feel as if the writers do an injustice to this movie by putting in many corny lines and trying too hard to make this movie more intense than it needs to be with some of the dialogue they put in.

Lastly, the pace is much too fast, especially in the beginning. This movie is quite long by today’s standards at 2 hours and 10 minutes and has a lot of ground to cover in regards to the plotline, so I get the sense the filmmakers tried to rush through to make sure the movie was not so long that it lost the viewer’s interest. However, it seemed in the first hour they would start to develop one scene and then completely move on to the next scene assuming that the audience could fill in the blanks. This really hurts the overall plot of the movie.

In the end, I say unless you are a big fan of the Mission Impossible series, wait until this movie comes out on DVD. Who knows though, maybe you will completely disagree with me and think it is incredible. The movie hints at maybe another Mission Impossible coming out in the future, so be on the lookout for that.

Director/Producer Steven Spielberg, right, with producer Peter Jackson, center, behind-the-scenes on "The Adventures of Tintin," from Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures in association with Hemisphere Media Capital. (Courtesy Andrew Cooper/MCT)

E.T. ‘phoned’ our hearts while Jurassic Park immortalized our imaginations, and yet Steven Spielberg is still not finished decorating the entertainment industry with his name. In December of 2012, he plans to bring to life a piece of American history and introduce it in a way that no classroom ever could.

Spielberg has dug up the story of Abraham Lincoln so that he may restore it to life for a generation who appreciates adventure as much as they enjoy reality drama. Lincoln has been a project of Abeyance for Spielberg and shoved beneath War Horse and The Adventures of Tin Tin, his two most recent films. But Spielberg has silently picked up where he left off, and has recruited Daniel Day Lewis to be the face of Abe Lincoln.

The film revolves around the political collision of Lincoln and the powerful men of his cabinet on the road to abolition and the end of the Civil War. However, it is planned to have the essence of a novel rather than an education film.

“We’re basing it on Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book, ‘Team of Rivals,’ but we’re only focusing in on the last four months of Abraham Lincoln’s life,” Spielberg told Orlando Sentinel.

Spielberg also revealed that he did not wish to release the film before the Presidential election because he did not want it to be a “political fodder.”

“I don’t mind starting a conversation, but a film like ‘Lincoln’ could be used by both sides, and the only casualty will be the film,” Spielberg said.

Graphic by Haley Madigan.

It took an unsettling reported budget of 50 million as well as a generous donation by Virginia tax payers to put Lincoln in action. Despite hungry political eyes, the film is expected to be a frontrunner in the Oscar race, and has already been treated as the next masterpiece in Spielberg’s collection. In fact, a talented castwhich includes two Oscar-winning leads accompanies the film’s allusive and captivating nature.

The state of Virginia has also sacrificed its 200-year old capital to represent sites in Washington D.C., leaving its lawn completely untouched in preparation for the film. Nearly 200 locals of Richmond, VA Plan to be extras as well.

It has been said that Virginia hit the jackpot by hosting many scenes in Lincoln, and the film’s prestige and money has only aided its reputation as a work of art that should be anticipated by students who hold a Spielberg movie close to their hearts.

This summer, I became the newest regular on the 7:11 a.m. DART to Dallas, and the rides very soon became the bane of my existence. The dizzying motion of the DART train, the stressed businessmen yelling into their Bluetooth headpieces, and the incessant crying of babies; however I somehow managed to keep my sanity. Every morning I took the first available window seat, put my headphones in and tuned into the Stuff You Should Know podcast, my new favorite source of entertainment. 

This podcast, a featured show on HowStuffWorks.com, airs twice a week and is unlike any other form of entertainment I have ever known. The premise is that in every show the hosts, Josh Clark and Charles W. “Chuck” Bryant, cover a different topic in depth, ranging from topics like “How Dreadlocks Work” to “How Fear Works.” Each episode lasts from about 30 to 45 minutes, and in this time, they cover every possible aspect of the topic, making the listener walk away feeling like an expert.

How on earth do they know so much? These guys are like walking encyclopedias.

These hosts are more than just hosts; they are researchers and reporters. Both are writers for HowStuffWorks.com, so they are no strangers to tackling difficult subjects. Even when covering abstract scientific topics, they never seem to struggle putting it into laymen’s terms.

However what really sets this show apart is the fact that the hosts can turn even the most mind-numbingly boring topic into something riveting, keeping the listener tuned in for the duration of the show. Their unique senses of humor are extremely compatible, their banter carrying the show. As I heard them say this morning, “Nothing about this [destructive cults] is funny…except the things that we’re saying.” They somehow manage to sound as if they are having a casual conversation while staying on topic and packing an unreal amount of information into such a short period of time.

So, if you’re at all interested in learning about UFOs, McDonald’s, hiccups, taxidermy, Vikings, scuba-diving cats, cannibalism, redheads, Ninja, Twinkies, Hanukkah, Kleptomania, pirates, the Amish, Fascism, serial killers, reincarnation, gender reassignment or any other topic among the countless in their archives, I would strongly recommend giving this podcast a try. You just might become another SYSK junkie. And trust me, that is not at all a bad thing to be.

At the very least, it will keep you from losing your mind on the train.

Staff Writer

It is really refreshing when a sequel trumps the original. It is like fresh baked cookies or getting an A on that math test. It is just really satisfying. And satisfying is exactly how I would describe Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows.

At the beginning of the movie, I was hesitant about the sequel. I thought that it was going to be like the first one, which, don’t get me wrong, was decent, but it didn’t turn me into a crazy fan-girl for Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes).

 And before you even think about it, the only thing I will say regarding Rachel McAdams (Irene Adler) is no comment.

I really enjoyed the plot. It wasn’t the typical “person finds problem, person tries to solve problem, road bump is thrown in persons way, person solves problem” plot. It was much more interesting and actually held my short attention span.

There were so many different details in the movie and at first I thought that they were completely random. However, at the end of the movie, I had my epiphany and it all made sense. How all of the details add up is completely brilliant.

Of course, as expected, Downey Jr. and Jude Law were well, Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law. Downey Jr. seemed to bring a new quirkiness to Holmes’ character this time around. Law still showed a difference between the Dr. Watson in the first Sherlock Holmes to an even more mature and still endearing, evolved person in the sequel.

Although Downey and Law were exceptional, lovable characters, the person who amused me the most was Holmes’ brother. New to the franchise, Stephen Fry, who plays Mycroft Holmes, made an impressive entrance into the film. He was witty, and his relaxed and careless demeanor was amusing.

As well as Fry, several new characters were introduced in the plot. Dr. John Watson, played by Jude Law, became married to Mary Watson, Kelly Reilly. Like the first movie, she didn’t have a lot of parts in the film, but she was still sharp and downright entertaining. Plus, if she doesn’t mind getting thrown off a train, you know she’s a keeper. Mycroft Holmes’ servant also seemed to be a hit with the audience. Although his character did not have any verbal lines, the way he moved and acted in the film was hilarious.

The biggest addition to the cast was Noomi Rapace who played Madam Simza Heron, a gypsy in London, in search of answers. When her life is threatened at the beginning of the movie, she joins Holmes and Watson, to find her brother to unearth unanswered questions about his disappearance. She maintained a mysterious persona throughout the movie, and I probably respected her character more because she wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty in the whole scheme of things.

Lastly, there is the antagonist Professor James Moriarty, (Jared Harris) a clever and prepared man who will do what it takes to fulfill his plan, even if that means taking out Sherlock Holmes. Set in the late 1800’s, France and Germany were on the rocks, waiting to see who would strike first. Moriarty tried to help push the inevitable war along but Holmes always seemed to get in his way.

But what are the characters without their clothes? I think it is necessary to give props to the costume designer, Jenny Beavan, for the impressive wardrobe in the movie. Holmes and Watson wore an assortment of outfits alike ranging from a raggedy old man to a full scale lady, which added comic relief to the fast pace of the plot. The garments were both nifty and grand and added another dimension to the film.

Now, we move on to the special effects. Oh the special effects. There was a really neat part when Holmes, Watson, and Madam Heron were running in a forest trying to escape the German soldiers. The film would be playing as usual and then it would slow down to slow motion and show the characters emotions. Not that we didn’t already know what they were feeling, but awesome nonetheless. The camera zoomed in on the bullets as they grazed Holmes.

 I’m glad that they continued to show the changes between slow motion, fast paces, and normal speeds just like they did in the first one. It is so cool when the film slows down and you can see everything happening at once instead of trying to focus on one big detail.

Another really cool effect that carried down from the first movie, was right before Holmes got into a fight, he would plan it out in his head how it was going to go and where the opponent’s weaknesses were.

What surprised me the most in the film was the ending. It was both unexpected and clever and Michele and Kieran Mulroney, the screenwriters, need some type of prestigious award.

Was it the best movie I’ve ever seen? Maybe. Would I pay money to see it again? Absolutely.