Friday, December 18, 2009

Merry Christmas!



Photo by: Audi Acree
Merry Christmas from The Papyrus 09' staff!

Snogging in America: Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging



This hilarious coming-of-age story is based on the international best-selling series of books by the British author Louise Rennison, and follows the eccentric and irresistible Georgia Nicolson as she overcomes the trauma of being a teenager.

Misunderstood by her “ancient” parents—but buoyed up by the love of her cat, Angus, and her bessie mates, the Ace Gang—Georgia Nicolson (GEORGIA GROOME) struggles through life seeking out her two main desires: 1. To get a gorgeous boyfriend. 2. To throw the greatest 15th birthday party ever.
 
When handsome brothers Tom (SEAN BOURKE) and Robbie (AARON JOHNSON) arrive at school, Georgia thinks her boyfriend dreams have been answered. But when she sees Robbie with her arch rival, Slaggy Lindsay (KIMBERLEY NIXON), she devises a plan to show Robbie that she’s the mature, sophisticated girlfriend he deserves. Unfortunately Georgia’s plans - involving snogging lessons, dying her legs orange and stalking Slaggy Lindsay - don’t exactly run smoothly.

In addition her own romance problems, Georgia's dad (ALAN DAVIES) is given an amazing job opportunity in New Zealand. This leaves Georgia’s mum (KAREN TAYLOR) open to the charms of builder Jem (STEVE JONES), a George Clooney look-a-like who’s ancient (mid 30’s) but still a fittie. The worry over her parents’ marriage is a huge pressure on Georgia, who feels that the responsibility for holding the family together rests on her shoulders.
 
In her quest to get Robbie and keep her family from splitting, Georgia transforms from a selfish girl into a young woman who’s grown beyond the valley of the fab and into the universe of marvy.

The DVD is out Monday, December 21st (12/21/09).

Shaping a Dynasty, The Young Victoria opens Today



In The Young Victoria, Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) delivers an incredibly compelling performance as Queen Victoria in the turbulent first years of her reign. Rupert Friend (Pride & Prejudice) portrays Prince Albert, the suitor who wins her heart and becomes her partner in one of history’s greatest romances. This love story, set amongst all the intrigue of the court, also features Paul Bettany (Iron Man, The Da Vinci Code), Miranda Richardson (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), Jim Broadbent (The Damned United, The Chronicles of Narnia), Thomas Kretschmann (Valkyrie), and Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes, Tristan & Isolde).


The Young Victoria opens today to a limited release. The film will be playing at the following cinemas in Chicago:

Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON Theatre
AMC River East 21
Landmark Century Centre Cinema
Century 12 Evanston/CineArts 6

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Over the Moon, a 'New Moon' Review


Caitlin Tadlock

Midnight on November 20, I was amidst the “Twi-hards” (a term coined for extreme Twilight fans) for the first time in 364 days. Ronnie’s Cinema in St. Louis was packed to the max with several auditoriums holding the midnight screaming, I mean screening of The Twilight Saga‘s: New Moon. Women young and old were dressed in their Team Edward and Team Jacob shirts. The more daring fans had the audacity to dress as vampires, fangs and all. At 12:01 the lights went dim and without warning the screen went black; that’s right, no 5-minute National Guard recruitment advertisements! A full moon appeared on the screen and the crowd gasped. It was the start of a new moon.

The Twilight Saga’s second installment of the now multimillion-dollar franchise New Moon is a hit with its fan base, grossing a total of 473 million dollars worldwide. It’s the story of Forks, WA, high school student Bella Swan who gets broken up with by her vampire boyfriend after his brother tried to take a snap at her. Bella finds solace in her werewolf best friend Jacob Black and thus starts the love triangle for the next film.

I would like to start off the review with a quote from the director Chris Weitz, “I’ve realized I won’t necessarily get good reviews for this movie. Having swallowed that, this was made for the fans, and if you don’t get it, then you don’t get it”. This review will be more directed towards the Twilight fans since it‘s they who are watching the films. I can sit here and agree all day that the hour of Bella being depressed wasn’t your cup of tea and the lines shared between Bella and Edward were more comical than touching, but I won’t because no one cares about non-Twilight fan opinions because you just don’t understand.

The special effects and all around vision of the film are excellent with the direction of Weitz. My favorite part of the film wasn’t Bella/Jacob bonding or Bella/Edward moments, but the chase montage of the renegade vampire Victoria. Thom Yorke’s song “Hearing Damages” played in the background as Victoria is chased through the Olympia forest by Jacob and company. The underwater scene where Bella is drowning is also visually aesthetic even though I did hear stifled laughs from a few members of the audience when the Edward apparition appeared; maybe it was boyfriends of the girls.

Kristen Stewart, who plays Bella, says in interviews that throughout New Moon, Bella grows up in Edward’s absence. I have a problem with this. Bella is introduced as an independent middle-aged-teenager that has spent her life looking after her mom rather than the other way around. Bella is now enraptured by Edward and can’t see her life without him even when he is gone. She is co-dependent and although the film portrays first real heartbreak for a girl, something most girls can relate to, it also shows the unhealthy infatuation Bella has with Edward. Like Jacob says in the third book Eclipse, Bella never learns to live without Edward. Bella goes through the film depressed, putting herself in danger, and in the end gets rewarded by saving Edward’s life and having an almost happy ever after. Is Bella regressing in each installment of the series?

In the book New Moon, Bella jumps off a cliff because it would be the only way she could recall Edward’s voice in her head. I felt in the film it didn’t do a great job portraying this as an act of defiance but as an attempt of suicide. In the lines she mutters before jumping off the cliff she says “You wanted me to be human, so watch me”. To the people who don’t read the books but watch the movies (unbelievable, but there are a lot) this scene comes off more as a suicide attempt rather than a dangerous attempt to see her beloved. Not healthy.

The film was adapted well from the book, better than Twilight was. The running time let the story flow more freely and without rush. The CGI wolves didn’t look as bad as what I thought from the trailer, Dakota Fanning playing one of the Volturi was disappointing as expected, and I wasn’t bothered with the lack of Robert Pattinson because I have converted to Team Jacob.

The beginning starts with a full moon and ends with a gasp and cut (not fade) to black. The ending can’t be disappointing for fans because in a measly 7 months we will be hit with the next installment Eclipse. For Twilight fans, I give The Twilight Saga’s: New Moon an 8.5 out of 10; and for the boyfriends of the girls who were dragged to see it, I am sorry, 5 out of 10 for you and I hope you were rewarded afterwards, you know, with Dairy Queen.

Wind and Sail Releases EP

By Emilie Moroney

The Wind & Sail CD release show may have gotten off to a late start, but it was well worth the wait. The show featured The Great Outdoors from Edwardsville, and Greenville College band The Van Pelts. The Great Outdoors started the show 40 minutes later than scheduled. The normal four-piece band performed at what singer and keyboard player, Quinn Buerkett, dubbed “75%,” as they were without their bass player. They were indeed missing their low end and the set seemed to drag on a bit without that dimension, but they managed to get the night off to a good and anticipated start as the audience could still enjoy the good song writing and performance.

As The Van Pelts took the stage the audience seemed to gain energy with the familiarity of the band. While they have played, as singers Moriah Seamen and Tara Wepking noted during the performance, a lot of shows in the Blackroom lately, it was still fun to watch and listen to. Their whimsical, light-hearted tunes made for a good transition to the headlining act.

Even though it was Wind & Sail’s first time headlining a show at Greenville, there was a good turnout of people who came for the band’s EP release. The EP entitled A Place to Discover features 5 songs that the group recorded over a weekend in Tennessee. The album artwork was hand crafted and Devin Moroney, the lead singer and guitar player for Wind & Sail, emphatically expressed that they “worked really hard on them”. The crowd seemed to recognize the music and really enjoy the show. The band was selling the new CDs for the special price of $2 instead of the normal $5, and were happy to have sold 43 copies on the opening night of its release.

Wind & Sail will be embarking on a 10-day tour to different parts of Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska to promote A Place to Discover this Friday before they return home for the Holidays.

Top Ten Reasons to Live this Week


By: Caitlin Tadlock

1.) Fraggle Rock the Movie

Coming to a big-screen near you is the revamp of Jim Henson’s 1980’s puppet creature television show. Cory Edwards, director of Hoodwinked, is overseeing the project and claims they have a script that they are excited to bring to film. The problem with the film is that it has to appeal to an age range from ten year olds to thirty and forty year olds. Edwards reassures that they are going to be using real puppets for the movie.

2.) Cold War Kids - Behave Yourself EP

You can download Cold War Kids new album early on December 21, exclusively on iTunes. Their first single has been getting hyped on 105.7 The Point during the acceptable music shows like Les Aaron’s “New Music Sunday”. Cold War Kids are playing in Chicago at the Vic Theatre on January 30.

3.) The Fame Monster

Lady Gaga released an 8 song CD last Tuesday that does not disappoint (Caitlin). Even though Gaga is jammed down my throat at work: while I’m walking down the hall, reporting traffic or visiting the restroom, I still love the catchy dance beats of each song. I favor “Telephone” featuring Beyonce today.

4.) Team Jacob

My mother and I are Team Jacob and after the opening of New Moon there are more converts. December 12 is nearing and Jacob wolf himself, Taylor Lautner will be hosting Saturday Night Live! I am hoping for Taylor squared jokes, Twilight spoofs and underage slams.

5.) Brodmann Blades

For $100 you are now able to play ping-pong without handles! Ping-pong with handle-free paddles is supposedly all the rage for Christmas. You wear the paddles like gloves. If you want to save your money I say try cutting off the handles and super gluing ($3 at Wal-Mart) some gloves ($1 at Wal-Mart) together. But if you want the wristband I would suggest you get the Brodmann Blades package.

6.) Beach House - Teen Dream

The new album from Beach House - Teen Dream will release on January 26. Take a listen on myspace.com/beachhousemusic or mixxedtapes.blogspot.com to get a feel of what the album will sound like. Their first single “Norway” is splendid!

7.) Hoarders on A&E

I watched the previews of a television show on A&E about hoarding. I was amazed! This is totally going to be me in fifty years and instead of McDonalds bags it’s going to be CATS! Monday nights, 9 pm on A&E.

8.) The Road

Starring Viggo Motensen and directed by John Hillcoat, The Road is the film adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s 2006 novel. Father and son wander through a post apocalyptic wilderness as they fight fear, starvation and madness. Reviews hailed the film “one of the most spookily convincing, least ‘movieish’ visions of a bombed-out wasteland future I’ve ever seen”. The movie is out now in select theatres.

9.) The Scrubbing out of Zach Braff

Scrubs comes back from the dead on ABC. Last year it was announced that Scrubs was ending but instead a new class is taking over. Zach Braff’s spot will be filled with a medical student in the start of the season. Maybe this will mean more people will stop watching and then we won’t have to see Scrubs at all except on UPN, WON, MTV, Comedy Central, TBS and etc (etc. stands for etcetera, not a television station). Tuesdays at 8 pm on ABC.

10.) Vampire Weekend - Horchata

It’s kind of been a love/hate relationship with Vampire Weekend over the past few years. When their first album dropped it was just a love relationship, soon after people felt an annoyance with the band. Well prepare to love somewhat again! Arriving early in January is Vampire Weekend’s sophomore album Horchata. “Cousins” is the band’s first single from the album and it’s quite quirky and different from their first CD.

Christmas Ideas for the Poor


By: Caitlin Tadlock

1.) Woot.com

Woot offers one item each day at a ridiculously low price. From Star Wars bobble heads to USB plug-ins Woot.com has you covered. Anything you purchase from the website will only be $5.00 flat shipping rate. If you start going to the site now you might have all of your Christmas shopping done by Christmas Eve.

2.) Homemade Junk

The creative have an advantage here. If you are artistically enabled, make something for your family and friends. There is a good chance it could come out bad, but it’s not like they can tell you they don’t like it. It might be thrown to the bottom of the closet but you’ll feel better when you know they can’t return it.

3.) The “Used” Button on Amazon.com

Last year I told my mom I would take back anything she bought on Amazon that was “new”. Why buy the $20.99 Dexter Season One DVD set when right next to it is a 99% reliable rated user selling a “used-like new” season for $8.00 cheaper right? And, even if it is scratched, it’s a delight to give the user a low rating and watch them hit you with complaints about their low rating. You can always return the product.

4.) Rodarte for Target

Starting December 20, Target will carry the fashion line Rodarte for exactly one month. Although the line doesn’t include the $500 pieces you saw during London Fashion week earlier this year it will cover similar styles to fit your budget.

5.) Recycleagift.com

Take those gifts you still have in boxes from last year and swap them for money to get others something they might want. The website swaps unwanted DVDs, CDs and books for cash. Visit the site, type in the product code, decide the price and wait for someone on the web to buy it.

'The Blind Side' Opens Eyes


By: Jamie Hoag
Jen Redell

“This team is your family, Michael. You have to protect them.” This line spoken by Leigh Ann Touhy, played by Sandra Bullock in the movie The Blind Side, emphasizes the importance of family and relationships in this film.

The movie, starring country music artist Tim McGraw, as well as Sandra Bullock and Kathy Bates, is based on a true story about current Baltimore Raven’s star, Michael Oher. It is also based on Michael Lewis’ book, The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, which involves performances and inspiring football scenes. Its multifaceted genre lends itself to be a film that a variety of people can enjoy.

In the opening scene, viewers are exposed to a scene of National Football League (NFL) coverage from nearly twenty-four years ago. The footage depicted a scene from a Monday night football game between the Washington Redskins and the New York Giants. In one single play, the future of one famous football star, Joe Theismann, was altered forever. His career permanently ended that night. This piece of NFL history provides context for the storyline of The Blind Side.

The audience identifies from the NFL clip that had someone stepped up to protect Theismann that night, the results of that night would have been drastically different. This realization helps put the rest of the movie into understanding.

After the Touhy family attends a high school volleyball game for their daughter, they spot a child walking down the cold and dark streets alone. When inquiring about who the man is, the son of the Touhy family, played by Jae Head, points out that everyone at school calls this kid “Big Mike.”

Throughout the rest of the movie, the family offers “Big Mike,” who reveals he likes the name Michael, a life that he has never known, and in return Michael changes their lives forever. The Touhys offer Michael a roof over his head, food on his table, money and support for college, and unending love. Michael changes the heart of each Touhy family member by living a selfless, humble life to the best of his ability, despite his unfortunate childhood of orphanage living and absent parents. Through him, the family realizes the value and importance of helping others out and loving the unloved.

After the final scene of the movie, as the credits start to roll, there are real pictures displayed of the real Michael Oher and his adopted family. They also showed a clip of Michael Oher being drafted into the NFL in 2009. Oher was the 23rd first-round draft pick.

Although this was life impacting for Michael it also helped change the Touhys life. There are many different challenges that Michael and the Touhys conquer together. As Michael became a student and football player, his coach, adopted family, and friends helped him become the man he always wanted to be.

Here’s what some of the top critics have to say. The Los Angeles Times, Betsy Sharkey says, “ Watching The Blind Side is like watching your favorite football team; you’ll cheer when things go well, curse when they don’t, and be reminded that in football, as in life, it’s how you play the game that counts – though winning doesn’t hurt, either.” USA Today, Claudia Puig says, “It’s even more powerful when we learn that he now plays in the NFL for the Baltimore Ravens.”

Don’t pass up an opportunity to see the movie, The Blind Side. It has already produced $40.1 million and to most critics is a 7 out of 10. So if you need a break before finals go see the movie The Blind Side. You won’t be disappointed!

Giving 'Cold Tangerines' a Warm Review


By: Taylor Griggs

Shauna Niequist's novel "Cold Tangerines" is an absolute delight from start to finish. I came upon its glossy cover while perusing the shelves of the Greenville College bookstore. It was the tantalizing orange, sprinkled in dew and featured on the front cover that caught my eye. I reached for it, pleasantly surprised by how light it felt in my hands, despite it being hard back, and read the premise on the back. I haven't been able to put it down since.

At page 209 I feel I have a pretty good grasp of Niequist's general tone and style of writing. She has a wonderful voice that is light, airy, often comical, and at times profoundly sobering. Her book is broken up into short stories of delectable proportions that aim to celebrate the gift of life. Once you start one there's no way of stopping until you've reached the end. Niequist's tales are from the heart and range in theme from pregnancy to war torn Africa. Her sensitivity to the sights, sounds, and smells of daily life are breathtaking through her vivid imagery and excellent storytelling. She writes:

"I want a life that sizzles and pops and makes me laugh out loud. And I don't want to get to the end, or tomorrow, even, and realize that my life is a collection of meetings and pop cans and errands and receipts and dirty dishes. I want to eat cold tangerines and sing loud in the car with the windows open and wear pink shoes and stay up all night laughing and paint my walls the exact color the sky is right now. I want to sleep hard on clean white sheets and throw parties and eat ripe tomatoes and read books so good they make me jump up and down, and I want my everyday life to make God’s belly laugh, glad he gave life to someone who loves the gift."

If you desire to appreciate the tiny gifts of everyday life, if you desire to see God in everyday life, or if you just need to know you're not the only one who doesn’t have it all together, "Cold Tangerines" is for you. Peel open this wonderful book and let it breathe life into you, as it did for me.