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(01/26/16 10:29pm)
By Brett Sanders
Staff Writer
“The Big Short” is one of the first major films to revolve around the 2008 financial collapse that led to a dark recession. The movie tells the story of three sets of people betting against the stock market with the hopes of reaping capital gains. It all sounds good — except that it would result in millions of people being unemployed and homeless. Unfortunately, this is not the only dilemma of the film, as it lacks many traits that make it a movie worth spending money on.
Director Adam McKay, best known for “Step Brothers,” “Anchorman” and “Talladega Nights,” steps out of his comfort zone to a non-comedic subject. The results are lackluster.
“The Big Short” tries to be a documentary, comedy and drama at the same time, often resulting with the mise-en-scene as a cluster of genres, leaving the viewer overwhelmed. The film cuts to famous celebrities explaining advanced economic and finance theories that helped what cause the financial collapse. Although this is comedic at first, it gets old quickly. Even worse, the characters do not do a good job of explaining the complex material. Without knowledge of advanced finance theories, it is often hard to understand what the characters are talking about.
The cast is one of the saving graces of the film. Starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt, “The Big Short” carries a fun ensemble that is recognizable to many viewers. That being said, the screenplay is ultimately the problem. The performers are not given the opportunity to shine, as the written script is simply translated into actors saying lines without any emotion. Bale, who many consider to be one of the greatest actors alive, is introduced and then sits behind a computer staring at numbers for the majority of his time on screen. Pitt, who also serves as a producer on the film, has a mere cameo and mostly just mutters his lines for comedic effect. It is a shame to see the film underutilizing these talents.
The film focuses more of the action on Carell and Gosling. Last year, Carell was nominated for an Oscar for this role in “Foxcatcher,” showing the world that he can also successfully portray serious characters. Carell is praised again this year, as many find it interesting and fun to see him in a more dramatic role. The performance itself is average, only critically recognized because it is a different role for someone who comes from a comedic background. Gosling brings the most fun to the screen, portraying an over-the-top Wall Street trader. His lines are quick-witted and entertaining. Finn Wittrock, John Magaro, Marisa Tomei and Melissa Leo have minor parts, but the attention is focused on Carell and Gosling for the majority of the film, making everyone else easily forgettable.
It is important for viewers to understand the focus of “The Big Short.” The film suggests that society should learn from its mistakes — the mistake in this case being the act of lending money to anyone who asks for it, which caused a global recession and financial collapse. While the film should be applauded for bringing these concepts to light, only viewers within the niche market of business and finance will find the movie to be fully entertaining. Unfortunately, others may find the length of the film and constant finance-jargon dull and boring. Hopefully other directors will bring the financial crisis to light in future films that are informative as well as thrilling.
(10/29/14 7:46am)
By Brett Sanders
Staff Writer
“American Horror Story” has swept the nation with excitement. With a recurring cast, each season playing different characters and focusing on new types of horror, there is nothing not to love about the creative feel the show displays. When “American Horror Story: Freak Show” premiered three weeks ago, advertisements were seen everywhere. Back for the fourth season, the show centers on a bunch of “freaks” who will do anything to make their show survive and turn in a profit. With three episodes in, the characters are crazier than ever — in the best way possible — the cinematography is spookier and the experience of watching it is more enjoyable.
The great thing about “Freak Show” is that even though it is set in the 1950s, the theme of wanting to fit in and find a place in society is just as meaningful, if not more so, today. Even further, the characters aren’t hard to relate to, for every individual on the show represents a broken dream yet still possesses a glimmer of hope for a better life. Overall, the thing that makes “Freak Show” great is how the horror aspect is conveyed in a meaningful artistic form. From the set design to the acting, every part of “American Horror Story” is a work of art.
And the cast is stronger than ever. Evan Peters is back in his fourth season on the show, playing a developing man who has lobster claws for hands, using his “freakiness” to bring sexual pleasure to women galore. Peters is fine as this character, but his acting is average compared to the powerfully emotional performances that surround him. Kathy Bates, who won an Emmy for her performance on the third season of the show, is nothing less than spectacular, playing a bearded woman who has a depressing past and simply wants the best for her son (Peters’ character). Sarah Paulson portrays Bette and Tot Tattler, conjoined twins who have polar opposite personalities. Paulson is great playing these two individuals who share a body, and the special effects complement her performance.
The greatest performance, however, belongs to Jessica Lange, who also won an Emmy last season for the show. The emotion Lange shows as Elsa, the freak show leader who longs to be recognized as a world-class singer, is pure and congenial, making it an honor for the viewer to experience her stunning performance.
Being three episodes into the season at the time of this review, the show itself is more weird than frightening. The scariest parts come from a clown who has a disproportionate jaw, so he puts on half a mask to cover his freakish mouth. This aspect of the show is sure to send shivers down the spine of anyone who has coulrophobia. It will be interesting to see where the story goes with this murderous clown. As the story further develops, it is hopeful that the show will become more terrifying and not just abnormal.
Despite this longing to be scarier, “American Horror Story: Freak Show” is one of the best programs currently on television. With respect to students, college has the potential to be stressful and feel like nothing but perpetual schoolwork. It is nice to take an hour out each week to let one’s mind wander and enter an enrapturing story. “American Horror Story: Freak Show” has something in it for everyone, even if you don’t find indulgence in horror.
(08/26/14 5:52pm)
By Brett Sanders
Staff Writer
Stephen King is known as the master of horror, and this statement holds all sorts of truth. The writer, now approaching his late 60s, is the author of over 50 novels and dozens of short stories. With standout works including “The Shining,” “Pet Sematary” and “Under the Dome,” one may classify him as an expert on supernatural storytelling. It comes as a surprise, then, that Mr. King’s latest novel, “Mr. Mercedes,” is a more realistic crime thriller.
“Mr. Mercedes” delivers a suspenseful ride of good and evil, showing that King truly is the master of any type of horror, whether it be supernatural or psychological. The story focuses on the lives of Brady — a killer, and Bill — a retired detective. After killing eight people and wounding many others by driving a stolen Mercedes into a job fair, Brady taunts Bill with letters and seeks to hurt the people who matter most to him. What pursues is Bill’s chase to find Brady before he commits another heinous act.
A compelling aspect of the novel is how the reader gets to look into the mind of the chaotic killer. The notes that Brady writes to Bill are fully included within the text, directly putting the reader in the protagonist’s shoes. The reader gets a real and complete sense of how the killer is thinking with respect to how he became who he is.
The tone of the novel corresponds to present day. Taking place shortly after the worst of the 2007-2009 recession, the economic content of the writing shows the horrors in the world besides those of murder. The first page includes stories of the people waiting in line at the job fair that is soon to be turned into a crime scene.
People began camping out the night before the job fair opened, eager to be the first to put their résumés in the hands of a potential employer. One of the characters described is a woman who brings her infant child to wait with her because she doesn’t have the funds to hire a babysitter for the night. The way King touches upon these morose economic conditions makes the ultimate story more realistic than ever.
And the novel is absolutely realistic. Unlike past works, everything in this book has the potential to happen. No ghosts or superficial creatures are involved in the story. It is simply a mass murderer who is obsessed to kill again.
The one fault in the novel is the ending. The closing pages are not bad in any sense, but some may describe them as being rushed. It is a let down, but not a big one. The great storytelling makes up for the underwhelming ending.
King’s novels are always a pleasure to read. Although not recommended for the squeamish, “Mr. Mercedes” takes readers on an intense, fun ride that embraces the chilling horrors of making the fiction feel like nonfiction.
(04/01/14 9:48pm)
"First Love,” James Patterson’s latest romance novel, takes the reader on a short journey across the United States, focusing on the lives of the ill-fated two characters. The story follows two teenagers, Axi and Robinson, who run away from their small town in Oregon, in which unadulterated madness pursues. There is a catch, however: (spoiler alert) the two both have cancer, Robinson’s diagnosis being way worse than Axi’s.
The book is a fast read, yet leaves a lasting remark. Divided into two parts, the reader is unaware of why the two partake on this road trip for the first half of the book. At first, it appears that Axi just hates her life in the small town where she lives and leaves school just a few weeks before summer vacation to go on a road trip and drags Robinson, a nice boy, along with her. When it is revealed that the two have cancer, things start to connect, and what was just an average love story turns into a tearful journey of hope and lust.
A problem with the novel, however, is that it tries to be a reflection on real-life situations. Written in first person, the reader gets a narrative from Axi on her wild adventures with Robinson. However, most of these adventures are implausible. For example, the two steal motorcycles and cars repeatedly. This is one of the many actions in the book that make it unrealistic.
Despite this fault, “First Love” does a great job at capturing the essence of falling in love and clearly paints the picture for how the two main characters feel about one another. Although the ending is quite predictable, it still captures the reader and makes him truly appreciate the life he has.
Not only are Axi and Robinson in love, but they both are also each other’s first love, hence the title. This ensures confusion and exploration. The process of these two admitting they have unconditional feelings for one another is quite, in a word, cute.
If only life could be as simple as spending life with the one you love. Unfortunately, fate made other plans for this fictional couple. The theme of enjoying every present moment, for tomorrow might not come, is present throughout. By the end of the novel, the reader feels thankful for the life he has, and doesn’t want to waste any more precious time not enjoying everything.
Like time, the love story developed in “First Love” is also precious. No matter how unrealistic the scenarios get, the romantic aspect of the story can make the reader forget about the failing aspects of narrative and focus on the things that actually matter. In this case, love does heal the wound.
Despite the shortcomings of the novel, “First Love” displays an intense look at the beauty of falling love while living with the horror of not knowing what tomorrow will bring.
(03/25/14 8:20pm)
Horror is a funny concept. We as a society are sickened by the real examples of trepidation, yet find such pleasure in fictitious connotations of the subject in the media. “Bates Motel,” now in its second season televised on A&E, certainly meets the expectations our society holds with respect to bone-chilling entertainment.
The television show acts as a modern-day prequel to the 1960 masterpiece, “Psycho,” this time focusing in on Norman Bates in his late teen years and his mother, Norma. The plot follows the lives of this troubled family, with deaths, drugs, sex and corruption incorporated within the seasons.
Freddie Highmore, from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” fame, portrays Norman Bates with relaxed yet exciting charisma. The real star of the show, however, is Vera Farmiga, giving the role of Norma Bates attitude, strength and emotional vulnerability that reaches new limits episode after episode. The whole cast is spot-on in their portrayal as members of an ill-fated town.
Although not the best “scary” show on television (that title belongs to “American Horror Story”), “Bates Motel” is at times compulsive, shocking and disgusting, yet always satisfying. With the reputation of “Psycho” at its fingertips, this show has a large fan base.
It is interesting to note, again, that the show is a modern-day prequel to the original film. That is, there is excessive technology and vocabulary that viewers see and use every day. This is risky, and the risk definitely pays off. By adding the modern-day slant, the television show is more fun to watch and relatable to everyday life.
The writing of the show is OK at best. Although each episode has good ideas and smart dialogue, there is barely any continuity.
Moreover, there are times when characters are written out of the show suddenly, when what the viewer wants is to learn more about said characters in the next episode. Especially with many famous guest stars, it is a shame that minor characters aren’t written into the show for the long run. Still, this is a small price to pay for an otherwise great show.
The thing that makes this show really fun and entertaining is the characters. Furthermore, they are all so weird and strange that the viewer gets caught up with them as much as they get caught up in the abnormal situations they are placed in. Through terrific acting, it is easy to develop feelings for these creepy yet attracting characters.
Overall, “Bates Motel” is eerily delightful. It doesn’t bring harsh nightmares, but it may cause the viewers to lock their doors after finishing an episode.