All posts by jlang@nafcs.k12.in.us

A&E, Isaac Mathewson

‘The Grand Budapest Hotel’ ranks among Wes Anderson’s best movies

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By: Isaac Mathewson

Written and directed by: Wes Anderson

Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Edward Norton, F. Murray Abraham, Willem Dafoe

Rated R

My rating: A

I have always admired Wes Anderson’s work. His films, such as Rushmore and The Royal Tenenbaums, have been regarded as classics due to their dry humor and dark situations, as well as their massive casts of celebrities. This film has not only proven to be one of his best, but is also a milestone in his fascinating career.

The Grand Budapest Hotel tells the story of concierge Monsieur Gustave H. (Fiennes) who takes a new worker Zero Moustafa (played by newcomer Tony Revolri) under his tutelage. He is convicted of the murder of one of the guests and is arrested. Throughout the rest of the film, the two of them race across the fictional Republic of Zubrowka to prove Gustave’s innocence. This is all being told to an author (played by Jude Law) by the elderly Zero (Abraham), over 30 years after the events.

What really makes the film stand out is the humor. Although it is very dark and mature, the film plays along with the situation and makes it lighthearted and goofy. While all of Anderson’s movies contain this kind of plot, this film takes it to the next level because it is more made for laughs and it does not have as much drama as some of his other films.

The cast is what really makes this film work. While many come and go, they are all a joy to watch and they fit their roles perfectly. There’s Edward Norton as the army officer on the hunt for Gustave, Saoirse Ronan as Zero’s girlfriend, Willem Dafoe as the assassin who’s also hunting him, and many others such as Wes Anderson regular Bill Murray (playing a much more minor role than fans may expect), Adrien Brody, Harvey Keitel, Owen Wilson, and Jeff Goldblum. I always love a good movie with a cast consisting of many famous actors, which is a main reason why I always look forward to seeing Wes Anderson movies.

The film has a very unique style to it. The film was shot almost entirely in Germany and every shot of the landscape is beautiful to look at. The cinematography is the best yet in his films. The editing is also very different, as it is faster than what he’s used to and it almost looks 3-D, even though it isn’t.

So far this film has been gaining more attention due to its box office take-ins and media hype. I’m glad that it has, because Anderson’s movies tend to not gain a very wide release. I can see why, his humor isn’t for everyone. However, this film is not worth missing. It has a great cast, a good story, and is extremely entertaining. It’s one of the best films of this young year, and it has a major shot at this year’s Oscars.

Features

This weekend’s Thunder events excite students

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By Rachel Lamb

Every year during mid-April an event called Thunder Over Louisville kicks off the beginning of the Kentucky Derby Festival. This event includes an air show, venders, many different activities, and fireworks.

Thunder Over Louisville is tomorrow. Many students are looking forward to that day, as this weekend approaches.

“Staying up all night after the fireworks is my favorite part,” said sophomore Hannah Knauer.

Others have a different opinion on their favorite part of the day.

“My favorite part is getting to see the airplanes fly over and do tricks in the afternoon with all of my friends,” said freshman Matthew Dunlap.

Senior Timon Stermer agreed that he also enjoys spending time with his friends.

“I look forward to Thunder every year because the people I spend the day with make it a fun experience.”

However, not everyone sees this event as a fun experience overall.

“The large crowds tend to put a damper on the evening,” said sophomore Heather Bouch.

She is not the only one that dislikes the exceeding amount of people. Knauer added to what Bouch said.

“That loud, mess of people is my least favorite part of the whole day.”

Thunder Over Louisville still offers a fun opportunity, if people can make the best of it.

“I have gone for the past five years and look forward to going again this year,” said Stermer.

 

 

Boys Track, Christian DiMartino, Peter Hyle, Sports

Track team hopes for success in upcoming season

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By Peter Hyle and Christian DiMartino

Tonight the FC track team will be preparing for the Jefferson Inferno Invitational. A team centered around determination and companionship, many of the runners have a confident attitude towards competing this weekend.

“I’m not nervous at all. We are a group of go-getters and we will do whatever it takes to be successful in the end,” said senior Seth Jenkins.

The team has been very successful in the past, which has generated high expectations among the teammates.

“Our overall goal this year is to win regionals,” said senior Reese Tarr. “Everyone on the team has been working like crazy to make that a reality.”

The team has a very distinct advantage that helps them power through each season.

“We always have a very good group of seniors who lead by example and through communication. This year’s seniors are especially talented, and they really make the team what it is,” said head track coach Lane Oxley.

Each individual player has their own reasoning behind why they love this sport as much as they do, and why they are so determined to win.

“I really love the competitive nature involved with track. I have always loved to compete, and it’s just a great feeling to push myself on this team,” said senior Grant Reynolds.

Other members are drawn to different aspects of being on the track team.

“I’m on the team because I love to run, basically. That and also being with my teammates. It’s great to be a part of the team alongside them,” said junior Grant Vellinger.

Being a very talented team, they have many goals and obstacles awaiting them.

“There are some high expectations all across the board for this team. This year we have a very strong set of guys in all of the events. We are taking all of this one step at a time, but we always have our eyes set on state,” said Jenkins.

 

 

 

 

News

Message to Our Readers

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To Our Readers:

As we clarified via our Twitter account on Wednesday, April 9 The Bagpiper Online website was compromised and inappropriate content was briefly posted and tweeted out. Once readers made editors aware of the situation the content was removed.

We want to assure our readers that the content posted yesterday was not Bagpiper coverage, nor was it approved or posted by the editorial board. We value the opportunity each day to cover the events and activities at Floyd Central High School and want to use technology to positively serve our readers and school community.

We are thankful to have the chance to serve Floyd Central High School and its students and faculty. We are proud of our publication and our school. We pledge to continue to strive to publish stories and content that are of the highest quality.

Thank you for your continued support.

The Floyd Central Bagpiper Staff

News

Constitutional government team places first in nationals

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By Brooke McAfee

The constitutional government team experienced both a successful competition and an educational trip on their recent visit to Washington, D.C. for the We the People National Invitational. The team placed first in the high school division on April 7.

Constitutional government is a class offered first semester, but the students continued competing after the class had ended. Government teacher Suzanne Moss explained that when students take this elective, they become constitutional experts and compete at district and state level, and then they may earn the opportunity to go on to national level. Moss expressed her happiness at her students’ ranking first.

“I was just so proud of my students. Most of them I don’t even have this semester in class, and they put so much work into their opening statements and were prepared to compete,” she said.

The team, which is broken up into units of two or three students, requires extensive knowledge of the constitution and American government.

“What the students do is they prepare an opening statement that addresses a constitutional question, and then they do tons of background research to not only prepare their opening statement, but then be able to defend it,” said Moss.

The students are questioned on a variety of subjects, such as political philosophy’s impact on the founding of the United States, Lincoln’s role in the Civil War, and many others.

Senior Savannah Wormley participated in with the constitutional government team, and expressed her excitement at winning the national invitational.

“I couldn’t believe it. I really couldn’t. It was really exciting because all of the hard work paid off…we had such a difficult time at state… we didn’t win at state, and we were upset because we thought we had a really good team, so going up to Washington and winning was just like the ultimate satisfaction. It was the best thing that could happen.”

Wormley said it has been an inspirational experience for her, because it has given her a love for civic education and has made her think about possibly pursuing a career in politics or law. She said she also enjoyed the friendships she formed with the group.

“There was something about our team. Everyone got along. We worked so well together, and there was something about being part of a team that was really nice as well.”

Involvement with this team creates challenges such as working hard to become an expert on certain topics, according to senior Jennifer Martin.

“You need to do a lot of research. You need to read a lot of things. You really need to dig deep into stuff… you can’t just read something- you really need to think about it and be able to present it effectively.”

Additionally, this trip provided the opportunity for the students to explore Washington, D.C. and other major sites in the area.

“We saw so many things. We got a private tour from our congressman of the Capitol, we went to Mount Vernon and saw the Smithsonian…so it really was a chance to experience living history,” said Moss.

Senior Jerry Lacross said he enjoyed visiting Washington D.C. for the first time.

“I had never been before, so it was really cool to see the monuments and museums,” he said.

Martin, who had been to Washington, D.C. before, said visiting it was particularly enlightening after becoming more informed about politics and the government.

“It was awesome, because whenever I went again I knew so much about the Constitution and American politics… I knew a lot more than when I previously visited D.C.- it was a good experience,” she said.

Moss stated that this group gives students valuable skills and knowledge.

“I think it’s beneficial because students really have to know their constitutional studies and they have to not only understand it, but explain it and defend it, and pull current events that are basically pertaining to their area of study,” she said.

Martin said she loved everything about her involvement with the constitutional government team, and said it has given her knowledge that will be useful as an American citizen.

“I think the best part was that I learned so much about the Constitution and American politics and our constitutional rights, and it helped me really educate myself as a voter and a citizen.”