Category Archives: A&E

A&E, Christian DiMartino, Peter Hyle

‘Divergent’ movie divides student opinions

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By Peter Hyle and Christian DiMartino

Last night, the highly anticipated movie Divergent was released to theatres. It is rumored that this newly adapted book series will become the next big franchise like Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. Students at FC have mixed feelings regarding the hype the upcoming release has gained from media.

Students that have read the books are generally excited to see how the movie will compare.

“I’m really anxious to see the movie, mostly because the books were so great. I didn’t think it would make a good movie at first, but the trailer actually looks good. I have high expectations after watching it,” said junior Madison Rice.

Even students that did not read all of the books are still looking forward to the film itself.

“I really have no idea what it’s about, but from what I’ve heard I expect it to be very thrilling and exciting,” said senior Brittany Harris. “I’m sure it will be an interesting movie.”

Others, however, are worried that the film will ruin the unique qualities that made the books so popular.

“I honestly don’t know if I like the fact that the book has been translated into a movie. They can either follow the book pretty well or they can fill the storyline with useless, random junk,” said junior Allison Burkhart.

As for the Divergent movie turning into the next big franchise, students are unsure if it has what it takes to stand next to franchises like Harry Potter and The Hunger Games. 

“I don’t think people will give this movie any real attention because everyone keeps comparing it to The Hunger Games. The books are completely different and I’m sure the movies are too, but they just appear to be similar so everyone thinks it’s a rip-off,” said junior Lexie Byrd.

There are also some that think the movie deserves more attention and praise than the movies it is being compared to.

“I enjoyed reading this book more than The Hunger Games, that’s why I think it will be a better movie. People are going to go crazy over it,” said freshman Savannah Conrad.

Overall, most people who enjoyed the book seem to be anxious for the release of the movie, whether it lives up to their expectations or not.

“Whether it’s good or bad, it’s still going to draw in a lot of attention. My only real concern is that people will be turned away from the books if the movie is really bad. Trust me, no matter how the movie turns out, the books are still worthwhile,” said Rice.

A&E

Band performs annual Pops concert

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By Melanie Parrish and Megan Johnson

On Wednesday, March 12, the band program came together for the annual Pops concert. The concert included performances jazz, concert, pep, intermediate and advanced bands. It also featured the final performance of “Currents” by the marching band and a look at the show “Repeat” by the Winter Percussion Project.

The concert featured songs from famous movies such as “Shake a Tail Feather” from The Blues Brothers and “Somewhere,” the ballad from “West Side Story.” Another piece played by the advanced band, “Redacted,” was found to be popular with several of band members. This included trombone player senior Craig Bossley.

“It’s so weird. It hits you when you don’t expect it,” said Bossley.

A number of the musicians had differing opinions on the quality of the concert, including trumpet player freshman Robert Wormley.

“It went well. Not great, but well. It didn’t seem as perfect as it did in the classroom,” he said.

Tuba player junior Brandon Blasdell, on the other hand, felt that the concert went exactly as intended.

“It went just as we planned, because we rehearsed it in class a lot,” he said.

Not only did this concert provide entertainment through instruments, it also showcased routine dances performed by the A and B winter guards. B guard, which is for younger teens and new members, performed to the song “Lego House” by Ed Sheeran. Next the A guard, which is for the more experienced members, performed to “Moonlight Sonata” by Beethoven.

Most of the experienced guard members appeared positive about the performance beforehand.

“I’m really excited because we’ve been working hard at this since November,” said junior A guard member Madi Wiley.

However, less experienced guard members such as junior Meg Buckalew expressed that the routines are harder than what is expected.

“It gets easier depending on how long you’ve been doing it. Tossing’s harder than dancing,” she said.

At the end of the performance, band director Harold Yankey thanked the audience for coming out and expressed gratitude towards his students.

Wormley concluded that since it was the last time playing that marching band show, it was very emotional.

“I can’t wait for next year.”

A&E, Isaac Mathewson

‘Scarlet Pimpernel’ leads talk about their roles

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By Isaac Mathewson

Last weekend, FC Theatre’s production of The Scarlet Pimpernel opened to good reviews and modest box office take-ins.

Because many people are still skeptical about this show, the two leads have decided to share their thoughts and feelings about their characters and their roles in the hopes of encouraging more people to see this show.

Senior Collin Jackson, who plays Percy a.k.a. the Scarlet Pimpernel, has described his character as being larger than life and is always trying to make a joke about the situation, no matter how serious it is.

“I’ve never played a character like this; it really expands my acting career.”

Jackson enjoys working with the other leads and he says that they are hardworking and are very funny. He has worked with them for years now and gets along with them really well.

Junior Madeline Coffey, who gives another terrific performance as Percy’s lover Marguerite, says that she is very privileged to play such a different role than what she is used to.

“She is very conflicted, but is very strong and like me she is very straightforward and over-the-top.”

Coffey was very excited for this role as it provided her to take up new acting opportunities, most notably learning how to swordfight.

“This makes a good addition to my acting resume.”

Coffey and Jackson are very happy about their roles in this huge production. Both of them encourage more people to see it because it is funny and has great music.

The Scarlet Pimpernel is about to start its second weekend with performances on tonight and tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday at 2 p.m. 

A&E, Isaac Mathewson

Favorite Film Friday: Goodfellas

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By Isaac Mathewson
Written and directed by: Martin Scorsese
Starring: Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco
Martin Scorsese has been known throughout the film world for his depictions of brutal and often bloody violence as well as social outcasts who want to make something of themselves even if they have to resort to crime. One of the most famous examples of these films comes from what has often been revered as one of the most influential mob movies alongside The Godfather.
Goodfellas, based on the book Wise Guys by Nicholas Pilleggi, tells the autobiographical story of Henry Hill (Liotta) and his rise and fall from grace within the mob. Robert De Niro plays his boss and best friend Jimmy “The Gent” Conway, Joe Pesci plays the aggressive Tommy DeVito, and Lorraine Bracco is Henry’s wife Karen. The first half of the film, leading up to the Billy Batts (played by Frank Vincent) murder, shows the good aspects of being in the mob and the second half after the murder shows the consequences of living a life committed to crime.
The film, like many of Scorsese’s movies, works like a documentary. It shows the life of Hill, from his eyes, from when he was a kid dreaming of a life of crime to when he is a coke addicted adult who struggles to live day by day to support his family. Scorsese does this in a way to help us understand and even sympathize with the main character.
One of the most famous aspects of this film is the filmmaking. Every shot and camera angle is absolutely stunning, especially in scenes where it shows Hill walking through a building such as a night club with Karen by his side. You get the sense that you have been transported to this time period and that you are there with the characters.
This film is also notable for its depictions of violence. From the opening scene that depicts the Billy Batts murder, you just know that this is a very different film than anything ever done before. The violence is not only very bloody but it is also very brutal. You can feel it every time someone is shot, stabbed, beaten, or strangled. This film really brought violence in gangster films to a whole new level and Scorsese would upgrade the violence in his movies further with Casino and The Departed.
The actors all fit their roles, but the one actor who stands out above all of them is Joe Pesci. His performance, which won him an Academy Award, is well known among gangster film fans all over the world. Although he is only 5’4 and stocky, he has a very violent temper and will kill anyone in cold blood if he feels insulted. Even though he is one of the protagonists, there’s no telling when he will get angry and suddenly turn violent. The most notable example is when he asks Hill, threateningly, how he finds him funny while they’re talking at a night club. It’s interesting how someone so violent and short tempered can be so close to his mother.
Many fans of this film have shown disappointment over the years since its release that it did not receive the Oscar attention it deserved the year that Kevin Costner’s Dances With Wolves was released. While that movie is no doubt beautiful and is too a landmark in cinema history, I would be lying if I didn’t say that this film really was truly 1990’s best picture. It is not only a landmark for mob movies, but for all films in general and to this day many filmmakers find inspiration in this film. It is one of the best mob movies of all time, as well as one of Scorsese’s greatest achievements.
A&E

FC theatre recreates Jane Austen’s 1813 classic

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By Melanie Parrish and Megan Johnson

“Alright ladies and gents, line up for the last dance in the second ball,” said director Amy Harpenau.

Theatre students hastily take their places on the floor. As they disperse and the talking dies down, a countdown of “five, six, seven, eight” is given and classical music begins to play.

Pride and Prejudice is a play set in the early 1800’s about a young woman whose strong willed intentions clash with the surrounding beliefs of others.

“I think the sort of strict boundaries of this time period go along with relations between characters, because if somebody dances with the same girl twice, then it’s like ‘oh, well we’re expecting a marriage proposal now’,” said junior Chelsea Balmer, who plays Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Pride and Prejudice is a novel originally written by Jane Austen. The book created the basis for the play later written by Jon Jory. Within this play, there are several themes: romance, independence, responsibility, and of course, pride and prejudice.

A major theme within both the play and the book  is justified within the first lines, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”

However, in order for these themes to be shown thoroughly, they must have actors who are able to naturally display them.

“When we choose a student for a role, we’re looking at the character qualities as a person and as an actor,” said Harpenau. “Actors are more than just what is written on a page.”

Director Amy Harpenau coaches senior Savannah Wormley and sophomore Ashley Denny. Photo by Megan Johnson.
Director Amy Harpenau coaches senior Savannah Wormley and sophomore Ashley Denny. Photo by Megan Johnson.“Actors are more than just what is written on a page.”

The play is defined as a “satire,” meaning comical ridicule is used to show the indirect problems within the plot. As the play is a satire, actors must be able to act in a comical manner, yet still channel the true emotion of their character.

“I try to think about the character’s mental status,” explained Balmer. “I try to think, ‘how does that affect their thinking and their feeling?’”

Though the specifics of stage design have not been released yet, there will be a new addition.

“It will include an extension of the stage, allowing the actors to be closer to the audience,” said theatrical arts teacher Robbie Steiner.

“Hopefully the design doesn’t stick out; I want the audience’s focus to be more towards the students.”

Pride and Prejudice will be showing April 25, 26, 27 at 7:30 p.m. and April 26, 27 at 2 p.m.

“With such a range of characters, you are bound to find someone that you like. There’s a lot of great banter between the characters, so it’s fun, but there’s also a really good underlying message.”