Category Archives: Weekly Playlist

Favorite Film Friday: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off

By Isaac Mathewson
Written and directed by: John Hughes
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara, and Jennifer Grey
Sometimes I come across a movie that just puts me in a good mood. Coming from someone who suffers from chronic depression, I loved this movie when I first saw it. It made me forget about my problems and it was a lot of fun to watch. Today, I consider it not only a great comedy, but somewhat of a suicide prevention film.
 
Ferris Bueller (Broderick) is a popular, wise guy high school senior who decides one spring day to fake being sick from school in order to take his best friend Cameron (Ruck) and his girlfriend Sloane (Sara) on a day out on the city of Chicago. They spend the day going to a baseball game, an art museum, and lip syncing at a parade (one of the most famous scenes in the movie), all the while, they keep Ferris’s parents in the dark, who along with the rest of the town think that he is actually sick and have set up a “Save Ferris” campaign. There are only two people who suspect anything; Ferris’s principal Ed Rooney, played by Jeffrey Jones, who serves as the main antagonist, and Ferris’s sister Jeanie (Grey) who is immensely jealous of her brother’s popularity and the attention that he receives from his parents.
 
The film was directed and written by the late John Hughes, who is famous for classic works such as The Breakfast Club and Home Alone.Often times his movies balance both comedy and drama effectively. That is to say, his movies are generally comedies with dramatic moments to provide a theme for the movie. This film is no exception.
 
It does play as a playful comedy most of the time, but there are also moments in the film that actually make you think. Throughout the course of the film, Ferris tries desperately to make his depressed friend Cameron get up and enjoy life. There is a famous quote said by Ferris in the film that sums up the film’s message. He says; “Life moves pretty fast, and if you don’t stop to look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Ferris, or rather Hughes, is not telling us to ditch school and education for the sake of fun, he is saying that everyone needs to take a break once in a while and just enjoy life for what it is.
 
Scenes like this turn a mere entertainment film into a classic film with a philosophical message. However, that is obviously not the only reason to enjoy this film. It is just great fun. You laugh the whole time and by the end you feel like you know the characters and have spent the day off with them.
 
What makes the film stand out the most is the main character himself. Matthew Broderick, although 23 when he starred in this, is very convincing as a wise guy kid with a great charm in his character. He is the film really and not just because his name is in the title. He also has that sweet, recognizable voice that makes him very innocent.
 
All of the other characters are good too. Ruck is very likable and funny and Sara is very attractive and has a great personality. The principal is also funny in how he will go to ridiculous lengths to stop Ferris from “corrupting his students,” and in the end he gets his comeuppance. Grey is also very good as the sister who is immensely jealous of her brother. Even some of the minor characters such as Ferris’s parents or Charlie Sheen as the criminal that Jeanie meets at a police station are memorable and a ton of fun to watch.
 
While the soundtrack is mediocre and outdated, and some of the actors look far too old for their role (Ruck was 29 when he did this film and he was playing an 18 year old), this film has so much to treasure. It is funny, smart, and a lot of fun. It is one of those films that just leaves you in a good mood after seeing it, like you were with Ferris and his friends the whole time. The film to this day remains a coming-of-age classic, as well as arguably John Hughes’s best work.

Columnist offers how to get prom night kickin’

By Christian DiMartino

On May 11, the best moments of every students’ high school career will occur. A night many students wait long and ardently for, the mother of all parties: Prom. Do not let the top choice put a damper on the evening.

5. Footloose: Can prom scenes get any more memorable? The film takes place in a town where dancing and rock music are banned. Once the students flee outside the city limits, Ren (Kevin Bacon), the protagonist, bursts into the prom and shouts “Let’s dance!” So they dance, for what feels like a very long time, to Kenny Loggin’s “Footloose.” The movie is not that great, but like prom, the scene cannot be forgotten.

4. Pretty in Pink: The climax of Pretty in Pink takes place at the prom. Andie (Molly Ringwald), a not very wealthy girl, makes her own clothes and goes with her best friend Duckie (Jon Cryer). There, her wealthy boyfriend Blane (Andrew McCarthy), who recently broke up with her because of peer pressure, realizes that he loves her and decides that he does not care what others think. I am sure the rest is self-explanatory. It is a happy ending, and sometimes that is all people need to have a good night.

3. Grease: The first two movies mentioned were 80’s proms. This one is a 50’s prom, and is a little different. Danny (John Travolta) and Sandy (Olivia Newton John) go to prom in the middle of the movie, and it is so happenin’. There is a lot of dancing. A lot. This is when the “hand-jive” shows up. It is a blast, just the way prom should be.

2. Fast Times at Ridgemont High: Back to the 80’s proms. The prom scene is upbeat and once again is the climax of the film, but there is something a little different this time. Class clown Jeff Spicoli (Sean Penn) has been torturing his teachers all year. But on prom night, one of his teachers, Mr. Hand, decides to visit his home and gives him a history lesson, to punish him for wasting so much of his time in the year. But in the end, Jeff makes it to prom. It is a clever idea and the result is hilarious.

1. Carrie: Prom is supposed to be a night to be remembered forever, right? Well, there should be no problem remembering the prom in Carrie. This is easily the most memorable, but yet the most demented. Do not let this prom put a damper on your prom events. The chances of a girl with telekinetic powers murdering almost everyone at the prom are slim to none. But it is still a party to never forget.
For the record, I highly recommend pulling no prom pranks, as previously discussed, the results have the potential to be disastrous. 

NOTE: Fall Out Boy, The Temptations, Cayucas

By JT Samart

New and Popular:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkIWmsP3c_s]

Fall Out Boy has been a part of our musical scene since the early 2000’s. Their recent “indefinite break” caused many to wonder if they would return. Well, they are back with a new and gritty single. In “Fall Out Boy” fashion the title is a mouthful, but the song has a great amount of energy. It is heavier than their other tunes, like “Dance, Dance” or “Sugar We’re Going Down” but then again the song is about arson. Either way it is nice to have “Fall Out Boy” back.

Old:

[yotube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltRwmgYEUr8]

The Motown sound has become legendary and will forever stick in the mind of those who hear it. “My Girl” is a song that is crafted to be forever engraved in our subconscious. From the catchy guitar lick to the vocal harmonies, this love song was written by Smokey Robinson for his wife Claudette Robinson. Soon “The Temptations” turned it into their number one hit and became one of the many legends of Motown.

Try It:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io8PqddrRIs]

Cayucas

Genre: Indie Surf-Rock

Label: Secretly Canadian

Album: Bigfoot (release date: April 30, 2013)

Website: http://cayucas.com

Surf rock was developed by the Beach Boys to give a tropical atmosphere to music. Cayucas has given the genre a slight twist and brought the genre back to life. Cayucas’ sound is based on the rhythm of each song. The bass riffs and drums usually are the catchy parts of the songs. The full album has not been released yet but my favorite song is “Cayucos”. It has a sound that will make you want to go to the beach and surf.

Enough:

Junior Olivia Horesly: “Feel Again” by OneRepublic

“The song repeats twice and is not original in anyway.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghb6eDopW8I]

“Little Talks” by “Of Monsters And Men” is one of those songs are great to hear for the first time. It is fun and follows the newly accepted rule that a chorus can have random “yeahs”, “ooos”, or “heys”. Yet again the radio overplays the song and ruins it. There is not a problem with it but I am sick of it.

N.O.T.E: Vampire Weekend, Bee Gees, Justin Timberlake

By: JT Samart

New and Popular:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KReoTOZK9W8]

“Suit & Tie” by Justin Timberlake

With New Kids on the Block and Backstreet Boys touring again, it would only make sense to welcome back Justin Timberlake to the charts. After taking up acting in movies and TV, he returns triumphantly with a new single “Suit & Tie.” “Suit & Tie” is smooth, suave, and classy. It has a very slow introduction then a quick crescendo to a swinging verse and chorus. A Jay-Z rap is added for good measure and you have one song that is worth suiting up for.

Old:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpjQs0WZEC4]

1978 “Stayin’ Alive” by Bee Gees

From February fourth to March third this song was playing in every discotheque, nightclub and roller rink. Saturday Night Fever was on and disco was the way of life. “The Hustle,” “The Bump,” and “The Robot” were new dances that matched the new fun atmosphere. This song with its falsetto vocals and jiving riffs, made everyone want to strut down streets in their new bell-bottom jeans.

Try it:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTjwXwl_be8]

Vampire Weekend

Genre: Afro-Pop, indie rock

Labels: XL, DGC

Albums: Vampire Weekend, Contra, Modern Vampires of the City (release date: May 6, 2013)

Fusing rock, African-pop, and classical music seems like a very daunting task, but Vampire Weekend accomplishes it with class. Meeting as student in Columbia University, they have developed a sound that is unique and unmistakable. The variety of compositions is outstanding and the use of classical elements is superlative. Their songs tend to have a preppy jump to them and come with a seemingly random, but relative set of lyrics. One of my favorite songs is “M79” because of its orchestrated introduction and varied parts.

Enough:

“Try” by P!nk

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTCDVfMz15M]

There is a plethora of well done songs that have the message to “carry on” and “it will get better.” “Try” is not one of them. From the first time I heard it I was just amazed at how instantly bored I was. I zoned out after hearing the first verse and forgot about it.

Senior Katie Harrison:

Rihanna ft. Mikky Ekko- “Stay”

“I personally do not like it because it sounds whinny and the lyrics make her sound like she is complaining.”

Junior Alex Taylor

Psy-“Gangnam Style”

“It’s repetitive and the radio plays it too much”

NOTE: Maroon 5, The Beatles, Macklemore

By JT Samart

New:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N17FXwRWEZs]

“Daylight” by Maroon 5 is quickly gaining popularity, proving Maroon 5 is still able to crank out hits. It is in synch with the rest of the group’s hit album, Overexposed. Much like most of Maroon 5’s songs, its impressive lyrical structure offers many levels of listening. The instrumental funk guitar and electro-pop mix was also pretty top notch.

Old:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iim6s8Ea_bE]

From February 1, 1964 to March 30: “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” by “The Beatles” was released on February 1, 1964 and was an instant hit. The song was not supposed to be played in America, and in an interview for The Beatles Anthology, George Martin, producer of “The Beatles”, said “Capital (Records) was forced to release “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” though it was not specifically designed for the American market.”

In any case, it held its spot on the charts until March 30 of that year and has become one of the most popular songs by The Beatles.

Try It:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmZexg8sxyk]

MGMT

Genre: Psychedelic Rock

Labels: Cantora, Columbia, Sony, RED

Albums: Oracular Spectacular, Congratulations

Website: www.whoismgmt.com

Let me start by saying that that psychedelic does not begin to describe this band. They have a sound that is strange in melody and in lyrics. Their music has a very swirling tone and synthesized riffs. “MGMT” or “The Management” consists of Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser. Both met during their freshmen year at Wesleyan University and “started experimenting”. They a most noted for their strange music videos that have a very “trippy” feel. One of my favorite songs is “Electric Feel” because of the booming bass and the clever lyrics.

Enough:

Senior Claire Faith: “Some Nights” by Fun. and “Too Close” by Alex Clare

“They’re really good songs the first few times you hear them but then they’re played so much they just get old.”

Sophomore Kenzie Ross: “Scream & Shout” by Britney Spears & will.i.am

“It’s catchy, but they play it too often. Now it’s just annoying.”

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JZJFTgN0DQ]

As for me, I have had enough of “Thrift shop” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz the Heist.  It is really nothing inventive in anyway, but most can enjoy it for its sense of humor. The obnoxious saxophone solo is grading to the ears, and I would be alright if I never heard the song again.