Tag Archives: A&E

A&E, Features, Guest Reporters, Live Blogging, Online Only, Spotlight

The Big Apple: live blogging from senior Jared Murray

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By Jared Murray

Guest Reporter

It’s 5:05 am on Feb. 28, and we are only in Pennsylvania after sitting in traffic for two hours waiting for a wreck to be cleared. The kids in the back are laughing hysterically, attempting to recreate musical numbers from Pitch Perfect, and going slightly insane from lack of sleep and possibly considering canibalism due to severe hunger pains. The adults in the front are probably frowning at us, wishing they could put us to sleep for the rest of the trip. After that exhausting two hours of waiting for a plethora of fire trucks to put out a flaming semi, I’m ready to sleep for the rest of the ride up, but I doubt that will happen now that everyone is riled up about how close we are. And if you’re still wondering, we haven’t resorted to eating each other. . . Yet.

Make sure to keep checking the Bagpiper Online for more updates on our travels!

A&E, Guest Reporters, Live Blogging, Online Only, Spotlight

The Big Apple: live blogging from orchestra senior Jared Murray

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By Jared Murray

Editor’s Note: For the extent of the orchestra’s trip to New York for their competition at Alice Tully Hall in the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the Bagpiper will be having a guest live blogging straight from New York. Senior Jared Murray will be updating daily with photos and events of the Floyd Central students in New York. Image

It’s 4:40 p.m. on Feb. 27, and the Floyd Central Orchestra is finally on the road for New York City. We have packed the bus full of people, luggage, and of course,  instruments. Everyone seems to be excited despite the 12+ hour drive. So far my mom has only embarrassed me once, but some weren’t as lucky. Its only been 10 minutes and people are already on their iDevices, complaining about the bus wifi, and talking about the plans for tomorrow. I’m definitely ready to get to The Big Apple and take in the city. Only 12+ more hours!

Make sure to keep checking the Bagpiper Online for more updates on our travels!

A&E, Blake Dykes

Book turned film disappoints critic

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By Blake Dykes

Friday night was a night I had been looking forward to ever since I finished the book Safe Haven. I finally got to see the movie. While I was not entirely excited about the overall outcome of the movie, I also was not disappointed. It is typical that movies are usually never as good as the books; that is mainly because movies do not go into as much detail as the book.

For starters, I enjoyed the book more because it really went in depth about Katie’s past and all of the abuse that she endured. The book really made me feel her pain, and I could vividly see each punch Katie would take from Kevin. However,  the movie just showed a few flashbacks, never allowing the viewers to see how wicked his character truly was.

Another better aspect of the book is that the reader witnessed how insane Kevin was because we were able to read all of his thoughts. I read how he rationalized his abuse that he inflicted on Katie, and how he made it acceptable in his head.

A bigger difference between the book and movie is the role that Jo plays. In the book Jo is more significant, and the connection between her and Katie is much more developed. Jo is constantly giving her advice about Alex and his children.

Despite the obvious connection between Katie and Alex, the book seemed to have more events that brought them closer. I was able to understand what drew them together. I specifically remember a passage in where Alex came over to Katie’s, and Katie relieved her past, telling him everything that had happened to her, and Alex was her shoulder to cry on. However, in the movie, it appears Katie will never admit her past, or the awful marriage that she is still involved in. It actually shows that Alex does not even believe Katie’s past, he just thinks that she is lying.

Overall, Safe Haven is a good movie if you have no read the book. However, if you have read the book, I would brace for some disappointment.

A&E, JT Samart, Weekly Playlist

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

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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”