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A&E

‘Her’ proves to be both funny and heartbreaking

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By Isaac Mathewson

Directed and Written by: Spike Jonze

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, and Rooney Mara

Spike Jonze has had a reputation as being one of Hollywood’s most interesting directors. His films Being John Malkovich and Adaptation have been hailed for being very bizarre while telling compelling stories that balance comedy and drama. However, this is his first screenplay and that is a much bigger stretch for him than just simply being the one who brings this film to life.

Luckily, he proves to be just as capable of writing as he is directing.

Her tells the story of introverted writer Theodore Twombly (Phoenix) in the futuristic (about 10 or 20 years from now) Los Angeles, who after divorcing his wife Catherine (Mara) purchases an artificially intelligent operating system (or OS), which has the unique ability to develop its own personality. The OS, named Samantha (voiced by Johansson), becomes friends with Theodore and their relationship begins to grow from friendship to love. However, things start to get really complicated between the two because she is a computer and not a person. Things get even more complicated when Theodore realizes Samantha’s secrets.

Over the course of the film, there is a subplot involving Theodore’s neighbor Amy (Adams) who is also going through a tough time in her life and is too dating an operating system. She serves as the secondary female protagonist in the film.

One of the most impressive qualities about the film is its depiction of the not-so-distant future and a world that is run by technology. What separates Her from other films of this kind is that it shows us what it would be like if a computer could not only develop a personality, but also feel and possibly love. This would be the equivalent of Siri being able to love.

The film looks really nice. Its cinematography and visuals make it seem like we have been transported to this time period. Apart from the OS’s, there are virtual simulators that people can purchase and they act as games and there are appliances that you can operate without buttons.

The acting in this film is superb. Phoenix has always been one of my favorite actors and he has shown that he is capable of both drama and comedy in the same film. Adams and Mara are also very good and they provide the audience the chance to know other characters and not just technological ones. Johansson is especially good. It is a shame that the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences does not give Oscar nominations to voice actors because she sure would be a good candidate if they did. She seems to be much more than a simple computer, but her own likable person with a good personality.

One major criticism I have is the ending. Without giving anything away, it is very sudden and there is not a lot of buildup to it. This prevents an otherwise good film from being a masterpiece, but it does not make the film bad, just not perfect.

Despite its flaws, I highly recommend this film. Fans of Jonze and Phoenix, or any of the other actors will probably get something out of it and even if you aren’t, its themes and ideas will probably fascinate you. This film will likely be a big contender for this Oscar season..

Motion Picture Rating: R

Strong language and brief graphic nudity

My rating: A

 

Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Sports

Brother and sister unite in public athletics

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By Ashton Beck

When walking into a building for learning and receiving an education, students also come to participate in public school athletics.

Previous homeschooler junior Grant Vellinger arrived to FC, and it was the first time being a full time student in a public school.

“I was homeschooled for nine years. My first year at a public school was my freshman year at Floyd,” said Vellinger.  Along with Vellinger, his sister, sophomore Paige Vellinger also came to FC as a freshman for the same reason.

Grant involves himself in more than one sport.

“I played soccer and ran track my freshman year. Sophomore year I ran cross country and track and I’m doing the same thing this year,” said Grant.  Paige ended up doing the same as Grant.

Before FC, Grant was able to be a part of athletics.

“I played club soccer for Javanon which is a club in Louisville. That was pretty much year round,” said Grant.

Paige also participated in soccer before FC.

“I first played soccer for Graceland Baptist Church until I was in sixth grade then I played with Southern Indiana United,” said Paige.  She also ran on a home schooled cross country team.

Grant enjoys school sports over club.

“Club sports are much more serious. I don’t think club sports are as fun as school sports and mainly because I wasn’t very good friends with the guys on my club team. The guys on the cross country team are like my brothers,” said Grant.

With their athletics being a big priority, Grant’s top priority is his academics.

“My academics come before everything else at FC,” said Grant.

With all the accomplishments Paige and Grant have made at a public school, they have made their mom proud.

“I am very proud of them. I think that public athletics taught them many good life skills like a good work ethic,” said mom Erin Vellinger.

A&E, Christian DiMartino

Hobbit sequel surpasses original

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By Christian DiMartino

When Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opened last year, it made plenty of money. But some complained that it was bloated, redundant, and, in some ways, like the later Star Wars trilogy. Personally, it wasn’t really a bad movie at all. Yes, it was too long, but come on, it is a Lord of the Rings prequel. It is almost as if it is in the contract. Also, it included some unnecessary scenes. But it was great to see some of the beloved characters from the first trilogy return. Now, a year later, the sequel, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug comes crashing into theaters, and though it is still too long (it is actually shorter than its predecessor) it is a slight improvement over the original.

I’m not going to lie: Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings is possibly the greatest trilogy of them all. Each film was perfect or near perfect, but the trilogy is mainly special for its final chapter, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which won Oscars for Best Picture, Director, and everything else it was nominated for (the only movie ever to do so). The trilogy was groundbreaking. So obviously, Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy has a lot to live up to.

Jackson has made some questionable decisions to this trilogy. For one thing, it is not even supposed to be a trilogy. J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit is one book, and was originally going to be two films. But Jackson and writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens decided to turn it into a trilogy. Also, they include two characters that are not even mentioned in the book. One is from The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the other is one that Jackson and Co. created. So, how has the journey been so far?

The Desolation of Smaug continues pretty much right where the last film left off. Quiet hobbit Bilbo (the fantastic Martin Freeman), the wise wizard Galdalf (the even more fantastic Ian McKellen), and the 12 dwarves continue their journey to Erebor, the dwarves homeland, in an attempt to reclaim it from the humongous dragon Smaug (played to perfection by Benedict Cumberbatch, who is great even as a special effect). Along the way, they encounter giant spiders (I was really hoping to never see those again), along with Legolas (Orlando Bloom, probably grateful to have work again), the male elf version of Katniss Everdeen, and Tauriel (Evangeline Lilly), a beautiful elf who serves as a possible love interest for one of the dwarves.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is even better than the original. The film does not waste time getting on its feet. Jackson has a story to tell, and he does it with such an artistic vision it is easy to forgive the movie for whatever faults it may have. Jackson is a visionary poet who is now so comfortable with Middle Earth (where both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings take place) that he could probably write out a map. He is not the only one who knows a thing or two about Middle Earth. Ian McKellan, who has now played Gandalf five times, is just as wonderful in this role now as he was ten years ago.

As one who really liked the last film, it is difficult to compare both films. This one is better, but not by that much. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug is visually spectacular. It is the best visual achievement to come along since Gravity, which may not sound that good considering the fact that Gravity is only two months old. But to even be compared to a movie like Gravity is an achievement all its own.

So many of the action sequences, such as the one involving the barrels and the trip to Smaug’s lair, are exhilarating. None of them ever seemed to drag on, even in a movie as long as this. Maybe that is just the spell that the movie brings.

Which leads to Smaug himself, who does for this movie what Gollum did for the previous trilogy. As Smaug, Cumberbatch nails it. What a terrifying creature. Who wouldn’t want to get out of that lair?

Is it as good as the original trilogy? No. But it does not need to be. It works plenty well as its own trilogy. I love these movies, and with a cliffhanger as huge as this one, the next film, The Hobbit: There and Back Again (out next December) cannot arrive any sooner.

Perhaps turning one book into a trilogy was not exactly necessary. That said, Jackson knows what he is doing. The man has won three Oscars and has directed some of the best movies ever, so just go along with his vision. If he wants to write new characters, let him. Tauriel, who was not in the book, is a good character, so he got that one right. If he wants to split one book into three, let him. In the end, it is going to be a journey well spent. It has been so far.

Features

Jackson to add co-host to TV show

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By Sydney Sears and Delaney Smith

“How many high schoolers can say they have a show?” said sophomore Kylie Wheeler, who is soon to be a co-host with senior Julie Jackson on her TV show entitled “Everybody Talks.”

Wheeler will start to co-host the show with Jackson starting next semester in January.

“I’m in love with change, especially change that will benefit everyone. The show will be a lot more exciting and a lot more fun when Kylie joins the show crew,” said Jackson.

Jackson said the idea for a co-host came up when she was brainstorming because she felt that there was something missing from the show.

“The idea for a co-host sparked my mind when I was in the shower. I went to Mr. Dench the next day and he thought it was a great idea,” said Jackson.

Radio/TV teacher Tim Dench said that the original idea for the show included a co-host and that will make the show more fun and interesting.

“Different ideas will come along with a new co-host,” said Dench.

Wheeler originally took radio/TV because others had suggested to her that she could be a broadcaster and she ended up loving the class and therefore took the co-hosting opportunity.

“She [Wheeler] is outgoing, loves to talk, and with her pageant history she would fit in,” said Dench.

Also, with Wheeler as an underclassman she will take over the show when Jackson graduates this May.

“She may only be a sophomore, but she knows what she’s doing,” said Jackson.

Wheeler has high hopes for the future of the show

“I hope to just have fun with this opportunity and get to learn a lot more about this field,” said Wheeler.

Jackson concludes her thoughts on Wheeler’s introduction to the show.

“This is more of a friend title than a co-host stamp,” said Jackson.

Christian DiMartino, News, Peter Hyle, Sidney Reynolds

Winter Fantasia preforms despite recent cancellations

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By Peter Hyle and Christian DiMartino and Sidney Reynolds

For the past eleven years, the choir, orchestra, and band departments at FC have hosted Winter Fantasia. A musical showcase that preforms Christmas carols and tunes, each department puts a lot of time and preparation into their part of the show. Although the preparations are hectic every year, the recent cancellations due to snow have made this year especially stressful.

Each department faces their own specific obstacles in planning their part of the concert.

“A main challenge is that it is very close to the end of our marching band season. We have to get all of our concert bands ready to learn the music, while things like Pep Band, Winter Guard and Winter Percussion are still going on. So it’s a very busy time for us, especially with Winter Fantasia mixed in,” said band director Harold Yankee.

Aside from the demanding schedules, there are more stressful problems that the students and teachers are faced with.

“Our biggest obstacle has been preparing the freshmen and bringing them up to the standards. The music in Winter Fantasia is always very challenging for the freshmen, but they’re fighting harder than most to learn this year’s music,” said orchestra director Doug Elmore.

After over a decade, the directors have adjusted to each other’s eventful schedules.

“We’ve got it down to a system where it works very smoothly. The first few years we had some troublesome details to figure out, but now we basically follow the same pattern each year. We typically always change the pieces of music performed, but we each know what we’re going to do and when,” said choir director Angela Hampton.

There are many songs that will be performed during Winter Fantasia, but there are certain highlights for each director.

“My favorite part in the whole concert is the last song at the very end, where everyone plays and sings together. There are so many students on stage enjoying the same song at the same time. The Most Wonderful Time of the Year is just a pleasant piece of music. It’s always been one of my favorite pieces,” said Yankee.

Winter Fantasia is held on Tuesday, Dec. 10 and Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7pm. The box office is opened each night at 6:15pm. The recent snow days have made things more stressful for the students and teachers performing, but everything is still on schedule. There is a silent auction all throughout both nights of Winter Fantasia, and the directors are encouraging people to come early to participate in the final auction. This event is described as FC’s biggest music event of the year.