Tag Archives: slide

A&E, Peter Hyle

‘Last Vegas’ does not live up to the cast

Leave a comment

By Peter Hyle

On Friday, the new comedy Last Vegas hit theatres with an impressive cast but a seemingly unimpressive plot. Starring Morgan Freeman, Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, and Kevin Kline, all of which have won Oscars. I actually was not excited to see this movie. It seemed like an older version of The Hangover and I honestly expected one of the main characters to end up in the hospital. But I figured that since the cast was so talented, I had to give it a shot.

The story centers around four best friends coming to Las Vegas to have a bachelor party for Billy (Douglas), the last in the group (De Niro, Freeman, and Kline) to get married. Of course there’s drama and a love interest (Mary Steenburgen) added in, which helps distract from the occasional overused line or annoying scene.

I didn’t get 10 minutes into the movie without rolling my eyes. Parts of this movie are way too cliché for my taste, but thankfully they didn’t take up the entire film. It was sometimes painfully obvious that Last Vegas was made for a much older demographic.

The actors definitely saved this movie in more ways than one. They provide the film with a relaxed and good-natured feeling that made it watchable. The actors were comfortable on the big screen and made it funny, but not hilarious. The four main characters shared a comedic chemistry that made it somewhat more pleasant.

Despite the good acting, everything was predictable. Most of the jokes depended on the age of the cast rather than the creativity of the writing. It had a few minor twists that added to the overall depth of the plot, but everything still ended the way I expected it to.

Overall, this film lacked a lot of originality. It could have been much better, especially with such a talented cast. It is not necessarily a bad movie. It is entertaining and occasionally humorous, but it is yet another case where the actors are above their material. It was a warm and cliché film that can make you smile, but if you want any sort of depth or impact in the theatre then Last Vegas is not for you. 6/10.

Features, Peter Hyle

Halloween Howl receives positive student opinion

Leave a comment

By Peter Hyle and Will Huston

Saturday, Oct. 26, the Floyd Central Dance Marathon hosted the first ever Halloween Howl at the Galena Elementary School.  The event was organized in support of Riley’s Children Hospital. All of the proceeds went to the Dance Marathon , which is being held next February. Throughout the night there were many events including Trunk r’ Treat,  pumpkin painting contest,  photo booth,  costume competition, and a haunted house.

Many students who attended said  they had a good time.

“It’s a great time to celebrate the holidays and help raise money for Riley Children’s Hospital,” said volunteer Wendy Ivey.

Ivey helped pass out candy at the Trunk r’ Treat while dressed up as Glenda the Good Witch from the “Wizard of Oz.” Ivey also mentioned that despite not participating before, she plans on helping out at next year’s Dance Marathon.

The majority of people at the Halloween Howl  spent their time either listening to the bands play or taking part in the activities.

Senior Dana Frank, who dressed up as a rubiks cube  commented on how she really liked the pumpkin painting contest, saying it was a good chance to be goofy and creative.

Others, like junior Brett Yeaton, who dressed up as the classic movie Dracula, enjoyed the haunted house most.

“It’s just creepier than I thought it would be,” said Yeaton.

There were also some events in which only a few people were competing. Those who had brave stomachs contested in Halloween Howl’s very own Fear-Factor.

Juniors Emily Shumate, Sequoia Bryant, and Lexie Byrd decorate a pumpkin for the contest.
Juniors Emily Shumate, Sequoia Bryant, and Lexie Byrd decorate a pumpkin for the contest. Photo by Peter Hyle.

The winner of Fear-Factor and member of Dance Marathon, senior Allen Truong, won a $25 gift card.

Truong mentioned his main concern related to the contest, “I feel like people are perceived that I eat weird [now.]”

The event’s Fear Factor consisted of a four course meal consisting of  green peas in baby food, hot cottage cheese, Chocolate covered hard boiled eggs, and  a plate full of crickets.

The final event of the evening was the costume contests. There were four different categories: Best male costume was won by freshman Louis Prez who dressed up like a hippy. Best female costume was won by senior Dana Frank who dressed up as a Rubik’s cube. The best group costume was won by a group of girls dressed up as Native Americans. Their de facto chief was senior Jackie Banet. Finally, the couple’s costume was won by senior Trevor Smith and his girlfriend, who dressed up as the couple from the movie the Sandlot.

If the Dance Marathon committee at first had any doubts on the success of the event, the feedback quickly put their minds to ease.

Banet said that overall it was a blast and she most enjoyed being with her friends and all of the Halloween stuff available.

Many students, such as sophomore Stephen Johnson, agreed with Banet and said that he would come back again.

“It  was a really great time,” said sophomore Shannon O’Brien, “It really got me into the Halloween spirit, and now I can’t wait for next year’s event.”

Features

Celebrate My Drive promotes safe teen driving

Leave a comment
State Farm agent Theresa Lamb and her staff race through the quick click challenge. Photo by Delaney Smith
State Farm agent Theresa Lamb and her staff race through the quick click challenge. Photo by Delaney Smith

Photos by Delaney Smith and Rachel Lamb

By Christian DiMartino and Sidney Reynolds

In honor of National Teen Driving Safety Week, State Farm sponsored the annual Celebrate My Drive event hosted by Theresa Lamb at FC. It helps teach teens the importance of driving safely through various games and activities.

“I had so much funning playing the Chinese fire drill. I think it helps teach how easy it is to just wear your seat belt while driving and to encourage it,” said sophomore Ryan Stone.

The weather was cold, being in the 40s, but did not keep people from coming to the event. To help keep participants warm they were also treated to free pizza, soda, and popcorn.

“The food was really good and I think it helped make people want to come to the event,” said Stone.

Many students went because they received extra credit for their driver education classes.

“I think it’s good experience for students since we can’t do this in the class room and we don’t want them to experience first hand,” said drivers education instructor Joe Cerqueira.

The games were designed to help teach students what the consequences can be if they make poor decisions behind the wheel. Some of the popular games there included a simulated texting while driving video game, playing catch while wearing drunk goggles, and posing in a wrecked car with two people dressed up as car wreck victims.

“To see a car damaged really showed teens what could happen. Even though I came for extra credit I had a good time and gained a lot of important information,” said sophomore Chloe Everle.

The Greenville Fire Department and Floyd County Sheriff’s office came to help out and run some of the activities there.

“The texting and driving simulation is the newest activity here. It teaches teens how dangerous it can be. If they wrecked in the simulation I hope they will remember that next time and just put the phone down,” said Officer Mark Spurgeon.

Students are encouraged to vote for FC online at the Celebrate My Drive website for a chance to win $100,000 and a concert from Kelly Clarkson. Any money won this year will go to FC Dance Marathon.

“I hope everyone votes. It would be awesome if we won and got a concert from Kelly Clarkson. It would also be nice to help out the Riley kids through Dance Marathon,” said Stone.

Next year Lamb is hoping to continue educating people on driving safely. “Teens are more apt to get accidents due to inexperience and being distracted by such things as texting, other people, and the radio. Education is the key,” said Lamb.

Sophomores Ryan Jennings and Hunter Hampton throw a ball back and forthwhile wear drunk goggles. Photo by Delaney Smith
Sophomores Ryan Jennings and Hunter Hampton throw a ball back and forthwhile wear drunk goggles. Photo by Delaney Smith

IMG_0646

Fox41News camera man shoots footage of sophomore Alexis Moody beating her opponent in a race. Photo by Rachel Lamb
Fox41News camera man shoots footage of sophomore Alexis Moody beating her opponent in a race. Photo by Rachel Lamb
Sophomore Bessmah Elashawah takes the texting and drving simulator test. Photo by Rachel Lamb
Sophomore Bessmah Elashawah takes the texting and drving simulator test. Photo by Rachel Lamb
Fireman from Greenville Fire Department demonstrate how they would take care of car crash victims. Photo by Rachel Lamb
Fireman from Greenville Fire Department demonstrate how they would take care of car crash victims. Photo by Rachel Lamb
Sophomore Brandon Lacy trys throwing a ball with drunk googles on. Photo by Rachel Lamb
Sophomore Brandon Lacy trys throwing a ball with drunk googles on. Photo by Rachel Lamb
The good neigh-bear shakes Floyd Conunty Sheriff Darrell Mill's hand. Photo by Rachel Lamb
The good neigh-bear shakes Floyd Conunty Sheriff Darrell Mill’s hand. Photo by Rachel Lamb
Sophomores Sarah Parker and Chloe Eberly race while texting on their phone. Photo by Delaney Smith
Sophomores Sarah Parker and Chloe Eberly race while texting on their phone. Photo by Delaney Smith
Senior Timon Stermer plays a good role as the State Farm good neigh-bear. Photo by Delaney Smith
Senior Timon Stermer plays a good role as the State Farm good neigh-bear. Photo by Delaney Smith
Sports

Band students proud over their performance Saturday night

Leave a comment

By Will Huston

It is late into Saturday evening at the Ron Weigleb Stadium. Friends and family of 14 different high school bands congregate in the stands, some having been there the since Five in the afternoon or earlier. The FC band had been waiting for about five hours before they finally got their chance to perform. Their three act performance lasted under 10 minutes, and after the applause died down, the awards were handed out to the various high schools.

This year’s invitational brought some worry, as numerous band students related how nervous they were.

“We only just learned the last part of our show this week,” said junior Zach Henderson, who plays the snare drum.

Though, after the show had finished, many students felt good about how they performed.

“It was a lot better than other years,” said sophomore Trevor Sims, who plays the alto saxophone.

Fourteen high school bands came to the stadium Saturday evening, each of them with their own theme and style. FC band’s theme being current, as displayed in their three movements: Wind, Shenandoah (water), and electric.

The band that was discussed most by FC band students was Columbus North, whose theme this year was John F. Kennedy.

“You can tell [that] they enjoy band,” said Henderson.

Columbus also got the most awards, receiving a total of eight awards.

The audience  also had an important role to play at the competition.

“Once they started clapping after the first and second movement, it got people hyped,” said Sims.

With only two months into the school year, the Band still has a lot of flaws to work out. Sophomore Dylan Eversman, who plays the trombone, recognizes this, saying that the band still needs to work on “tone, technique, and toes.”

Director Harold Yankey shared his opinion on what the band needs to improve on.

“We just have to get cleaner.”

Even after this competition, the band students still have to worry about their next competition, Bands of America is this coming Saturday In the meantime, the band is going to, as senior Garrett Jones said, “work out the problems in the new part of our show.”