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Columnist critiques movies of summer 2013
By Christian DiMartino
The summer movie season is wrapping up, and after seeing 20 movies, it is about time for a summary. Yes, there were some that I missed out on, from blockbusters (The Wolverine, Pacific Rim) to indie hits (Blue Jasmine, The Bling Ring). But summer is over, and it is time to move on. Here are the high and low points of summer 2013. *Note* If Steven Soderbergh’s Behind the Candelabra was considered an actual movie (it was an HBO movie), it would certainly make the list.
The Best
5. Before Midnight: Most probably do not even know what this is, and it is a pity. Richard Linklater’s third chapter in the Before Sunrise trilogy is one of the best written and acted movies of the year so far. This time around, it has become more obvious that Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy have developed into bona fide actors. Yes, the movie is a talk fest, but it is worth it.
4. The Conjuring: The Conjuring is a movie that has been done before, but not much better. It is a good old fashioned haunted house movie that takes its time delivering the chills, rather than constantly making the audience jump. It also helps when actors as good as Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ron Livingston, and Lili Taylor are involved. It is not the scariest movie, but it is among the best of its kind.
3. Iron Man 3: Iron Man 3, the first movie of the summer, kicked the summer off right. Often hilarious, with Robert Downey, Jr. doing what he does best, making people laugh, not to mention the special effects, Iron Man 3 is a total blast.
2. The Great Gatsby: Ignore the critics. Baz Luhrman’s latest film is a visual marvel that captures the era and the essence of the novel well. Gorgeous and well acted, The Great Gatsby is as enchanting as movies get. Leonardo DiCaprio and crew could not have done better. Great job, old sport.
1. Star Trek Into Darkness: J.J. Abrams’ previous Star Trek movie found a new fan (guess who?). After waiting four long years , the sequel finally came along, and it was well worth the wait. Star Trek Into Darkness puts the word “spectacle” into “spectacular.” The visual effects are marvelous and there are some nice references to previous movies. But what the crew really nails is letting the audience know these characters better, especially Spock (the terrific Zachary Quinto). Besides Quinto, the best actor involved is Benedict Cumberbatch, who steals the show as the villain. Star Trek 3 can’t come sooner.
Honorable Mentions: This is the End, Man of Steel, Monsters University
The Worst
After Earth: Of 20 movies, none of them deserved annihilation as much as this one. M Night Shamylan’s latest disaster is a 100-minute talk fest rather than a cool sci-fi movie. It is incredibly dull, and if Will Smith does not look interested, the movie is doomed from the start. The saddest thing about it is that it is not even Shamylan’s worst (Reigning champion: The Last Airbender).
Most Surprising
Tie: Fast & Furious 6 and The Hangover Part III: After giving up on both franchises, it is nice to say that both movies were pleasantly surprising. The well-reviewed Fast & Furious 6 is dumb fun, and proud of it. The poorly reviewed Hangover Part III is a bit different from its predecessors, and it is for the best. It is not as wild, but it is still funny and it ties the trilogy together well. Neither movie is amazing, but both are better than expected.
Most Disappointing
Kick Ass 2: It is sad to say that The Lone Ranger, which was torn apart by the world, was better than Kick Ass 2. The first hour of it lives up to the original. It is funny and fun, and Chloe Grace Moretz steals the show once again as the foul mouthed Hit Girl. But the sequel takes a wrong turn in the last 40 minutes, and it is a turn for the worst. It is also a waste of what could have been a great Jim Carrey performance. At the end of the day, it is a wasted opportunity.
Well, there it is. This summer was not the best. But it was a decent one. There were only two bad movies the entire summer, and some were borderline bad but shamefully enjoyable (White House Down, The Lone Ranger). It was also a good summer for comedies, such as This is the End, The Heat, and We’re the Millers. All this summer needed was another Batman movie and it could have been perfect. If the summer didn’t meet expectations, there is still a lot to look forward to in the rest of the year, such as The Wolf of Wall Street, American Hustle, Gravity, and Her. Count me in.
New Kickstarter game Chaosmos premiers at Gen Con Indy
By Garland Noel
It’s the week after Gen Con, the largest annual consumer electronic, sci-fi, fantasy, adventure and hobby game convention in North America, and I am hyped. With all the deserving new projects that were presented it’s hard to pick a favorite, but the one thing I think deserves some recognition is the first game test we did that day. Chaosmos.
Designed by Joey Vigour and marketed by Sam Vest, this kickstarter project was a joy to play. Playing is a whirlwind of bluffs, tricks, and sleight of hand, always trying to shield your intent. Although it was my first play-through I quickly found out the hard way that even though I could use brute force, a good opponent could use my headlong rush to divert attention from the game at hand. Out of the hour-long introduction we had, one thing rang truer than everything else in our play test: trust no one. It’s like go-fish, poker, and chess with a side of deceit and back stabbing.
The idea behind Chaosmos is this — the universe is ending, so pick one of multiple aliens, find the ovoid , and remake the universe in your own twisted image. Have the ovoid at the end of the game and the victory is yours. Each alien has it’s own special abilities, weaknesses, and tactics, making the game even harder to predict, like a shell game on steroids. As the first turn ended I discovered quickly that every turn counts, each ticking down the game clock. At the end of a two-hour session I was surprised by how quickly time had passed and especially surprised by who won. In the end the player no one thought was a threat revealed the ovoid had been in her hand since turn one.
Keeping in mind that it was a play test, gamers should look forward to highly detailed miniatures, a huge item count, and an amazing game to infuriate their friends. This will be a hit with anyone who enjoys gaming and even some who don’t.
After the con was over and everyone had left, I still want to play again. From the cool stylized miniatures to the compelling drama this game hit a homerun with my game group and I can’t wait for the Nov. 15 kickoff. Pretty good for an 8 a.m. play testing.
Motivational Monday: Tight abs and cardio fat blaster
By Blake Dykes
Want that perfect body but not really feeling a long run? That is perfectly okay, because there are plenty of other things you can do that burn just as many calories to get in tip top shape. Try incorporating a few of these workouts a few times a week and there will be results.
Tight abs (Can be done every other day for full results.)
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40 crunches
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45 russian twist with five pound weight
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Two-minute plank
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One-minute mountain climbers
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20 toe touches
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15 v-ups
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30 bicycle crunches
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one minute six inches
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25 reverse crunches
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25 in outs
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15 side crunches (each side)
The Fat Blaster (Cardio is recommended every day for at least 45 minutes; however, it is important to mix up your workouts to avoid getting burnt out.)
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One-minute high knees
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15 push ups
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15 squats (with weight for a challenge)
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One-minute step ups (can be done on a chair at a fast pace)
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15 tricep dips
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Two minutes of jumping jacks
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One-minute wall sit
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Two-minute jump rope (if you don’t have a jump rope you can make the motion)
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Three dive bombers pushups
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One-minute mountain climbers
- Three minutes running in place
Tips:
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Always stretch before each workout, and after each one to avoid injury.
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If you are unsure of an exercise you can type in the name of it on youtube and it will show you how to do it briefly.
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These workouts are most beneficial if you take no longer than a 15-second break between each exercise.
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If you find yourself unable to do the full extent of an exercise modify to your need to avoid hurting yourself.
- Doing these workouts before bed is a great way to get your metabolism going before going for the night.
Share your success Leave a comment below in the comment box. If you have any great workouts yourself, go ahead and share you secret with the rest of us.
Senior gives advice for incoming freshmen
By Derek Hanke
As a freshman, joining in with the ranks of high schoolers can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. There are a few good rules you can follow to try and get off on the right foot.
First things first: congratulations on making it through middle school and welcome to Floyd Central! You have been fortunate enough to become a student of an exceptional school with a great staff and with some honest effort you will be on your way towards a successful future. However, there are some things you should take into consideration as a freshman that can help shape your high school career:
1. Avoid Drama
Drama can sour your time in high school more than anything else if you let it. It is easy to get caught up in drama, but it is just as easy to avoid it. If you treat others like you want to be treated, refrain from gossiping, and listen to others more than yourself, you will easily escape any would-be stressful conflicts.
2. Be Yourself
Popularity is not everything. If you choose to act like someone you are not, you’re betraying who you really are. When you look back at your high school career, the friends you make and activities you pursue will all reflect upon your character and who you have become, so don’t worry about others’ opinions of you and just go with your natural character.
3. Come Prepared
Studying and doing your homework is not too much to ask of yourself. If you want to be prosperous later in life, you will put in the effort now. Come graduation, a higher GPA will help you get into the college of your preference. It can also make the difference in your performance in college, because the skills you develop in high school will last you for the rest of your life.
4. Ask Questions
If there is something you do not understand, you should ask the teacher about it. Asking a teacher about a problem you may be having is nothing to be afraid about. Other students may be having the same problem as well, and reviewing it with your teacher can make the difference in class the next day.
5. Socialize
Don’t let your high school career be a rut in the ground. Being social and hanging out with friends is beneficial not just emotionally but mentally as well. Having a few good friends can make the difference between a miserable high school career and a great one. There is nothing to be afraid about, and you don’t have anything to lose.
6. Get Involved
This one ties in with number four, in that the more extracurricular activities you are involved in, the more friends you are likely to have. Being involved also means that you will learn things such as how to work as a team member and operate well under pressure.
7. Have Fun
You only get to go through high school once, so make the most of it. Memories you make here will stick with you for a lifetime and then some. If you come into school with a good attitude and a smile, things will go much better for you. Be ready to come in as opposed to getting out, and you will do great!