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CZ BOOJF CSVDF In 2010, alumnus Jonathan Katz was reporting in Haiti when the earthquake hit. He lived to write about it. When an earthquake struck Haiti in January 2010, journalist and Northwestern alumnus Jonathan Katz was waiting for a phone call confirming his transfer to Afghanistan. After spending two and a half years as an Associated Press reporter in Haiti, Katz thought he was ready to move on. Instead, Katz (Weinberg ‘02, Medill ‘04) spent the rest of the day, and most of the year, covering the earthquake and its aftermath. Katz’s new book, “The Big Truck That Went By,” was released earlier this year and focuses on his experiences in Haiti, the aftermath of the earthquake and the international aid system as a whole. After writing numerous articles about the Caribbean country, Katz decided it was time to work on a longer narrative. “I thought that it was an important thing to get between two pieces of cardboard on 300 pages,” said Katz, a former Daily staffer. “Have, as much as possible, all variables in place as a single complex narrative, so other people could sit down and read it. And maybe, if I did my job right, transport them back to that day and give details about what exactly is going on.” When the earthquake hit, Katz was the only full-time correspondent in Haiti, leaving him responsible for calling AP and reporting on the disaster immediately after it happened. “It was basically a sort of nonstop burst of adrenaline,” Katz said. “I was basically out there, just trying to … understand what had happened and what people were going through.” Katz stayed to report in Haiti for about a year after the earthquake. After taking some time off and continuing to report in New York and Mexico City, Katz was trying to figure out his next steps, which he said he hoped would include writing a book. “I felt that I had a much bigger story to tell than I had been able to tell,” Katz said. “I felt like I had a lot of detail and nuance that I wasn’t able to include the first time around.” Although Katz said he loves to write, going back to pen “The Big Truck That Went By” was an intense process that took less than a year. Katz reviewed old stories, did additional reporting and worked to make sure past information was completely accurate. Writing the first chapter of the book, in which he recounts his experience of being in an earthquake, proved to be particularly challenging.
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“Going back over a very personally traumatic experience over and over again was difficult,” Katz said. “I was reliving something I don’t want to relive over and over again.” Katz attended NU as an undergraduate student in American studies and history and graduated in 2002. He returned to attend graduate school at Medill to gain more writing experience. The University recognized his hard work in Haiti by awarding him The 2010 Medill Medal for Courage in Journalism. Katz was nominated for the honor by John Daniszewski, a senior editor for AP. It’s an award Katz calls a “tremendous honor.” “It was something I share with a lot of people in Haiti who were working with me, and I think equally deserving of it,” Katz said. Prof. Donna Leff, one of the 2010 judges for the annual award, spoke highly of Katz’s work. “He told really vivid and good stories as well as showing tremendous courage and working under conditions of real adversity going there,” Leff said. “A lot of the entries show real courage, but they’re not necessarily always good journalism. And in this case, it was both.” Katz accepted the award and participated in a questionand-answer session at Medill with his former professor Marcel Pacatte in 2011. Pacatte, who has kept in contact with Katz over the years, said he was honored to be chosen by Katz to moderate the event and said hearing about Katz’s experiences in person added to his understanding of the earthquake in Haiti. “I think I was mostly aware of his work during the quake and immediately after the quake, and really his most important work came in the aftermath when the aid wasn’t getting to people,” Pacatte said. The problem with foreign aid is an issue Katz observed firsthand in Haiti prior to the earthquake, and it’s an issue he deals with throughout “The Big Truck That Went By.” Katz said he hopes his on-the-ground experience will add to the overall narrative of international aid. “When you’re in Haiti and looking back at the United States … there are some things that seem very obvious, but that just don’t get talked about here,” Katz said. “I hope that my book will be able to bring in some light that is born out of a direct experience on the ground, bring a little nuance and a little bit ... of a broader perspective.” Pacatte praised Katz’s ability to ask important questions, a skill he had even as a graduate student at Medill. “He calls bullshit and always did and always will,” Pacatte said. “He looked for why does this happen, why does it continue to happen and it’s a much more nuanced story and also a much more sad story about Haiti and its people.” annebruce2015@u.northwestern.edu
INSIDE: Odds & Ends 2 | Columns 3 | Reviews 4
Page 2 | The Current
Odds & Ends
Thursday, May 2, 2013
ALL THAT
JAZZ
The Roy McGrath jazz trio performs regularly at Prairie Moon in Evanston. Made up of saxophonist Roy McGrath, drum player Gustavo Cortinas, and bassist Kitt Lyles, the threesome has hosted performances at the restaurant on the first Friday every month since January, hoping to get younger audiences interested in this genre of music. McGrath, a firstyear Bienen graduate student, Cortinas, a second-year Bienen graduate student, and Bienen senior Lyles talked with The Current about their inspirations and aspirations.
Moon. It’s a hip bar and restaurant with great beer and great food, and we’re just trying to get the younger crowd to take jazz and hear it.
THE CURRENT: Do you think there is a misconception that jazz is an acquired taste or just something that can only be appreciated by an older generation? GUSTAVO CORTINAS: A lot of people who have come to our concerts at Regenstein THE CURRENT: Why did you decide to form a jazz and Pick-Staiger (Concert Hall) are from an earlier generation. We have a lot of seniors trio? ROY MCGRATH: I’ve known Gustavo for about eight that come and appreciate our music. To a lot years now. We used to play together in New Orleans. We of people, it is also an acquired taste. A lot recorded a CD together with our trio over there. He actu- of it comes from exposure. The media and everything that surrounds us give preference ally asked me to come to Northwestern’s jazz program, which is why I’ve been here in Chicago for seven to a certain type of music that they months now. Kitt’s our bassist just because look to market. Since people are he’s the best bassist. We needed a bass, and not exposed to jazz that much, Q&A with... it’s harder for them to get he was the guy. into since they didn’t grow THE CURRENT: What are some up listening to it or learn to appreciate it. There’s someof your inspirations? KITT LYLES: Inspiration? Everything very beautiful about thing. The Blues is definitely our the energy and feelings inspiration. that you can communicate RM: That’s a good answer. I’ll say that through jazz. Anybody can JAMES BIEN my inspiration is anything that sounds good, relate to and appreciate it if whether or not it is music. they are given the opportunity to be there. THE CURRENT: What is the name of your trio? RM: Right now, it is the Roy McGrath trio, but we might THE CURRENT: What plans do be changing it to something less selfish. you have for the future of your trio? RM: Actually, our trio is a smaller THE CURRENT: Do you have similar tastes in extension of a band that we have. We music? have a provisional guitarist that’s RM: Yes and no. We’ve known each other for a very long studying at Northwestern, and Justin time, so it’s one of those things where we do listen to a lot of Copeland, who plays the trumpet. He actually recorded a CD with all of us the same musicians. KL: We have a lot of overlap, but we also have our each of his own compositions. We’re actually going to be touring Mexico all of individual focus of what we really like for ourselves. July once we have the CDs. For our THE CURRENT: What do you think of jazz apprecia- specific trio, my plan is that we’re going to be recording in the next six tion on campus? KL: Most people don’t really know what jazz is. or seven months, something of my RM: Yeah, and every once in a while when we have our own original compositions. concerts at Regenstein (Hall of Music), we’ll see faces that are not coming to the classical or jazz program, and it’s like, “Where did you guys come from?” That’s why jamesbien2016@u.northwestern.edu we have our monthly gig at the Prairie
THE ROY MCGRATH TRIO
Five
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SOURCE: CREATIVE COMMONS
Jason Collins came out Monday, becoming the first openly gay player in the NBA, let alone in any of the other major American sports. After his open letter was printed in Sports Illustrated, the nation seemed to rally behind the basketball star and his family despite some expected hateful feedback. Below, The Current and Daily staffers, along with some Northwestern students, express their thoughts on Collins’ bravery in five words.
“The world’s more open today.” — Jeffrey Eisenband
“Hope this starts a trend.” — Ryan Miller
“The catalyst sports have needed.” — Yoni Muller “I’m surprised he’s the first.” — Becca Rodriguez
“Proud to be a Wolverine.” — David Olodort
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Whovians are in for some big surprises with the rest of the cult show’s seventh season.
T
hey bi cry hy the air All the inmates of A tionally charged The BBC’s “ known as “Who in full force. Originally p Who” we know new actors and This “New Who nicknamed, is c enth season. Almost ever “So, what’s ‘Do sentence, it’s ab space in a time ish police box, accompany him the universe. Sim But the show and evil aliens journeys throu Steven Moffat, the new series b the complicated characters. And as he h he has the powe character — and out. All usually
Thursday, May 2, 2013
ite their nails, fall off their chairs, ysterically and shake their fists in r. l these characteristics describe not Azkaban, but one of the most emod television fandoms of all time. “Doctor Who,” whose fans are hovians,” has come back this year
premiering in 1963, the “Doctor w now came back in 2005 with d some improved TV technology. o,” as the newer seasons have been currently in the middle of its sev-
ry Whovian dreads the question, octor Who’ about?” But in one bout an alien who travels through e machine that looks like a Britusually with a human female to m in saving the innocent beings of imple, right? w is about more than the star wars s the Doctor encounters on his ugh space and time. Head writer who has written episodes since began, is especially interested in d relationships between the show’s
has proven time and time again, er to make you fall in love with a d the cold ability to tear your heart within a single episode.
The Current | Page 3
Columns LeBron James completed an epic journey last season. NBA FASHION As Kanye West COLUMNIST eloquently stated, the Olympian and soonto-be-four-time MVP went from being the most hated player in the game to his “champion god flow” by securing his first NBA Finals win with the Miami Heat. But something was missing from King James’ conquest — a companion beard. For whatever reason, NBA players skip out on playoff beards, while their NHL counterparts sport caveman-like facial hair throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs. James rocked a goatee during his championship run, but nothing dramatic. In this year’s playoffs, we’ve seen an assortment of facial hair that barely tickles the radar. San Antonio Spurs star Tim Duncan currently carries an Abe Lincoln-esque beard, complete with a moustache. But there’s nothing to indicate Duncan will let the whole thing grow out as the Spurs advance. Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant wears the same goatee he’s had for years, while the Heat’s Shane Battier revealed a Fu Manchu at practice on Wednesday that’s expected to be gone pretty soon. So what’s the deal with these guys? What’s wrong with a little love for facial hair? I think we can all agree facial hair has its place in long journeys. I personally want my NBA players looking like a fresh-out-of-
ROHAN NADKARNI
the-jungle Robin Williams in “Jumanji” when they hold up the Larry O’Brien trophy in June. In fact, think of your favorite movies with some kind of grueling, long, high-stakes process. Does the main character have a beard? Probably. Now imagine that character without a beard? It’s blasphemous. “The Dude” from “The Big Lebowski” would probably just be called “Some Guy” without a beard. We wouldn’t care about Tom Hanks in “Cast Away” if he didn’t look like a recently discovered Nicholas Brody from “Homeland.” And Albus Dumbledore could never be taken seriously as a wizard without those beautiful white locks. Beards aren’t just window dressing — they’re col also a great way to build team chemistry. It’s the um n spirit of doing something together with your teammates that makes it special, and hopefully one team catches on to the idea soon. To wrap up this week, Ballers and Tiaras would be foolish not to recognize Jason Collins, the journeyman center who became the first openly gay player while still playing American professional sports. My memories of Collins stem mainly from his days fouling centers Shaquille O’Neal or Alonzo Mourning while they played for the Heat. He was never a force on the court, but now he has a chance to do something more important than winning a trophy or keeping Shaq out of the paint. We have a lot of fun discussing and dissing players’ fashion. I can call out players for their bold choices and tell them why their tight pink pants are ugly. But for Collins to come out and hopefully encourage more young, gay athletes to embrace their sexuality? It doesn’t get more fashionable than that. rohannadkarni2015@u.northwestern.edu
BALL AND ERS TIAR AS
BLAIR DUNBAR
frozen, take it out at least an hour before. You should pay particular attention to the softness of the butter if you have to cream by hand. The microwave is useful, but be careful. Only FOOD COLUMNIST heat the butter in 10-second intervals. Make sure frozen butter is completely defrosted before placing it in the microwave. What snack is more delicious than As for actually creaming the butter and sugar, I have found freshly baked, homemade cookies? Oat- that the best method is a three-part process. First, grab a meal raisin, chocolate chip, snickerdoo- knife and fork and cut the butter into the sugar. For those of dle and sugar are all plump circles of you who don’t make pie crusts, this means just cutting the ooey-gooey deliciousness. The butter into smaller and smaller pieces until you best thing about cookies? have pea sized balls of butter and sugar. Next, They are relatively easy grab a spoon and mush all the little pea to make, even if you sized balls together. Mush the balls until n um don’t have any the mixture is as smooth as you can get col fancy kitchen it. Finally, add in the egg or vanilla or aids. No hand whatever liquid the recipe calls mixer? Just get a for into your bowl. The added little creative. liquid will allow you to whisk the A key step in virtually mixture with a fork until smooth, all cookie recipes is creaming the kind of like pancake batter. As you start butter and sugar until smooth. This has adding in the flour, the butter and sugar always been my least favorite step. Butter and should cease to be discernible from the rest sugar tend to fly everywhere, sticking on walls and to of the mixture. the sink. The butter, if not at the perfect temperature when Even if you do have a few little lumps here and there, you begin, stubbornly fuses into big chunks instead of into you can push them down with your fingers when gathering a smooth mix. Obviously, if you’re lacking a hand mixer or the dough into small balls to place onto the cookie sheet. If some kind of beater, this process is even more challenging. I you’re still worried, just add in a few extra raisins or chocolate chips or sprinkles even. That way, no one will notice. Cookies decided to do some experimenting. The first key is making sure your butter is soft enough. don’t have to be perfect to be delicious. Make sure to take the butter out from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you want to start baking. If the butter was blairdunbar2015@u.northwestern.edu
A L A R I A L B ARTE C
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As I’ve men- a lot more field research than I’ve already done. If I’m going tioned before, I’ve to overgeneralize, I would say that even though you may be been on my fair attracted to someone’s profile because of appearance or shared share of OkCupid interests, actually dating someone is a lot more convoluted DATING COLUMNIST dates. To be hon- than that alone. I’ve been out with plenty of guys who were @LAKENISAHORCRUX est, my dating life cute, funny, nice and smart, yet somehow nothing serious has may have gotten a ever worked out with any of them. little out of control this year, but I was ultimately left with I spent a lot of my time frustrated with myself after failed nothing but life experience points and crazy stories, so I have attempts at dating guys, thinking I was the problem. I’ve no regrets. I’d like to impart some of my knowledge about learned that you just can’t have that attitude with men from dating sites to you and fill you in on what online dating. Guys have given me all kinds of to expect from a (sort of) blind date. excuses as to why they don’t want to continue Although you may be able to stalk their proseeing me, only a handful of which I think col um files and Google them, these men (or women) were the honest reasons. The bottom line n you’re about to meet IRL are still largely a is I just don’t know everything about their mystery. Is he as tall as he says he is? Does she pasts and what has brought them to online always glow like that, or is that an Instagram dating. filter? Does he smell like he showers daily? It’s crucial to remember — and I have forgotten this myself a number of times — You get the drift. Until you meet someone in person, you simply don’t know what they’re that even if someone says they want somelike. You can read the answers to his match thing serious, it doesn’t mean it should or has to be with you. Don’t force an attraction. questions until the cows come home, but you won’t know if there’s real potential for a relationship Go on a date with no expectations. You won’t be disappointed and if all goes well, you will be pleasuntil meeting him. All those hypothetical questions lend themselves to a bigger issue: Are online profiles at all reflective antly surprised. Above all, don’t settle for less than what you of who we really are? Does match percentage mean anything deserve. about compatibility IRL? I wish I had a definitive answer for you, but that might take lakenhoward2015@u.northwestern.edu
LAKEN HOWARD
After a six-month hiatus, the second half of season seven premiered just when the touch of a “weeping angel” statue had sent two favorite companions of the Doctor, Amy and Rory, into the past. The Doctor, played by Matt Smith, whipped out his bedraggled-puppy self, waiting to find the next human with whom he could share his adventures. Although I swore Amy and Rory could never be replaced, Clara Oswald, played by Jenna-Louise Coleman, has done more than a miraculous job so far. Being the Doctor’s counterpart isn’t easy, but both the character and the actress have the quick mind and sharp tongue to put the Doctor in his place while still lifting his spirits. Watching “Doctor Who” is not something you do alone, even when you’re curled up in bed catching up on the week’s newest episode. The show’s following is so invested that even the smallest plot points are given extreme analysis and detailed opinion in discussions among fellow Whovians. Although Tumblr seems to be the driving force behind the craze, real-life clubs and conventions are also frequented by the fandom, and usually in costume. “Doctor Who” is unlike any show I’ve ever seen. If you’re watching, keep your eye on that Doctor-companion relationship because it’s getting interesting. And if you’re not — well, your Saturday nights are probably significantly more emotionally stable. jenniferwhite2016@u.northwestern.edu
DIGI GET TAL DOW N
EDITOR IN CHIEF
THE CURRENT
ASSISTANT DESIGN ASSISTANT EDITOR EDITOR DESIGN Chelsea Peng Annie Bruce Jen White EDITOR
WRITERS
James Bien Alex Burnham Maria Fernandez Sammy Caiola -Davila Blair Dunbar
Elizabeth Freda Laken Howard Rohan Nadkarni Chelsea Sherlock
Page 4 | The Current
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Reviews
THE PERFECT STORM
SAMMY CAIOLA
THEATER REVIEWER
You know it’s a good Shakespeare production when the mechanical engineer sitting next to you understands and enjoys the whole thing. The packed house is usually an indicator too. Lovers & Madmen’s production of “The Tempest,” which opened Friday, was a whirlwind adventure rocked by undercurrents of greed, revenge and magic that brought new life to an archaic text. The fluid choreography, abetted by the rugged set and diaphanous costuming, gave audience members an eerie sense of the mystical powers of nature and the capacity for disaster should those powers fall into the wrong hands. A few off-kilter decisions by Communication senior and director David Corlew made this adaptation stand out among others. Most notable is the regendering of Duke Prospero, the story’s antagonist, whose thirst for power and revenge drives the plot. Instead, we get Prospera, former duke of Milan, whose sister usurped her throne and banished her and her daughter Miranda to a deserted island. Though the thought of a Victorian Italian hierarchy where women can steal thrones from one another can be hard to swallow, the use of a female for the vengeful ex-Duke is actually a very wise choice. Vengeance is a trait historically associated with the female sphere, and a behavior more naturally exhibited by women. Communication senior Lindsey Carlson plays the role with great finesse, nearly spitting fire in moments of anger and
mastering the arts of cunning and deception. Carlson wears many hats throughout the show — the protective mother, the wicked sorceress, the slave owner and finally the remorseful villain — all while maintaining authenticity and watchability. The show was initially supposed to involve aerial silks, a form of circus choreography all theater majors learn when they take a course colloquially referred to as “circus.” But due to technical issues, the spirits were confined to the floor. Even so, the dancers incorporated acrobatic freezes, and their feats of flexibility were visually engaging and a welcome distraction from the heavy text. The choice to turn Ariel, usually one male fairy, into a tri-bodied creature, was one of which I was not especially fond. The movements of the three “Ariel” actresses seemed contrived, like some bizarre cheerleading routine where the girls held the a one another up in seemte r ingly random positions. Then there was the game of “how to most inefficiently leave the stage using as many ridiculous arm gestures as possible.” While the fluid movements worked well for the seven spirits, I wanted something firmer from Ariel. I’m more inclined to praise Prospera’s other slave Caliban, an island native who is unwillingly held subject by the Duke’s powers of sorcery. His hilarious outbursts and childlike movements make him the most entertaining character on stage, while also the most relevant in portraying themes of colonialism. “The Tempest,” by nature, has a lot going on. This cast kept it together and kept it interesting, and the actors didn’t feel the need to play by the book. For that, they get an A.
THE TEMP EST
SOURCE: FACEBOOK
WHAT DREAMS ARE MADE ON Lindsey Carlson works her magic as Prospera, the deposed Duke of Milan, in Lovers & Madmen’s production of “The Tempest.” Creative casting and choreography came together for a successful reinterpretation of Shakespeare’s play.
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PHO ALEX BURNHAM
MUSIC REVIEWER
The crux of post-commercially successful albums is the proper combination of novelty and similarity. Innovative, creative sounds distinguish albums, but reusing such sounds makes music familiar. In the world of music, there exists too much of a similar thing. For French alternative rock band Phoenix, its newest album “Bankrupt!” suffers the inopportune placement behind the commercial success “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix,” a fortuitous collection of festival-indie-meets-jittery-radio music. However, “Bankrupt!,” released April 22, lacks the upbeat, pop cartography seen on the 2009 gold album, instead employing vintage synthesizers and other instruments of 1980s nostalgia. This 2013 collection of ostensibly unintelligible lyrics diverges enough from “Wolfgang” to be seen as musical progression, but it carries very little of the lucid magic heard on its predecessor. “Entertainment,” the album’s 40-minute opener, begins with a sprinkling of light synth notes, an Asiatic feel pervading. Thomas Mars, the band’s singer, describes how “everyone here knows better,” as if he recognizes the precarious chronological position of “Bankrupt!” “I’d rather be alone,” Mars sings in reference to conformation with an arbitrary consumer ideal. Eventually comes the album’s only standout track, “S.O.S. in Bel Air,” a song similar to the music found on “Wolfgang” but one on the album’s lighter side. Melodious guitar chords ring amid the “tss” of snare drums. Mars repeats the word “alone” throughout the song, a dejected tone inextricably linked to the music. “Well, I really want to go now phony eyes,” the song begins. It seems that “S.O.S. in Bel Air” typifies this album’s nature: a disillusioned look at a blurred city nightlife from behind a lowered Rolls-Royce window. The retinue that surrounds Phoenix, the one that gifted
them with success, now disgusts them. The album’s title track, a sprawling seven-minute ballad, injects a sense of hope into the enchanting disarray. Flutelike synth crawls up and down in scales, a gentle guitar strums in the background and then furious digital sound intermingles with bell jingling. It’s a sci-fi soundscape rife with change-ups. Not until the fourth minute does Mars introduce lyricism into the mix. “I’ll rush into it anyways,” he sings, “forever is for everyone else.” This evidences the conflict heard on “Bankrupt!” An unsettled urge, an uncertainty delineated by opposing ideas, exists on the album. “I don’t like it if you miss me,” Mars says on “Chloroform.” “Why would I long for you?” He deplores the industry fat cats and their perfunctory attitude while lauding an artistic freedom, an unthinking carelessness, that caught their attention.
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‘Bankrupt!’ ... lacks the upbeat, pop cartography seen on the 2009 gold album (‘Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix’) This paradox defines “Bankrupt!”: The mechanical attitudes of producers is in direct opposition to the passionate apathy of Phoenix. The album finishes with “Oblique City,” a reference to any random stop on their tour circuit. The buzzing track, laden with a veneer of synth, praises a fast life filled with neon signs and Coca-Cola ads. Yet at the same time Mars asks if he’s destined to live this type of existence alone. Ultimately, Phoenix chose between an incredibly offbeat album or a project with quirky lyrical tendencies but a less wild touch. The safe album may not win as many awards as “Wolfgang,” but it ensures the French group will exist to make another album, perhaps one less polemic than “Bankrupt!” afburnham@u.northwestern.edu
samanthacaiola2014@u.northwestern.edu
ELIZABETH FREDA MOVIE REVIEWER @EFREDAMEDILL
Although “Disconnect” was released in select theaters a while ago, the allure of the preview never left my mind. In a world where the Internet seems to run our lives, I find myself constantly drawn to films or shows that examine the relationship we have with our technology. After “Catfish” was released, an entire generation seemed to take interest in the way we interact with others online. “Disconnect” looked to dive into those interactions in an interesting and creative way, so I was excited when I finally carved out the time to watch it in a theater. “Disconnect” was no cinematic stroke of genius, but the story roped me in. “Disconnect” weaves together the narratives of people whose lives have been affected by the time they spent searching for human interaction online. A husband and wife have their bank accounts drained by a computer hacker, a young boy is heavily affected by the naked pictures he thought he sent to a trustworthy girl and an ambitious journalist meets an exploited teen who may be her ticket to the big leagues. For the most part, their lives intertwine to create a fluid script, but the film can seem a bit choppy at times, cutting between different families and lives. The plot of “Disconnect” did lack a bit of creativity, however. Screenwriter Andrew Stern didn’t necessarily step out of the box when brainstorming the cliched roles of Internet users. When tackling such a broad and heavily covered topic like online interactions, I’m partial to believing that a little more imagination should be involved. It may have even added to the overall message of the film. However, the visceral nature of the movie captivated me. The scenes are gritty and real. Whether it’s Jonah Bobo’s character completing a math test or Alexander Skarsgard’s character playing poker alone in a hotel room, these scenes made me feel closer to the characters and
SOURCE: FACEBOOK
CAUGHT IN THE WEB Alexander Skarsgard and the other characters of “Disconnect” face the consequences of their online interactions in real life. Despite the somewhat cliched plot, the movie ultimately raises important questions about Internet safety.
identify as much as I was capable people may make online and the of with their struggles. I guess the power those decisions can hold over honesty and realness throughout us in the future. We live in a world the movie partially made up for a where we can betray someone’s trust minor lack of creativity on with the click of a button — the script’s part. and that terrifies me. The storyline “Disconnect” tells featuring Bobo’s the tale of broken character was characters with movie probably the broken lives, and most powerful. I believe that’s Bobo plays the the good of this movie. By the end role of a young of the movie, I boy named Ben found myself at war who falls prey to two middle school with the concept of bullies. The venomous the Internet and online pair creates a fake Faceprivacy and wanting to book profile and persuades Ben demand more from the world to send them a naked picture, which in which we live. The actors and spreads throughout the school and actresses played their parts, and the leaves Ben on the brink of death message rang true — the Internet after a suicide attempt. can be a dangerous place. If you’re It’s a story similar to the ones looking for a provocative and somewe’ve sadly heard before — whether what saddening flick that doesn’t it’s on the news or in our own lives delve overly deeply into issues and — but that doesn’t make it any less will leave you thinking, this is it. compelling, saddening or angering. It made me reflect on the decisions elizabethfreda2015@u.northwestern.edu
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