23 minute read
TRENDS OF THE ‘10s pgs. 10 “MANIC” REVIEW pg. 15
from January 31, 2020
by The Gatepost
FEATURES the ‘10’s ARTS & FEATURES
Evan Lee Editorial Staff
You find yourself lost in a grassy, pixelated plain and standing before you is a tall, blocky tree. You punch it. “Minecraft” is unique. Having entered the decade as a small indie project led by a team of one, it left holding the title of the most sold video game of all time.
Pretty good for something made entirely out of squares, blocks, and 90-degree angles.
Minecraft (2011)
But just as we’re told not to judge a book by its cover, the same applies to video games.
While “Minecraft” may look simple compared to last decade’s triple A titles which pushed the boundaries of reality, good graphics don’t make the game - good gameplay does. And “Minecraft” has a lot of it.
In fact, there’s an endless amount of gameplay thanks to its procedurally generated worlds. That grassy plain you found yourself in? You were the first person to ever travel it. Every cave you explore, diamond you find, and pit of lava you unfortunately fall into while mining it are all unique to you. And all experienced based on your own choices.
While other games simply tell you what to do and where to go to advance their stories, “Minecraft” lets you decide how that happens.
That tree you punched down earlier? Perhaps you’ll build a house from it on the plains, or maybe you’ll craft a boat out of it to sail off to new lands. The choice is entirely up to you.
All Money In No Money Out/Atlantic Records
Victory Lap (2018)
Jared Graf Asst. Arts & Features Editor
Often, an artist’s first album ends up being regarded as some of their best work. This holds true with Nipsey Hussle’s debut studio album “Victory Lap” - the first and only album he was able to give us.
The title track, “Victory Lap,” starts the project off on a high note as Nipsey passionately raps over a triumphant beat tailored to him. Stacy Barthe provides a beautifully sung hook and backing vocals, giving Nipsey the perfect canvas to begin painting his picture.
“Young N***a” features ad-libs from Diddy and an incredibly contagious instrumental that sounds best played at full volume. With a pronunciation and flow so meticulous and clean, it seems as if Nipsey’s words are bouncing off the beat - making it one of the most alluring tracks on the album.
My favorite cut on the project is “Right Hand 2 God,” a bonus track Nipsey later confirmed had been recorded in 2013. Almost seven years later, the song sounds like it only
Lauren Paolini Editorial Staff
Picture it: the year is 2009. You have to go home after work to change before your yoga sesh. The horror. Fortunately, as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s, the ball drops in Times Square as well as the knowledge clothing can be simultaneously stylish
Athleisure Wear
and comfortable. Behold the legging: the best thing that’s ever happened to you and your wardrobe. Dress them up with your favorite sweater and pair of booties, then throw on a T-shirt and hit the gym - all in the same day.
There were plenty of great fashion moments in the past 10 years, from Lady Gaga arriving at the 2011 Grammys in an egg to JLo bringing back her iconic jungle dress. For life off the red carpet, yoga pants, and your favorite Adidas sneakers, take the cake as the trend that hopefully carries through to the 2020s.
came out yesterday, attesting to how timeless Nipsey’s music is.
With lyrics so moving, motivational, and immaculately polished, it’s not surprising the album received a Grammy nomination in 2019. You can hear the time, effort, and thought put into the project - after all, it was Nipsey’s first commercial release following an impressive 13-year mixtape run.
An effort as strong as “Victory Lap” makes it hard not to wonder if we’ll ever get a posthumous Nipsey Hussle album.
I don’t know about you, but when I think of the words “high school,” my mind immediately goes to a laughter-filled, hectic after school session of “Killer Instinct” at a Microsoft Store in downtown Boston.
This 2013 reboot, originally spearheaded by Amazon-owned Double Helix Studios - now developed by Iron Galaxy - is one of the finest fighting games, not just of the past decade, but all the way to this very day. With smooth controls, addicting combo mechanics, lots of character variety, and a dedicated scene that wants you to “#PlayKI,” “Killer Instinct” has it all for the modern-day fighting game player.
While the game was originally released for an unorthodox console found in the Xbox One, at least for Killer Instinct (2013)
games of that particular genre, it has also managed to creep its way onto computer storefronts, notably the Windows Store and Steam, with crossplay functionality across all three platforms. If you ever find “Killer Instinct” on sale and you have $10 itching to COMBO BREAK out your pocket, you need to join everyone else and #PlayKI.
Students win big at the Juried Exhibition
By Robert Johnson Jr. Arts & Features Editor
Framingham State University students and staff members filled the Mazmanian Art Gallery Jan. 28 to observe the work on display as part of a reception for the Gallery’s Annual Juried Student Exhibition.
The exhibition featured art of many types - paintings, sculptures, and photographs - which were contributed by 22 students. Each piece was juried by the event’s guest curator, Sam Toabe, the director of University Hall Gallery at UMass Boston.
“You know, this is the first time I organized one of these juried student exhibitions, because it’s my first year doing this job,” said Ellie Krakow, professor of art and director of the gallery. “But, in my mind, it’s just a really wonderful opportunity to get to invite people from all over the campus - this show is open to art majors, art minors, and anyone else who does creative work, all over the campus.
“It’s just such a nice opportunity, too, to get to see work that people have been doing that often just happens in the studio, and then goes into the portfolio, and then goes home, and instead, we get to have it showcased here and that’s really amazing,” Krakow added.
Rose Piz, a senior, was one of those students who showcased their pieces in the exhibition with her painting, “Flower Vase.”
“I created ‘Flower Vase’ within a class, and the idea was to make a textural piece,” Piz said. “I love flowers, so it just came to me like that and I knew the flowers had different textures, different looks, different dimensions, so I thought it would work really well.
“I’m less of a painter and more of a sculptor, so, it was a little hard for me. But, it definitely pushed my boundaries of [comfort],” Piz said.
Isaac Vu, another senior, contributed a rather festive piece in the form of “Celebration,” a painting that greets the viewer with three balloons of the number six, forming “666” in the process.
“It [‘Celebration’] was more of a ‘Why not?’-type thing. I wanted to do something that can display my technique and I wanted to do something that matched my personality and what I perceive in what I create,” Vu said. “I just wanted to make something that was kind of funny, not overtly funny, but kind of like a, ‘Oh, I see that. I’ll chuckle’ - type thing. I also had the gallery in mind while making it.
“It’s a piece where I want someone to be like, ‘Oh, I wasn’t expecting a piece like that to be in the gallery,’ kind of like destroying the norms [that are associated] with any type of
Sarah Daugherty’s original oil painting “Self-Portrait Triptych.” Ashley Wall / THE GATEPOST
CONNECT WITH ROBERT JOHNSON JR. rjohnson10@student.framingham.edu gallery in a museum,” Vu added.
One of the heavier - and more unorthodox - pieces of the exhibition came courtesy of Cassia Maguire, a senior, with her piece, “Drained,” made from carved soap.
“Over the past five years, I have both noticed and been affected by an increase in violent acts where someone kills or harms others in the name of completing their manifesto or hope for a better cause,” Maguire wrote in the commentary accompanying the piece. “Chances are, you have, too.
“I’d say it took me 10 hours, collectively,” said Maguire, regarding the creative process. “It would be [done] in bits and pieces because the soap itself would almost start to melt a little bit if it got too hot, so I’d have to take breaks. Otherwise, the soap would be sticking to the different sculpture tools. That, and I also needed to give my head a break to be able to step back and see where I needed to tweak it.”
As this was a juried exhibition, students entered their works to compete alongside others for cash prizes. Three students were awarded for their entries mid-way through the reception.
“It really is an amazing show of student artwork,” said Krakow. “I was talking to the guest juror [Toabe], and it was a really, really difficult selection for him - he wanted to leave a lot of space in the gallery so that each of the pieces that were included could really have room to breathe and be very professional, and I think he did a beautiful job selecting works.
“I just want to pass on that comment from the guest juror that it was like ‘a cornucopia of wonderful works that could be in a show, and this amazing outpouring of enthusiasm and talent of our campus,’” Krakow said.
The third-place award was given to Roberto Stephen Rojas, a freshman, for his piece, “Como La Flor: Selena,” an oil painting of the late Tejano pop musician Selena Quintanilla.
“I sense a kind of connection to her because since I was little, I used to listen to her songs and read a lot about her life and what happened to her, and knowing how things went in her life, especially with her family and her career,” Rojas said.
“It kind of made me inspired, and also sad because she died at a young age of 23, but she’s still like a star to me. Even though she passed away, she’s an inspiration, not only for a painter like myself, but also for someone to do anything like art. I just love her.”
Second place went to junior Erin Kapurch’s oil-based clay sculpture, “Socks,” which genuinely shocked Kapurch at the ceremony.
“I mean, it was an assignment in class,” Kapurch said. “It was really fun to do - I didn’t know how I was going to make clay look like fabric, and that’s the whole point of the assignment. It’s difficult to do that and it’s supposed to stretch your imagination and teach you how to work with the material. That’s the only time we worked with that clay in the class, and so, it was my favorite project by far, and that’s why I submitted it.”
Perhaps, the most surprising result, according to the winner’s reaction, was senior Amadine Muniz’s entry, “Blooming,” a set of clay pots, taking the first-place prize.
“I’m still developing as an artist and a lot of the ideas that my work center around are femininity and the female body, and I take a lot of inspiration from the female body … skin, the folds of skin, goosebumps, and female genitalia and such, and how I can work that into my pieces of art,” Muniz said.
“The female body is a vessel for life and my pieces are vessels themselves, because I want them to be functional and I want them to be interacted with regularly by people, so they have to be able to carry things within them to be touched and interacted with,” Muniz added.
Krakow said, “I think this is a really cool chance for people to get to have their first exhibition and the Gallery is such a nice space and you see your work differently when it hangs in the gallery - it sort of transforms the significance of it or the scale of it.” “I think this is a really cool chance for people to get to have their first exhibition and the gallery is such a nice space and you see your work diffierently when it hangs in the gallery - it sort of tranksforms the significance of it or the scale of it.” - Ellie Krakow, Director of Mazmanian Art Gallery
ARTS & FEATURES JANUARY 31, 2020 | 13 Oscar Predictions What we predict: What we want: Couch Boys present:
Joaquin Pheonix While there may be flaws in the film “Joker,” one thing which must be commended is the level of dedication Joaquin Phoenix put into his role. The Joker has proved to be a hard character to play throughout film history, but Phoenix was able to create a grounded, damaged character without making it seem unrealistic.
Actor in a Leading Role
Warner Bros
Netflix
Adam Driver Adam Driver’s role as Charlie in “Marriage Story” may not be a deadbeat clown whose life brings nothing but tragedies and violence, but Driver brings something different - Humanity. Charlie is a realistic look at a man in a crumbling marriage whose life is breaking down right before his eyes. One may not agree with everything he does, but you can’t help but feel heartbroken for him every second of the film, simply due to how genuine he’s portrayed. He’s human.
Saoirse Ronan Saoirse Ronan’s role as Jo March was not only an amazing casting choice, but just may be the role Ronan was born to play. In many ways, Ronan is given the task of playing a new artist, someone who is born to create, but is placed in a time where women weren’t given as many opportunities as men. Her ability to capture emotion so effortlessly on screen must be applauded, and her outbursts genuinely took the breath out of audiences’ mouths.
“1917” “1917” is interesting in the sense that it’s somewhat experimental. The film is presented as a one shot, but in actuality, it’s just masterful editing. The amazing set designs of the trenches, and “No Man’s Land,” are some of the best depicted in film to date. It really shows why many people consider WWI to be the most horrific war in human history.
Actress in a Leading Role
Columbia Studios
Best Picture
Scarlett Johansson Adam Driver doesn’t hold up “Marriage Story” on his own, a broken marriage takes two, and Driver is wonderfully backed up by Scarlett Johansson. Scarlett’s character, Nicole, is in the same seemingly hopeless situation as Driver’s character. She makes a lot of tough calls throughout the film in a desperate attempt to get something her way for a change. The choices she makes create the film’s main conflicts, and she can barely stand the ramifications, holding back her tears to the best of her ability. Netflix
“Parasite” Bong Joon-Ho’s latest film “Parasite” deserves to receive the award for best picture. As cliché as it may sound, “Parasite” was a legitimate movie experience. The pacing of the film really lets the viewer settle in. Then, Joon-Ho strikes audiences with a detail that will lead them to their edge of their seats - resulting in a conclusion unlike any other. While this film certainly deserves the Oscar for best foreign film, its masterful craftsmanship should be recognized as one of, if not, the best of the whole year. It’s every bit as entertaining as it is eye-catching and ominous. “Parasite” demands your attention, and the film earns it. CJ Entertainment Universal Pictures
Best Director
Sam Mendes We believe best director may go to Sam Mendes because “1917” achieves world-building unlike any other war film. Mendes actually films two British soldiers walking in between major events, and there’s something about our two heroes trudging around in the dark brown mud that is also horrifying - this is their reality. Mendes ultimately knew how to show WWI in a way that brought out the most terrifying aspects of the war without just showing a violent shoot-out or gory battle. Living in the trenches, watching dogfights from afar, and having a sense of uselessness are just some examples of this inescapable horror. Sony Pictures Television
“Quentin Tarantino “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” is not only a celebration of film itself - it also shows how directors can evolve. Tarantino has always been at the forefront of new, innovative ways to tell stories, and he accomplishes exactly that once again. Much like his other films, the soundtrack is near perfect, with covers of popular ’60s songs throughout the many scenes in-and-around Hollywood Hills. Many know Tarantino for his beloved, nonlinear style of storytelling, but this film goes for more of a traditional three-act structure. This was somewhat exciting, albeit normal from any other director, just due to the fact you knew Tarantino was holding onto something special for the third act - and yes. Yes, he was. Fox Searchlight
By Brennan Atkins Arts & Features Editor
CONNECT WITH BRENNAN ATKINS AND NOAH BARNES batkins@student.framingham.edu nbarnes@student.framingham.edu
systems” policy set to last until 2047.
This agreement was put into place when Great Britain returned Hong Kong jurisdiction to mainland China. The policy was supposed to allow Hong Kong to practice Democracy despite being part of Communist China. Protests persisted since the summer and extended their reach to the universities Nov. 11. Almost immediately, multiple universities closed their doors for the semester.
Students Li and Wong were interviewed in the weeks following their universities’ closure via HelloTalk, a language-learning app, and Instagram, respectively.
Li is a second-year computer science student at City University of Hong Kong.
“On Nov. 11, protesters planned to block the traffic system to express their appeal,” Li said.
“They only blocked at MTR station,” he said. Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is a subway company in Hong Kong.
“They block it because MTR allowed the police to use their subway to travel to any station, but it was closed to the public,” Li said. “Most Hong Kong citizens rely on MTR.
“Protesters continued to block the transit system nearly all week, and the school announced its suspension,” he added. Initially, Li’s university did not issue any announcements about what would happen to his classes, but in the weeks that followed, his university resorted to online classes. However, exams were canceled for the semester.
“I don’t think the universities should have closed,” Li said. “Although most of it will open again, it’s not only affecting local students, but some overseas students can’t do anything while the school is closed.”
Wong is a second-year criminal justice student at the Community College under Hong Kong University. “When they suspended class, I was so confused about the assignment as there is no postponement,” Wong said.
Wong’s classes would also be conducted online. Unfortunately, this required a computer which Wong did not have access to.
“I told my dad I needed a computer, and then we went out to check one out at a store, but it didn’t open - the whole mall, actually,” he said.
The stores had closed for the week due to the protests, he added.
Wong explained he had to ask a friend to help upload the assignment for him on their computer.
“I was kind of mad, honestly. I felt bad because I needed someone to do it for me and they were busy, too,” he said. “But I never blamed the problem on the protesters.”
Wong had participated in a protest June 12.
“I heard that many people were going to protest in Central Park because Carrie Lam ignored the voice of the peaceful protest the day before,” he said.
The intent of the protest was to block the entrance to the council building, but the police tried to stop them by firing tear gas, according to Wong. “The protesters tried to charge inside and then [the police] fired rubber bullets. It changed my mindset of the government and police,” he added.
“It made me see how your friends can be,” he said. “When it is a tough time, you can tell who is your real friend.”
Because of this “I don’t talk to those guys [former friends] anymore [due] to their mindset and behavior,” Wong added.
He said the most striking moment for him was when “police used their motorcycles to push into protesters.
“It’s like the police don’t give a s*** about the standard of how they work,” he said. “It is more like a personal thing.”
Li shared his experience as a protester.
“I was a protester in June, but after that, things just changed,” he said. “I’ll never do it again, mostly because police have gone crazy.”
Li felt the police in the front lines have “lost control.”
He added, but in that moment, “All the people wearing black and shouting our appeal, made me feel we have hope.”
On the subject of those who have lost their lives while protesting, Li said, “It makes me feel sad. They shouldn’t die because of this protest. They used their life to fight for something and we’re just sitting at home.” CONNECT WITH LEIGHAH BEAUSOLEI lbeausoleil@student.framingham.edu Continued from page 1
“They used their life to fight for something and we’re just sitting at home.” - Kelvin Li, Hong Kong Student
When Halsey met Ashley Halsey shows the world another side of her
By Cara McCarthy Associate Editor
Ashley Frangipane, better known as Halsey, started her year on a high note when she released her latest album, “Manic,” in January 2020.
“Manic” is Halsey’s third album release, and much like her previous albums - it has a life of its own.
The album strives to take the listener through one of Halsey’s manic episodes. The singer has been open about being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder when she was 17, and has said the album was written during a manic episode of her own.
In an interview with “Rolling Stone,” Halsey described a manic episode as “that thing in the back of our minds that drives us to outrageous thoughts.” She went on to say it’s during these periods of time when you could be on top of a building and think, “What would happen if I jumped?”
This is a feeling she attempted to mimic in her album - a goal that she achieved.
The album opens up with “Ashley” - where she reintroduces herself to fans. She tells her listeners to throw away any preconceived notions they may have of her.
She ends the track with a line spoken by Kate Winslet from the film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,” “I’m just a f***ed up girl, look
ing for her own peace of mind, don’t assign me yours.”
The album comes just over a year after Halsey’s public breakup with G-Eazy.
In an interview with Zane Lowe, she said the album is focused on her struggles with bipolar, endometriosis, and her failed relationships.
In October 2018, Halsey released the first single from the album titled “Without Me,” which was confirmed in an interview with “Glamour Magazine” to be “partially about” her breakup with G-Eazy.
There are also clues in the track, “You Should Be Sad,” which allude to her breakup with the rapper - specifically her telling him she’s moved on. She says, “Got no anger / got no malice / just a little bit of regret.”
The 16-track album features other big-name artists such as Dominic Fike, Alanis Morissette, SUGA, and BTS - each have their own interlude with Halsey.
The track “Beautiful Stranger,” however, received some backlash shortly after the release of the album. The track resembles Lady Gaga’s song “You and I,” with the only notable difference being Halsey’s track is backed up by acoustic guitar, while Lady Gaga’s is accompanied by a piano - when played side by side, the resemblance is painfully obvious.
However, it has not been confirmed whether this was intentional, and Halsey has been known to be inspired by other artists - specifically on this album.
In “Without Me,” she quotes Justin Timberlake’s song, “Cry Me A River.” Halsey sings, “You don’t have to say / just what you did / I already know / I had to go and find out from them.” She then defended herself by Tweeting, “I felt the song has CMAR vibes. It’s not a direct sample.”
Perhaps the Gaga parallels are the same situation.
This album is more than just another Halsey album - it’s Ashley making her first appearance.
Halsey has been quoted saying her first three albums were based on the ancient saying, “You have three faces:” - the one you show the world, the one you show those closest to you, and the third face - the one you show no one.
She set out to reach one goal with her third album - to show the world her third face. The sheer vulnerability she was willing to broadcast to the world is admirable and for that - this album is a masterpiece.
Halsey admits her own desire to be loved, but also that she is learning to love herself - something even the most confident people struggle to accept - she confessed this is a goal Ashley has not yet accomplished.
Capitol Records
Grade: A Halsey’s third face is just as beautiful as the rest.
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ACROSS 1. Crunchy deli sandwich, briefl y 4. ___ Jones 7. Pothole fi ller 14. Scuba gear attachment 16. Certain clam 17. Picked up from a fi eld trip? 18. Tightly packed fi sh 19. Person from Jaipur 20. “True ___!” (slangy “Indeed!”) 21. Rice or Sexton 22. Bible book whose title anagrams to “raze” 23. Votes in favor 25. Kvetching cries 26. Beyonce, to Jay-Z 28. Fish-fowl link 30. Rembrandt’s “The Night Watch,” e.g. 32. Notable period 33. Cowboys quarterback Prescott 34. Wavy corn chips 38. Stir up 40. Get the show on the road 42. Fully cooked 43. Fortify 45. “Uh-uh” 46. Legume Mendel studied 47. Hump day follower: Abbr. 48. “How about that!” 49. ___ prof. 50. Key often pressed after Ctrl 53. To be, in Le Havre 55. ___ Reader 57. Silver controller? 59. Former POTUS Coolidge 60. Sisters’ daughters 63. Eco-friendly holder of groceries 65. Word sung in ads featuring LiMu Emu 66. Set free 67. Johns 68. Confi rm, as a password 69. Stuff edited by CRISPR 70. Famed boy king DOWN 1. Indonesia’s “Island of the Gods” 2. Property right 3. *Expo 4. Tunisian money 5. *Sure thing in a courtroom 6. Married 7. Test for purity 8. *Annual speech that a designated survivor doesn’t attend 9. Part of WPM 10. “Mary ___ little lamb ...” 11. Acid type in proteins 12. 1974 biopic about comedian Bruce 13. Arboretum sights 15. Tournament award 20. *2000s Jessica Alba series with gothic themes 24. Address for a knight 26. Used to be 27. Wrinkle remover 29. Muffi n grain 31. Pot-draining aid 35. Hush-hush, and a hint to the starred answers’ starts 36. Two in 11? 37. Pew, for one 39. Like a glowing jack-o’-lantern 41. Singer Carly ___ Jepsen 44. Revolutionary Guevara 49. Slippery as ___ 50. Pianist Rubinstein 51. Sierra ___ (Guinea neighbor) 52. Duke or earl 54. Wild party, slangily 56. It’s thicker than the fi bula 58. Gas for signs 61. Question to Brutus 62. The “S” of iOS: Abbr. 64. Spam producer 65. British Inc. Puzzle solutions are now exclusively online.
