12/05/2017 issue

Henderson State University - Tuesday, December 5, 2017 Volume 113, Issue 12

W T F?!

Who knew th

at was there? historic places In c lark county goodbye all - p.3

bet you didn’t know that- p.6

Top 10 films of the year- p.9

still ballin’ - p.12

Emily Bell bids campus adieu.

Check out the places that are NRHP registered near you.

Have you seen these? If not, get on it yo.

Jordan covers what’s up in the world of b-ball.

oracle@hsu.edu

HSU Oracle

@hsuoracle

Happy Holidays from The Oracle

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Reddie news

Study abroad...

Story by Chase Lodree, Student Reporter

Editor in Chief — Pete Tubbs News editor — Ashley Smith Graphics/ Ads designer — Jacob Glasgow page layout designer — Aaron O’Quin Photo Editor — Joshua Bradley Director of A&M/ Copy Editor —Emily Bell Opinions/ Online editor — Dax Guilliams Sports editor — Jordan Williams Staff reporter — Abbie Beaver LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Write us at ORACLE@HSU.EDU if you have any questions, comments, or if you just want to rant about something. Hell, if it doesn’t suck, we might publish it in next week’s issue.

Just do us a favor and keep it between 400600 words. Just like your Tumblr, we ignore anonymous submissions.

ORACLE ONLINE

Our online format has bonus content like exclusive galleries of the eclipse viewing and a video from Rec Fest.

ADS

Email us at rmgsalesteam@outlook.com to get in touch with our ads manager.

COVER

Photo by Pete Tubbs, Editor in Chief

and rock out

Steve Listopad is an assistant professor of media and is the program director of the study-abroad program, the Oslo Project. He has worked for ieiMedia, through which the Oslo Project has run for the past five years. ieiMedia is an international journalism education program that takes place in various cities.

Listopad has taught all around the world including France, Italy, and China.

When he was working as the program director for the Florence, Italy program in 2015, he started developing the Oslo Project all before he came to HSU. He brought the project here, and it will be the first ieiMedia project to come to HSU. The Oslo Project is specifically sponsored by the university, so if a student were to join the Oslo project, they would receive credit hours from HSU. “The nature of the Oslo Program and why I wanted to create it is pretty unique and focuses on music, culture, and journalism,” said Listopad. They will make the trip to Oslo, Norway this summer on June first and spend a month there.

The purpose of this project is to interview people and understand Norwegian culture. Within driving distance of Oslo there are dozens of music festivals and shows.

Various forms of rock, pop, alternative and also there is a lot of hip-hop.

So they want to find out why Norway is the home of black metal and why it’s producing some of the most cutting edge streaming musicians. They want to gain a grasp on how the Norwegian culture is producing these outstanding things and learn

how the music is affecting the rest of the culture.

To be able to go on this trip to Oslo you have to have two letters of recommendation and at least a 2.5 GPA. the trip can be funded through financial aid and pell grant and-or scholarships. The deadline for applications is Feb. 15, 2018.

It’s not a vacation but you still will have fun while working. It’s closer to an internship because you’re out on the field working with professionals digging and gathering information while writing stories about whatever you come across.

There will be great photo opportunities and a great experience for any student story-teller. Things you produce can be published and shared on websites and our website and is a great opportunity for portfolio building. If you have any questions check out the ieiMedia website watch some of the videos students made from previous years and see what all their doing.

December 5, 2017

Happy Holidays from The Oracle

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Spring Fling

Goodbyedoesn’t always mean forever

Story by Emily Bell, Copy Editor and Photographer

Six years, two degrees, over 60 Oracle issues, 20 HTV shows, and 25 radio broadcasts: these are the sums of my college media life.

This is my last semester, nearly lived in full, and this is the last story I write for The Oracle.

I’m headed for Austin, boyfriend and cats in tow, to splat right in the middle my next step in life. We’re two “starving artists” seeking part-time positions, a one-bedroom apartment, and an art community in which to explore and evolve.

I have no idea what to expect, but I’m here for whatever emerges. I can only spend this time reflecting, finishing up, and saying goodbye.

There are not too many happy memories from my time here. I’ve had countless problems with the university, dozens of literally traumatizing exchanges with students, death threats, misogyny, terrible relationships, worse breakups, financial fiascos, and homelessness.

Obviously I have no interest in lingering about here much longer.

However, there’s been a surprising amount of good in my time here.

The professors (the massive majority of them) have been the most phenomenal people for me. I’ve gained several role models and permanently life-altering quotes. I admire many of my professors, and consider myself seriously blessed to have known them.

And the hell I’ve put them through at times has not gone unnoticed by me. Alongside my endless “thanks” to every one of you, you’ll find my lengthy, sobbing apology.

The other, often positive portions of my life here can all be traced back to the university’s media departments. Although I’ve tramped my way around by working on every staff (sometimes multiple simultaneously), I think my heart flutters the most for The Oracle.

I actually sacrificed a lot for this paper, but I lament at the fact that I could have done more. This paper has lasted over 100 years, and it deserves no less than any staff member’s undying dedication.

Sadly, we’re not always able to give the paper the quality it could have. That hasn’t stopped it from achieving its purpose: to provide the students with our newsly drivel (kidding, except for stories like this one).

I love The Oracle immensely, and I’m swimming in surrealism at the end of my time here. While writing this, I sit here in the office, my name attached to my favorite Mac and workspace. Next semester, there will be multiple people to take over my positions.

To the people taking on my positions next semester, I commend you. Although there have been no formal announcements as to who precisely will be hired, I have seen the potentials, and I respect and admire their work. Congrats to those taking these positions; you will make the paper greater.

Over these years, I’ve built relationships that will literally span over my lifetime. I’m excited to see where my fellow staff members and media peers will go in their lives. I see our connections benefiting all of us later in life, although they have already benefitted me extensively.

I appreciate every experience I’ve had here. I have

gone through intense hills and valleys, but always had someone who could relate. At some point, we’ve all taken turns carrying each other. We’ve been citizens who needed saving as well as the heroes who save the day.

Media is not easy, but that’s the draw for the people in it. It’s challenging, critical, and fiercely overwhelming at times. It drains you and gives you purpose all at once. You must be an artist who can adapt on demand in any instance, but must also follow an unwavering, ethical rigidity.

I’ve been working on and off in media since high school and have worked with both media greats and lesser-known messes. No matter where I’m working or for whom, I have never encountered an “easy” media job.

It’s chaotic, troubling, and will often leave you shaken, but it’s worth every breath in my lungs.

After everything, after every moment that broke me, after every opportunity that built me, every conflict, every connection, every failure and achievement, I’m left feeling thankful.

I changed radically and rapidly over a short period of time. Six years may seem like forever to many students, but it’s nothing at all. These past two years I’ve spent exclusively focusing on media have left me unrecognizable compared to 2015 me. From my last graduation to this one, I’m happily unlike my old self.

Thank you, everyone, for everything. I wanted to experience life in full and I have received in full.

Here’s to many more fulfilling decades after college. So long, and thanks for all the fish.

Well, goodbye Emily. It’s been real, it’s been fun... hell, it’s been really fun.

We’re sad to lose you, alas, we also need a replacement.

So here’s our new ad! Come join The Oracle, whoever you may be. You don’t have to be a media major, you just have to have an interest in writing, photography, page layout, or fetching coffee.

So while this ad is partly a joke on Emily and partly just to fill up space, we really do need people... our staff is disappearing!

Applications are on the Oracle office door, right across from the Information Desk in the Garrison, come fill one out.

-Pete

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Happy Holidays from The Oracle

ooh baby baby it’s been a wild semester Summary by Ashley Smith, News Editor

2017 has no doubt been a wild year. And because it’s been a wild year, there has been lots of stuff to cover news-wise, so here are the best things we’ve covered this semester.

August

“No Trump, No KKK” A rally of protection for a Confederate memorial statue in Hot Springs brought on a throng of counter protesters. The masked Anti Fascism-ers outnumbered the original protestors, two were arrested, and the dudes on the other side went home early.

Partial Eclipse of the Heart (the Henderson one) The first total solar eclipse in 38 years made history as spectators around the country gathered to watch it.

Arkansas had a good view, as most of the state could see at least 90% of the sun covered. Huie Library passed out viewing goggles, and the campus community was mesmerized.

Henderson, Hickerson and students against hate Campus community responded to the events in Charlottesville, Virginia, with an event in front of Arkansas Hall. Dr. Megan Hickerson spoke out for inclusiveness and learning from each other on campus, and people need to peacefully agree to disagree. Faculty and staff, such as Dr. William Henshaw and Michael Taylor, among others, took to their classrooms to encourage students to voice what they think.

September

Musical Merlin Everyone has heard of The Voice, and Kristen Merlin, a contestant from the show, came to Arkansas Hall to perform. Songs from her album and covers were played, and students got a chance to interact with the singer.

Sodexo vs. Students

Since switching from Aramark to Sodexo, students learned of the new rules that came along with the switch. For events and meetings on campus, Sodexo food must be served. Organizations weren’t thrilled about the news, and a few spoke to us about how they felt.

Yes, I do enjoy alliteration.

READ THE BOOK Jon Ronson, author of the book “So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed,” held a presentation on campus about the book and life. Afterwards, select students attended a dinner with the author and got to know him more personally.

October

Fighting back statistics SGA took back the night with their first event to raise awareness of sexual assault on campus and to stand with victims. Take Back the Night drew a crowd, and the crowd marched in formation with candles and ended with a speech encouraging consent. And, no, you probably didn’t have anything better to do that night. What could possibly be more important than consensual sex with the statistics of campus assaults?

Financial Raid Zac Walthall uncovered the pandemonium that is the financial aid office, though this year it seemed more so. At the end of last school year, the previous person in charge left, and nobody knew how to run the system or what to do. This caused endless late refund checks, messed up financial situations, and many confused students. Students can help make differences in their struggles too, if they submit forms as soon as possible, stay on top of applications, and keep a level head. Financial aid employees are people too.

Rape Culture Revisited I Am Emily Doe explored rape culture on the theater

stage while referencing the infamous Brock Turner story. Student written by Magee Lee Preston, viewers discovered what it was like after someone has been raped, and everything that came along with it.

Yass Kween Anaya Hunter, sophomore Spanish major, was crowned Reddie Homecoming Queen of 2017.

Crowned before the football game, the court was able to watch the team play against East Central University. I hate to say it, but we lost. At least we have our Homecoming Court, and how can we forget about Showband?

November

Those darn tigers The most wonderful time of the year, Battle of the Ravine. Unfortunately, we lost, but we still had better pranks and have won more games (43-41-6). A narrow win for OBU at 49-42, there’s always next year’s battle.

Killer capital Media outlets reaffirmed what most of Arkansas already knew, but this time with colder, harder facts: Little Rock is basically the Old West when it comes to murders. So far this year, 46 homicides have affected the city. Be careful if that’s where your romping grounds are, and stick to where the streetlights shine.

Get used to AirPods Dax, our valued opinions editor, answers a begging question of 2017: how the hell are we going to function without a headphone jack on our iPhones? We’re not sure yet, but we’ll have to, as other phone companies such as Google and HTC are doing away with theirs as well. Goodbye, tech as we know it.

The Oracle wants to thank you all for a fantastic year! Have a good break, we’ll see you bright and early next semester.

December 5, 2017

Happy Holidays from The Oracle

The delph & beyond

Well, it’s registered: Story and Photos by Pete Tubbs, Editor in Chief Graphic by Google Maps

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Sites in clark county in the national register of historic places

Arkansas is a state that certainly has a lot to offer, ble courage made a hundred battle fields famous and According to the original National Register of Hishistory wise, from Fort Smith to the Arkansas Post. whose unselfish devotion to a principle made their toric Places Registration Form from May 3, 1996, one Unbeknownst to most, however, is the historical sigclause glorious.” of the reasons for inclusion in the National Register nificance of Clark County.

Who are the United Daughters of the Confederacy, of Historic Places is that it is “to reflect member’s [of There are over forty historical landmarks in the you may ask? Well, they are one of the main organithe Harris Flanagin Chapter of the UDC] perception County. Some are reminders of things that the state zations that have funded the erection of confederate of the noble character and valor of their veterans and shouldn’t be proud of, but some are surprising and monuments since 1894. their cause.” even heart warming. Without further So whether you think that the monuado, here are the top eight historical ment’s causes are “noble” or not, you can landmarks in Clark County that you can visit the statue on the Courthouse Lawn visit today. near the Southeast Junction of 6th and Arkadelphia is the County Seat of Caddo Streets.

Clark County, and the city has many In 1933, the Luten Bridge Company ancient places. One such place is the Arkmanufactured the Ouachita River Bridge, adelphia Commercial Historic District. which brings highway 7 and highway 51 The city of Arkadelphia was settled across the Ouachita River. It was added around 1842, and most of the buildings to the National Register in 2006. in the area known as “downtown” were Daniel B. Luten founded the Luten built from the late 1800’s through the Bridge Company and designed bridges early 1900’s. based off of his patented “Luten arch.”

In 2011, the district was listed on the It is said that by the 1920’s, he designed National Register of Historic Places. The nearly 20,000 bridges. He currently has historic part is considered to be Main St. a number of structures on the National Fifth, Seventh, and Clinton Sixth through Register of Historic Places, including ten Ninth streets. in Arkansas alone.

Most people don’t think that ArkadelThe James E.M. Barkman House was phia has much to offer in current events. added to the register on July 30, 1974.

The next monument, however, may make According to the application for regisyou think twice about that. tration, the house is “significant because On the Courthouse Lawn in town, of its unusual combination of Greek there is a confederate monument that was and Gothic Revival styles.” Apparently commissioned in 1911 and created by Gothic Revival architecture in Arkansas R.P. Phillips with funding from the local is extremely rare. chapter of the United Daughters of the The house is located on 406 North Confederacy. The monument was added 10th Street. It is currently 157 years old to the National Register in 1996. and counting.

There are multiple writings on the Bayou Sel, which comprises about five monument, one of which says “On fame’s acres near Arkadelphia, was added to the eternal camping ground their silent tents NRHP on September 10, 1974. It was a are spread; and glory guards with solemn location, which, in the 1800’s, salt was round the bivouac of the dead.” Another An inscription on one of the sides of the confederate statue on the produced. says “…to the memory of the soldiers of Court House lawn in Arkadelphia.

Elkin’s Ferry in Prescott was added to the southern confederacy whose invincithe NHRP in 1994. It was the site of the

Happy Holidays from The Oracle

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Bored?

Spring Fling

Have yourself an educational scavenger hunt

1864 Battle of Elkin’s Ferry during the Civil War. The battle took place over two days, over which nearly 100 soldiers died. The Union side walked away from the battlefield with the victory.

The Hoo-Hoo Monument located on First Street in Gurdon is significant because of the contributions of the Hoo-Hoo society of lumbermen. The tablet was erected on September 9, 1909.

One of the historic places is the Captain Charles C. Henderson House. The house was constructed in 1906 and is significant because of its “tie with Captain Henderson,” and its “local significance as a distinguished example of a mixture of

Neoclassical and Queen Anne architecture with later Craftsman renovations.”

Captain Henderson was known for being a contributor to society. According to the Application for Registration, Henderson “sustained a strong philanthropic relationship to the community and the college for many years.” The house was added to the NRHP in 1998.

So whatever you’re into, whether it be controversial monuments or places of salt production, there truly is a plethora of historically important places that you can definitely visit in Clark County.

A map of the coordinates of the National Register of Historic Places in Clark County made by Google Maps.

December 5, 2017

Happy Holidays from The Oracle

ARts & MUSIC

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The dirty delph boys Where are they now?

Story and photos by Emily Bell, Copy Editor and Photographer

Sean Womack performed with Grammar Candy at Joint Stock earlier this fall.

A degree in music is no easy feat to accomplish, but it isn’t the academic program itself that fills up a musician’s schedule alone. For any student of the arts, the dreaded portfolio and necessary vast experience in these subjects are what significantly bogs students down.

In fact, they will often spend more time off-campus to prepare for their creative careers.

It’s a rough, often thankless, and often unrewarding journey, but one that breaks and reshapes artists entirely.

Senior music major, Freshawn Womack is one such musician who knows the journey well already.

He got his start in music like most by joining marching band in grade school.

His choice of instrument, however, was entirely unintentional. After asking to play other parts, he was

assigned what was left: a saxophone position.

Growing up in poverty, his family was unable to afford a new saxophone. Even a used one provided a financial challenge. His mother put an ad out in their local paper’s classifieds for a saxophone. Thankfully, someone answered the ad.

She was an elderly woman whose husband was a saxophonist, but he had recently passed away.

“She told me he would want someone to play it,” Womack reflected after recounting her generosity.

“I’ve always wanted to go back and thank her, but I can’t. It was so long ago, I don’t know where she lives or if she’s even still alive,” but his appreciation for her gift is still apparent.

After playing in band for some time, Womack started to see music as a profession. He had many excellent guides and influences in his teens that lead him to the

college for a degree, one of which being his seventh grade teacher.

“He invited me to join a jazz band he started,” which was his first time really exploring the depths of the genre. “He would just point at one of us during practices and tell us to solo on the spot.” His teacher was one of the first to really push Womack to refine his skills professionally.

By 17, he was gigging regularly with a band.

“Some of the places we performed at were so sketchy,” Shawn said, recalling one off-kilter place called Utopia. “There was no sign for the place, just a back door to go through, and even though it was supposed to be a bar there was never any alcohol on hand.” As a local musician, especially in smaller towns, many venues cannot only be sketchy, but even dangerous.

Since then, Womack’s music always incorporates some jazz structure, especially in his solos and improvisation. In fact, he tends to focus on improvement and composition through improvisational work.

Ever since then, Womack found himself playing in a few bands throughout high school and college. His biggest band project during his degree was Grammar Candy.

“Oh boy,” he said with a long exhale and a laugh. “I really learned the meaning of ‘artistic differences.’”

Grammar Candy seemed like a promising force in the local music scene, with the potential to reach beyond local celebrity status. However, members came and left, and finally it was down to Womack alone.

“I actually thought I was done with bands all together after that,” Womack said. “I thought, ‘well, guess I’ll just perform alone from now on.’”

However, one of the band’s guitarists, who felt similarly to Womack, decided to try one more time.

Together, Womack and local musician, Dan Renfro, started their new band, Won Run, with two other performers.

“We haven’t been playing together long, and we already mesh so well together, and everyone is very professional and serious about what we’re doing.”

During his time at the university, Womack made sure to not limit himself to one medium alone. His ex-

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Happy Holidays from The Oracle

Future so bright you need sunglasses other forms in media. He’s a staff writer for Walthall is already researching camera equipment The Oracle, and delivers interesting, immerto purchase, as well as film editing. Fellers is doing the sive narratives in his work. As a lyricist, few same, and is a talented photographer and innovative local artists can compare to his writing chops. media major focusing on film.

Walthall is also heavily influenced by jazz, “These days as a musician, you either have to be on and truly pursues refining his technical skill the internet and get a lot of views, or to have a great as thoroughly as possible. live show.” In Walthall’s case, he hopes to be successful His adamancy to maintain structure in both formats. doesn’t leave him lacking creativity by any He is also starting a vlog series about his work and means. His bass solos and flourishes make process, as well as continuing to write for publications. him a fun performer to both listen to and see It’s easy to see Walthall and Fellers as a creative powlive. er-couple, and their future together seems undoubtedWalthall and Womack met on their first ly successful. day in band before classes started their freshTo hear more of Womack and Walthall’s stories, look man year. Soon, they started their first college out for the upcoming documentary featuring local band together, The Dirty Delph boys. up-and-coming artists. It will be released at the start of It was fun, creative venture, but ended 2018, and it follows those in the obscure music scenes simply due to priorities in Walthall’s academic of Arkadelphia and surrounding cities. life. “With everything I had going on, there was no way I could do all of it and keep playing with the Dirty Delph Boys too. It was just impossible.”

Walthall also took on the role of bassist for Grammar Candy, but left the band to more actively pursue his musical interests.

From Candy to Cabbage, Zac Walthall’s seen it all.

He and fellow music ploration into different genres spilled out to other art student, Jake Wyatt, started their jazz forms entirely. Having spent some time developing his fusion duo, Jazz Cabbage. digital and studio artwork, he hopes to open a gallery Although they are still in the early involving all original painted pieces and music. stages of development, they have Womack is not alone in taking on multiple mediperformed together this semester quite ums to further his artistic career. a lot. As professional musical accomSenior Zac Walthall, is also a multi-talented artist. panists and highly skilled performers, “I played in the worship band at church growing up,” they haven’t been lacking in gigs. he noted, as he explained how he started out singing, Walthall and his girlfriend, Rebecca but learned to play guitar to accompany his vocals.

Fellers, are also working together to Then he had to step in as a bassist and a drummer on potentially create their own music and different occasions, learning the instruments to fill the media production. They have both empty slots. been interested in film and production, His fervency to master a variety of instruments an figured they might as well learn to doesn’t stop in his music. Like Womack, Walthall has do it to further their creative projects.

Sean Womack’s always ready to get wierd, no matter when. dedicated a lot of time to English composition and

December 5, 2017

Happy Holidays from The Oracle

9

OPINIONS

Top 10 movies of the year Story by Pete Tubbs, Editor in Chief Posters courtesy of Sony, Amazon Studios, Well Go USA, Warner Bros., A24, Fingerprint, Bleecker Street, and Paramount The North American box office hasn’t been it’s best self this year. There have only been a handful of surprising hits, but there have been a bevy of surprising misses from “Justice League,” to “Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.”

That doesn’t mean, however, that there haven’t been awesome movies. In fact, there are ten in particular that I think are spectacular, and here they are. #10- “Better Watch Out” Chris Peckover’s holiday themed horror story was perhaps the most surprising film I saw all year. Filled with equal parts humor and disturbing horror, this limited release indie truly delivers in spades. “Pan’s” Levi Miller and “The Visit’s” Olivia DeJonge and Ex Oxenbould are all fantastic here as three teens who have to survive after a break in. It would be a disservice to you if I were to spoil anything else, because there are some shockers here. Do yourself a favor, get into the Christmas spirit, and order this up on Amazon Video. #9- “Logan Lucky” This little-seen Steven Soderbergh crime comedy is the most original comedy of the year. Starring Channing Tatum and Adam Driver as two brothers who plan a heist, at first glance it seems like Soderbergh’s ripping himself off. Although the film is similar in tone to his fantastic “Ocean’s” trilogy, the comparisons stop there. This is a down home heist comedy. Most all of the characters are slow talking and slow thinking southerners who just want to get a leg up on life.

While Tatum and Driver are fantastic, Daniel Craig all but steals the entire film as Joe Bang, a bleach blonde headed convict who knows his explosives. “Logan Lucky” is a fun, funny, and surprisingly heartwarming piece of gold. #8- “John Wick Chapter Two” The first “John Wick” came out of nowhere back in 2014. It was a frenetic, brutal, and exhilirating experience. Not many saw it, but those who did would have done anything for a sequel, and that’s exactly what they got this past February. The second chapter

directly follows the original and fleshes out Wick’s world to an insane degree. The action is just as good, if not better this time around, and the cinematography is to die for... pun intended. Reeves remains a stoic and brutally effective anti-hero who we root for even though he kills dozens upon dozens of people. It’s the best pure-action movie of the year. #7- “Baby Driver” The crowning acheivment of Edgar Wright’s career so far, “Baby Driver” is the action version of “La La Land.” With pristine editing, slick action, and a playfully sincere tone, it’s one of the most fun action movies to come along in a good while. Ansel Elgort proves himself as a true leading man here as the conflicted Baby, and Jon Hamm shows his dark side as the Terminator-like Buddy. “Baby Driver” is an ingenious and rewarding re-tooling of the heist genre that will remain a favorite of the genre for myself and many others.

#4- “Logan” “Logan” may just be the greatest superhero film of all time, although it can barely be called a superhero film. It has the feel of an epic western as it follows the dreary and tragic journey of much older versions of the Wolverine and Professor Xavier that we all know and love. If either Hugh Jackman or Patrick Stewart aren’t recognized for their work come awards season, I’ll lose a bit of my faith in humanity. #3- “Dunkirk” In what is undoubtedly Christopher Nolan’s greatest acheivment, “Dunkirk” is one of the best war films of all time. Told in a non-linear way, “Dunkirk” covers three different stories all based around the evacuation of troops from the city of Dunkirk. It is thrilling, emotional, and breathtaking. Seeing it in a theatre was one of the best movie experiences I had all summer.

#6- “Spider-Man: Homecoming” Although it may be controversial to say, there has never been a better representation of the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man than Tom Holland. He embodies the character with the perfect amount of innocence, immaturity, humor, and courage. That is what shoots this MCU film near the top of the crop.

Of course, it helps that “Spider-Man: Homecoming” was written with more than its share of hilarious humor, heart, and action. Michael Keaton’s “Vulture” is also one of the best villains that the MCU has ever seen, so there’s that.

#2- “Blade Runner 2049” 1982’s now renowned classic “Blade Runner” has long since been one of my favorites of the science fiction genre, but I have to say, it’s sequel more than lived up to the wait. “Blade Runner 2049” is a ponderous, awe-inspiring gut punch of a film that features some of the best cinematography ever seen by human eyes.

Harrison Ford actually looks like he’s trying and Ryan Gosling is just as good as ever here. “2049” makes no wrong turns, but be warned, it does require some patience. However, it is an exceptional film that I believe will stand the test of time and become an all-time classic of the sci-fi genre.

#5- “A Ghost Story” David Lowery’s masterpiece of his young career is a deeply moving and profoud exploration of grief, love, and the afterlife. It stars Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck as a couple who is broken apart by Affleck’s untimely death. He is not gone, however, as he returns to haunt the house, all the while under a bed sheet almost the entire film. There are long stretches with no dialogue, but if you watch this film in the right mood, it could change your life. Yep, it’s that deep.

#1- “The Lost City of Z” Over time, this film has become my absolute favorite of the year. The period drama starring Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, and Sienna Miller is an epic tale of the sort that just aren’t made anymore. It follows the true story of explorer Percy Fawcett as he seeks to discover the famed Lost City of Z over the course of decades. It is a life affirming, emotional, and trance-inducing tale of passion and soulful exploration. It’s a truly beautiful and haunting film.

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Happy Holidays from The Oracle

OPINIONS

C’Mon DCEU...

Opinion by Dax Guilliams, Opinions Editor Image by Jacob Glasgow, Graphic Designer

The DC cinematic universe does deserve criticism, but at the same time, it has been doing a lot of things right. People are quick to hate on these movies, but they’re obviously improving.

“Justice League” and “Wonder Woman” are the two most recent movies in this cinematic universe, but I’m not gonna talk about “Wonder Woman” because everybody knows how good that movie is.

Honestly, “Justice League” was ok. It wasn’t a bad movie, but it also wasn’t very good. There’s a lot of good scenes and the acting is really good.

Sure, Steppenwolf was an awful villain, but Henry Cavill made up for it. He’s never been a better Superman until “Justice League.”

I didn’t care for his performance as the character in “Man of Steel,” but he’s gotten so much better with each movie.

All of the heroes in “Justice League” were really good except Aquaman. Jason Momoa’s a great actor, but all of Aquaman’s lines were worse than everyone else’s and his character was kinda lame.

It didn’t help that he really didn’t have much to do in the movie except be another member of the team. But Wonder Woman, Flash and Batman were great and while Cyborg didn’t have much to do either, he becomes an important character at the end.

There are two after credits scenes and they were amazing. I won’t spoil either of them, but they were a great way to end the movie, especially since the first one is a great reference to an event that happened in the comics.

“Justice League” would have been a lot better if Zack Snyder was the director for the entire movie, but it’s understandable why he had to leave. Not everyone likes how Snyder directs his movies, but he does have talent.

Snyder does have skills when it comes to directing, even if he makes some mistakes. He definitely has the passion and he does care about the DC universe.

I hated “Man of Steel,” but even that movie has some things going for it. Michael Shannon as General Zod was incredible. Shannon is such

a great actor and I think he was easily the best actor in that whole movie.

“Man of Steel” also has some great camerawork. If the editing was better, I’d probably have a much better opinion of the movie.

“Batman vs Superman” also was not very good when it first came out, but the Ultimate Edition is so much better. They cut out some of the best scenes for the theatrical release.

Plus, Ben Affleck’s Batman is so good. He’s no Michael Keaton, but Affleck’s Batman is one of the best things these movies have.

I’m so excited for the Batman solo movie and even though they’ve had to get a new director, I think it’s gonna be good.

When I heard that Deathstroke was gonna be the villain, I almost lost my mind. He’s not traditional a Batman villain, but they’ve fought many times in the comics and it’ll be pretty great to see that in a movie.

“Suicide Squad” was trash. There’s no two ways about it.

The only good things I can say about it is that Margot Robbie was good as Harley Quinn and Jay Hernandez was amazing as El Diablo, who was the best character in the movie.

Robbie is going to continue being Harley Quinn in future movies including the “Gotham City Sirens” movie they’re planning on making.

The DC cinematic universe has a lot of movies lined up in the future and they’re all sounding pretty good.

They’re getting ready to do a “Green Lanterns” movie with the characters Hal Jordan, John Stewart and Kyle Rayner. That’s incredible that they’re doing those three characters all in one movie.

While they keep switching directors, “The Flash” still has high hopes for being good. This is mostly because Ezra Miller was really good in “Justice League.”

If they get some better writing for the character, “Aquaman” should be just fine. They just need to take it seriously and stay true to the comics.

We all know “Wonder Woman 2” will be great.

And to cap it all off, they’re doing a “Booster Gold and Blue Beetle” movie, which has no chance of being bad with those two. DC’s future movies are gonna be great...I hope.

Happy Holidays from The Oracle

December 5, 2017

Games

CR S S W O RD O FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 4, 2017

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

ACROSS 1 Jam holder 4 Nike logo 10 H.S. junior’s exam 14 “__ Beso (That Kiss!)”: Paul Anka song 15 Stephen King’s telekinetic high schooler 16 Short car trip 17 “Chill! It’s Labor Day!” 20 Open, as a Chablis 21 Toy block brand 22 NYC airport on Flushing Bay 23 Gas for signs 25 “Actually, you’re right” 27 Oared 30 More than zero 32 Trail behind 33 Señora Perón 34 River, in Mexico 35 Kick out of office, as a dictator 38 “Chill! It’s Labor Day!” 42 Early ball game score 43 “... at the __ ball game!”: song lyric 44 Speak 45 Coax (out), as a genie 46 Letters in a certain bachelor’s ad 47 “Bye!” 49 Unanalyzed info 52 Came home in a cloud of dust 54 Inventor Whitney 55 Hawkeyes’ home 57 Historic cold period 61 “Chill! It’s Labor Day!” 64 “Young Frankenstein” seductress 65 Big name in little trains 66 Prefix with verse 67 Yappy dog, e.g.

68 Holy female fig. in a Renaissance painting 69 Lumberjack’s tool

By John Lampkin

DOWN 1 Son of God, in a Bach cantata title 2 B __ bravo 3 Campus mil. unit 4 Chicken or cowed 5 Ridiculously silly 6 Mork’s planet 7 Like a dental exam 8 Stringy, as meat 9 Row of foundation bushes 10 Antonym of post11 Foolish one 12 “Better a witty fool, than a foolish wit,” e.g.

13 Lone Star State 18 Leftover for Fido 19 Painting gadget 24 Former Neet rival 26 SoCal cop force 27 Move, in realty ads 28 Roast roaster 29 Student swimmer’s aid 31 “Ain’t happenin’!”

34 Feel regret over 35 “The butler __ it” 36 Persuade 37 Irish New Age songwriter 39 “__ be surprised”

Saturday’s Puzzle Solved Last week’s answers

©2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC

40 One way for a jailed suspect to get out 41 Aid to the poor 46 Considered appropriate 47 Italy’s largest island 48 Biblical garden 49 Immerse in salsa again, as a chip (only do this if you’re 50-Down!)

9/4/17

9/4/17

50 By oneself 51 Works hard 53 One devoted to a single profession 56 Itty-bitty bit 58 34-Across filler 59 Group after boomers 60 Spooky-sounding lake 62 Tit for __ 63 Santa __, California

11

S ud oku

12

Happy Holidays from The Oracle

SPORTS

How we doin?

Story by Jordan Williams, Sports Editor

The Duke Wells Center has been in frenzy as of late. After taking a short break for Thanksgiving GAC basketball is back with a week full of action for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

The Women’s team suited up first this week to take on Paul Quinn College in a quick non-conference matchup to shake off any rust that may have built up over the fall break. Unfortunately for Paul Quinn there wasn’t much rust to knock off.

The Women’s team came out of this matchup in a 75 – 64 win displaying the same ball movement that makes this team so special, but at times it became problematic. They turned the ball over a total of 25 times while not forcing many turnovers themselves as the team as a whole only totaled 6 steals for the night.

Haleigh Henson lead the way in this one with 21 points converting on 8/16 field goals and 4/9 from deep.

Next up was Southern Nazarene, a team that has dominated conference opponents so far this season but hit a bit of a roadblock in the form of our Women’s team. The Reddies held out just fine winning their first GAC conference game in a 79 – 66 victory that all stemmed from an excellent first half that saw them go into halftime 29 – 38. A 13 to 3 run by the Reddies going into halftime was the undoing of Southern Nazarene.

Though we only converted on 38.2% of our field goals for the night, our saving grace came from our ability to convert on a couple of much need 3 pointers and converting at the line once we got there.

Haleigh Henson once again showed up and showed out as she again converted on 4/9 3 pointers for the night.

There was one more team to be taken out by the Women’s team last week, and it came in the form of an Oklahoma Baptist team who did not realize just how red hot we were.

Oklahoma Baptist University was dominated in an

85 – 61 blow as the Reddies ended the week with a 3 – 0 record at home coming away with back to back conference wins.

This game was also a high mark for Haleigh Henson, previously mentioned and raved about, who ended the first quarter with 4 points that officially put her 1000 career points as a Reddie.

The Women’s team as a whole played great this week. There was a couple of mishaps when it came to our field goal percentage and keeping control of the ball but those were all overcome in the end with their ability to lock down on defense and guard the perimeter.

Our inside defense is still cause for concern though as we’re still having trouble guarding the paint without fouling but as long as we can keep teams from converting from deep at any sort of efficient rate we should be fine.

The Men’s team played this week as well, but aside from showing up and playing, there is really much to report about. To put it politely, they did not play well in either of their games this week.

Both of these matchups ended in bitter loses.

Southern Nazarene served the first loss in an 84 – 52 blow out that saw the Reddies converting at a clip of 33.3% from the floor while southern Nazarene breezed past us.

Next up was Oklahoma Baptist University which was a truly heart wrenching loss that came in overtime the final score being 81 – 79. What made it worse was that the heroic performance of Kaylon Tappin was all for not as his 32 point outburst wasn’t enough to come out of this one with a win.

The downfall in both of these losses came in the form just overall poor play as a team. When it comes to defense, we just could not guard anyone.

Both teams converted at great percentages from both floors and from deep, and recovered a total of 26 offensive rebounds.The Reddies were unable to keep

A progress report on the basketball teams either of the teams off the boards.

Offensively we were stagnant as Kaylon Tappin and Josh Jones were the only two reliable players in either affair. The output of two players is usually not enough to get you through any game.

There’s still a lot of games left to play and a lot of time to get it together but the Reddies need to do it soon before the bad habits we’re forming becoming our downfall.

Men’s Basketball Schedule ASU Jonesboro Ecclesia Home Paul Quinn Home East Central Ada, Okla.

SEOSU Durant, Okla.

ATU Home UAM Monticello OBU There Harding Home SAU Home SWOSU Home Shawnee, Okla.

OKBU Bethany, Okla.

SNU SEOSU Home ECU Home UAM Home ATU Russellville OBU Home SAU Magnolia

12/09/17 12/16/17 12/30/17 1/04/18 1/06/18 1/11/18 1/13/18 1/15/18 1/18/18 1/20/18 1/25/18 2/01/18 2/03/18 2/08/18 2/10/18 2/15/18 2/17/18 2/20/18 2/22/18