01/23/18 Issue

Henderson State University - Tuesday, January 22, 2018 Volume 113, Issue 13

: k a e r B d e d n e t x E s y a d w o n s 2 e t a students celebr Concealed -p.3

SAB MOVIes 2018-p.6

An update on the concealed handgun bill.

Student Activities Board released their Spring 2018 movies schedule.

oracle@hsu.edu

HSU Oracle

independence-p.9

5 movies that you may not have seen from 2017.

@hsuoracle

Basketball returns -p.12

Jordan gives some updates on the b-ball teams.

2

REDDIE NEWS

Snow Day

Story by Ashley Smith, News Editor Photo by Steve Fellers, Media Relations Coordinator

Editor in Chief — Pete Tubbs opinions editor — Ashley Smith Graphics/ Ads designer — Jacob Glasgow Online editor — Aaron O’Quin Copy editor — Jade Wolfe Sports editor — Jordan Williams Photo Editor — Joshua Bradley Staff reporter — Abbie Beaver Staff Photographers — Larry Massey, Paris Dugan

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 home has lots of cool bonus stuff.

Go check it out at hsuoracle.com.

ADS

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

COVER

Henderson State University employee Calvin Harris made the streets safer over the snow days (taken by Steve Fellers).

Even though we didn’t get a white Christmas, we got a white Christmas break (and an extended one). Following Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday last Monday, two snow days made the first week of the winter semester a very short one.

Public schools in the community had a third one, but more importantly the school across the street only had one snow day. Yes, another way we’re better. Come to the red side.

Students (on both sides) ran out for their Instagram and Facebook worthy snow photos, and with a few having snowball fights on the quad.

As usual, the hill by the Rec center was avoided. Even in front of Ridge Pointe cars were sliding on the ice. The steep hill by the police station

was blocked off, because who knows what chaos could have ensued without that barrier.

If you’re anything like the general population, the snow is cool (haha) for the first day, and then you’re ready for that bipolar Arkansas weather to hit you with something different.

Well, no fear, Arkansas delivered with our sixty-degree weather this week. Walking on campus with a light jacket is certainly more enjoyable than being Ralphie’s little brother from “A Christmas Story” because of how many layers you have.

Hopefully another one comes in the middle of the semester when we really need a break, like this one probably should have.

January 22, 2018

3

Spring Fling

Coming soon Spri tongtheaters 2018 SAB Movies List Story by Pete Tubbs, Editor in Chief Graphic Courtesy of Student Activities Board

The Student Activities Board has released their film list for the spring semester. As with every semester, there are some good films and some duds.

On Jan. 26, SAB will start the year with “Daddy’s Home 2.” The Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg starrer accrued a fairly dismal 19 percent from critics on Rotten Tomatoes but made nearly $180 million worldwide.

A sequel to the equally dismally received 2015 original; this one includes Mel Gibson and John Lithgow as Wahlberg and Ferrell’s dad’s, respectively. If you don’t have much else to do on Jan. 26 and you’re looking for a quick laugh, then you could probably have a bit of fun here.

The following week the SAB will premiere one of 2017’s most acclaimed superhero flicks “Thor: Ragnarok.” It stars Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, and Cate Blanchett and scored a 92 percent rating on RT. One of the funniest films to come out of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, “Thor: Ragnarok” is a blast. It’s directed by indie darling Taika Waititi and is certainly worth your time, especially considering it’s free to watch.

On Feb. 9, a less acclaimed superhero flick (“Justice League”) will be shown in the Garrison. With an RT score of 40 percent and an underwhelming box office take of just over $650 million, Justice League was one of the bigger disappointments of last year.

“Coco,” one of the bigger surprises of last year, is Pixar’s latest masterpiece. A Mexican flavored animated comedy, “Coco” has grossed nearly $630 million worldwide and is the frontrunner for this year’s Oscar for Best Animated Film.

One of the top three contenders for this year’s Academy Award for Best Picture is Greta Gerwig’s “Lady Bird.” Starring Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf, the film also held

the distinction of being the best-reviewed film of all time, at least until it got its only negative review, on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Lady Bird” will show on March 2 and March 4 and by then the world will know if it won Best Picture. Even if it doesn’t win, however, it’s still one of the best films of 2017.

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” was the film that knocked “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” from the top spot at the box office in late Dec. It stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan.

“Welcome to the Jungle” has made nearly $700 million worldwide and boasts a 76 percent rating by critics on Rotten Tomatoes. This was no doubt one of the most unexpected successes of last year, and now you’ll be able to experience it when SAB debuts it in early March.

The final film in the “Pitch Perfect” trilogy, “Pitch Perfect 3,” will debut on campus on April 6 and have an encore showing on April 8. The film stars Anna Kendrick and Rebel Wilson, among others, and has grossed $165 million worldwide.

Although this one features less singing than the others, audiences seem to enjoy it just as much.

This time around, the Bella’s are involved in a more action-oriented plot and have to survive a USO tour.

The highest grossing film of last year, and one of the most divisive, “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” will play on April 13 and April 15. With box office receipts reaching over $600 million in America alone and a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 90 percent, the controversy didn’t get the best of this one.

The eighth film in the main saga, “The Last Jedi” brings back Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher to tell the story of a struggling resistance fighting against the new order. With a darker and more epic tone, “The Last Jedi” managed to cut its fan base right in two when it was released.

It may surprise you, but the film that currently holds the spot for the number one highest reviewed film on Rotten Tomatoes of all time is “Paddington 2.” You can have your chance to see it on April 20 and April 22 when SAB shows it in the Garrison.

“Paddington 2” stars Hugh Grant, Ben Whishaw, and Brendan Gleeson and holds a 100 percent on RT with 167 reviews and counting. This one looks to be a perfectly enjoyable and heart-warming family flick that’s sure to play on your heartstrings.

All in all, the Student Activities Board has a pretty darn good lineup planned for Spring 2018. I know I’ll be at the vast majority of these showings and I hope to see you there!

4

Concealing Story by Ashley Smith, Opinions Editor Graphic Courtesy of Wes Bausmith and MCT Campus

Last year, Arkansas lawmakers passed a concealed carry law that allowed guns to be authorized on campus. They agreed that by the time this law went into effect (Jan. 2018) that there would be specific rules that went along with the law. Though the law passed with all state colleges against it, now the state is struggling to figure out what to do next.

Lawmakers and state police have failed to come to an agreement on these specific rules, leading to a gray area as the law has already gone into effect. Proposed rules written by state police included 8 hours of additional training and for the classes to be offered everywhere there was already a concealed carry class.

Their enhanced license after taking the class will not have to be renewed. The blurred lines give supporters of the law a reason to be frustrated with the process, and give non-supporters a sigh of relief as people are not quite sure what is allowed as of this year.

Confusion could lead people to break the law unknowingly, or knowingly but just taking advantage of rules that are not in black and white.

Gun rights activists attending the legislative sessions claim the law does not give them as many rights as they wanted, as college administrators and police officials opposed the law.

According to what was passed, licensed gun owners with training can bring their firearms into bars, onto college campuses, and public buildings that were not allowed before. However, the law was passed in mind that licensed gun owners would have more detailed training before being allowed to do so. This detailed training is the gray area our state officials have encountered, and what citizens are waiting to hear about.

“I don’t like gray areas,” Jared Morrow, senior recreation administration and sports manage-

Concern ment major, said. “I feel people should follow the old law if the new one has uncertainty.”

Morrow agrees with the law, but thinks intensive training and full circle knowledge should be required before a licensed gun owner carries their weapon to a previously forbidden place.

“Before I ever got my concealed license, my grandpa made certain that I knew everything about what I was carrying and what it was capable of,” Morrow said. “It shouldn’t just be one day in class and you are able to bring it to campus the next.”

Currently, if a person were to apply for a concealed carry license, the old law is what they will read. A revised version is not mentioned in the application or law. People probably can’t apply for the enhanced license that was promised for this year, though this is not clear yet.

“It’s a bad idea because there’s a chance it could be useful, but it’s more likely something will go wrong,” Marissa DeFoor, alumna, said. “It’s just not worth the risk.”

Vague laws puts pressure on lawmakers and anxious carriers await to see what steps they have to take next. For a full rundown on what the school is currently allowing, visit http://www.hsu. edu/GeneralCounsel/CampusCarryFAQ.html.

January 22, 2018

Ranking the Story by Pete Tubbs, Editor in Chief Image Courtesy of Lost Forty Brewing

5

THe Delph Breweries

in Little Rock

As a college student who’s recently turned 21, I have a certain amount of interest in beer. As you probably know, one of the best places to get beer is at a brewery.

What you may not have known, however, is that there are several breweries near us. In fact, there are seven in Little Rock alone.

As with everything, there is a difference in quality between the beer joints. So, without further ado, here are the beer breweries in Little Rock ranked by their average yelp reviews.

of under ten dollars, it’s also very affordable. Although the place isn’t too big, it makes up for its shortcomings with a fantastic atmosphere, outdoor area, and tasty beer selection. Stone’s Throw is located at 402 East Ninth Street and is one of the best places for a brew and a bit in LR.

#7- Core Brewery Although Core Brewery is just a tap from their main brewery in Springdale, it’s still a great place to go if you’re looking for an interesting place to drink. With an average rating of four stars out of five, most people agree that Core has some really good beer.

They have a moderate price range and a huge beer and food selection. Core is located at 411 North Main Street.

hole is the atmosphere, the beer selection, and the quick service. The word is they have a beer called the Whittler Milk Stout that’s pretty fantastic. Blue Canoe can be visited at 425 East Third Street.

#6- Flyaway Brewery Located at 314 Maple Street, this brewery has a moderate price range as well as a rating of four stars out of five. According to reviewers, the vibes are great and the beer is even better. The staff is said to be very knowledgeable about how the drinks are formed, and the menu is filled with over a dozen fantastic ales.

#4- Diamond Beer Brewing Company With famous beers that include the original Pale Ale, Southern Blonde, Presidential IPA, and Dogtown, Diamond Beer Brewing Company have proved themselves as a legitimate and long-lasting brewery. Located at 600 North Broadway and with a moderate price range, it’s not hard to see why this place has become so popular.

#5- Blue Canoe Brewing Blue Canoe is as renowned for their food as they are for their craft beer. Some of the other things that have been praised about the water

#3- Stone’s Throw Brewing With 56 reviews and a solid four star rating, Stone’s Throw is, by the majority opinion, a fantastic little hole in the wall. With a price range

#2- Rebel Kettle Brewing Company With more than 70 reviews and a four star rating, Rebel Kettle fits snugly near the top of the list of the best breweries in the state capital.

With standout drinks such as the C-Street IPA, the Headbanger’s Ball Imperial IPA, and the Olde In and Out; this is the real deal. With operating hours from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.. from Mon. thru Thu., from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fri. thru Sat., and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sun.; this place has got you covered most of the hours of the day. #1- Lost Forty Brewing The brewery that takes the number one spot is the Lost Forty Brewing company on Byrd Street.

Some of the highest praises are directed toward the atmosphere, food, and of course, the beer.

The place has a moderate price range and a fairly extensive operating schedule. One of the most often mentioned beers is the Love Honey Bock brew.

So if you’re looking for a place to bring a date, or to go drink by yourself, there is no shortage of breweries in Little Rock. Have fun, but remember to drink responsibly.

6

Stuff you should know about

Story by Pete Tubbs, Editor in Chief Photos Courtesy of STX and Reckless Kely

The verdict is finally in, 2017 sucked. Our nation was in turmoil, Hollywood was in ruins… most agreed it couldn’t get much worse.

While last year may have not been the best, we can all hold on hope that 2018 will turn the tables. As of right now, it already looks better.

Aside from Hawaii’s scare last weekend, the first couple of weeks of the new year have been pretty alright. Sam Rockwell hosted SNL and Oprah gave the speech to end all speeches. There are also a lot of good things about to happen in Arkadelphia and its surrounding cities.

Now that we’re all back from break, there couldn’t be a better time for some basketball. The women’s basketball team will face off against Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m. in Wells and the men’s team will follow after.

You can also stop by the planetarium in Reynolds on the 25 and check out their presenta-tion on Super Volcanoes. The event starts at 7:00 p.m..

The country rock band Reckless Kelly will perform in the River Market district on Jan. 25 with a special appearance by Muscadine Bloodline. Reckless Kelly was founded in 1997 and have released nine studio records, two live albums, and a best of compilation.

Muscadine Bloodline, formed in 2016, is comprised of Gary Stanton and Charlie Muncaster of Mobile, Ala. They are a contemporary country group that’s apparently making waves in Nashville with their “refreshing mix of talent, passion, and unfiltered authenticity.” Tickets start at $20 and the concert is located at the Rev Room on Clinton Avenue in downtown Little

Rock.

Over in Hot Springs at the Justus Fine Art Gallery on Central Avenue, there will be a New Year’s art exhibit from now until Jan. 31. The gallery will feature several artists including Tony Saladino, Sandra Sell, and Gene Sparling.

Film awards season is in full swing, and now is the best time to catch up on the films that will most likely show up among the Oscar nominees come the announcements on Jan. 23. Some movies that will open soon that will most likely be in the awards conversation are “Molly’s Game,” “The Post,” “Darkest Hour,” “The Shape of Water,” “Lady Bird,” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri.” If you’re looking to catch up, the theatres that will be your best bet for the smaller films are Cinemark Colonel Glenn 18, Regal Breckenridge 12, and Riverdale 10 (all in Little Rock.)

The Pocket Community Theatre located at 170 Ravine Street will perform “Love From a Stranger” from Feb. 2-11. The play, penned by Agatha Christie and Frank Vosper is a thrilling spectacle that delivers on mystery and suspense in spades.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and Sat. with a 2:20 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Ticket prices begin at $15 for plays and $20 for musicals.

If you’re a fan of chili or cinnamon rolls, then you should probably be at the Louisa Perritt Primary School on Feb. 5 for the annual chili supper. The event, which has been held since 1984, will feature the nickelodeon choir and an art auction.

The supper begins at 5:00 p.m. and tickets are $5. They are prepared to feed up to a thou-sand people, so don’t be shy about coming.

Who can be bored with all of these thrilling and exciting events happening so soon? For more event info, pick up the Oracle every Wednesday.

January 22, 2018

Upcoming Story by Abbie Beaver, Staff Reporter Information from the HSU Calendar

7

ARts & MUSIC

Arts & Music

Welcome back to campus Reddies! We hope you all had a wonderful and eventful break.

If you’re bored or just love the arts, we’ve got a few concerts, master classes and a play coming up these next couple of months.

In February, there will be a few notable events.

On the third, the President’s Concert will be happening at 7:30 p.m. at the Russell Fine Arts Hardwood Recital Hall.

The President’s Concert is the opportunity for some of our students who competed in Nov. for the opportunity to perform solo works accompanied by an orchestra including members of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

Soloists for this concert include: Frednesha Whiting from North Little Rock, Ryan Whitley from DeQueen, Wesley Lamendola from Searcy, and Raven Morris from Texarkana.

The Debra Knapp Dance Project master classes will be going on the week of Feb. 5 - 9. Dr. Debra Knapp is a Professor, College of Education

Dean’s Fellow.

From 2001 - 2015, she served as Director of Dance at New Mexico State University. She is also a certified teacher and serves as a certifier in the Evans’ Dance Pedagogy Method.

She’s been on the dance faculties of many universities, and she has danced professionally with the Bill Evans Dance Company, the Danzantes Dance Company, the Dresden Germany Semperoper Ballet Company, the Nora Reynolds Dance Company, and the Windfall Dance. The class will be from 5:00-9:00 p.m. on the fifth, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. on the sixth, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on the seventh, and from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. on the ninth.

“Tigers Be Still” is being performed February 22 - 26 in the Arkansas Hall Studio Theatre. It takes place in a “small suburban town” in present-day, and although the playwright never states a specific town or state, but one character does mention going to a university in New York and expressed having hopes of his son going to a New

“Brewster Rockit” by Tim Richard

Events

York school as well.

The showtimes for Feb. 22 - 24 and 26 will be from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., and the showtime for Sunday, the twenty fifth is from 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m..

The calendar for March is not filled out fully, but these few concerts are the events currently listed. On the first, the first Wind Ensemble concert will be held from 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. in the Arkansas Hall Auditorium.

On the eleventh, the first Symphony Band concert will be from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. in the Arkansas Hall Auditorium. The final event currently listed for the March calendar is the first full Concert Band concert from 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., also in the Arkansas Hall Auditorium.

These events and more are certainly some things to look forward to. Please note that this information is subject to change, so check the HSU calendar for updates.

8

Hallett Peak Story by Kelly Wood, Contributing Reporter Logo Courtesy of Hallett Peak

Hallett Peak is a rugged brand of handmade leather gear based on refined minimalist design and old-world crafting techniques. It is co-owned and operated by brothers Matt and Heath Herring.

It is mostly a web-based business through their website HallettPeak.co (not .com). The Herring brothers make handmade leather products from the ground up with the highest quality materials, turning raw materials into a finished product can be and many people fail to consider how time consuming the process of.

By focusing on their online sales and marketing rather than trade shows and the like, they do a better job of reaching serious buyers. “The whole thing started around the end of 2014, and they just sort of fell into it by chance, it was a day just like any other day,” Matt, said. “Except for the fact that he and Heath had completely covered their workspace in strewn bits of leather and hardware, each piece marking the baby-steps of trial and error.”.

Heath, being a photographer, was looking to come up with a new & better type of camera strap for him and other photographers. As a musician, Matt wanted to do the same thing for an innovative guitar strap.

Together they managed to come up with a design that works interchangeably for cameras, guitars, and several other things.

“When we worked on the prototype, we used leather,” said Matt. “We found out quickly that we had a knack for leatherwork, it just seemed to come to us naturally”.

When they finally finished the prototype, the

2 brothers find success

place was a mess. “We knew two things at that point: we needed to do more with our newly discovered talents for leatherwork, and cleanup would have to be a priority because leatherwork gets messy,” Matt, said.

“Almost all guitar straps have been the same for as long as I can remember: one strap across one shoulder to hold the entire weight of your guitar, said Matt. It’s simple and gets the job done, but I knew it could be better.

There ended up being two main characteristics we focused on with our strap design: comfort by means of double-shoulder weight distribution, and a new & attractive appearance that somewhat resembles a noir-style detective’s double-shoulder gun holster. “The strap that gave us our start is actually still under wraps until the

time is right to pursue a patent,” Matt said.

Hallet Peak offers a wide variety of leather accessories from passport journals & wallets to bags and cigar cases. The Castaway, a rugged 2-stick telescopic cigar case is actually one of the top sellers in the US and internationally. The Scout Camera Strap is another of their top-selling designs.

Matt currently studies at Henderson State University with his main focus on marketing at the school of business, accounting, computer technologies, and communications - a major that ended up being perfect for him. “It definitely took way longer to make it here to the last class of my senior stretch,” Matt said.

“I have taken away a wealth of knowledge and skills from every major I’ve studied have all had a huge bearing on the growing success of Hallett Peak.” “People who are going to invest in our products are the ones who see the true quality in our craft, which is painstakingly turning raw materials into stunning accessories that will literally last a lifetime,” Matt said.

Every product is hand-stitch with the highest quality threads available. “A simple saddle-stitch is so much stronger than a machine stitch its ridiculous,” Matt said “The fact that we saddle-stitch and cross-stitch by hand to create our trademark Hallett Peak Stitch makes our gear ten times tougher than anything you’ll buy for a few bucks at the store,” Matt, said. “When we sell you a product, we’re selling you the last one you’ll ever need. Our focus is to make gear that looks amazing and lasts forever.”

January 22, 2018

9

OPINIONS

Indies:

movies you probably haven’t Opinion by Pete Tubbs, Editor in Chief Images courtesy of Paramount, RLJE, Magnolia, and Bleeker St. seen

Although 2017 had its fair share of massive blockbusters, it’s the smaller films that packed the most punch. You probably saw “Thor Ragnarok,” “Logan,” “Wonder Woman,” “Spiderman: Homecoming,” etc., but several independent films had more entertainment per ounce than the mega-budgeted studio movies.

Let’s start with my number one favorite movie of the year, “The Lost City of Z.” Directed by James Gray of “We Own the Night” and “The Immigrant,” “Z” tells the story of Percy Fawcett, an explorer whose lifelong goal is to find an ages-old city in the Amazon.

The film’s leading man, Charlie Hunnam, may not ring a bell at first glance. However, he was the star of FX’s biker drama “Sons of Anarchy” and was the lead in Guillermo del Toro’s films “Pacific Rim” and “Crimson Peak.”

Hunnam’s co-star is the one you’ll probably recognize right off the bat, Robert Pattinson. He was, of course, Edward in the maligned “Twilight” films. Sienna Miller also appears as Fawcett’s beleaguered wife, and Tom Holland (the new Spiderman) plays his son.

I was reluctant to see the film at first. I wondered who in their right mind would hire the “Pacific Rim” guy and the “Twilight” guy to head up a period piece about the discovery of new lands. I was happily surprised to have my question answered when the credits rolled.

Both Hunnam and Pattinson were fantastic, as were Holland and Miller. The acting is just the icing on the cake, however, as the pure brilliance comes from the script, cinematography, and direction.

The film takes its time introducing the characters and letting them grow throughout the film.

Mr. Fawcett doesn’t start the movie as an intrepid explorer. It’s an arc that forms itself over decades.

“The Lost City of Z” doesn’t feel slow, though, quite the opposite. It bolts from year to year,

getting to what we want to see and sparing the clunky exposition that may have hindered a lesser screenwriter and director.

It puts you in a trance and doesn’t let you out until the credits roll. The films final twenty minutes are unforgettable and feature some haunting scenes that won’t leave my mind anytime soon.

I loved it, and I can’t wait to see what Gray does next.

The next film I’d recommend is Mike White’s “Brad’s Status.” The Ben Stiller starrer follows a middle-aged man who is going through a midlife crisis while talking his son on a tour of colleges.

For starters, this is one of the best performances that Stiller has ever given. Throughout the film, you go back and forth between loving and hating him.

At first glance, “Brad’s Status” may seem like a white privilege/ first world problems film about a reasonably successful man who feels overshadowed by his college friend’s lives of opulence and fame. However, as the film rolls along, you begin to relate to him and see that you’ve probably had

many of the same feelings Brad has.

If you’re looking for a challenging and emotional night in, “Brad’s Status” is an excellent choice.

The supporting cast includes Austin Abrams, Jenna Fischer, Michael Sheen, Jermaine Clement, and Luke Wilson. It’s directed by Mike White who’s written things such as “Orange County,” “The Good Girl,” “Chuck and Buck,” and “School of Rock.”

This is a meditative film that has a purposefully relaxed and drab feel to it. We’re meant to feel like we’re going through this with Brad, and that makes it all the more affecting. If you’re looking for a challenging and emotional night in, “Brad’s Status” is a great choice.

Segueing from independent drama to something a bit more intense, my next suggestion is “Brawl in Cell Block 99”. The thriller/ exploitation film follows VInce Vaughn as Bradley Thomas, a man who goes to prison and is forced to fight his way to cell block 99 for a violent rendezvous.

10

movies you

INDEPENDENT

You may think that Vince Vaughn may not be the right choice to head up a brutally violent crime drama, but trust me, his performance is incredible. In fact, he’s never been better.

Director S. Craig Zahler’s first film, 2015’s equally brutal “Bone Tomahawk,” showcased his deliberate and sometimes darkly comic style of filmmaking in a wholly original horror western.

This time, he transfers the same method over to a hard-hitting prison tale of revenge and redemption.

I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I will give a warning; if you’re not used to incredibly brutal violence, this isn’t the film for you.

There were times, especially towards the end, I almost had to look away from the screen.

That is part of “Brawl in Cell Block 99’s” charm, though. There hasn’t been a movie like this in a long time, and I don’t think there will be another one until Zahler’s next outing. “Brawl in Cell Block 99” is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.

Last year, the film world lost one of its greatest stars in Harry Dean Stanton. The 91-year-old starred in such classics as “Cool Hand Luke,” “Alien,” “Escape from New York,” “Repo Man,” “The Green Mile,” and “Pretty in Pink.” He was an unspoken film legend.

probably

His final starring role in John Carroll Lynch’s “Lucky” is one of, if not his best, performances.

The film follows a ninety-year-old atheist who comes face to face with mortality and doesn’t quite know how to handle it.

It’s a profound film that never feels like it’s pretentious, which is rare for movies of this breed. “Lucky” feels like you are watching real life unfold before your eyes.

The performances are all spot on, not just from Stanton, but from an incredible supporting cast that includes David Lynch, Ron Livingston, Ed Begley Jr., and Tom Skerritt.

I don’t think that Stanton could’ve asked for a more life-affirming swan song. “Lucky” doesn’t just speak to the elderly, it speaks to everyone who has ever wondered if they’ve lived their life to the fullest.

This is unmistakably one of the greatest films of the year and one of the most excellent performances of the year. Harry Dean Stanton is mesmerizing. It’s so sad to see him go, but his death only makes “Lucky” all the more critical.

Alexander Payne’s newest film “Downsizing” is one of the most underrated movies I’ve seen in a decade. It follows Paul Safranek (Matt Damon) and his wife (Kristen Wiig) as they undergo an operation that shrinks themselves to five inches tall.

Payne has never made a bad film. In fact, with movies such as “Election,” “Sideways,” “About Schmidt,” “Sideways,” “The Descendants,” and one of my all-time favorites, “Nebraska,” he’s one of the greatest directors currently living.

“Downsizing” is a modern-day parable on climate change and the human condition. When one gets downsized, they are saving the planet by consuming much less, but they are also becoming rich beyond their dreams as they can afford to consume much more on such a small scale.

This movie is the most unabashedly origi-

seen haven’t

nal films of the past several years, and it’s also not afraid to show its heart. Matt Damon and Christoph Waltz are spectacular, but the absolute highlight of the movie is Vietnam native Hong Chau.

Chau plays one legged Ngoc Lan Tran, a Vietnamese refugee who was downsized against her wishes and came to America illegally in a tv box.

Yep, I told you it was original.

If you want to see something that will make you laugh, cry, and just generally want to be a better person, go see “Downsizing.”

These movies aren’t for everyone, but they each have charm for days. If you get out of your comfort zone and seek out some movies you may not have heard of, you may find a gem that you won’t soon forget.

January 22, 2018

Games FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 5, 2017

CROSSWORD

SudokU

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

ACROSS 1 Hungarian sheepdog 5 Glasgow native 9 1983 taxi comedy starring Mr. T 14 Mideast chieftain 15 Boob __: TV 16 Last Olds model 17 *Fishing gear holder 19 Old Ford subcompact named for a horse 20 “__ missing something?”

21 Out on a cruise 22 Pickled-pepper picker 23 Like Disneyland at night 25 Public tantrum 27 Snappy dresser 29 ’60s sci-fi series created by Gene Roddenberry 32 Vamoose, to Shakespeare 35 Long, slippery fish 36 Suffix with Israel or Jacob 37 Sch. in Columbus 38 *Final part of a chess match 41 Chili __ carne 42 RR depot 43 Common soccer result 44 Scope 46 Plush teddy with a heart for a nose 49 Red Seal record label company 50 Dryly humorous 51 That is, in Latin 55 Like some waves 57 Senate positions 61 “Avatar” actress Saldana 62 Word with safe or out 63 In jeopardy ... and where the first words of the answers to starred clues can be found 65 Speak 66 Farmland measure 67 Not yet eliminated from the contest

11

By Robert E. Lee Morris

68 Authority 69 Course of action 70 Jacob’s first wife DOWN 1 Petunia part 2 Taste that’s not sweet, sour, bitter or salty 3 Allowed by law 4 Irritate 5 Copy editor’s “Leave it in” 6 Wrigley Field team 7 Double-reed woodwind 8 Petroleum nickname 9 Smartly dressed 10 Customer 11 *Site of many face-offs 12 Paintings in the Prado, por ejemplo 13 Ungentlemanly sort 18 First track circuit in a race 24 Sci-fi radar blip 26 More sedate 28 Marker marketer 29 “Night Moves” singer Bob

Last week’s answers Monday’s Puzzle Solved

9/5/17 FOR RELEASE SEPTEMBER 5, 2017

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

ACROSS 1 Hungarian sheepdog 5 Glasgow native 9 1983 taxi comedy starring Mr. T 14 Mideast chieftain 15 Boob __: TV 16 Last Olds model 17 *Fishing gear holder 19 Old Ford subcompact named for a horse ©2017 Tribune Content Agency, LLC 9/5/17 20 “__ missing something?”

48 Ravel classic used 30 Historic British 21 Out on a cruise in the film “10” prep school 22 Pickled-pepper 31 Superman, as apicker52 Online periodical 53 Justice reporter 23 Like Disneyland 32 Greenish-yellowat night Sotomayor Molars and pear 25 Public54 tantrum incisors 33 “¿Cómo __ 27 Snappy dresser 29 ’60s sci-fi series 55 Like so usted?”

Gene 56 by Tiny bit 34 *Sentry’s job created Roddenberry 58 SASE, say 39 Shower bar brand to brand 59 Razor 40 Type of tax 32 Vamoose,

By Robert E. Lee Morris Shakespeare 60 Back in the day 45 Tiny bit slippery “__ Abner” 68 Authority 47 Wipes out 35 Long,64 fish 69 Course of action 36 Suffix with Israel 70 Jacob’s first wife or Jacob 37 Sch. in Columbus DOWN 38 *Final part of a 1 Petunia part

9/5/17 Monday’s Puzzle Solved

12

sports

Ain’t No rest for the ballers Story by Jordan WIlliams, Sports Reporter

As classes came to a close in early December the campus grew empty as students left campus to return home for a much needed and well deserved break. The same cannot be said for the Reddies basketball teams who stayed hard at work over the break to stay in post season contention.

Over the break both the men and women’s teams found great success both on the road and at home. Starting off the men’s team had back to back huge blowout wins against both Ecclesia College the final score being 112 – 67 and Paul Quinn College 102 – 64.

Both of these devastating victories saw huge scoring outputs from the Reddies. Against Ecclesia, our starting five combined for 89 of 112 points scored with Matt Panaggio coming off the bench scoring 16 points off on 6 -7 shooting from the field.

Against Paul Quinn College Kaylon Tappin connected on 5 – 11 three’s along with Chris Parker pouring in 19 points connecting on of 7 -9 from the field and 3 – 3 from 3 with Matt Panaggio and Eric Dailey both contributing 10 points off the bench in the 102 – 64 victory.

Though dominant on home court we could not carry the dominance we displayed in our back to back blow out victories with back to back loses. The first lost came against East Central College a game which saw our team connect on only 27 – 60 field goal attempts and 5 – 15 field 3 pointers with very little bench production. The bench was unable to provide any sort of spark giving the team 11 points on the night in 75 – 109 loss.

The next defeat came as an oddity with the final score being a very rare. It was a low scoring game that saw the final score 58 – 60 to Southeastern Oklahoma. The game was not decided until the final moments.

With the score 58 – 59 and only 9 seconds left, the Reddies stole the ball and rushed it up court to try and secure a late game lead. A missed jumper turned into a loose ball which turned into a foul and late game free throws that secured the game for Southeastern Oklahoma.

To wrap up the break the men’s team split the last two games going into the last week of the break, returning home to take down Arkansas Tech 106 – 96 but hitting the road ounce again to suffer what has been an entire season of road losses losing to Monticello 72 – 82.

The Women’s team took the break in full stride and showing complete and utter dominance going 5 – 0. Now I could go in depth about the teams that we beat and the great individual performances that our players had but I feel like that would belabor the point... this team is just great.

Top to bottom, this team as it is currently constructed is an amazing team. A great example of this would be our last win against Arkansas Tech, a game that saw the final score 75 – 52.

The final score saw us end the game with a dominant 23 point margin, but there’s more to this win that just the final score. It’s how we got to the final score that is so important by playing selfless basketball.

Our team scores and defends as a team. On the offensive end of the court, there is constant ball movement and communication ensuring that the player with the best look takes the best shot or set solid screens to give players open lanes to the basket.

We make up for our lack of effective rebounding with our ability to beat the team on the defensive end of the ball. This team has been amazing since the moment it took the court for its first regular season game and it doesn’t seem like they plan on slowing down anytime soon.

Men’s Basketball Schedule Opponent Venue

SWOSU NWOSU OKBU SNU SEOSU ECU UAM ATU OBU SAU Harding

Home Home Shawnee, OKLA. Bethany Home Home Home Russellville Home Magnolia Searcy

Women’s Basketball Schedule Opponent Venue

SWOSU NWOSU OKBU SNU SEOSU ECU UAM ATU OBU SAU Harding

Home Home Shawnee, OKLA. Bethany, OKLA. Home Home Home Russellville Home Magnolia Searcy

Date

1/25 1/27 2/03 2/03 2/08 2/10 2/15 2/17 2/20 2/22 2/24

Date

1/25 1/27 2/01 2/03 2/08 2/10 2/15 2/15 2/20 2/22 2/24