The HCOS Weekly Fourth Edition
GRAVITY character's quest to return to Earth and survive the ordeal takes center piece, taking us to locations like the ISS and aboard spacecrafts like the Russian Soyuz.
Random Movie Review of the Week By Noah Penner (Content note from the BC Consumer Protection website: Rated PG. Scene depicting accident trauma;nine instances of coarse language. No violence, nudity, or sexually suggestive scenes.) Ever want to go to space? I always have, and for 90 minutes of my life, Gravity fulfilled that dream. The plot of the film is simple enough: On a seemingly routine Shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope, a Russian missile launch goes disastrously wrong, creating a massive cloud of debris that destroys the shuttle and leaves two astronauts, played by George Clooney and Sandra Bullock, adrift. This is all shown in one incredible 17 minute opening shot, with no cuts away from the action. Bullock's character is left without an MMU (a jetpack), spinning away from the wreckage, unable to stop. Without giving too much away, as the film moves forward, the lead
On the technical side, Gravity is a huge accomplishment. Besides using extremely long takes, locations like the ISS are shown in perfect realism with the actual spacecrafts. Yo u c a n e v e n w a t c h C h r i s Hadfield's videos and recognize everything down to the magnets on the wall. The Earth looks beautiful, taking up the background of most shots. The 3D in the film is jawdropping. I actually winced as debris flew towards the camera. The perspective of height between the camera, the objects in front of it, and the Earth's surface really adds a lot to the film, making this the first ever film that has to been seen in the theatre, preferably IMAX, in 3D (Even Avatar didn't have that honor!). Even more impressive, there is no sound in space in the film (unlike the trailer); only the voices of the characters, and vibrations heard through the character's gloves are heard. This creates an eerie eect of the silent threat of the debris cloud ripping through metal; it's like nothing ever put in a film before, and it needs to be seen to be believed. The soundtrack, which guides us through the experience, is also
masterful, delivering an intense, emotional score. Yet as we watch Gravity, we quickly realize that the film isn't just about the technicalities of space; the two main characters are masterfully portrayed, and are as such immensely sympathetic. Gravity is an emotional film, asking us vital questions about life and death, with even a few quips about whether there is an afterlife. Every time the film portrays a terrifying nightmare scenario, it doesn't do so to scare the audience, but to further flesh out it's characters and advance the story. At the end, as the credits rolled, I left the theatre moved and inspired, and the film hasn't left my thoughts much since. To conclude, Gravity is an absolute masterpiece, a surefire Best-Picture nominee, if not winner. It must be experienced in the theatre, in 3D. It is a film that was made with care and thought. Every physical inaccuracy I found was completely forgivable because of the symbolism and character development the film portrays; no other film I've seen has been like that. Four out of four stars; a masterpiece classic for all times. The kind of thought-provoking entertainment our culture needs.
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Literature Corner A Place to Showcase YOUR Writing! Submit your writing to hcosweekly@outlook.com to be featured in Literature Corner!
Chasing After Refuge - Part 2 A Short Story By Samara Paine I receive a huge gash- covering the face of my kneecap, sending blood streaking down my shin. I make my best effort to get up again, still not risking looking back. A sharp, biting shoots up my leg and I collapse back onto the ground. I only have about a hundred meters until I reach the forest. I know I won’t be able to get back up again, pulling myself forward with all the strength I have left in my upper body. My legs and hands begin to numb. I am tempted to give up. Let myself freeze to death until someone comes to take me away. But as I finally look around, I realize I’m not being followed anymore. Still, anyone that sees me here, dragging myself like this, would know that at one point I was being pursued. And then they might report me.
cent remnants of an explosion. Blasted cars, dead bodies, and chunks of tar are scattered upon the street ahead of me. I try to sit up, but my head starts to pound and I feel extremely nauseous. Pain fills my entire body from head to toe. I must have been knocked unconscious by the blow of an explosion further up the street. All I hear is a high-pitched ringing in my ears. I take my finger and try to clear them out, which of course leads to no avail as I realize that I’m temporarily deaf. Blood trickles down my to the tip of my nose and lands on my taupe sweater that has become a mix of rusty brown, auburn, and charcoal black. Tar black. I raise my shaky hand to feel my forehead and find a cut reaching from my temple to the inner side of my eyebrow. A piece of tar must have flown at my head during the explosion. I scoot back to lean against a streetlight and examine my surroundings. I don’t spot a single living soul anywhere, but I can still hear the blatant sirens in the background.
go, I anticipate the first snowflake, as I try to shake the feelings I have for you my heart remains true, oh how I wish you knew. I fear my heart will be broken though my emotions remain unspoken. I watch the sun rise and set, I watch night go to day, you’re always on my mind. I guess this is how God designed me, a soft tender heart. I p ra y f o r p e a ce , I p ra y f o r protection, and that my heart remains unbroken.
Banner A Poem By Jennica Wlodarczyk I will be the counterstory The certain mark on history I’ll hold the lamp that shines so bright Singing sweetly throughout the night I’ll be the hand for them to hold I’ll speak my mind and be so bold I’ll walk the walk of Jesus Christ I’ll be the courage, the sacrifice
TO BE CONTINUED... I gaze back down at the fresh wound on my knee and discover that it has turned into a gaping, swelling mound of flesh. Blood has spread down into my boot, staining my socks. But I don’t stop. I’m feet away from my destination, when all of a sudden…
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Musings - A Poem By Anonymous
The seasons change, will we ever stay the same, high school’s nearly over, I thought it'd never end. The I wake up to a surprisingly quiet air smells of potpourri as the environment. My vision is pretty leaves die and fall, after all winter blurry, but I’m able to make out re- is on its way. A few more months to
So here I stand and here I say I’ll live my life the Jesus way And when I fight through prison bonds I’ll be the one who brings no harm For I will hold this banner high And bring it to the well so dry For I am the hope, and I am the light The hopeless souls shall rest tonight
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SALLY
Cool Facts
A Poem Danielle Wlodarczyk
For Your Warehouse of Useless Knowledge By Jubilee Chiu
I could use my money for me But then I couldn't visit Sally She is my best friend I will love her 'till the end I think she is awesome More than a cherry blossom And much more that a possum She is a soft peach And a height I cannot reach I will forget my money I won't buy that honey I will do everything in my power I will not cower I will spend time with Sally That will be the finale
SAVE MONEY A Poem Solome Wlodarczyk
Folding a standard rule or college rule piece of paper or smaller in half more than seven times is impossible. Try it!
New Google employees are called “nooglers” and are given a proAt 188 decibels, the Blue whale is peller hat to wear on their first Frithe loudest mammal of all. day. The Mona Lisa doesn’t have eyebrows. Honey is the only food that doesn’t spoil. Giraffes can go without water longer than a camel. That’s wild! Dogs can have a fatal reaction from eating chocolate. Only humans cry because of feelings. If the human stomach doesn’t produce a new layer of mucus every two weeks it will digest itself.
Verse Of The Week By Megan Ferguson
Instead going to buy candy, Give some money to that man named Randy. He doesn't have lots, And because of that we should have thoughts, of giving some money to the poor. If we do have hair, Why pay for extensions? It's not fair! For people to live, to enjoy life, to grow, We need money, so don't pay for things not needed, like an afro. Spend your money with care, Or else you're a hare, Because hares spend too much. Hares tend to munch, So they don't care about money at all. They will spend all their money at the mall.
The only animal with four knees is the elephant. Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be There isn’t an English word that counted among the wise. Many are rhymes with “month”. the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. An old California law once existed, Proverbs 19:20-21 stating that it’s illegal to eat oranges in the tub. I know that sometimes I need correction in the things that I do. But In the Republic of Albania, shaking often, I hate getting corrected. It your head no means yes and nod- seems like people are being mean ding your head yes means no. and looking down their noses at me. We can get annoyed with our Charlie Chaplin once entered a teachers and parents (especially Charlie Chaplin look alike contest when trying to get out of work) but and lost. if we stop and take a minute to listen to their advice without getting Squirrels have thumbs. bent out of shape, usually they are just trying to help. So even though Crocodiles cannot stick their you’d rather retort, take a moment tongues out. to listen. It might just be worth it.
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you. Ooops, seems this has been more about how I get free pizza than how to make pizza… Oh well, now you know that I’m much better than you’ll ever be, because I By Jubilee Chiu deserve free pizza and you don’t. So don’t even try. Ever. I don’t like I would like to take this time to sharing my pizza. thank all of our readers for being just as excited about the paper as Have you ever met anyone who’s the team is. Thank you for encour- completely crazy and random, and aging us, spreading the word slightly insane? Not the good type about the paper, and giving us tips of insane that I obviously am, more for improvements! We appreciate like the rabid murderous type. No? every single one of you. Well I’m going to tell you why they’re insane. Yes, I am a certified I’d also like to thank our dedicated psychologist, because I’m that team, who work so hard every two awesome. Just that awesome. weeks to bring to everyone some- Bask in the awesome. Oh, where thing fresh and fun to read. Last was I? Right. People who are crazy but certainly not least, the HCOS are crazy because they have a Weekly team is proud to introduce blender in their brain. Yes, a two new members, Kennedy blender. The blender mixes up Maclnnis and Grace Kelly!! New what they were going to say and members means fresh new ideas instead of saying: “Micah, you rock for us to explore, so stay tuned! We a n d a r e t h e b e s t p e r s o n have fantastic things in store for ever” (which we know they’re obviyou. ously thinking) It comes out more like this: “Micah! You’re annoying and crazy, I don’t think you’re cool at all!” Now since we know that nobody could ever think of something like that on their own, the Random Bits of Knowledge only explanation is that there’s a By Micah Penner tiny little blender in their brain. So remember, if you don’t like me… Have you ever wondered what There’s a blender in your face. makes bacon taste so good? Don’t even try, you’ll never know. Ever. Ever wondered why I’m so awesome? Don’t. You’ll never know. Ever wondered how pizza is made? Ever. Not even if you lock yourself No? Well I’m telling you anyway, in a cave and think on it for a hunbecause I work at a pizza shop. dred years. It’s one of those mysAnd just to make you jealous I’m teries that just can’t be solved. So going to tell you that I get free piz- don’t even try. za. Yes, be jealous. Free pizza is not something you get every day. Mm- NOTE: If you took any of this seriousmmm… succulent, delicious pizza. ly and was offended, we apologize. Only those deserving of this succu- Everyone needs a healthy dose of lent juicy delicious pizza shall have sarcasm, though...sarcasm is actuit. And since none of you deserve ally a sign of a healthy brain! Enjoy. it, I shall have all of it. None for
Note from the Editor
BaconBits
The HCOS Weekly
EVENTS The Art of Digital Art WHAT: Six sessions on how to use a tablet device to create dynamic, live, and inspiring works of art. Led by teacher Tom Currie. Session 1: Introduction Session 2: Photo Enhancement Session 3: Music Creation Session 4: Animation/Time Lapse Session 5: Digital Storytelling Session 6: Augmented Reality WHEN: Oct 22, 30, Nov 5, 12, 19, 26. @ 8:30-9:30AM WHERE: Elluminate Classroom (click link below) SIGN UP: https://fluidsurveys.com/ s/virtual-photography-workshop/ (register by Oct 20th)
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ally portrays humanity in an interesting way whilst bringing up the question: “What happens when everything falls apart?”
5 Unusual Words Instantly Sound Smarter! By Genevieve Ward
Objectional Content: Deleterious (adjective) “harmful often in a subtle or unexpected way” Ex. To be honest, sword-fights can have rather deleterious effects.
The Walking Dead
Unpremeditated (adjective) “Not planned or thought out in adA Show Review vance.” Ex. Truthfully, the statue’s aston- By Davin Van Urk ishing likeness to an albatross was unpremeditated. Many of you will recognize this show from hearing about it all over Welter (noun) the internet. ‘The Walking Dead’ is “a chaotic mass or jumble” a horror/thriller TV show based Ex. The room was filled with a wel- around the popular theme of a ter of random papers. zombie apocalypse. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started it Jocund (adjective) but I soon found that it was much “marked by or suggestive of high more than just an average zombie spirits and lively mirthfulness” flick. Ex. He was a rather jocund old miser, all thoughts considered. Plot/Story:
This IS a zombie show so of course we can expect copious amounts of blood and gore with a side dish of smash and bash violence. Zombies are shot, smashed, stabbed, chopped, skewered and many other lovely verbs as they swarm towards survivors that in turn receive the previous treatment along with nasty bites and tearing of flesh. Also sexual content is scattered in with a smattering of suggestion and some zombie nudity. Lastly is the language which ranges from the lightest exclamation to just below the F-bomb. Overview:
In the end ‘The Walking Dead’ is NOT something I would say has a very positive effect on me… it does have its high moments but I think Somnolent (adjective) The storyline for ‘The Walking that it is possible to achieve the “causing a person to fall asleep : Dead’ centers around a group of same message with less gore and very boring” survivors lead by a sheriff named language. Ex. The book was somnolent; it ‘Rick Grimes’ (Andrew Lincoln). was hard work forcing myself to The survivors must fight the odds finish reading it. to survive in a world turned on its head, as well as other hostile survivors and of course “walkers”. The story is well thought out and it re-
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Super Comics
Well now you can! Introducing CONTRIBUTING WRITERS. You can submit art, poems, stories, funny pictures, your favorite song, book/ show/movie/song reviews, interviews, ANYTHING! Email us at hcosweekly@outlook.com telling us a bit about yourself, and what you'd like to contribute. Iron Man & Pepper - By Joshua Wlodarczyk