FREE PUBLICATION
Josh Grider
04.23.14 - VOL. 10, NO. 31 - MAROONWEEKLY.COM
pg 2 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 23, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
contents
04.24-04.30
meet the team PUBLISHER/EDITOR IN CHIEF Chris Shepperd BUSINESS MANAGER Leisha Shepperd MANAGING EDITOR Chris Zebo CREATIVE DIRECTOR Bekah Skinner ASST. CREATIVE DIRECTOR Kaitlin Vickers WRITERS
Sara Gilmore Katie Lea Cheyenne Mueller Luke Murray Amanda L. Reynolds
Essentials: Listen Play Discover Look
4 12 19 20
On the Cover:
6
We caught up with Josh Grider last week and found out why Dr. Dre is one of his influences and also the story behind his hit “White Van.”
INTERNS Haley Clark Katy De Luna April Elkins Alex Gieger Brittany Holm Avery Moore Kelly Porter Heydy Sanches Kyla Spaugh Camille Youngblood DISTRIBUTION Chris Frank Randy Shepperd
Maroon Weekly is an independent, publication and is not affiliated with Texas A&M University. Maroon Weekly receives no student fees or university funding.
Road Trip: Local: 16 - Festival season is upon 18 - Local director Cary us, and we take a look at two very dissimilar fests to open the season.
Bell talks with us about her film Butterfly Girl, which premiered at SXSW.
Film: 21 - Cheyenne gives a rundown of this week’s top 20 box office films.
Opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the editor, publisher or the newspaper staff. Maroon Weekly is not liable for omissions, misprints or typographical errors. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express consent of the publisher. © Copyright 2014 Campus Press LP
JASON DERULO Album: Talk Dirty
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Rating: Sounds Like: Usher Macklemore Balkan Beat Box
Reviewed by Kelly Porter
Recommended Tracks:
Tracklist:
Talk Dirty Wiggle Trumpets Bubblegum Vertigo Kama Sutra Zipper The Other Side With the Lights On Stupid Love Marry Me
The pop / R&B singer known in America for his 2010 hits “Whatcha Say” and “In My Head” has produced an edgier album with Talk Dirty. While Talk Dirty is edgier for Derulo, it is still only PG-13 compared to music leaning towards X-rated lately. The more sexualized content (mostly about female booties) isn’t even performed by Derulo but by featured artists such as 2 Chainz in “Talk Ditry” and Snoop Dogg in “Wiggle.” Derulo does have some monogamous songs, one in particular called “Vertigo” which features his American Idol girlfriend Jordin Sparks.
pg 4 • MAROON WEEKLY •April 23, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
LISTEN
We kind of wish Jason Derulo would go back to introducing every song with his auto-tuned name, but alas he has moved on and has put “booty” in the majority of his newest tracks.
••••••
Talk Dirty Vertigo Wiggle
Green Day
“Demolicious”
Release Date: Apr. 19, 2014 Reviewed by Haley Clark Green Day’s last album release was in the fall of 2012 with a trilogy of albums entitled ¡Uno!, ¡Dos!, and ¡Tré!. Now, the group is releasing Demolicious, a collection of demos of songs that were recorded at Jingletown Studios in Oakland, CA during recording sessions of their trilogy. Demolicious was released on April 19, which coincided with Record Store Day. The 18song collection has a very vintage, old school sound, and will be available on red or clear vinyl, CD, and cassette. The release features the unreleased tune “State of Shock”, which mixes the sounds of their trilogy with their older songs, and the release also features an acoustic version of the raw rock tune “Stay the Night” from ¡Uno!
Neon Trees
“Pop Psychology”
Release Date: Apr. 22, 2014 Reviewed by Kelly Porter Neon Trees’ most recent track “Sleeping With A Friend”, off their latest album, Pop Psychology, was released earlier this year in January. The band performed the song on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that same month, and the single climbed the charts and landed #56 on the US Billboard Hot 100, leaving fans eager for more off of Pop Psychology, their third full-length album. The album itself is full of technological references (“Text Me in the Morning”) and modern-day allusions (“Love in the 21st Century”). Ultimately, Pop Psychology is represented by the single “Sleeping With A Friend” in that it is catchy and loveable the first time ‘round, but not something that will change the course of history for music or break the top 10. Neon Trees will be undergoing a “Pop Psychology Tour” beginning this month and going into July.
Dan Wilson
“Love Without Fear”
Release Date: Apr. 15, 2014 Reviewed by Katy De Luna The front man for Semisonic (you know, the band who brought you late 90s hits “Closing Time” and “Secret Smile”) has been working hard these days. Dan Wilson collaborated with Adele on her album 21, giving you the pleasure (or displeasure) of listening to “Someone Like You” on repeat. He’s worked with artists such as Jason Mraz and Taylor Swift and of course he has a solid solo career. Love Without Fear is mostly folk-rock / alternative love ballads except for “A Song Can Be About Anything”, where he literally goes through all the things a song can be about.
maroonweekly.com • April 23, 2014 •MAROON WEEKLY • p 5
Exclusive Interview: Josh Grider By Heydy Sanches Since his first album in 2005, Josh has been riding in his white Chevy van performing around the entire southwest part of the country all while learning new tricks along the way. The talented country singer shows no signs of ending his journey to musical victory anytime soon. With two EPs, four albums, and seven years of experience, Josh has proved that you can accomplish your goals with hard work and devotion. Back from a huge learning experience trip in Tennessee, Grider is excited to be back in Texas with his home roots.
MW: So say you’ve been acknowledged for modernizing country music. What’s the difference between traditional country music and the music you’ve released on Luck & Desire?
like my friend Jason Eady—he has such a traditionalist approach to the way his music is made. There’s definitely some loop tracks on my record that use rock and roll guitars and there’s a lot of modern influences.
JG: When I think of traditional country music, I think of Merle Haggard and the stuff I grew up with, like my dad’s music. I think what I’m doing is a lot more of a modern
MW: You’ve said that writing music is a kind of therapy for you. What songs from Luck & Desire are most personal and/or why are they therapeutic?
Grider will be releasing his new album and performing at Harry’s on April 29 with Kyle Park.
“It’s sort of scary, but when you kind of just realize
MW: Lets talk about your influences for a minute. You site everyone from Garth Brooks to Dr. Dre. You have to tell us how Dr. Dre has influenced you?
that so much of your life is out of your control, you’re either going to get lucky or you’re not.”
JG: I say Dr. Dre because he’s one of my favorite hiphop artists. I kind of came up with his music. I think the generation of me and younger people are just growing up where hip-hop is just kind of always a part of their lives. You hear it everywhere. I mean, everyone’s always complaining about country-rap music. But it’s not just music, the hip-hop culture I think has influenced society. A lot of the hip-hop culture has become part of the way that things work.
- JOSH GRIDER sound and kind of taking “what has been” and plugging it into new music. All those influences that I have, from Dr. Dre to Garth Brooks, I’ve heard all that music through my head and I can’t help but be influenced. I’m not saying I’m alone in that; I think that’s a lot of what modern country is, even modern Texas country. There’s traditionalist out there,
pg 6 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 23, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
JG: Well, the album itself was really good for me to write and kind of process all those thoughts and feelings that I’ve had for a long time. It’s sort of scary, but when you kind of just realize that so much of your life is out of your control, you’re either going to get lucky or you’re not-whether luck or God is going to answer your prayers or
whoever you pray to. We have these desires in our heart and these things that we want. A lot of times when you look back, no matter how old you are, you look back at where you are and you’re like, “Oh my gosh! What would have happened if I turned left instead of right on that day? Would I even be here?” So much random stuff has to come together to get where you are. I think that acknowledging that has a lot to do with luck & desire. I’ve grown up with this desire to make music, and I’m getting really lucky right now because I’m being able to make records. However, I know a lot of people who love music and are very talented who don’t get that opportunity for whatever reason. You know, like that guy that goes to your church or your school who’s just so talented and you can’t believe he’s not famous or something.
Get the Goods:
MW: Your bio says you’re a “thinking man’s writer.” Are you a fan of Josh Abbot’s music and are you guys friends? Because Abbot has a philosophical background and we’re wondering if you guys have ever connected?
JG: I’m a friend of Josh Abbot and I am a fan of Josh Abbot’s music. We’ve written a few times before, actually. We met a few years ago when he was just starting up. Also, I don’t like to consider myself a thinking man’s writer, but other people do, and I’m totally okay with that. MW: So let’s talk about the new album now. Tell us about White Van. How did it come about? JG: Well a friend of mine that I was with had this title idea and he asked me, “Man, you tour in a white van right?” And I was like, “Yeah!” And at first, I was a little resistant to it. I was like, “I don’t know if it’ll make a good song.” But we just started talking about it, and I got the melody going and said, “Wow! It sounds pretty awesome!” I lived in a white van for years; it was just our mode of transportation. Pulling up to the venue and parking next to these big busses in my white Chevy van was just great. MW: What’s the story with “Anything Can Happen”? JG: Pretty much you pulling up in a white van to the venue and anything can happen. I met my wife when I was pulling into a bar with it, and she came out and saw it. I’ve seen people go to jail! Just so much craziness. When the night is young and you mix country music and cold beer and a bunch of guys and girls, there’s no telling what’s going to happen.
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MW: You moved from New Mexico to Texas to Nashville pursuing your music career. A lot of people talk smack about Nashvillee. What did you take away from it? JG: Being in Nashville is the best thing I ever did. I loved it. There’s BS everywhere you go, it doesn’t matter what the city is. There’s so many songwriters in such a concentrated area that are working really hard at writing songs in Nashville than anywhere I’ve ever been. It really inspired me and made me a better writer. It really challenged me to grow but also to define what I wouldn’t do, because there are so many people there desperate for fame that they just don’t care and will do anything. I didn’t move to Nashville to get famous; that was never my goal. My goal was to move there and become a better writer and get a publishing deal. While I was there,when I got a publishing deal, I became a whole lot better writer. There are parts of Nashville that I really miss. We’ve been back for three months now and they just can’t beat Texas country music. You never realize how much you miss something until you get back. But Tennessee was very good to me. There are a lot of great songwriters and a lot of great people in Nashville. It’s been a warm welcome back.
maroonweekly.com • April 23, 2014 •MAROON WEEKLY • p 7
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Formed in College Station in 2012, King and Nation are a self-described “Indie-Rock” outfit. Their sound is inspired by bands such as Taking Back Sunday, The Notorious B.I.G and Brand New. What makes King and Nation unique is that the majority of its members are still in college. Aaron Gonzalez, who graduated in December, is the first of five to graduate and is currently working in admissions at the medical school at Texas A&M, although he considers the band his full time job. The fact that Gonzalez chose to stick around College Station after he graduated shows how serious he, as well as the other members, are about King and Nation. The band’s members are a diverse group coming from different backgrounds and having studied (most still studying) different subjects in school, from English to psychology. All of their lyrics are written by Frank Miller (the English major of the group) as well as Sam Brinkman. The band has had to learn to balance school and work with music, but they are willing to tolerate their busy schedules for the time being. Gonzalez says, “‘If the opportunity presented itself to make it a truly full-time gig, we would all jump at the opportunity.” The band is eager to grow, as they plan to branch out from College Station in the future. “We are going to being playing shows around Texas this summe, but continuing to also play shows here in college station,” Gonzalez says. “We are in the process of setting up a small tour over next Christmas break as well. We are all very driven and don’t plan on slowing down any time soon.” King and Nation will be playing at Revolution Café & Bar in Downtown Bryan on April 24.
pg 8 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 23, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
By Haley Clark Influenced by Ingmar Bergman’s film Smiles of a Summer Night, the musical A Little Night Music revolves around the romantic lives of several different couples. The musical, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, first appeared on Broadway in 1973 and was translated into a 1977 film starring Elizabeth Taylor, Len Cariou, Lesley Anne-Down, and Diana Rigg. A Little Night Music takes place in Sweden circa 1900. The musical interweaves stories of both former and current lovers of an elite Swedish class. Fredrik Egerman is a middle aged successful lawyer who recently married 18-year-old Anne. Fredrik’s son, not much older than Anne, soon falls in love with her. Desiree Armfeldt, a glitzy actress who now tours in small towns, has a performance near Fredrik’s home, which he and Anne attend. Fredrik and Desiree were former flames, and Fredrik’s devotion and love for Anne is tested when he and Desiree reunite. To add to the complexity of it all, Desiree’s married lover Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm (whose wife’s little sister is a school friend of Anne) learns of the reunion and becomes increasingly jealous. Tensions and feelings rise to the surface when Desiree persuades her mother, Madame Armfeldt, to host a weekend get-together at her extravagant country home for Fredrik and his family—until the Count and his wife interrupt the festivities. Throughout the chaotic events that ensue, the night smiles three times for three different couples/people: on the young, on the fools, and on the old. A Little Night Music is playing for two weekends at The Theatre Company from April 25-May 4. On Fridays the performance is at 7:00pm, on Saturdays there are showings at 2:00pm and 7:00pm, and on Sundays the show is at 2:00pm. Tickets are available at theatrecompany.com.
the scoop WHAT: A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC WHERE: THE THEATRE COMPANY WHEN: APRIL 25 - MAY 4 maroonweekly.com • April 23, 2014 •MAROON WEEKLY • p 9
pg 10 • MAROON WEEKLY • March 19, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
ME Household Hazardous Waste & Computer Collection Event By Katy De Luna Graduating seniors, paint enthusiasts who have a hoarding problem, and computer geeks who just need a place to dump their old materials, Brazos Valley Solid Waste Management Agency, Inc. (BVSWMA, Inc.) has a solution to your problem. BVSWMA Inc. is holding their free annual Household Hazardous Waste & Computer Collections Event. You will be able to properly dispose of any products that are hazardous in nature but are not regulated as hazardous waste under federal and state laws. Old paints and paint related products, pesticides, pool chemicals, drain cleaners, and car care products are known to harm environmental and public health if carelessly managed. BVSWMA Inc. has helped dispose of over 763,066 pounds of hazardous waste and 122 tons of computers since 1994 when the program began. In 2003, they started the first E-waste collection and since have properly disposed of almost 15,000 pounds of computers, monitors, and keyboards.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE & COMPUTER COLLECTION EVENT
Twin Oaks Landfill in Anderson, the Compost Facility in Bryan, and the closed Rock Prairie Road Landfill in College Station are all operated by BVSWMA, Inc. BVSWMA, Inc. is a nonprofit local governmental corporation that strives to provide long-term and cost-effective solid waste disposal for Bryan / College Station. With all the spring cleaning going on at the event, BVSWMA, Inc. is going to need a little help from volunteers. Volunteers will get a free meal, community service hours, and a frame-worthy certificate of appreciation. You can register to volunteer at cstx.gov/recycle. Household Hazardous Waste & Computer Collection Event will be held at the University Services Building parking lot on April 26 from 7am – 2pm. For more information about the event or questions about waste disposal call the Household Hazardous Waste hotline at 979-764-3809 or visit twinoakslandfill.com.
the scoop
April 26, 2014
7am– 2pm
FREE Event is at University Services Building Parking Lot– Enter HWY 30/Harvey Rd. East– No Entry from University Dr East Items Accepted: Fluorescent Light Bulbs Batteries Household Cleaning Agents Automobile Fluids Oil / Oil Filters Paint & Thinners Pesticides & Herbicides Cooking Oil Computers / Components TV’s Expired/ Unused Medication Items NOT Accepted: Radioactive Materials Tires / Household Garbage Large Copiers / Printers Refrigeration Units Explosives / Ammunition Waste Generated by a Business
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WHAT: HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE & COMPUTER COLLECTION EVENT WHERE: UNIVERSITY SERVICES BUILDING WHEN: APRIL 26 maroonweekly.com • April 23, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 11
By Haley Clark and Heydy Sanches
JOHN WAYNE: THE LIFE AND LEGEND by scott eyman The celebrated New York Times bestseller by Scott Eyman recounts the life and legend that is John Wayne. As one of Hollywood’s most infamous and successful actors, Wayne was more than just a celebrity. He dominated the Western genre and epitomized the ideals and the culture of America. Wayne professed that he accidentally became an actor, when in fact he studied drama and dreamed of becoming an actor since he was young. The Duke encompassed dignity, honesty, truth, and grit throughout his films, even when his characters were imperfect. Still to this day, more than 30 years since his death, John Wayne projects a career, morals, and ideals that many strive to emulate. With interviews from Wayne himself and family members, Scott Eyman has compiled unpublished pieces from friends and associates, as well. Eyman recounts Wayne’s childhood, his early career, his fame from Stagecoach and many of his Western classics afterward, and his relationship with director John Ford, who made some of Wayne’s most famous films. Eyman outlines John Wayne the actor and John Wayne the person in this intuitive profile of a legend.
THE BURGESS BOYS
by elizabeth strout
From Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout comes the New York Times bestseller The Burgess Boys. Jim and Bob Burgess fled their hometown of Shirley Falls, Maine for New York City as soon as possible because of an abrupt accident that killed their father when they were children. Now, Jim is a prosperous corporate lawyer who has under-appreciated his younger brother his whole life, and Bob is a Legal Aid attorney who adores his older brother. But their dynamic is uprooted when Susan, their sister who stayed behind, frantically asks them to come home. Susan’s isolated teenage son Zach has gotten into trouble, and Susan needs her brothers’ help. Jim and Bob return to the hometown they ran away from so long ago, and the tensions below the surface that have molded their relationship come to light in surprising ways that will forever alter them.
pg 12 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 23, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
maroonweekly.com • April 23, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 13
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pg 14 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 23, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
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maroonweekly.com • March 19, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 15
Festival Season is Upon Us It’s no secret that spring marks festival season. From arts and culture to chicken fried steak (yes, we’re serious), there’s a festival for everything. Although there are countless festivals happening this weekend, there are two pertinent ones we thought you’d like to know about, happening in the Houston and Austin areas. Houston: The Houston International Festival begins this weekend, April 26-27, in downtown Houston. An estimated 100,000-150,000 people will flock to the city to enjoy all that the fest has to offer. There will be 6-8 entertainment zones with stages, which will host music from a diverse range of genres. Over 40 restaurants will be showcasing their food, a free film festival will be taking place, and there will be a Juried Art Market as well as six other arts markets. Educational activities, exhibits, and programs will be showcased which hope “to inspire the children of today to become global citizens of tomorrow.” Focusing on education, the Houston Festival Foundation generates a Teacher’s Curriculum Guide that allows students to learn about art, culture, language, education, music, economics, politics, and history, with particular emphasis on a selected country’s theme (this year the honored region is Australia). The Festival will spotlight Australia and present the best of Australian history, arts, and culture. See www.ifest.org for more information. Children under 3 get in free. Austin: On April 25 and 26, go to the Euphoria Music & Camping Festival at Carson Creek Ranch. An “education” of an entirely different sort, Euphoria offers classes at their various workshops such as Intro to DJing and Ableton, Intro to Hooping (yes, hula hooping), Mindfullness Meditation: Creating Stillness, Transformational Healing Foods, Collective Laughter Meditation Circle, Yoga, and more. There will be art installations, including the interactive Cathedral of Celestial Mathgic, sculptures, psychedelic projections, and the Alloveus Art Gallery. Pre parties are happening Thursday, April 24 to get everyone amped up and make sure to catch the DJ and live band contests. DJ at the celebrated music festival include Zed’s Dead, Bro Safari, The Crystal Method, and more while live acts include Beats Antique, Lotus, BoomBox, and more. A crowd favorite--the Silent Disco—is an event where participants get headphones to tune into different channels and listen to various DJs. See euphoriafest.com for a schedule of events.
pg 16 • MAROON WEEKLY • April March23, 19,2014 2014• •maroonweekly.com maroonweekly.com
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PHOTO COURTESY OF LYTTA PRODUCTIONS
College Station Native Cary Bell Debuts Her Documentary, Butterfly Girl, and Ignites Her Film Career By Brad Dressler
PHOTO BY ABBIE EVANS
When you think of cities where film directors are from, likely Los Angeles and New York City come to mind. Well, add College Station to that list. Cary Bell, who premiered her film Butterfly Girl at SXSW last month, dispels the myth that you have to be from a bigger city to make a name for yourself as a director.
the best fit for me. But ultimately, at the end of the day, whether it’s theatre, TV, or film, it all comes from this desire to build something creative with a team of people.
Bell grew up in College Station, attended A&M Consolidated, and got involved with The Theatre Company of BryanCollege Station while she was still in high school. She didn’t immediately imagine a career in filmmaking; however, she was drawn to the creative process from an early age.
Bell: When I was still at A&M Consol, I began stage managing at Theatre Company and working with artistic director Randy Wilson. I became so inspired. I loved watching this process of art being produced. Regardless of the medium you choose, it’s all about storytelling and creating something from nothing. And it’s a beautiful process. When I started at Emerson College, I was studying stage managing and quickly realized I wanted to be a bigger part of the creative process. So, I moved into their directing program and knew it was a better match for me.
Butterfly Girl is still going strong, hitting the film festival circuit. Since SXSW, the film has screened at the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and will be screening soon at the Nashville Film Festival, the Newport Beach Film Festival, and the Chicago International Movies and Music Festival. Plus, the film has been featured in several news and entertainment outlets, including Variety, Filmmaker Magazine, and Yahoo News. To find out about upcoming screenings of Butterfly Girl, visit butterflygirlmovie.com. MW: What was the driving force that pushed you into filmmaking? Bell: It begins with perspective and vision—someone wants to create something. Then a group of people come together and you make this piece of work. And watching that from a young age, it has always been in my blood. It was just a matter of figuring out what specific aspect was
MW: While Butterfly Girl is your first major film production, what were your previous production experiences?
After college, I went on to work at CNN International’s London bureau. And then I transitioned into working on nonfiction television development. I did work for, and still do work for, Original Productions, the company that produces Deadliest Catch, Storage Wars, Ax Men, and many other shows. I basically travel the country researching, developing concepts, and then pitching potential reality TV shows. MW: What is Butterfly Girl about and what sets it apart from other documentary films out there? Bell: Butterfly Girl is a narrative, non-fiction documentary, which is a certain subset of documentaries that are
pg 18 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 23, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
PHOTO COURTESY OF LYTTA PRODUCTIONS becoming more popular. You’re seeing more and more of them every year. It is not your traditional essay-format, information-based, documentary film. Butterfly Girl is about a girl, her life, and her family. Specifically, it is about a girl named Abbie from Austin, Texas who sells merchandise for her dad’s honky-tonk band and battles an incredibly rare genetic skin disease called Epidermolysis Bullosa. The film follows her journey to gain independence in her life and freedom from her parents. But the film is also very much about the family unit and the role that it plays in Abbie’s life. MW: What specifically led you toward developing and directing the film? Bell: At Emerson, I met Jess Miller, who later became the editor for Butterfly Girl. We worked on some student documentary projects. After college, we both went on to work in the non-fiction film industry and eventually reconnected. We both wanted to make a film that was nonfiction but very narrative driven. Although we make docs, we want to make docs that feel like fiction. We discussed our desires for that type of film and immediately thought of Abbie. If Abbie wants to do a film, then we’ll do it. We knew Abbie because my sister, Emily, who is also from College Station—her partner is Abbie’s father. So, I have known Abbie for a while and found her to be such an incredible person and her story to be so fascinating. Plus, we could incorporate her father John’s music. That was a huge bonus for us, because we wanted
the film to be very musically driven. So, immediately, we had a vision for the project, and Jess and I were so aligned. It is a great partnership. MW: After you finished the production, what was the process like getting Butterfly Girl into SXSW? Bell: Well, we knew we wanted to be part of SXSW. But, initially, our film didn’t get in. We submitted in 2012 for SXSW 2013. And we received a personal email from Janet Pierson, Head of SXSW Film, which was a big sign. You have to understand over 6,000 films are submitted to her every year. So, she basically told me that she loved our film, but it was not done. And she shared the potential she saw in the film and how it could be improved. To get an email like that is something you do not take for granted when you’re a filmmaker. Although in one way it was a disappointment to know we didn’t get into the festival, it was also a huge accolade and a compliment to personally hear from her and get her advice. So of course we listened to her. We took that to heart and spent several more months filming and editing Butterfly Girl until it became the film it is today. We resubmitted the film and it was accepted for SXSW 2014. MW: As a filmmaker premiering your film, what was the SXSW experience like for you? Bell: It was a really incredible experience! I was dreading it for a while, just because I didn’t know how I could handle such a big opportunity. I was overwhelmed. You just don’t know how smart and capable you are until you are in a certain situation and put to the test. And the response from the SXSW audience just blew me away. It was so much better than I ever could have expected. MW: What has been one of the greatest experiences you have had so far as a filmmaker who has recently premiered a film?
Bell: I have gotten some emails that I never would have expected. Experienced professionals in the industry wanting to work with me. A few very large production companies have reached out and asked me for directing samples. We shall see if that materializes into anything. It’s a tough business and you can’t lose sight of reality. Sometimes people who are younger get into this business and they think that one day it’s just gonna become easy. Like they think people are just going to start handing them these projects and everything is gonna be great. And that’s just not how it works. But being approached by larger production companies definitely means you’re doing
Bell: There are so many negative things you can think. Like, “I’m not in the right place,” or “I don’t come from a family who has connections in that industry or has money to fund a project.” Those are things I thought the entire time I lived in College Station. And if I could speak with my younger self or someone else having similar thoughts, I would say, “If you want it, you will figure out how to get it.” Tenacity is the number one most important quality for someone who works in entertainment. Talent is probably second. You don’t have to go to New York or L.A. Make a movie. That is what you have to do. And you have to keep making
“Tenacity is the number one most important quality for someone who works in entertainment. Talent is probably second.” - CARY BELL, DIRECTOR something right and that you’re good at what you do. That type of validation can help you carry on, because it can be so hard at times. I think the process of making the film is frankly a great story, because Abbie was just so inspirational. She was so curious and interested in what we were doing, like how we were making this and why we had to do certain things. She became really involved in the filmmaking process, which is why we have the movie that we have. It wouldn’t be like this if she wasn’t engaged. MW: What would you say to someone who is in a smaller city like College Station or Bryan and wants to do film or TV, but they think, “I can’t do this. I’m not in the right area. I need to be in NYC or L.A.?”
movies. That is the only way you keep getting better. You can start by making short films. They can be twominute long movies. Just make work. And you can do that anywhere. MW: You seem like you’re on the right path. You’ve premiered your first film at SXSW, and it’s now screening at festivals across the country. That’s a great place to be. Bell: Totally. It’s an incredible place to be. And having come from College Station, that’s awesome. That gives me an identity that is very different than people making movies from New York or L.A. And it is important to remember that. Being a unique individual is a very important quality.
maroonweekly.com • April 23, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 19
By Cheyenne Mueller
Netflix Review: Drinking Buddies
Rio 2
Animated (G) In 2011, the guys that created Ice Age brought two blue macaws (Blu and Jewel) to the screen in Rio. Blu (Jesse Eisenberg, Social Network) and Jewel (Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables) are the last two surviving blue macaws and paired together in an attempt to preserve their species. However, the duo comes from completely different worlds. Blu is a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota, and the fiercely independent Jewel was rescued in the wild. But together, the two take off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro while making some unlikely friends... and enemies. Rio 2 picks right back up in Rio de Janeiro just as Carnival is about to begin. Blu and Jewel now have a family of their own, complete with three kids. Jewel tries to teach their kids to live off the land, but Blu continues to live his domestic lifestyle (guess you can take the bird out of Minnesota, but you can’t take the Minnesota out of the bird). After a discovery of more blue macaws in the Amazon, the family decides to embark on a 2000mile voyage to the heart of the jungle. Similar to the first movie, conflict arises once they’ve arrived as a tree logger sets out to eradicate their new habitat. The tree logger is the least of Blu’s worries, however, when he meets his toughest critic: his father-in-law. Being a native from Brazil, director Carlos Saldanha headed both Rio and Rio 2. As one would expect with an animated film set right before Carnival and in the Amazon, the colors are vibrant (ideal for children and kid-atheart college students). However, the film has the feel of a watered-down Meet the Fockers, with the tough overbearing father and Jewel’s (more attractive) childhood flame coming back to size up the competition. Despite the lack of an original plot, Rio 2 took in $12 million from 3,938 theaters in its opening weekend and put the animated film on course for a strong $45 million domestic debut. This film is definitely family-friendly – so have no fear of hidden double entendres – and there’s several catchy tunes soundtracked throughout. Rio 2 is 101 minutes long, rated G, and available in both standard 2D and 3D. The film stars Jesse Eisenburg as Blu and Anne Hathaway as Jewel. Jamie Foxx and George Lopez both reprise their roles as Nico and Rafael, and Rio 2 introduces Bruno Mars as Roberto, Kristin Chenoweth as Gabi, and Andy Garcia as Jewel’s stern father, Eduardo.
pg 20 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 23, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
“A comedy about knowing when to say when.” That’s the tagline for Drinking Buddies. But it isn’t a comedy. Not really. This is a movie about the nuances of hidden feelings with some funny moments, but it isn’t a funny movie. Though the tagline is a little off, this film hits the nail square on the head when it comes to the “what is this?” moment in a really flirty friendship. Drinking Buddies revolves around Luke (Jake Johnson, New Girl) and Kate (Olivia Wilde, House M.D.), co-workers at a Chicago brewery where they spend their days drinking and flirting. The chemistry between the two is palpable and they’re perfect for each other… except for one small, inconvenient detail: they’re both in relationships. Luke is in the midst of marriage talks with his girlfriend Jill (Anna Kendrick, Pitch Perfect) of six years; Kate is playing it cool with her music producer boyfriend Chris (Ron Livingston, The Conjuring). Unfortunately, the fine line that separates innocent flirtation and infidelity is skewed on a double-date weekend in Michigan. All thanks to beer. Lots and lots of beer. In a movie that focuses its conflict on the brink of infidelity, the audience roots for Luke and Kate to get together, even though you know they really shouldn’t. There’s so much teasing and flirtation and almosts that by the end of the movie viewers feel emotionally exhausted; which – if you’ve ever been in a predicament like the main characters – is accurate. There isn’t a whole lot of fluff or gimmicks concerning the characters; what you see is what you get. That isn’t a result of great screenwriting: the entire film was improvised. There was no script, and the only things the actors and the crew had was a vague outline of the plot and the order in which certain events would take place. Because of the lack of script and tentative filming schedule, the actors would show up on set often not knowing what they would be filming that day. Drinking Buddies is 90 minutes long and rated R for “adult” language throughout.
1. Captain America 2
Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world and battles a new threat from history: the Soviet agent known as the Winter Soldier. PG-13 (136 min)
2. Rio 2
Blu, Jewel, and their three kids are hurtled from Rio de Janeiro to the wilds of the Amazon. As Blu tries to fit in, he meets the most fearsome adversary of all: his fatherin-law, Nigel. G (101 min)
3. Heaven is for Real
A small-town father must find the courage and conviction to share his son’s extraordinary, life-changing experience with the world. PG (100 min)
4. Transcendence
As Dr. Will Caster works toward his goal of creating an omniscient, sentient machine, a radical anti-technology organization fights to prevent him from establishing a world where computers transcend the abilities of the human brain. PG-13 (119 min)
5. A Haunted House 2
Having exorcised the demons of his ex, Malcolm is starting fresh with his new girlfriend and her two children. After moving into their dream home, however, Malcolm is once again plagued by bizarre paranormal events. R (87 min)
6. Draft Day
and won’t fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it’s too late. PG-13 (139 min)
8. Oculus
A woman tries to exonerate her brother who was convicted of murder by proving that the crime was committed by a supernatural phenomenon. R (105 min)
9. Noah
A man is chosen by God to undertake a momentous mission of rescue before an apocalyptic flood destroys the world. PG13 (138 min)
10. God’s Not Dead
College student Josh Wheaton’s faith is challenged by his philosophy professor, who believes God does not exist. PG (113 min)
11. Bears
A documentary that follows an Alaskan bear family as its young cubs are taught life’s most important lessons. G (77 min)
12. The Grand Budapest Hotel Wes Anderson chronicles the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the world wars, and Zero Moustafa, a lobby boy who becomes his most trusted friend.
At the NFL Draft, general manager Sonny Weaver has the opportunity to rebuild his team when he trades for the number one pick. He must decide what he’s willing to sacrifice on a life-changing day for a few hundred young men with NFL dreams. PG-13 (109 min)
13. Muppets Most Wanted
7. Divergent
14. Mr. Peabody & Sherman
In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she’s Divergent
While on a grand world tour, The Muppets find themselves wrapped into a European jewel-heist caper headed by a Kermit the Frog look-alike and his dastardly sidekick. PG (107 min)
The time-travelling adventures of an
advanced canine and his adopted son, as they endeavor to fix a time rift they created. PG (92 min)
15. The Lego Movie
An ordinary LEGO, mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil tyrant from gluing the universe together. PG (100 min)
16. The Raid: Retaliation Only a short time after the first raid, Rama goes undercover with the thugs of Jakarta and plans to bring down the syndicate and uncover the corruption within his police force. R (150 min)
17. The Lunchbox
A mistaken delivery in Mumbai’s famously efficient lunchbox delivery system connects a young housewife to an older man in the dusk of his life as they build a fantasy world together through notes in the lunchbox. PG (104 min)
18. Non-Stop
After receiving a series of text messages demanding a transfer of $150 million into an offshore account, an air marshal must prevent a terrorist attack and clear his name. PG-13 (106 min)
19. Son of God
The life story of Jesus is told from his humble birth through his teachings, crucifixion, and ultimate resurrection. PG13 (138 min)
20. Frozen
In a kingdom cursed to endure permanent winter, a young girl voiced by Kristen Bell teams up with a mountain man to rescue her sister and stop the curse in the latest Disney animated adventure. PG (102 min)
maroonweekly.com • April 23, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 21
“I take it back”
- which will change my response.
Across 1 ___ Lanka 4 Beaver barriers 8 Like some phones or moves 13 “___ Dieu!” 14 “The Dark Knight Rises” director 15 Hall’s singing partner 16 Entanglement 18 Cuban dance 19 The result of turning dollar bill portraits into clouds? 21 Acts human? 22 “Jack Sprat could ___ fat” 23 Commuter’s option 26 “Man of a Thousand Faces” Chaney 27 Embarrassing reason that hospital gown won’t stay put? 30 Actress Sue ___ Langdon 31 Abbr. with a Spanish surname 32 Tiny amount 33 Farm’s mouse-catcher 37 Enjoy, like pretzels 39 Plenty 40 Small batteries 42 Article printed daily? 43 Where pigs find potential partners? 46 A bird in the bush 49 Find a job for 50 Some tests 51 “Agreed!” 52 24-hour marathon of Bruce Lee movies, for instance? 55 “Pink Friday” singer Nicki 58 Not lopsided 59 Agreeable odor 60 Athletic competitions 61 Hearing aid? 62 “Catch Me If You Can” airline 63 Detective novelist ___ Stanley Gardner 64 Kicking org.
Answers
pg 22 • MAROON WEEKLY • April 23, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
Down 1 “SNL” cartoon creator Robert 2 “Dawn of the Dead” director 3 Hereditary 4 Shiba Inu meme character 5 Good to go 6 Cocktails with umbrellas 7 Horses, at times 8 More or less 9 Haleakala National Park’s island 10 24-hr. device 11 1860s soldier, briefly 12 Scanning org. 14 Egg ___ 17 Monopoly quartet: abbr. 20 Moderately slow in tempo 23 Bibliophile’s item 24 “Do ___ others Ö” 25 Jazzman Getz 27 Card game with a colorful deck 28 Yanni fan, maybe 29 Jasmine, e.g. 30 Disapproving of 33 Erykah who sang “On & On” 34 “Poor me!” 35 Memorization 36 “Previously...” 38 “I get it” responses 41 Wood furniture worker 44 1990s arcade basketball game 45 “The House of the Spirits” author Allende 46 “My Name Is” rapper 47 Liquor made from agave 48 Indy-winning family 51 King or carte lead-in 52 “Baby ___” (Amy Poehler/Tina Fey movie) 53 Tardy 54 Agcy. that compiles the Occupational Outlook Handbook 55 “You Are Here” chart 56 Glass in the radio booth 57 Parisian turndown 2014 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com)
By Katie Lea
Pollution in the Pacific There are a lot of discussions going on these days about humankind’s effect on the environment. There are many opinions about how large of a role we play in climate change, what we can and should do to fix it, and on what scale we all need to work together to sustain planet Earth. Another question some may ask: How are activities in specific parts of the globe affecting the entire world population? Well, several members of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences at Texas A&M, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, the University of California at San Diego, and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory are all working together to research how the Pacific storm track is affected by pollution from Asia. Finding out more about the Pacific storm track has important implications, as it affects weather for the entire world. The A&M team includes researchers Yuan Wang, Yun Lin, Jiaxi Hu, Bowen Pan, Misti Levy, and Renyi Zhang.
Zhang says differences in the storm track are at least partially caused by “aerosols formed by human activities from fast-growing Asian economies” and that these changes “do impact storm formation and global circulation”, increasing storms’ intensities and precipitation levels. They also affect air circulation across the world. These conclusions were drawn by comparing pollution data from 1850 to 2000, and the work done by the research team appears in the current issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). To put things into perspective, Zhang states that their research “shows that [particles in the air over Asia] can affect the Earth’s weather significantly.” This brings to the forefront questions about world-wide cooperation in pollution prevention and whether or not certain global regulations and solutions need to be implemented.
maroonweekly.com • April 23, 2014 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 23
pg 20 • MAROON WEEKLY • February 5, 2014 • maroonweekly.com