contents
01.22-01.29
meet the team PUBLISHER Chris Shepperd BUSINESS MANAGER Leisha Shepperd MANAGING EDITOR Luke Murray ASSISTANT EDITOR/COPYEDITING Barbara Hosler PHOTOGRAPHERS Peyton Boles Lauren Howes STAFF WRITERS Katie Lea Joshua Russell
MARKETING INTERN Peyton Boles Ally White
Essentials: Listen Play Discover Look
WRITING INTERNS Linley McCord Annabeth Reeb Abigail Stricker Adrianna Zampieri
Cover: 4 12 19 20
5
The Lone Star’s prodigal son is making another pass through the Brazos Valley for a rowdy night at Hurricane Harry’s. Having begun his life in music while he was a student here at Texas A&M, Casey Donahew returns to his musical stomping grounds to bring down the house for his Aggie faithful.
DISTRIBUTION Cody Atkinson Lindsay Cox 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.
Music: 4 - Meghan Trainor
dropped a new full length album. Can she prove she is about more than just bass?
Literacy: Film: 20 - Angelina Jolie tugs on 8 - First Lady Barbara America’s heart strings in her directorial debut.
Bush makes a stop in Aggieland to speak up for literacy.
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 2015 Campus Press LP
Music Reviews
Meghan Trainor Album: Title Release Date: Jan. 9, 2015 By Annabeth Reeb
After her EP, which included the chart-topper All About That Bass, Meghan Trainor has finally released her debut album, Title. The songs closely resemble her first few tunes, resulting in a splatter-like montage of beats and melodies, not unlike the design of her album cover. Her new album is very Nicki Manaj—if we can use her name as an adjective—with a hint of Sean Kingston’s Jamaican rhythm in 3am and Dear Future Husband. Trainor succeeded in showing both her rapping talents and her amazing voice, yet the only drawback is the fierce inability to be in the mood for both soul and rap at the same time. All About That Base was both praised and ridiculed for its message about accepting female body types: praised because it embraces natural beauty but ridiculed because it is insulting to people born skinny. Her new songs give the same “girl power” message, though she does focus a whole lot on her “Bass”.
Brad KatPaisley Dahlia
Brad Paisley Joshua Radin
Brad Paisley Jackson Ward
Album: My Garden
EP: Onward and Sideways
EP: Goodbye Trouble
Release Date: Jan. 13, 2015
Release Date: Jan. 6, 2015
Release Date: Jan. 13, 2015
By Adrianna Zampieri
By Abigail Stricker
By Linley McCord
Nearly two years after the release of her first single “Gangsta,” singer/songwriter Kat Dahlia’s debut album, My Garden, has finally hit the market. Top to bottom through 11 tracks, she’ll continuously surprise you with her unique style: a mixture of pop, R&B, hip-hop, and Latin rhythms. She creates such infectious beats that you can’t help but continuously press the repeat button. Her autobiographical song “Gangsta” reveals the story of her tumultuous past as her voice bleeds emotion in tune with a soft piano melody. She encourages foot tapping, hip swaying, and head bobbing with the addictive, upbeat rhythm of “Crazy,” her best selling song on iTunes. A tribute to her Cuban heritage, her heavily Latin-inspired song “Tumbao” is predominantly composed of Spanish lyrics as she vows that she “ain’t changing [her] style.” Each song has its own unique sound, yet her sultry, raw vocals tie them together into one stunning masterpiece.
Joshua Radin was a bit of a latecomer to the music scene. He wrote “Winter”—his first song—at age 30 in 2004. He has since written six full-length albums and sung alongside artists such as Imogen Heap, Missy Higgins, Sheryl Crow, and The Script.
Jackson Ward is an up-and-coming country group originating from Richmond, VA. Their debut album, Goodbye Trouble, has been sought after by their Virginia fan base since the band formed in early 2013.
On January 6, Radin released Onward and Sideways, an album with 13 original tracks. Radin’s acoustic, coffeehouse sound, especially in slower songs like “We’ll Keep Running Forever” and “Angels”, exhibits resemblances to Ed Sheeran and Ron Pope. “Belong” and other upbeat numbers traipse along the line of folksy and invoke pairings of The Avett Brothers or The Civil Wars. Radin’s voice remains soft and breathy throughout. So if you’re expecting a loud, full band sound, then this album may not be for you. The intent is not loud and in-your-face fun. It holds sneakily beautiful melodies and gentle lyrics to echo his quiet sound. Highly recommended.
The album consists of five original tracks, containing a smooth mix of bluegrass country with a touch of rock. For a first album, it is a commendable effort. The six-membered band clearly has talent in their barracks, but upon first listen, does not seem to be a standout group that will take the country world to the dance floor with ecstatic enthusiasm. Their sound is a callback to more classic country, which does distinguish them from the Hunter Hayes’s and Florida Georgia Line’s of more modern country. However, the band is a favorite of their home state, so don’t be anticipating them to make a trip to BCS anytime soon.
pg 4 • MAROON WEEKLY • Jan. 21, 2015 • maroonweekly.com
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Casey Donahew Band @ Harry’s
By Abigail Stricker
@maroonweekly
The Lone Star’s prodigal son is making another pass through the Brazos Valley for a rowdy night at Hurricane Harry’s. Having begun his life in music while he was a student here at Texas A&M, Casey Donahew returns to his musical stomping grounds to bring down the house for his Aggie faithful. Since their inception in 2002, the Casey Donahew Band has been a staple of the Texas Country music scene and gained national recognition when their 2009 release of Moving On reached the Top 30 Billboard for Country Albums nationwide. Although seeking national prominence is the nature of the game, Casey and is bandmates never stray far from their roots. During his college days, Casey took interest in another red-dirt sensation who was making his way up the rhinestone ladder. A young Pat Green was hired to perform at one of Casey’s fraternity parties; Casey found himself inspired by the on-stage antics that Green is now known for.
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“Pat Green was really the guy who started it all for me in college,” says Casey. “He just did a great job connecting with fans, and later on when we started playing, we really tried to mirror how he did that. He was one of those guys who I thought was a great entertainer and really told stories that people wanted to hear and could relate to, and I think that’s what made him so popular.” With Green and other Texas favorites undoubtedly helping to fuel their stage presence, CDB has spent the past 13 years touring Texas bars, world-class honkytonks, and stages under Nashville-sized lights that has aided in their amassing a loyal following. Their most recent album Standoff was released in 2013 and featured 11 original tracks. The album is half upbeat and half crooning country in typical Donahew fashion. Casey Donahew’s songs bring more than just a vocal twang to the “Texas Country” name. He writes in, about, and for Texas. Both Donahew’s lyrics and his vocals, which sound almost live on most tracks, brag authenticity. Clayton Gardner is a more recent addition to the country music world. While attending Texas A&M University in 2005, Gardner took up guitar for the first time and discovered an immediate love for music. His polished, deep voice echoes a sound that’s popular in country music today; a sound heard from artists like Chris Young and Blake Shelton. But Gardner’s songs themselves feel a little more traditional and a little less country rock. Gardner self-describes his music as ‘90s country. His first EP Here to Stay came out in 2012. Both Here to Stay and Gardner’s most recent album Lucky 7 landed on the iTunes Top 20 country albums chart. Gardner has performed alongside artists such as Pat Green, Jack Ingram, Josh Abbott, Wade Bowen, and Cody Johnson. For a chance to see both The Casey Donahew Band and Clayton Gardner performing the above-described, authentically-great country music, come out to Harry’s on Friday January 23rd. Doors open at 9pm.
maroonweekly.com • Jan. 21, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 5
Actors from the London Stage Presents: Macbeth By Annabeth Reeb “By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes.” Wickedly Shakespearean that is, as the classic tale of Macbeth is coming to Aggieland, and will be preformed by Actors from the London Stage, an England-based theater company. With an American base at Notre Dame, they spend months touring different universities, brining the wonders of classical art. Five actors will be preforming one of Shakespeare’s finest, Macbeth. Michael Palmer, Joanna Bending, Charles Armstrong, Annie Aldington, and Ben Warwick are all experienced actors with educations spanning across America and Europe. Easily a 10+ character play, these actors will skillfully reinvent the dramatic telling of Macbeth’s fight for power. The play includes the stage’s favorite aspects: witches, bloodlust, and king slaying. Macbeth and Banquo, two generals for the king, cross paths with three witches who prophesize Macbeth’s rise to Kingship, but also that Banquo’s heirs will eventually take the thrown. “Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.” These two conflicting prophecies throw Macbeth and his wife into a power hungry rage, resulting in a blood-drenched treachery. It will be interesting to see how Lady Macbeth is portrayed, as she was one of the most bloodthirsty heroines of that time, encouraging her
pg 6 • MAROON WEEKLY • Jan. 21, 2015 • maroonweekly.com
husband’s ego and inadvertently helping him kill those who stand in his way. Certainly one of Shakespeare’s darkest tragedies, Macbeth explores the psychological effects of a man given the means to become king, however evil those means may be. Only visiting seven universities—Texas A&M being one of them—this play is not one to miss. Classics like these can never be seen too many times; seeing a play, rather than reading it, truly brings Shakespeare’s work to life in a way that is never the same show twice. Without the director’s unique interpretation, the play is “a tale, told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.” The show will be performed at Rudder Theatre on January 29, starting at 7:00 PM.
the scoop
WHAT: MACBETH WHERE: RUDDER THEATRE WHEN: JAN. 29 @ 7PM
SWEET EUGENE’S This is a great place to get some good studying in and also serves as a great hangout if you and a group of friends are looking to get together to catch up. There are a number of small rooms with comfortable furniture, and the place is studded with pieces of art on the walls. Because it’s so popular, it can fill up fast; but there's seating outside and couches can be shared. Not only does Sweet E’s have awesome coffee, but their menu also includes crepes, sandwiches, slices of cake, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and an array of donuts. MUGWALLS If cozy spaces and a friendly staff are a must for studying, MugWalls is the perfect spot. It has patio seating, a living room space, and a loft area upstairs. With quirky mugs, great coffee, and delicious pastries, studying or hanging out at MugWalls is ideal for one or a small group. MULDOON’S Muldoon’s is Aggie owned and a great place to study alone or with groups. With a large amount of table space, it’s perfect for sprawling out your books and notes. In addition to selling coffee drinks, Muldoon’s is also renowned for their hot teas. During exam weeks, the place can get pretty packed. But they recently added more space in their venue over the past year to accommodate students. STARBUCKS If chains are your thing, head to one of the many Starbucks in town. If you’re in a hurry to grab a drink, be sure to get there before or after the morning rush, because the lines get long quickly. This is a great place to head if you’re planning to study by yourself because seating is limited. There are three Starbucks on campus alone, and many others throughout town— including a new location opened this spring in south College Station. HASTING’S AND BARNES AND NOBLE Both bookstores house small cafés that offer some of your favorite coffee drinks. These are great places to go if you’re looking to sit and read for a while. While the chairs are wooden, unpadded, and not the most comfortable, the stores are usually always quiet and not packed. Bring books from school or grab one from the store. Hasting’s recently added more space to its cafe for students. It also has a cozy fireplace for those cooler winter months. LUPA'S A brand new coffee house, Lupa's opened this spring and offers all of the amenities of similar venues such as Muldoon's and Sweet E's. Another great perk: it's located directly next to a brand new Planet Fitness. You can work out before or after your study sessions right next store. The venue is fairly large in space, and because it just opened, many Aggies haven't found it yet. This may be your secret spot.
The Academy for the Visual & Performing Arts
If the dorm room or library isn’t your study atmosphere of choice, it might be nice to find a place to relocate for a while. Even if coffee isn’t your thing, the atmosphere, wifi, and snacks at the variety of coffee houses in College Station are excuses enough to ditch the dorm room.
Spring 2015 Events January 29, 2015
Actors From The London Stage February 12, 2015
Black Violin
February 26, 2015
Ragamala Dance presents Sacred Earth March 26, 2015
The Intergalactic Nemesis April 9, 2015
Koresh Dance presents Come Together April 16, 2015
The Neuland Artist Lecture Tickets may be purchased at the MSC Box Office (http://boxoffice.tamu.edu/ or 979,845,1234). More information about performances, lectures and tickets is available at http://academyarts.tamu.edu.
All Performances & Lectures: 7 PM All performances held in Rudder Theatre, except The Intergalactic Nemesis in Rudder Auditorium. Lectures held in Geren Auditorium. Performances: Students $5, General Admission $10 Lectures: Free to all attendees. (schedule subject to change)
For more information, call 979.847.2787 avpa@tamu.edu v academyarts.tamu.edu w w w . f a c e b o o k . c o m / AV PA a t TA M U
It’s Time For
maroonweekly.com • Jan. 21, music 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 7 dance theatre visual art
George Bush Presidential Library Presents
READING DISCOVERY Featuring First Lady Barbara Bush By Adrianna Zampieri
To promote reading and innovation, Discovery Education will host an event that allows young students—Reading Buddies from grades 3 to 8—to interact with two prominent leaders from the field of education: First Lady Barbara Bush and the director of the Discovery Educator Network, Hall Davidson. Lady Bush created the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy in 1989, believing that literacy persisted as a vital skill that provides greater opportunities for success in the future. At the event, she will be answering students’ questions during an interactive videoconference. She will also be reading an excerpt from Rushmore, written by Lynn Curlee, emphasizing the engineering feat of Mount Rushmore’s construction and teaching the students about American history from World War I to World War II. Also present to interact with the students will be Hall Davidson. Davidson is an educational innovator, a man who has spent four decades of his life dedicated to the advancement of education: creating educational programs for PBS and changing the way students are taught in schools with the integration of modern technology. He will be introducing the concept of “augmented reality,” technology that allows for computer generated visuals or sounds to be integrated into a real world view on an electronic device. Using live demonstrations, he will explain how this technology can be used to enhance a student’s reading experience, allowing them to utilize their imagination to develop their own visuals that follow along with the text. The emphasis on literacy, technology, and innovation will inspire students to challenge and develop their skills, to broaden their interests, and take a step towards the future. This event will be held on January 29th at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center from 10:00 to 11:15 am. Admission is FREE. If you are unable to attend, you Live Stream the event at www.connect2texas.net/bush41/ There will also be a recording available after the event. The program will conclude with the musical talents of the Texas A&M University Singing Cadets.
the scoop pg 8 • MAROON WEEKLY • Jan. 21, 2015 • maroonweekly.com
WHAT: READING DISCOVERY WHERE: GEORGE BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY WHEN: JAN. 29 @ 10AM
maroonweekly.com • Jan. 21, 2015 •MAROON WEEKLY • pg 9
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By Katie Lea
Seals Mark the Spot Weddell seals are amazing creatures capable of holding their breath for up to 80 minutes. Native to Antarctica, these sea mammals dive to depths of up to 2600 feet in order to hunt beneath the icy surface. Their lives depend on being able to find their way back to their breathing holes, which are usually small and very far apart. It is this ability to successfully return to the safety of these holes that has always eluded scientists. Randall Davis from Texas A&M Galveston, Terrie Williams from UC Santa Cruz, and Lee Fuiman from UT are working on a project that will allow them to study “magnetoreception” in the seals. It is believed that Weddell seals have an internal compass that provides them with a highly accurate directional sense. It is believed that the seals “use the Earth’s geomagnetic field the same way we use a hand-held compass. Magnetoreception relies on the presence of magnetite, a crystal of iron oxide that is strongly magnetic, somewhere within the animal’s head.” The magnetic field physically affects the animal, and they are able to use this for navigation. The research team will be placing video and data recorders on the seals, which will allow them to follow their movements under the ice. Once they have data from 1,000 or more dives, they “should be able to determine if their swimming patterns show statistically valid evidence of contouring behavior relative to the local geomagnetic field around each ice hole”.
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pg 10 • MAROON WEEKLY • Dec. 3, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
t is possible that the seals use other methods, such as low-light sensitive vision or directional hearing. The team will “control for these other sensory systems by conducting some of the experiments during the Antarctic winter when light levels are very low and by using a directional hydrophone to map the vocalizations of other seals around the experimental ice holes”.
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• Jan. 21, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 11 pgmaroonweekly.com 8 • MAROON WEEKLY • Dec. 10, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
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979.314.1900 | live-thelofts.com maroonweekly.com • Jan. 21, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 13
Farmers Fight! The Rise of the Local Farmers Market By Luke Murray It is 2015, Which means that people are becoming increasingly conscious of what types of nutrition they put into their bodies. Yes, you may be stuck in a 7-day a week fast food diet, but the general concensus seems to think that green over greasy is generally the best way to go. It’s no surprise that with the “A” in A&M still standing for Agriculture, that Aggieland would have a local produce market of its own. The Brazos Valley Farmers Market has been creating the unique shopping experience that you can only expect from local vendors for nearly 20 years, with a mission to “support our region’s farms by connecting consumers directly to local food producers, strengthening urban-rural community bonds, and educating the general public on the benefits of eating locally produced food.” Seeing a resurgence in popularity due to these modern health trends, the BVFM continues to shell out goods from around the Brazos Valley twice a week: Every Wednesday outside Village Foods at 29th Street and Briarcrest in Bryan Every Saturday on the corner of Texas Ave. and William J. Bryan Pkwy in Bryan, across from the Brazos County Court House. They have just kicked off their spring season and vendors will be supplying bevies of seasonal goods, including local fruits and vegetables, eggs, jellies and jams, herbs, and even small crafts. A full list of vendors is located on their website at brazosvalleyfarmersmarket. com. Head out on Wednesday or Saturday this week and support your local producers as they strive to support your healthier lifestyle.
pg 14 • MAROON WEEKLY • Jan. 21, 2015 • maroonweekly.com
The 12th Man is not a myth. It’s a living, breathing, integral part of what makes Texas A&M so amazing and unique. Current and former students all play a huge role in the movement that is the 12th Man. But there are some special groups that go above and beyond the 12th Man call of duty. The Sugar Daddies, for example, have been creating a unique softball atmosphere at the Aggie Softball Complex for years. They began when some Fish Camp staffers started attending games. They noticed there wasn’t a fan group, so the Sugar Daddies were born. “The Sugar Daddies are all about 100% supporting the TAMU Softball Team,” Bob Locke, former Softball Sugar Daddy, said. “We do this by creating an atmosphere in the stands to pump up the team and also to give them the best home field advantage possible.” Other groups such as the Raggies and the Diamond Darlings promote attendance, serve as bat girls at both home and road games, sell programs, hand out promotional items, help in the recruiting process, and more. Membership is open to anyone who is in good standing with the university and will be a full-time student during the upcoming fall and spring semesters. The Raggies, like the Sugar Daddies, are all about making Olsen Field a tough place to play. Even sports such as tennis draw a faithful crowd. The Mitchell Maniacs ensure that the game atmosphere at the Mitchell Tennis Center will be unlike any other in college tennis. The same can be said for the Reed Rowdies for Men’s Basketball and the Women’s Rowdies for the Women’s Basketball team. “First and foremost, we attend every home game and make as much noise as possible,” says Women’s Rowdies president Paul Rodgers. “We also work with the marketing department to develop strategies for attracting students to WBB games.”
The Women’s Rowdies do their best to make sure any team that visits Reed Arena knows whose house they’re in. Rodgers, who noticed a low student turnout for WBB, said that you could find the Rowdies at all the home games selling shirts, yelling loud, and just having fun.
Basketball Program and assist in increasing attendance.”
“We really got our start out of necessity. There was a need for a student support group, so we started the Women’s Rowdies. Now anyone can be a part and help us grow bigger and better.”
And even our football team has a support group. According to their website, the Aggie Hostesses “are an elite student support group whose main goal is to support the Texas A&M Football program.” The Hostesses work year-round, assisting the coaching staff in a variety of ways, including game day assistance and supporting special events such as Chalk Talk, Coach’s Clinic, kick-off events, and summer football camps.
Another support group for the Texas A&M basketball team is the Aggie Angels. According to aggieathletics.com, the Aggie Angels “assist in increasing the awareness of the Aggie Men’s
There is a place for everyone in Aggie sports. The 12th man is about more than just being an Aggie; it’s about being there for your team.
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maroonweekly.com • Jan. 21, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 15
Great Guinness Toast @ O’Bannon’s By Linley McCord
Spring is but a promising whisper that winter is teasing us with, and the cold weather that Texans are unaccustomed to tends to keep us glued to the couch. Aggieland’s favorite pub is hosting a night to remind everyone that spring is coming, and the incoming season is not without good times and great beer—enough to carry you through the last few days of winter. On February 15th, a month from St. Patrick’s Day, O’Bannon’s is celebrating Guinness in the form of trying to achieve the world’s largest toast. Dubbed “St. Practice Day”, the bar reminds beer-drinkers that—while spring contains the real holiday doused in stout ale—there is always something to celebrate. The Tomfooligans, a Celtic punk rock band based out of Houston, will perform at the event. Among the typical punk ensemble, their set infuses bagpipes for a reverberation that will be sure to ring in the spirit of St. Patrick. The band has been equated to the sounds of Dropkick Murphy and Flogging Molly. That, coupled with their notability to wear plaid, will be sure to set the tone of the celebration. This year is the 21st attempt to break the record of the largest simultaneous toast, and it has been successful in breaking its own record every year. Be prepared for a night that will bring you out of the cold and into the comradery, music, and Guinness. The evening promises to be a night to remember, and offers the tantalizing opportunity to break a record with a beer in your hand. The event starts at 11pm, but come early to make sure you get your pint and tune your ears to the Tomfooligans. So shake off the chill, because the time has come to break the record once again…and have an excuse to drink Guinness.
pg 16 • MAROON WEEKLY • Jan. 21, 2015 • maroonweekly.com
TEXAS GRAND SLAM
11.07.12 | maroonweekly.com | pg 23
THere’’ss An An THere
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For LASTPASS BYalso LINLEY MCCORD example, if- you aretells playing a game your phone, it will letlast you under know how muchofpower the game Battery Doctor users how on long your battery will a variety situations. For How often do you open aawebsite an often app only realize that…yep…you yourfeatures password? is using.if The keeps a log on oforhow youitto fully charge your and what you example, you app are also playing game your phone, will let you knowphone how forgot much power the game The fact with manythe requiring passwords, everyyour one phone of them demanding different can turn on/off toso extend battery life.often is using. Theis, app also keeps asite log of how you fullyand charge and what features you can’t possibly havelife. one universal password for every single login—or can you? canparameters, turn on/offyou to extend the battery LastPass eliminates the frustrating HANX WRITER - BY CONNIE SONG hunt for the elusive password. Clickity, clack, clack. Fueled by his love for the typewriter, Tom Hanks (yes, Forrest Gump himself) HANX WRITER - BY CONNIE SONG There is a free and premium but theold-school free version works just (yes, asYes, well and gets basic developed Hanx Writer, an app typing machines. there was the a himself) reason Clickity, clack, clack. Fueled by version, histhat lovemimics for the typewriter, Tom Hanks Forrest Gump task of remembering passwords accomplished. The app boasts “the last password you ever have why the typewriter went away, but the cons of the machine were taken into consideration and developed Hanx Writer, an app that mimics old-school typing machines. Yes, there was a reason to remember”, and makes good on its word. It also has an encryption mechanism so you don’t have modified for this app. For instance, you can now delete your typos and go back and edit your why the typewriter went away, but the cons of the machine were taken into consideration and to keepfor using your dog’s allcovered your passwords. horrible grammar instead of having aname document Xs. However, if you’re a fan theyour Xs, modified thisvariations app. For ofinstance, you can for now delete your typos and go back andofedit there’s an option to have them, too. In addition, you can also export documents you’ve typed with horrible grammar instead of having a document covered Xs. However, if you’re a fan of the Xs, You can also the web within automatically savethe sites it rather than the app. Hanxbrowse Writer can also be usedthe in app otheritself, appsand if you’re solely using apptofor the sounds there’s an option to have them, too. In addition, you can also export documents you’ve typed with hopping appnostalgic, to app. but some people can’t write without them). (which isfrom pretty the app. Hanx Writer can also be used in other apps if you’re solely using the app for the sounds (which is pretty nostalgic, but some people can’t write without them). ZEN SHOPPING - BY DANIELLA DELGADO Want to make holiday shopping a breeze? With Zen Shopping, you can have your own personal ZEN SHOPPING - BY DANIELLA shopping assistant straight onDELGADO your phone. It has a variety of features to make your online shopping Want to make holiday a breeze? With features Zen Shopping, you comparison can have your own personal experience simple andshopping expedient. Among these are a price calculator, where shopping assistant straight on your phone. It has a variety of features to make your online Zen automatically recognizes the product you’re looking for and searches other stores toshopping find the experience simple option. and expedient. these features pricethe comparison calculator, most affordable Zen alsoAmong automatically provides are youawith best coupons for the where store Zenyou automatically recognizes the product you’re looking for and searches other stores to find the are shopping at prior to checkout. most affordable option. Zen also automatically provides you with the best coupons for the store youZen arenotifies shopping checkout. youatofprior dealstotailored to your shopping interests. The app also has a package tracking feature, so you can keep track of the delivery status of all your precious merchandise. Avoid the Zenlong notifies you crazy of deals tailored interests. also of has a package tracking lines and crowds andto doyour all ofshopping your shopping fromThe the app comfort your own phone with feature, so you can track of the delivery status of all your precious merchandise. Avoid the Zen Shopping this keep holiday season. long lines and crazy crowds and do all of your shopping from the comfort of your own phone with Zen2015 Shopping this holiday season. Dec.21, 10, 2014 maroonweekly.com pg 18 • MAROON WEEKLY • Jan. ••maroonweekly.com
pg 18 • MAROON WEEKLY • Dec. 10, 2014 • maroonweekly.com
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thedistrictonluther.commaroonweekly.com866.973.5389 • Jan. 21, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 19
By Cheyenne Mueller
The Ledge Netflix (R)
Unbroken Netflix (PG-13) Pro tip: if you ever want to make a movie that you know will appeal to American audiences, go straight for their pride. Works every time. What sets Unbroken apart is that—while the time takes place during World War II—its story is focused on one man: Louis Zamperini (Jack O’Connell, 300: Rise of an Empire). The audience gets a glimpse into his life as an adolescent in New York, with hard-working Italian parents and his ability to always find trouble. Spending the majority of his time running away from boys twice his size, Zamperini gets noticed by the high school track coach. His older brother Pete trains him up, constantly pushing him to do his best—“If you can take it, you can make it.” Eventually, with the right blend of talent and training, Zamperini gets the opportunity to run in the Olympics. However, things don’t quite go according to plan. World War II breaks out (which puts a damper on pretty much everything), and Louis is drafted by the Army Air Forces. His plane goes down and only three members of the crew survive – Zamperini, Russell Allen “Phil” Phillips (Domhnall Gleeson, About Time) and Francis “Mac” McNamara (Finn Wittrock, American Horror Story). They’re stranded in the middle of the ocean on life rafts for 47 days before being “rescued” by the Imperial Japanese Navy. At the prison camp, Zamperini is immediately singled out because of his celebrity status as an Olympic athlete. In charge is Watanabe, whom the prisoners call “The Bird.” He’s ruthless and arrogant, constantly trying to push Zamperini to his breaking point. Instead, Louis remains unbroken, demonstrating the true resilience and tenacity of self-perseverance. “If you can take it, you can make it.” Unbroken is Angelina Jolie’s first directorial debut and is based off of Lauren Hillenbrand’s best-selling biography of the same name. While blood and guts is a popular selling point for a lot of war movies (Fury, Inglorious Basterds), the amount of carnage in this film is surprisingly minimal. What it lacks for in bloody theatrics, it makes up for in horror at the conditions the prisoners went through. Unbroken, for all of its defeating moments, is an inspiring film. While using WWII as a trope is the farthest thing from original, Jolie appealed to the heart of the audience, instead of their bloodlust. Unbroken is rated PG-13 for war violence including intense sequences of brutality, and for brief language.
pg 20 • MAROON WEEKLY • Jan. 21, 2015 • maroonweekly.com
In The Ledge, directed by Matthew Chapman, the film’s protagonist, Gavin, is faced with a moral dilemma. As an Atheist, Gavin doesn’t believe in an afterlife; but if he is unwilling to die for his beliefs, the woman he loves will be taken instead. Gavin (Charlie Hunnam, Sons of Anarchy) appears to be the typical nice guy. He works as an assistant manager at a hotel in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; he’s empathetic to his employees and has a gay roommate who’s just recently tested positive for HIV. But when a new couple moves into his apartment complex just a few doors down, things get out of hand. Husband and wife, Joe and Shana Harris (played by Patrick Wilson and Liv Tyler), are God-fearing to a T. Joe Harris is the main aggressor while Shana is demure and quiet, constantly showing gratitude towards her husband even though it’s clear she has no say in their marriage. When Shana begins to work at Gavin’s hotel, the lust between the two heats up the screen. While the premise of the film is interesting, it’s plagued by poor screenwriting. The movie highlights the age-old ideological schism between Christianity and Atheism. The Christian (Joe) is a bigot, completely misrepresenting the essence of his faith. The Atheist (Gavin), however, is a kind person, feeling secure in the nothing-ness that lies ahead when he dies. The actors do a good job with what they have, but the dialogue isn’t organic in some crucial scenes and the interactions between characters seem forced at times. One redeeming thing in this film is that it doesn’t give the audience a “light at the end of the tunnel” conclusion. There are too many movies that give viewers what they want. The Ledge will knock the wind out of you, but it’s still somewhat refreshing. The Ledge is 101 minutes long and rated R for sexuality, language, and some violent content.
maroonweekly.com • Jan. 21, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 21
“getting carried away”
Across 1 Affected mannerisms 5 “The Munsters” son 10 Dollar bill’s weight, roughly 14 Abbr. on a bottle of Courvoisier 15 New, in Nogales 16 2000s sitcom starring a country singer 17 Response to King Kong after being carried away? 20 Depression Era agcy. 21 Checks out suggestively 22 Big song 25 Type 27 Urban blight 29 Haifa resident, e.g. 31 Roofing material 32 Castellaneta, the voice of Homer on “The Simpsons” 35 Low poker hand 36 One-eyed character on “Futurama” 38 Bob Hope’s entertainment gp. 39 King Kong’s act of barroom generosity? 43 Mighty tree 44 Meteorologist’s tracked prediction 45 Parallel, e.g. 46 Retreating 47 “___ favor!” 48 Breakfast fare where you might take your lumps? 51 Catch forty winks 52 Earth orbiter until 2001 53 Punctured tire sound 54 Corrective eye surgery 57 “Dawson’s Creek” actor James Van ___ Beek 59 King Kong’s hoped-for response? 67 Paste alternative 68 Constellation with a belt 69 Bring under control 70 “The camera ___ 10 pounds” 71 Becomes liquid 72 Christian Louboutin item \
Answers
pg 22 • MAROON WEEKLY • Jan. 21, 2015 • maroonweekly.com
Down 1 Beginning for the birds? 2 Patriot ending 3 “Ruh-___!” (Scooby-Doo gulp) 4 Disgorge 5 Final purpose 6 Penn & Teller, e.g. 7 “Slumdog Millionaire” actor ___ Patel 8 “So, ___ been thinking...” 9 Musical taste 10 Allman brother who married Cher 11 Slot machine spinner 12 Up to the task 13 ___ movement 18 “Four and twenty blackbirds baked in ___” 19 “Yay, team!” 22 “Hungry Hungry ___” 23 Washington dropped from “Grey’s Anatomy” 24 Deceptive 26 East Texas city or college 27 Parent not related by blood 28 ___ liquor 30 Boat full of animals 32 Job description list 33 Yoga postures 34 Prestigious prizes 37 Iberian Peninsula’s cont. 40 “Looks like ___ too soon” 41 File cabinet label for the latter half of the alphabet 42 “A Nightmare on ___ Street” 49 Actors Quinn and Mitchell 50 Uno + dos 51 Small change? 54 Annika Sorenstam’s gp. 55 “___ Lang Syne” 56 Poker option 58 Charlie Brown utterance 60 Burt Reynolds co-star DeLuise 61 Hematite, e.g. 62 “Star Trek: TNG” alum Wheaton 63 Forget-me-___ 64 “Boo-___!” 65 Music genre with a lot of guyliner 66 “What’d I tell ya?” 2015 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com)
Aggie Sports Stay Busy During Winter Break By Joshua Russell Football The Aggie football team kept themselves more than busy over the Christmas break. Coach Kevin Sumlin had several spots to fill on the coaching front as A&M was in search of a new offensive line coach, wide receiver coach and finally—a defensive coordinator. On Christmas Day, Sumlin was able to pry away Dave Christensen from Utah to be the next man in charge of the Aggie O-line. Christensen was the offensive coordinator at Utah and before that, had a very successful tenure as OC with the University of Missouri. He was also head coach at Wyoming for four years.
The big coup came on New Year’s Eve when reports started to spread that LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis had been in contact with A&M and was close to accepting the job in College Station. On New Year’s Day, he was spotted at the Easterwood airport with Coach Sumlin and, though no official announcement has been made, Chavis is the new DC in Aggieland. This was the best post-Christmas present that Aggies could ask for. They stole one of the best defensive coordinators in the nation from their SEC West rival. Chavis, aka “Chief”, has consistently fielded a top 15 defense nationally and was the only defensive mind in the NCAA that could corral Johnny Football. With all the current young talent in College Station and the upcoming recruiting class, Chavis will have a lot of pieces to work his
12 opponent West Virginia in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Freshman QB Kyle Allen won the MVP of the game as he threw for 294 yards and four touchdowns. Another freshman, LB Otaro Alaka, won defensive MVP honors giving the Aggie faithfuls some real hope heading into next season. Basketball Football wasn’t the only sport in the spotlight during the Christmas break as both the men’s and women’s basketball teams dove into SEC play.
The men’s team took No. 1 Kentucky into double overtime before falling to the Wildcats 71-64. Kentucky is widely considered the favorite to win the national championship. A&M was without top scorer Jalen Jones in that game. Now healthy, the Aggies have a tough road ahead of them to reach the NCAA Tournament but still have a chance to make a March Madness run. The NIT is also still very much in play as A&M’s five losses this year have rather been to ranked teams or teams who should qualify for the NCAA Tournament. magic with. I won’t go as far to say the Wrecking Crew is back, but if anyone can bring it back, it’s Chief Chavis. The Aggies took care of business on the field as A&M won its fourth consecutive bowl game, a 45-37 decision over Big
The No.11 women’s team also suffered some tough losses during the break, including a nail-biter against No.3 Texas, a game they lost by one point. All-American Courtney Walker leads the way for A&M as she is averaging nearly 15 points a game. Junior Jordan Jones is leading the SEC in assists with 7 a game, two more than the nearest competitor.
maroonweekly.com • Jan. 21, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 23
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