Vol. 12 No. 7

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10.07.15 - VOL. 12, NO. 7 - MAROONWEEKLY.COM

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meet the team

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PUBLISHER Chris Shepperd BUSINESS MANAGER Leisha Shepperd MANAGING EDITOR Luke Murray STAFF WRITERS

Linley McCord Annabeth Reeb Adrianna Zampieri WRITING INTERNS Madison Matous Jordyn Smith Kaitlyn Trei MARKETING INTERN Laura Miller

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DISTRIBUTION Cody Atkinson Lindsay Cox Daryl Dorman Randy Shepperd

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Maroon Weekly is an independent, publication and is not affiliated with Texas A&M University. Maroon Weekly receives no student fees or university funding.

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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

maroonweekly.com • Sept. 23, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 3


Music Reviews Thomas Rhett Album: Tangled Up

Release Date: September 25, 2015

By Jordyn Smith

Big Machine recording artist Thomas Rhett has released his latest album, “Tangled Up.” Rhett pushes the boundaries in this album and executes it well. With a potent mix of party anthems and more subdued tracks, Rhett showcases his vocal range well. Tracks like “Anthem,” “Crash and Burn,” Vacation,” and “Tangled” are great, jubilant songs that bring out the modern country genre that Rhett has embraced more as he’s broken out of his shell. Rhett balances the album well with tracks like “Die a Happy Man,” “They Day You Stop Lookin’ Back,” and “Learned It From the Radio,” using those slower jams to round out the album. The good times roll with “Like It’s the Last Time,” which is hands down the best song on the album. Rhett takes a chance with the funky track “South Side”—with his voice and a great accompaniment backing the track, the gamble pays off. Rhett includes two collaborations on this album with Jordin Sparks and LunchMoney Lewis—both are great additions to the record.

Pop legend Janet Jackson kills it in her new album “Unbreakable.” The 19-track record displays what everyone loves about Janet Jackson’s music: sincerity and passion. Jackson enlists Missy Elliot on “BURN IT UP!” and J. Cole on “No Sleeep.” This album is full of inspiring pop anthems as well as some nostalgic standouts. “No Sleeep” is a classic Janet Jackson slow hit track that connects well with her audience. The albums emotional highlight comes through in “Night.” Throughout the album, Jackson’s ability to display great vocal range and bring in different sounds stylistically helps make this album stand out.

Avicii, a dance club favorite, brings a great vibe to this new 14-track album. “Stories” shows maturity and an evolution in sound while sticking to their roots. One of the most interesting things of this album is Avicii’s ability to bring in artists from other genres. Avicii enlists country star Zac Brown for “Broken Arrows.” Brown’s vocal ability shines through and really brings a new perspective to the Avicii’s version of normal. In the track “True Believer,” Avicii calls on Coldplay’s Christ Martin in a funky EDM track. His final collaboration is with reggae artist Wyclef Jean in “Can’t Catch Me,”—bringing a new sound to reggae, this song’s catchy hooks and lyrics make it one of the album’s best.

Collective Soul’s ability to combine modern alternative sounds with more classic rock riffs helps propel this album. As a group, Collective Soul vibes well. Their solid instrumentals with relatable lyrics makes you wonder why they are not at the top of the rock genre. The 11-track album is well-balanced and shows a variety of rock styles. The harder-rock tracks like “Hurricane,” “Contagious,” “This,” and “Exposed,” are mixed in well with the record’s emotional tracks, with “Memoirs of 2005,” “Tradition,” and “Without Me” being the deep-feeling highlights of the album. An overall solid compilation.

Janet Jackson Album: Unbreakable

Release Date: October 2, 2015

Avicii Album: Stories

Release Date: October 2, 2015

Collective Soul Album: See What You Started by Continuing Release Date: October 2, 2015

pg 4 • MAROON WEEKLY •Oct. 7, 2015 • maroonweekly.com


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maroonweekly.com • Oct. 7, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 5


EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: THE SWON BROTHERS By Jordyn Smith

Nashville country young guns, The Swon Brothers, are headed to Texas A&M on Friday October 9. Brought in by MSC OPAS, they will be performing at 7:30 PM in Rudder Auditorium.

When forming The Swon Brothers, they auditioned for the hit TV show “The Voice” in 2013 where they became an instant fan-favorite. With Blake Shelton as their mentor, The Swon Brothers became the first duo to break into the Top 12. They continued Hailing from Muskogee, Oklahoma, the duo has to gain momentum, and would eventually finish been performing since a very early age. The the show in the Top 3. Following their success on brothers grew up performing in their family’s “The Voice,” they signed with Arista Nashville, a band, making it easy to develop a love of music division of Sony Music Nashville. and performing. Naturally, the two knew they wanted to continue music professionally. The brothers found success in their first release

pg 6 • MAROON WEEKLY • Oct. 7, 2015 • maroonweekly.com

“Later On” in 2014. The track rose to the top of the iTunes charts and peaked at #13 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in September of 2014. Later in the year, the duo landed their first CMA Awards nomination as Duo of the Year. They are coming off a huge year on the road with Brad Paisley on his Country Nation World Tour. Though they are done with Paisley’s tour, the brothers are maintaining a busy schedule. Between touring themselves, they are back in


the studio recording new music. Their harmonies and high-energy shows are bringing fans back for more. Not only have they made an impression on fans, they have made a great impression on those important in the music industry and media.

what’s it like to be out on the road together?

We had a chance to sit down with the brothers to talk about humble beginnings, the struggle of working together as brothers, and what Aggies can expect from their upcoming show with MSC OPAS.

MW: Your first single, “Later On,” debuted in 2014 and was a Top 20 hit on the Billboard Country Airplay chart; what was that feeling like? What was your reaction the first time you heard it on the radio?

SB: Heck yes, it’s hard. We fight like brothers will always fight, and we laugh like brothers laugh together. We couldn’t do this as solo careers and never will.

SB: Climbing the charts was an MW: You two were the first duo amazing thing to watch. It leaves to crack the Top 12 on “The Voice,” you speechless and humbled by what was that experience like? the support from country radio and of course country music fans. SB: People told us that finishing in the finale of “The Voice” was MW: What can Aggieland expect almost impossible. Just goes to from your show? What excites show you what having a friend you about coming to College and mentor like Blake Shelton Station? can do to take you to the next level. The experience went above SB: High energy, plus an up close and beyond our hopes and and personal in-your-face type of expectations, thanks to Blake show. We’ve heard that Aggieland and country music fans. has some crazy country music fans and we are ready to meet MW: Being siblings in a band has you all. Also, we will be performing to be a lot of fun, but seems like brand new music that no one has it could be a challenge at times; heard yet. Hope y’all like it!

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maroonweekly.com • Oct. 7, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 7


Upcoming at the Icehouse By Jordyn Smith Be sure to get out to Lakeside Icehouse on Friday October 9th for the Texas Twisters and again on Saturday October 10th for The Rock-A-Fellas. Both are great local cover bands that ensure a good time for all attendees. Each band plays an eclectic mix of classic rock, country, blues, and other genres with hits spanning multiple decades. Each band is sure to know at least a few of your favorite songs, so grab your dancing boots and head out to Lakeside Icehouse at Lake Bryan!

The Texas Twisters, referred to as “The Party Band of Aggieland,” will be playing their last Lakeside Icehouse show for the year on Friday October 9. The band was formed back in 1987 and have been entertaining the BCS area for more than 27 years. The group was voted The Eagle’s “Best Local Band” in 2007, 2008, 2011, and 2014. They are comprised of founding member Wade Myatt, Manny Lopez, Mitch Connell, and Michael Holleman. They play a wide variety of music in their shows, ranging from classic to contemporary rock, country, even disco and soul. You can hear anything from

pg 8 • MAROON WEEKLY • Oct. 7, 2015 • maroonweekly.com

ACDC, George Strait, or even Blink 182. The talent does not stop there, as the group will even mix in a few of their original tracks they’ve composed over the years. They have built a strong following here in BCS with their high-energy shows, they keep bringing fans back for more. On Saturday October 10, The Rock-A-Fellas will bring their talents back to Lake Bryan. Based in Austin and BCS, this group brings a good-time vibe to any show. They cover rock, country, Motown, disco,


blues, classics, and everything in-between. If it hit the radio anytime from the 50’s to yesterday, these guys are capable of playing it. The Rock-A-Fellas bring an organic authenticity to these covers, instead of just going into autopilot and simply playing through the songs, these guys crank it up to eleven and put their heart, soul, and an original spin on an array of classic hits. The group is comprised of Heath Allyn, Donnie Angonia, Craig Knight, Brian Lippman, and Donnie Wilson. As a group, the gel well together with great harmonies that add layers to songs that we all know and love. The Rock-A-Fellas onstage awareness is what has made them such a great cover band. Being able to read their audience and then captivate it, has given them great success in the BCS area, at Lakeside Icehouse, private parties, and weddings alike. For more information on concet times and ticket prices, visit lakebryan.com.

maroonweekly.com • Sept. 23, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 9



Wreath It Up By Adrianna Zampieri

Are you tired of having a bare and boring front door? Then it’s time to spice it up with a D.I.Y. Aggie wreath! Not only will it turn a drab door into an attractive display, it’s also a cute, decorative way to display Aggie pride. Once your neighbors catch a glimpse of it, they’ll be asking where they can get one too. This D.I.Y. wreath is a quick and easy project you can complete in an afternoon. The materials for this project can be purchased at local craft stores such as Hobby Lobby and Michaels; coupons are always available, so you can save some bucks and buy your supplies at a bargain. What You Need: • A grapevine wreath • Wood letters to spell “Howdy,” “Gig ‘Em,” or a slogan of your choosing • White paint and a paintbrush • Fake maroon and white flowers • Maroon ribbon • Glue gun How to Do It: 1. Paint the letters white first. While they are drying, move on to the next step. 2. Lay out the white and maroon flowers on your wreath to plan where you would like to glue them down. Make sure to leave room for the letters. 3. When the letters are dry, place them on the wreath. 4. With your glue gun, glue down the flowers and letters. 5. Cut a piece a ribbon about three feet in length. Slide it through a few branches on the wreath at the top and tie into a bow, leaving extra length to hang it on the hook on your door. You can easily alter these instructions to customize the wreath to your personal style, cover the wreath with your favorite kind of flower, or wrap it with colorful ribbons. Your options are unlimited. Be creative!

maroonweekly.com • Oct. 7, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 11


EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: AMERICAN AQUARIUM By Annabeth Reeb

Known for their powerful lyrics and genuine rock and roll, American Aquarium has built up a large fan base over the past few years. They’ll be playing in College Station on Thursday, October 8 at Boulevard 217—bringing their “roots-rock grit” to the Brazos Valley.

drums. American Aquarium fits right into their steelheard scruffy rock-and-roll vibe with their fromthe-ground-up history. The band met in college at Raleigh before coming together to form American Aquarium. Their first few albums were good, but as many musicians know—it’s hard to catch any traction in the music world. They were struggling The band consists of six main members, including BJ to make a living off of their small group of fans and Barham with vocals and guitar, Ryan Johnson and were about to give up before the release of their Colin DiMeo also on guitar, Bill Corbin on bass, Whit album, burn.flicker.die. We had a chance to sit down Wright on pedal steel guitar, and Kevin McClain on with lead singer, BJ Barham, and asked him to tell

pg 12 • MAROON WEEKLY • Oct. 7, 2015 • maroonweekly.com

us a little about what that initial success was like for the group. “We were at the end of the rope” said Barham. “We’d been doing it for so long and we weren’t making money or getting ahead. We were putting ourselves further and further into debt and that’s a hard thing for anybody—when you have to face that ultimate question ‘maybe I’m not good enough. Maybe this isn’t what I’m supposed to be doing.’”


Part of what makes the band great is how relatable they are. BJ described a phenomenon that can happen to anyone. Their backstory puts reality and passion into their lyrics. “All of our songs are pretty autobiographical,” BJ explained. “They’re all about things we’ve experienced: heartbreak, drinking, and long nights on the road. They’re personal but everyone knows the emotions, they just have different variations of those emotions.” Burn.flicker.die ended up being the bands biggest hit, bringing them out of their rough patch. The album itself was inspired by that desperate time in their life, ironically becoming the very thing that brought them out of it. “The album is disparity 101,” BJ joked. “Desperation breeds creativity. We didn’t have to find out what it would be like to give up on our dreams.” Their new album, “Wolves,” has enough rock and southern comfort to keep both rock and country fans alike listening and singing along. The track “Wolves” definitely deserves the album title. The song features a killer beat in the intro along with gritty lyrics. Slower songs like “Southern Sadness,” and “Man I’m Supposed to Be” lean on the softer side of rock, making them the perfect songs to wind down your night. “I really like playing Southern Sadness,” BJ said, “It’s a song about my home town, which a lot of people can relate to. You come from a small town and spend your entire youth trying to get out and then end up missing it when you get older.” All in all, the band has a unique alternative country sound with lyrics any freespirited individual can relate to. The band is excited to get back to College Station. “A college town on a Thursday night . . . we’re looking forward to it,” BJ said, remembering their last show in Aggieland on Halloween last year. “The kids in College Station always know how to have a good time.”

maroonweekly.com • Oct. 7, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 13


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pg 14 • MAROON WEEKLY • Oct. 7, 2015 • maroonweekly.com

maroonweekly.com • Feb. 18, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 17


TEXAS GRAND SLAM POETRY FESTIVAL 2015

By Kaitlyn Trei

It’s that time of the year again, the 5th annual Texas Grand Slam Poetry festival is coming to town and it’s definitely something you do not want to miss. For the past five years, the Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival has been an event where, for one weekend out of the year, people gather for two days to hear all types of poetry from around the Lone Star State. Located in the BCS area, 42 poets will compete for the title of Texas Grand Slam Poetry Champion and $1200 as the grand prize. Day one of the competition is on October 9, and will serve as the preliminary round. In this round, all 42 poets will be separated into three groups and preform at different venues in the Bryan area. Fourteen will preform at the Revolution Café and Bar, fourteen at The Village Downtown, and fifteen at The Palace Theater. Before the preliminary round, poets will be randomly drawn for their order. The poets will then be called up one by one to read a single three-minute poem and once that round is over, the second round will consist of one-minute readings. The contestants will then be ranked and the seven with the least amount of points will be asked to step down from the competition. The semi-final round will commence the same night allowing the top eight poets of each group to compete for a spot in the finals the following day. The top five of each semi-final will move on to the final round on Saturday October 10. The final round of TGS will take place on October 10 in Rudder Theatre where, in just three rounds, a winner will be crowned this year’s champion of the Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival. We sat down with four of the poets that are slated to compete in this year’s event. We asked them a series of questions for each of them to put their own spin on. The poet’s interview results are on the next page. Doors open for the preliminary and semi-finals at 6:00pm on Friday and will have free admission. But for the finals on Saturday, doors open at 7:30pm with tickets sold at $7.00 per person. For more information about the Texas Grand Slam Poetry Festival, check out their website at texasgrandslam.com.

maroonweekly.com • Oct. 7, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 15


Featured TGS Poets: VERONICA BRADY

Why is poetry important? To me poetry is important because it is a form of expression. Spoken word specifically, gives voices to those that would otherwise feel silenced.

What inspires you? Other forms of art, especially music, life events, other people talking about their own struggles/situations. Who are some of your favorite poets? Neil Hilborn, Nick Flynn, Megan Boyle. What made you want to become a poet? I’ve been writing my whole life. I started spoken word about a year ago when my best friend forced me to compete in a slam - this was the first time id ever read anything of my own on a stage. After he passed I felt like competing, doing well, meeting new poets, and continuing this art was one of the only ways to do him justice. I sometimes feel like poems that have nothing to do with him are still written for him. Its also very therapeutic for me. Expressing myself like this keeps me sane. Where is your favorite place to write and why? My back porch. My backyard backs up to a lot of land where there are horses and my dad set up a surround system so I can listen to music. Its relaxing and its a good place to clear my head and put it all on the page. What are you reading right now? IQ84 by Haruki Murakami, and No One Belongs Here More Than You by Miranda July. What advice do you have for aspiring poets? Don’t give up dude. Keep telling people how you feel and always try to be honest in your writing. It really helps with being honest with yourself and others outside of writing.

BRENT C. GREEN

Why is poetry important? Because poetry, especially spoken word, is the human experience and emotion made visceral and raw. It is an art form that every layperson can be intimately a part of.

What inspires you? I’m a mix between a life poet and a love poet. I’m obsessed with finding the answers to the human condition and why we do what we do, and of course with falling in love and marriage. Finding that special someone is one goal that every human being shares across the globe. Love has been written to death in every language but I like to delude myself that I’m bringing something new to the table. Who are some of your favorite poets? The great Canadian spoken word poet, Shane Koyzcan, who showed me you can go on eight minute tirades about whatever you want and still be the greatest storyteller of a generation, along with Austin punk native, Kevin Burke, who taught me how to be a (semi) respectable adult punk. What made you want to become a poet? Simply put, the stage was the only place I could get people to hear what I had to say. These days it’s much too difficult to have people sit down and read your latest novel or essay explaining Pacifist-Anarchism. Also writing is how I think. So I will approach the page with a question or a problem, and by the end of the poem will have solved or at least come to terms with the issue. Being on stage is my way to share the answers I found with the world. Where is your favorite place to write and why? Alone in my room sitting at my computer chair, wrapped snug with my writing robe and listening to indie-emo songs. Every other writer seems to write in coffee shops surrounded by other people. I’m not like that. I have to be alone because that’s the only way I can get inside my own head. What are you reading right now? There are two books on my desktop right now, “Anarchy and Christianity” by Jacques Ellul explaining the not-so-radical reinterpretation of the gospel in an anarchistic frame, and how Jesus himself advocated Anarchist ideals, along with “The Abyss Beyond Dreams” by Peter F. Hamilton, my favorite British Science Fiction Space Opera novelist. The book is over one thousand pages of very descriptive world building and character-focused adventure. What advice do you have for aspiring poets? Find a poetry home and go there every week. You will be terrible for years but eventually you’ll pick up the craft through trial and error. YouTube is also your friend but be weary to avoid picking up what we call the “poet voice”. Find your own voice and express it. Also, don’t rhyme. For the love of God and everything that is holy do not try to rhyme in couplets.

pg 16 • MAROON WEEKLY •Oct. 7, 2015 • maroonweekly.com


ASHE VERNON

Why is poetry important? One of the things that I think is the most amazing thing about poetry is that it gives a voice to the voiceless. You go to a poetry slam and you hear all of these points of view that are getting silence by mass media. Here, minorities and oppressed communities have words that ring loud and clear and they all share a stage.

What makes a good poem? Honesty and immediacy. As an audience member, you can see the difference between in a poem that’s about something that vaguely interests a poet versus a poem that is about something that truly affects them. It takes a lot of courage to write and perform such personal things and to have that vulnerability, but it makes for such good poetry. What inspires you? Everything. I wrote a poem about a dog on the side of the highway, the other day. Who are some of your favorite poets? Richard Siken, Bill Moran, Caitlyn Siehl, Clementine Von Radics What made you want to become a poet? I’ve been writing my whole life, but when I got into college I had such a busy schedule, I didn’t really have time for long forms of writing. Poetry allowed me to continue writing and to feel accomplished without having to hash out a hundred page manuscript. Where is your favorite place to write and why? I usually write in my room. I’m a homebody and my room is a very cozy, safe space. What are you reading right now? Trista Mateer’s second book of poetry, “The Dogs I Have Kissed”--one of the best books of poetry I’ve ever read.

DANNY STRACK

Why is poetry important? I’d prefer to answer the question of why spoken word poetry is important, rather than poetry as a whole. Spoken word poetry / slam-style poetry is important because it’s a continuation of our most ancient tradition of storytelling. An impassioned speaker sharing their personal truth live is more powerful than any other force in the world.

What makes a good poem? In my opinion, a good poem is one that uses concise and interesting words to surprise me and teach me about something new. What inspires you? I’m inspired by things that happen in my life every day, including conversations I have and things I hear or read in the news. Who are some of your favorite poets? My favorite poets are Korim, Good Ghost Bill, Christopher Lee Daniels, Matthew Conley, Andrea Gibson, What made you want to become a poet? I didn’t really want to be a poet, but I kept writing poetry. This is still the case to this day. I just really like writing in all forms. I also like the community and the poetry slam family. Where is your favorite place to write and why? I prefer to write on my computer because it’s fast and easy to edit. What are you reading right now? Neal Stephens SevenEves, a sci-fi anthology, Robert Silverberg. What advice do you have for aspiring poets? Read a lot. Write a lot. Edit a lot. Perform at every opportunity. If opportunities don’t exist, create them.

What advice do you have for aspiring poets? Give yourself permission to write bad poetry. Spend less time picking your work apart and more time writing. You are learning every step of the way; not every poem will be a goldmine and that’s okay.

maroonweekly.com • Oct. 7, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 17


There’s An #AppForThat weekly essentials By Madison Matous

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pg 18 • MAROON WEEKLY • Oct. 7, 2015 • maroonweekly.com

SLEEP TIME Often times, dragging yourself from the comfort of your bed can be more daunting that the overall agenda for the day. With that being said, Sleep Time makes it a little easier by monitoring your sleep patterns and waking you up when you are lightest sleep phase—letting you start the day feeling well-rested. Features include choosing a wake up phase, which is the equivalent of setting multiple alarms over a long period of time, an auto snooze that progressively reduces the snooze time interval, and an alarm stop specifically designed with heavy sleepers in mind. Both a free and paid version are COST: FREE available, the paid version includes an array of alarms choices. LIFELINE... In this thrilling yet simple game—posing reminiscence to choose-your-own-adventure books—you’re tasked with helping a stranded astronaut, Taylor, through this strange world he’s stumbled upon. After miraculously surviving a crash on an alien moon, Taylor needs your help navigating his day. The story plays out in real time, so as you go through your day you get updates from Taylor about his discoveries and adventures on the moon. Even the simplest decisions can have dire consequences, so choose carefully. COST: $0.99


October is LGBT History Month, and Texas A&M has invited LGBT rights activist and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black to speak at the university on October 14. As a founding member of the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and a winner of an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for “Milk,” Black is an accomplished man, and it is clear that his role as a social activist has influenced his filmmaking. Leading up to his lecture, The Film Studies Program and College of Liberal Arts will be showing two of his feature films for free at the Rudder Theatre. “J. Edgar” will be gracing the big screen on October 7 from 7 – 9:20 p.m., and “Milk” will play on October 12 from 7 – 9:30 p.m.

The Films of Dustin Lance Black @ Rudder Theatre

By Adrianna Zampieri

Staring Academy Award nominee Leonardo DiCaprio, “J. Edgar” tells the story of J. Edgar Hoover, a powerful leader in the F.B.I. for nearly 50 years. The personal and professional life of this important historical figure is explored, and the secret homosexual desires he harbored that would have ruined his career are revealed. “Milk” follows the trials and tribulations of Harvey Milk, a man that fought for gay rights and became the first openly gay elected official in California. This inspirational film stars powerhouse Academy Award winner Sean Penn, and his acting doesn’t disappoint.

maroonweekly.com • Oct. 7, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 19


The Intern Comedy (PG-13)

By Linley McCord If you’re expecting a fun, airy movie about a sweet old man learning how to function in a millennial’s world, this is not the film for you. It’s marketed with a distinct date night or girl’s night out feel, but don’t be deceived—“The Intern” is more of a mid-life crisis movie featuring a grandfatherly mentor. Robert De Niro portrays seventy-year-old Ben Whittaker, widower and retiree. He takes a chance on an internship that inexplicably has a “senior internship program” in which you can only apply if you’re over the age of 65. He is assigned to aid overly ambitious Jules Ostin (Anne Hathaway) as she runs her startup online shopping company. The conflicts of the movie seem compelling in the moment but not fleshed out well posing more questions than answers. Both Jules’ work and family life are on the rocks—nothing earth-shattering there. The front end of the movie—probably the first 45 minutes—are pretty good. De Niro plays the oldfashioned father figure well. He’s instantly a hit around the office and the younger guys on the team gravitate to him, which creates some heart-warming scenes. His interactions with Jules seem pretty believable and admirable as he quickly becomes her right-hand man. But about halfway through, the mood changes pretty swiftly, from mild comedy to, frankly, a little boring. It becomes a bemoaning of the male-run business world and how women are severely disadvantaged. While a good and relevant message, it felt like it was being shoved down your throat. Hathaway becomes whiney and depressing as she faces opposition, and she constantly leans on her elderly intern for support. In the end, nothing is really resolved, like the writers ran out of ideas and just wrote something on the fly—leaving much to be desired. The script was decent, the character development was a little lacking, and the plot was average. The film as a whole could have been about 30 minutes shorter. Rated PG13 for suggestive material and language.

pg 20 • MAROON WEEKLY • Oct. 7, 2015 • maroonweekly.com

The Monster Squad Netflix By Adrianna Zampieri

With October finally here, and while most people are getting hyped up for fake pumpkin-flavored everything, we’re gearing up for scary movie specials to take over the airwaves and streaming feeds. ‘Tis the season for monsters, candy, and haunted houses—so start off your countdown to Halloween with a cult classic, “The Monster Squad.” In this 1987 film, Count Dracula reunites a group of loyal followers to aid him in his never-ending (slightly cliché) quest to rule the world. He searches for an amulet, which once destroyed, will shift the balance between good and evil in evil’s favor. Of course no one wants that to happen, so it’s up to an outcast group of 12-year-old boys to thwart Dracula’s diabolical plot and save their town. They call themselves the Monster Squad. Throughout the movie, the A-list of movie monsters make random appearances, including the Wolfman, Frankenstein’s monster, a mummy, and the Creature from the Black Lagoon. And the best part about them? They’re not computer-generated images. “The Monster Squad” uses traditional prosthetics and makeup to portray their monsters, creating an atmosphere of authenticity modern monster flicks just can’t mimic.


maroonweekly.com • Jan. 21, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 21


Sorry, wrong letter Across 1 “Gone With the Wind” star 6 Festival 10 Exclamation from Emeril 13 Group featuring Mr. T 14 Soothing plant 15 “Victory is mine!” 17 Guy in the crow’s nest (originally with an I)? 19 “Looking for a New Love” singer Watley 20 Unanticipated problems 21 Folds under pressure 23 A number of years 26 Canon model named for a goddess 27 “Hand that Netflix list over here, will ya?” (originally with a Y)? 28 Tune from “The Sound of Music” 30 Burr-Hamilton battle 31 On 32 Feng ___ 34 Savanna antelope 39 Had shoppers wait too long to get oolong?(originally with a B)? 42 Word before drum or guitar 43 Loving 44 Utah vacation spot 45 Cornbread cake 47 Friendly words from Francois 49 “Way to ace that IQ test!” (originally with a G)? 53 Skedaddle 54 “Down for the count” number 55 Courtroom loser’s recourse 56 Union issue 58 Way for Mario to exit 59 Going down the street with your podmates (originally with a J)? 64 Hired a litigator 65 Actress Hathaway 66 Ease 67 Butterworth or Doubtfire 68 Demand 69 1936 Olympics great

Down 1 Fill-up fluid 2 Took in a T-bone 3 Arthur who played Maude 4 Bad guys break them 5 Rapper on the 2014 album “Shady XV” 6 Vampire’s weapons 7 They can be pale 8 Apple letters 9 “Baywatch” event 10 Old movie theater name 11 Heard the alarm clock 12 Data-sending device 16 Wall St. institution 18 One who practices wu-wei 22 “The Queen” star Mirren 23 First U.S. vice president 24 Bothered 25 Become eaten away 27 Cozy cover 29 Blunted fencing weapon 30 Dog the Bounty Hunter’s first nam 33 Company with its HQ in Pittsburgh 35 Rely (on) 36 G-sharp’s equivalent 37 “Pick someone else!” 38 Bathtub part 40 First letter, to Aristotle 41 “Zip Drive” maker that merged with Lenovo 46 Crankcase component 48 Verdi opera based on a Shakespeare play 49 Blathers 50 Drug in a den 51 ___ Peninsula (part of Michigan) 52 Mary Louise Parker show 53 Chattered away 56 Wax counterpart 57 Throw off, as results 60 Compass pt. 61 Suffix with Manhattan 62 Palindromic woman 63 Driving device 2015 Jonesin’ Crosswords (editor@jonesincrosswords.com)

pg 22 • MAROON WEEKLY • OCt. 7, 2015 • maroonweekly.com

Answers

pg 16 • MAROON WEEKLY • Jan. 28, 2015 • maroonweekly.com


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maroonweekly.com • Oct. 7, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 23



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