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Tragedy strikes Mavericks as playoffs loom
Former Maverick football player Fred Statz remembered as key contributor, team leader
TUESDAY
H 52 • L 36
WEDNESDAY
H 63 • L 46
ECHO upgrades in time for the holidays Local food shelf renovates facilities, format as holidays approach
Minnesota State Athletic Communications Statz was a valued member of the Minnesota State University, Mankato football team from 2005-2009, and took part in two NCAA playoff runs. MEGAN KADLEC
editor in chief
Fred Statz, who played football for the Minnesota State University, Mankato football team from 2005-2009, was killed in a car accident Nov. 12. During his time with the Mavericks, Statz was a member of two NCAA playoff teams, recording 40 tackles, including five for a loss in 18 career games. He was given the Commitment, Accountability, Responsibility and Effort (CARE) Award, as voted on by his MSU teammates, coaches and football program staff. According to his obituary in the Mankato Free Press, “this award shows that the player epitomized the values and ethics of the University Athletics pro-
gram in addition to the Athletic Scholastic Award.” At the time of his death, Statz was the assistant varsity football coach at Waseca High School. He was also the B-squad football coach for the high school and sold insurance. Additionally, Statz played on an adult 9-man contact football league, the Southern Plains Football League. He played for the South Central Hawgs as a defensive lineman and linebacker, a starter and team leader. The team won the national championship this year. “Fred was known for his leadership and enthusiasm, especially for football,” said Sam Stoffels, Statz’s cousin and first year student at MSU. According to a report issued by the Minnesota State Patrol, Statz was traveling southbound
in a 1998 Grand Marquis on County Road 27. It was reported that Anthony Smith, 46, of Braman, Okla., was traveling westbound in a semi-truck on County Road 14 when the two vehicles collided. Around 8 p.m. Nov. 12. Statz died at the scene. According to the state patrol, Smith did not sustain any injuries. Statz’s death signals a possible problem with the County Road 27 and Highway 14 intersection. Two weeks before Statz’s death, traffic lights, which were installed to compensate for road construction on Highway 14, were taken down. The Minnesota Department of Transportation removed the stoplight on Oct. 23, replacing it
Fred Statz/ page 3
web photo New policies and an expanded site are allowing Mankato’s ECHO food shelf to meet an ever-growing need. SAM WILMES
staff writer
The Emergency Community Health Organization, a food shelf that provides emergency food assistance to North Mankato and Blue Earth County as a whole, will be expanding their facility in Mankato. The expansion will allow ECHO food shelf to better serve their ever-expanding client base. In the first 6 months of this year alone they distributed nearly one million pounds worth of a food, nearly all of the amount they distributed in 2011.
MAVERICK FOOTBALL PLAYOFF PREVIEW See Page 5
They have also served more than 11,000 children in the first six months of this year. ECHO food shelf board member Richard Chambers believes expanding the facility was necessary. “We had an opportunity to expand, because of our refrigerator and freezer system we were receiving. We needed the extra space,” Chambers said. Crown Tonka provided the refrigerator and freezer system. According to Chambers,
Food Shelf/ page 3
SPORTS
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INDEX: A&E
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CLASSIFIEDS
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Page 2 • Reporter
News
Tuesday, November 20, 2012T
Rise of free classes prompting changes in higher education PENNSYLVANIA (AP) In 15 years of teaching, University of Pennsylvania classicist Peter Struck has guided perhaps a few hundred students annually in his classes on Greek and Roman mythology through the works of Homer, Sophocles, Aeschylus and others — “the oldest strands of our cultural DNA.” But if you gathered all of those tuition-paying, in-person students together, the group would pale in size compared with the 54,000 from around the world who, this fall alone, are taking his class online for free — a “Massive Open Online Course,” or MOOC, offered through a company called Coursera. Reaching that broader audience of eager learners — seeing students in Brazil and Thailand wrestle online with texts dating back millennia — is thrilling. But he’s not prepared to say they’re getting the same educational experience. A year ago, hardly anybody knew the term MOOC. But the Internet-based courses offered by elite universities through Coursera, by a consortium led
by Harvard and MIT called edX, and by others, are proving wildly popular, with some classes attracting hundreds of thousands of students. In a field known for glacial change, MOOCs have landed like a meteorite in higher education, and universities are racing for a piece of the action. The question now is what the MOOCs will ultimately achieve. Will they simply expand access to good instruction (no small thing)? Or will they truly transform higher education, at last shaking up an enterprise that’s seemed incapable of improving productivity, thus dooming itself to ever-rising prices? Much of the answer depends on the concept at the center of a string of recent MOOC announcements: course credit. Credit’s the coin of the realm in higher education, the difference between knowing something and the world recognizing that you do. Without it, students will get a little bit smarter. With it, they’ll get smarter — and enjoy faster and cheaper routes to degrees and the careers that follow. Students are telling the
MOOC developers they want credit opportunities, and with a push from funders like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the MOOCs are trying to figure out how to get it to them. Last Tuesday, Coursera, which offers classes from 34 universities, announced the American Council on Education would begin evaluating a handful of Coursera courses and could recommend other universities accept them for credit (individual colleges ultimately decide what credits to accept). Antioch University, Excelsior College and the University of Texas system are already planning to award credit for some MOOCs. Two days later, Duke, Northwestern, Vanderbilt and seven other prominent universities announced a consortium called Semester Online offering students at those institutions — and eventually others, though details aren’t yet clear — access to new online courses for credit. These won’t be giant classes, but the announcement is important because top colleges, generally stingy about accepting outside credit, are signaling they
agree the technology can now replicate at least substantially some of the high-priced learning experience that takes place on campus.. Online classes have been around for going-on two decades, so what’s the big-deal about MOOCs? Scale. So far, online courses have offered convenience, but they generally haven’t scaled up any more easily than traditional ones; somebody still has to grade the papers, and answer students’ questions. One study found 93 percent of institutions charge the same or more for online courses as for in-person ones. No solving the college cost crisis there. Broad, of ACE, said MOOCs are promising, but her group will send faculty out to “kick the tires” and research whether online courses enrolling 150,000 can really be creditworthy. They’ll talk to both students who complete and those who drop out (at edX, 80 to 95 percent who sign up don’t finish the work). A likely outcome is more blended models like the Massachusetts experiment, where
MOOCs provide the backbone and resources local institutions can’t offer, but local institutions still handle the one-onone and award the credit. Such models could be “the best of both worlds,” said Coursera co-founder Daphne Koller. Versions are already in places as varied as San Jose State and the National University of Mongolia. Struck, the Penn classicist, agrees courses like his will likely work best partnering with local institutions much closer to the students, at least when it comes to credit. Intro-level science classes are one thing, but it’s just not feasible at a scale of 54,000 for a class like his. Higher education involves both transmitting information and “experiential learning that changes a person,” he said. For the latter, at least in his subject, the technology’s not yet there. “These characters of Greek and Roman myth are just full of gray, wonderfully instructive, fundamental grays that make us re-examine our own humanity,” he said. “I don’t know how much of that I can do with the MOOC.”
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
News
Reporter • Page 3
FOOD SHELF “The economy, jobs haven’t FRED STATZ continued from 1 picked up as fast. The poverty rate in Blue with a four-way stop. On Nov. 9, review of the accident. Statz was born, along with intersection became a twoEarth County has doubled in the past 10 years,” the his twin sister, Emily (Cash), way stop. When the signs were June 5, 1987, in Madison, Wisc. removed, “cross traffic does not Chambers said. He is survived by his parents, stop” signs were not installed in continued from 1 discussions regarding the systems began in May and June. The facility will be expanded to 8,700 square feet, up from the building’s current 7,700 square feet. According to the food shelf’s website, the food shelf has also served the same amount of patrons in the first six months of 2012 as it did in 2011 - 46, 579. Chambers believes the economy is partially to blame. “The economy, jobs haven’t picked up as fast. The poverty rate has in Blue Earth County has doubled in the past 10 years,” Chambers said. Located at 1014 Front Street, the food shelf is a valuable service to those in need, providing soup, cereal, vegetables, meat, milk, beans and eggs. The food shelf allows users 12
AA CAMPUS MEETING Weggy's (University Square) Wednesday Nights at 7:30 p.m.
visits per year. They will also be providing over 1,000 Thanksgiving meals to those in need. In May, 2010 ECHO became a client choice food shelf. Client choice food shelves allow clients to select food like they would a grocery store - choices are not limited like they are for a traditional food shelf. Providing clients choice food shelves is considered a better way of operating a food shelf, in part because it provides patrons a sense of dignity. Other benefits of choice food shelves include higher satisfaction with the food clients choose, less waste,
and ultimately less cost, and a greater opportunity for volunteers and clients to interact, and a more supportive environment. The food shelf also has support from local institutions. Churches in the North Mankato and Blue Earth Area have collection boxes that allow patrons to donate to the food shelf. Churches where donations will be accepted include St.Peter and Paul’s Catholic Church, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, and Bethlehem Lutheran Church, all located in Mankato.
their place. MnDOT Public Information Officer Rebecca Arndt said MnDOT will be adding additional signage below the stop signs “to make it clear to County Road 27 traffic (that drivers on Old Hwy 14 do not have to stop),” Arndt said. Arndt also said that MnDOT met with the State Patrol met with the state patrol Tuesday in order to discuss any changes that need to be made to the intersection and a more in depth
Bill and Kathy Statz and two older sisters, Katrina McKee and Vicki Smith. He is also survived by his Maternal Grandparents, three Brothers-in-law; T.J. McKee, Ben Cash and Brad Smith, Nieces and Nephews; Lilli McKee, Keri McKee, Tim McKee, Isabelle Cash and a 2nd nephew due in December, and his extended family. Statz’s funeral and burial took place Sunday at St. Martins Catholic Church in Martinsville, Wisc.
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Page 4 • Reporter
News
France recognizes new coalition in Syria, while rebels siege military base
Newly formed coalition recognized as Syria’s sole governing body by France. EU considering support CHELSEA MILLER
staff writer
France welcomed the leader of the Syrian National Coalition, formed a little over a week ago, naming him as their Syrian ambassador. Officially, France is the first western country to recognize this Syrian opposition group as the sole governing body. Since the SNC’s formation, varied responses from different opposition groups have surfaced. The Syrian National Coalition, not to be confused with the Syrian National Council, has a goal to unite the groups who are fighting to dismantle President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The Syrian national council had a similar goal of unity, but was criticized for not having the support of enough groups within Syria, prompting some to question the difference between the groups. Not all share the opinion of France. According to the Washington Post, the elected leader of the new coalition, Mouaz AlKhatib was emphatic in his defense of the new coalition. “I say frankly that we have no hidden agenda. There are no hidden accords, no hidden decisions were made,” he said. In an even more recent article Monday, the Washington
Post reports that the European Union has indeed claimed the new coalition to be the “a legitimate voice,” although, they cannot offer, “official diplomatic recognition.” The opposition groups in Syria appear divided in their support of the new coalition. A group of Islamic extremists posted a video Sunday declaring Aleppo an Islamic state and therefore emphasizing that they did not want to be affiliated with the western-backed coalition. At the end of the video a man holding the Koran says, “Make the Koran your constitution and you will prosper!” It is important to understand that not all rebels feel this way. It is very hard to decipher the opinions of the opposition, seeing that they themselves have become divided. The Free Syrian Army said it rejects the video made by the extremists, and that there are many groups within Syria who accept the plans of the new coalition. The new coalition, formally the National Coalition of Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces, said Monday they would be stationed in Cairo, Egypt. Meanwhile, rebels sieged military base 46 Sunday in Aleppo, which has been under attack for weeks, ac-
cording to an article from the Hindu Business line. During the capture, rebels were able to claim military weapons. The article quoted the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which said, “The rebel fighters also captured at least 25 regime soldiers during clashes with the military at the base.” The rebel groups used handmade missiles and two tanks to take down the base. The death toll is increasing rapidly, and it is difficult to name any one number as completely accurate. Another news source, The Turkish Weekly, also cited the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights when reporting the toll. “At least 50 people were killed across Syria today, according to an updated toll compiled by the Observatory. Among them were 26 civilians, 12 soldiers and 12 rebel fighters.” International involvement in Syrian affairs is not something new. After the First World War, France occupied Syria from 1920 to 1946 under the French mandate of Syria. What we are witnessing could be the perpetuation of the struggle for human rights, or the beginning of a new Syria.
NEW TUESDAY SPECIAL 10 P.M. - 11 P.M. "The BEST SPECIAL IN MANK ATO"
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
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THIS WEEK IN MAVERICK SPORTS:
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Sports
reporter-sports@mnsu.edu | (507) 389-5227
Playoff Football Gameday Northwest Missouri State (10-2) at Minnesota State (11-0)
12 p.m., Saturday • Blakeslee Stadium Joey Denton • sports writer
TODAY
NOVEMBER 20TH WEDNESDAY
NOVEMBER 21ST THURSDAY
NOVEMBER 22ND
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
FRIDAY
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
SATURDAY
NOVEMBER 24TH
12:00 pm FOOTBALL.......... vs. NW Missouri State 6:00 pm MEN’S BASKETBALL.....vs. Mount Marty 7:07 pm MEN’S HOCKEY............... @ Wisconsin
NO EVENTS SCHEDULUED
SUNDAY
NO EVENTS SCHEDULED
NOVEMBER 23RD
NOVEMBER 25TH
7:07 pm MEN’S HOCKEY............... @ Wisconsin 7:07 pm WOMEN’S HOCKEY.... vs. Bemidji State
FOR MORE COVERAGE OF your favorite Maverick TEAMS VISIT: MSUMavericks.com
Mavericks fall in quarterfinals of NCAA tournament in shootout fashion After one of the best seasons in MSU women’s soccer history, the Mavericks fell to Grand Valley State Sunday in an overtime shootout, ending their season with a 17-1-5 record.
RECAP: As the Minnesota State University, Mankato Football team didn’t see any action this past weekend because of the team earning a first round bye in the NCAA Division II Football playoffs, the Mavericks ended their regular season in a blowout fashion. In their 70-7 victory over the Upper Iowa Peacocks, the Mavericks put up 604 yards of total offense, with 492 of those yards on the ground. Out of the six Mavericks who rushed more than 50 yards, redshirt freshman quarterback Mitch Brozovich led the way with 91 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Junior quarterback Jon Wolf followed closely with 87 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, to go along with his 99 yards and a touchdown in the air. Along with tying the school record in points scored in a game with 70, the Mavericks defense also had a dominating performance. The Peacocks came in to the matchup with the best passing game in the NSIC, averaging just below 300 yards per game, and the Mavericks took that away from them, halting the Peacocks to just 155 yards in the air. Without their passing game, they couldn’t move the ball. HISTORY: Even though the Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State aren’t in the NSIC, the two teams have some history competing against each other. In the 16 games the two schools have seen each other, the series stands at 8-8 with both teams looking to take the lead. After MSU took eight of the series’ first nine games, NWMSU has taken the last seven meetings, including the last game with NWMSU coming on top 31-14 in 2006. MSU NOTES: As the regular season is all said and done, the Mavericks of MSU have established themselves as one of the best football teams at controlling the ball on the ground in Division II football. While averaging 230 rushing yards a game, 18th in the nation, the team only gave up 74 rushing yards a game, second in the country. But don’t let those stats bury the passing threat the Mavericks possess with Wolf and his primary receiving weapons in senior receiver Adam Thielen, who collected a team leading 937 receiving yards and redshirt freshman receiver Kyle Riggott. With the NSIC All-Conference lists out, the Mavericks provided seven players for the First team without including the NSIC Coach of the year, the Mavericks acting head coach Aaron Keen. NWMSU NOTES: The MIAA regular season champion Bearcats of Northwest Missouri State had to work a little harder to get to this point in their season as they came off a 35-0 shutout against Harding in the first round of the Super Region 3 bracket. Even without their two leading rushers, the team had thrived to 179 rushing yards, led by running back Billy Creason with 117 yards. Offensively this season this team has been putting a lot of points on the board- 42.5 a game to be exact. In the air, the Bearcats are led by junior quarterback Trevor Adams with 2,346 yards and 20 touchdowns this season. Even though Harding has a run-heavy offense, to have a defense give up -4 passing yards, which the Bearcats did, is something to not take lightly. Their defense, giving up just 170 passing yards a game, has pieced together one of the best defenses in the MIAA conference. PREDICTION: With the Bearcats taking the last seven games from the Mavericks and coming over a confident 35 point shutout, there is a lot of momentum in their favor coming to Blakeslee Stadium. But as the Mavericks were given another week to prepare and rest, it’s going to be difficult for any offense to get through this Mavericks defense, especially if the team is well rested. With the defense playing like they have all season, the Mavericks will get their first playoff victory at Blakeslee Stadium on Saturday.
Minnesota Duluth 1 MSU 1 (W) Minot State MSU
2 (W) 2
RYAN LUND
news editor
Just two opponents managed to crack the Minnesota State, women’s soccer team’s vaunted defense this season before the Mavericks’ ousting Sunday at the hands of Grand Valley State. The Mavericks downed the Jennies 5-4, after a pair of scoreless overtime sessions produced another shootout. The Jennies went on the attack early, as sophomore netminder Molly McGough’s spectacular save kept Central Missouri’s Aaryn Burke off the board just 10 minutes in. The scoring, however, would not get under way until the second half, when sophomore Emily Moris scored on an assist from ever-present senior Brianne West, tying the veteran for the school record. Central Missouri’s Alexis Robbers leveled the score a few minutes later, converting on a header from teammate Kayla Shain. A pair of scoreless overtime sessions forced a shootout, bringing an already tight contest to an even tighter conclusion. McGough’s save in the fourth round opened the door for senior Ashley Sykora, who blasted the game’s final shot past UCM past the outstretched fingertips of senior netminder Morgan Hartzler to send the Mavericks to the elite eight. The victory celebration however would end just as it began: in a shootout, as the Mavericks fell 4-3 to Grand Valley State University Sunday in Allendale, Mich. Grand Valley State got it’s footing early in the 11th minute, when senior AllAmerican Ashley Botts beat McGough cleanly, as the
photo courtesy of Sport Pix Junior midfielder Caitlin Graboski scored one of MSU’s two regulations goals sunday against Grand Valley State. Graboski also scored during the shootout but MSU could not obtain the victory, falling to GVSU 5-4 in shootout play.
Lakers outshot MSU 10-3 in the first half. The Mavericks offensive attack came to life early in the second half, but the Lakers would capitalize again in the 70th minute, when Casey McMillan who beat McGough once again after an errant turnover led to a breakaway. Caitlin Graboski stemmed the tide in the 83rd minute, converting on a free kick to cut the Lakers’ lead to one, before Moris and fellow sophomore Breanna Steele finally broke through for the Mavericks just two minutes later. Moris’ pass caught Steele in front of the net, who snuck a shot under the crossbar to tie the game with less than 10
minutes remaining. The teams remained deadlocked through overtime, forcing yet another shootout for the Mavericks. Mavericks goaltender McGough and Lakers goaltender Chelsea Parise impressed early, trading saves as MSU senior Ashley Sykora and GVSU’s Kelly Capoccia scored in round six. Ultimately however, the Mavericks would come just short. Senior Nicole Dooher’s missed attempt in round seven opened the door, as the Lakers’ Taylor Callen converted on GVSU’s next try to send the as Midwest Conference’s top seed advanced to the Final Four.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
A&E
APP OF THE WEEK:
NEW RELEASES
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IN THEATRES: Red Dawn...........................November 21 Hitchcock........................... November 23 Killing Them Softly.............. November 30
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IN MUSIC: Allicia Keys......................... November 27 Kyle Bobby Dunn................ November 27 Solange............................. November 27
TODAY’S TRIVIA
QUESTION: Was there turkey at the first Thanksgiving? Bring the correct answer to CSU 293 to claim today’s prize!
reporter-arts@mnsu.edu | (507) 389-5157
Good Thunder Reading Series Finishes Fall Season Writers Angela Mullen and Edwidge Danticat close out Good Thunder
EMILEE STRUSS
staff writer
M
innesota State University, Mankato’s Good Thunder Reading Series recently concluded its fall 2012 set by hosting two talented writers. These two writers, however, are talented in two totally different areas. Angela Mullen, who is a 2012-2013 Andreas Graduate Assistant, writes poetry. The other writer was born in Haiti, Edwidge Danticat, and writes fiction and creative nonfiction stories. The two writers shared their in-progress and finished work in the Centennial Student Union. Danticat lead a discussion on the craft of writing, and then joined Mullen that night to share their work. Also, Danticat met with the public last Friday to answer fellow writers questions. Danticat shared many stories about her childhood including her passion for writing, which began around age nine. Danticat has intertwined her textured background with her passion for writing. Aside from the discouraging comments she would receive, her heart was set on writing. Sharing an excerpt from her epilogue “Women Like Us”, Danticat read a comment from her father. After explain-
ing to her father that she would like to pursue writing, her father remarked, “If you want to write, you can do that on the weekend when your not doing brain surgery.” Although the audience responded with chuckles, her father’s remark never held her back. Danticat shared the deep feelings she felt during that time. She not only enjoyed writing but felt like she had to. Danticat explained the sky would fall, lest she share her many stories. It had become her duty. Danticat, being raised in Haiti, said a temporary good-bye to her parents when she was four. Her aunt took care of her under the dictatorial Duvalier regime until her family reunited in the U.S. eight years later. Danticat has developed stories from two different worlds: Haiti and America. She currently resides in Miami, Florida. Even though Danticat is living her desired dream of sharing stories, she still gets nervous in front of crowds. When stepping up to the podium to share her work, she stated that an audience of friends and family is most intimidating. Danticat is the author of several novels and collections of stories including Breath, Eyes, Memory and The Dew Breaker.
From her creative non-fiction library, she has published Brother, I’m Drying and Create Dangerously: The Immigrant Artists at Work. Danticat shared a piece from Brother, I’m Dying, which is an account of the deaths of her father and uncle. This collection was nominated for a National Book Award. She explained that collection embodied a “circle of life” year. Danticat began with the birth of her daughter. The story progresses to include the losses she experienced that year. She used the birth of her daughter to symbolize the daily separation between child and parent after birth. Highlighting the subtle drift from day to day as a child grows up. Throughout her writing career, she has received many awards including the 2011 Harold Washington Literary Award in Chicago and a MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Grant in 2009. When Danticat opened the night up for questions, the first one she received was about poetry. She politely smiled and replied that she writes little poetry. On the contrast, her fellow writer, Mullen, dives deep into the waters of poetry. Mullen, who was born and raised in Iowa, is pursuing her Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at MSU. Her
poems have been shared recently through Northwind Magazine, Welter and The Fiddleback. The crowd chuckled from Mullen’s witty writing. She shared several of her favorite poems, including one named “Mars.” She started by informing the audience that she loves lists and is fascinated by space. Therefore, she wrote a poem about it called Mars. With each new line she presented, she would read the number first. The poem took on personification that presented the planet of Mars with a whimsical twist. As Mullen moved from poem to poem, she naturally adjusted her facial expression to match the emotion of her stories. She moved effortlessly from sullen poems reading lines including bones, flesh and blood to poems about the obvious attraction between two people. Mullen generated a uniform laughter throughout the room when she introduced a poem with a dedication. She began by explaining that the next poem would be dedicated to another writer, Anthony, who sat in the audience. Then, she continued with the title of the poem, “The First Time.” Mullen smiled, and continued to explain the poem is not what the audience thinks. She ended with an attention
william cahyadi • msu reporter
grabber called “Magnets.” The poem moved with the scientific attraction between two people. An exceptionally mind provoking line read, “My arm hairs reaching towards yours.” The night ended with a book signing from Danticat and open conversation from both of the writers. Danticat is now working on a story collection titled Claire of the Sea-Light, which will be published by Knopf 2012. The Good Thunder Reading Series will now begin their next session of writing. Along with the first frost and snowfall, they will introduce many new writers and new writings.
Oscar Winning Actor Daniel Day-Lewis Dazzles IN ‘LINCOLN’ JAMES SCHUYLER HOUTSMA
web editor
How does one go about telling the story of the most iconic and arguably all around greatest president in United State history? Can they choose to tell any story or are they fitted to the popular legend that’s provided? Uberdirector Steven Spielberg finds that answer to that conundrum and keeps Lincoln from being the average 3 hour retelling of Abraham Lincoln’s entire life story. Instead, Lincoln focuses on the last few months of the 16th POTUS’ life and the political dogfight that took place in the House of Representatives in order to pass the 13th amendment and abolish slavery. Now, does that make the broad title Lincoln a little misleading? Yeah, to a small degree, but that doesn’t matter a whole lot because while Lincoln is still a long affair, focusing on one specific point in US history allows for a great deal more depth,
focus, and investment. That’s just one of several things that make Lincoln a unique and fascinating look at history, as well as a memorable movie. If you don’t know much about the history of the 13th amendment other than its purpose, trust me, your comprehension of what went down to get it passed will be substantially improved after seeing this movie. One of the best things the filmmakers have done in telling this story is not to make it a portrayal of unwavering good versus absolute evil. Sure, there is one side you’re definitely supposed to root for (decidedly not the ones shouting “congress shall never make equal those who god have created unequal”), but the sausage-making of politics shows that not the most upstanding methods were put into passing such honorable legislation, and characters had to betray their moral principles for the sake of advancement. Such is the nature of compromise. By now it’s either been heard
or assumed by most that the acting in Lincoln is phenomenal. Your ears and/or expectations do not betray you. The main cast is consistently terrific and, come January, is guaranteed to have Oscar praise showered down upon them. Daniel Day-Lewis doesn’t so much play Abraham Lincoln in the movie as Abraham Lincoln himself is in the film. Everything from how he carries himself to his subdued voice is a sign of a master actor at play. Sally Field similarly tugs at the heart-strings as Lincoln’s tormented wife, Mary-Todd. And Tommy Lee Jones proves playing the illtempered Thaddeus Stevens that when he cares about a role he will make it his own. The supporting cast is padded with a great variety of thespians, including Jarred Harris as Ulysses S. Grant, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Robert Lincoln, and James Spader as William N. Bilbo (not Baggins), who make the most of their supporting roles. To be frank, Lincoln is a very
talky movie. The only real civil war battle scene is the first 30 seconds of the movie. The rest by and large hinges upon the dialogue. Some will no doubt find this concept tiresome. And without the phenomenal talent they’ve gathered to read the dialogue, this writer may have been of a similar mind. As is, the performers make scenes like any of the debates on the house floor over the amendment and Lincoln’s arguments with his wife about the death of their son utterly encaptivating. Only occasionally will things sag. The tendency for Honest Abe (Simpson?) to break into long winded, seemingly unrelated stories sometimes tries one’s patience, especially once you’ve reached his third story within an hour of this 2 hour 23 minute film. Another waste of time is an epilogue in the final fifteen minutes that feels completely unnecessary, given that most of us are aware of how it turned out for Lincoln. Despite some of the faults,
Spielberg can foremost take credit for portraying the story justly with a great blend of dignity, comedy, and sentimentality. The material the movie has doesn’t call for a hefty slathering of the sentiment that overtook Spielberg’s last movie, War Horse, nor does it call for complete emotional absence. Together with his performers, his trusty cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, and the ever-present John Williams, Spielberg is able to portray the story with just the right balance needed to make it the most effective it can be. As far as Spielberg movies go, Lincoln, while just a bit overlong, is a solid to very good dramatic entry in his impressive filmography. As far as Oscar bait goes, Lincoln is a sure fire bet for acting consideration, as well as almost assured nods for Spielberg and Best Picture. And concerning movies you should run out to see this year, Lincoln, like its main character, stands tall.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Classifieds
Reporter • Page 7
Stop in and check us out!
www.themsureporter.com FOR RENT
HELP WANTED
FIND A PLACE TO RENT OR post rental listings at radrenter. com. 4/25 5 OR 4 OR 3 OR 2 OR 1 bedroom houses/apartments available right now. Some for the next year. Many to choose from. Check out our website www. ottoH.com owner/agent or call 507-625-1010. 12/6 POST ROOMMATE LISTINGS, OR just connect with the people who live around you at radrenter.com/social. 4/25 1633 LOFTS: LEASING AUGUST 2013, brand new luxury units across the street from campus www.lofts1633. com. 12/06 COLLEGE TOWN: BRAND NEW cottages, each room has its own private bathroom. www. collegetownmankato.com. 12/06 RENT MSU HOUSES: OVER 60 houses to choose from. 1-10 bedroom options. www.rentmsu. com. 12/06 COLLEGE STATION: affordable clean, 1-5 bedroom options. www.collegestationmankato. com. 12/06 LOOKING FOR A HOUSE TO LIVE IN ? Look no further than wiserents.com conveniant locations, and affordable prices call Jeremy 507-3515192 or text 952-994-5966. 12/6 C edar M eadow Apartments Leasing 3 bedroom apartments for August 2013. www. cedarmeadowapartments.com call 507-327-2831 for info. 12/6
S T U D E N T PAY O U T S . C O M PAID survey takers needed in Mankato 100% free to join! Click on survey. 12/6 BARTENDERS WANTED! $250/ day potential. No experience necessary. Training available. Age 18+ OK. (800)965-6520 Ext 170. 5/2 NOW HIRING. FLEXIBLE schedule, part-time job for students, great experience. Daily School Bus route approx. hours from 6:40-8:15 am and 2:103:50 pm. Also hiring an Athletic/ Activity Trip Drive, approx. hours 2:30-9:00 pm. Trip driver hours are flexible. Training for CDL provided. Great pay and performance bonuses! 56548 Doc Jones Road. 345-5470. 12/6
MISCELLEANOUS TREASURE HUNT. WE’VE hidden a tin in the Mankato area. Find the tin to win the treasure. Think you can be the first to find it. Learn more at FindTheTin.com. 11/20
NOTICES FREE SHOTOKAN KARATE classes offered Monday 6-8 pm. Tuesday 7-9 pm. Thursday 6-8 pm. Room PH 102. Beginners are welcome. Need not to be a MSU student to join. For info call Brad @ 507-388-5301 or lostgonzo@gmail.com or search MSU Shotokan on facebook or yahoo groups. 5/2
• 54 Large Washers & Dryers • Free Wi-Fi • Dry Cleaning • Big Screen TVs
WASH Wednesdays
OFF
All Large Washes
Located across from Walmart • 1870 Madison Avenue, Mankato • www.mankatolaundromat.com
RENT RATES FOR 2013 SCHOOL YEAR:
$400 per room (apartments) $430 per room (townhomes) (Includes, FREE internet & cable)
744 James Avenue Mankato, MN 56001
507.387.3771
Email: huntington.hills@live.com
Matthew Zocher 1987-2011
Now accepting small dogs!
Beautiful Outdoor Pool
1 & 2 Bedrooms
1 Mile from Campus
FREE Parking on Campus
Spacious Apartments
Rent begins at $382.50/mo.* Laundry Facilities
Heat & Water included
* Based on double occupancy in 2 Bdr.
Passion There are some people who live in a dream world, and there are some who face reality; and then there are those who turn one into the other.
Keep "Livin' the Dream" Matthew you are forever loved! Eric, Flo, Jessica, Ashley, Ed & Mattelyn
Page 8 • Reporter
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Tuesday, November 20, 2012