THE
ORACLE
Henderson
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Arkansas State Universit y System President Dr. Charles L. Welch today an nounced t he selection of Dr. Charles Ambrose, a nationally k nown visionary and in novator in higher education, as t he next chancellor of Henderson State Universit y. Ambrose, who will begin Nov. 15, most recently served as president and CEO of KnowledgeWorks, a national foundation committed to creating t he f ut ure of learning. He previously served as president of t he Universit y of Central Missouri from 20102018 and president of Pfeiffer Universit y in Nort h Carolina from 1998-2010. “We are very excited to bring a nationally renowned educator and in novator to Henderson,” Welch said. “Dr. Ambrose is experienced in creating efficient and sustainable universities t hat are focused on st udent success. His former colleag ues also note how he k nows every st udent by name. He’s exactly t he k ind of experienced, visionary leader t hat we hoped to attract and t hat Henderson deserves at t his critical time in its history.” During his first year at Central Missouri, Ambrose provided
University
Issue 4
Tuesday November 2, 2021
Henderson State University
State
Vol. 119
Dr. Charles Ambrose appointed chancellor at Henderson State University energ y and leadership for t he universit y’s new Strategic Governance for St udent Success Model and led an extensive governance, administrative and academic review process desig ned to provide a stronger, more viable learner-centered educational experience for st udents, while cutting operational costs and maximizing i n s t i t u t i o n a l effectiveness. In part nership wit h t he Lumina Foundation, Ambrose initiated The Missouri In novation Campus t hat included a new model for curriculum d e v e l o p m e n t ; competency-based applied learning; a statewide grant program; and new p u b l i c/p r i v a t e part nerships t hat lower t he cost of a degree, accelerate time to a degree, sig nificantly reduce t he sk ills gap for emerging STEM-related fields, and eliminate t he use of st udent loan debt to finance a degree. He was t he recipient of t he Missouri Governor’s Economic Development Advancement Award as a result of his efforts wit h t he In novation Campus. “Chuck was universally liked
Courtesy of Arkansas State University
Dr. Charles Ambrose appointed as new chancellor of Henderson State.
and admired by st udents, facult y and t he communit y of Warrensburg,” former Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon said. “I saw first-hand how his leadership delivered results and got folks work ing toget her. Congratulations Henderson State!” Central Missouri experienced six consecutive years of enrollment growt h and records – a 27 percent total increase – while maintaining t he academic profile of st udents during Ambrose’s tenure as president. “Kris and I are excited to become a part of t he Henderson State Universit y campus communit y and t he numerous people t hey serve in Arkansas,” Ambrose said. “We are very gratef ul to t he members of t he search committee, t he leadership of t he Arkansas State Universit y System, and t he campus and local communities for t he welcoming hospitalit y and encouragement t hey provided t hroughout t he search process. “Henderson State is uniquely defined by
its meaningf ul history, relevant educational mission and incredible heart for st udents and t heir f ut ure success. The Reddie Spirit is very evident in its facult y, staff, alumni, and st udents and will serve as t he critical element t hat will help define higher education’s f ut ure. Our collective commitment to st udent success and meeting t he challenges and specific needs of t he region and state elevates our anticipation for what is possible at Henderson State. I look forward to being a part of a communit y t hat is aggressively elevating t hat commitment to st udent success and will help redefine what normal can look like for Henderson State as a member of t he ASU System.” He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociolog y at Furman Universit y, a Master of Arts degree in higher education administration at t he Universit y of Louisville, and a Doctor of Education in higher education administration at t he Universit y of Georgia. Ambrose and his wife, golf professional
Kristen Allen Ambrose, have t wo adult children, Charles Allen Ambrose and Kat hryn Ambrose Livingston, and t wo grandchildren, Will and Caroline Ambrose. The Henderson Chancellor Search Advisory Committee – consisting of 14 members representing facult y, staff, st udents, and communit y representatives – reviewed 47 applications for t he position and interviewed t hree candidates. Welch expressed appreciation for its exceptional counsel and assistance during t he process. His an nual salary will be $250,000, and he will live in Newberry House on campus. A formal introduction event will be scheduled when Ambrose arrives, Welch said. Henderson State Universit y is a comprehensive instit ution of higher education serving t he State of Arkansas, particularly t he sout h Arkansas region, and portions of surrounding states wit h fall 2021 enrollment of 3,342 st udents. More information about Henderson can be found at https://www. hsu.edu.
Bateman acquitted on all counts, Rowland set for trial in November
We d ne s day, O c t. 27. “I’m obv iou sly d i s a p p o i n t e d w it h t he verd ic t,” Pr o s e c ut i ng Ter r y Dav id s a id At tor ney Da n Bat e m a n , a for mer He nder s on profe s s or, Tu r ner. “I appr e c i at e r e c e ive d a verd ic t a l l t he ef for t s of e n forc e me nt, of not g u i lt y on a l l l aw c ou nt s by a j u r y on t he A rk a n s a s St at e
Blanton Matthews Community Edition Editor-in-Chief
C r i me Lab a nd He nder s on’s c a mp u s s e c u r it y, fac u lt y a nd ad m i n i st rat ion . He nder s on d id n’t de s er ve this c onduc t a nd I w i sh t he u n iver sit y, it ’s st ude nt s a nd t he go o d p e ople it
e mploys s uc c e s s i n t he f ut u r e.” I n st ead of c a l l i ng Sau l, L it t le Ro c k at tor ney Bi l l Ja me s r e pr e s e nt e d Bat e m a n i n t he c a s e a nd it s e e m s to h ave pa id of f for Bat e m a n . The r ea s on for t he
acq u it t a l i s t h at t he j u r y h ad r ea s on able doub t. Rowl a nd, who i s s e t to go to t r i a l i n Nove m b er, st a nd s to pay $ 35,0 0 0 i n r e st it ut ion to t he u n iver sit y at t he t i me of h i s plea.
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Tuesday November 2, 2021
NEWS
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Dorms fiber optic internet
THE ORACLE
William Matthews residents should be able wasn’t employed here yet, to use the internet reliably so this was something that Contributing Reporter during times of heavy he inherited with the job.
H e n d e r s o n ’ s Information Technology department has recently surpassed a huge milestone. On October 19, the last fiber optic cable was connected to the dorms. From then on, all dorms on campus have seen the benefits of this new installation, but what does this mean to actual residences? According to Phil Grace, director of IT infrastructure at Henderson, all dorms on campus are now getting ten times more internet traffic than before this installation. That means that more dorm
internet usage. That is the biggest and most important change because of this project. There might be some slight network speed increase but most users won’t notice any of these changes. This project was about increasing the stability of the dorm internet and WiFi, and not the download and upload speeds. This was a project that took much longer to finish than originally intended. The IT department had gone through many personnel changes since this was started two years ago. At the time, director Grace
Aside from himself, there were several others in the IT department that had come and gone that were supposed to help with this project, including different contractors being supplied by Areon, the internet supplier of Henderson and various other schools across the state. The next phase will be replacing and installing more WiFi access points in dorms. This will help increase WiFi signal strength to dorm rooms with weak or no internet access. This will also take some time to address, but is something
nose or mouth. “Flu (Influenza) season is upon us and usually lasts for several months starting in October and extending as late as May. Activity generally peaks from December through March. The Arkansas Department of Health has started monitoring weekly flu activity with the latest report representing minimal activity,” says Renee Walls (APRN), director of Henderson’s Student Health and Wellness program. The 2021-2022 flu season is expected to be slightly different from past flu seasons. This year all flu vaccines will be four-component, and therefore designed to protect against four different flu viruses. Additionally, flu vaccines can now be given at the same time as COVID-19
vaccines and booster shots. “Now is a good time to get your flu shot. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend annual vaccination for everyone 6 months and older with rare exceptions. Flu vaccine is readily available at your local pharmacies and local health departments,” Walls continued. It doesn’t end with vaccines though. COVID-19 could also interfere with the recognition of flu symptoms because of their similarities.“The 2021-22 influenza season is expected to coincide with a continued prevalence of COVID-19. Both respiratory viruses are contagious and may mimic one another in regards to signs and symptoms. Students who develop influenza symptoms should contact Student
Photo by William Matthews
Phil Grace managing the data center at Henderson.
that will be accomplished much easier. For any complaints or problems with the WiFi in your dorm or anywhere else across campus, please contact the IT department’s Help Desk. The
email address is helpdesk@hsu. edu and the phone number is (870)230-5678. All requests will be handled as quickly as possible, and requests will help them address weaker network areas faster.
How to prepare for the upcoming flu season
Emberlynn Pendergraft Staff Reporter
Flu season is on the horizon, and since the rise of COVID-19, many people have been concerned about viral infections and how to avoid catching and spreading them. However, by preparing yourself for what’s to come, you can avoid being infected this flu season. According to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH), the flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. The ADH also mentions that seasonal flu virus is typically spread through coughing or sneezing, and by touching a hard surface with the virus on it and then touching your
CDC CC0 Images from Canva
Elderly woman receiving a vaccine by medical caregiver.
Health and Wellness for an appointment.” So, what’s the best way to prevent catching the flu? Easy; the Flu shot, and director Walls agrees, ”I believe the best medicine is prevention so getting your flu shot is one of the most important
steps in protecting yourself and others. Other measures include staying home if you’re sick, practicing good hand hygiene, and continuing to follow our campus protocols that mitigate the spread of infection.”
Henderson’s Resources: HSU’s HR dept. moving to ASU
Lance Brownfield Community Edition Editor-in-Chief
Henderson State employees were notified on Monday, Oct. 18 that Human Resources operations would be handled by the Arkansas State University System directly effective January 1, 2022. The announcement came by way of an email sent to faculty by Tina Hall, associate vice chancellor of marketing and communications. Hall says that the reorganization is part of the benefits of shared services within the ASU system, but it raised questions about the state of
HR moving forward. “Although the change will not be complete until Jan. 1, some staffing changes are in progress,” said Hall in the email release. This proved true, as The Oracle attempted to reach out to Loretta Brantley via her Henderson email last week, but the account of the former director of human resources had already been deactivated. Rumors had been circulating that the entire staff of the department had been let go, and this seemed to be something of a confirmation. Shortly after that email address proved to no longer exist, the staff directory on HSU’s website also updated with her name removed, except
other names remained such as Phyllis Cogburn, listed as human resources specialist. Rita Fleming, vice chancellor for finance and administration, confirmed that only one person lost their job with Henderson. “The remaining employees who want to stay with Henderson have options to transfer to other open positions on campus for which they are qualified,” said Fleming in an email last Wednesday. Courtesy of Arkansas State University Fleming reiterated Henderson joined the Arkansas State University System in January that there will be no loss 2020. in services, and said that the ASU System’s services While all position there will be an HR office would be “vastly upgraded advertising, on-boarding, on campus with one staff from what HSU is able to and payroll will now be member available to answer provide.” handled out of Jonesboro, questions.
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Tuesday November 2, 2021
FEATURES
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THE ORACLE
Spooktember kicked off with pumpkin paint party
the room with Marilyn SAB Instagram page where Emily Henderson Contributing Reporter Manson’s voice setting the the one with the most likes Spooktober week kicked off at seven p.m. Monday night. Students gathered in the grand ballroom where they were met with friendly faces of the Student Activity Board (SAB). Cookies and t-shirts were offered for those who wanted a snack or a way to remember the beginning of the festivities this Halloween season. The lights were slightly dimmed and the themed music beamed through
mood, “This is Halloween, This is Halloween!” The students were given the option to paint a canvas or a pumpkin and let their creativity flow. The tables were set up with various paint brushes and colors. Friend groups sat together and laughed as they painted everything from Spongebob to Scream. Those who thought their pumpkin paintings were superior had their picture taken and posted to the
will receive a gift card. While some painted, others lined up at the front of the room to be judged for a custom contest. From cute to scary, the students masked behind their outfits waited patiently for the results. Mckayla Lane dressed as an evil spirit placed third and Hunter Weaver as Freddie came in second. Lydia from Beetlejuice, otherwise known as Catherine Photo couresy of SAB Hammons, won first place. Two students sitting together readying to paint their pumpkin.
Conjuring at Henderson: The devil made me watch it
Photo by William Matthews
The Conjuring showing on the South Lawn.
SAB had set up a table to the spookiness. William Matthews The movie is based on Contributing Reporter with snacks and drinks The Student Activities Board (SAB) held several events through the week leading up to Halloween. From glow-in-the-dark paint parties, scavenger hunts, and a scary outdoor movie night on the south lawn of campus. The showing was for The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It which is the third installment in The Conjuring series.
for all in attendance. They were handing out crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate bars for s’mores. Fire pits were also dotted across the field with groups of students roasting their marshmallows and staying warm during the movie. Smoke billowed all around the entire film, which gave a nice atmospheric feel. Other than the time when smoke blew directly into people, it was a neat effect that added
the trial of Arne Cheyenne Johnson, where the defendant tried to claim innocence by demonic possession. The films interesting plot becomes a kind of murder mystery and thriller. The first and second arc are great following this, but once the main antagonist is revealed the film falls a little flat. It was still an enjoyable Halloween experience nonetheless.
Carving through the semester Kolby Reck Contributing Reporter
Henderson State University had its annual pumpkin carving competition on October 28, 2021. Other events during “spooktober week” included a t-shirt giveaway, trivia, costume contest, paint party, movie on the south lawn, halloween scavenger hunt, and Henderson halloween. The pumpkin carving contest took place in the Garrison Ballroom and had 17 contestants. The winner took home $100 and was showcased at Henderson halloween. Second and third place took home $50 and $30. Free snacks were served along with music to make for a fun and exciting evening.
Brianna Jackson (right), a sophomore at Henderson, took home the first place prize. “It was a good way to relieve some stress from school and get in the spirit of Halloween. It was fun to come in here with friends and meet other fellow students,” said Jackson. With the semester approaching the end and students having to buckle down on school work for final grades, “spooktober week” was a great way for students to relax and enjoy the spooky season. If you missed the pumpkin carving competition, make sure to join in on the excitement next year and have a chance of taking home the first place price.
Photo by Kolby Reck
Students of Henderson pictured with their pumpkin carving.
Henderson street takes on Halloween
Blanton Matthews Comics Reporter
On the chilly afternoon of Friday, October 29, Arkadelphian children and families filed in lines on Henderson Street for the first Henderson Halloween since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Representatives of 48 Reddie registered student organizations-from the seemingly myriad Greek-lettered fraternities and sororities to enthusiast interest groups like the Comics Arts Club-decorated tables and passed out candy stretching across Henderson street from the intersection with North 12th street and Brown street. In years past, the event has often been held indoors in the Garrison Center, but the pandemic has impacted the event beyond forcing its cancellation in 2020. Children also seemed reluctant to get candy from the open bowls well within reach, opting instead to let the people on the other side of the table drop it in their bags, perhaps a good idea to
Photo courtesy of SAB
The Student of Activities Board of Henderson crowded around a pirate ship.
lessen the spread of germs. The centerpiece of this year’s events was a pirate ship in front of the president’s house, manned by a scurvy crew representing the Hot Springs Renaissance Fair,
to be held at the Garland County fairgrounds this weekend November 5-7, including some who seemed to bear resemblance to Henderson faculty, though surely no professor would
turn to a life of piracy. The event officially began at 4:30, but as soon as tables were set up at 4:00, children were already lined up for their treats, and the crowd plowed through for the
next two and a half hours, along with golf-cart riding members of the Student Activities Board offering to replenish the candy supply of any organizations whose tables ran low.
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FEATURES
Tuesday November 2, 2021
Cardboard Boat Regatta 2021
THE ORACLE
Jose Santana Two players of a certain of most team spirit and Contributing Reporter organization paddled in slowest time to finish the This past Wednesday student organizations as well as non-student organizations of Henderson State University went head to head to win a thousand dollars in prizes. The regatta took place at the Duke Wells swimming pool at seven in the evening. Students were to make boats out of cardboard and other material that would make their ride sturdy.
Blanton Matthews Comics Reporter Where once many homecoming football games were held was lit a great fire. Festivities began at 7:00 Thursday night, October 14; music, hot drinks, s’mores, light-up accessories, and general Reddie revelry took place behind the Caplinger aviation science building. Until the construction of the Reddie Villas, this annual bonfire was lit on the intramural field, a large patch of grass upon which Reddies enjoyed a great many traditions this
a fast and timely manner inside of their handmade boat, with hopes of a solid win. At the end of the event an organization for each category is called up to receive their prize. The prizes were divided into two categories, half going to student organizations and the other half to nonstudent organizations. The Bandits, apart of the non-student organization section, won the categories
race. The Intramural team won the category for the most creative sinking. The champions for the non-student organization section were the Student organizations such as Alpha Sigma Alpha, ROTC, and Kappa Kappa Xi who each won a category. The overall champion of the student organization section was the Student Activities Board.
Photo by Jose Santana
SAB teammates Ruth Poplin and Zachary Gwinn paddle their way to the championship.
Reddie spirit still ablaze
Before the great flame was lit, the final ten Homecoming court candidates were listed: Morgan Daniel, Baylee Barton, Kirby Smith, Ardyn Wilson, A’Dejah Williams, Grace Bizzell, Cameron Denler, Martha Mosqueda, Jaylyn Bonds, and the woman who would be queen, Joce Mount. The fire, that great symbol of Reddie Spirit, evoking the destructive Photo by Blanton Matthews fire around which students Students smile and Reddies revel in the light of the great bonfire. united some 107 years time of year. Now there holds some Reddie history ago, was set ablaze some stands apartments. Still, the as the school’s home football minutes after 8:00. Lighting location behind Caplinger field was once set there. the fire were former acting
President Elaine Kneebone and former Vice President of finance and administration Bobby Jones, who recently became a “Golden Reddie” celebrating 50 years since the graduation of his class of 1971. Reddies laughed and talked in the light of the large flame for the next hour unaware of the future score of the football game against Harding. Yet even if they did know the result of the game, it would matter not, for the flame was lit, and the spirit will never be extinguished.
Turn up for tip-off
the MC began, enlightening down, the MC announced mats and took the court for the short span of time. Emily Henderson After a dunking Contributing Reporter the students that the next it was time for the first a performance to remember. As the lights dimmed, the crowd fell silent awaiting the arrival of their 2021-2022 women and men’s basketball players to be announced. When all the players and coaches were on the court and the room was lit up, the fans screamed with excitement. “Welcome to the Tip-off!”
hour would be filled with activities for everyone. The cheerleaders began the night by teaching the audience a couple cheers to remember for offense and defense during the future games. After practicing, the players set up real game examples for the fans to practice everything they learned. When they had it
activity of the night. Two students were selected to be blindfolded and had one minute to pick up as much “cash” as they could. The audience went wild trying to help the two of them out, “GO LEFT, GO RIGHT!” The minute did not last long and the game was over. The cheerleaders and Pom Squad rolled out their
Photo by Clover Wagner
HSU dance team pictured cheering on the crowd with pompoms in hands.
The students yelled “H.S.U.” in accordance with the squad’s engaging cheer. They quickly shuffled off the court just in time for the 5 star shooting competition. Two students were selected to encourage a player from both the Men and Women’s team as they traveled around the court making as many shots as they could in
competition, a round of knockout, and half court attempts the past 60 minutes seemed to fly by. The Men and Women’s coaches closed out the night with encouragement to the students to come back, with the same energy they brought throughout the night, on November 13 for their player’s first game.
Photo by Clover Wagner
Women’s basketball team standing on court as shots go through the basket.in hands.
Comic by Blanton Matthews
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Tuesday November 2 , 2021
FEATURES
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How COVID-19 has affected college admissions Emberlynn Pendergraft Staff Reporter
Covid-19 has affected almost every aspect of life since it began taking over the country, especially in the academic world. Universities across America have seen massive changes in the face of the pandemic, especially in regards to the admissions process. College admissions are stressful for every party involved, even in years where a global pandemic hasn’t completely warped the American education system. With recordbreaking low enrollment at public universities across the country, attention is being drawn to the admissions process and how it has changed in the past couple of years. One of the most significant changes is the submission of test scores. Many colleges are opting to remove the requirement of standardized test scores in their applications. However, these Non-Compulsory
scores have proven both exceedingly helpful and inconveniently difficult to admission departments. In the past, admissions officers used Advanced Placement, SAT, (or, in the case of Henderson) ACT test scores to evaluate a student’s academic ability and potential. Standardized test scores are not always the most accurate for proving academic worth, however. Some students are unable to prove their academic capabilities through scores like these, and instead display scholarly competence through their overall GPA. Test scores aren’t the only thing missing from the admissions process though. Many highschools are unable to produce transcripts from the beginning of the pandemic when most classes switched to online learning and were only documented as passed or failed. Add it ion a l ly, extracurricular activities like sports, performing
Photo courtesy of HSU
Former Henderson State students at the spring commencement.
arts, and community involvement groups have been shut down in the past year. This leaves students relying on merit-based acceptance or funding struggling to enroll. While the removal of
test scores has given some students a second chance, it has left others with nothing to prove their academic or preformative distinction in comparison to other students. This creates a problem for admissions
officers looking to admit worthy applicants. A lack of information means that most students look exactly the same on paper, leaving admissions departments with extremely difficult decisions.
Greek Leadership Center Open House Kolby Reck Contributing Reporter The new Greek Leadersh ip Center is located in t he for mer I nter nat iona l House at Henderson State Un iversit y a nd off ic ia l ly opened on Fr iday, Oc tober 15. The r ibbon c ut t i ng happened at 1 p.m. fol lowed by a n open house. There was a big t u r n out a nd ref resh ments were ser ved. The Greek Leadersh ip Center is mea nt to st reng t hen t he u n it y of Frater n it ies a nd Soror it ies a nd prov ide t hem w it h a cent ra l gat her i ng place to suppor t c hapter prog ra ms a nd i n it iat ives. It is a g reat addit ion to t he u n iversit y a nd w i l l help Greek l i fe cont i nue to g row at Henderson. The Greek l i fe m ission at Henderson is to prov ide qua l it y academ ics, persona l, soc ia l, a nd ser v ice
Photo by Kolby Reck
The Greek Leadership Center building pictured with Greek alumni of Henderson.
oppor t u n it ies t hat w i l l i n spi re st udents to ser ve, lead, a nd empower t he core values of t he u n iversit y. The Soror it ies a nd Frater n it ies ex ist u nder t he pr i nc iples of sc hola rsh ip, com mu n it y ser v ice,
ca mpus i nvolvement, a nd sisterhood/ brot herhood. The f i rst f rater n it ies a nd soror it ies a rr ived on Henderson’s ca mpus in 1946 a nd have been a big pa r t of t he u n iversit y ’s c u lt u re ever si nce.
“It is rea l ly a n honor to be a pa r t of Greek l i fe at Henderson. Th is new house w i l l a l low ever yone to bond more a nd I feel l i ke a l l of t he soror it ies a nd f rater n it ies will be able to get a lot more done,” sa id Noa h El l is,
a member of Sig ma Tau Ga m ma. For questions regarding Greek life at Henderson contact the interim assistant director of student activities for sororit y and f raternit y life, Emily Blanton at (870) 230 - 5289.
on the Camino. The 22day program will take place in Portugal and Spain, with two weeks being spent hiking from Chaves, Portugal to Santiago de Compostela, one week touring northwest Spain, and three days in Madrid, Spain. When asked about what she hopes students will get out of the
trip, Maryjane DunnWhitener, Associate Professor of Foreign Languages, said, “I hope they come out with a sense of accomplishment and a sense of direction, and a sense of selfsufficiency.” The trip is also open to all majors and, as Professor Dunn said, “That’s what’s so fascinating about the trip and about what
we’re studying because everybody can find something they’re interested in. If we are supposed to be a liberal arts university, then nothing is more attuned for liberal arts thinking than visiting other places.” If you’re interested in going, you may sign up by taking SPA 4095: El Camino de
Santiago or HUM 3295: International Travel next semester. You may also email Professor Dunn at dunnwhm@hsu.edu for any other questions. The Spanish department also offers a study abroad trip to Costa Rica on odd numbered years, however Professor Dunn said, “It’s an exciting trip, but it’s made strictly for learning Spanish.”
Study abroad programs are gearing up
J.T. Dickens Contributing Reporter
With Covid restrictions starting to be lifted all across the world, Henderson State is getting ready to head back on the road with their study abroad programs this semester with the most prominent of these trips being Henderson
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Tuesday November 2 , 2021
OPINION
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“Halloween Kills” is a mediocre film that gives a fun experience Sydney Bowman Contributing Reporter The “Halloween” franchise has been thrilling horror fans for just over 40 years now. With the latest addition of “Halloween Kills,” fans of the series will appreciate the return of slasher icon Michael Myers with some of his most brutal murders yet. However, many will likely also find it an unnecessary entry. Regardless, the film has already been a hit with audiences. “Halloween Kills,” a sequel to 2018’s “Halloween” and the third entry in the new timeline that the previous film established, follows Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her family as they recover from their injuries sustained from Myers’ (James Jude Courtney) attack. Unbeknownst to them, Myers also survived the ordeal and has resumed his rampage as Tommy Doyle (Anthony Michael Hall) rallies the townspeople to fight back. Before delving into the criticism, the film’s strengths must be noted. Similar to its predecessor, the cast of “Halloween Kills” all give praiseworthy performances. Though none of the cast members do the best work of their careers, the characters’ emotions do seem convincing and satisfactory. Curtis unfortunately is not given the screentime to
truly shine as she did in the previous “Halloween,” though she still stands out in every scene she does receive. The film is also pretty decently directed by David Gordon Green, which must always be given credit in the horror genre. The movie features a varied shot structure and even occasionally some creative use of the platform. Two parallel shots of Myers and Strode gazing out a window come to mind. Close-up shots also really benefited this film. While these aspects kept the film from totally crashing and burning, they unfortunately cannot change the sentiment that “Halloween Kills” was not needed to advance this story. That is because it really does not advance the story at all. Myers survives his “death,” kills a lot of people, and the film ends. There is a strange new focus on Doyle that pushes back Strode’s family, the protagonists from the last film, effectively halting the flow of events. Because of all of this, the film’s pace has a bizarre quality of feeling dragged down and rushed at the same time. Nothing major really happens in the entire movie, causing what little climax of the story there is to feel entirely unearned with no development. It also feels like Myers himself is less prevalent in “Halloween Kills,” though a comparison of screen times
across each “Halloween” film is needed to be sure. For most of the film, Myers is not even chasing the protagonists, resulting in long periods where he is hardly seen. What scenes he is in are of course the show-stealers, and the kills are brutally creative (undoubtedly owed to the changing tolerance for violence in film compared to the earlier years of the franchise). There just needed to be more. Something that could have actually worked in the movie’s favor is its surprising attempt at thematic symbolism. To many, that term is thought of as the direct opposite of what “Halloween” really is, but in truth the ideas “Halloween Kills” tries to present are somewhat interesting. As the film goes on, it starts to play with the concept that Myers is a representation of all the darker parts of humanity, a summation of the world’s evil. There is a long sequence involving an angry mob in which this is stunningly portrayed. Unfortunately, the idea is abandoned as the film draws to a close, but this level of writing was shockingly effective while it lasted. It truly is a pity that this was not expanded upon. The “Halloween” franchise is really no stranger to mediocre and even bad movies. “Halloween Kills” is by no means the worst of the bunch; it effectively beats
Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures
Movie poster for the film “Halloween Kills”
out the third through sixth installments of the original timeline, “Halloween: Resurrection,” and the two Rob Zombie remakes. This leaves it on a solid middle ground in terms of quality, though it is by far the worst in its timeline (which also includes the original “Halloween” and 2018’s “Halloween”). “Halloween Kills” is ultimately an unneeded second movie in a planned
trilogy of sequels that could have probably been a duology. Though fans of the franchise will enjoy seeing Myers once again, the film adds nothing new to what has already been established and is very much filler for next year’s “Halloween Ends.” “Halloween Kills” is now in theaters and streaming on Peacock.
GTA Makes A “Comeback”
Brett Thompson Contributing Reporter
Gamers are getting ready to relive the old days of Grand Theft Auto without having to dig up their ancient consoles with the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition. The trilogy includes the three iconic titles Grand Theft Auto III, Vice City, and San Andreas. Rockstar Games will be releasing this collection on Nov. 11 to all modern platforms including Playstation 4 and 5, Xbox Series X and S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The release of the trilogy is coming right after the 20 year anniversary of Grand Theft Auto III, which originally hit stores on Oct. 22, 2001. This game was nothing but groundbreaking when it released, and not just for the moral controversies that have surrounded the series since its creation. It was the first title in the franchise to be played in 3D, allowing the player to explore and destroy a highly detailed city (when looking at 2001 video game standards of course). The other two games included are landmarks in the series as well, with
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas being the most popular out of the three. The original releases of all these titles have sold over 50 million copies all together. It’s safe to assume that this updated collection will sell fairly high numbers as well. The trilogy is not just a simple port of the games to modern hardware. All of the games have been completely overhauled in the graphics department, making them look similar to games released within the past few years. There have also been gameplay enhancements for each of the games, so that they play as smooth as a modern title would. There is a lot of excitement from fans of the franchise, including Chris Meachum, junior Psychology major at Henderson, who said, “I think it’s cool that it gives people who didn’t get to play the games a reason to buy them and try them out.” Meachum then expressed the other view point that a lot of fans have. “I also understand how it can be annoying to long-time fans who have been waiting for a new game in the series.” The last new title to release in the franchise was Grand Theft Auto V, which released all the way
Photo courtesy of rockstargames.com
Cover art for Grand Theft Auto The trilogy.
back in 2013, leaving a now eight year gap with no new game in sight. This is not normal for the series, with the games in the trilogy all originally releasing within a span of just three years. The game has been re-released for each new
console since 2013, which a lot of fans view as just a cash grab every few years, and that is the same way they are viewing this remastered collection. Cash grab or not, these games are still known as some of the greatest of all
time, and might be worth picking up to try or replay on Nov. 11. The physical release on all platforms will not be available until December, so collectors will have to wait just a while longer.