The Hoya: The Guide: January 29, 2016

the guide FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

THE BIG SHORTS A PREVIEW OF 2016’S OSCAR-NOMINATED SHORT FILMS ANNA SHUSTER AND MARINA TIAN Hoya Staff Writers

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very awards season, a handful of critically acclaimed titles dominate the Oscar race; this year, “Mad Max: Fury Road,” “The Revenant” and “The Big Short” have dominated critics’ attention.

Amid high-grossing blockbuster contenders and the star-studded red carpet, short films and their creators, equally as talented as their feature-length counterparts, are often shut out from media coverage.

Since the fifth Academy Awards ceremony in 1932, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has recognized high-caliber short films through the Best Animated Short Film and Best Live Action Short Film categories — the latter was originally separated into two categories depending on length of the film reels.

Defined by the Academy as a film with a running time of 40 minutes or less, the short film genre provides a gateway for many aspiring filmmakers into feature filmmaking. Hollywood legends George Lucas, Tim Burton, Wes Anderson and John Lasseter all launched their careers by making short films. This tradition of excellence continues in the 88th Academy Awards, which will take place Feb. 28. Here is a rundown of this year’s nominated films.

See OSCARS, B2

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY NAAZ MODAN/THE HOYA

THIS WEEK ARTS FEATURE

FOOD & DRINK

Jane Austen Reinvented Courtship meets gore in ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ Postmodern Foods

The recently opened M Street food store specializes in fresh, organic and veganfriendly products . B4

FOOD & DRINK

Convivial

Drawing inspiration from classic French dining, the haute-cuisine eatery impresses with its innovative dishes. B5

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Daughter

The British band returns to form with its second album, “Not to Disappear.” B7

THEHOYA.COM/ GUIDE @thehoyaguide

LIONSGATE

In director Burr Steers’ adaptation of the 2009 parody novel “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” Elizabeth Bennet, played by Lily James, and Mr. Darcy, played by Sam Riley, find themselves caught in a zombie uprising.

EUGÉNIE LUND-SIMON Special to The Hoya

Jane Austen’s famous opening to the 1813 novel “Pride and Prejudice” asserts that “it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” However,

when the malevolent undead are thrown into the mix, that wife better come with her own otherworldly slaying abilities.

“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” based on Seth GrahameSmith’s 2009 New York Times bestseller of the same name and appearing in theaters nationwide Feb. 5, introduces the char-

acters of Austen’s classic tale to an imposing army of zombies.

Written and directed by Burr Steers, who is known for his collaboration with Zac Efron in “17 Again” and “Charlie St. Cloud,” the film stars Lily James as Elizabeth Bennet and Sam Riley as her love interest Mr. Darcy.

While some might question the

unorthodox mixture of zombies and British literature, the film’s cast revealed its enthusiasm toward Steer’s unification of the seemingly disparate worlds in a conference call with THE HOYA and other members of the media last Friday.

See ZOMBIES, B3

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THE HOYA

friday, January 29, 2016

FEATURE

Best Live-Action Short Films OSCARS, from B1

This year’s group of live-action short films runs the gamut from sweet romances to heartbreaking stories of childhoods shattered by war.

Compelling storylines address cultural, religious and gendered issues. A few may even have viewers in tears in the first half hour.

Catch screenings of these films at the E Street Cinema beginning today.

Ave Maria Shok Directed by Basil Khalil, Palestinian Territory

Directed by Jamie Donoughue, United States

When a car carrying a family of Jewish Israelis crashes into the statue of the Virgin Mary at a West Bank convent, things get a little messy.

Add in the nuns’ vow of silence and Sabbath restrictions on technology use, and you’ve got some serious cultural barriers to overcome.

This tongue-in-cheek short, which is a collaboration between French, German and Pakistani artists, is partly a family drama and partly a lesson in cooperation, producing a heartwarming end result.

Though “Ave Maria” was selected to screen in the short film category at the Cannes Film Festival and has picked up awards at various smaller film festivals, it might not have the emotional heft to bring home an Academy Award.

Still, the nomination itself is a big turning point for director and co-writer Basil Khalil, whose directorial work has previously been small-time TV documentaries. Khalil is also no stranger to portraying religion in film, having also worked on the BBC documentary “Son of God,” which traced the life of Jesus.

Beautifully written and compellingly rendered, Jamie Donoughue’s “Shok” emerges as a frontrunner for the award. This 20-minute film follows two boys whose childhoods are torn apart by the outbreak of war in their native Kosovo. The decisions they make in the face of the violence and fear of ethnic hostilities threaten to change their friendship — and their lives — forever.

This short makes impressive use of music. An eerie dissonance mixes with innocent, music boxlike melodies at key moments to expertly build tension while drawing out the main theme: childhood irreparably marred by war.

Framing devices can easily come off as unnecessary or even cheesy, but this film makes expert use of this technique, opening with an adult finding a bike lying in the road and then flashing back for the bulk of the film to his childhood during the war.

The closing frames will almost certainly break viewers’ hearts.

The film sans frame is amazing in and of itself, but enclosing it with these scenes heightens the drama even more and brings even more tears.

Day One Everything Stutterer Directed by Serina ArmitDirected by Henry Will Be age and Benjamin Cleary, Hughes, United States United Kingdom Okay

Another extremely compelling story with well-executed visuals, “Day One” follows an Afghan-American woman who is deployed as an Army interpreter but finds herself in over her head when an Afghan woman goes into labor halfway through her first mission.

The film tackles a variety of issues within the span of its running length at 24 minutes: the experience of being female in the U.S. military, the limitations of cultural traditions and the culture gap between U.S. troops and civilians in the Middle East.

Co-writer and director Henry Hughes — who conducted two combat tours in Afghanistan and has a Master of Fine Arts degree in directing from the American Film Institute — has crafted an incredible script full of emotional conflict, tension and heartbreaking twists and turns.

Layla Alizada, who plays the protagonist, navigates this emotionally complex script with incredible skill, and this could very well be a major step forward for her acting career, which so far has mostly consisted of small roles on TV shows like “Rizzoli & Isles” and “Scandal.”

Directed by Patrick Vollrath, Germany This 30-minute short directed by Patrick Vollrath is a two-character play about an emotional journey taken by a divorcee father and his daughter that begins innocently enough, but slowly reveals itself to be darker than it initially appears.

Suspenseful and bleak, it tells a tale of lost love and desperation.

Both actors are exceptional, especially Julia Pointer’s performance as the daughter Lea. Her emotional transition throughout “Everything Will Be Okay,” which is her first film, is a testament to her natural skill.

The intensity and panic build as the film progresses with the lighting growing darker alongside the tone. Revealing anything more about the story would spoil it, but suffice it to say that the short, light on dialogue and with a heavy emphasis on atmosphere, is as realistic as it is gripping.

This short has already won a variety of awards around the world since its release, and critics have lauded the film for its authenticity and sharp script.

The sweetest of the bunch, this short film from British directors Benjamin Cleary and Serina Armitage follows a brilliant typographer forced into reclusiveness by a severe speech impediment.

Though an online, chat-based relationship has allowed him to connect with someone without the limits of his stutter, the possibility of meeting his sweetheart in person forces him to confront his insecurities.

This 12-minute gem gives us a lovable underdog who is vaguely reminiscent of BBC’s character Sherlock Holmes, a fitting comparison since one of leading man Matthew Needham’s few roles before this film was as a side character in “The Great Game.”

This short also captures a whole range of relationship emotions — the joy of hearing from a love interest, the agony of waiting for a response, the nervousness before a first date — with welltimed shots and excellent use of voiceovers. The softly lit frames and sweet piano interludes give this an ultimately uplifting quality that’s perfect for a hopeless romantic — and the British accents are the icing on the cake.

Best Animated Short Films

Famously popularized by the work of Walt Disney, the animated short is an artistic medium in its own right.

Disney, who received 12 of his 22 Oscars in the Best Animated Short Film category, started out drawing every frame by hand in the 1920s.

This year’s nominees represent a variety of animation techniques. Although the category was originally limited to American shorts, the Academy began accepting foreign shorts in 1952. This year, three of the five nominees originate outside of the United States. These films represent a broad array of subject matter and animation style.

Sanjay’s Super Team Directed by Sanjay Patel, United States Produced by Nicole Paradis Grindle and directed by Sanjay Patel, “Sanjay’s Super Team” is yet another dialogue-free short from Pixar that delivers the heartwarming material audiences have come to expect from the iconic animation studio.

The short is based on Patel’s own experiences as a young boy, forced to pray with his father while daydreaming of a fantastical battle between Hindu deities in the style of his favorite cartoon superheroes.

The short is visually stunning, culturally rich and deeply personal; the reconciliation between father and son is both moving and authentic. With its poignant depiction of an Indian-American family, “Sanjay’s Super Team” is a muchneeded shot of diversity in this year’s race.

World of Historia We Can’t Prologue

by Richard Tomorrow de un oso Live With- Directed Williams, United Kingdom Directed by Don Hertzfeldt, (Bear Story) out Cosmos United States Critics and audiences alike universally lauded the sci-fi short “World of Tomorrow.”

Written and directed by Don Hertzeldt, the short is deceptively complex. Despite its stick-figure animations and straightforward voiceovers, it subtly conveys a deeper message for its relatively sparse running time.

Of this year’s nominees, “World of Tomorrow” is the only one that uses dialogue as its primary storytelling vehicle.

Set in a future where humankind has cheated death through cloning and transferring consciousness, the film revolves around 4-year-old Emily – voiced by Hertzfeldt’s niece, Winona Mae, and her apathetic third-generation clone – voiced by Julia Pott.

The short is hauntingly poignant, tackling the hefty themes of technology, mortality and, ultimately, what it means to be human.

Directed by Gabriel Osorio, Chile

Directed by Konstantin Bronzit, Russia

“Historia de un oso,” or “Bear Story,” is directed by Chilean filmmaker Gabriel Osorio and animated by his own studio, Punkrobot. It depicts a lonely old bear who charges passersby for a peek into his complex mechanical diorama, which tells the story of the peaceful life he lived with his wife and son before he was violently abducted by a circus.

The film serves as an allegory of Osorio’s native country Chile during Augusto Pinochet’s dictatorship from 1973 to 1981, when Osorio’s own grandfather was detained before fleeing to England. Although it may appear to be a stop-motion film, “Bear Story” was actually digitally animated through a variety of techniques to creating a dazzling variety of visual scenes. The short is whimsical, emotive and a must-see for viewers interested in unique animation styles.

Writer and director Konstantin Bronzit unites outer space and animation in “We Can’t Live Without Cosmos.” The colored 2-D line animation is reminiscent of a child’s cartoon and is supremely effective in communicating the story of two childhood best friends who support each other in their shared dream of becoming astronauts. The first portion is comedic and light-hearted, but the real power of the short comes in its later, more emotional scenes.

Composer Valentin Vasenkov does great work with the score, crafting beautiful piano music that pairs wonderfully with the mechanical sound effects of astronaut training. The brilliant orchestration is perhaps the best of the bunch. Presented without dialogue, “We Can’t Live Without Cosmos” is heavy on pathos and explores themes such as the sacrifices needed to follow one’s dreams and the lasting nature of friendship.

Canadian-British animator and director Richard Williams continues to cement his legendary status in the animating field with “Prologue.” Best known for his work as animation director on “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and the 1971 Academy Award-winning adaptation of “A Christmas Carol,” Williams animated this beautiful, hand-drawn short completely by himself.

Despite portraying a bloody and gruesome battle between four Spartan and Athenian warriors, the minimalistic plot allows the viewer to focus solely on the graceful and fluid nature of the animation work.

Without the distractions of color, backgrounds or special effects, the figures themselves are at the forefront of the short and brilliantly characterized, expressing a variety of emotions with nuance. Simply put, “Prologue” is animation in its purest form, relying on bare elements of storytelling.

PHOTOS: COURTESY SHORTS HD

the guide

friday, January 29, 2016

ON THE RECORD

THE HOYA

B3

Arts FEATURE

Daniel Smith

What Yeezy Taught Me About Failure

“I

specifically ordered Persian rugs with cherub imagery!!! What do I have to do to get a simple Persian rug with cherub imagery uuuuugh.”

Posted July 29, 2010, this absurd remark is exactly what most would expect from self-proclaimed genius Kanye West’s Twitter account. Widely regarded as an egotistical maniac, West’s tweets could easily be disregarded by those who get caught up in his more ridiculous moments without appreciating their underlying value.

Throughout his “Yeezus” tour from 2013 to 2014, Kanye was known for his 20-minute “streams of consciousness,” where he ranted about the lack of recognition for his genius.

The idea of an artist rambling for 20 minutes about issues you don’t really care about can be off-putting, especially when you paid more than $50 for a seat in the upper levels.

As someone who went to the Nov. 21, 2013 show at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., I can say that I loved every second of it.

You see, it’s too easy to dismiss his ramblings without giving them a second thought. Granted, he did wear a creepy mask over his face that made it somewhat difficult to take him seriously. At his Dec. 22, 2013 show in Toronto, he said the following: “Because the only time you fail is when you fail to try. So I’m here to tell you all that by the time people get fresh, they get dope, they get cool, they don’t want to expose their failures, their weaknesses to you all. What I’ve been doing over the past few months, I wanted to let you all know things that I’ve actually been failing at.”

Sure, the message about failure and effort might be a tired cliche. Throughout our childhood, parents, coaches and teachers all preach this message about how we should always try our best, so we become immune to the message’s power. We’ve heard it so many times already, so we don’t need to hear it again.

What Kanye would say is that we need to hear this message again and again, every day. I, for one, can admit that while I grew up hearing about the merits of not being afraid of failure, I still go about my life afraid to fail — not just in the normal sense of bombing a midterm or not finding a job after graduation, but in the greater sense of trying new things only to be mocked or voicing my feelings only to get rejected.

I guarantee we all are afraid to fail, and because we dismiss Kanye as a narcissistic ass on Facebook and in the media, we’ll probably never learn.

Self-love and confidence are integral to the competitive nature of hip-hop.

Since the release of his sixth album “Yeezus” in 2013, Kanye has been busy: He released two clothing lines and is about to finish his third; he married reality television star Kim Kardashian; he became the father of two children.

These are all successes, but each of them has been derided for one reason or another.

Those critical of his fashion career say he should go back to focusing more on his music; those who scoff at his marriage to Kim consider it a publicity stunt; and the names of his children, North and Saint, have been subject to much ridicule.

But while the Yeezy Season lines aren’t the most accessible in terms of price or style, Kanye has changed the game when it comes to being a successful outsider in the fashion industry; While Kardashian and her family may represent what’s wrong with reality television, this is the happiest Kanye has been in years; and while North and Saint might initially draw some well-deserved eye rolls, they’re actually two pretty dope names when you think about it.

You may not have liked it when Kanye tweeted “I’m the best that’s ever made music” on Wednesday. You may not have liked the rest of his 30-tweet rant at rapper Wiz Khalifa, including the tweet “no one I know has ever listened to one of your albums all the way through.”

But self-love and confidence are integral to the competitive nature of hip-hop. And as one of the genre’s — and music’s — most influential current figures, he has every reason to be proud. More than that, he has every reason not to be roasted for everything he does.

It would seem that we’re in a time of celebrity comebacks. Justin Bieber surprised some of the most avid Bieber haters with the catchiness of the 2015 hits “Sorry” and “What Do You Mean.” With the upcoming Feb. 11 release of Kanye’s seventh album, “Waves,” maybe Kanye will make a comeback. And after Wednesday’s Twitter beef, Wiz Khalifa is probably going to need one, too.

Daniel Smith is a junior in the School of Foreign Service. ON THE RECORD appears every other Friday.

LIONSGATE

Lily James plays a reimagined Elizabeth Bennet, who becomes attracted to Mr. Darcy while the two fight against an army of zombies in 19th century England, in the film adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s 2009 parody of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.”

A Romance to Die For Reimagined story brings classic novel to life

ZOMBIES, from B1 A number of the film’s stars, including James (“Cinderella”), Matt Smith (“Terminator Genisys”), Douglas Booth (“Noah”), Bella Heathcote (“Dark Shadows”) and Jack Huston (“American Hustle”) spoke to how the modern, zombie-slaying Elizabeth Bennet is an icon of gender equality and other progressive, feminist themes.

“Jane Austen would love girl power, and so would Jane Austen purists,” James said.

James said that while she was initially unsure of the story after seeing its rather preposterous title, she was impressed by the intricacies of the script and how it complemented Austen’s original story.

“I thought it sounded terrible and then I read it and I thought it was wonderful,” James said. “We all found that by placing something so surreal as zombies in ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ somehow it is as if the scenes and relationships in the book become heightened [and] become really clear.”

“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” takes place in 19th century Britain, where

a mysterious plague is bringing the dead back to life. Bennet, a master of martial arts and weaponry, teams up with Mr. Darcy on the battlefield to fight the forces of evil as they discover their love for one another.

“We all found that by placing something so surreal as zombies in ‘Pride and Prejudice’... the scenes and relationships in the book become heightened.”

LILY JAMES Actress

Grahame-Smith is also known for writing “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” published in 2010 and later adapted as a feature film starring Benjamin Walker in 2012. The novel and film revolve around President Lincoln’s discovery of a vampire

plot to take over the United States and his mission to destroy them.

James said that while the romantic relationships between the characters remain true to the original text, the addition of zombies allows for some interesting new dynamics.

“Mrs. Bennet gets to beat the crap out of Darcy, which is really a physical representation of that sexual frustration,” James said. “So much was done in the story, the plot [and] the circumstances that … my Mrs. Bennet is actually much angrier [and] much fiercer. She manifests what she feels more; she can’t hide it as much as in the original.”

Heathcote said that while the film isn’t quite as impactful or grand as Austen’s novel, it makes up for it in pure fun.

“It’s like Austen but with a little less nutritional value,” Heathcote said. “More candy on top.”

Smith, who plays clergyman and heir to the Bennet estate Mr. Collins, said that Steers used the inclusion of zombies to expand the story’s creativity and energy.

“The stakes suddenly become infinitely more interesting,” Smith said. “Because there are zombies in the film, it allows you to make bold choices because the universe is slightly heightened.”

This is Steers’ first feature film since 2010’s “Charlie St. Cloud” and his first directing work of any kind since an episode of “The New Normal” in 2012. Steers, who was named for his ancestor Aaron Burr, the vice president who famously dueled with Alexander Hamilton, is not the only writer in his family to work in both history and fiction. His uncle, Gore Vidal, wrote historical accounts such as “Burr” alongside more radical novels like “Myra Breckenridge.”

“So much was done in the story, the plot [and] the circumstances that ... my Mrs. Bennet is actually much angrier [and] much fiercer.”

LILY JAMES Actress

LIONSGATE

Australian actress Bella Heathcote plays an alternate version of Jane Bennet, the more popular sister of Lily James’ Elizabeth, who falls for the wealthy bachelor Mr. Bingley.

Booth, in the role of Mr. Bingley, said that having zombies allowed Steers to emphasize the differences and nuances of the story’s many characters.

“Even though Jane is reserved, her fighting style reflects the character,” Booth said.

“Each Bennet sister has a different fighting style that reflects their character.”

Answer a question about this article on our 4E Blog for an opportunity to win an admit-two ticket to see “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” at any AMC theater in the D.C. area beginning Feb. 8.

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THE HOYA

Feature

Friday, january 29, 2016

This week’S TOP FIVE

2016 Oscar Snubs This year’s Academy Award acting nominations, which were announced Jan. 14, caused severe backlash for excluding actors and actresses of color, for the second year running. On Jan. 22, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Cheryl Boone Isaacs announced changes to diversify the academy’s membership. Here are our picks for the top five performers of color who deserved a nomination.

1

Idris Elba “BEasts of nation” best Supporting actor

“Beasts of No Nation” takes place in a nameless West African country ravaged by a brutal civil war. Playing a battalion commander, a man who leads a group of mercenaries and child soldiers throughout the war, Idris Elba gives a performance that terrified audiences and critics alike. As the film’s antagonist, Elba portrays a deeply flawed, yet uniquely charismatic leader who is able to command both the loyalty of those in his battalion and respect of viewers.

2

Angela Basset“Chi-raq” best supporting actress

3

will smith “Concussion” best actor

4

zoe saldana “infinitely polar bear” best actress

5

michael b. jordan “creed” Best actor

Adapted from the Greek play “Lysistrata,” Spike Lee’s “Chi-Raq” is set in modern-day Chicago. The film addresses the problem of gang violence and its repercussions in local communities. Angela Bassett delivers a powerful performance that is both empowering and heartbreaking as she portrays Ms. Helen, a woman torn between grief over her dead daughter and worry concerning the future of her nephew.

POSTMODERN FOODS

M Street’s newest organic foods store hopes to transform the way people see nutrition by offering accessible and healthy alternative options.

Organic Food Store Aims To Inspire Healthy Diets eleanor TOLF

make her products. The products are made from expensive ingredients, which is reflected on the menu. A normal Postmodern “Whole Foods meets McDonald’s”— meal is around $10, similar to a Sweetgreen that’s how Denise Hicks, the founder of salad. However, Hicks said that because of the organic foods store Postmodern Foods, the abundance of essential vitamins and described her latest storefront. Located nutrients in her food, customers would be at 2920 M St. NW, the store is just over a satisfied by the smaller servings. month old, yet its young founder and CEO Hicks also recommended developing an has a strong vision for the identity and understanding of nutrition in addition to mission of her store: to promote organic trying her products. and nutrient-filled food that appeals to “Nutrition can be treated like athletic both health nuts and foodies. training. You need to prepare yourself Hicks believes that her food is not just upfront and then you can go into mainanother addition to the growing trend of tenance mode,” Hicks said. “There’s no veganism and raw foodism. One of Hicks’ shortcut for that.” main focuses is accessibility, a concept At Postmodern, customers will not find that many do not usually associate with processed foods. As Hicks explained, when the vegan or raw diet. one eats a muffin for She recalled from her breakfast and still feels childhood that she “Nutrition can be treated hungry afterwards, it would often stop for like athletic training. You is related to a lack of lunch on road trips nutrients, not calories. and find burgers, need to prepare yourself Hicks advocates for eatsandwiches and pizza upfront and then you can ing foods that are as to be the only options. close to their original With this in mind, go into maintenance mode. form as possible, as Hicks said she plans to There’s no shortcut for that.” this will cost less in the make organic and veglong run and satisfy an food just as availthe body’s nutritional denise hicks able and accessible as needs sooner.

Founder of Postmodern Foods fast food chains. As “People should be Hicks explained, fatty more focused on eating and sugary flavors press on the pleasure as many plants as they can,” Hicks said. centers of the palate — the more you give, Hicks recognizes that it is not realistic the more you want. Yet just because the for Georgetown students to alter their pleasure centers are being pushed, that diets in such a drastic way at this time; does not mean the body is being nour- however, incorporating raw vegan foods ished, she said. At her store, she offers into their daily routines or participating juices and juice cleanse plans. in a three-day juice cleanse can begin to “Things like juice cleanses allow your reteach the body to signal for the foods body to recognize the tastiness of non-ex- it really needs rather than taking orders treme flavors,” Hicks said. from the brain’s pleasure centers.

Hicks said that committing to a cleanse For those wanting to dip their toes into even just for a week will allow your body healthier eating, Hicks recommends her to recognize the inherent deliciousness store’s massaged kale salad or the cashewof the non-extreme, natural flavors abun- based cheesecake. The kale salad, which dant in a plant-based diet. was praised in a recent article by The Price-wise, however, Hicks recognizes Washington Post, is unexpectedly savory there are limits to how accessible she can and satisfying, yet light. Hicks said that she is proud of her cheesecake not only because of its health benefits, but also because of her customers’ feedback that it is not only one of the best vegan desserts they have ever had, but the best dessert in general they have had.

As Hicks looks towards the future of her M Street store, she notes that many of her goals are not food-related. One thing she has focused on in the past weeks has been the layout of the store, which has altered three times after she received comments that it felt like an office building.

Now, the store consists of a television and high-top tables facing the street, making it perfect for people-watching. Hicks said that she wants the store to bring the Georgetown community back to its roots, not only nutritionally but also socially.

“I want it to be a community gathering place,” Hicks said, listing live poetry and performances as possible events.

Casey Nolan (COL ’17), a vegetarian who experiments with veganism, said she is excited to try out Georgetown’s newest vegan joint, explaining that the most difficult part about veganism is eating out at restaurants.

“It’s exactly the type of store I would be interested in going to because the POSTMODERN FOODS Georgetown area doesn’t have an explicNew store Postmodern Foods hopes to itly vegan restaurant that I know of,” she create a culture of healthy eating. said.

Hoya Staff Writer

“Concussion” is a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a neuropathologist who first discovered the severe head trauma that resulted from repeated head-on collisions in professional football. Smith flawlessly portrays Omalu, from his Nigerian accent to his undying optimism as an immigrant hoping to realize the American Dream. As the film progresses, Smith quietly transforms into a man who realizes that dreams rarely match reality.

Starring Zoe Saldana alongside Mark Ruffalo, “Infinitely Polar Bear” is a comedy drama about a bipolar father trying to save his marriage and serve as a good parent to his two precocious daughters. Saldana portrays Maggie, Ruffalo’s frustrated wife who has become accustomed to her estranged husband’s manic episodes and outbursts.

Though Saldana’s performance is decidedly reserved, her portrayal of a mother struggling to bring her family out of poverty, with the added task of balancing an unstable relationship, is worthy of the highest praise.

Michael B. Jordan portrays Adonis Johnson, the son of fictional boxer Apollo Creed, in “Creed,” the seventh installment of the Rocky series. In his quest to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a professional boxer, Adonis seeks out his father’s former rival and best friend, Rocky Balboa. Jordan shines in his performance as Johnson, delivering a gut-wrenching vision of a son who never knew his father and who has everything to prove inside and outside the ring.

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friday, January 29, 2016

THE HOYA

B5

RESTAURANT review

Convivial Fosters an Adventurous Palette Convivial



801 O St. NW | Cuisine: French | $$$$ Viviana De Santis Special to The Hoya

Hopping around the piles of snow that still invaded the city’s streets Sunday night, many adventurous food connoisseurs crowded the dining room of Convivial, acclaimed chef Cedric Maupillier’s latest restaurant, which opened last November. The French-American eatery bears the mark of engaging finesse, combining transformational twists of classic French dishes with a dynamic atmosphere, setting itself apart as possibly one of the District’s best new offerings.

CONVIVIAL

Convivial’s upscale atmosphere is one of the many attractions for young diners.

Convivial lives up to the definition of its name, which was imprinted on top of the menu: “Relating to or fond of feasting, drinking, and good company.” Although Convivial seems to largely attract diners in their mid-20s and 30s, its innovative dishes and fun atmosphere easily appeals to a broad range of customers. Openness to new adventures is the only prerequisite.

Upon settling in at one of the dark, wooden tables, menus and fresh bread were quickly brought to the table. The menu lends itself to two possible interpretative approaches: the Franco-European method of gradually building up fulfillment — “nibbles,” a petit-size entree, cheese and dessert — or the American familystyle servings. Our party chose the former.

My appetizer of choice, the grilled white perch with octopus and crab bisque ($21), was exquisite in presentation. At first, the taste was somewhat indecipherable; the one flavor that stood out stemmed from the endive, a bitter Mediterranean leaf that colored the otherwise homogenous bisque, on which pieces of octopus and crab floated.

For my main course, I chose fried chicken “coq au vin” ($17), an Americanized version of the traditional bistro poulette. A crispy shell surrounded the tender dark meat. The addition of wine to the dish paired perfectly with the chicken. The silkiness of the wine intensified the distinct qualities of the outer sweet crispiness and the inner tenderness of the fried chicken.

My friend opted for a combination of mountainous flavors by choosing the boudin noire ravioli-chestnut-mushroom fricassee ($18). A chain of five small raviol-“onis” — as one might say given the proportions — was sheltered under a velvety layer of mushroom sauce, making for a delicious culinary experience.

Even after our filling main courses, we decided to peruse the dessert section of the menu.

Among the eye- and taste bud-captivating selections on the list, we decided on the milk chocolate creme brulee-black meringue and the hot sticky toffee pudding-maple ice cream. (All desserts were priced at $9). Although the former failed to combine the flavors of its two components and sank in the excess of milk, the toffee pudding offered a palliative alternative.

Throughout the meal, the staff was very attentive and remained on guard without assum-

CONVIVIAL

French restaurant Convivial takes pride in offering common treats, like potato chips, alongside exotic ingredients to create a foreign dish with a sense of familiarity. ing an overbearing attitude, which contributed positively to the experience.

Perhaps one of the most enticing aspects of Convivial is the juxtaposition between the restaurant’s composure and its animated liveliness. At first glance, Convivial resembles any local bureau, as the restaurant occupies the entire first floor of a building, the facade of which is not homogenous. The restaurant’s layout conveys a sense of minimalistic modernity with its glass doors framed with steel, which form the base of moderately massive buildings.

However, the interior boasts a somewhat singular sensation. Modern wood wall panels pitch warm memories of Alp cottages or Northern France chalets, while the color choices convey a detached sense of elegance, typical of hautecuisine eateries. The pale wood dominating the central lobby bar as well as the two attached dining rooms creates a sharply elegant atmo-

sphere. The lighting system and the symmetrically squared furniture contribute to making the dining experience cold, crisp and classy.

The only warm color is an isolated red animating half of the bathroom walls. Nevertheless, the soft rock music playing in the background subdues the elegant atmosphere and creates an engaging atmosphere that easily stimulates conversation.

With its reimagined dishes and interesting layout, Convivial does not simply offer a delicate touch of Europe, but inventively adapts traditional elements of a certain culture to the standards of another setting, namely the modern American restaurant. The outcome proves just as experimental as it is unique. Ultimately, Convivial’s eclectic style and explorative approach generously justify the restaurant’s high prices, and transform this gastronomic adventure into one of D.C.’s best.

RESTAURANT review

Little Sesame Carves Out a Niche in Dupont Little Sesame

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1306 18th St. NW | Cuisine: Israeli | $$ Lupita Humbert

can be ordered with an assortment of different toppings — mostly vegetarian — and accompanied by a leafy salad with sumac and honey Over the past few years, D.C. has seen an dressing, plus warm pita bread on the side. abundance of new restaurants specializing in There are five different options for hummus hummus. Fast-casual hummus pop-up joint toppings, which vary according to the season.

Little Sesame hopped onto the bandwagon Recommendations from the staff, who were recently, opening earlier this month on 18th very friendly and knowledgeable about the Street near Dupont Circle. Located in the base- menu, include the hummus with fried caument of DGS Delicatessen, a well-known Jewish liflower, green onion and “everything” spice deli, the restaurant serves delicious vegetarian ($9) and hummus with sauteed greens, crispy selections that are perfect chickpeas and smoked pafor a quick lunch or takeprika ($10). My friend and Little Sesame is great to out meal.

I decided to order both Little Sesame is the options — she ordered the visit with friends, or just by brainchild of DGDS Delifried cauliflower version, catessen co-owner Nick yourself, as the communal and I ordered the crispy Wiseman and his friend chickpeas one. The dishes tables make it feel like all Ronen Tenne. After years seemed slightly pricey for of experience in the food just a bowl of hummus acdiners are enjoying their industry, the two ventured companied by a small ashummus platters together. sortment of vegetables. to open a restaurant inspired by hummusiyot, The hummus itself was small delis that serve humreally creamy, accented by mus in Israel. the ideal amount of paprika and olive oil. The The cozy layout of Little Sesame is invit- chickpeas felt light and crispy, and the pita was ing and friendly. White walls, light-gray brick just warm enough. The salad was quite simple stones, brass string lights hanging from the and did not mix too many flavors, but it tasted ceiling and long wooden tables give the room fresh and paired perfectly with the hummus, an organic feel. Although minimally decorat- which was more on the heavy side. Overall, the ed, the space gives a sense of lightness in its hummus, salad, pita bread and even the pieces simplicity. Even the menu design and its selec- of fried cauliflower harmonized well together. tions are simple. Every order is composed of Although the hummus is delicious, the sea bowl of daily prepared Israeli hummus that lection is quite limiting. The restaurant specializes in using fresh vegetables, and there is only one non-vegetarian dish of the five options: hummus with pastrami, pickled mustard seeds and chives. The restaurant would appeal to a wider range of diners if it considered expanding its selection beyond vegetable-based dishes.

In addition to the five dishes, there is also a wide assortment of beverages. The selection includes Mexican Coca-Cola, Izze and boxed water. Diners with a sweet tooth could also order the vanilla ice cream with tahini and honey brittle as a dessert.

Overall, Little Sesame is a great gastronomic experience. The subdued ambience of the space complements the delicious food. While it does not offer any surprises, the restaurant is perfect for diners looking for delicious vegetarian options or just for a light lunch meal. Little Sesame is great to visit with friends, or just by yourself, as the communal tables make it feel like all diners are enjoying their hummus platters together. Those with larger appetites might wish to order more than one serving, as LUPITA HUMBERT/ THE HOYA the dishes — especially the pitas — are rather Little Sesame takes pride not only in small. It is definitely a good choice for those passing by Dupont. preparation, but also in presentation.

Special to The Hoya

LUPITA HUMBERT/THE HOYA

Seasonal toppings at Little Sesame include sauteed greens, crispy chickpeas and smoked paprika. Other options include a wide range of vegetables and spices.

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the guide

THE HOYA

Friday, January 29, 2016

movie review

old souls

The Finest Hours

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Starring: Chris Pine Directed by: Craig Gillespie Bryan Yuen

Hoya Staff Writer

Though Disney’s latest movie, “The Finest Hours,” which is out in theaters Thursday, is the cinematic equivalent of a white buttondown shirt — simple and certainly not unique, but classic for a reason. Directed by Craig Gillespie of “Lars and the Real Girl” fame, “The Finest Hours” has no frills, relying on a simple storyline of a daring rescue mission at sea and uninteresting characters, yet its sound execution and excellent historical source material make for an enjoyable albeit predictable movie.

Based on the actual 1950s Coast Guard rescue of the SS Pendleton amid a fierce storm, “The Finest Hours” skillfully captures the cour-

WALT DISNEY STUDIOS

“The Final Hours” tells the harrowing story of a daring Coast Guard rescue.

age of the U.S. Coast Guard Boatswain’s Mate First Class Bernie Webber (Chris Pine). While the movie is mostly made as a tribute to the bravery of USCG officers willing to put their lives on the line in a daring rescue, the movie does a respectable job at giving each character a backstory. Webber in particular grabs the viewers’ sympathies with both his unrelenting commitment to his duty as a Coast Guard shipman and his love for Miriam (Holliday Grainger), his devoted fiancee, waiting for him to marry her.

While the scenes between the two actors do not display much in the way of chemistry, Grainger’s performance carries what would have otherwise been an exceedingly weak couple. In a particularly cute scene, Miriam flips traditional gender roles on their head in a defining moment for her character.

At first glance, Miriam is an ideal Disney woman — a strong-willed “girl power” heroine who challenges gender roles while still loyally loving the male protagonist. However, her scenes grow flatter as the movie progresses.

When Bernie sets out on the rescue mission, she remains on land in Massachusetts worried for his life, a la Penelope in “The Odyssey.” But the movie seems to run out of ways to develop her role. There are continual cuts between her storyline and the rescue mission, but her story adds little to the movie aside from giving viewers an additional reason to cheer for Bernie to return home safely. Her scenes feel as though the writers were stretching to shoehorn her character into the plot to break up the constant action at sea.

While Miriam remains relatively consistent throughout the film, Casey Affleck, who plays Ray Sybert, the ship’s chief engineer, and Pine make the most of their limited dialogue, revealing their characters’ development expertly throughout the movie. Webber is introduced as a stickler for regulation and rules, until his strong sense of morality eventually takes over and he disobeys a direct order. Sybert undertakes a predictable but more gratify-

Rachel Mucha

WALT DISNEY STUDIOS

ing transition. Sybert begins as a relatively shy engineer who is reluctant to speak his mind to his fellow crewmembers, but he eventually becomes a voice of leadership for the desperate crew of the SS Pendleton. While Affleck doesn’t get many lines to develop his character, his performance should be commended for making a predictable and relatively cliched character worth watching.

“The Finest Hours” is a very cleanly produced movie in each department, from sound to visuals. As expected from the tight ship that is a Disney production, the members of the sound studio certainly deserve commendation for helping to elevate the movie’s appeal.

The movie expertly uses the sound of the crashing waves in conjunction with the dramatic swells of the soundtrack to help build suspense in a movie that is otherwise predictable. The tight production combined with good execution of a simple but inspiring story helps the movie succeed.

While most critics and some viewers will probably be unimpressed by the lack of creativity in the script, the filmmakers have created a simple but well-executed movie. It is a classic Disney film; it is safe, features a riveting true story and gives us the uncomplicated happy ending viewers expect. For those looking for a feel-good story with classic heroes, “The Finest Hours” is worth watching. Bernie Webber’s story is certainly one worth telling, and while it may lack in pomp and embellishment, strong acting by the leads help to make this movie good, though not great.

Visit www.thehoya.com for our interview with Chris Pine and Casey Affleck about “The Finest Hours.”

movie review

Kung Fu Panda 3

 Starring: Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman Directed by: Jennifer Yuh Nelson Byeong Yun James Kim Special to The Hoya

After two installments documenting a panda’s journey to find himself, “Kung Fu Panda 3,” which is out in theaters today, finally satisfies its protagonist and the audience by uniting the Dragon Warrior with his origins. Given that the preceding chapter closes with a glimpse of the fabled panda village of the mountains, it seems fitting that this film at long last introduces the titular Kung Fu Panda, Po — voiced by Jack Black — to his home village. Like its prequels, the film’s ample dynamism and humorous battle scenes do not disappoint.

In the film, which is directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni, Po finally meets his biological father, Li Shan — voiced by Bryan Cranston — and the remainder of the community he never knew as an orphan. However, with the reappearance of the treacherous warrior Kai — voiced by J.K. Simmons — Po has little time to relax and is tasked with uniting the powers of his fellow pandas and the Furious Five — Master Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Master Viper (Lucy Liu), Master Monkey (Jackie Chan), Master Mantis (Seth Rogen) and Master Crane (David Cross) — to stop his adversary.

Another point of praise is the film’s moving yet clever script, which was written by screenwriting duo Jonathan

Aibel and Glenn Berger. The film is replete with exciting fight sequences. Just like Po’s intense yet comical battle with Tai Lung in the original “Kung Fu Panda,” the Dragon Warrior’s battle with Kai is as amusing and energetic as it could be. From witty dialogue to entertaining battles, “Kung Fu Panda 3” is a solid action comedy.

There are also some elements in “Kung Fu Panda 3” that improve upon the prequels. For instance, the presence of both Po’s adopted and biological fathers makes for interesting character dynamics. In the previous two films, Mr. Ping (James Hong), the goose who adopted Po as his son, made only brief appearances. In “Kung Fu Panda 3,” Mr. Ping and Li Shan, Po’s biological father, play much more significant roles. Whereas the two prequels focused more on Po’s naive outlook on life, “Kung Fu Panda 3” places greater emphasis on his fathers’ perspectives and their dual father-son relationships. Because of this slight shift in perspective, “Kung Fu Panda 3” evolves the franchise from a simple action show for younger audiences to a touching film fit for the entire family.

Furthermore, the animation definitely adds significantly to the film, especially when viewed in 3-D. The detailed animation plays a crucial role throughout the film, particularly in its battle scenes. The animation techniques used in “Kung Fu Panda 3” provide a much more enriching and enchanting film ex-

20TH CENTURY FOX

perience compared to its prequels.

Although the film succeeds on many levels, it falls short on others. As a result of its focus on Po, his fathers and the panda village, the presence of Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and the Furious Five seems unwarranted, and it feels as if they were only included to appeal to fans of the prequels. Master Tigress (Angelina Jolie) does appear mid-way to help Po, but the relative importance of this scene is minimal. Additionally, although “Kung Fu Panda 3” excited many fans with the hope that Po would meet his father and return home, it is disappointing that this reunification comes at the cost of Master Shifu and the Furious Five’s screen time.

Nevertheless, “Kung Fu Panda 3” will keep its audiences entertained and moved throughout its entirety. As a kids’ film, it will keep the children perched on the edge of their seats, and as a family movie, it might even leave parents deeply touched. Nelson and Carloni have once again produced a rare example of a children’s movie that also appeals to adults.

Finding The Beauty In Modern Art A

lthough I still struggle to come to terms with many aspects of modern culture, from Twitter to SoulCycle to the Kardashians, one of my most pressing questions about the 21st century concerns contemporary art. I would be lying if I said that I didn’t know why I am so reluctant to embrace the popular art trends of 2016; I’m a stickler for the older art that my parents introduced me to as a kid.

In a valiant effort to make me more cultured, my parents made sure that I was exposed to the likes of Monet, Degas and Renoir from the moment I left the womb. My family was always reading books about artists, going on trips to art museums or attempting to make art with sidewalk chalk.

While I remain unfortunately inept at drawing more than mediocre stick figures, I make up for this lack of creative talent with my capacity to appreciate art — a subconscious development that took place at some point during those early years of my life. You win, Mom and Dad. My adoration of the aforementioned artists is one of the reasons that modern art often fails to appeal to me. While I try not to make unfair generalizations, much of the modern art I have seen on display looks as if it could have been created by a kindergartener.

The contemporary wing of the Art Institute of Chicago, for example, prominently displays Julia Fish’s “Bloom,” which is essentially a piece of canvas that has been covered by a coat of eggplant-colored paint.

In the center of the same room, a big blue cube made out of what can only be compared to Plexiglas is exhibited. Perhaps the most unusual work is Victor Grippo’s “Analogia I (2da. Version),” which is essentially a table stacked high with potatoes plugged into electric cables.

Initially, I could hardly believe that these creations represented any real skill or ingenuity in comparison with the intricate and elaborate works that I have always revered. I questioned why these contemporary artists had not taken more of their cues from artists such as Van Gogh, whose paintings hang in the gallery just two doors down.

As I thought about it more, I began to wonder if the most artistic component of apparently simplistic pieces of contemporary art is the discovery process that such ingenuity triggers in the viewers. Yet, without the detailed brushstrokes and lifelike figures of more traditional paintings and sculptures, modern art offers limited instruction, elaboration or eloquence. An ordinary piece of Plexiglas or a plain, purple canvas asks viewers to engage in a metaphorical trust fall and to believe that the artist has left them something of value underneath the understated facade that presents itself upon first glance. The required suspension of disbelief challenges each individual looking upon this artwork to search for the extraordinary in unexpected places.

The ambiguity of modern art may also be most effective for encouraging the originality of interpretation. Seven billion versions of the world are much harder to visualize than seven billion snowflakes or fingerprints. Nonetheless, people do construe the universe in vastly different ways. In its abstraction, contemporary art further accentuates these analytical distinctions.

The eggplant-colored canvas on display in Chicago offers an insightful example. A group of people staring at the same monotone canvas could simultaneously interpret it as a representation of blooming violets, a reminiscence of their mother’s favorite purple sweater or an ode to artificial grape flavoring (I didn’t say each interpretation had to be equally profound, did I?).

As a counterfactual, it would be considerably difficult to negate the fact that the sunflowers in Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” intend to depict anything but twinkling stars dancing upon the blanket of an indigo sky with its merrily swirling and yet defined brushstrokes. Thus, whereas Van Gogh may have given life to a static object, the lifeless purple canvas has released innumerable stories, each made valuable by the viewer’s originality.

So, while I cannot say that I will start collecting any weird potato sculptures, I will admit that contemporary art as a whole has grown on me recently. In today’s world, where we are surrounded by constant flows of information, modern art does us a service by forcing us to step back from this cycle and simply contemplate. Even so, modernity will inevitably become history one day, and time might make today’s eggplant canvas painter tomorrow’s Van Gogh.

Rachel Mucha is a sophomore in the School of Foreign Service and one of two alternating columnists of OLD SOULS, which appears every other Friday.

NEW NETFLIX RELEASES the last five years

The stars from “Smash” and “Pitch Perfect” bring their vocal excellence to “The Last Five Years,” a love story told from two unique sides. One perspective is told by a struggling actress in reverse chronology, while the other is told by a novelist in chronological order. Providing a unique timeline that inundates the viewer with a flood of emotions, with both the simultaneous development and deterioration of their romance, the tales meet in the middle with a marriage proposal.

starring: ANna kendrick

Z nation

Following a disastrous zombie virus, this exhilarating science fiction drama tracks the journey of the sole survivor of this epidemic, Murphy, from New York to a California viral research lab. Murphy becomes the beacon of hope for mankind, as his blood contains antibodies necessary for a vaccine. This series is packed with suspenseful and action-filled fight scenes, but with enough tact to discern it from simple zombie slaying. An actionpacked series with an intriguing story line, season two of “Z Nation” is a must watch.

starring: kellita smith, keith allen

Nurse jackie

Edie Falco, famous from her role in “The Sopranos,” stars in this Emmy-winning drama and comedy about a New York City emergency department nurse with a certain fondness for illicit drugs. This series can be even classified as a dark satire, following the daily struggles of Nurse Jackie through her chaotic interactions throughout the hospital and her personal life. Instead of a classic medical drama that focuses on doctors, “Nurse Jackie” provides a new and refreshing view from a nurse’s lens.

starring: edie falco, Paul schulze

NETFLIX

“Nurse Jackie,” originally broadcast on Showtime from 2009 to 2015, is now available on Netflix.

the guide

friday, January 29, 2016

THE HOYA

album Review

MUSIC

New Releases

Death of a Bachelor Panic! At the Disco Marina Tian Hoya Staff Writer

After numerous lineup changes to the pop rock group Panic! At the Disco, the dust has finally settled as lead singer and multi-instrumentalist Brendon Urie remains its sole member. In Urie’s first solo venture, “Death of a Bachelor,” he takes to this new musical independence swimmingly, demonstrating incredible lyricism and a further development of Panic!’s sound.

The album opens with “Victorious,” a rousing track that features the chanting of a female choir, thumping drums and a thrilling electric guitar line. A party-rock anthem with lyrics like “We got to turn up the crazy / Living like a washed-up celebrity,” the song is a probable candidate for radio replays, commercials and sports stadiums.

The second track, “Don’t Threaten Me With a Good Time,” samples the iconic bass line from The B-52’s “Rock Lobster,” a somewhat unnecessary contribution that adds little to the song. Urie sings of outrageous bacchanalia “Champagne, cocaine,

FUELED BY RAMEN

Brendon Urie explores musical independence with “Death of a Bachelor.”

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gasoline / And most things in between,” before aggressively taunting with the titular lyric, “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

Next up is “Hallelujah,” a gospel-inspired track with triumphant, swelling horns. As the lead single from the album, “Hallelujah” became Panic!’s first Billboard Top 40 single in nine years – the last being 2005’s “I Write Sins Not Tragedies.” The song is dynamic and fulfilling with uplifting lyrics and smart instrumentation. The next song, “Emperor’s New Clothes,” alluding to the tale of the same name, opens with a harmony of synths, strings and operatic backing vocals. Urie’s voice then soars into a stunning high note before the final chorus, reminding listeners of his supreme vocal ability.

The eponymous “Death of a Bachelor” is an enjoyable melange of different musical influences. It begins with a distorted string intro, then features a prominent bass line and percussive snaps before the vocally acrobatic Urie chooses a slower, tamer croon to sing the tender lyrics. Clearly inspired by Frank Sinatra, Panic! pairs jazzy horns and verses with the more rock ’n’ roll-style chorus and the electronic instrumentals in the bridge, toasting the music of the ’40s while adding a modern twist.

The following song, “Crazy = Genius,” also has more retro inspirations with the quintessential tom-tom rhythms and horns from swing music, while referencing the Beach Boys in the lyrics.

Next in the album is the catchy “LA Devotee,” sure to become another Panic! classic. The heavily layered instrumentation manages to surround the vivid lyrics without overpowering them. In comparison, “Golden Days,” the following track, has fairly stripped-down instrumentals for the band’s standards, as Urie nostalgically creates lavish backstories for figures in old photos: “The decades might’ve washed it out / As the flashes popped like pins.”

The next song, “The Good, the Bad and the Dirty,” begins with an a cappella introduction and the usual thumping bass and synths, with smart, sparing use of horn accents. The penultimate track, “House of Memories,” is a maturation of Panic!’s earlier sound from its debut album, “A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out.” With regretful and heartfelt lyrics like “The lonely moments just get lonelier / The longer you’re in love / Than if you were alone,” Urie bemoans the ending of a relationship.

“Death of a Bachelor” ends with “Impossible Year,” another crooning, Rat Pack-style song that showcases Uri––e’s rich lower register and warm, rolling vibrato. It is a reflective and bittersweet tune that wouldn’t be out of place at a nightclub or cabaret, and all the more moving considering the context of the album.

FUELED BY RAMEN

Inspired by Urie’s wife and his newly married lifestyle, “Death of a Bachelor” can be described as a concept album, with consistent themes throughout. Urie weaves the story of the painful consequences that come after vices and depravities, and the comfort that comes at the expense of a death of a bachelor.

In an interview with Billboard, Urie pointed to Freddie Mercury and Frank Sinatra as his major influences on the album. While he never quite reaches the star power of either, his vocal prowess matches theirs. A consummate singer and performer, Urie possesses phenomenal vocal agility and power as well as a panache that allows him to emulate the swagger of Mercury and the cool of Sinatra.

Indeed, even the album itself demonstrates musical versatility and diversity. Combining the poppunk debauchery and experimental quirkiness of past albums, the album hops around various genres — typical for Panic! At the Disco. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always quite stick. Some songs, like “Crazy = Genius,” skip from genre to genre at head-spinning rates. The tactic of employing different genres works best when Urie simplifies and sticks to mostly one genre per song.

“Death of a Bachelor” is Panic!’s first album that does not feature former drummer and original member Spencer Smith, who left to receive treatment for alcohol and drug addiction in 2015. For some, the departure of Smith meant the death of Panic! At the Disco. How could one man carry a band? In reality, Panic! has really always been a showcase of Brendon Urie, but now, he is unfettered to create and innovate. An emotive and clever lyricist, he also plays most of the instruments in “Death of a Bachelor.” This latest album proves that Urie is by no means slowing down. In fact, he is accelerating and continuing to push the boundaries of pop and rock.

Listeners can, and should, look forward to what will come next from Panic! At the Disco.

Not to Disappear Rhiannon Catalano Hoya Staff Writer

English indie-folk act Daughter has an uncanny ability to portray heartbreak and angst in a way that truly resonates with listeners. Across their catalogue, lead singer Elena Tonra and her musical romantic partner Igor Haefeliare have perfected their delivery of skepticism concerned with everyday topics from relationships to happiness.

The duo’s lyrical prowess is once again demonstrated in its second full-length album, “Not to Disappear.” In the same vein as Daughter’s debut album, “If You Leave” in 2013, “Not to Disappear” is filled with disheartening statements of truth and discontent. However, while Tonra sang mostly from her personal perspective in “If You Leave,” the lyrics in the duo’s latest album speak solely about a collective suffering from the same bleak mindset.

Although the perspective has changed, each lyric showcases the same vulnerability and poeticism on “If You Leave.” Sonically, Daughter does not depart from its signature minimal instrumentation and quiet vocal melodies. Through this, Daughter is able to convey a brooding, ambient atmosphere filled with beautifully haunting vocals. Although Tonra does not command soaring vocals, she is able to mesmerize the listener with her hushed tones and unique vocal phrasings.

The opening track, “New Ways,” draws the listener in with a seductive instrumental introduction. The second song, “Numbers” proceeds as an expose of today’s hookup culture. The song starts slowly but builds with the addition of intense drumbeats. Tonra unapologetically digs at

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amples of this growth are absent throughout the remainder of the album.

The album concludes with “Made of Stone,” in which Tonra ponders whether her discontent is a facade or her true feelings. She whispers, “What if I am made of stone? / I should be feeling more.”

These lines perfectly sum up the cathartic expose of relationships this album presents.

Tonra has previously been outspoken about the fact that her inspiration stems from her experiences dealing with the emotional challenges of life. “Not to Disappear” deliberates unhappiness and love, with an ultimately negative valuation.

The album seems to conclude that there is no easy answer to depravity and loneliness in life, and that there is no way to realize if these feelings are true or just a facade used to protect one’s feelings.

This message, paired with the inviting and airy yet haunting sonic landscape, creates a remarkable album, though it unfortunately lacks any sign of creative growth for the duo.

Interfaith conversation of mercy

WHAT HAPPENED IN PARIS?

hoya hacks hackathon

WHERE: Healey Family Student Center WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

PRICE: FREE

WHERE: Mortara Center, 36th Street NW WHEN: Monday, Feb. 1, 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

PRICE: FREE

WHERE: Healey Family Student Center WHEN: Friday, Jan. 29, 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.

PRICE: FREE

In celebration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy, a time of providence and forgiveness, Pope Francis has called Christians to foster encounters with Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters.

This celebration will open up to fervent dialogue so that all can grow in understanding of one’s another rich tradition. Join Georgetown Campus Ministry Chaplains for a conversation on an understanding of mercy from the various traditions, to gain a better appreciation of diversity of various faiths outside of Christianity.

In accordance with Georgetown’s Jesuit values, this discussion will foster respect of differences.

The Energy and Climate Policy Research Seminar aims to enhance intellectual exchange among faculty and students by providing a forum to discuss research and policy topics related to the international and domestic dimensions of energy and climate change policy. Speakers will include members of the Georgetown community as well as invited faculty and practitioners from the Washington area and beyond.

Open to Georgetown faculty, staff, students and others by invitation.

Rihanna fans, rejoice: the R&B singer’s upcoming album, “Anti,” is finally on its way. Arriving exactly a year after her collaboration with Paul McCartney and Kanye West, “FourFiveSeconds,” the Barbadian songstress’ latest release sees her team up with a more familiar face: Drake. Fans hoping for a follow-up to 2011’s EDM smash “We Found Love” should be wary. “Work” features Rihanna shout-singing over what may be her most understated production yet.

Her woozy vocals stir near-inaudible lyrics into casual brags, as she sings at one point, “You see me do me dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt, dirt.” Judging from the track’s blatant departure from the gospel-tinged first single, “Anti” is looking like an increasingly disparate record.

sia “unstoppable” With her new album “This is Acting” out this week, Sia is giving fans and critics a taste of what’s to come on her new single, “Unstoppable.” The singer has already released a number of tracks from the album, including “Alive,” “Cheap Thrills” and “Break Free,” but the stomping, empowering power ballad, “Unstoppable,” may be the most true-to-form Sia record yet. Though written for another artist like many of the songs on her new album, this stomping single proves that Sia might be better off keeping these tracks for herself.

On Macklemore’s aptly titled new single, “White Privilege II,” the indierapper-turnedpop-stalwar t responds to accusations of profiting off black culture in his rise to success. The rapper provides a well-intentioned if awkward response on the single, as he resorts to engaging in a fake dialogue with a racist fan and rapping about needing to read more news articles. It’s tough not to perceive it as an attempt at garnering publicity and respect within the hip-hop community, but it seems Macklemore’s lackluster delivery here may have backfired.

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the meaninglessness and depravity of one-night stands with the lyrics “I’ll wash my mouth but still taste you” and “I feel numb in this kingdom.”

With this, Tonra evokes to the listener that although having a one-night stand may feel good in the moment, it only serves to intensify feelings of worthlessness.

Similarly, “Alone/With You” comments on the futility of relationships. The lyrics “Talking to myself is boring conversation” and “I hate living with you / I hate walking with you” showcase the possibility of feeling isolated, even when there is somebody at your side.

“Doing the Right Thing” shifts the subject matter from relationships to illness, specifically focusing on the suffering of a patient with Alzheimer’s disease. Sung from the patient’s perspective, this song pulls on the listener’s heartstrings as the patient’s mental collapse progresses: drowning in her memories, but simultaneously fearing the loss of them. Tonra’s vocals haunt the listener as she sings “I am just fearing one day soon I will lose my mind / Then I’ll lose my children / Then I’ll lose my love.”

Daughter has created a perfect niche for itself in the alternative and indie genres, showcasing creative growth on “Not to Disappear,” which could potentially elevate the duo’s widespread appeal. However, many songs on the album, including “How,” “To Belong” and “Mother,” all begin to blur together, as the instrumentation and vocal melodies are without variance.

The only song in which Daughter strays from its signature sound is “No One.” Heavy drums paired with a familiar vocal performance create a spitfire song that shows the band’s range. Sadly, other ex-

rihanna “work” ft. Drake

macklemore & Ryan Lewis “white privilege II”

album Review

Daughter

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AlunaGeorge “i’m in control” After signing with Interscope last summer, British pop duo AlunaGeorge have at last shared their first single, “I’m In Control,” a sultry number with dancehall undertones. “I’m In Control” sees the duo fusing their futuristic club and minimalist R&B stylings with tropical house elements.

The song features contributions from Popcaan, who most recently guested on Jamie xx’s year-end hit “I Know There’s Gonna Be (Good Times).” Showcasing their signature electronic sound, the track provides a glimpse of what’s to come on the duo’s forthcoming full-length album, “I Remember.”

Hoya Hacks is Georgetown’s premier alltechnical hackathon. It will bring together 300 of the best designers, developers and innovators from all over the East Coast to see what Georgetown has to offer. Students will work in teams of four for 36 hours from Jan. 29 to 31, to build and innovate in both software and hardware, as part of a larger technological revolution at Georgetown. Over 15 corporate brands ranging from local startups to large global companies will sponsor the event.

FILE PHOTO: ALEXANDER BROWN/THE HOYA

Hoya Hacks brings an innovative technological revolution to Georgetown.

B8

Sports

THE HOYA

around the district

Friday, January 29, 2016

Men’s Basketball

Smith-Rivera Leads Late Rally paolo santamaria Hoya Staff Writer

Matt Raab

Nationals Poised For Strong Season W

hile the season is still a ways off, during a cold, aggressively wintry week such as this, my thoughts couldn’t help but wander to baseball. In less than a month, beginning Feb. 18, pitchers and catchers will report to the beautiful, sunny states Florida and Arizona. We, however, will continue to wallow in the misery of a plodding winter that will probably end sometime in mid-April — after, of course, the first week of baseball, so we can all catch colds at freezing night games.

Sooner than later, the lights will be back on Nationals Park and our lives will once again feel a little fuller.

For the Nationals, the offseason is certainly not over. Significant pieces continue to float around in the free agent market, and given General Manager Mike Rizzo’s propensity for working his way into somewhat unpredictable and intriguing trade and signing negotiations — so far he pulled one off for Ben Revere and fell through on Brandon Phillips, Yoenis Cespedes, and Jason Heyward among others, to say nothing of the managerial transition to Dusty Baker — there could still be a lot of action left in this offseason. But at this stage in the process, the Nats are looking like a complete Major League Baseball team.

A run-through of the additions and subtractions shows a team that has hit or exceeded its offseason targets, as it has done consistently under the management of Rizzo and the willing contributions of ownership.

The makeover of the team began with the firing of Matt Williams amid frustration about lineup management and locker room issues. He was replaced by old veteran Dusty Baker after a somewhat embarrassing failed contract negotiation with the Nationals’ apparent first choice, former Padres manager Bud Black, in which the two sides could not reach an agreement on compensation.

Looking back, that was the low point of the Nationals’ offseason. The incident set off a flurry of frustrated, dejected commentary in the area, but the front office got back down to business in one of the most critical areas the club needed to improve: the bullpen. The bullpen was, concisely, not built to match the quality of the rest of the roster, and it showed. Relief pitchers consistently blew late-game leads, most importantly during September games with the division-leading Mets.

The mid-season addition of closer Jonathan Papelbon, intended to shore up the pen, only sent the jilted previous closer, Drew Storen, into a horrendous tailspin and got Bryce Harper choked in the dugout.

The popular line on the Nationals was that the team needed to ditch

Papelbon and Storen and rebuild the bullpen from scratch in the process.

Unsurprisingly, other clubs were not too interested in a player prone to dugout assaults, and Storen’s upand-down history hurt his value. The signings started to come in, however, and included names like Shawn Kelley, a former Padre, and Yusmeiro Petit, a former Giant. Storen was finally moved to Toronto for outfielder Ben Revere, freeing him to what I honestly hope is a more consistent closing career there.

The addition of Revere brings us to bats, where the Nationals were also searching for answers after a somewhat frustrating campaign. Injuries to center fielder Denard Span and left fielder Jayson Werth forced Michael Taylor into a starting role, where he didn’t look ready. With Span gone and Werth’s health still questionable, the addition of the speedy, contacthitting and left-handed Revere to the lineup checks off a few critical boxes for the Nats. The departure of quasi-homegrown Ian Desmond, the last player on the roster with a concrete connection to the Expos — they drafted him in 2004 — left a hole in the middle infield, which was filled by the addition of Mets postseason hero Daniel Murphy, another consistent bat with more pop than Revere that could help the Nats find some rhythm at the plate.

With Murphy at second, the current situation still leaves an open shortstop position, which for now seems slated for Danny Espinosa but could theoretically be grabbed by recent signee INF Stephen Drew, the former Yankee, or top prospect Trea Turner if his development progresses during the early part of the season.

Overall, the Nationals roster transactions have made the best of necessity and prudency. The failure to move Papelbon seems a little worrying, but Harper and Papelbon have publicly made amends, and Harper seems to be willing to build a winning dugout, as opposed to getting rid of people he doesn’t like. Getting the best market value for Papelbon would have been difficult for the Nats, considering the extra baggage attached to him. Runs at Jason Heyward, Brandon Phillips and Yoenis Cespedes failed, but they showed that Rizzo was willing to consider a variety of moves that meant more value for the team. Keep your eyes on Florida and a couple more moves before opening day, but the Nationals so far have built a stronger roster to start the season with.

Matt Raab is a junior in the School of Foreign Service.

Around the District appears every other Friday.

Statistics usually give a fairly accurate indication of how a game played out: who won, who lost, whether it was close or not — the list goes on. With 2:32 left in the game against Creighton University (14-7, 5-3 Big East), the Georgetown men’s basketball team (13-8, 6-2 Big East) trailed 70-59 and had a 0.7 percent chance of winning the game. Closing the game on a 15-3 run with seven points in the final 92 seconds from senior guard and co-captain D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, the Hoyas executed a nearly impossible comeback to win 74-73.

Statistics definitely do not tell the full story here. The Bluejays’ junior guard and star, Maurice Watson Jr., finished with the game with 16 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, but his play at the end was a far cry from his impressive numbers on the stat sheet.

With the game seemingly out of reach, and senior center and co-captain Bradley Hayes and freshman center Jessie Govan riding the bench with foul trouble — Govan ended up fouling out midway through the second half — the team had no answers for Watson’s playmaking ability.

Time after time, Watson blew by every defender the Hoyas threw at him. Georgetown’s student section was deflated, and was headed for the exits along with the regular fans. But the Hoyas made some key changes, instituting a stifling fullcourt press and substituting freshman guard Kaleb Johnson and senior guard Riyan Williams into the game for added defensive pressure.

Creighton did miss its share of open looks, but the two Georgetown reserve guards contributed in big ways. Williams rebounded a missed shot and took it coast-to-coast, drawing the foul and then hitting a free throw to bring the team within seven points. What happened next can only be described as a clutch play from Georgetown’s star.

“There was a lot of adversity coming from a lot of different angles throughout the game, and I liked the way we kept fighting and kept plugging. Every single person made a play and that’s how we have to be,” Head Coach John Thompson III said. “And at the end of the day [No. 4 Smith-Rivera] is No. 4.”

Smith-Rivera had been quiet all game, shooting 4-of-11 from the field and attempting just two free throws. But the senior guard has garnered a reputation of taking over in late-game moments. At the end of the game, opposing players tend to jump and overplay on defense in anticipation of ball fakes and quick movements.

Smith-Rivera, however, stays low to the ground, playing with pace and control.

While Tuesday’s win is the most recent iteration of the guard’s incredible body control and command of the floor, the senior co-captain has often gotten to the basket near the end of games.

In the closing moments of games, coaches, pundits and fans alike all agree that free throws are the most efficient way of scoring. Not only do free throws stop the clock, they are completely uncontested and also exacerbate any foul trouble for the opponent. With his 83 percent average from the free throw line, Smith-Rivera drawing a foul is almost an automatic two points — and it was his freethrow shooting that ultimately won this game for the Hoyas.

After missing his one previous free throw during the game with 1:32 left,

CLAIRE SOISSON/THE HOYA

Freshman forward Marcus Derrickson scored 10 points and grabbed four rebounds in Georgetown’s win over Creighton on Tuesday night.

Smith-Rivera got the ball right back off an offensive rebound and laid it in, cutting the Creighton lead to five. Sophomore guard L.J. Peak then cleanly stole the ball, leading to two more free throws for Smith-Rivera, making it 71-68 with the Hoyas down three.

What happened next could very well be the defining play of the Hoyas’ season.

A team shooting 42 percent from the field and 29 percent from three-point range rarely wins the game. But as Johnson jumped to cut off a speedy Watson and swiped the ball, Georgetown was given life. The freshman stole the ball and threw it down for a dunk at the other end that sent the Verizon Center into a frenzy.

Following the trading of a Hoyas’ basket with two Bluejays’ free throws, Creighton missed both of its free throws on the next possession. Peak grabbed the rebound and let Smith-Rivera take over with 23 seconds left. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the Hoyas’ leader forced the referees to decide the game with their whistle when he drove into the lane.

Smith-Rivera did not just attack the lane hoping to get bailed out by the referees; he attacked looking to score and was met by ample resistance. The home crowd visibly on edge, Smith-Rivera stepped to the free-throw line. With the Hoyas down one point and six seconds remaining, SmithRivera might have been the only calm one at Verizon Center.

“I didn’t really think about it too much. I shoot every day,” Smith-Rivera said.

The Hoyas sealed an improbable comeback with tough defense and a defensive rebound from Peak — and are still lurking on the NCAA Tournament bubble.

Creighton ranks somewhere in the top 40 teams in most polls, and beating a team of such caliber will help Georgetown’s chances before the Selection Committee.

Now tied for second in the Big East, the Hoyas have the chance to improve their record to 7-2 against the No. 10 Providence Friars (17-4, 5-3 Big East) at home on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. and the game will be televised on Fox Sports 1.

track & Field

Hoyas Prepare for Penn State National Invitational Daniel Baldwin Hoya Staff Writer

The No. 23 Georgetown men’s and No. 10 women’s indoor track and field teams will travel to State College, Pa. on Jan. 29 for the second time this month to compete in the Penn State National Invitational. Both squads will look to build on their early season success at their previous meet, the Penn State Nittany Lion Challenge, which was held Jan. 16.

At the Nittany Lion Challenge, sophomore middle-distance runner Joe White ran a personal record of 2:23.24 in the 1000-meter race, earning third place overall in the event. White was closely followed by promising freshman Spencer Brown, who captured fourth place in the 1000m race with a time of 2:23.27. Both Brown and White will look to duplicate their strong performances this weekend in Pennsylvania.

Graduate student distance runner John Murray showed his skill in the men’s mile event, placing third overall with a time of 4:08.67, and senior middle-distance runner Ahmed Bile ran a 1:19.21 in the men’s 600m race, which qualified him for third place. Bile led the way for the Hoyas in the event, as six Hoyas placed in the top 10 for the 600m race. Graduate student middle-distance runner Cole Williams tailed Bile, finishing in fourth place with a time of 1:19.76.

Senior Andrew Ogle (1:20.87), junior Amos Bartelsmeyer (1:21.05), senior Darren Fahy (1:21.76) and senior Michael Lederhouse (1:22.77) crossed the finish line sixth, eighth, ninth and 10th respectively.

The women’s team had success

in the meet as well, with graduate student middle-distance runner Andrea Keklak earning first place and setting a school record in the women’s 1000m race with a time of 2:42.76. The All-American athlete’s time is currently the best of any runner in the Big East. Graduate student distance runner Katrina Coogan followed close behind with a time of 2:44.76, good enough for fifth place.

Keklak returned this past cross country season from a devastating injury that sidelined her for the 2015 indoor and outdoor track and field seasons. Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Michael Smith and Keklak’s teammates will be hoping for her to replicate her dominant performance this weekend.

“When you coach you are rewarded with incredible feelings of satisfaction,” Smith said. “[Keklak] is someone who is very committed and very driven, but she was hurt last year and missed an entire year. Having to sit at home when your team travels and competes, it’s really hard.

Fast forward to now, and she ran great cross country for us and now she’s writing history with that run.

I’m just so happy for her. And that is not about me. I’m just so happy for her because she went through a lot.”

Sophomore middle distance/distance runner Kennedy Weisner won the women’s 3000m race, running a time of 9:30.20. Weisner led the remaining Hoyas in the same race, placing in the top five. Sophomore middle-distance/ distance runner Piper Donaghu placed third overall, crossing the finish line in 9:35.80. She was followed by senior distance runner Sarah Cotton, who placed

fifth with a 9:44.09.

In the women’s 600m race, junior middle-distance runner Emma Keenan finished second with 1:31.64 to add to the Hoyas’ success thus far. Freshman Audrey Belf continued to impress after a strong cross country season as she placed second in the women’s mile with a 4:46.26.

Smith lauded Belf’s effort in the race.

“We are really pleased with her progress this early because she is actually training for 3000 and 5000m races, but competing at a very high level in the mile,” Smith said.

“That is a good sign that your speed is in a good place and you are going to move up well.”

This weekend at the Penn State National Invitational, the Hoyas will compete against 37 other teams in a variety of events spanning the two-day meet.

Georgetown is the only school participating in the meet that boasts national rankings on both its women’s and men’s teams; however, the hosting Nittany Lions are ranked No. 21 on the men’s side and the invitational will feature a range of top

teams and athletes.

Smith said that the team will continue to raise the bar and competition level, particularly in distance medley relays.

“That is a hallmark event for us here at Georgetown, and we are very focused at competing at the national level at that event,” he said. “After that relay, we will look for people working

on being competitive. When we are still in January, we should be working on honing our competitive instincts and working and competing well.”

After the Penn State National Invitational, both teams will travel to the Boston University Scarlet and White Invitational meet in Boston and the Villanova Open Ocean Breeze in Staten Island, N.Y. on Feb. 6.

sports

FRIDAY, January 29, 2016

THE HOYA

B9

MEN’S tennis

MEN’S Basketball

GU Looks to Limit Dunn, Bentil Khanin Sets Sights On Big East Title PROVIDENCE, from B10

Bullock averages 12.4 points per game to go along with seven rebounds per game. It will be imperative that Georgetown’s centers — senior co-captain Bradley Hayes and freshman Jessie Govan — avoid getting into foul trouble against Bentil, who is one of the best big men in the conference. Bentil leads the team in free-throw percentage and field goal percentage, and limiting Providence’s leading scorer and rebounder will come down to

the defensive efforts of Hayes and Govan in the paint.

Dunn is a projected NBA Draft lottery pick. He decided to return to Providence after last season in what some saw as a surprising decision. There is not much the electric guard cannot do, as he averages 16.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 3.2 steals per game.

“They have a very balanced team because Dunn is so good. We have to be sharp.” Thompson said.

Smith-Rivera will have his hands full both on offense and defense

CLAIRE SOISSON/THE HOYA

Senior center and co-captain Bradley Hayes averages 8.5 points per game and is leading the team in blocks with 27 this season.

against Dunn. It will be interesting to see if Thompson chooses to defend Dunn with another player, like sophomore guard Tre Campbell or junior forward Reggie Cameron, to allow Smith-Rivera to focus his efforts on the offensive end of the floor. Last season, in Georgetown’s two conference games against Providence, Smith-Rivera scored 15 and 21 points, respectively, with only two turnovers between both games.

He will have to continue his strong stretch of conference play for the Hoyas’ offense to click.

Rebounding will be of critical importance in this game, as the Friars are third in the Big East in offensive rebounding, while the Hoyas are fifth in defensive rebounding.

Georgetown had rebounding issues in the first half of the Creighton game Tuesday, getting out-rebounded 23-19 in the first half and allowing 10 offensive rebounds as well.

A win against the Friars would be a major boost for the Hoyas’ chances to make the NCAA tournament.

With games against No. 6 Villanova (17-3, 7-1 Big East) on the road and Xavier at home, as well as two games against Providence and Butler (14-6, 3-5 Big East) remaining, Georgetown needs any win it can get. After grabbing a win at Xavier last week, then ranked fifth in the country, another win against a top10 team would significantly benefit Georgetown.

“Every team in this league, your next game is going to be a really big game,” Thompson said.

Saturday night will be no different for Georgetown.

Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m., and the game will be televised on Fox Sports 1.

The Water Cooler

KHANIN, from B10

helped him to develop strong relationships with the younger players on the team as well as encourage his teammates during competition.

“He’s a pretty quiet guy, but at the same time because of that, when he does speak and when he does get fired up about something, people listen. … It’s not how much you say, it’s what you say and how you listen as well. He’s a good listener,” Ernst said.

Khanin has had several notable wins throughout his career, one of which was his victory over George Washington’s Francisco Dias, who graduated this past May. Dias finished his career as the all-time singles leader in wins with 87. Dias was No. 8 in the Atlantic region singles ranking his senior year at GWU. “[Dias] was a hell of a player — probably the best guy in the Atlantic 10 last year,” Ernst said.

In Georgetown’s 5-2 loss to George Washington in 2014, Khanin notched the Hoyas’ only singles win against Dias in a threeset battle concluding in a 7-6(5), 1-6, 6-4 finish.

Since he is the one athlete on the roster that has played for Ernst the longest, Khanin plays a key role as an alternate captain in relaying goals to the team and helping his teammates to reach them.

“The coach tells me and the other captains what he wants us to do for the week, for the month and our goals for the season, and then we relay those goals to the team and

make sure everyone is on the same page,” Khanin said. “We schedule practices [and] extra hits for whoever needs them before matches and just [make] sure everyone is really happy with where their game is and ready for every match every weekend.”

With two new talented freshmen — Michael Chen and Will Sharton — climbing the ranks, as well as the team’s tight-knit relationship, Khanin said that he primarily uses his experience to encourage his teammates and create a positive experience for them on the team.

“The dynamic isn’t really that different than it has been in the past when we’ve had more than one senior because we’re such a close team and we’re always together on and off the court,” Khanin said. “I don’t really think me being the only senior affects the dynamic of the team, but I definitely try to lead by example on the court and off the court as well.”

As he enters his final year at Georgetown, Khanin’s overarching goal is for Georgetown to win the Big East title, which he thinks would be the ideal ending to his college athletic career.

“Everything we do in the season is great, but that would obviously be the ultimate end to the season and [my] career at Georgetown,” Khanin said. “Of course, every match counts, we want to win every match we play, but it’s hard not to look ahead.”

The men’s tennis team will continue regular-season play today against Navy in Annapolis, Md., at 7 p.m.

WOMen’s basketball

Social Media Uproars Hoyas Hope to Replicate Wins Often Misplace Blame FRIARS, from B10

IPPOLITO, from B10

kickers, especially in the playoffs.

This year, two of the 10 postseason games were essentially decided by missed kicks, and social media users had a field day. Facebook and Twitter accounts posted extreme criticisms of the players; usually, those critiques came from the kickers’ team’s passionate fans. Even though kickers rarely cost their teams games, when they do fail, they are almost always given full responsibility. Faulting those kickers is lazy, unfair and often reveals the ugly side of sports fandom.

Just ask Blair Walsh and Stephen Gostkowski, two kickers who are both among the NFL’s best, but happened to miss extremely important kicks in their respective teams’ playoff games.

Walsh missed a 27-yard field goal with just over 20 seconds left in Minnesota’s wildcard game against Seattle. The Vikings lost 10-9. Gostkowski’s miss was an extra point in the first quarter that allowed Denver to maintain its one-point lead.

New England s u b s e qu e n t l y had to try — but ultimately failed — to convert a twopoint attempt with less than 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter of its AFC Championship game loss.

Walsh was treated far worse than Gostkowski, but both were vilified on Twitter with death threats and suicide encouragements. Obviously the fans have a right to be upset that Walsh missed a chip-shot field goal that almost certainly would have allowed Minnesota to advance in the playoffs, but fans never have a right to espouse that anger with death threats, especially in both of these scenarios.

First, Walsh was the reason the Vikings had points in the game to begin with. He converted his first three field goal attempts of the afternoon and gave Minnesota a 9-0 lead. In fact, Walsh led the entire NFL this season with 34 successful field goal attempts.

The Vikings were a mediocre offensive team at best that finished 16th in the league in points per game. Walsh essentially made the difference in three games by either kicking game-winning field goals or kicking enough field goals to make up for the lack of touchdowns, elevating a team

with a lackluster offense to a division title.

Again, Walsh should have made the kick — he said as much after the game — but there are so many other factors that decided that football game. For instance, Walsh did not fumble early in the fourth quarter — Adrian Peterson did. Walsh’s offense did not fail to eclipse 200 yards of total offense — Norv Turner’s did. Walsh definitely deserves to shoulder a portion of the blame, but he is far from the only one to take on that burden.

The fans that are furious at Gostkowski are even more absurd. First, Gostkowski’s miss occurred in the first quarter, meaning that New England had 45 minutes of game time to change the outcome or at least play with the knowledge of the miss. Second, like Walsh, Gostkowski was quick to accept the responsibility and piled blame upon himself.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the locker room, the Patriots’ offensive line was in an avid hurry to leave the dressing area and actively tried to avoid any media questions. This is an offensive line that gave up four sacks, let Tom Brady get hit 23 times — the most of any quarterback in any game since 2006 — and only allowed Patriot running backs to gain a horrid 2.2 yards per carry. There was no reason for Gostkowski to miss that extra point, as he was perfect on those all season, but at least he took responsibility for his mistake, unlike the group of individuals that played much more of a role in New England’s loss than he did.

It is easy to blame kickers.

Most of them do not look like football players and endure comparatively less pain. That does not make them any less human. People make mistakes, kickers miss kicks — it happens. Fans have a right to be angry but need to stop being short-sighted and ignorant about why their teams lose. Hiding behind the screen of a computer to voice inappropriate and outrageous thoughts contradicts the spirit of fandom.

Stephen Gostkowski and Blair Walsh shoulder an unfair amount of responsibility for their teams’ respective losses in the NFL playoffs.

Michael Ippolito is a junior in the College. The water cooler appears every Friday.

didn’t finish at the rim. We didn’t execute completely offensively,” Jenkins said.

Georgetown started the fourth quarter strong, and the team quickly managed to extend its lead to double figures. The Hoyas maintained their advantage throughout the final period — never allowing the Friars to pull within seven points. In the final minute of play, Georgetown went 6-of-8 from the free-throw line to widen its lead to 13.

A Providence three-pointer with 10 seconds remaining in the contest was too little too late for the Friars, and when the final buzzer sounded, the Hoyas won 63-53.

“We did a better job of containing [Providence’s] dribble penetration, eliminating them [from] getting to the basket and taking away key shots from their key players. And we made the big shots at the end that we needed to make to close out the game,” Jenkins said.

In the season’s previous matchup, the Friars were paced by junior guard Sarah Beal, who scored a team-high 16 points and pulled down a team-high eight rebounds. Beal leads Providence in scoring, steals and assists. The junior averages 12.2 points per game and has recorded 58 assists and 37 steals this season. “[Beal] likes to put the ball on the floor and drive to the basket. Our main focus is to keep her out of the paint, and every time she rises up to shoot the ball we have to make sure we contest it.

It makes [it] a little harder for her to get those looks if we are more aggressive,” Jenkins said.

In addition to containing Beal on the defensive end, the Hoyas will be focused on finding opportunities for their two top scorers to shine offensively. Sophomore guard Dorothy Adomako and freshman guard Dionna White, who average 13.8 and 14.7 points, respectively, make for a challenging combination FILE PHOTO: KARLA LEYJA/THE HOYA to defend.

“Dionna White and Dorothy Ado- Freshman guard Dionna White tied her career high in points with 22 in mako are two of the top players in the Georgetown’s first game against Creighton. league and [we] have those two kids on our team,” Jenkins said. “They both can transition buckets. We were able to They made good decisions with the score the basketball at will … and they push the ball up the floor and get easy basketball. At the end of the game, we bring a factor that a lot of teams don’t layups and that gave us confidence made the right choices and took good have.” and momentum going into the sec- shots,” Jenkins said.

Following its matchup with Provi- ond half.”

In Sunday’s game, the Hoyas will dence, Georgetown will travel to NeThe Hoyas dominated the second focus on playing disciplined defense braska to take on Creighton. In their half, extending their lead to 10 points so that they can speed up the pace of previous meeting this season, the by the end of the third quarter and the game and take advantage of their Hoyas came away with a 69-57 victory. leading by as many as 12 points in the strength in transition.

Georgetown trailed for much of the final period.

“When we defend, we are able to first half, falling behind by as many as “Going into the second half, we push the ball in transition,” Jenkins 10 points in the second quarter. How- built on what we had done in the first said. “I think Creighton will have a ever, determined not to let the Blue- half. We defended [and] we guarded very difficult time with that. We saw jays pull away, the Hoyas picked up their set and pushed the ball up the the first time [that] we played them their defensive intensity, forcing four floor in transition. That helped us out that they had a hard time guarding us turnovers in four minutes. George- and gave us a little bit of an edge,” Jen- in transition. We don’t want to slow town went on a 16-5 run to close out kins said. the game down. We don’t want to the first half and entered the break A 7-0 run by Creighton late in the play a half-court game with them. We leading 36-35. fourth quarter cut Georgetown’s lead want to run. We want to push the ball “One of the things that gets us go- to four points with 3:08 left to play. and get easy layups. They will have a ing as a team is our ability to defend. But the Hoyas were able to keep their difficult time guarding us if we are to When we do a good job on the defen- composure, answering with a 9-1 run that.” sive end, it creates offensive shots for of their own. When time expired, the Friday’s game is set to tip off at 7 us,” Jenkins said. “In the Creighton Hoyas led by 12. p.m. in Providence, R.I. Sunday’s game game, we got a lot of stops and a cou“The kids did a really good job of is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. in Omaha, ple steals that allowed us to get easy being disciplined and staying poised. Neb.

SPORTS

Men’s Basketball Georgetown (13-8) vs. Providence (17-4) Saturday, 8 p.m.

Verizon Center

FRIDAY, JANUARY 29, 2016

TALKING POINTS

MEN’S BASKETBALL

“

Smith-Rivera’s clutch plays drove Georgetown’s comeback against Creighton.

See B8

NUMBERS GAME

We are not just going to walk into any gym and walk out with a victory. We have to earn it.”

ASSISTANT COACH SARAH JENKINS

MEN’S BASKETBALL

10

The national rank of the women’s track and field team entering this weekend’s meet.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

GU Defense Braces for Providence Hoyas Travel For Two-Game Trip AIDAN CURRAN Hoya Staff Writer

After a thrilling 74-73 comeback win against Creighton (14-7, 5-3 Big East) Tuesday night, the Georgetown men’s basketball team (13-8, 6-2 Big East) will now will host No. 10 Providence (17-4, 5-3 Big East) Saturday at Verizon Center for a rare weekend night game. Georgetown is currently in a two-way tie for second place in the Big East, and a win against the No. 10 team in the country would boost its NCAA tournament resume.

Providence, which is currently tied with Creighton for third place in the conference standings, is coming off a 75-68 loss to No. 7 Xavier (18-2, 6-2 Big East) at home.

MOLLY O’CONNELL Hoya Staff Writer

The Georgetown women’s basketball team (10-9, 3-6 Big East) kicks off the second half of its Big East schedule this weekend with contests on the road against Providence (4-15, 0-9 Big East) and Creighton (10-11, 4-5 Big East).

The Hoyas will enter Friday’s matchup coming off a 57-51 win over conference rival Villanova University (13-7, 6-3 Big East).

That win snapped a four-game losing streak for Georgetown — the team’s longest of the season.

“We had a great win against Villanova at Villanova and that has really increased the team’s confidence,” Assistant Coach Sarah Jenkins said.

While Georgetown will enter the contest riding the momentum of the Villanova victory, Providence looks to get back on track after losing nine straight games to start conference play.

“Providence clearly has two of the better players in the league ... with how Dunn and Bentil are going right now.”

JOHN THOMPSON III Head Coach

After their scintillating victory Tuesday, the Hoyas will enter this game on a high note. Despite several questionable foul calls that they received in the second half, the Hoyas were able to overcome an 11-point deficit with 2:32 left in the game. A 15-3 run over the final 2:17, capped off by a late steal by freshman guard/ forward Kaleb Johnson and two free throws — including the game winner — from senior guard and co-captain D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera, was enough to complete the comeback and give the Hoyas a win that improves their chances of playing in the NCAA tournament.

“We had ample opportunities to quit and pack it in, but our guys kept fighting and found a way to put us in position to have some success in the end,” Georgetown Head Coach John Thompson III said of the win.

Smith-Rivera scored 19 points and

The Friars have not yet beaten a Big East opponent this season.

Although Providence has struggled recently, Georgetown has not taken anything for granted in preparing for Friday’s matchup.

“If you look at a lot of the games in the league, they have been close — just a five- to sevenpoint deficit. So we are trying to get our kids to understand that no game is a ‘gimme.’ We are not just going to walk into any gym and walk out with a victory.

We have to earn it,” Jenkins said.

When the Hoyas and the Friars met earlier this season, the contest was closely matched through three quarters, with neither team establishing a significant lead. Entering the fourth quarter, the Hoyas had only a seven-point advantage.

“We missed a lot of shots [in our first game against Providence]. We got a lot of opportunities around the basket that See FRIARS, B9

CLAIRE SOISSON/THE HOYA

Senior guard and co-captain D’Vauntes Smith-Rivera scored 19 points against Creighton, including seven in the last 92 seconds of the game. had three assists and three rebounds, while freshman forward Marcus Derrickson had his best game since suffering a knee injury earlier in January, scoring 10 points and grabbing four rebounds.

The Friars, meanwhile, will come into this game hungry after dropping a home game to the Xavier Musketeers on Tuesday in front of a sellout crowd that turned out for the firstever matchup between two top-10 teams at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, R.I. Providence sophomore forward Ben Bentil scored 25 points while star junior point guard Kris Dunn stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and seven steals. The Musketeers

THE WATER COOLER

built up a 17-point lead in the second half, but the Friars went on a 14-3 run to cut the deficit to six points with five minutes remaining. A late Xavier three-pointer put the Musketeers up by six and put the Friars away for good.

The trio of Bentil, Dunn and sophomore forward Rodney Bullock currently leads the Friars on the stat sheet.

Bentil and Dunn lead the conference in scoring with 20 and 16.9 points per game, respectively.

“Providence clearly has two of the better players in the league — if not in the country — with how Dunn and Bentil are going right now,” Thompson said.

KARLA LEYJA/THE HOYA

See PROVIDENCE, B9

Sophomore guard Dorothy Adomako is second on the team in points and rebounds per game with 13.8 and 5.6, respectively.

MEN’S TENNIS

Khanin Leads Team as Sole Senior ELIZABETH CAVACOS Hoya Staff Writer

Michael Ippolito

Fans Must Reassess Criticism S

ports fandom forms bonds unique from any other relationships in life. It spans across generations and brings people together who would otherwise have little in common. Sports unify cities, states and, at times, countries in support of something bigger than any individual.

Kickers receive unfair share of the blame in their teams’ losses.

However, there is also an obvious dark side at play. Fans love their team and presumably that team’s players, but in the age of social media, it appears that love is growing more conditional.

This conditionality is based on unrealistic expectations of constant perfection from ordinary humans with extraordinary abilities. No one experiences this conditional love more than NFL See IPPOLITO, B9

In his four years of playing in the number one singles position for the Georgetown men’s tennis team, senior Daniel Khanin has balanced the pressures of leading his team both on and off the court.

The only freshman on the team when he arrived at Georgetown and now the only senior on the 12-athlete men’s squad, Khanin has stepped into two critical roles at both ends of his career: that of a talented underclassmen with potential for greatness, and that of a visible leader with the maturity needed to guide a new group of promising freshmen.

“He’s always had that ability and talent that other guys just don’t have.”

GORDIE ERNST Head Coach

FILE PHOTO: JULIA HENNRIKUS/THE HOYA

The Baldwin, N.Y., native — a three-star recruit — attended Bollettieri Academy, a tennistraining academy located in Bradenton, Fla. Khanin was one of 135 students in Bollettieri’s Class of 2012 who went on to commit to top athletic programs at universities across the country.

From the beginning, Head Coach Gordie Ernst knew that Khanin’s athletic ability was a major asset to the team’s suc-

So far in his career on the men’s tennis team, senior Daniel Khanin has logged records of 15-17, 10-11 and 6-10 in singles play during his freshman, sophomore and junior seasons, respectively. cess.

“He’s had to log the pressure in bookends,” Ernst said of the progression of Khanin’s career. “He’s good enough to play high in the lineup, so it wasn’t like I just threw him up there as a freshman. … He’s always had that ability and that talent that other guys just don’t have.”

Khanin stepped into the number one singles slot during the spring of

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his freshman season and has posted impressive results in both singles and doubles play ever since. Ernst said he has watched Khanin’s individual play improve over his four years, and that his wins and close losses to tough opponents show both natural ability and a willingness to improve upon his skill set.

“He volleys better now, he

serves better. … He can hit the ball with anyone. He’s that good of a ball striker, and that’s a big statement,” Ernst said.

Even more significant than his technical improvements has been Khanin’s ability to lead the team, particularly through example.

Khanin’s leadership skills have See KHANIN, B9