T PURCHASE H E INDEPENDENT
ISSUE 273 OCTOBER 11, 2012
y o u r. i n d y @ g m a i l . c o m
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR editor-in-chief:
This week has been absolutely horrific, bookended by a broken printer that is resisting repair. That being said, there’s a pretty good chance you’re reading this online way after we usually layout editor: M el issa Foster upload it. I’m really sorry about that. Tommy and I, with the help of Jasmine and Printer-Technician Lou, are working really hard senior staff writer: A l yc e Pel l eg r ino trying to fix our printer, so cross your fingers for us. I’d like to take a quick second to thank Jasmine writers: A l ex a Dil l en bec k Rippey (CoCOaS) and Teddy O’Rourke (Chair of SenDyl an Green ate) for all of the help they’ve given both myself and H ans Gabr iel H uessy also The Independent this week. They are both wonderful, R óisín M c Car ty beautiful, appreciated human beings. Purchase is exNoel l e M oore tremely lucky to have them as members of the execuJake M ur phy tive board. Car a Nuz zo Remember to submit Backpage quotes M ike Rel uz c o Tom my Roach at: formspring.me/indybackpage and questions to Ste ph anie Spencer the Alt Clinic at: alternativeclinic.tumblr.com/ask. A ngel os Tr itaris Next issue, we’ll be debuting two new columns! R achel Weis s Have an awesome week, everyone!
R óisín M c Car ty
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Tom my Roach copy editor:
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M elis s a Fos ter The Purchase Independent is a non-profit news magazine, paid for by the Mandatory Student Activity fee. We welcome and encourage submissions from readers. The Independent is a forum for campus issues and events, to give students the voice they deserve. Any opinions expressed are those of the writers, not those of The Independent, its editors, or the PSGA. The deadline for submissions is every Friday before midnight, and accepted pieces will be published the following Thursday. Publication of submissions is not guaranteed, but subject to the discretion of the editors. No anonymous submissions will be considered, but we will accept use of pseudonyms on a case-by-case basis. Send all submissions and inquiries to your.indy@gmail.com. Back page quotes can be submitted to formspring.me/indybackpage or put in the Back Page Box that hangs on the office door. 2 on the first floor of Campus Center Our office is located North, room 1011. Staff meetings are held in the office every Monday night at 9:30; anyone is welcome.
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y o u r. i n d y @ g m a i l . c o m
In This issue: An Open Apology On holding herself accountable. written by Róisín McCarty page 7
Greg Rutkin The man. The myth. The Stood Coordinator. written by Jake Murphy page 8
Cinemasai Review: “The Master” written by Dylan Green page 9
Submit Backpage quotes: formspring.me/indybackpage Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/purchaseindy Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/purchaseindy
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WHAT MITT ROMNEY IS DOING RIGHT BY MIKE RELUZCO It’s easy to criticize Mitt Romney. I do it all the time. I make fun of him, I get angry with his policy choices, and I honestly don’t like him. Still, there is some sort of argument that must be made for his success-- somehow he is still keeping up with Obama in the polls. It was hard and it took a lot of studying and thinking, but I think I’ve got it. Mitt Romney is a model private citizen. During his brief presidential bid in 2008, Mitt Romney cast himself as a Washington outsider. This is where things get tricky-- McCain claimed the same thing. The real issue here is that Mitt Romney really does operate outside of Washington. He has been in government for some time- but for a long time before that he was a private citizen who ran a company and made a serious profit. His wife tested positive for Multiple Sclerosis, and he was incredibly upset. He was not, and is not, the Romney-bot that everybody makes him out to be. He became head of the 2002 Olympic committee after the previous head nearly drove the Salt Lake City Olympics into the ground, and he picked it back up and made it work. Everybody gets inflamed when they see Mitt’s change in policies in order to stick to the Republican Platform. People hate him, they think he is stupid, and they believe that he has no feelings. But that’s the public Mitt. There is something under that. Something that made him advocate for reproductive rights and socially adjusted health care only a few short years ago. A change in mind does not make Mitt Romney a hypocrite, it makes him a human being trying to do what he can to succeed.
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So there we have it, this is what Mitt Romney does best. Mitt Romney acts like a successful private citizen-- just the way he always has. This strength that he has also seems to be his downfall. As a human being, Mitt Romney is missing one of the key elements that it takes to be a politician, and that is conviction. Strong conviction. Mitt Romney can say now that he is strongly pro-life, but when did that change happen? On the fly, Romney can’t seem to decide properly on any of his views. He doesn’t know what they are. He is a puppet for the Republican party-people seem to be feeding his views straight into a tube placed between Mitt’s ass-cheeks and hoping they come out properly by the time they reach his mouth. The reason we know the Romney-bot is that he has set aside his humanity, his ability to make his own decisions, and his capacity to argue an intelligent point in order to further an agenda. Humanity is Mitt Romney’s strength, and now it’s been sucked out of him. If the real Mitt Romney would please stand up, I would hold him in much higher regards, and I bet most others would too. Hell, if he did that, I might even consider voting for him.
news
NOT YOUR TYPICAL ABC FAMILY HALLOWEEN MARATHON
Rave the vote
BY NOELLE MOORE
BY STEPHANIE SPENCER
There’s something spooky about October. Whether it be the growing chill in the air, the leaves changing color, or the approach of All Hallow’s Eve, the excitement of October is infectious. In an effort to truly make a scream out of this month, my apartment will play host to a month long horror movie extravaganza. The idea is that we will watch one movie per night, all the way up to Halloween. We already christened the first of October with a screening of the appropriate 1997 Wes Craven classic, “Scream.” The first week of the horror-a-thon has included both notable and underground films such as “The Exorcist,” “The Loved Ones,” and “Funny Games.” For the remaining three weeks, we already have a tentative schedule, arranged by my roommate and the evil mastermind of this plan, Cassidy Barr. We will honor the classics with viewings of “The Shining,” “Halloween,” “Pet Semetary,” and “Nightmare on Elm Street.” And will of course revel in the more recent diamonds in the rough with “The Cabin in the Woods,” “Trick R’ Treat,” and “Zombieland.” Our marathon won’t be limited to English films either. Swedish pre-pubescent vampire thriller, “Let the Right One In,” and Norway’s Nazi-zombie mashup, “Dead Snow,” will be evidence of the fact that horror transcends language. If any of you guys and ghouls have movie suggestions or just want to join us in celebrating the Halloween spirit, don’t hesitate to contact us!
With the 2012 election fast approaching, politically driven Purchase students in the New York Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) threw a Rave the Vote event at the Stood last Saturday in order to raise awareness and bring the younger generation to the voting booths in November. Bracelet and necklace lights checkered the Stood’s dance floor as eager Rave the Vote volunteers plastered signs saying “Reasons to register to vote:” with various hand written responses underneath. Rave-goers got the opportunity to rock out to DJs RxY’s trippy techno beats and register to vote if they haven’t already done so. While she wanted people to have a great time, Rave the Vote’s volunteer, Brittany Bollenbach, wanted to remind the campus why it is critical for our generation to participate in the voting process. “We are the generation that will be affected by this election,” said Bollenbach. “We will be growing up in this.” As the 2012 election draws nearer, NYPIRG will be continuing their campaign using mass e-mails, connecting with as many students as possible in hopes of spreading the word. To learn more about NYPIRG or how you can get involved, contact: Project Coordinator Alex Wojcik 914-251-6986, or AWojcik@nypirg.ordg.
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Secular Student Alliance BY HANS GABRIEL HUESSY “When I said what the club was, it took people aback.” Even here at Purchase, atheism and secularism are considered dirty words by a number of people. Students Luigi Bonifaccio, Matthew Collura, and Brixton Barrett are aiming to change that. The trio is in the process of establishing a new chapter of the Secular Student Alliance (SSA) here at Purchase. The SSA is a national umbrella organization that assists students in atheist, agnostic, and free thought movements. Luigi and Matthew were inspired to establish the new chapter last semester. They felt that while there are multiple clubs for religious students, there was nowhere for secular students to meet and have discussions. “It’s just as important for us as for anyone else to have a space where we can come to discuss pertinent issues and talk about things relevant to our community,” said Brixton. Whilst collecting signatures to get the club started, they encountered a good deal of trepidation from certain people. “It felt like they were offended just because I mentioned the word atheist,” said Matthew. The trio is eager to debunk the notion that they are an atheist-only organization, as the term secular applies to a range of beliefs, including agnosticism and humanism. They also emphasize that the goal of the club is not to stand around and disprove the existence of God. “People think all we want to do is stand on a street corner and shout at the top of our lungs ‘There is no God!’” said Brixton. “What would be the point of that? That wouldn’t achieve anything.” The initial meeting, which occurred on Monday, opened with a discussion of the group’s
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central premise and ideas for the future of the club. Once the purpose was made clear, Matthew decided to initiate a test discussion to exemplify what future meetings may be like. The topic, blasphemy laws and their potential international implications, sparked a lively debate. Despite a couple moments when things became heated, the discussion was an intelligent and interesting one. Most importantly, it demonstrated that the students who attended the meeting represent a wide range of philosophies. “I think it was excellent,” said Matthew with a smile. “Overall it was very productive.” Future debates will be more structured, with Brixton as “debate master.” “We’ve got a very lively group,” he said. “A lot of volatile minds, so I don’t think we’ll ever really know what to expect, which is cool.” Brixton would also like to see debates happen with other clubs and organizations in the future, though he is quick to point out that is not the focus of the club. “Our in-group discussions are just as important as the public events we’ll have,” he said. “We want everything to have equal weight.” The group leaders also have a keen interest in getting involved with charity work, possibly collaborating with other campus clubs. “There’s a good bit of misconception that to have a moral system you need to have a religion,” Matthew said. “I believe that people can be moral human beings of their own volition.” As far as long term goals go, the triumvirate is still working out the finer details. “We are here to foster tolerance,” Matthew said. “We don’t want to be nullified after reaching a goal, we’re here for representation, to create an ongoing presence.”
campus
ON HOLDING MYSELF ACCOUNTABLE BY RÓISÍN McCARTY I would like to take a moment to apologize to the student body. I have not been completely honest with you. I walked on eggshells my entire first semester with The Independent. I didn’t print anything that could, in any way, shape, or form, give the PSGA or the administration a bad name. I developed a good repoir with most of the PSGA office regulars. I left the door adjoining our offices open most of the time, letting the traffic flow, letting the conversations flow, and letting the information flow. But I did nothing with it. I didn’t allow my interns to write about it. Not many students on this campus are as lucky as I am to have such a large audience. I didn’t use my voice to try and fix things, and that’s not fair. That will be changing. The name of this newsmagazine is The Independent, and while circumstances may have changed, and we may not be as truly independent as we were when we began, the sentiment is still there. I will no longer be operating this publication under the assumption that a student government, the administration, or anything at Purchase cannot be corrupt. The media exists to inform the public of what’s happening, and I intend to fulfill that to the best of my ability this year. I’m pulling myself up by the bootstraps, and these boots are made for stomping all over eggshells. And I want to make it clear that I’m not sitting in the publications office, typing a bitchy, passive aggressive op-ed trying to be menacing. I’m not baring my teeth. I’m not demanding fear.
What I am demanding is respect-- not for myself, but for the media presence on this campus. Both The Independent and The Brick work tirelessly to deliver news to the student body, and it’s time that everyone stop taking that for granted. We exist to report the facts that we are told, and that we think the public should know about. We do not exist to be told what to report, when to report it, and what to say. We do not exist to serve as a filing cabinet for administrative data. But even more than that, we do not exist to be a scapegoat for when the people with power make a mistake. The PSGA’s word of the year is “accountability,” and I, with the help of my staff and the campus community, will hold them accountable, will hold The Independent accountable, and will hold anyone who needs to be held accountable, well, accountable. Because, really, why is it that when students start to ask questions, the answer is always, “Well, you don’t know the whole story”? Why are we never privy to the whole story? Why are our valuable spaces being taken away? Why can we do nothing about it? Why isn’t Zona open on the weekends? How does Jimmy make everything so perfectly so consistently? To end on a serious note, there are extremely important changes going on at Purchase right now, and the first step to fixing them is asking one simple question: Why?
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GREG RUTKIN: STOOD COORDINATOR BY JAKE MURPHY Almost all of us are acquainted with our Student Center, or Stood. A place where we can enjoy music, skate, hang out, play games and have a good time. The Stood has recently been put on probation for events that took place last year, and is in danger of being shut down. This school year, however, we have a new Student Center Coordinator who is standing up to keep the Stood open, fun, and more productive. His name is Greg Rutkin, and I had a chance to sit down with him and get his well needed perspective on everything going on this year. What’s your major and year? Greg Rutkin: I’m a senior and a history major. Tell me about the stood on probation and how that came about. GR: Well, in the past drinking at the Stood was
not a major issue. It was mostly kept on the down low, up until an incident involving a gallery showing that served wine. Plus, a girl was hit with a mic stand here and received a broken jaw during Zombie Prom, and those things resulted in the probation. So what are you doing to prevent the Stood from getting shut down? GR: I am enforcing the no drinking policy as well
as our security. We have people checking More Cards now to prevent anyone from off-campus coming into the Stood for the parties, and whenever I see someone drinking I just throw it out. I sent a letter to students stating that the Stood was on probation and one more incident would result in it being shut down. I think it’s better that people know they can drink but will result in the
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Stood getting shut down than telling them they can’t drink at all. People are being really respectful and it’s been going pretty great. Tell me about your new additions and plans for this year. GR: Well we are building a new skate park that
is more of it’s own area so there’s no annoying traffic, fixing the arcade games, tuning all the pianos, re-doing the green room, and painting new murals on the walls. I haven’t found anyone who’s this passionate about the stood, why are you doing it? GR: Well, before Purchase I was a student a SUNY
Fredonia, and it was just a soul crushing experience. I’m a drummer, but I wasn’t in the conservatory, so the teachers didn’t let me practice and I couldn’t express any creativity at all. I visited Purchase and came to the Stood and I thought it was amazing, it was everything I wanted. So it’s a real connection for you? GR: Yeah, definitely. What’s your favorite part about the Stood? GR: I really like all the side rooms such as the
Cinema, the shows, and the rooms in general. How does it feel to play music at the Stood but be in control at the same time? GR: That’s a good question. It’s cool I guess, not
many people know I am the Stood Coordinator so I feel a bit unknown.
campus How do you feel about the incoming freshmen and new students interacting with the Stood this year? GR: I love it. It’s the same way I felt when I first
came here, and when I see their excitement when they’re in here, I get excited too. Any upcoming events you’re specifically excited about? GR: I’m excited for Skaties Night/Night of a
Thousand Pizzas where everyone wears roller blades. I’m also really excited for Fallfest, [and] all the shows in general and I’m even enjoying the dance parties here. Anything you want to let everyone know? GR: Yeah, I want everyone to know that I work
for you, you all pay money each month to have the Stood open for your use, and we want to know how to make it better or your views on it. I also want everyone to know that we’re all working pretty hard on the Stood and trying to keep it open. I really don’t want to be an asshole but I want people to be respectful when they’re in here. Greg Rutkin can usually be found in the Stood and is open for any opinions, as is everyone else who works at the Student Center. Please remember to try to be respectful towards the space as we all do pay for it.
Late night network RACHEL WEISS Last week, the Late Night Network premiered all of its new shows and got off to an incredible start! Student Film Showcase was the first to be seen at 10:00 PM on Monday, and its line up was filled with extraordinary talent: Space Bunnies, Dead Lamb, Girl on Fire, Take Care, At Night, and In Space No One Can Hear...You Bleed. On Tuesday at 10:00PM, a rockin’ brand new episode of Thermobarbaric was aired. Wednesday night consisted of back-to-back season premieres of the Purchase Pulse and Purchase Late Night at 11:00 and 11:30 PM respectively. Pulse, hosted by Kyle McKenzie and Carly Eden Smith, gave off a Daily Show-type vibe with the latest political updates and a twist of Purchase news. The episode’s interviews included Mike Cronin, Bianca Clendenin, and Jamie Roderick. After that, over a hundred students tuned in for the premiere of Purchase Late Night with Mike Cronin. The episode featured outstanding music from “The Bellegards,” stand-up comedy by Casey McGowan, and an interview with PSGA executives. On Thursday, the demand was so great that instead of PLN Classic, the premiere got an encore! But don’t worry, PLN Classic is now here to stay at 11:30 PM on Thursday nights. And last but not least, on Sunday at 2:00, LNN Conservatory started off with a beautiful performance of German Lieder by the Purchase Opera Conservatory. Make sure to keep tuning in to see what’s in store for the Late Night Network!
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SENATE RECAP BY CARA NUZZO Joe Tripodi, Director of the Office of Sustainability, spoke this week at the PSGA Senate about the Green Fee Fund and the continuous efforts to improve sustainability on campus. “Improving sustainability is a race with no finish line,” said Tripodi, “I will continue to need the PSGA’s help throughout the year.” The Green Fee Fund comes out of the Student Activities Fee, and funds student projects concerning energy resources. Projects include reducing electricity use by having one LED light bulb per dorm, and organizing a more efficient way to recycle on campus through signs and an additional night crew to attend to recycling bins. The Appointment of the Athletic Senator, Issac Campbell, was tabled because of Campbell’s absence. The Appointment of the Chief Justice and Justices was approved with Wendy Faiola appointed as Chief Justice. Thomas Decarlo, Mary Kent, and Philip Georges were appointed as Justices. Hilary Bodin and Robert Lewis were appointed as Reserve Justices. The Accountability Clause was approved, stating that the coordinators of the PSGA are responsible for holding interns accountable for their work and time sheets. Frank Oleszko was appointed Public Art Chair. Oleszko plans to have a campus wide application with a quick description when submitting public art, as well as a campus wide vote and street team. The street team will consist of student volunteers, not limited to artists, that will spread the word about public art. The Student Center by-laws were approved with added clauses about major events, hiring processes, and the dress code for employees. The Appointment of the Diversity Ad-
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vocates was sent to the E-Board, after debating whether or not to absolve the Diversity Outreach Board. “I do not think we should absolve the Outreach Board,” said Hashim Wright, Chair of Diversity Outreach. “But I don’t think it’s necessary for senators to be there.” Most of the Senators did not agree with Wright’s proposal to change the Diversity Outreach Board, including Christina Blankenship, President of the PSGA. “It shouldn’t be seen as a hindrance,” said Blankenship. “It should be empowering, it’s not about accountability, they [the senators] really want to help.” Senate is held in the Olde community lounge on Wednesdays at 12:30 pm. Meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend.
campus
THE PROBLEM WITH BATHROOM FLIERS BY ALYCE PELLEGRINO TRIGGER WARNING: Eating disorders
There have been many times on this campus when an email is sent out, or a flier is hung up that asks students if they wouldn’t mind giving up some time to take a survey. Sometimes they offer money; others are simply looking for a story. Take the newest flier floating around campus. The first thing you will notice about it is the large bold print asking if you are female, then if you have ever experienced an eating disorder. The only place I have seen this flier is in bathroom stalls. There are two things very wrong with this. The first being that this flier has singled out one sex in this survey. Now, there may be a specific reason relating to research that only females are needed. Perhaps it is that it occurs more commonly in females than males. Eating disorders are primarily thought of as a “female illness,” and the possibility of men suffering from this illness is rarely thought of. Unfortunately, something like this only perpetuates that theory. The second is where a majority of these fliers are found. Imagine you are someone who has an eating disorder and you get up in the middle of class to go to the bathroom. Suddenly you’re in a small stall, a piece of paper staring back at you asking you if you have an eating disorder, and if you’d like to anonymously share your story. If you suffer from bulimia, this is the place where you purge yourself after binge eating. From a marketing standpoint, this was well thought through. But this can also be very triggering. Moving further down the flier, the qualifications for participating in the survey are listed. The last one is what is most troubling to me. It reads: “Experienced a period of recovery from your eating disorder.” This immediately shuts out
a large number of candidates that could participate in this survey. By the time our young female, who has an eating disorder and is reading this flier in the bathroom, gets to the bottom of these bullet points, she may already be unqualified. Not only that, but what about the people who only have symptoms of an eating disorder? They still suffer from an illness, they still have a reason they started up these habits, and they still have a story to tell. Now, being that the survey is anonymous there may be a loophole to this; I don’t know, I haven’t taken the survey. But right underneath this last qualification is another phrase in bold, black print: “Your story and experiences can be of great help to others with eating disorders.” I’m sure that by now you think I am bashing this survey. I am not, at all. I have no real issue with the survey itself. It states plainly that the researcher conducting the survey is a licensed clinical psychologist, as well as a professor at Manhattanville College. And if anyone is interested in taking this survey I encourage you to do so. All the information for the survey is on the fliers, and the survey itself can be found at EatingDisorderStudy.com. What I am concerned with, however, is the marketing choices.
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ANGELOS PRESENTS: A REVIEW OF KANYE’S NEW ALBUM BY ANGELOS TRITARIS It seems Kanye is not against using his clout in the rap game to bring more rap legends together for his latest collaboration project: “Kanye West Presents G.O.O.D. Music Cruel Summer.” They say too many cooks spoil the broth. Whoever said this must have failed to tell Kanye. “Cruel Summer” is filled to the brim with guest spots, cameos and samples from every direction. The album begins with “To The World”, a track featuring R. Kelly, who delivers a catchy infectious hook over a stiff drumbeat and swarming string plucks. After R. Kelly belts out the chorus, Kanye takes over in an animated fashion, hilariously mangling Francis Ford Coppola’s name and taunting Mitt Romney for not disclosing his taxes. The album then goes into “Clique,” which amounts to Kanye’s friends usual bragging over a beat produced by Hit-boy. Clique’s sound is very similar to “Watch The Throne,” right down to the haughty lyrics and a guest spot from Jay-Z. It ends with one of the best verses Kanye has ever rapped. The next song is “Mercy.” Big Sean, Pusha T, and 2Chainz, deliver their best verses on here. Verses filled with ass puns are all wrapped up in an obscure sample from Super Beagles’ “Dust a Soundboy.” Halfway through the track, the beat completely changes before Kanye’s verse, which fails to deliver. “New God Flow” is similar to the previous two songs “Mercy,” and “Clique.” For the album version, Ghostface Killah is probably the most famous “get” for this album. He lays down an okay verse in the final minute and a half. The next few songs “The Morning,” “Higher,” “The One” and “Sin City” are a bit of an enigma. Conceptually, they’re great, if not
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fantastic. The beats, hooks and samples in use here are masterfully employed, the culmination of which create the albums most memorable hooks. They take a turn for the worse once the verses drop in. The highlight of all those being a line out of Kanye’s verse in “The One”: “Best Way to describe my position is at the helm/Best way to describe my new whip - YEEEAAALMMMPPP” “Creepers” is the odd one out on the album. Performed by Kid Cudi, it’s the only solo song on the record. It’s an incredibly dense song from all angles. His mumbled lyrics and layered beats create a sound that’s entirely unique and indecipherable, but wholly interesting. After being away from songs like “Mercy,” “Clique,” and “New God Flow,” the album closes with another haughty rap track. “I Don’t Like” is second only to “Mercy” in quality. It’s dumb in a great way, almost perfect. It’s a bit of an abrupt end to a middling album. “G. O. O. D. Music Cruel Summer” is a strange album. It’s clear that the obsessive attention to detail Kanye possesses is not present here. Songs like “The One,” “Higher,” “The Morning” and “Sin City” all have that Kanye touch, but he feels miles away, and these songs with otherwise great potential, fall a bit flat on their face. They simply don’t have the talent to back them up as the other artists on the G.O.O.D. Music label are more adept at delivering fun, dumb tracks like “Mercy,” “Clique,” and “I Don’t Like” which are perfect amalgamations of G.O.O.D.’s penchant for the stupid, the arrogant, and the ignorant.
reviews
CineMasai: The Master BY DYLAN GREEN Say what you will about the subject matter of his films, there are few American filmmakers working today who have the versatility and ambition of writer-producer-director Paul Thomas Anderson. The American porn industry of the 70’s (“Boogie Nights”), the lucrative and dangerous oil boon of the early 20th century (“There Will Be Blood”), and true love breaking the cycles of loneliness and depression (“Punch Drunk Love”), have all served as backdrops for his introspective dramedies, and there are few American filmmakers working today who have a critically consistent filmography of that variety. Just in time for Oscar season, Anderson adds another cinematic fire-starter to his canon with “The Master,” a 1950’s era bromance both fueled and hindered by The Cause, serving as the chocolate shell that keeps their dysfunctional nougat together. An intelligently modest character driven punch to the gut, “The Master” may not be as free-wheeling or fast-paced as Anderson’s previous efforts. But a pitch perfect cast, gorgeous cinematography, and a bravely ambiguous screenplay raise questions as well as eyebrows once again for Anderson. The two men in question are Joaquin Phoenix as Freddie Quell, a WWII Navy boy attempting to re-adjust to civilian life with PTSD and a penchant for alcoholic drinks filled with paint thinner, while Phillip Seymour Hoffman costars as Lancaster Dodd, an egomaniacal science fiction writer turned self-help guru whose best selling novel has spawned the aforementioned cult The Cause. Dodd’s initial fascination with Quell eventually becomes obsessive as the two men form a volatile controlling friendship that becomes strained as the other members of the Cause begin to see Quell’s nature for what it is. While not bluntly so, L. Ron Hubbard and his infamous Scientology movement did serve
as “inspiration” for the film, but Anderson doesn’t use it to point fingers or make fun. As a matter of fact, nothing about the characterizations or even ascension of the movement is skewed positive or negative, merely serving as a framing device for the character’s relationships. Anderson never let the weighty subject matter of his films overshadow the people at the center, or settled for comfortable black and white stamps of approval when it comes to his characters or even situations, and he isn’t ready to start here. This kind of film makes or breaks on its performances, and Anderson’s cast of A-listers is nothing short of committed. Seymour Hoffman’s Dodd and Amy Adams’ perky but coldly matriarchal performance as wife Peggy are fantastic, but Phoenix is the stand-out. Taking such an unlikable character as Freddie, essentially a drunk conniving sad sack on the prowl, and elaborately balancing him between contained Id and unpredictable mental closet case. He and Seymour Hoffman together can either energize or completely suck the air out of a room. It doesn’t hurt that Anderson is also just one hell of an ambitious filmmaker. Filmed using 70mm film, the higher resolution gives the 50’s era Americana and paranoia a picturesque quality. His screenplay wrings the humor, sorrow, and regret out of every situation and leaves the thinking and piecing together up to you, and Jonny Greenwood’s ominously foreboding score chills to the bone. Safe and familiar Oscar contenders have their work cut out for them this fall. “The Master” is anything but a film unwilling to dole out tidy answers or clean endings. Maybe I’m guilty of subscribing to Anderson Episcopal at this point, but he’s taken the time here to show casual film-goers the light towards masterfully shot character driven cinema. Repent and go, sinners.
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Flamenco Dance Lecture & Presentation
Wednesday, 10/10 @ 7pm Dance Studio L
LGBT History Month Kick Off: Coming Out Day Thursday, 10/11 2pm-4pm, The Mall 7pm-9pm, The Stood MONDAYS in the Stood: FORTH, 8pm Stood Cinema
TUESDAYS in the Stood: Aperture Club, 8-9pm Complexuality, 10-11:30pm in the Cinema
Purchase College Family Day Saturday, 10/13 10am-8am The Mall; Tours, performances and festivities
O.A.P.I.A.’s Open Mic Night Saturday, 10/13 6pm-2am Student Center at Whitson’s
Galaxy X
Saturday, 10/13 9pm-12am Student Center at Whitson’s
Twerps//Alex Beaker// Breakfast in Fur// Bad Cello Sunday, 10/14 at 7pm In the Stood at Whitson’s
WEDNESDAYS LGBTQ, 10pm Fort Awesome Classroom 136
David Liebe Hart @ SUNY Purchase
Monday, 10/15 8pm THURSDAYS TransAction, 10pm
In the Stood at Whitson’s
Fort Awesome Classroom 136
HOLDING AN EVENT? SOCA Party
Friday, 10/12 9pm-12am Student Center Main Stage
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Email us the information at YOUR.INDY@GMAIL.COM
info
THEATRE X MARKS THE SPOT
ALT CLINIC QUESTION OF THE WEEK: BREAST EXAMS
BY TOMMY ROACH
BY ALEXA DILLENBECK
Since it’s October, and October ends with Halloween, I thought it would be festive of me to talk about locations on campus that are either completely different from what they once were, or are actually gone. Perhaps we’ll even talk about places that never existed soon! (Oooh spooky.) The place in question this week is a spot that most students have probably never even heard of, so don’t feel bad, you’re not alone. Theatre X was, at one time, an outdoor venue that was built as a fifth stage for the PAC as a part of the ‘new-age’ design that this campus is known for. Now it’s a garden. In all honesty, I do not for the life of me know why this space was changed in such a drastic way. Regardless, Theatre X was there at one point and, who knows, it might come back, so you should still know about it. Where is it?: Theatre X is located in the scenic neighborhood between the bookstore and the PAC. You see it every time you look out the windows to your right when you walk into the bookstore, as well as every time you walk any further than the VA. Why should I care?: This space was designed to be used as a stage. There are doors that go inside and function as a back stage, and the area in front of it is large enough to hold a decent crowd. Have you ever been to a secret outdoor show before? They’re awesome. Theatre X used to be the place to do them. Next week I’ll give my breakdown on Shea Stadium!
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is October, as you may know from the millions of pink ribbons and stuffed animals on every store shelf ever. In order to have the best chances against any cancer, early detection is key. Luckily, performing a breast cancer exam is fairly easy. According to the American Cancer Society, women beginning in their 20s should begin performing breast self-examinations (BSE). The Alternative Clinic believes everyone should check their body for any differences and/or lumps. The steps we are using will be from the American Cancer Society. First, you should lay down with your arm over your head. Using your finger pads on your opposite hand, press against your breast area in dimesized circles. You should use three different pressures in order to feel the different depths of the breast. If you feel a hard edge on the sides of your breasts, it is normal so don’t be afraid. Go to your health professional if you notice anything different like a lump, puckering, dimpling, or redness on your chest. If you find any leaking of pus or blood from your nipples, then that is another time to go to the doctor. Celebrate this and every month by giving yourself a BSE! As always, if you have a question you would like us to answer, post it in our Tumblr ask box (alternativeclinic.tumblr.com/ask)!
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