FOR THE STUDENTS BY THE STUDENTS
Volume 54, September 20, 2019 advocate-online.net
OSLAP! ASG awarded for leadership PAGE 2
TRIO: A good resource for students PAGE 4
'IT Chapter Two': Worth your time? PAGE 7
HOW TO SUCCEED AT MT. HOOD PAGE 5
MHCC combating food insecurity on campus PAGE 3
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OPINION | NEWS
A D V O C AT E-O N L I N E.N E T
DEBATING THE DEMOCRATIC RACE
Omar Saradi the advocate
The 2020 presidental primaries are coming. So far, the campaign makes the 2016 race look less like an animalistic free-for-all, but it sure does look a lot more crowded this time around. Much like the 2016 debates, the televised 2020 Democratic Party debates have focused on several prominent characters fighting, not only for a crowd of support, but also the policy ideas that they want to implement to benefit the American people. The unfortunate part of these debates is that the crowded stage and poor moderating from the hosts leaves each candidate with less than two minutes to explain a whole policy plan. In concept that’s nearly impossible – especially if you’re comparing this to Donald Trump’s debate performances in the past, where he stole the spotlight and got the attention of his voters. In all debates, the three candidates that have got the most media attention, for better or worse, are former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Biden is currently the front-runner as he is running off the success of President Obama’s administration (although that has got him into some trouble a few times).
Sanders’s campaign is a continuation of his 2016 race – since then his policy ideas, such as tuition free college and “Medicare for all” have become more popular and mainstream. Warren, like Bernie, is a non-establishment candidate, running on a variation of his ideas; she also has proven herself tough in these debates in the face of her opponents, corporations and the media – which is especially hard as a progressive candidate. In the most recent debates, attention has caught onto Biden and his decline of mental cognition – from referring to people by the wrong name or title, to breaking into a random, incoherent lecture that avoids the debate question given to him. On top of that, he’s been criticized for taking credit for the positives of the Obama administration, but denying his involvement in its perceived negatives, such as mass deportations and deadly drone strikes in the Middle East. One promising candidate who has gotten a big following is tech executive Andrew Yang, who is looking toward the future in his policy plans. He is proposing the UBI (universal basic income) or as he calls “the freedom dividend” – each person gets $1,000 a month to purchase whatever they please. The reason why is because technology advancement (AI, robots et al.) is going to take American jobs and so many overrun workers will have to rely on some sort of income to support themselves. This policy position at face value sounds insane. But Yang is looking ahead to a future America we’ll have to prepare for. His involvement brings up an interesting dichotomy in the battle of ideas: Should candidates focus on issues that that we’ll have to think about in the far future? Or, should the focus be on defeating Donald Trump and all the policy decisions he’s put in place the last three years? That answer is gonna be left up to a new generation of voters, as this election shapes up to be even more consequential than the last.
ASG BRINGS IT HOME
Photo by Maysee Thao
ASG President (Collin Lewis) and Vice President (Chelsea Allison) posing with their prize.
Chloe Collins the advocate
Earlier this month, MHCC’s student government team attended the Oregon Community College Student Leadership and Activities Fall Conference, and they brought home a trophy. Hosted by the Oregon Student Leaders and Activities Professionals each September, the “Battle of the Campuses” challenges student leadership from different schools to think of ways to connect and engage with students on campus. For the competition, the 10 campuses were asked to create a “class rap,” which usually happens when ASG gets permission to go speak to classes about important programs or events coming up. This year, Mt. Hood’s student government created a video featuring a fictional student who was struggling to navigate college. ASG utilized
the video to demonstrate how they could direct a student toward helpful services and programs here at MHCC. According to ASG advisor, Rozina Lethe, the team decided to feature programs like Barney’s Panty, the library, and financial aid. The 10 student representatives attending had no time to prepare beforehand. They worked together to determine which programs they would highlight on campus and some common sources of confusion for new students. The judges of this event were the ASG Advisors present at the conference, including MHCC’s own Rozina Lethe. ASG representatives in attendance at the conference were Nathan Madrigal, Madison Higgins, Emmaline Johnson, Abigail Gillson, Alysha Hipes, Arely Ramos, Kenny Mendoza, Akota Tilmant, Collin Lewis, and Chelsea Allison.
Advisers
Dan Ernst Howard Buck
For the students by the students Editor-in-Chief Chloe Collins Associate Editor/ Opinion Editor Omar Saradi News Editor Chris Barney Opinions Editor Sadie Klein
Arts & Entertainment Editors Eli Rankin Kurt Larson Austin Asciutto Sports Editor Julia Empleo Photo Editor Maysee Thao Graphic Design Editor Eli Rankin
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Broadcast Editor Naethaniel Lile Broadcast Team Austin Ascuitto Julia Empleo Kurt Larson Positions Open Graphic Design Team Leydi Perez Carrasco Positions Open
Photo Team Bethy Fallgren Zarah Escutia Copy Editors Corwin Benedict Positions Open
Staff Writers Positions Open Distribution Specialist Julia MacDonald
Web Editors Positions Open Ad / Social Media Manager Kaleb Moring
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OPINION | NEWS
SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
HELPING CROSS PARTY LINES
Corwin Benedict the advocate
In this contentious time for our country, tensions are beginning to rise, divides are growing wider and it has become easier to hate someone who disagrees with you than listen to them. Many persons are demonized for their beliefs by the other side, and the chance for a true discussion where you listen to the other side, not argue with them, is nearly gone. During these tumultuous days, I took notice of a small group known as Crossing Party Lines. Based in Portland, the group was created by a woman named Lisa Swallow. Swallow was a moderate Democrat who would often have loud debates with a Republican relative. Both enjoyed the debating but couldn’t really see eye-to-eye. After two days of arguing, Swallow changed her strategy, instead of trying to push her views onto her cousin, she asked questions about his views. While this didn’t change anyone’s mind, it did create an understanding of the other person’s point of view and inspired Swallow with the idea of Crossing Party Lines. On the front page of its original
website – the hub of Swallow’s group is online –a paragraph describes its mission: “All around the country, folks are meeting with people of different political views. We’re breaking bread, sharing our thoughts and perspectives, and reminding ourselves that we’re more similar than we are different. What we’re learning is that we all want the same things: fulfilling jobs, good health, and a safe neighborhood to call home. We simply disagree sometimes about how to achieve these.” Through the meetings that are held and lightly moderated by Crossing Party Lines, discussions are held on various different topics that are affecting our country today. At the local meetups that I attended, there were people with all different points of view, holding a conversation where people truly listened to each other, and they moved toward a possible solution together. While there, I encountered the topic of being heard, discussing the difference between being agreed with, being understood, and being heard yet still disregarded. Participants covered a variety of other topics, including U.S. immigration policies, our relationship with China, and making sense of political speak. It may be easy to point at the other side and call them names for disagreeing with you, but we do have the power to create a dialogue that shows that maybe the other side isn’t as crazy as you thought – they just see the world differently than you do. If you’re interested in their efforts, check out crossingpartylines.com.
For the students by the students
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Zarah Escutia the advocate
As a college student, it can be difficult to find the time to eat a real meal. Trying to manage a busy schedule, the cost of housing, transportation, and tuition can take a toll on our eating habits. Aside from finding the time to eat, many college students also face food insecurity due to their poor financial state. According to Hunger on Campus (a report by studentsagainsthunger.org) 50 percent of community college students and 47 percent of fouryear college students reported food insecurity in 2016. Twentyfive percent and 20 percent (respectively) had very low food security. Another report, Struggling to Survive – Striving to Succeed – reported that 8 percent of
community college students with food insecurity planned to drop out entirely, while only 3 percent of other students planned to do so. Students facing food/housing insecurity took more developmental writing (62/65 percent), reading (58/60 percent), or mathematics (71/74 percent) courses than did their fellow students, the 2017 report found (luminafoundation.org). These students felt less on-track, confident, in-control, focused, or interested in their school work. They also felt that college was less worthwhile, felt less welcomed by faculty, and felt less engaged both inside and outside of the classroom, the report found. At Mt. Hood Community College, Barney’s Pantry is here to help food-insecure students. Barney’s Pantry partners with the Oregon Food Bank to help provide food on campus to students, faculty,
Mt. Hood Community College Room 1369 26000 SE Stark Street Gresham OR 97030
and staff who are in need. Students can get two food items and one snack, or three canned food items during any one visit. Eligible students can use this service three times a week. If you are in such need, all you have to do is bring your MHCC student ID to sign in. There is no cost. Barney’s Pantry is a great community resource to have on campus and it can help you be connected with other resources available on campus, and other food pantries. Even if you may not face consistent food insecurity, it is still a great resource available to you as a student or your friends who attend Mt. Hood who might face food insecurity. The Pantry is located in the Student Union and is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
GET TO KNOW THE ADVOCATE
On the cover: Mt. Hood’s ASG President Collin Lewis, and Vice President Chelsea Allison pose with Barney on Sept. 17 Student Orientation Day.
E-mail: advocatt@mhcc.edu Phone: 503-491-7250 Website: advocate-online.net
Tuition Wavers and Work Study Available
HUNGRY? BARNEY’S PANTRY IS HERE TO HELP
Cover by: Maysee Thao / the Advocate
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The Advocate encourages readers to share their opinion by letters to the editor and guest columns for publication. All submissions must be typed and include the writer’s name and contact information. Contact information will not be printed unless requested. Original copies will not be returned to the author. The Advocate will not print any unsigned submission. Letters to the editor should not exceed 300 words and guest columns should not exceed 600. The decision to publish is at the discretion of the editorial board. The Advocate reserves the right to edit for style, punctuation, grammar and length. Please bring submissions to The Advocate in Room 1369, or e-mail them to advocatt@mhcc.edu. Submissions must be received by 5 p.m. Monday the week of publication to be considered for print. Opinions expressed in columns, letters to the editor or advertisements are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of The Advocate or MHCC.
Julia Empleo Sports Editor Julia Empleo is a second-year student at Mt. Hood, currently working on getting into the Surgical Tech program. She’s looking to transfer to a university to be a surgical assistant, and pursue a career in medical work, and travel and volunteer in different countries. Outside of school, she’s passionate about dance and sports.
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NEWS
A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T
STUDENT SERVICES: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Chloe Collins the advocate
Months ago, one college’s construction team set forth on a mission that would forever change the student experience... Returning MHCC students may recall the dark ages of trotting up and down stairs between offices, more than a few times. But trot no longer: The Student Hub is complete and you can now find most vital student services in one convenient location. In Room 2253 – marked by the large Student Services sign – any new or returning student will be able to find Student Advising, the Orientation Center, Financial Aid, Accessible Education Services, Admissions, Records, and Registration inside. Organizers say the Hub was created to make the college easier to navigate. To ensure that their goal would be achieved, the Associated Student Government (ASG) at Mt. Hood was given an opportunity to pitch in by helping finalize decisions about the Hub’s design. According to Doctor Abio Ayeliya,
A photo of the new student Hub, located upstairs in Building 12 (Room 2253).
director of Student Life, the student government really supported the idea of consolidating all student service offices to one location. Knowing where these offices are located will be especially useful for students in the Fall Term as
everyone works out their specific educational plans. However, it is also important to know exactly how these offices can help. The Academic Advising and Transfer Center (AATC) is an invaluable resource for students
Photo by Maysee Thao | The Advocate
who know what their educational goals are and would like to make a concrete plan to obtain them. The AATC can help with general advising, maximum timeframe appeals, and Trade Act paperwork. The Orientation Center can
help students enroll in the right classes and offer guidance on navigating the MHCC website. Accessible Education Services (AES) is a resource for students with disabilities. AES offers registration assistance, personal counseling, and special career guidance for qualifying students. And, of course, Financial Aid, Admissions, Records, and Registration are all resources that can help with anything pertaining to their self-explanatory names. Beyond the services offered in the Hub, another notable resource is the Career Planning and Counseling Center, downstairs in Room 1152, near the Student Union. This resource can be especially helpful for students who aren’t sure what career path they would like to pursue. From Student Services to AVID and TRIO, Mt. Hood has an array of services and programs that can make your college life just a little easier. To learn more about services and programs that might be helpful, visit the MHCC website, mhcc.edu.
TRIO HELPS BOOST STUDENT SUCCESS Chris Barney the advocate
Enrolling in college can be a tumultuous task. Between taking the college placement test, securing financial aid, and choosing classes, it’s easy to get lost in the vortex of registration. Beyond this, there remains the monumental goal of completing your education. In light of this, there are programs on the Mt. Hood campus dedicated to guiding students through the quest called higher education. One such program is TRIO SSS (Student Support Services). TRIO endeavors to aid students in myriad ways. Among these are advisers, tutoring, ambassadors, materials, and outings. When a student first joins TRIO, they are assigned an adviser. This will be the student’s adviser until graduation. The benefit is that the student and adviser can get to know each other, leading to a more personalized experience. TRIO also provides a tutor who can assist students in learning almost any PA G E 4
Photo contributed by TRIO SSS staff
TRIO SSS staff and students outside the TRIO center, on the mezzanine above the library. TRIO helps MHCC students navigate their higher education journey.
subject. The tutor can re-explain material and help students to better understand the curriculum. Ambassadors, students familiar with the program, are also available to chat with students. The ambassadors will be able to relate well to students as they are students themselves. In addition to chatting, am-
bassadors can also direct students to resources that could better aid them in their area of need. TRIO also aids students in the financial arena. This aid comes in the form of materials, such as textbooks or calculators which can be checked out for a term. This is a great way to cut down on the expenses that college
brings. Last, but certainly not least, are outings. TRIO wants students to be prepared for where they are headed when it comes time to transfer. One of the ways they do this is through outings, outside of Mt. Hood. Outings are primarily to university campuses, which allows students to see and learn about them, while deciding which one to transfer to. The other purpose of outings is cultural enrichment, which can come through trying foods from various cultures, or visiting sites that educate the public about different cultures. Overall, the heart of TRIO is the mission to help students. The staff knows the challenges of college and wishes to help those who are now encountering those forks in the road. If you would like to know more about the program, come visit the TRIO Student Success Center in the mezzanine above the MHCC Library, in Room 3303 or check out mhcc.edu/ TRIO-SSS/
TRIO SSS QUALIFICATIONS If you are planning to transfer to a fouryear college and meet one or more of the following criteria, you may be eligible for TRIO SSS: • Low-income (qualify for financial aid) • First-generation student (your parents did not earn bachelors degrees) • Have a documented disability
EDITORIAL
SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
I
ADVOCATE’S
DECLASSIFIED SCHOOL SURVIVAL GUIDE
n an era of bogus “life hacks” online, allow us at the Advocate to give you some college information that will actually be helpful in your life here at MHCC. Most students know where to find the essential resources available to get their college career on the right track. However, we realize many students don’t know about the many other facilities and services available to them beyond the strictly academic side of college life. For example, Mt. Hood students, as well as community members, can utilize the weight room in the HPE building on campus for free. Open weight hours are Monday-Friday, noon to 1 p.m., with an extra two hours of 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Students also have free access to the swimming pool on campus during open recreation hours. The new schedule for the pool during Fall Term has yet to be released, but the pool will reopen for use by Friday, Sept. 27. Aside from the recreational facilities on campus, MHCC’s library has a lot to offer. The first
thing to know about the library is that you cannot exit at the same door from which you enter the library! When you are ready to leave, loop around the resource desk and exit behind it. The library has more to offer than dusty books about strange or specific topics. On the top floor of the library (mezzanine level) students can find the TRIO office (see story on Page 4), as well as free tutoring. On the main level, get your student ID at the resource desk, visit the Rho Theta office, and utilize the study tables. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from the library services staff; that’s what they’re there for! Another great place to study is inside the Student Union. On one side of the room, you will find tables around a fireplace that are great for quiet studying. If you keep going, past the Fireplace Gallery art displays, there will be both a pingpong and a pool table, a television, and a microwave for heating up your lunch. Because the Student Union has a quiet space to take a break, it could be a great study spot. Parking is found all around
Election Day is November 5th Graphic by Leydi Perez Carrasco | The Advocate
options best for you, and get the ball rolling. A final word of advice from us would be to explore your options. A good way to explore your interests and learn more about what you actually enjoy doing is to join clubs at MHCC. Get involved on campus and figure out which causes, clubs, or organizations you enjoy committing to. After you have done some exploring and learned about yourself, do some research and make sure the career path you are on is the one you want to be following. And take advantage of our Career Planning department and meet with a counselor, in Room 1152. Make the most out of your college experience this school year!
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“THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IS NOT THE ONLY ELECTION THAT MATTERS”
Don’t miss the opportunity to register to vote on campus. Look for the sign-up table, 11a.m. to 1p.m. on Monday and Tuesday.
find motivation to do school work, it might be wise to avoid online classes that require extra effort and responsibility. The media sells us an image of college where people find a new friend group immediately and study together often. Instead, you will find that study groups form themselves: Usually, whomever you end up sitting with in that one super-difficult lab course will be your study group for that specific class. Yes: You do have to re-apply for FAFSA every academic year – but not each term. If you are interested in Work Study job opportunities, you have to start by emailing studentemployment@mhcc.edu and inquiring about your eligibility. Then, you can find the Work Study
the campus, whether it’s close to the Student Union or behind (east of) the main academic wing - be cautious though, parking can be tough to find right before class, so account for that on your commute. What about some of the logistics of surviving at Mt. Hood? There are some definite dos and do-nots involved in college life. For example, register for classes as soon as humanly possible. The sooner you register, the more likely you will get a seat in all the classes you want for that term – especially if you want to take online courses, which fill up quickly. Speaking of online classes, do not take them if you aren’t selfmotivated. Who knows us better than we know ourselves? No one. If you know that you struggle to
E
A ENTRANCE
IDENTIFICATION
A PARKING LOT
IDENTIFICATION
20 BUILDING NUMBERS
D
BUILDING LEGEND 1 2 3 4
Yoshide Event Center/ Health and Education General Education GE 201 Aquatic Center
ACADEMIC CENTER
Lower / Main / Upper / Mezzanine
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10 Student Union/Town & Gown 11 Cosmetology, Transitions/ College Theatre, Performing Arts, Vista Dining 12 Warehouse, Print and Mail Center/ Bookstore, ITC/Student Services 13 1300s, Planetarium, AVID, TRIO Integrated Media/Testing Center, Library, Public Safety 15 1500s, Funeral Services/2500s, Science Technologies 16 1600s, CAD Labs/ 2600s, Business Technologies 17 1700s/2700s, Allied Health, Dental Hygiene 18 19 20 21 22 23 M1 M2 HS
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Applied Technologies (IT) Art Gallery Art Mall Early Childhood Development Center Fisheries Grounds Modular Building 1 Modular Building 2 Head Start
A Graphic provided by MHCC
MT. HOOD COMMUNITY COLLEGE | GRESHAM CAMPUS | 26000 S.E. STARK ST. | GRESHAM, OR 97030 | 503-491-6422 PA G E 5
OPINION | SPORTS | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
STARBUCKS TO FOLLOW THROUGH ON STRAW BAN
Chloe Collins the advocate
In 2018, Starbucks made a big commitment to the environment and environmentalists everywhere. “We’re removing plastic straws in our stores globally by 2020 – reducing more than 1 billion plastic straws per year from our stores,” said a tweet by the company. So, here we are closing in on the last three months of 2019, and we’re wondering if Starbucks is prepared to follow through on its timeline. It would appear that it is. The two most famous tactics Starbucks has undertaken to combat pollution are the introduction of nitro lids, and straws made of paper or compostable PLA plastic. There has been some controversy surrounding the nitro lids as a greener option because they use more plastic than the old lid-andstraw combo. However, many skeptics about the environmental impact of nitro lids fail to take into consideration the fact that a nitro lid can be recycled, while a straw cannot. This is because straws cannot be captured in recycling streams while nitro lids are big enough to be processed. So, while the nitro lids do use more plastic, they are 100% recyclable, whereas only the lid from a lid-and-straw combo can be recycled. At this point in the game, nearly every Starbucks store serves nitro cold brew, and therefore offers the strawless nitro lid. Seeing as how
Starbucks’s hometown of Seattle banned plastic straws just before the company announced its green goal, it is no surprise that many stores in Seattle already offer plastic straw alternatives. Many stores in central and southern California also offer alternative straws and updated versions of the nitro lid. Some stores in Portland have even moved on to giving plastic straws out only when requested, and it is likely that the trend will be spreading to all Portland metro area outlets, including Gresham. The updated nitro lids should also be spreading north soon. As a Starbucks employee myself, I know many customers have experienced issues with nitro lids popping off of the cups quite easily. Knowing that California has the updated nitro lids that have addressed this issue, we hope to see them in Oregon stores soon. Nitro lids and alternative straws are not the only strides Starbucks took toward being a greener company in 2018. According to Starbucks, the company also committed $10 million to Closed Loop Partners to create the NextGen Cup Challenge. The challenge will allow entrepreneurs to be awarded with grants when they are working on ideas that could lead to more sustainable cups. The goal is to introduce cups that are 100% compostable by replacing the traditional thin plastic lining with a plant-based lining that can withstand hot liquids. The goal was to have the cups in stores within three years. Within the next couple of months, it will become clear whether or not Starbucks is able to ditch plastic straws by 2020. Hopefully the NextGen Cup challenge will also lead to large-scale changes in the corporate world to benefit the environment. When one company takes a stand for the Earth, others will follow.
Scan the QR Code to check your Sudoku answers!
A D V O C AT E - O N L I N E . N E T
SAINTS DEFROST THE PENGUINS
Julia Empleo
fought through. The Penguins coach questioned some of the official’s calls and the crowd became The Mt. Hood volleyball team engaged. The home team got an has started its 2019-20 season energy boost, and took the set, with a 9-5 record and was sit25-21. ting in third In the final place in the set, both teams South Region kept the game of the Northclose. Clark west Athletic was leading Conference 8-6, but the (NWAC), in Saints gathered action through momentum for Sept. 19. a final comeWhile most back, pulling students were off a 15-13 win. easing back The Saints toward school, play today at the Saints faced Rogue Comthe Clark Colmunity ColPhoto by Maysee Thao | The Advocate lege Penguins lege in MedThe Saints volleyball team celebrates its hardfought victory over Clark College on at home on September 11. ford, then play We d n e s d a y, Southwestern Sept. 11, and took a thrilling five- team tried to get the crowd in- Oregon Community College on set win. volved and get back into the game Saturday, in Coos Bay. During the first set it seemed but came up short, 25-20. Their next home contest will the visiting team had the action Clark began to take control of be on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at under control after going up, 20- the match, and won the third set, home against Lane Community 16. The Saints then subbed in 25-21. In the fourth set, though, College at 6:30 p.m. freshman Katie Saephanh, and the home team kept it close and roared back into the lead, scoring 9 straight points and winning the first set, 25-20. In the second set both teams went at it, when the Penguins made a run, leaving the Saints trailing, 23-16. The home
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SUDOKU
Puzzle 1 (Easy, difficulty rating 0.39)
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Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Thu Sep 19 18:25:58 2019 GMT. Enjoy!
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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
SEPTEMBER 20, 2019
IS ‘IT CHAPTER TWO’ REALLY ‘IT CHAPTER BOOOO’? 3.5 out of 5 stars
Kurt Larson the advocate
Everyone’s favorite clown is back in action this September, eating children and terrorizing the quaint little town of Derry, Maine. Directed by Andrés Muschietti, “IT Chapter Two” takes place 27 years after the infamous Loser’s Club banished Pennywise to back from whence he came, sparing the town of his murderous predilections for that cycle. But now that cycle is over, and IT is once again on the prowl, looking for delicious, fear-ridden children to satisfy his appetite. Thankfully for the citizens of Derry, however, Mike Hanlon, played by everyone’s favorite Old Spice guy, Isaiah Mustafa, has been living in town and studying this Lovecraftian horror for those past 27 years, and is getting the gang back together to kill IT for good. Not everyone stayed in Derry, though. And after so much time away from their hometown, the rest of the group – Bill, Beverly, Richie, Ben, and Eddie, played by James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain,
Bill Hader, Jay Ryan, and James Ransone, respectively – have all mysteriously forgotten their traumatic childhoods and aren’t so willing to go back and face Pennywise after Mike informs them of what’s going on. Will the Losers Club be able to find the courage to face the ultimate evil and end Pennywise’s reign of terror? You’ll have to see to find out. But is this sequel worth seeing? As many fans of IT know, the second half of the original TV miniseries, and even the book, are notoriously viewed as being less entertaining than the first half of the story, and Stephen King is equally notorious for not having the strongest endings to his books in general. Well I’m happy to report that IT Chapter Two is undoubtedly the best on-screen interpretation of the concluding half of the IT saga. However, that is not to say this movie doesn’t have problems, because it definitely does. While IT Chapter One found a fun balance between horror and “Goonies”-style, coming-of-
age humor, IT Chapter Two relies heavily on comedy to juxtapose its frightening moments. While that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, its humor really puts a damper on the horror elements, especially when you have legendary comedic actors such as Hader bouncing one liners and witty remarks off Ransone for 90 percent of the run time. Which, by the way, for IT Chapter Two is almost three hours long and is in desperate need of some trimming down. This movie really is more of a horror comedy than anything else, though, and if you go in expecting that, IT Chapter Two is actually pretty fun. The casting, especially, takes this movie to a different level. For the most part, every actor portrays an entertaining and believable adult interpretation of the child characters from the first film. Their group chemistry is solid, especially between Richie and Eddie, who provide most of the best jokes. Speaking of the kids from the first movie, a decent portion of this film relies on flashbacks for most
of the scares, unfortunately, giving Muschietti a reason to shoot new material with the now-beloved original cast. This isn’t all bad, as the kids are still just as entertaining to watch as they were in IT Chapter One, but their function in this film is as a series of haunted house attractions rather than anything truly meaningful for the plot. To point out one other shortcoming, the plot, which is already fairly fractured and obtuse due to the structure of this movie, really isn’t anything too deep or revelatory. The ending is exciting, as it should be, but there isn’t much sense of danger for any of the characters throughout the length of this movie. And it all ends on a somewhat generic note, capping off the three hours with the audience having not learned much of anything about these characters or even having witnessed many satisfying character interactions at all. There remains plenty to love about IT Chapter Two, meantime. As mentioned, the humor works for the most part and definitely
adds something to the film, as long as you’re expecting it. Bill Skarsgard is also a highlight, and is probably the one thing keeping this film together. Skarsgard’s performance as Pennywise is still one of the most brilliantly frightening movie monsters you’ll ever see and his portrayal in this film is expectedly magnetic. As well, IT Chapter Two maintains a decent flow and keeps the action coming, upping the ante on every scare with superbly intriguing set design and atmosphere. On the whole, IT Chapter Two is a rather entertaining, roller coaster thrill ride of a haunted house movie, with some genuinely funny moments, but if you were expecting the sequel to maintain the more truly terrifying, ethereal nature of the first film, then you’ll probably be disappointed. Still, it’s worth a watch, and it’s more than worthy of being played in the background while you carve pumpkins this Halloween. 3.5/5
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AINTS VOLLE
YBALL
See Zoe Chatterton (#3) and the Saints in action in these upcoming volleyball events!
VS. Lane VS. Linn-Benton VS. Clackamas VS. Umpqua
Sept. 25 HOME @ 6:30PM Sept. 27 AWAY @ 6:30PM Oct. 2 HOME @ 6:30PM Oct. 4 AWAY @ 6:30PM
photo by Maysee Thao | The Advocate
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