FREE Additional Copies 25 Cents Each
Volume 60, Issue 8
November 1, 2011
www.thehudsonian.org
Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Science Center HANNAH INFANTADO STAFF WRITER On Tuesday, Oct. 25, 2011, Hudson Valley made history in ceremonial groundbreaking rites for the construction of the new state-of-the-art Brahan Science Center. The four story building is projected to be completed in 2013. The $35 million, 100,000-square-foot building boasts 25 laboratories, 11 classrooms, 45 faculty and staff offices, conference space, a science study guide center, and a greenhouse. With spaces for students’ academic programs in biotechnology, biomanufacturing, advanced science and research, this hi-tech building will be a learning hub for thousands of students. Guests and speakers at the ceremony included HVCC president, Drew Matonak, State Senator and alumnus Roy McDonald, College Trustee John Walsh, Project Manager John Onderdonk, ‘84 alumnus Peter Semenza, HVCC Student Senate President Chad Coumbes, members of the administrative staff, teachers and students. HVCC President Drew Matonak made a speech at the ceremony and thanked all of its supporters who put effort into the
project. Matonak noted, “This is really exciting for Hudson Valley. The New Science Center is going to really upgrade the science facilities and will give us the opportunity to teach classes in new fields like biotechnology and biomanufacturing. It will help our students get the kind of experiences that they need so they could get those really good jobs in the future. That’s what really is exciting about the upgrading of the facilities and being able to expand the number of classrooms in the college. As you well know, we’re packed all the time. It will be a long two years. The most important thing is to provide our students with more opportunities than they have right now.” “This new Science Center is an investment in the future and will ensure that Hudson Valley is at the forefront in biomedical and biotechnology education. This is a great history for my family. It’s part of our lives here,” said Senator Roy McDonald, an alumni of ’67 graduate with a major in Liberal Arts. “I hope the legacy of Hudson Valley continues, being practical in the programs and services; keeping up with the times and aggressiveness. A lot of people are going to save money for
two years, a substantial amount of money during these tough economic times; and, Hudson Valley is getting you all the tools.” “This is good stuff. It gets better and better at Hudson Valley. It’s the best community college in the country. I’m a proud graduate. I love it tremendously and I’ve got lots of relatives who come here and I’m very proud of being part of it,” is how John Walsh, one of the trustees and an alumnus of class ’61 described the new building. “I think that the new Science Center is badly needed. I came here 25 years ago and to see the growth of this campus and its advancement is just outstanding. One of the reasons why I am on the foundation board is because I ended up going to U-Albany for my Bachelors and Master Degree, but I’ll never forget what Hudson Valley has did for me to get me there. So, I like to be here in this college for these moments in time,” said Peter Semenza, an ‘84 graduate of Hudson Valley. “This project will continue to put Hudson Valley on the map, as far as the quality education. In today’s world, we need the facilities to back up and so this kind of brings it full circle. It’s a great-looking building.”
Officials breaking ground for the new Brahan Science Center to be completed in 2013. Hannah Infantado “It’s going to be a great Chad Coumbes concurs. “I otherwise.” Chad was previously addition to the campus. We’ve believe the Science Center will a biotechnology major at HVCC. been working for almost two project us into a better future. He added, “To this day, I still years now and we’re really Even with budget cuts among have a deep respect for the excited to see it get up there,” all SUNY schools, we are sciences. After all, like others, said John Onderdonk, the project progressing, in conjunction, with I am still very much dependent manager for the architecture both science and technology on using science fact to navigate program. “It’s going to be a positions available in today’s through everyday life!” different building than a lot of market. This may be considered The new building, designed the other buildings on campus. a most fortuitous time for by the Mosaic Associates, has It’s going to be unique with a Hudson Valley to embark on been hailed as an innovation lot of new technologies, new such a project; however, I see in school architecture. The materials, and it’s going to be this as a time where the foresight project highlights the school’s a special building when it’s all of our great staff came together support from both its alumni, done,” he added. perfectly with the allocation current students and prospective Student Senate president of funds through budgeting or students.
Occupy Wall Street Protests Hit Home KYLE GARRETT STAFF WRITER The 99 percent have identified themselves in the Capital District. Just like Occupy Wall Street, people from all over New York State have gathered in the middle of Albany to address corporate influence over both local and state government. The demonstration, which began in Lafayette Park, has become more
and more widespread to date. Protesters come from all races, ages and backgrounds, pitching up tents, joining working groups, making donations to the camp, and, individually or through the General Assembly meetings held daily - adding their voices and concerns to the “99 percent” movement. “Everyone gets a voice,” said Evan Paul, a shepherd from
Chatham, NY. “Everyone gets to say what they gripe about, and what they care about, and what they’d like to see in the world.” “In a lot of ways, our demands are simple,” said Victorio Reyes, Executive Director of the Social Justice Center of Albany, which is the fiscal sponsor of Occupy Albany. “We represent the 99 percent, [and] we are tired of being controlled by the 1 percent,
Frack Action coordinator John Armstrong leads demonstrators. Kyle Garrett
and a million things fall under that category... the criminal justice system is a big issue, I think other people here are very upset about public education... a lot of people here are upset about war... that’s the best part, it’s a blank canvas that anybody who’s part of the 99 percent can bring their issue [to].” Reyes, whose office in Occupy Albany’s camp included signs referencing Troy Davis, who was executed in Atlanta last month, spoke against the race and wealth-based inequalities in the American judicial system. “There’s actually two systems: for people who have money and resources, there’s one judicial system, and for people who don’t there’s another... they’re entirely different.” Reyes also discussed the movement’s effects on education. “If anything, tuition should be free, let alone saying that [we] have to increase tuition. It doesn’t make any sense. The concept of public education is for it to be affordable and accessible,” Reyes said, criticizing tuition hikes and budget cuts at SUNY and HVCC. “Hudson Valley Community College is, in our area, one of the schools that’s accessible to poor people. Because poor people are less likely to get a good education in high school, you’re going to see people who
have not as much resources, who are going to be attending Hudson Valley. Hudson Valley provides a decent education, but there’s no reason why it should become more expensive to go to Hudson Valley... the people who are going to be most affected by the economic climate are going to be people who attend Hudson Valley, people who graduate from Hudson Valley, [and] people who are planning to send their kids to Hudson Valley,” Reyes added. According to John Armstrong, a graduate of Cornell University and Grassroots Coordinator with Frack Action, a grassroots campaign fighting for a permanent ban on the practice of hydraulic fracturing in New York State, Occupy Albany and the effort to ban fracking - and protect the state’s citizens from its effects, such as massive increases in industrial activity, air and water contamination, and increased crime rates, all of which have been observed in neighboring state, Pennsylvania, since it allowed fracking - are closely tied. “[Occupy Albany] is about the 99 percent taking a stand and demanding that our society act in the best interests of the 99 percent. Across New York State, science shows that fracking will mean health and economic devastation for communities and the majority of people.
However, we have elected officials like Mayor Jennings and Governor Cuomo yielding to undue corporate interests and going against the will and best interests of the 99 percent,” Armstrong said, referring to Albany Mayor Gerald “Jerry” Jennings choosing to veto a ban on fracking in Albany recently passed by the Albany Common Council on Thursday. “The occupation is people showing that they’re outraged with our one percent politicians disregarding our interests and prioritizing the corporate greed of companies like Exxon and Chesapeake before the very air we breathe, the water we drink, and the foundations of our local economies. If Jennings feels comfortable disregarding the blatant and overwhelming will of the people in Albany because of pressure from the gas industry and Governor Cuomo, it is clear that he is not the people’s mayor,” said Armstrong. While individual reasons for coming may vary, the protesters have been united by their desire to change the current system, and as the first snowfalls of the “American Autumn” hit and members of the 99 percent make plans for winter, it’s clear they don’t plan to go anywhere any time soon. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Inside: SPORTS BREAKDOWN P. 2 MICHAEL POLLAN VISITS HVCC P. 4
VINNY THE VIKING P. 4
MOVIE REVIEW: “THE RUM DIARY” P. 5
Page 2
News
November 1st, 2011
Wall Street CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 Desteny Vacquez, who is studying to become a Registered Nurse at Adelphi University, stressed the importance of students getting involved as the movement gets started, especially with the recent increases in tuition and difficult job climate. A lack of available jobs has been a major factor in recent politics, a sticking point in the occupations and an additional financial burden to college students who struggle with tuition prices and student loans. “I think every student should at least try one time,” said Vacquez. “Occupy Albany and, in general, any [occupation] in any state is a great thing, because it’s getting people together and realizing they’re not the only ones who need help, and the more people there are... maybe the government can finally wake up and realize that we really want to change, and... doing it alone really isn’t going to help.” The “99 percent” feel they must be heard, through a strength in numbers and a very strong will. But wlll the “99 percent” grow into enough to be heard by powerful individuals?
Got a smart phone?
The fastest way to check us out on the web.
Sports Breakdown
COMPILED BY DAMIETE MACHARRY SPORTS EDITOR 10/19 Hudson Valley Valley Conference Tournament. Women’s Volleyball team The ladies concluded their (1-19) fall to Herkimer County season with two losses to the Community College (6-22) host SUNY Delhi (15-18) 20-25 22-25, 14-25, 27-25 and 19-25 and 17-25 and suffered their on Wednesday evening. Team second loss to Mohawk Valley captain Baleigh Morrow (4-21) 24-26, 17-25. Once again continued to lead her team with Baleigh Morrow led the squad 17 kills and 20 digs in the match, with 10 kills while Krista Polizzi finishing with a team high 147 added 13 digs. kills and 209 digs in the regular 10/22 – Hudson Valley season. Krista Polizzi added 12 Hockey Team wins season kills of her own while Melissa opener against Albany Club 5-3. Kehoe chipped in two blocks. 10/22 – The Hudson Valley 10/20 – Hudson Valley Men’s and Women’s Cross Women’s Soccer team will Country teams both finish 3rd be represented by midfielder at the Conference Meet held at Shana Barry for the Mountain Herkimer County Community Valley All-Conference Team. College. Eric Young continued The Nassau native tied for the his stellar running with a second team leader in goals with three place finish, while teammate and also led the team with four Adam Coolong finished in assists. Barry’s highlight game fifth. Hillary Crannage led the was against SUNY Delhi on Sep. Women’s team with a sixth place 12th scoring one goal and adding finish, barely cracking the top two assists to lead her team to seven All conference honors victory. which all three received for 10/22 – Hudson Valley placing in the top seven. Football team (0-6) lose to Below are all of the results Louisburg Community College from Saturday’s race: (6-1) 35-13. The Vikings fell Men behind early, and two fourth2- Eric Young (22:48) quarter touchdowns were not 5- Adam Coolong (23:10) enough to rally against new 15- Michael Morrow (24:38) conference member from North 21- Yousef Zaid (25:20) Carolina Louisburg. Quarterback 27- Philip Mastrosimone Devon Greene connected with (25:58) the talented Tight End Josh Gross 28- Nathan Clements (26:08) for the first Vikngs touchdown. 31- Jamison Bundy (26:48) The Saratoga Springs Joe Dana 33- Vincent Otto (27:27) saw action at quarterback late 34- Charles Tebbetts (27:29) in the game and threw his first 40- Steven Huneau (29:41) career touchdown to Sharmarte 42- Brendan Reilly (32:52) Banks who also recorded his 43- Chad Coumbes (34:10) first collegiate touchdown. Zayd Women Hamilton’s tough running led the 6- Hilary Crannage (23:12) Vikings in rushing with 90 yards 9- Nicole Dootz (23:20) on 19 carries. 16- Amanda Slyer (24:29) 10/22 – The Womens 17- Megan Crawford (24:52) Volleyball team (1-20) traveled 19- Ashleigh Genito (25:02) to SUNY Delhi for the Mountain 23- Allison Farnum (25:53)
Seen Around Campus
HVCC Teletubbies huddle for shelter in the grizzly weather. Hannah Infantado
Do You Have Something to Say That You Want Everyone to Hear?
Fresh fruits and vegetables being displayed for sale at the Harvest Festival. Fatima Hussain
E-mail us Your Letters to the Editor and we might publish it in our next edition.
The Hudsonian
hudsonian@hvcc.edu
80 Vandenburgh Ave.
ASK THE ECONOMIST
Troy, New York 12180 Phone: (518) 629-7107 Editor: (518) 629-7187
Questions & Submissions hudsonian@hvcc.edu ADVERTISING hudsonianadvertising@ yahoo.com
CAITLIN MURRAY GUEST CONTRIBUTOR “I was waiting in my car on the bridge this morning. This BMW comes up next to me and expects to cut in front of me. I tried to keep them out but it made me so mad when somebody else lets them in.” – Huffing on the Hill Dear HH, This is a classic example of game theory, specifically, a zero-sum game like Poker. The BMW was choosing a strategy of cutting in
EDITORIAL BOARD
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: MANAGING EDITOR: BUSINESS MANAGER: COPY EDITOR: PHOTO EDITOR: NEWS EDITOR: CREATIVE EDITOR: SPORTS EDITOR: WEB EDITOR: LAYOUT EDITOR:
MARTIN ROBINSON TEMBA “EVERY DAY” KNOWLES SPENCER KUHN JENESSA MATIS ROMONDA MENTOR ZACH HITT MONET THOMPSON DAMIETE MACHARRY DAVID ELLIS GABY ALLEN
ADVISERS
RACHEL BORNN
MAT CANTORE
DAILY GAZETTE ASSOCIATE JIM GRANDY
STAFF WRITERS (THIS ISSUE)
KYLE GARRETT, FATIMA HUSSAIN, HANNAH INFANTADO
PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF (THIS ISSUE) FATIMA HUSSAIN, HANNAH INFANTADO
line to save time – but his success depended on someone letting him in. You stonewalled him but he kept approaching other players (cars in line) until he found someone with a deferential strategy. We will have guys like BMW for as long as their strategy is sometimes successful. If everyone in line prohibited entry then the Beemers of the world would have to get in line with the rest of us….until then, you might consider cutting in front of him next time.
Stone monument honoring veterans who have servied in all branches of the military, located at the New Quad area. Hannah Infantado
The Hudsonian is the exclusive student newspaper of Hudson Valley Community College. Any unauthorized use of the newspaper’s name and/or articles with-out permission is strictly prohibited. Violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and of Hudson Valley Community College’s penal system. Additional information regarding printed material can be obtained by contacting The Hudsonian office on the second floor of the Siek Campus Center. If you would like to join The Hudsonian, please attend our weekly meeting on Mondays at 2 p.m. in the meeting room next to our office. Or, you can fill out an application during office hours. The Hudsonian does not discriminate against race, gender, age or ethnicity. However, if you join The Hudsonian, please remember we are only students like you and not professionals.
The Hudsonian Holds its Weekly Meetings Every Monday at 2pm in the Conference Room next to our Newsroom. Those interested in joining are encouraged to attend. E-mail us at hudsonian@hvcc.edu for more information.
Page 3
Features
November 1st, 2011
Author Michael Pollan Visits College, Discusses Healthy Dieting FATIMA HUSSAIN STAFF WRITER
Pollan began his lecture by presenting his audience with a number of food products he had purchased earlier at the nearby Price Chopper. All the presented products claimed to have specific nutritional value, and yet, as Pollan discussed, they were all simply highly processed variations of corn and soy beans. “The American supermarket has become an incredibly challenging, treacherous landscape for someone trying to eat in a healthy way,” he said. Pollan also talked about the problems presented by an omnivorous diet, which are problems that he believes humans, in particular, Americans, have been handling very poorly. Pollan said that there are three basic premises of the nutritionist ideology: nutrients are the key to understand foods, experts are needed to tell people what to eat, and there are “good and “evil” nutrients.” Referring to Omega-3 as an allegedly good nutrient, Pollan said, “Milk with Omega-3 in it, orange juice with Omega-3 in it – I mean, how did fish fat get into these terrestrial foods?” Pollan also discussed another problem with nutritionism, which is the fact that the identity of good and bad nutrients is not constant. He cited proteins being considered bad nutrients around the turn of the last century as an example. Pollan’s opposition of nutritionism is based on these issues that he considers major flaws in the ideology. However, he also stated a wider reason for
the failure of this ideology. “I think we would all put up with [nutritionism] if it worked, if thinking about food this way made us healthy. But I think we have to conclude that that is not the case,” Pollan said. His lecture also touched upon the advertising tactics used to draw people towards processed foods, such as claims of being fat-free, sugar-free, or high in antioxidants. After negating myths about diet and nutrition, Pollan went on to present solutions to this situation that he calls, “the omnivore’s dilemma.” He revealed that there is, in fact, not one diet that is perfect for humans. “The range of traditional diets on which human beings have thrived is incredibly vast,” he said. “A species that has figured out a way to live on six of the seven continents, making a healthy diet…and we have come up with the one diet in the whole world that consistently makes people sick.” About this one diet, Pollan said, “A martian looking at the Americans would say, ‘oh, this is a system where the food industry makes people sick to create customers for the healthcare industry.’” Pollan went on to mention rules of healthy eating from his book, Food Rules, such as not eating anything with more than five ingredients, shopping in the periphery of the supermarket, and not eating anything that cannot be visualized in a natural setting. Pollan also discussed
JIM LaBATE WRITING SPECIALIST IN THE LEARNING ASSISTANCE CENTER If you’ve ever attended a only attracts readers, but it also formal banquet, you probably allows Baker to later make his noticed that the host doesn’t point about how difficult it is to automatically begin with the actually awaken that curiosity. evening’s primary purpose. A Story. Doctor John Instead, he or she may start with Lantos writes about “Life and a joke or a story to warm up Death in Neonatal Intensive the audience and to establish a Care,” and he begins that essay rapport with those in attendance. with a story: “It was while I In other words, the host wants to was working in the neonatal secure the audience’s attention intensive-care unit that I first first before he or she proceeds achieved that dream of doctors with the main idea. When you everywhere: to actually save a write an essay, you should also patient’s life.” That one sentence use a strong introductory device is obviously the beginning of to secure your reader’s attention his story, but because he also before you proceed. hints at the dramatic nature of Unfortunately, too many the experience, the introduction students begin their essays is so much more powerful than with bland, matter-of-fact a traditional – and bland – oncestatements such as, “This essay upon-a-time type introduction. will discuss . . .” or “I plan An Allusion. An allusion is to write about . . . .” Those an indirect reference to a well statements, obviously, are not known person, place, or event very captivating or interesting. from history, from mythology, So if you want to capture your from literature, or from other reader’s attention, you have to works of art. Allusions attract do something different. You have readers because they have to to be creative. Here are nine think about the connection the introductory devices you may author is trying to make. In his want to consider. famous “I Have a Dream” speech, A Startling Statement. In his for instance, Martin Luther 1986 essay entitled “Just Walk on King, Jr., uses three allusions in By,” Brent Staples begins with his very first line: “Five score this line: “My first victim was a years ago, a great American, woman.” That sentence intrigues in whose symbolic shadow we most readers immediately stand, signed the Emancipation because they assume the writer is Proclamation.” King is alluding a criminal about to reveal details to the Gettysburg Address, about his crimes. While Staples Abraham Lincoln, and the is not a criminal, he is often Lincoln Memorial in Washington, mistaken for a criminal, and his D.C. Though King’s speech was startling introduction kidnaps originally intended for listeners his readers and allows him to rather than readers, an allusion as explain how he deals with the an attention-getting device works unwanted attention. Note, too, well in either realm. that an unusual fact or statistic A Comparison or Contrast. can also be part of a startling When former U.S. Open tennis statement. champion Arthur Ashe began his A Quotation. Sometimes, a letter to the New York Times direct quote about your subject in 1977, he began with a strong may also intrigue a reader. To contrast: “Since my sophomore begin his essay entitled “How Do year at the University of We Find the Student in a World California, Los Angeles, I have of Academic Gymnasts and become convinced that we blacks Worker Ants,” James T. Baker spend too much time on the uses the words of French novelist playing fields and too little time Anatole France: “The whole art in the libraries.” Then, Ashe uses of teaching is only the art of statistics and examples to show awakening the natural curiosity that blacks are over represented of young minds.” This quote not in the athletic professions and
under represented in the fields of law, medicine, and engineering. A Vivid Description. In “Wind,” William Least HeatMoon writes about a married couple that was literally lifted away by a tornado. He begins with this description: “Paul and Leola Evans are in their early seventies but appear a decade younger, their faces shaped by the prairie wind into strong and pleasing lines.” A Definition. Before Judith Viorst divides and classifies her friends, she begins with a definition: “Women are friends, I once would have said, when they totally love and support and trust each other, and bare to each other the secrets of their souls, and run – no questions asked – to help each other, and tell harsh truths to each other (no, you can’t wear that dress unless you lose ten pounds first) when harsh truths must be told.” An Example. When William Zinsser began his essay about “College Pressures,” he started with an example of a note from a student to a resident dean at Yale University: “Dear Carols: I desperately need a dean’s excuse from my chem. Midterm which will begin in about 1 hour. All I can say is that I totally blew it this week. I’ve fallen incredibly, inconceivably behind.” A Question. Similarly, when Robert Heilbroner wrote “Don’t Let Stereotypes Warp Your Judgments,” he began with a question to provoke his readers to think: “Is a girl called Gloria apt to be better-looking than one called Bertha?” So now that you have a much better idea about various techniques you can use to begin an essay, you may be thinking, “When am I ever going to use this information once I finish this Composition course?” That’s easy. You can also use any one of these techniques the next time you have to serve as the host of a formal banquet. The Writing Center is located on the upper level of the Library, and you can go there for assistance at any stage of the writing process.
Michael Pollan, author of Food Rules and The Omnivore’s Dilemma, delivered a lecture at the Maureen Stapleton Theater on Tuesday evening, Oct. 25. He talked about the dangers of processed foods and the real meaning of “eating right.” The lecture was preceded by a formal dinner for Pollan and a few special guests. After the lecture there was a Q&A session, followed by a book-signing and a reception in the Campus Center cafeteria. Food was provided by the local Chef’s Consortium. “My premise is: you can’t have a healthy population without a healthy diet. And that’s kind of…duh. I mean, that’s pretty obvious,” Pollan said. He referred to present day humans as suffering from “a global eating disorder.” During his lecture, Pollan discussed the descent of American dietary habits into what he calls nutritionism: “We don’t think about food anymore. We think about nutrients.” Pollan criticized the reduction of the act of eating food into a “delivery system for nutrients” in today’s world. “This is where food is going: it’s going to a place where it’s all about health, highly processed, and not really healthy,” said Pollan. He continued by saying, “We are obsessed about health in our eating, and yet we get larger and larger, and we get more and more diabetic, and we suffer from more and more chronic diseases.” To demonstrate his point,
Writer’s Bloc
the importance of culture in navigating our bodies in the outside world and making sensible choices about what to eat. Pollan concluded his lecture by expressing his approval of farmer’s markets and the consumption of local, organic foods.
Sarah Spencer, Individual Studies senior, said, “This was very informative because it’s important to be conscious of what we eat, but there’s got to be a way to do it without going crazy. This is it.” “He’s a very intelligent man with very useful ideas. It was a wonderful idea to have
him speak here today and I was really happy to see the theater so crowded,” said Thomas Woods, freshman Individual Studies. During the course of the evening, Pollan said something he often says that encompasses his whole message: “Eat food. Real food. Not too much. Mostly Plants.”
Have a opinion piece, story or any other article you want published? We want to hear from you! E-mail us at hudsonian@hvcc.edu *All content sent to Hudsonian are not guaranteed for publication
OPEN HOUSE November 6
TRANSFER
to Iona College
Over 40 Majors & 30 Minors • Scenic Suburban Campus • 20 Minutes from Manhattan • State-of-the-art Facilities • 21 NCAA Division I Athletic Teams
Dedicated to academic excellence in the tradition of the Christian Brothers and American Catholic higher education.
REGISTER ONLINE OR FOR INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS:
www.iona.edu/visit (800) 231-IONA
Iona College, New Rochelle, NY
Page 4
November 1st, 2011
Commentary Look Out for More Adventures with Vinny the Viking, Exclusively on The Hudsonian!
Find the Hidden Message
Did you know the Hudsonian offers free advertising to campus clubs and organizations? Contact us at hudsonianadvertising@yahoo.com to learn more.
THERE’S NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO APPLY TO TRANSFER TO SUCCEED
Now accepting applications for Spring and Fall 2012 admission. At Marymount Manhattan, students are given the chance
Fall 2011 Open House - Saturday, October 29
to live and learn in the world’s greatest city with the comfort of
Spring 2012 Open House - Saturday, April 28
knowing that a nurturing community is behind them every step of the
View all campus visit options and register at
way. Place your students in the best of all possible worlds.
FULL AND PART-TIME STUDENTS WELCOME
www.mmm.edu/visit or 1-800-MARYMOUNT
Commentary
Page 5
November 1st, 2011
“The Rum Diary” Lacks Focus, Loses Viewers KYLE GARRETT STAFF WRITER Based on Hunter S. Thompson’s novel of the same name, “The Rum Diary” really wants the audience to see it as another “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas”, even up to the trailers and Johnny Depp taking the starring role again. Writer and director Bruce Robinson (best known for the classic “Withnail and I”) turns out a good effort, as does a talented cast including Depp, Aaron Eckhart and veteran actor Richard Jenkins, but the resulting film falls short for a simple reason. This comedydrama doesn’t rein itself in and focus long enough for there to actually be any drama. For the first hour or so, “The Rum Diary” seems like it actually knows where it’s going. Sick of life under the Eisenhower administration, itinerant journalist Paul Kemp (Depp) travels to 1960’s Puerto Rico to work for the San Juan Star, a troubled newspaper run by Edward J. Lotterman (Jenkins), who is at once stressed out about the state of his paper and apathetic to the poor living conditions and rampant corruption in Puerto Rico. This compromised journalism, which cares more about sports stories and horoscopes than real news, soon becomes just one of Kemp’s worries, as he gets caught up in a corrupt business plot spearheaded by a man named Sanderson (Eckhart), develops an obsession with Sanderson’s fiancée Chenault (Amber Heard) and dives headfirst into various drug- and alcohol-fueled misadventures. Unfortunately, that’s where it fizzles out. The film doesn’t play out so much like a coherent narrative as a series of barely connected skits of Kemp getting
Rum Diary: Hunter S. Thompson’s work makes it to the big screen again in “The Rum Diary” Courtesy of rottentomatoes.com himself in trouble through his voracious boozing. The acting in these scenes is competent, and there are genuinely amusing moments, but the plot points are never so much resolving as seeming to fade in and out of the picture. It creates a sense of just rambling on with no real destination, occasionally nodding to the main plot (A tale of corruption! No, wait, it’s
a romance! No, it’s actually a newsroom drama! It’s the origin story of a gonzo journalist! etc.) in the middle of random drunken debauchery. There’s even a subplot about cockfighting set up early on that completely vanishes from the film, only to suddenly come back to importance at the climax without any real explanation before vanishing again.
At first, “The Rum Diary” has a leisurely and slightly unconventional pace that’s rather charming, helped by dialogue that sounds like it could actually have come from Thompson, but it soon wears out its welcome as it becomes clear the film doesn’t really intend to do anything but drift aimlessly to the end credits. Nothing is resolved, the characters don’t grow or really
give us any reason to care what happens to them, if there even is a main conflict it’s unclear just what it’s supposed to be, and when the film draws to a close it still doesn’t so much end as stop, with the only question answered being what ended up happening to the San Juan Star, and that answer comes in a manner too abrupt to be satisfying. “Stop” is actually a good
word for “The Rum Diary”. It’s like riding on a bus driven by someone new to the route and not entirely certain where he’s going, so he eventually lets you off somewhere within walking distance of your stop. Much like a passenger of that bus, audiences lured in by the promising trailer will likely leave this film grumbling in disappointment.
• Transfer Scholarships • Maximum Transfer Credits • Personal Academic Advising • Division III Athletics
Call 1.800.654.3210 or visit
www.cazenovia.edu/transfer for more information on transferring to Cazenovia College and a list of our outstanding academic programs.
Cazenovia College Building Futures Since 1824
Page 6
Local Events What’s There To Do Around The Capital Region? November 3 Deadmau5 featuring: Le Castle Vania, Feed Me, Excision | Washington Avenue Armory 7:00 p.m. at 195 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12210 Ross Bennett & Deric Harrington | The Comedy Works 7:30 p.m. at Doug’s on Main Street, 445 Main Street Bennington, VT 05201 Tickets $8 in advance, $10 day of show
November 11 Bob Nelson & Ray Harrington (Special Show) | The Comedy Works 9:00 p.m. at the Best Western, 200 Wolf Rd Albany, NY 12205 Tickets $20 in advance, $25 day of show
November 12 Bob Nelson & Ray Harrington (Special Show) | The Comedy Works 7:30 p.m. at the Starting Gate Restaurant, 12 Ballston Ave Saratoga November 4 Springs, NY 12866 Cram for Exams Concert featuring: Rick Ross & Travis Porter | Washington 9:00 p.m. at the Best Western, 200 Wolf Rd Albany, NY 12205 Avenue Armory Tickets $20 in advance, $25 day of show 7:00 p.m. at 195 Washington Avenue Albany, NY 12210 Ross Bennett & Max Dolcelli | The Comedy Works 7:30 p.m. at Jackson’s Old Chatham House, 646 Albany Tpke Old November 13 Chatham, NY 12136 CAPITAL PRIDE PARTY | Washington Avenue Armory 9:00 p.m. at the Best Western, 200 Wolf Rd Albany, NY 12205 2:00 p.m. at 195 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12210 Tickets $15 in advance, $20 day of show * WIN TRIP TO LAS VEGAS! * Live entertainment, food, refreshments, contests, prizes, drawings. November 5 “Come out & help us give a huge thank you to our “civil rights champion” The Misfits with special guests: Juicehead, Blasé Debris, The Black Tie NYS Governor Cuomo for same-sex marriage.” Operation, Hijinx | Northern Lights $15 advance online / $20 door / $40 VIP 7:00 p.m. Show PHONE: 518-522 3710 Tickets are $16 in advance, $18 day of show Website: http://www.rainbowpride.weebly.com Ross Bennett & Max Dolcelli | The Comedy Works 7:30 p.m. at the Starting Gate Restaurant, 12 Ballston Ave Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 November 18 9:00 p.m. at the Best Western, 200 Wolf Rd Albany, NY 12205 “THE LAUGH LADIES” | Thea Vidale & Kelly McFarland (Special Show) | Tickets $15 in advance, $20 day of show The Comedy Works 9:00 p.m. at the Best Western, 200 Wolf Rd Albany, NY 12205 November 8 Tickets $20 in advance, $20 day of show WQBK Presents….Huge Co-Headline Event with ANTHRAX AND TESTAMENT With Special Guests: Death Angel | Northern Lights 7:00 p.m. Door/ 7:50 p.m. Show at 1208 Rte 146 Clifton Park, NY 12065 Tickets are $27.50 in advance, $30 day of show November 19 November 10 BLOOD ON THE DANCE FLOOR With Special Guests: Angel Spit, New Years Day , The Black Ships| Northern Lights 7:00 p.m. Show at at 1208 Rte 146 Clifton Park, NY 12065 Tickets are $12 in advance, $14 day of show
“THE LAUGH LADIES” | Thea Vidale & Kelly McFarland (Special Show) | The Comedy Works 7:30 p.m. at the Starting Gate Restaurant, 12 Ballston Ave Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 9:00 p.m. at the Best Western, 200 Wolf Rd Albany, NY 12205 Tickets $20 in advance, $20 day of show
russell sage college | sage college of albany | sage graduate schools
Looking for the right fit? Apply NOW for Spring 2012
Personal Education • Small classes, friendly staff, and professors that know and care about you • Interdisciplinary programs let you tailor your own education Affordable • Generous financial aid and scholarships means we cost many students less than a state school! • Sage offers one-on-one counseling sessions on affording college Something for Everyone • Choose from two campuses, three graduate schools, and 70 degree programs • Loads of clubs, activities, men’s & women’s sports teams, and 50/50 residential/commuter students Successful Outcomes • Practical experience through service learning and internships • 98% of graduates are employed or get into graduate school after graduation
We make it easy: Articulation agreements between HVCC and Sage mean that your credits will transfer into programs like Business, Education, Nutrition, Physical Education and more!
Continue on for your bachelor’s: … at the coed Sage College of Albany sage.edu/sca … at Russell Sage College for women sage.edu/rsc … in the evenings, weekends, and online through Sage After Work sage.edu/saw “All of my credits from HVCC transferred and I received a $12,000 merit scholarship. I could not have asked for a better transition to a new school!” Megan linzi HVCC >> Sage Education major
campuses in albany and troy
Learn more at: sage.edu/transfer 0r contact: Tom Breen, Director of Transfer Admission breent@sage.edu (518) 292-1928
Sage.edu