COME TOGETHER
EN AVANT GARDE!
STILL TO COME
LEAP has plenty of activities on offer
An art battle on the national level
The most anticipated films of 2016
International and domestic students can access great events on the cheap • Page 2
Art Battle Canada now holds events right here in Kamloops • Page 2
Still plenty of great flicks coming before the end of the calendar year • Page 9
OMEGA Ω THE
ISSUE NO. 02
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VOLUME 26
SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
A B Γ Δ Ε Ζ Η Θ Ι Κ Λ Μ Ν Ξ Ο Π Ρ Σ Τ Υ Φ Χ Ψ Ω
The Den emerges as a replacement for campus pub Heroes, offering new later hours
BACK-TO-SCHOOL BBQ Friday, September 9, marked the 29th annual Back-to-School BBQ. Photo Marcela Arévalo/The Omega
A PLACE TO HANG, OUT
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
TRUSU now offers LGBTQ social events
Second volume of law journal published
TRUSU club's pride socials to be held on Mondays starting Sept. 19 • Page 6
TRU's own law journal has just had its second volume published • Page 5
Over the course of the summer there have been significant changes to the well-known campus pub, Heroes. The change of name from Heroes to The Den, which builds on the TRU WolfPack theme, and new liquor license is meant to put more emphasis on improving the social atmosphere on campus outside of class. Depending on how WolfPack teams fare throughout the season, The Den may even broadcast games. Glenn Read, director of ancillary services for TRU, said the vast majority of the nearly 900 students living on campus are under the age of 19, which indicated a need to change the liquor licence from liquor-primary to foodprimary. With the once wild and more partyfocused establishment Heroes in the past, Read wants it to now be a social gathering place for all students and more inclusive. To cater to students’ preferences, The Den will be improving the selection of TV programming available in the restaurant, adding local craft beers to draft selection and changing the menu as students give feedback. However, “it’s not going to be a Cactus Jacks. It’s not the style. If that’s what the students want then they can continue to go there,” Read said. CONTINUES page 6
NEWS
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
National art competition takes roots in Kamloops Art Battle Canada now holds events in Kamloops, thanks to 4Cats owners Jared MacArthur STAFF WRITER Ω In an effort to bring more options to the arts scene of Kamloops, owners of 4Cats studios Michael and Jenn O'Brien decided to organize and promote a regional division of Art Battle Canada after hearing about the event from a local artist. As president of the Kamloops Arts Council, Michael says making art more accessible for everyone is one of the council’s objectives, and the Art Battle is offering just that. “This kind of fits that bill, it’s accessible art for everybody. It’s something that anybody can participate in and do, as long as they feel they can do it.” Another reason they jumped at the opportunity to host the event is because it is something that has never been done before here in Kamloops. Although the Kamloops art gallery has a similar art duel event, where artists dress in costumes and paint, it is not competitive. Art Battle also brings in multiple styles of art to each event, getting away from, but still
including, the traditional styles that are more popular here in Kamloops. “Part of what we’re loving here at Art Battle is we’re bringing all of these styles together,” Michael said. In order to choose the 12 artists, Michael and Jenn review the submissions and try to incorporate as many different art styles as possible in the event, saying the goal is to “entertain the masses,” and make the battle even more unique. The next battle will be held on Thursday, Sept. 15, at Cactus Jacks nightclub. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the battle begins at 7 p.m. The cost is $20 for general admission, but students can get in for $10 at the door with a student ID. Twelve artists will compete for the crowds vote in three 20minute rounds, spaced throughout the evening. People attending will have the opportunity to purchase these rare pieces of art in the silent auction that is held after the end of the third round. Organizer Jenn O'Brien suggests guests who are interested in buying art in the silent auction bring $50 to start, as that is
An array of paint and blank canvases on easels set the stage at a Kamloops Art Battle. (Michael O'Brien/ Submitted)
where the bidding starts. In the past, pieces of art have sold for more than $150, she said. Artists can join the competition free of charge and there is real incentive for local artists to participate in the battle. Beyond receiving local recognition and
having a chance to sell their art, contestants who win multiple rounds are put through to the next round and could possibly make it to the nationals. “There are lots of different variations that we will be excited to start spinning off, as we get
our grounding over the next year,” Michael said. For the time being, the Kamloops Art Battle will continue to be held at CJ’s nightclub, but it may be changed in the future to make the venue more accessible for people of all ages.
International and domestic students can come together through affordable activities Sarah Kirschmann STAFF WRITER Ω This semester, the Leisure Explore Activity Program (previously the International Student Activity Program) is back in action with a renewed focus on creating connections between international and domestic students. The program offers an affordable way for students to explore the area through group events at a fraction of the regular price, without the hassle of arranging transport. The name was changed to be more inclusive, as the ISAP acronym suggested that the events were open only to international students. While funded by international students' recreation fees, up to 30 per cent of tickets are available to domestic students, however that number rarely exceeded 10 per cent under the ISAP acronym. “Whether you are a foreign or domestic student, you get a chance to network and socialize with students you may not have talked to otherwise,” said former student Adin Scott. Students from all corners of the world come to Thompson Rivers University, not only for an education but also to delve into
a foreign culture and venture into unknown territory. For LEAP coordinator Jillian Folk, studying at TRU is “about being a whole person, not just [academics].” Folk’s goal is to give students an opportunity to experience the Canadian culture and landscape, while building the relationships that stem from shared experiences. Event supervisor Ezimara Msiska also sees the program as a way to get off campus and see a different side of Kamloops. She added that it gives students “something to do in the semester without spending too much money or worrying about travel.” From rock climbing to shopping excursions, the diverse lineup of upcoming LEAP events includes something for everybody. Some,
such as the annual Halloween Bash, take place right on campus, whereas others give students the chance to travel farther afield, like the Okanagan wine tour. Both Msiska and Scott are most excited about the winter Caravan Farm Theatre visit, where guests can take in live outdoor performances while gliding from set to set in a horse-drawn sleigh. Available seats usually range from 56 to 168 per event (limited by bus availability), and prices range from free to $20, but the demand is often higher than the supply. Tickets may be purchased at the LEAP desk located in the International Building, Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
LEAP at the 2016 Back-to-School BBQ. (TRUSU)
TRU's Greek organizations at the Back-to-School BBQ. (TRUSU)
Kappa Sigma frat fundraising for local incoming students Sean Brady EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ω The fundraising efforts of fraternity members are paying off, with two School District 73 students receiving $500 scholarships to attend Thompson Rivers University next year. The Omicron-Theta chapter of the Kappa Sigma fraternity that operates at TRU has been fundraising to bring students that meet the fraternity's values onto campus. “Our four pillars are fellowship, leadership, scholarship and service,” said alumnus advisor Jeremy Phelps. “We’ve gotten a lot out of the community, and we wanted to give back with this.” The scholarships are merit-based, with similar criteria to scholarships that fraternity members have available to
themselves, like community involvement, student leadership, sports activity and grades. “The goal is to be able to offer this to incoming students so that everyone is aware of what’s going on on campus and to have the resources to be successful right off the bat,” Phelps said. The chapter is also holding a ticket raffle fundraiser, offering up a home entertainment package and $2,500 gift certificate to Fan Cave as a prize. Tickets are available at the TRUSU desk, at Fan Cave Kamloops, or at the U-District liquor store. They’re on sale until Nov. 25. The next big event on the fraternity’s radar is Trick or Eat, where instead of collecting candy on Halloween, they collect food. Last year members brought in nearly 3,000 pounds of food to be donated.
OPINION & EDITORIAL
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Photo Marcela Arévalo/The Omega
Well-attended events show potential for a more vibrant and engaged campus Sean Brady EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ω The Back-to-School BBQ is major staple of TRU events. It’s easily one of the biggest, and with the 29th annual now in our rear-view mirror, it’s certainly one of the longest running. But beyond the reliability of its annual appearance, the BBQ serves as an indication that there’s a lot of life on this campus if the conditions are just right. With a turnout of nearly 7,000, according to TRUSU, and with hundreds of tables from community organizations, local businesses and campus groups (including The Omega), the
event is probably the pinnacle of engagement at this campus. There’s only one problem: it only happens once. After the BBQ, people tend to go their separate ways. They’ve been presented with all these opportunities and they divide off into groups of their own. That’s definitely one kind of engagement, but it doesn’t do much to build a sense of community, and it’s much harder to see than a huge swathe of people spread across the campus commons. Although there’s also the winter resource fair, in my own experience that event is much smaller and suffers in terms of attendance. People tend to rush by the tables between classes,
rather than tour through the sea of opportunities. It’s probably the lack of food. Instead, perhaps a more vibrant winter event could take the resource fair’s place? I’m thinking… giant bonfire? Yes. Giant bonfire. Sure, the permits will be a mess and it’s not exactly the beacon of sustainability, but it’s certainly something that will bring people together, even on a bleak January evening. At any rate, this campus needs a pick-me-up come January – something to shake those post-holiday blues and reinvigorate students for the second half of their year. Think about it, TRU. editor@truomega.ca
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
Kamloops Makerspace an open door for artists Kamloops Makerspace gears up for another year of exciting projects and community growth Jennifer Will ARTS EDITOR Ω On Wednesday, Sept. 7, the Makerspace opened its doors to the community to showcase some exciting new opportunities, projects and equipment. The Makerspace offers an open space for the public to come together and create. There are currently 55 members and they continue to cultivate and expand the art community in Kamloops. The weekly open house at Makerspace allows for open conversation between members and potential members, further opening the door for discussion around new projects on their radar. The most recent addition to their list of projects and programs is the After School program pilot hosted by Vaughn Warren. The six-week program will be aimed at children aged 6 to 12. It will be an afterschool expedition that aims to explore innovative techniques and expose them to new ways of creating art. Kids will get the chance to use the 3D printer, vinyl cutter and laser cutter to produce their projects. In the hour and a half, the kids will get to make something new using different materials and machineries every week. The pilot project will run from Sept. 21 to Nov. 2 in the
afternoons at the Makerspace on Victoria St. W. The program is $160 for all six weeks. Along with weekly open houses the Makerspace has weekly breakfasts from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. on Monday mornings. They implemented the breakfasts to make the community aspect of their organization closer. It gives existing community members and newcomers to the scene a chance to connect on a personal level while having a common interest. You bring your own food and they supply the pots and pans. The next breakfast will be held on Sept. 26. On Sept. 14 from 5 to 10 p.m., they will be hosting an evening with TechBrew that could be considered a party and a hack night all in one. TechBrew works to have and use ground-breaking technology, bringing innovators and artists together in order to form an epic combination. This time is used to work on projects, hang out, network, gain inspiration and drink some beer. Tickets for the event are $25 or $20 with a valid student ID card. The month of September wraps up with their Laser Cutting 103: Slot Construction event. From 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 22, artists and creators can join in on this workshop. Hosted by Vaughn
Aras Balali Moghaddam from Makerspace conducting a light workshop. (Jennifer Will/The Omega)
Warren, this intense three-hour session will show participants what the slot construction method is and how they can apply it to using the laser cutter for making objects. It will encourage partakers to get started on projects that require the
use of this machine, giving them the skills and tools they will need to create whatever their heart desires. The workshop is free for members or $40 for non-members. The Makerspace is a hub for artists, giving people a chance to
use expensive equipment and have a space to work. It gives like-minded individuals a place to exchange knowledge and ideas. They offer regular memberships for $50 per month or a keyholder membership for $100 per month.
29th annual
BACK TO SCHOOL BBQ Campus groups, local businesses and organizations returned to campus for the 29th annual Backto-School BBQ on Friday, Sept. 9. Photos by Marcela Arévalo/Ω
NEWS
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Second volume of TRU's law journal published Martin McFarlane STAFF WRITER Ω A team of faculty and students have published the second volume of TRU’s law journal. The journal titled The Canadian Journal of Comparative and Contemporary Law features articles contributed by Canadian, American, British and Australian law practitioners and academics. It also includes articles from TRU members of faculty Craig Jones and Margaret Hall. The articles focused on topics related to equity, a section of law
that allows judges to order additional remedies in civil cases. The journal was copy-edited by 15 upper-level law students who were managed by two of their peers and three faculty members. The students earned course credit and an insight into legal writing from prominent members of the law community. Law faculty member Robert Diab, along with Chris Hunt and Lorne Neudorf, were the editors-in-chief of the most recent volume, and guided the student editors as they prepared for publishing. Diab believes that involvement with the law journal has helped
students improve on skills learnt in the classroom. “They sharpen their legal research and writing skills because they are seeing examples of advanced legal research and writing. A number of the contributors are judges, professors or appellate lawyers, so they are working with advanced jurists,” Diab said. “In the process they learn correct citation, and that’s something you need to know if you are going to practice law.” Sofia Bakken was one of the managing editors for the current volume of the law journal. She has since graduated and is now
The team that produced The Canadian Journal of Comparative and Contemporary Law. (Submitted)
Law professor Robert Diab, one of the co-editors-in-chief for TRU's law journal. (Marcela Arévalo/The Omega) articling with the criminal justice branch of the Ministry of Justice in Victoria. Bakken says that the experience gave her practice in managing multiple projects and meeting deadlines while leading a team. “The biggest thing for me was learning how to work well with other people in circumstances where we were often under pressure to get a large project completed,” Bakken said. Sarah Fullbrook, also a graduate, who now is undergoing a clerkship at the Supreme Court of B.C. in Vancouver, was a managing editor for the second volume as well. She believes that her experience as a managing editor was a major reason for why she got her clerkship, a job which involves research and editing for judges in their cases. “It was a really good opportunity to work closely with some of the professors that I really liked and otherwise would not have a
chance to work with,” Fullbrook said. Fullbrook and Diab both said that one of the most important skills learned through journal work is attention to detail, and the level of precision involved is something that, according to Diab, students may not be used to. Law journals often have a practical purpose in courts, where judges may decide on a case partly based on an argument made by another lawyer in a journal article. It also opens a dialogue on issues that may come up with a change to the law by Parliament. The selection process has already begun for student editors on the third volume, which will explore interpretation in the law. Full-text journal articles and downloads are available on the journal's website, which is located at: www.cjccl.ca.
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
Heroes Pub rebrands to become The Den Changed format and extended hours are a few ways The Den plans to draw in patrons Jared MacArthur STAFF WRITER Ω CONTINUED (COVER) A liquor-primary licence restricted the restaurant to serving only of-age patrons, however now with the food-primary licence students will be able to order food and a beer alongside their peers who can only order a non-alcoholic beverage. The Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union has, in the past, brought attention to the lack of food services available to students in the evenings. “What we’ve heard a lot is that things aren’t open late enough,” Read said. “The numbers don’t support that – there’s virtually no business on campus after five o’clock.” Despite the lack of students on campus, The Den is hoping to become the exception and will now be open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Monday to Friday. “To respond to our student body, we have The Den open to 10 o’clock. We’re just trying to make it into a social gathering place,” Read said, adding that they are also working with the student residences to attract those students, as well. The change of hours has been recognized as a step in the right direction by TRUSU. Speaking with student caucus chair Michael Zaitlin, he recognized the extended hours were a positive change and that TRUSU hopes to see more food
The classic campus pub Heroes has rebranded to become The Den. It also added longer hours and changed its liquor license to food-primary, allowing younger patrons to enter. (Jared MacArthur/The Omega) services on campus following suit. “It is difficult to access food services during [students] full hours of activity on campus, whether they want a meal at the pub, a sandwich between classes, or a quick coffee,” he said, citing the student budget consultation done by TRUSU. In an email to The Omega, Zaitlin wrote “students identified improvements to food services as their top priority in the most recent student budget
consultation. One of their main concerns is hours of operation, along with variety and options; price, value, and food quality; and lines and wait times.” “What we know for certain is that campus life suffers without this option, so we are supportive of the initiative Mr. Reed and Ancillary Services are showing here,” Zaitlin wrote. Students on campus shared some of their thoughts on the change with The Omega.
Sam Baker, a fourth-year student says she's been to Heroes in the past a couple of times but mostly just for food. "My roommates used to go all the time and party at the Wednesday parties they used to have... but that was a long time ago, like six or seven years ago," she told The Omega. Recognizing that Heroes has not been a place for partying in recent years Sam said she approves of the change to make The Den more of a
restaurant. Fourth-year student Ben Froese has managed to go four years at TRU without stepping foot in Heroes, but he is aware of some of the frustrations students faced when the campus pub was still operating under a liquor-primary license. "There are 17-year-old students and I know there are some classes where they'll have student discussions at Heroes and kids can't go," Froese said.
TRUSU begins offering weekly LGBTQ socials Martin McFarlane STAFF WRITER Ω The TRUSU Pride Club is launching weekly socials later this month to provide open opportunities for LGBTQ students to socialize on campus. Led by Pride Club president Paolino Caputo and LGBTQ representative Caitlin Orteza, the socials will be taking place on Mondays at 5 p.m. in the TRUSU board room beginning on Sept. 19. Caputo hopes that the socials will stabilize and promote new membership to the club. “The difference between this year and previous years is that we are shifting our event planning elsewhere so that there is little business at the meeting and just an opportunity for people to get to know each other,” Caputo said. “We want to give people a place that they want to come back to every week and to basically solidify and create a bit more of a community on campus.” The club also aims to create and maintain a safe space for LGBTQ students through the socials. In addition to making
new friends, the socials will also provide support to those who need it by making club executives and representatives readily available. “Finding people that are a part of the LGBTQ community is pretty hard, especially for people that are new to town or are international students. So having something like the Pride Club, where they have consistent oncea-week meetings, I think is great for people,” Orteza said. “These are events that are just casual where people can just show up and meet other people.” According to Caputo, the socials will also address fragmentation in the community by keeping to a consistent schedule where members can meet regularly. While there are several pride events in the Kamloops community, there is a need for more regular social events. “I think the initiative is important particularly in Kamloops where we see a lot of different pride groups so I think creating a stable space for people to get to know one another and to rely upon is important,” Caputo said. Ideally, Caputo would like to see the socials lead to a
Members of the TRUSU Pride Club at the Back-to-School BBQ. Dale Drozda (bottom left), Elena Plotnikoff (top left), Alex Jensen (mid left), Katrina Esguerra (mid right), Paolino Caputo (right). (Marcela Arévalo/The Omega)
permanent safe space on campus, like many other universities have. “I feel like our university is a bit behind in that regard and I think that there is definitely a lack of space for more socially-related
resources,” Caputo said. Caputo and Orteza encourage those who are interested in learning more about the TRUSU Pride Club socials to visit the club’s Facebook page (TRUSU Pride
Club) or Twitter account (@TRUSU_Pride). Also upcoming on Sept. 28 is the TRUSU Pride Parade, which starts at 11 a.m. and follows a path around campus.
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Uncle Tasha and the Nephew plays The Art We Are Jonathan Malloy CONTRIBUTOR Ω A windswept chilly night set the tone for another performance at The Art We Are on Saturday Sept. 10. Singer Songwriter duo Uncle Tasha and the Nephew from Prince George performed to the patrons of the café in an intimate show showcasing their acoustic roots and melodies. Consisting of Natasha Lepine and Malcolm Gordon, the band is propelled by its introspective attachment to the music and the heartbreak they conveyed during their brief but well-performed set. This being their first time on the road touring and only their fifth show performed so far, they brought a seven song set list mixing together original songs alongside acoustic covers of Coldplay, a heart-wrenching version of their hit Yellow, as well as Santa Monica Dream. Lepine’s vocals worked well on the material but the lack of participation from Gordon did prove slightly odd in hindsight.
The standout songs proved to be the originals, each one providing a distinct flavour of Lepine’s past, young heartbreak, bad relationships and a surprisingly distinct and beautiful song about the days of a snowy small town in northern B.C. Their first song performed, “Paris,” was inspired by the loneliness Lepine discovered while travelling through the aforementioned French capital last year, strung along by a gentle ukulele and her soft vocals. Followed by the aptly titled “I Want My Linkin Park CD Back,” Lepine once again brought forward a tale of woe from her past with a timid depiction of a failed romance. Striking the biggest chord with the audience and myself was “Wells,” a song that eschewed the dramatic stories for reminiscing about her youth in the small town of Wells. She sings “I can’t feel my nose but I can feel you beside me,” in a way that recalls Regina Spektor if she traded her keys in for a freshly tuned ukulele. Their songs have a melancholic feeling that never overstays its
welcome as Lepine approaches the material with a light touch, allowing the material to be digestible and relatable at the
same time. The band currently is working on their second album as they head back home to construct it.
In the meantime you can listen to their first effort Awkward on Bandcamp that you can find through their Facebook page.
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IN PICTURES
FLOATAPALOOZA 2016 Organized by the Kappa Sigma Omicron-Theta fraternity, 2016 marks another year of a fun and games and a float down the Thompson River.
Photos by Marcela Arévalo/The Omega
SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
THE OMEGA
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The most anticipated films still to come this year Jonathan Malloy CONTRIBUTOR Ω While this year has been somewhat lacklustre in its releases, there are plenty of films on the horizon to look forward to. From horror and mystery to star studded musicals, this year is full of surprises still to come.
Blair Witch September 16
Following a surprise reveal several months ago at San Diego Comic Con, the buzz for this sequel to the 1999 hit has garnered exciting first reviews, tasting its tense atmosphere and relentless chills. Coming from director Adam Wingard, who has proved his horror prowess with recent gems like You’re Next and The Guest, he looks to continue his penchant for horror to the delight of genre fans looking for their next scare.
The Magnificent Seven September 23
An all-star cast has assembled in Antoine Fuqua’s remake of the 1960 western, itself a remake of Seven Samurai, with Chris Pratt and Denzel Washington leading the band of loveable misfits. Taking the originals sensibilities and updating them with a violent
edge, it looks to put a modern spin on the material. Fans of Fuqua’s previous films (Southpaw, The Equalizer) will definitely not want to miss this one.
Dakota Fanning and Jennifer Connelly who all look to be bringing something new to their roles. A definite must see.
The Girl on the Train
November 4
October 7
Based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Paula Hawkins, the film is a mystery-thriller starring the ever-talented Emily Blunt. Looking to provide an intriguing setup that thankfully hasn’t been spoiled by the recent trailers, while also retaining the tone of the novel. Looking to provide the same gut wrenching twists as the recent hit Gone Girl, one can only hope the film can live up to the expectations brought by the image-turning source material.
American Pastoral October 21
Acclaimed actor Ewan McGregor is premiering his first directorial effort at the Toronto International Film Festival this week. Following a spectacular announcement trailer, it looks to be a possible revelation and turning point in his career. Based on the novel of the same name, it follows an American business man in the 1960s struggling to keep the balance in his family after his daughter is accused of a crime. McGregor stars alongside
Doctor Strange The Marvel franchise is back again in the fall but looks surprisingly different this time around. Coming from Scott Derrickson, a director mostly known for horror films, and tapping into the mystical and magical side of the comic universe (finally!) it looks to tackle a side we haven’t yet seen from superhero movies of late. As always, the cast is fantastic, toting Oscar nominated actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Tilda Swinton and many more. The early buzz seems to mention the awe inducing visuals on display.
Arrival
November 10 Following a linguist, Amy Adams, and her attempt to communicate with aliens that have landed on earth, this remarks a change in setting for director Denis Villeneuve as he tackles the morals of humanity in an altogether more fantastical fashion. Villeneuve has proved his prowess in recent years with the likes of Prisoners and Sicario but looks to develop a larger scale of conflict here. Having recently wrapped on
the editing of the film, he now has started the filming of the untitled Blade Runner sequel. Arrival should prove an apt test of his adaptability in time for the much anticipated sequel.
the events of Episode IV, the audience may be in for a different film than they may be expecting, one that excites me more than anything else, coming out this year.
La La Land December 10
An ode to films long passed, La La Land is a musical set in the 1950s following the romance between an aspiring actress, Emma Stone, and an up-and-coming pianist, Ryan Gosling. They have pro,ved their electric chemistry in several films before and are reunited by wunderkind Damien Chazelle whose film Whiplash stunned audiences at Sundance in 2014. Decidedly looking quite a bit more light, the music sounds impeccable with the imagery inspiring a magical crispness to the golden age of Hollywood.
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story December 16
At this point, I feel like most people will be going to see this film based on the name recognition alone, but something feels inherently different about this project. Yes, it is still set in the Galaxy Far Far Away, yet promotions for the film paint it to be a far grimmer tale that we’ve seen in this universe so far. Described as a war film and set just before
Film review: Hell or High Water Jonathan Malloy CONTRIBUTOR Ω Unflinching and brutally honest in its depiction of financial instability and the immoral throngs people will go to to secure that stable ground, director David Mackenzie salutes the American flag by burning it down in thrilling fashion. The film follows two brothers, Chris Pine and Ben Foster, as they travel along small town Texas robbing banks before the sun rises on auction day while the lawmen, played excellently by Jeff Bridges and Gil Birmingham. The story is uniquely small for a western, focusing on the dynamics between the four men and their masculinity, family and aging as bullets and violence come as the result of their real world problems. Make no mistake, this isn’t your father’s western. It stands a commitment to writer Tyler Sheridan as he crafts a world of seemingly real characters interacting and searching for a successful way to survive. Having penned last year’s tense Sicario, he reaches the same great depth in his personas, each one more than the caricature they start out as. The portrayal of Pine as Toby Howard proves that he is much more than a pretty face, bringing out the most
conflicted and interesting role he has done yet. Supplemented by the continually surprising Foster, they work as a crime duo that is so far from cliché. Their work under this script has to be appreciated come this awards season. All the while, Jeff Bridges’ frontiersman eschews hints of John Wayne while also providing the most heartfelt and saddened role he’s provided in years. Mackenzie gives his characters time to connect with audience, understanding their fallacies and humanity before racking up the tension when needed. The brothers have been forced into dire straits by years of unfortunate decisions and financial setbacks, provoked by the financial institutions one would think would try and aid the poor. (Insert laughing gesture here.) The cinematography by Giles Nuttgens provides an intimate beauty to the barren landscapes often capturing microscopic details and flourishes that really add to the feeling of hopelessness among its characters even in its bright, often naturally lit settings. A modernist western crafted by an ace team, Hell or High Water sets a high mark for the pure craft of filmmaking this year, one that is certainly going to be hard to forget in the coming months.
Film review: Sully Jennifer Will CONTRIBUTOR Ω Tom Hanks is back at it again, staring as an all-American hero. Based on the true events of Flight 1549, when a plane made an emergency landing on the Hudson River after both engines fail mid-air. Sully immediately captures the audience in the aftermath of these events: the media circus, the airlines’ investigation and the court hearings. The film takes a calculated approach to a story of heroes and humanity. The film takes a very unusual approach to the structure, in an attempt to create a unique perspective on the story. Often jumping around between past and present, giving a muddled feeling. These jumps in time create a lack of intensity throughout the entire movie. There was no stressful “are we going to make it” moment, there was nothing to really convince me that anything truly mattered. It felt
more like things were just kind of happening, no one was particularly happy about it, but whatever. Which ultimately led to a bland experience, instead of what could have been a fantastic and thrilling story to tell. The performances by Tom Hanks as Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger and Aaron Eckhart as Jeff Skiles were good but not Oscar-worthy. Hanks gave a decent performance that was passable for his role. It was calculated and always ready to spark inspiration. Eckhart was the sidekick, Sully’s support and was ready with a witty comeback in nearly every situation. The movie added in the occasional call home to give us a look into Sully’s personal life. His wife was no more than a cameo by Laura Linney. Her character had no arc or purpose beyond being his concerned wife on the phone. These scenes did help to add emotion but it wasn’t enough to create an attachment to the characters. In the film the character of Sully
repeatedly said, “we were just trying to do our job.” However, the film makes villains of characters who were doing just that, their job. Mike O’Malley plays Charles Porter, the evil investigator who is asking the tough questions. Porter is given facts about the case and is hired by the airline to conduct an investigation. He questions Sully about why he landed on the Hudson, risking 155 lives, when the simulations and calculations suggested he could have made it back to the airport. The film ends abruptly. The movie’s villains have a complete change in character and motivation, literally like someone flicked a switch. The conflict had no real resolution, epiphany or lead up. Overall Sully was an interesting story to be told and had aspects that were enjoyable. Nevertheless, it could have been so much better than a soon-to-be-forgotten September release. It was the kind of movie you watch once and then never really think of again.
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WolfPack men’s soccer goes .500 against visiting UNBC squad Sean Brady EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Ω The TRU men’s soccer team faced the University of Northern British Columbia Timberwolves in a doubleheader this past weekend, dropping one and winning one. In their first game, a loss at Hillside Stadium, the ‘Pack suffered a setback beyond their 3-2 loss, with the sidelining of keeper Lubomir Magdolen, who suffered an upper body injury in the second half. Backup keeper Brady Van Ryswyk filled the net in his absence. In the team’s 3-0 win the next day on Sunday, the ‘Pack put up 3 goals, all going unanswered, to take the win. The men took the win with just 10 players on the field, after Justin Donaldson
took a red card for a high tackle on UNBC keeper Mitch McFarlane. Donaldson’s red card will have a lasting effect, too. After showing early promise this season, Donaldson will miss the next game on Sept. 17, as well, because of CIS rules. “We were playing pretty solid up until that point. I think it was a bit of an unfortunate red card. The guys really beared down and played smart. They didn’t give away too many opportunities and capitalized on ours,” said head coach John Antulov. The WolfPack men are back in action next weekend, again at home, to face the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns on Saturday, Sept. 17, and the University of Calgary Dinos on Sunday, Sept. 18.
WolfPack Paws for a Cause TRU's women's volleyball team and TRU cheerleaders were out to support Paws for a Cause over the weekend. The event aims to raise funds and walk to fight animal cruelty. Top right: Rachel Windshorst and Carly Gunter Right: Cheerleaders Mikayla Levy and Sydney Goward. Photos TRU Athletics
TRU's Ryan Glanville puts one past UNBC keeper Mitch McFarlane. (TRU Athletics)
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SEPTEMBER 14, 2016
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