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the Racquette
Arts & Entertainment
Film review: “Deadpool” Katie Daloia Staff Writer
The Marvel franchise broke the fourth wall when “Deadpool” hit theaters last Friday. “Deadpool” is based on Marvel Comics’ most popular anti-hero; he’s no Captain America. Instead, Deadpool represents the kind of hero who’s not afraid to take chances and swear profusely whenever possible. The film follows the story of Wade Wilson, played by actor Ryan Reynolds, who is a former Special Forces operative who willingly decides to become a part of a non-government-funded mutant experiment. After enduring countless hours of torture, Wilson comes out of the rogue experiment with enhanced healing powers and fried nerve endings. However, he lost his good looks as a result. Haunted by his new face, Wilson begins hunting for Francis, played by actor Ed Skrein, aka Ajax — the man who did this to him in the first place. After being advised to wear a mask to hide his face by his friend, Weasel, played by actor T.J. Miller, he adopts the name Deadpool. Unlike most superheroes in the Marvel Universe, Deadpool is more likely to kill anyone at first sight instead of reasoning with them. He also does not play very well with others. Deadpool isn’t going to be found teaming up with others to save the city — well, at least not right now. This becomes more apparent as members of the
X-Men, Negasonic Teenage Warhead, played by actress Brianna Hildebrand and Colossus, played by actor Stefan Kapicic, continuously show up to reason with him over his outrageous behavior. With his crude sense of humor, Deadpool narrates his own story and doesn’t leave anything out. Depressed by the fact he is no longer a devilishly handsome man, Deadpool has also lost touch with the love of his life, Vanessa, played by actress Morena Baccarin. Al-
Unlike the other Marvel movies Fox has produced, the villains in “Deadpool” are more likely to get six bullets in their backs or their heads chopped off. though he hasn’t spoken with her in years, Vanessa is what drives Deadpool to kill all of Francis’ men, combined with the hope that one of them will know where the “boss man” is. After only being in theaters for less than a week, “Deadpool” has received more praise than anyone thought possible; in some
cases, maybe it’s too much praise. Although the movie does end on a happy note, was it really necessary to do it with such crude humor and sexually explicit material? Still, “Deadpool” has managed to surpass all other superhero movies at the box office, not only as the first R-rated superhero movie Fox has produced, but the first R-rated movie to ever enter the superhero genre. Despite the explicit material, “Deadpool” isn’t lacking in what makes a superhero movie a superhero movie. There is an extreme amount of crime-fighting action, but with a twist. Unlike the other Marvel movies Fox has produced, the villains in “Deadpool” are more likely to get six bullets in their backs or their heads chopped off. No one is taking them to a secure holding cell for their wrongdoings. Although some may still disagree with parts of the film, Fox released a message on social media before “Deadpool” hit theaters, warning parents that this film is not meant for small children. Quite honestly, this film is meant for adults who have an appreciation for dark humor and raw comic book material. It is not meant for children, who are used to watching Spider-Man save the day time and time again. Ultimately, this film creates a new and refreshing look at superhero movies that makes it a must-see for anyone who can take a joke.
Upcoming Events Friday, Feb. 19: Friday Night Movie screening: “The Intern” Union Dining Court, 9:00 P.M. Sunday, Feb. 21: Guest Artists, N. Hartman, Horn & A. Petersen, Oboe, Snell Concert Hall, 3:00 P.M. Monday, Feb. 22: Cinema 10 screening: “Chi-Raq” Potsdam Roxy Theater, 7:15 P.M. Tuesday, Feb. 23: Faculty Recital: D. Heinick Snell Concert Hall, 7:30 P.M. Wednesday, Feb. 24: Wind Ensemble Hosmer Hall, 7:30 P.M. Thursday, Feb. 25: Coffeehouse & Open Mic Hurley’s, 7:30 P.M.
Opportunity for Student Artists Sarah Vanderzyden Contributing Writer
This semester, SUNY Potsdam student interns are involved in a St. Lawrence County Arts Council social media project related to the rebooted student arts section on the Council’s Facebook page. Here they will be performing weekly interviews of student artists, musicians, writers, performers and more and posting them on the SLC Arts page labeled “#Artstudentsundays.” These posts will show off each student’s work, what they are creating and additional information about themselves and their work.
Creative Writing
Missing Voices An Inclusive Poetry Contest Dr. Oscar Sarmiento Contributing Writer
Call for Poetry submissions We invite SUNY Potsdam students to submit original poems that capture voices that otherwise would be left unheard. We are seeking poems that render visible the experiences of those long dumb and forbidden voices Whitman refers to in section 24 of Song of Myself. We aspire to collect exceptionally well written poems that showcase vital and challenging experiences poets deem essential to include now in our current conversations on diversity and social justice. Please submit two original poems (each no longer than 30 lines) in Word format to larocksg@ potsdam.edu by Thursday, March 3, 2016. Include your first and last name, and one sentence stating that you authorize the contest
organizers to publish your poem in case it is selected as one of the two winners. We will announce the winners at the Many Tongues / World Poetry Day celebration on Tuesday, March 22, 6 PM, Dining Room, 8th Floor, Raymond Hall, SUNY Potsdam. The award will consist of a certificate, a check in the amount of $30.00 dollars, plus publication in an issue of the SUNY Potsdam Racquette student newspaper. The jury will include: Jwan Murphy-Rodríguez, Victoria Levitt, Mylene Catel, and Oscar Sarmiento. The selection of winners and the awarding of prizes is at the discretion of the judges. The decisions of the judges are final. The Missing Voices Poetry Contest is supported by SUNY Potsdam Diversity and Inclusion Action Coalition (DIAC) and the Department of Modern Languages.
Rebecca Willdigg “The Greats”
I’ve had two great loves in my life and if that has taught me anything, it is that I know what love is. Love is getting butterflies in your tummy every time you think of them. When you’re on an adrenaline rush for hours as you talk to them. Then you can’t sleep at night because you’re smiling to yourself over every little word. Love is when you are so excited for the next day of forever, that you don’t want to waste a single moment. Love is dating your best friend. You feel so comfortable sharing everything and anything with no fear of judgment. When you feel safe and secure falling asleep in their arms. Having the best sex because you’re more lost in the moment than worried about looking perfect. Love is when you didn’t know how much a part of someone you were until they were gone. I know what pain staking, heartwarming, corny love is and you aren’t it.
Feb. 19, 2016
Interns posted the first submission to #Artstudentsundays on Feb. 6, and these will continue on a weekly basis. To see student artists in the area, visit the page labeled St Lawrence County Arts Council and click on the hash tag above to see all submissions. Anyone interested in being part of the student arts section is encouraged to contact interns Sarah Vanderzyden at vandersm196@ potsdam.edu or Sarah Bean at beanse196@potsdam.edu to schedule a meeting. The SLC Arts Council is located at 41 Elm St., inside the old Snell Hall.
Julia Zakaryan “Bird”
When a baby cries Does a bird hide under its bed unseen? Waiting for the day the child won’t pull off its feathers and be so mean?
When a child is beaten by their father Does the bird come? Or does it wait in the shadows for freedom?
Will they heal, or will fear force them to tear themselves apart, inside out? Does the bird bother to come about?
When an adult’s voice becomes a scream Will the bird help them heal? Or does it wait for the appeal?
When a soul finds its own way to grow
When a kid is pushed and shoved
The bird can then speak
Does the bird wait for the prayers?
A truth uttered not from its beak
Or does it wait longer still, for the kid’s dignity to be torn off in layers?
When a teen begins to toss and lose a bit of themselves at every turn
“The pain you’ve gained was never a time lost, I’ve been here with you and I’ve observed your cost, You have found your beingand goddamn it’s freeing.”