The Student Printz: March 9, 2022

SERVING SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI SINCE 1927•WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM•MARCH 9, 2022 |VOLUME107|ISSUE22

UPDATED MASK MANDATE PG 3

EUPHORIA REVIEW PG 6

BASKETBALL PG 8

PRISM hosts Second Chance prom CORDAVEON CARTER PRINTZ REPORTER

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RISM hosted its Second Chance Prom on March 5, giving all students another opportunity to experience the magic of prom.

The event took place in the Thad Cochran Center in room 216. Southern Miss’s PRISM office hosted the event as a night for students in the LGBTQIA+ community and other students to experience prom their way and without restrictions they might have faced in high school.

“We did this event because we feel like with COVID and with former restrictions of not being able to have gender expression, that we would present a second prom so that we would have our LGBTQ students have the freedom to be themselves,” Coordinator of Prism Wes Shaffer said.

The night featured plenty of music, dancing, entertainment and food with a positive turnout of students that enjoyed the event.

“The decorations were really pretty, the food was great, the performers were amazing,” sophomore Trinady Moore said. “I was entertained and I was fed...I just felt like I was able to make a connection on campus with this problem and it was just a great experience.”

“I personally didn’t get a prom because of COVID…so I saw so many people here [with] so much diversity in terms of

Shaffer and students dance at the Second Chance prom.

both queer life and both racial demographics, so it was great to see everyone who normally probably wouldn’t be able to bring their own queer date to their own high schools here to have a second chance at their own beautiful moment,” freshman Andrew Le said.

PRISM seeks to be a safe place for the LGBTQIA+ community here at the University of Southern Mississippi.

PRISM, a part of the Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement, hosts a multitude of events with that goal in mind.

“The goal of the Second Chance prom was just for us to learn how to have some fun, live a little, loosen up a little,

and also take up space on this campus where we haven’t really had the recognition before,” Shaffer said. “I really want our students to learn to be loud and be proud and take up more space.”

A highlight of the prom was the performances by the drag queens. Moore stated that this was her favorite part of the night.

“They just brought it. It was so much fun. I’ve never personally seen a drag show before [or] drag queens before, so just seeing them a few feet away from me was amazing,” Moore said.

Shaffer hopes that events like these can help bring the LGBTQIA+ community together.

Huey Turlich/Printz

“In the past years, there has even been discrimination within the LGBTQ community.

And for me, the biggest thing is I want to make sure that we’re having a community of care where everyone we meet, we can learn something from and then also to make sure that we’re getting ourselves out there, creating a followership, and then, just being ourselves is huge in general,” Shaffer said.

For more information follow PRISM on social media @ southernmissprism or contact the Office of Inclusion and Multicultural Engagement email at ime@usm.edu.

SM2 News Director Charlie Luttrell also contributed to this report.

NEWS MEET THE CONTRIBUTORS SM2 News Director Charlie Luttrell charles.luttrell@usm.edu Executive Editor Kyra Lampley kyra.lampley@usm.edu Entertainment Director Loren Jones loren.jones@usm.edu Printz Reporter Abigail Troth abigail.troth@usm.edu Alisia Powell alisia.powell@usm.edu Jackson Howell jackson.howell@usm.edu Jessica Besnard jessica.besnard@usm.edu SM2 Sports Director Austin Lindsey austin.lindsey@usm.edu Printz Reporter A’Darius McCormick adarius.mccormick@usm. edu Cordaveon Carter cordaveon.carter@usm.edu

Southern Miss Student Media

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The views represented in The Student Printz’s columns and editorials do not represent those of the faculty, staff or administration of The University of Southern Mississippi. We welcome letters to the editor representing similar and contrasting opinions. To be eligible for publication, all submission must include name, class distinction, major, phone number and email address. Submissions should be emailed to printzeditors@gmail.com by 5 p.m. on the Friday before publication. Please limit them to 500 words or less. The Student Printz reserves the right to refuse publication or edit any material on the basis of clarity, space or journalistic ethics.

Opinions expressed in The Student Printz are those of the writer and not necessarily those of The Student Printz, its publication manager, USM, the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning or the USM Board of Student Publications.

MARCH 9, 2022

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Hattiesburg Zoo’s Renaissance Fest returns

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he Hattiesburg Zoo brought back its annual Renaissance Festival for the sixth year, opening its gates to the zoo from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The festival was adorned with vendors and those in proper costume for the time period.

A jousting area was set up for people of all ages, with an employee of the zoo protected with the metal of his knight costume.

There were foam and plastic swords for children to toy with, and plenty of zoo employees dressed in renaissance regalia to keep the guests entertained as well.

Young children were dressed in crowns, costume ball gowns and knight’s armor. Music from the historical period played throughout the entire zoo, though the sound of laughter and guests nearly drowned it out.

The air was coated with the smell of fresh turkey legs, a Renaissance Festival staple. The dining area of the zoo was decorated with crimson tablecloths and fruit baskets. In the center of the dining area was a long table with satin tablecloths, furnished with plastic fruit and massive candelabras.

As guests walked through the zoo, they could also participate in Shakespearian plays, churn butter, make candles and even meet the Queen at her Court.

The locally owned and operat-

ed Hub Spins sold multiple flavors of all-natural cotton candy from their mint-blue trailer.

Chris Scarborough sold and displayed cosplay swords he had created. One vendor was even offering henna tattoos to willing patrons.

However, one thing that the Renaissance Festival always sees a massive amount of support in is the Live Action Role Play community, or LARP. Tori Faith Jones, a student at USM, and her fiance, Jacob McGregor participated in the Solar LARP, and had objects from this community on display.

There were glass bottles of magical potions, copper coins, golden crowls bedazzled with jewels, a book of spells and many other pieces of the game.

“I’ve been playing the game since the very beginning, so it’s fun explaining what it is.” McGregor said. “It touches on our darker and more adult themes.”

Jones showed off McGregor’s black and white makeup, which she had done herself.

Jones even gave guests special effects makeup, such as bruises and cuts. She described the process of doing the makeup for McGregor’s character, Baal.

“It’s a complicated character!”

Jones said.

The festival brought together a community, and even helped to educate the guests on what exactly LARP was.

Faith and McGregor particpate in the SOLAR LARP at the Renaissance Fest.

Huey Turlich/Printz

Henry: we don’t make it to the top alone CLARISSA HENRY Every waking moment of your day and even sleeping moments through your night is dependent on several factors- was your phone fully charged or did it die overnight?

We are all dependent on other people and other things to help us get through our daily routines.

Independence as a college student can be exciting, it can be wild and it can also be overwhelming at times too.

Regardless of the experience, students need to seek support and services that will assist them in acclimating, setting goals, and discovering purpose.

An example of support services on campus is the Student Counseling Center located in Bond Hall South.

Student Counseling Services is a free and confidential mental health care service provided to students who are currently enrolled at The University of Southern Mississippi.

During the fall 2021 semester, I experienced personal hardship. What I discovered in my one session at the center was I struggled because I was afraid to ask for help, I was afraid of rejection and the opinions of others, so for a while, I suffered in silence. w I knew I needed help but I didn’t know where to start and you may not either.

What I did was search- I searched until I found what I needed.

I sought out people who could direct me to resources, I built my confidence and my faith for moments of rejection I might face.

I never stopped seeking out a solution.

You may experience this too at some point.

Do not allow not knowing where to begin to paralyze you in your plight.

I know you’re telling yourself you don’t know who to trust or who to talk to.

I get it. I was there too.

I grew past it, so will you too. I took a chance, I prayed and I asked for direction.

Life and the college experience should be had hand-in-hand with a group of people who you can trust to cultivate you mentally, emotionally, and physically.

College is one of these places we can learn to build and contribute to the community. We are all moving parts, we all belong, we all have something to offer another.

There are good people in the world, there is someone somewhere who will use their power, ability, and their resources to help you. Be that someone who will use their power, ability, and resources to help someone else.

Our time at the University of Southern Mississippi can teach us we are not called to the top to merely receive but to give.

NEWS MARCH 9, 2022 WWW.STUDENTPRINTZ.COM USM’s updated mask mandate takes effect A’DARIUS MCCORMICK PRINTZ REPORTER

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outhern Miss updated its COVID-19 protocols to reduce the requirement of face coverings in several spaces around each of the campuses on March 2.

A university-wide email announced that face coverings will not be required in public spaces, which includes residence halls, libraries, dining facilities, the Student Union, Campus Recreation facilities, retail spaces, offices, conference rooms or extracurricular activities held in indoor on-campus spaces.

The update coincides with the University COVID-19 safety protocol revisions from Centers Disease Control and Prevention.

Face coverings will be required in instructional and health settings, regardless of vaccination status, which means Southern Miss students and faculty will only wear masks in their classrooms and health care buildings like the Moffitt Health Center.

The announcement shocked many Southern Miss students.

Sophomore Amaris Hodge understood the protocol’s change, but Hodge felt uneasy about the safety of the mask lift.

“I can just say that I understand a lot of people’s frustrations with the mask, but we are still in a pandemic and should still be wearing our masks in public places where there are a lot of people,” Hodge said. “I will definitely still be wearing my mask but I think the lift will finally put an end to the complaining.”

Like Hodge, students choose to wear face coverings whenever they decide, but some students will leave their masks in the past.

With the mask lift, Southern Miss follows the trend of other universities, like the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University.

Both announced the changes to the COVID-19 protocols at the

beginning of last month. Like Mississippi’s universities, schools across the nation are hopping on the trend as well.

The number of COVID-19 cases decrease weekly in Forrest County and Mississippi, according to the Mississippi State Department of Health.

The decrease may have inspired the CDC to move forward with the mask lift, and the trend of other universities could have influenced Southern Miss.

Senior Kenzavius Williams thinks the decrease was not enough to end the mask mandate.

“I feel it was very irresponsible,” Williams said. “Simply because Covid still is a thing, and people are scared to get it. So by taking away that mandate, you deter a lot more of those people from coming to class and that could affect the way they’re learning and their grades.”

Southern Miss recommends that its students, faculty and staff get the COVID-19 vaccination and the booster.

If anyone with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 walks the campuses, they should still wear a face covering.

Students, faculty and staff should follow the current CDC guidelines for isolation, quarantine and testing, but the guidelines and protocols will be reevaluated and continue to change over time.

For more information about the importance of a face covering, visit the mask tab on the CDC’s website.

Search for vaccination information at the USM COVID-19 Vaccination Updates tab on the Student Health Services at Moffitt Health Center or Gulf Park Health Center website.

For even more information, visit the Moffitt Health Center, email clinicadmin@usm.edu or call 601266-5390.

Students now only have to wear masks in class and health care settings. Huey Turlich/Printz

NEWS

MARCH 9, 2022

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“Lies, Hubris, and Imperial Overreach: Vladimir Putin’s Ill-Advised War in Ukraine” DR. BRIAN LAPIERRE ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF HISTORY

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ladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine is a cynical, brutal, and inhumane example of the discredited and obsolete principle that “might makes right.” Singlehandedly, Putin has plunged Europe into the worst military crisis since WWII and sank American-Russian relations to the worst depths of the Cold War period. With this obscene and grotesque invasion, Putin is gambling with the future of the country he has misruled and dominated for over two decades. Putin will lose this bet because his war is more than an exercise in ethical and legal nihilism. It is self-defeating.

Through his aggression, Putin has brought about the very outcomes against which he claims to be fighting. Instead of restoring its power, he has isolated Russia diplomatically and smeared its international reputation. Apart from his autocratic allies in China and Mara-Lago, Putin has united the world

against him and reinforced its commitment to contain Russian expansionism. In contrast to the disunity and ambiguities of the Trump era, Putin has revitalized and given new urgency to both NATO and the Euro-Atlantic alliance of liberal democracies. Rather than rolling back America’s military presence in the former Soviet space, Putin’s hostile policies have led to increased military deployments on Russia’s western frontier.

Putin’s war has also exposed the Russian nation to potentially crippling economic warfare. Sanctions and countersanctions will hurt everyone. They will hit Russia harder and damage it more deeply given his country’s lack of economic depth, diversification, and dynamism. If the sanctions regime is robust, unified, and lengthy, Russia will not be able to escape this economic noose through cryptocurrency transactions, Chinese support, and internal currency reserves. As

the ruble tanks and Russians watch the accumulated purchasing power of their hard-earned savings, pensions, and scholarships disappear, many Russians will wonder whether Putin’s military adventure abroad is worth the price of their lowered living standards and livelihoods.

Militarily, Russia has the force to overwhelm Ukraine in this opening phase of conventional military operations. Russia does not have the force, however, to occupy and control Ukraine in the long term through violence alone. Nor can it do so in the face of widespread Ukrainian opposition, resistance, and prolonged insurgency. While it will be easy to invade Ukraine, Putin will find that it is difficult to pacify it, impossible to Russify it, and dangerous to withdraw from it.

Lastly, I do not (and cannot) believe that the Russian public supports this war. For all his false flag operations, disinformation, and posturing, Putin has not prepared

Russia to support a war of aggression and territorial aggrandizement in Ukraine. If this conflict is bloody and protracted, it will be deeply distressing and increasingly unpopular with the average Russian. It will also be deeply destructive to Putin’s political image and domestic reputation as a competent and rational technocrat.

Tragically, it is the ordinary people who will suffer the most from Putin’s hubris and mistakes.

Undoubtedly, however, this war will produce many more collateral casualties. One of them—unbeknownst to all the cronies and sycophants in the Kremlin—may be Vladimir Putin’s domestic popularity, legitimacy, and power.

Annual prayer breakfast focuses on community building, education GARRET GROVE PRINTZ REPORTER

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University President Rodney Bennett speaks at the event.

he Mu Gamma Lambda and Mu Xi chapters of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity held the sixteenth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ecumenical and Interracial Prayer Breakfast Saturday, March 5.

People from across the university,

Garret Grove/Printz

city and state gathered within the Thad Cochran Center Saturday morning for fellowship, community, and prayer.

During the breakfast, pastors from Hattiesburg and around the state came to speak and preach.

Jon McCoy from Christ United Methodist Church in Jackson served as the keynote speaker. Pastors Carlos Wilson, Shronda Carter and Michael Dixon prayed during the program as well.

Eddie Holloway is a member of the fraternity and dean of students emeritus at USM. He feels that these events offer a chance to highlight the breakfast’s goal of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“It’s my prayer that when we have programs of inclusion, that all people can experience their place at the podium, and on the stage of life,” Holloway said.

It was the first time in two years that the prayer breakfast was held in person due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

And for those like Alpha Phi Alpha member Marauo Davis, it was a breath of fresh air.

“Just by looking at the number and the turnout, I can see the value in this program and why it has gone on for 16 years and why it needs to

continue,” Davis said.

The theme this year was “Achievement by Quality Education – Dr. King’s Dream.” It complements Alpha Phi Alpha’s “Go to High School, Go to College” initiative, which was established in 1922.

Its legacy seems to also continue, as it gave textbook scholarships to 11 high school seniors heading off to college.

Robert Williams is an ¹lpha Phi Alpha member and superintendent of the Hattiesburg Public School District. He states the importance of an educational background for enriching the lives of community members.

“I think former Governor William Winter said it best, that the road away from poverty goes by the schoolhouse door,” Williams said.

“And so education is key to transforming generational lives.”

The next major event slated to happen within the local Alpha Phi Alpha chapter is their second annual golf tournament, set for Saturday, May 7 in the Shadow Ridge Golf Club.

MARCH 9, 2022

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ENTERTAINMENT

MARCH 9, 2022

‘Euphoria’ Season 2 comes to a disappointing end

ALISIA POWELL PRINTZ REPORTER eason two of ‘Euphoria’ ended this past Sunday on Feb. 27 and while the season had plenty of positives to keep it trending on Twitter, there were enough negatives to leave a sour taste in some die-hard fans’ mouths. Still, the positives are worth mentioning.

One positive—and major improvement—that is definitely worth mentioning is the cinematography. There was never a moment where the composition lacked in this series.

In some parts, it felt like you were watching a movie. Personal favorites for me came during the New Year’s Eve party in the first episode.

Ashtray, a beloved secondary character in the series, runs to start the car outside of the party in preparation for what was about to go down.

To further hype up this moment, the scene cuts to show’s main characters still inside the house. Each important character is illuminated by a bright light highlighting them while the rest of the background is still shrouded in darkness, and once the light turns off it’s transitioned to another character within the same setting.

While I loved this scene because of its critical foreshadowing of events that would soon take place in the series, I couldn’t help but be blown away by the elevated quality of production produced during this moment.

Another beautiful scene comes in towards the end of episode four with Cassie Howard. She’s sitting in a room full of hanging pinkish-white and red orchids with tears streaming down her face, and while viewers can see that she’s distraught, the composition of the shot is so aesthetically pleasing that you can almost forget the pain that she’s feeling.

The music during this scene only helped to elevate that feeling more, as once again ‘Euphoria’ nails its musical composition.

If only the writing could have been just as phenomenal…

The writing was season two’s weakest link. After ending on such a high note in the first season, I was looking forward to seeing how the main characters would move forward in their development this season.

But outside of Cassie, Rue, and Lexi, it’s as if the rest of the girls were forgotten and pushed aside, as seen with Kat Hernandez.

Kat was such a prevalent character in season one, and I was expecting her to have that same presence in the new sea-

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Carter’s Countdown: Top 100 Songs

CORDAVEON CARTER PRINTZ REPORTER

entire song what it was. Jay-Z then goes in depth with rapping about a missed opportunity with a girl and he list I made compiles how he regrets it. It showcases the 100 of my favorite songs versatility of Jay-Z and changed my of all-time. For the next few outlook on rap forever. weeks, we are going to go through 95. Pretty Little Fears – 6lack: this list 10 songs at a time.

This song is a very deep and emotional song 6lack captures the essence of a relationship. In this 100. bad vibes forever – XXXsong, he is describing how he wants Tentacion: This is song is one his relationship to be open and for of the most unique in his entire discography. Despite the name, the her to be very vulnerable with him. song has great vibes and very relax- J. Cole then comes onto the song ing. It's talking about a relationship and provides a greater insight and and how in love he is. The acoustic absolutely delivers on his verse. It's guitar only adds more flavor to the one of my favorites because it shows how important trust is in a song as it progresses. The features relationship and how it shouldn’t from Trippie Redd and PnB Rock really made this song very melodic impact you getting to know people more intimately. and soothing to listen to.

94. ARE WE STILL FRIENDS? 99. Life Of The Party – Kanye – Tyler The Creator: This song West: Despite Ye as a person, he will always be considered a musical shows a very vulnerable and emogenius. The production of this song tional Tyler the Creator. It showreally stands out per usual with any cases a failed relationship between two close friends, and it leaves him of his songs. It makes it so pure distraught and wondering. The and emotional for the message of the song, which was the struggles of production of this song was incredible and showcased him as childhood and losing loved ones. the next star in the music industry.

Andre 3000 absolutely delivered Tyler is one of my favorite artists of on his verse and made it the best all time and reminds me of Kanye song of 2021. With the outro musically and I absolutely love featuring a clip of the late great him. rapper DMX with his daughter on 93. Love On Top – Beyonce: the slingshot brings it full circleThis is one of her most underrated This is one of the first of many songs on this top 100 for Mr. West. songs she has put out and does not get enough recognition, sim98. To Be Loved – Adele: This ply from the vocal arrangement song is beautiful and is an emotional power ballad about relation- and key changes. This song to me ships. It describes how she tried so showcases Beyonce’s ability to sing and how good she really is. This hard and did everything just to be loved the right way and never got it. song is so much fun to sing along to and just to dance with. Even if Adele put her heart and soul into this song and made it very person- you can’t hit the notes, it is still a pleasure to the ears to listen to. al. It showcases her powerful voice 92. No Me Queda Mas – Selethat we know and love. With just na: As one of the greatest Tejano the strip down of her voice and the artists of all time, this song grand piano makes it one of her showcases Selena's talents greatest songs ever. perfectly. Selena was mainly 97. Runaway – Kanye West: From one of the greatest albums of considered a performer more than all time 'My Beautiful Dark Twist-ed a vocalist. Many people believed she couldn’t really sing but only Fantasy', this song is absolutely a masterpiece in more than one way. put on a great show, but this song It could be much higher on this list absolutely proved doubters wrong.

The arrangement of this song is because the production on this is one of the greatest of all time. With beautiful, and the Selena's vocals are so raw and full of emotions, just the simplistic playing of the which makes this the best song she piano makes it so breathtakingly ever made. beautiful to me. This song 91. My Melancholy Blues – showcased the creativity and greatness of Kanye West musically. Queen: Considered one of the 96. Song Cry – Jay-Z: Nostalgia greatest rock bands of all time, this song is totally opposite of their is what I feel every single time I hear this song. Simply getting up in usual style. This song showcases the creativity and skills of the lead the morning getting ready for singer-songwriter. It shows the abilschool while my brother plays this song. “Song Cry” introduced me to ities of Freddie Mercury to capture different emotions and fantastic a whole new world musically. The abilities to encapsulate his heart beautiful and catchy singing of and soul into his songs. This is one Gwyneth Paltrow really made the of the best examples taking on a more jazz inspired feel. It showcases his range and the band's musical ability.

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Courtesy of redbubble.com

son.

I, for one, was looking forward to her new relationship with Ethan and her newfound confidence in herself but the only thing I received was her breaking up with the only stability in her life and dealing with the repercussions of her other friends’ dramas.

Let’s not forget about Chris McKay, either. McKay had one moment this season, and that was in the first episode. After that, he basically disappeared for the rest of the season.

The writing for the characters wasn’t the only downgrade. In general, the writing for the show was a huge step down from last season.

Many episodes felt out of place and out of order because of how they were written. Crucial characters that we were introduced to in the last season were finally getting their development this season—right in the middle of tense moments that makes it feel inconsistent with the storyline.

It felt like Sam Levinson was trying to put too much into each episode which led to a lot of important plot details getting glossed over like Laurie threatening Rue with human trafficking but the most minute things being given the greatest detail like Lexi’s play.

‘Euphoria’ season two could have been better. The writing this season was not its strongest point, which is unfortunate because I thoroughly enjoyed the direction the first season was in.

This season felt inconsistent, and while there were episodes that were nothing short of amazing with Oscar-worthy performances, it still doesn’t take away the fact that this season was weak.

With season three confirmed, perhaps the writing will come back to the quality that it once was in season one.

Rating: 7/10

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ENTERTAINMENT

MARCH 9,2022

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‘The Batman’ shines an excellent noir thriller

JACKSON HOWELL PRINTZ REPORTER

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he Batman’ was one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2022 and it did not disappoint.

Most comic book movies have been action movies without too much gravitas, but Matt Reeves directed a noir thriller where Batman’s work as “The World’s Greatest Detective” was at the forefront.

‘The Batman’ has its fair share of action scenes and they feature some of the best fight scenes seen in any Batman movie.

There was concern and criticism made about the casting decision to have Robert Pattinson portray the Caped Crusader, but he gave a near-perfect performance based on Reeves’ story.

Pattinson plays a grounded, grim version of Batman, which is comic-accurate and aided the story well. He is an encapsulation of the dark and gritty environment of Gotham City.

There are many instances where Pattinson conveys much emotion without speaking. He has chemistry with everyone, especially Catwoman and Jim Gordon.

It is too early to tell whether or not Pattinson is among the best to dawn the cape and cowl, but he held his own and silenced the critics.

There were no flaws in the supporting cast as all actors did their part superbly. Zoe Kravitz as Catwoman was more than just a sidekick to Batman as she played Selina Kyle to a tee.

She has a tragic story throughout the film and maintains a close, yet distant relationship with Bat-

Courtesy of thebatman.com

man. She aids Batman while simultaneously fighting her own battles.

Kravitz may not have topped Michelle Pfeifer’s performance as Catwoman in ‘Batman Returns’, but she did not disappoint.

Paul Dano as The Riddler was fantastic. Easily the best Batman villain since Heath Ledger’s Joker, The Riddler was a sadistic serial killer who dominated the film.

The Riddler is known for being a wacky villain that gives Batman riddles to solve, but Dano delivered a maniacal, calculated performance that stole the show.

The Riddler was clearly based on the legend of the Zodiac Killer with Riddler’s mask being nearly a carbon-copy of Zodiac’s. It was a great decision as it made Riddler a realistic villain. Riddler’s plan was elaborate and caused a lot of suffering for the protagonists, and

Dano delivered an excellent performance.

Jeffrey Wright was an amazing Jim Gordon. His partnership with Batman made them feel like great friends and they were excellent tag team partners in solving The Riddler’s great mystery.

He delivers a primarily soft-spoken performance while maintaining a level of seriousness that absolutely fits. Wright rivals the great Gary Oldman in best portrayals of Jim Gordon.

The other prominent characters in the film held their own as well.

Colin Farrell had a remarkable performance as The Penguin.

Farrell is unrecognizable in the film - both by looks and sound. He was not featured in a great number of scenes, but he stole each scene he was in with a modern gangster type of character.

John Turturro played crime boss Carmine Falcone in a chilling yet likable way. He pulls a lot of strings in Gotham City and is a major factor in the plot.

Andy Serkis was great as Alfred Pennyworth in the few scenes he was in. While he was not a prominently-featured character, Serkis convincingly portrayed that he was a father figure to Batman.

It is well-known that Batman is the secret identity of Bruce Wayne, but this movie chooses to flip the script.

Instead, Bruce Wayne is rarely shown as Batman spends the entire movie trying to solve the mystery of The Riddler. It was a stylistic choice to not differentiate between Bruce Wayne and Batman as previous iterations of the characters have, but it works well in ‘The Batman’.

Comic fans will notice the parallels between the film and ‘Batman: The Long Halloween’ as Batman spends the plot using his detective skills to solve a case involving connected murders.

The movie hammers the point home as the film takes place on Halloween.

This film has similarities to prior installments - particularly the Christopher Nolan Dark Knight trilogy - but it is a completely unique Batman experience.

It is a three hour movie that flies by as the suspense never ceases throughout the runtime. It is paced incredibly well and it never feels dull.

It is too early to tell if The Batman is the greatest Batman film to date, but it certainly belongs in the conversation.

Rating: 4.5/5

SPORTS

MARCH 9, 2022

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Southern Miss Basketball ends regular season with most losses in program history

JACKSON HOWELL PRINTZ REPORTER

AUSTIN LINDSEY SM2 SPORTS DIRECTOR

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outhern Miss ended its regular season Saturday afternoon versus the Charlotte 49ers on a woeful note.

The Golden Eagles dropped its fourteenth straight game of the season with a final 70-67 loss.

The losing streak is the second-longest in program history, only behind its winless 0-24 season in 1971. This loss broke the record in that season for the most losses in a single season at 6-25.

“It’s been a very frustrating season. I know the frustration of people, and there’s nobody more frustrated than me,” Head Coach Jay Ladner said.

Southern Miss entered the game short-handed without its leading scorer Tyler Stevenson who missed the last three games with a hernia injury.

Southern Miss clawed back in the game after being down as many as 14 points in the second half, but failed to send it into overtime on a missed three-point attempt by forward Isaih Moore.

The Golden Eagles opened the first half as many this year, jumping out to a hot start, but it quickly became the same story on a different day.

The 49ers seized control of the first half on a 23-3 run as the Golden Eagles only mustered three free-throw baskets for twelve minutes, starting at 12:12.

Sun Belt welcomes Southern Miss as C-USA seeks legal action

At the half, Charlotte’s Jahnir Young, the second-leading scorer in Conference USA at 19.7 points per game, led the scoring for the 49ers with 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Young later finished with 21 points on 8 of

decent look and honestly thought when it left his hands it was going to go.

[I] wish we could bank one in like others seem to do against us,” Ladner said.

Moore and Napper accounted for all 12 of Southern Miss’ buck

excited about the future, and I’m working just as hard today as I worked hard yesterday. I’ll work just as hard tomorrow as I worked today to bring Southern Miss basketball back to national prominence, “ Ladner said.

“I fully expect to be here next season, and if my bosses decide to make a change with me, I’m thankful for the opportunity to coach at my alma mater, the school I love. I can’t really worry that it’s out of my control.

What’s under my control is what we do on the floor, and I’m very aware that our win-loss record is not what it needs to be and not what I expect it to be.”

Isaih Moore dunks against Charlotte.

Tyron Dawson/Printz Ladner is 23-64 in his time at Southern Miss.

14 shooting with seven ets under the Ladner ended the rebounds and six assists. three-minute mark. season without the “We lost our compoMoore finished with services of Tyler sure. We just didn’t have a double-double with 20 Stevenson and Jaron veterans when we needpoints and 13 rebounds.

Pierre Jr. but he hopes to ed it from guys like Tae DeAndre Pinckney finhave them back for the Hardy and Tyler Steven- ished behind 17 points, first game of the C-USA son. five rebounds and Tournament.

“It took us regroupthree assists on five of “Maybe if we can ing at half to play solid eight shooting from the maintain what we’re basketball again,” Ladner field. doing and get Tyler and said.

With another loss, Jaron back, maybe we Southern Miss outthe question lingers for scored the 49ers 43-34 in Southern Miss: will head can maintain a run at this thing. I don’t think the second half but the coach Jay Ladner we are that far away,” efforts weren’t enough. return next season?

Ladner said.

With just 4.1 seconds “Southern Miss Guard Mo Arnold remaining, Napper basketball means a lot inbounded the rock to to people, but there is is ruled out for the year Moore for the shot, rising no one who it means with an avulsion fracture over at the defender more to than me. I’m in his hand from the missing the bank shot on indebted to Dr. Bennett game against Marshall.

He is out for six weeks bouncing off the back of and Jeremy McClain and possibly more the rim.

[Athletic Director] for pending on MRI results.

“I thought it was a the opportunity. I am

The ongoing saga between Southern Miss and Conference USA took an unsurprising turn as Southern Miss was included in the Sun Belt Conference’s 2022 football schedule.

Southern Miss is still listed on C-USA’s 2022 schedule and is still claimed by the conference. As reported by The Athletic, C-USA demanded arbitration against Southern Miss alongside fellow Sun Belt hopefuls Old Dominion and Marshall.

In response to this, the three schools respectively received temporary restraining orders against C-USA. Southern Miss will have another hearing with the Forrest County Circuit Court at the end of March.

“While Conference USA respects the court’s decision to temporarily grant the recent motion filed by Marshall University, the Conference USA Board of Directors stand firm in their belief that all Conference USA institutions, including Marshall, are expected to honor their contractual obligations and adhere to the agreed upon bylaws and covenants,” C-USA said in a statement released following Marshall’s temporary restraining order was granted. “Conference USA is fully prepared to move forward with the remainder of the legal process.”

As it stands, Southern Miss is a part of two different football schedules. Not only will there likely be financial ramifications for the exodus, but there will also be a scheduling conflict with C-USA having three schools trying to leave early.

While C-USA has not made a public comment regarding Southern Miss, Marshall and Old Dominion being included in the Sun Belt’s schedule, Sun Belt commissioner Keith Gill welcomed the newcomers in a press release.

“The Sun Belt Conference—with our successful football programs and the passionate fan bases of our 14 members—is now stronger and much better positioned than it has ever been,” Gill said. “The compelling matchups of our regional rivalries, our already strong foundation, and the addition of four schools will make the 2022 football season one of the most anticipated in the history of the Sun Belt.”

If Southern Miss competes with the Sun Belt in 2022, it opens the door for new matchups and rivalries. There are four schools within 250 miles of Southern Miss, with South Alabama being the closest at 90 miles between the two universities.

The Golden Eagles are scheduled to face first-time opponents Georgia State and Coastal Carolina on the road in consecutive weeks.

The first scheduled Sun Belt matchup for the Golden Eagles is against Troy, who Southern Miss faced in 2021.

Southern Miss has a home matchup on Thursday, Oct. 7 against Louisiana at Lafayette. They are also scheduled to face South Alabama on Senior Night followed by Louisiana-Monroe on the road to close out 2022.