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BOX OFFICE
through the scope american sniper revealed the rise of netflix blockbuster power house
Spring Issue
Spring Issue
The Movies Behind The Oscars
struggle for equality selma struggle
Table of Contents
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Letter from Editor Contributor’s Page Oscars Rise of Netflix American Sniper Selma
Letter From The Editor Dear Readers, Watching movies and TV shows have become one of Americas most beloved pastimes. This magazine, although not an action packed film, was made to entertain you by going deeper into entertainment’s best qualites and assets. Our goal is to give you a movie education, a ‘movication’, as we like to call it. We hope you laugh, smile, and find something in this magazine that strikes you as interesting enough to take a second look and find out more about entertainment today. Remember to tune in for our next issue coming soon this summer!
Best Regards, In Order Of Apperance
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BOX OFFICE
By
WRITER #1 Mary Crutchfield WRITER #2 Glenn Fister WRITER #3 Emma Sandman WRITER #4 William Wright
EMMA SANDMAN Born in Kentucky, the horse capitol of the world, Emma enjoys mind opening films and heart melting entertainment to pass her free time. Overseas films and diverse cultural movies are just one of the many genres of movies Emma enjoys. Soccer and politics are one of the many factors that fuel her passion for traveling. Being involved in Spanish honors society, Y-club and adventure club really add to her sense of adventure.
BIOGRAPHIES
GLENN FISTER Born in Kentucky and raised in the small town of Versailles, Glenn frequents the movies to watch his preference of action thrillers and comedic movies. Watching movies if just one of the many things that Glenn does in his free time, along with playing high school soccer at Woodford County High School. In school, Glenn prefers math and science classes, which explains his pursuit of a career in engineering.
MARY CRUTCHFIELD
Mary was born and raised in Lexington, Kentucky and comes from a large family. She spends her free time reading, crafting, and of course watching various types of movies. Her favorites being suspense, comedy, and romance. Mary is also involved in sports at Woodford County High School, where she plays volleyball and swims competitively. She hopes to at some point take a trip to Europe or Japan and learn the culture and foreign languages that originated there.
WILLIAM WRIGHT William L. Wright ii was born and raised in Lexington, Ky. He is the middle child of three his parents names are William C. Wright and Tracey Wright the names of his two siblings are William I. Wright and Tayler A.Wright. in 2007 William moved to Midway, Ky where he lives now. 4
The Movies Behind The Oscars There is a nervous antic-
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ipation in the air, along with the feelings of excitement and fun rushing through the veins of our favorite movie stars and their friends and family as they arrive for the annual event on the classic red carpet. In homes, too, all over the U.S. families and friends gather around their televisions to watch and converse and laugh about the all the glamourous, famous men and women residing at a place seemingly like another life, another planet, but in reality only miles away. There is an almost magical quality to the
night with all the women’s billowing, elegant dresses and men in sleek suits and gleaming leather shoes looking as if they stepped out from another more pristine time. Although through all the glitz and glam, the actors and actresses are not the main event of the night, but the inspiring films and movies in which they star. The most prestigious awards given out to these awe-inspiring films by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 1929; called The Academy Awards or, as they are more prominently known
as, The Oscar. But from experience, not all of the movies pulling allthe golden statues appeal to everyone’s interests and likes. Thus, sometimes your experien theater to see the award winning show is a waste of time and cash. Plus some movie’s appeal are amplified in the theater while other intense, emotional ones beg privacy in the comfort of your own home. Here’s our review on what to see in the theater and what to wait to see so you can get the comfortable, optimal movie-going experience every time you sit in front of that huge white screen to relax and be entertained for a while. The biggest award that is the ultimate goal in the movie making business This year’s 2015 nominees consisted of the movies Whiplash, The Theory of Every-
thing, The Imitation Game, Selma, Boyhood, The Grand Budapest Hotel, American Sniper, and Birdman which in the end won the Oscar. Birdman Logically, the first movie you would go out to see is the one that got first out of every film, but in the movie Birdman’s case I would hold on seeing it in theater. Birdman is a black comedy-drama that follows Riggan Thomson, played by Best Actor nominee, Michael Keaton, a faded Hollywood actor famous for his role as superhero Birdman, as he struggles to mount a Broadway adaptation of a short story by Raymond Carver. It mostly won awards based on acting, directing, and screenplay which were all phenomenal, but the plot is a bit unconventional and unique. It’s the kind of film that will only appeal only to certain teen’s tastes in movies. If looking for a dramatic, come-to-self, inspirational movie with a side of dark
humor, Birdman is the film on the story of a concierge, for you to go out and see. portrayed by Ralph Fiennes, who teams up with another American Sniper employee to prove his innoIntense, chilling, and cence after he is framed for thrilling, Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper caused quite murder. The film was runner up to a stir all over the U.S. when it Birdman in most number of came into theaters this past nominations at the Academy year. This biographical war Awards and was depicted as drama film tells the story of, Chris Kyle, America’s deadli- a, “movie that makes a marest marksman in U.S. military velous mockery of history, turning its horrors into a history, with 255 kills, only series of graceful jokes and 160 of that are confirmed, mischievous gestures,” by who was portrayed by Best writer A. O. Scott in a thorActor nominee, Clint ough review of Eastwood. the film. The impact Its a marvelousof the movie ly complex movcaused many ie with underlymoviegoers ing cues in the to, “leave plot making it a the theater very discussable in absolute subject of consilence,” says versation. This is sophomore Emma Sand- Ralph Fiennes, left, in “The Grand Budapest Hotel” why we come to (Fox Searchlight) the conclusion man after seeing the film in theaters, to recommend to wait to see “it was a truly overwhelming this movie and watch it in experience to see a movie that your own home. Not because has touched me and many it would be a bad film to other Americans hearts.” see in theaters, but because War and drama film lovers you can pause to talk about will have a field day with this what happens during the movie, although, those with film without the constraint weak stomachs should watch of whispering in a movie with caution. American Sniper theater. The added extra of is definitely a film to see for watching the movie whenevthe first time in a theater for er you feel like (if you purthe whole awesome experichase it) is a bonus, too. ence of sound and picture. The Imitation Game The Grand Budapest Hotel This next film was fairly The Grand Budapest Hotel, surprising in the end as in, an intriguing name for an for an intriguing movie, centers
Micheal Keaton, left, in “Birdman” (http://rogersmovienation.com)
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‘Wow I never knew that. That gives me a whole new perspective,’ kind of way. The Imitation Game is a historical thriller that follows the story of Alan Turing, played by Best Actor nominee Benedict Cumberbatch, who helped solve the Enigma code during the Second World War. The film goes into depth about how Europe finally won the war and uncovers information about the reason for Britain’s victory that was considered classified until recently when it was revealed to the public.
if we are ashamed to reflect on our country’s and people’s past wrongs and acts of inhumanity. Whether we like it or not these issues are brought front and center in the astronomically moving film, Selma, which is based on the 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches led by various black rights activists including Martin Luther King Jr. and others. This historical drama film draws viewers in with its motivational script, rep-
David Oyelowo, left, in “Selma” (Paramount Pictures) and Eddie Redmayne in “The Theory of Everything”
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Historically it introduces a machine that will eventually evolve into modern day computers and starts the movement towards homosexual rights. For historical nuts and those who love a realistic plot, this film is well within your range of interest. All in all, (figurative) survey says: unless you absolutely want to see the film now, then wait until it comes out because it is worth the wait and buy at the store. Selma For as long as people can remember, racism is a controversial topic that, today, is one that you don’t bring up or talk about often almost as
resentation of the horrors thrust upon black people during this time, and its overall message of equal freedom and rights that America was founded and based on. Selma shows a horrible, but powerful part of our history and, not to mention, a fantastic film to visit the good ole cinema for. Selma won’t disappoint your moviegoing experience. The Theory Of Everything Ever wonder about the elusive mystery of time? How did everything come to be? What was the beginning of it? It’s impossible to
know, but we can always adopt a theory. 2014 film, The Theory of Everything, is a movie that tells the story of the life of world renowned theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking, as he struggles with motor neuron disease. Based off the novel about Hawking’s life written by his ex-wife, Jane Wilde Hawking, who was portrayed by Felicity Jones, a Best Actress nominee, in her point of view. Eddie Redmayne was awarded Best Actor for his phenomenal role as Stephen Hawking. This biographical coming of age romantic drama pushes the boundaries of reason and thought with its awe-inspiring storyline and feature of real life relationship struggles and love that comes with it. This film will tug on the heart strings in a good way and I can’t guarantee you won’t get emotional, unless you’re a man and you have less of a chance of seeing this movie that generally attracts a female audience due to the romance aspect of it, which is stereotypically abhorred by said men. Ultimately, the recommendation is to wait to see this film. Rent or buy it, either way you’ll have the privacy to cry if you want to and no one will know (cause that was me).
physical and emotional pain, made the same type of misaction, and having true aspi- takes. ration and drive to achieve Although this movie one’s dreams no matter the wouldn’t be bad to see in the cost. All of aforementioned theater, you could honestly qualities make Whiplash an have the same and possibly excellent choice to see in better experience at home theaters which will amplify because A) having the abilithe film to its earned, awety to start and stop movie B) some full potential. the choice to eat whatever Miles Teller, left, and J.K. Simmons in “Whiplash” (Kaelan Unrau) Boyhood you want during the movie There’s always that one (tray tables optional) and C) a movie that completely gets super comfortable seat beon your nerves (or at least cause we all know that sitting on my nerves, cause I don’t 90 minutes and up in same know, it could just be me) position is rather uncomfortbecause it has a scene deable and numbing despite the picting the main actor at a awesomeness of the movie young age and then time theater. skips forward several years All in all, when you’re at Ellar Coltrane, left, and Ethan Hawke in “Boyhood.”(IFCFilms) to when the main character home watching the esteemed Whiplash is all grown up but looks actors, actresses, and movie The lashing action of a nothing like their younger gurus receive awards for their whip; an injury caused by a supposed self, right? movie masterpieces rememsevere jerk to the head; to In the movie, Boyhood, ber that every movie is difjerk or jolt suddenly, typically this is definitely not an issue ferent with some films more so as to to cause an injury. due to the fact that the mov- appealing to others. So when The definitions of whiplash you hear the phrase, “and the as stated above apply perfect- ie was filmed over a twelve Oscar goes to…,” don’t imly the echoing film, Whiplash, year period with an adjustable plot that changes and mediately rush out to see the which was named accordingadapts to the actor’s lives award winning film in thely. Showing a prime example and experiences. Talk about aters just because of the tiny of modern day bullying at its committed. The film literal- golden man statue that it now worst, this film is about an ly depicts the childhood of has in its name. abusive music teacher and a boy whose dream was to pro- a young boy with divorced parents from ages 6-18 on fessionally play the drums. screen. Bullying and abuse being Not only is the commitan extremely serious subject, ment to the story impresthis movie might have struck a little close to home for any- sive, but the dramatic comone who has experienced any ing-of-age plot is one that almost everyone can relate type of mistreatment with to and like because most its tremendously graphic people had the same struginterpretation what bullying gles, same kind of fun, made Actresses Patricia Arquette (left) and Julienne Moore (center right) is like and can lead to. This the same type of choices and with Actors Eddie Redmayne (center left) and J. K. Simmons (right) drama is full of hardship, who all recieved Oscars for Best or Supporting Actors. (oscars.org)
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The Rise Of Netflix By: Glenn Fister
As your colleagues sit in
discontent from the problem at hand, you sit comfortable with your iPad in hand and headphones in ear. You catch something, someone, in the corner of your eye, but disregard it in spite of disrupting your entertainment. Right as the room seems to drift away, replaced by a room of leisure, your touched on the shoulder. You put your show on pause and turn to meet the glare of one disappointed, yet tranquil, superior. You’re forced to jail your entertainment, but you can only think of one thing for the remainder of work, Netflix. Netflix started off just as many do, small. Founded by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in 1997, Netflix was anything but slow out of the gate. Having two veteran
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Netflix headquarters in Las Gotas, California neurs at the wheel clearly helped. After graduating high school in 1981, Hastings started his career with a summer as a Marine. He frequently questioned methods such as the way they packed their bags and even the way they made their bed. Consequently, his quick withdrawal from the program was no surprise. After finding his curiosities unentertained, he decided the Peace Corps would be a much better fit. Before committing 2 years of his life to the corps, Hast-
ings decided to earn a teacing degree from Bowdoin University on the coast of Maine which would come in handy. While trekking through southeast Africa in 1983, Hastings acquired a job as a high school math teacher. He later credited his future success on this experience, claiming that, “Once you have hitchhiked across Africa with ten bucks in your pocket, starting a business doesn’t seem too intimidating.” The experience had unknowingly sparked the entrepreneurial spirit that he would later build his career off
Photograph Copyright © Image Center/ Marco Zecchin
would later build his career off of. One year later he was back at it, Reed returned to the US and decided to go to Stanford for his masters in computer science. Soon after, he put the knowledge to use and began his own company, Pure Software. This company would later be bought out by Rational Software for $700 million for its anti-virus software. However, the start of the company was much less fortunate. Hastings seemed to lack the leadership skills that he is well known
for today. He urged his board of executives to replace him, but they refused, claiming he had all the qualifications to be successful. With his confidence low and company profit lower Reed was forced to make a decision, who would be fit to save the company? In 1995, CEO Morgan Stanley took the reins, made the company public, and saved it. With going public, the company announced a merge with Atria Software for $700 million. It was a big payday for Hastings, but triggered a drop in the company’s stock.
Hastings decided it would be best to quit while he was ahead and resigned as Chief Technical Officer of the combined companies soon after. Hasting’s life seems like fiction, made up of multiple success stories after facing few hardships, but his partner’s life is one of mystery. Fellow co-founder Marc Randolph has seemingly been written out of the history of Netflix. This probably had something to do with how Randolph repeatedly accused Hastings of deceit and lying. He claims that Randolph made up the story of how he came up with the idea of Netflix and that it, truly, had nothing to do with his late fee on an Apollo 13 rental. Randolph claims that Reed really came up with the idea for Netflix randomly and to tell the story would be lengthy and boring, so Reed decided to create a story that was quick, to the point and described the faulty process that Netflix replaces. Although there is no way to tell whether or not Reed was really charged with the late fee that sparked the beginning of Netflix, Netflix clearly felt threatened by the doubtful co-founder and decided to wipe him off the timeline. When one searches Randolph’s name on the internet they would think that they would find information on his time at Netflix. However, this is not the case.
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ing their reach to another 180 stores worldwide. But, neither of those were the big change. The change came through the way of the stock market; 2002 marked the first year of being a publicly held company for Netflix. With stock market status, comes a lot of pressure for the cofounders which is most likely what led to Randolph’s resignation. One may be able to deny that Netflix originated from a late fee, but no one can deny Netflix the praise they deserve from starting out as a company An illustration of the time that some users put into Netflix with 8 workers in 1997 and in this is not the case. was listed as a board member a mere 6 years grew to over 500 What one really finds of the company. So what hap- workers and over 1 million subwhen they search his name is pened in 2002 that changed scribers. Not to mention in 2011 a lack of information and the Netflix enough to forget their their biggest rival, Blockbuster, only cofounder? who Netflix has repeatedly tried things that link him to Net2002 was a big year for to buy subscribers off of, was put flix are a few photos and even Netflix, they were close to out of business. fewer measly articles. If he reaching their goal of a milHaving two veteran business was a cofounder of Netflix, lion subscribers and they had man at the reins of the company one would expect to find his just signed a massive conclearly helped, but was that all biography on a website such tract with Best Buy, expandthat led to the speedy start-up as Wikipedia, but he doesn’t. for Netflix? Other key members of Netflix Netflix was founded at a time such as Reed Hastings, Dawhen DVDs were fresh on the vid Wells, Neil Hunt, and Ted market, the concept of Sarandos all have a biography ‘through the post’ renting was a on wikipedia, so why doesn’t perfect match for all the people Randolph? Randolph is, afwho now enjoyed the newly inter all, the cofounder, so he troduced DVDs. This match put would technically be above Netflix in a place of prosperity, the CFO, CTO, and CCO only to grow bigger and bigger (Wells, Hunt, and Sarandos.) in the technology based 21st Netflix didn’t always century. avoid mentioning his conThe company grew to 3 milnection. Until 2002 he was lion subscribers before it even listed as the cofounder of the had the live streaming company and until 2004 he everyone watches today. AlPhoto Copyright @ Inquistor.com
“I don’t believe in guilty pleasures. If you enjoy something, there’s nothing guilty about it.” -Busy Phillips
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though, I’m sure the 54 million subscribers Netflix has gained since then has something to do with streaming movies and tv. After all, it is the distraction most people look to for relaxation. Most people may know what Netflix is by interaction, but most people don’t know much about it. Here are some facts that may surprise even the biggest Netflix fanatic… • Netflix has 54.7 million subscribers • On average, Netflix users put in over 1 billion hours of streaming per month • 61% of Netflix users bingewatch at least once a week • Netflix outranks TV in hours of usage in the US • It’s illegal to use anyone’s Netflix account except your own Continuing on with the history of Netflix, the company went public in 2002 and began selling one of the most valuable stocks on the market. At first, Netflix struggled to stay above water in the stock market and failed to profit in the first year. But, the next year they added 850,000 shares at $15 apiece to the pile and made $12 million in profit pulling the company farther away from its closest rival,
Blockbuster. This rival declined the offer to be bought out in 2005 and would eventually pay for it, but for now they continued snagging up some of Netflix’s subscribers each month. However, these numbers were not nearly high enough to affect a
Photo
ued to rise. 2 years later in 2005 Netflix began shipping out a million DVDs each day and held a stock price of over $100. From that stock price Netflix has over quadrupled, currently held at $440 they have risen to a company of high esteem. From 8 workers to over 500, from no subscribers to 54.7 million, from $15 stock to $440, from only shipping DVDs to live streaming, from rags to riches Netflix has grown immensely in the past 18 years and continues to grow even more. Netflix is a source of entertainment around the world and if in fact a late fee was the catalyst for success, it is a prime example of responding to adversity with creativity and innovation.
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Photo Copyright @ Inquistor.com Reed Hastings at a Netflix Conference
company of Netflix’s class; they were a miniscule stain on a shirt of perfection. The reason for the attempt at a buy-out was simply to tap into the subscribers that Blockbuster had had long before Netflix was founded. With an unsuccessful attempt at a buy-out, Netflix still contin-
The Rise of
Netflix.
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Through The Scope By: Emma Sandman www.Vanityfair.com www.Military.com www.Latestnews.com
The impact that movies have on society is not something that should or is overlooked in the 21 century. Movies are always a good way to get a point across or to express a controversial topic by presenting unheard of ideas or new concepts. The movie American sniper is no exception. This movie has touched the hearts of millions of people and has resurfaced many heated topics about the military. American Sniper is a beloved movie all across america. This heart warming tale about an American war hero is definitely one that will go down in his-
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tory. Everyone loves a tale about a hero and a bad guy and that is exactly what American Sniper is. Chris Kyle is the main character in this touching film about an American citizen doing what he has been trained to do, which is protecting the country we love:America. Bradley Cooper plays Chris Kyle in this controversial war movie. Bradley Cooper had to endure physical and mental activities when preparing for the role of Chris Kyle. Fitting the role physically was just one of the struggles he had to endure to truly be one with Chris Kyle. The mental preparation was just
as rigorous as the physical part. Having to channel his inner Chris Kyle was a much harder task than he could have imagined. Being part of something more than just a movie and trying to depict Chris’s life story was worse than a 6 hour workout. Even acting what these men have gone through is a life changing experience and Bradley now has a whole new level of appreciation for veterans and soldiers . The military in general is a very tough and rigorous institution to be a part of. Chris had a very tough time in the military. Not only are these men pushed past their physical limit, they are also pushed mentally. To even be consid-
and have taken action to abolish such ideals, reinforcing the ideas of the great american hero is one of the ways people are trying to eliminate the concept of being an over praised war hero. Chris’ family has taken great offense to the idea of all the hard work and dedication going to waste by people accusing him of being a murderer. His wife Taya has also greatly been affected by the drastic accusations many Americans have said about Chris and his family. After all, Navy seals is the reason we are a free country and have the rights we do today. picture by:flicker.com
ered in the military one must performs several tasks such as sit-ups, push-ups, 3 mile run and much more. The military is most definitely not for the weak. Chris Kyle volunteered to served in Iraq for 4 tours and has confirmed over 160 kills setting the record for the best American sniper. A tour is equivalent to over two years in Iraq, and on a regular basis one will only serve for about 1 or 2 tours. It is going above and beyond to want to return and serve for longer. Chris felt like it was his duty as a citizen to keep going back to Iraq. Chris was truly a patriotic citizen to return as many times as he did.
Interview with a sniper:
I conducted an interview with a former sniper and a After the film’s popularity, man who also taught future some questions have arise to snipers. He is a war veteran whether or not Chris is a hero and a very respected man. He or a murderer. Many people now owns and runs his own think that Chris can be clascompany and invests in many sified as an over glorified stocks. He is a very successful American war hero. Making man to say the least. unecesarry kills and killing innocent people is what Background: many believed to have hapSgt Charles Davis joined pened. Uncalled for sacrifices the Marines in 1975 at age and inhumane behavior are 17 to work on aircraft radar the thoughts of many Amerelectronics. He had learned icans. to shoot in the Boy Scouts Killing innocent women and was a member of his high and children is one of the school shooting team. In Mamany accusations Chris has rine boot camp at Parris Island dealt with. Not only has this he earned the highest marksaffected Chris, life, but also manship out of about 300 who many heroic veterans. Many graduated in his class. veterans have taken great During his tour, Sgt Davis offense to such accusations earned several awards and
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rose to be one of the top ple, I can’t imagine Chris Kyle 1% of all marksman in the calling home in the middle of a Marines; an organization that firefight and who knows if that prides itself on their shooting is true. However, I like that it skills. (The Marines actually captured some of the impact began their existence in the war has on both the soldier and 1700’s as snipers in the righis family, how tough some of gings of ships when taking the decisions were that he had over other Naval vessels). to make, and especially that he The third year into his only killed when it was clear tour of duty with the Mathe person was a threat to his rines, Sgt Davis’ was invited fellow soldiers. Sniper teams to join the USMC competitive do not want and would not tolshooting team in Quantierate an unethical triggerman. co, Virginia. This shooting Anyone who did not strictly team was located in the same follow the rules of engagement facilities as the USMC Scout would be taken off the team Sniper School and shared and charged with a crime. vast shooting ranges with the How tough is the training to FBI Academy. become a sniper? At Quantico All Marine training Sgt Davis met and is tough. The point is I think many worked with both to push you physically find it difficult to Vietnam-era Snipbeyond what you ever transition from ers and Snipers in thought possible for military to civiltraining. He once yourself and install a ian life. met the legendary “won’t quit” mindset. -Sgt. Charles Gunnery Sergeant What people underesDavis Carlos Hathcock, timate is the mental regarded by many as challenges: to do these the greatest sniper things under extreme ever. He also helped teach mental stress and time connew Snipers how to shoot straints. Aerobic exercise is more accurately at extremely especially important because long ranges –out to 600 yards it lowers the resting heart rate or more. which helps shooting at long ranges, so every one ran a lot. Q&A: Sniper training is as much What did you think about mental as it is physical. For the movie American Snipexample, to help hone observaer? tional skills, the Sniper School I like about every movie would change or rearrange Clint Eastwood makes. You pictures in the hallway outside expect filmmakers to bend a classroom, and then test the the truth and create scenes students on what had changed in service of making a more since the day before. compelling movie. For exam-
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picture by: flicker.com
Being a sniper is about a lot more than being a good shooter. It’s about staying hidden, being incredibly patient, and living in the most awful conditions. If you read the biography of Carlos Hathcock, there is a mission where, crawling on the ground, he comes face-toface with a deadly Bamboo Viper but kept his cool until the snake left. How has being a sniper trainer benefited you? I think if you learn to do anything very well, it helps you know what it takes to do anything well. One reason I was better than many of my peers is that I would stay and practice another half hour or so after they left the shooting
are some pretty nasty rumors about things he might have done after –like shooting looters after Katrina. This seems far-fetched but if proven true would make me think much less of him. I tend to take the word of his fellow soldiers who held him in very high regard. Of course, people are complicated. There could well be two Chris Kyles. One the heroic soldier and the other the lost ex-soldier that did awful things.
and deal with the guilt of not making a clean kill. I can’t imagine how much more difficult those things are when killing another human being. How much physical preparation does it take to be a sniper? All tip-of-the-spear shooters are athletes who constantly train. You have to be able to run for miles carrying a heavy rifle and pack. I would say there How much mental preparain about as good physical tion does it take to be a snip- shape as a college athlete. er? How hard was the transition back from all the training and tours? I think many find it difficult to transition from military to civilian life. range. In my experience that is You go from having exoften the difference between treme structure to having winning and losing; who is no structure. From being willing to do exert just 5-10% provided food, shelter and more than the next person. I medical care to fending for could have learned the same yourself often without the picture by: startribune.com lesson being a good golfer. life skills to manage that. If anything, I think the You go from being required How has being a sniper mental part is more difficult to work out constantly to trainer negatively affected than the physical. I don’t not, and I think that loss of you? know if you’ve ever had to physical exertion exacerNot much, but then again shoot anything, but I’ll tell bates depression and other I never had to shoot anyone. you even shooting a coyote mental problems. You also I’m sure that would have gets your heart pumping. It’s miss the camaraderie and haunted me no matter how hard to control your breath living in what is almost justified the shot was. and trigger-pull when your a perfect meritocracy to Do you think Chris Kyle is heart is pounding. And, at “real life” which is a lot less an over glorified American least for me, it’s not fun killing gung-ho and clear and a lot war hero? anything, even if it is a coyote more political, social-staWell, it depends on which after your chickens. And if the tus and political. That takes Chris Kyle you are talking shot is off just a little and the some getting used to and at about. Certainly he did some animal lingers and suffers at first is very scary and disapheroic things in war. But there all you have to witness that pointing.
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The Struggle For Equaliy The Struggle For Equality By William L. Wright ii
It started with a group of little girls walking down some stairs talking to each other and enjoying a Sunday morning at their church then all of a sudden, Bam! Selma is a historical film that recounts the events of Selma AL during which Dr. Martin Luther King jr fought to give African Americans equal rights to vote. This film accurately portrays what happened in Selma Alabama by depicting racial slurs, merciless beatings, and shootings that occurred
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during this event. Selma did an outstanding job at bringing its characters to life showing their relationships and connections with one another and going as far as to show their emotional scars one character in particular being Martin Luther King himself.
his relationship with his wife and kids. Their relationship is shown to be pushed to the very limit when King who is under a lot of stress loses his temper with his wife more than once, also Mrs. King also has a bit of a breakdown when a complete stranger calls their house and leaves a fake The creators of this film message that sounds like Dr. didn’t depict him as this King having sex with anothinvincible man with a heart er woman. They showed the of stone, and I’m glad they relationships and strifes of didn’t they showed some of many other people and orhis internal conflicts and how ganizations, I would go into these events were affecting further detail but I don’t
want to spoil the entire movie. You don’t just have to take my word on how good this movie is, you can also read some of the great reviews that were given to Selma by professional movie reviewers “Oyelowo takes full advantage of his close resemblance to KIng, but he wisely avoids mere impressionism, delivering a performance that’s as sensitive as it is spellbinding.”- says Calvin Wilson of St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
not the case. This film is full of cliches that try - and fails to manipulate your feelings. I know the long and suffering road for equal society but this film makes no contribution to telling the crucial moments against racism. the only question remaining is why Oprah is in this film”- kinoralph. There is something that I would like to point out about all of the bad reviews I found. First, none of the people who wrote these reviews are what
As well as “The battle it documents is both a cornerstone of the past and a reflection of ongoing battles. DuVernay infuses Selma with that dichotomy, never forgetting how Selma, the place, was a pledge to march ahead.”- Joe Neumaler, New York Daily News. As a matter of fact 98.82% of professional reviews I found were positive towards Selma, and all of the ones that weren’t positive were mixed. you would call professionals, and secondly, 90% of these There were also a few bad re- people in some way shape or views of Selma as well as good form used their reviews as a ones “I thought this movie way of insulting liberals this was very bad it plays on all the was a problem because it realemotional drama and catches ly wasn’t even the movie they every “hit” a leftist or liberal were criticizing at that point would eschew talking about it was other peoples political this time period. I really did views. One guy who not like this movie. It seemed really annoyed me biased from the very beginactually said this movning.”- said BlueTiger. ie was too horrific, all Selma is actually show Or “When you go to the mov- what happened back ies you expect to see somethen. As I’m sure you thing new or inspiring. Thats can see there is abso-
lutely no merit to the words of the people who rated this movie poorly. I would like to shift away from reviews of Selma and give some accounts of people who were actually alive during the real thing. I interviewed two people Sarah Wright and William Louis Wright. I asked them if they could remember anyone from this they gave me names like Martin Luther King of course, but also gave the names of famous actors, singers, and even a few congressman. I asked them what details they can remember they told me about how the police would beat people in the streets and that they’d release vicious dogs into the crowds. they even described to me the news reports that they watched that talked about people black and white who had been killed. Finally i asked the two of them how they were affected by the events of Selma they responded positively by telling me about how they now
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had the right to vote. After interviewing these two i was able to further grasp on to the importance of Selma.
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tarian. Jim Reeb who was an assistant minister had gone to Selma and particI know that the Civil Rights ipated in Turnmovement was important around Tuesday to them, because they’re my two days after grandparents and many times Bloody Sunday, when I talk to them about that evening he things like my education they was clubbed in stress to me the importance the head and Bloody sunday, March 7, 1965 of the rights that I have to an killed. education today because our around tuesday was lead Marpeople haven’t always had For those of you who are tin Luther King jr. but instead of those rights. wondering what Bloody going all the way to the capital sunday and Turnaround the demonstrators first prayed The civil rights movement Tuesday are I’m about to wasn’t just important to tell you. Bloody sunday was then retreated. Todd came He African Americans though it a march that took place on talked about how he had to leave was also important to sever- march 7, 1965, six hundred because of his school, but that al Americans as well. Todd demonstrators gathered in he never forgot his time in Selma Endo, a Japanese-American, Selma Alabama. they were Alabama. who first talks about how he led by John Lewis as well as was born right after Pearl several SNCC and Todd Endo’s story helps tie into Harbor and about he, his family, and about one hunSCLC activists. when they something else I liked about this film. In Selma during the begindred thousand other Japanese attempted to cross the were relocated just because Edmund Pettus bridge over ning and middle of the movie the only people that you see marchthey were Japanese. the Alabama River they were attacked by Alabama ing are African Americans, but when Bloody Sunday was shown Todd then proceeded to talk state troopers, they used about how his main reason tear gas and rode on horse- on the news it was a call to arms for people of all ethnic identities for participating in Selma back into crowds of prowhite, black, Asian, Hispanic, and was because a friend of his testers. The Movie does a even Native American. was killed. Todd had worked good job of showing just at three churches in Washhow brutally they were all When the people who watched ington D.C one of which beaten. the news report arrive in Selma being All Souls Church UniTurnaround Alabama Martin Luther King jr marches them all across the Tuesday bridge once more, but he turns is another march that back before they reach the end of the bridge. took place on march 9, That night in the movie two 1965, turn men who had participated in the
march walk outside of a diner they were soon brutally attacked by two racists in the street one ran away and was chased by one of the racists while the other was quickly knocked to the ground when he tried to run and was beaten to death in the streets. He wasn’t the only one at the end of the movie there were captions written next to people that gave facts about the people that were involved and in one of those captions it talked about a white women who in the movie worked as a nurse in the movement and it said that only five short hours after Dr. King’s This photo from the movie adaptation of Selma, it shows speech she was killed by black activists marching on Edmund pettus bridge on members of the Ku Klux Klan. what is currently called bloody sunday. I include this to show that even though the vast majority of people who fought and died for what they believed in during the Civil Rights movement may have been African American, but they weren’t the only ones, and that it amazes me how even in our darkest times we as a species are still capable of coming together and fighting for what we know is right. I also must bring to attention the outstanding job Selma does of bringing its characters to life by showing the audience their relationships, emotional burdens, and even the physical scars the re
ceived during the marches. I would first like to talk about how Dr.- King’s relationship with his wife changed throughout this story.
further detail but I don’t want to spoil the entire movie.
Overall I personally have to rate Selma a 10/10, I understand that not everyone will agree with me Their relationship is shown but that’s exactly why I want to be pushed to the very lim- you guys to go watch this for it when King who is under yourselves so you can give this movie your own rating and maya lot of stress loses his tem- be even learn a bit of history, per with his wife more than I’m sure you guys will all love once, also Mrs. King also has this movie as much as me, thank a bit of a breakdown when you for your time. a complete stranger calls their house and leaves a fake message that sounds like Dr. King having sex with anoth- www.metacritic.com/movie/seler woman. They showed the ma/critic-reviews relationships and strifes of www.npr.org many other people and orgawww.google.com nizations, I would go into www.blackpast.org
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Computer generated characters and comic book movies look better every year now if only they could get the voice acting right
-Angry Nerd
A lot of fun and offers plenty of great action and character moments.
-IGN