The Mist Review
November 24, 2007
By: Sherry Lu <slu@hilite.org>
Horrendous cannot even begin to describe the movie adaptation of Stephan King’s book The Mist. Although the movie is only a little over two hours long, it seemed to drag on forever with its constant perpetuation of horrible acting, awful cliché lines and intolerable stock characters. “The Mist” follows a long list of movie adaptations of Stephan King books, which include “1408”, “The Shining”, and “Carrie”. Yet this movie falls tremendously short of the high caliber expected from Stephan King movies.
The opening scene begins in a small city near Portland as it is beginning to recover in the aftermath of a fierce storm. The main protagonist, David Drayton, sees a thick mist spreading from the mountains, yet thinks nothing of it. He grabs his son and a neighbor to go to the supermarket to get supplies. The supermarket is where most of the action unfolds as insanity ensues, mysterious alien creatures attack, and many people are killed. For most of the movie, the audience is not sure what causes the mist. However towards the end, a military officer mentions something called “Project Arrowhead” which was taking place up in the mountains. According to him, military scientists were trying to find a door to another dimension. The mist and the creatures within it are probably consequences of this military experiment gone awry.
From the very beginning of the movie, it is discernable that this movie will not have phenomenal acting, probably not even good acting. However this can be overlooked if not for the most cliché and idiotic lines these actors have to deliver. For instance, one character ran into the supermarket screaming “there is something in the mist.” Well duh that is why this movie is called “The Mist”. Another such line is towards the end where some characters are considering mass suicide. The main protagonist empties the ammunition from the gun, counts and says, “There are only four bullets”. The leading female character then looks up at him which is followed by a few minutes of agonizing silence. She finally says with the most dramatization “well there are five of us”. Lines like these are throughout the movie are not only excruciatingly obvious but probably also creates a feeling of sheer boredom within the audience.
Furthermore, it seems like almost half the movie involves listening to a religious fanatic preach about the coming of Armageddon and how everyone who does not believe that this is a representation of God’s anger toward mankind will go to Hell. Towards the end of the film, it is almost unbearable as more and more people start to believe her and become essentially insane. However, she is not the only unoriginal character in this movie. There is also the pair of people that can be referred to as “dumb and dumber” and the “stupid” teenager who attempts to show off and ends up getting killed.
The only few redeeming qualities within this movie are its blatantly obvious commentary on human nature. The characters in the movie actually have a five-minute long discussion about it amid all the chaos. King tries to comment on the wildness of human nature when the mechanisms of order in society disappear. People begin to lose a sense of themselves, of humanity and essentially became the creatures they are fighting. The supermarket can be compared to the island in Lord of the Flies, as societal structure breaks and looks towards a higher power for a source of organization. Aside from this moral, there are also a lot of gruesome creatures and scenes for those in the mood for horror. Additionally, there are a few action scenes that are actually pretty decent.
Nonetheless, the movie overall wasn’t very scary or good. This movie is not the right choice for true horror movie fans and definitely not for those people who have actually read the book.
Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium review
November 19, 2007
By: Shireen Korkzan <skorkzan@hilite.org>
When I first got the assignment to reviewing a G-rated movie about a toy store, I instantly regretted taking it in the first place. I’m seventeen years old and I am just now eligible to go into the movie theaters and watch R-rated movies. Like other seventeen-year-olds, I want to watch violence and gore and sensuality and drama, not magic. I thought I would never go back to liking children’s movies. Little did I know that I was entirely wrong, and after watching “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” I felt reminiscent to my past childhood of believing in magic and wonder (and having a fondness of playing with toys). Then again Dustin Hoffman and Natalie Portman have never failed me.
“Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium” starts out with the 243-year-old Mr. Magorium (Hoffman) passing down his magical toy store to the insecure and unconfident Molly Mahoney (Portman). After announcing his time for passing away, the entire store itself begins to throw a “temper tantrum,” not wanting Mr. Magorium to pass away after so many years. The walls turn gray, the finger paint turns black and all the stuffed animals begin to frown. After Mr. Magorium finally passes away, it seems as if the only person who has hope of bring the toy store back to its original splendor is unsocial Eric Applebaum (Zach Mills), a little boy who spends most of his days inside the toy store to try and make friends.
After watching “Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium,” I began to remember my sense of thinking of when I was the age of the children awed by the magical toy store, where “you have to believe it to see it.” The graphics felt realistic, making viewers feel as if the whole movie really was based on magic. I admit it, I felt like a little kid again, without feeling immature. I haven’t felt that way in a long time, probably not since watching “Ratatouille” or the 40th anniversary edition of “The Jungle Book.” It felt really good. It was fresh, like something new. In the world of “High School Musical” and “Hannah Montana,” thank you director Zach Helm for bringing in something unique that can be appealing to family members of all ages.
Avenged’s new release soars above and beyond limits
November 17, 2007
By: Renny Logan <rlogan@hilite.org>
Avenged Sevenfold released its new self-titled album Oct. 30 to thousands of hungry fans. The self-produced CD did not disappoint.
However, the new and diversified sound could be a potential shock to long-time fans, just as the group’s last album “City of
Thus far, the members of Avenged Sevenfold haven’t gotten the credit they deserve for either their brilliant song composition or their skilled musicianship. While numerous bands enjoy widespread recognition for their mediocre attempts and half-witted lyrics, Avenged Sevenfold has slowly climbed the ladder despite continuously exceeding its own capabilities. The band’s album is just another example of the band’s development.
Lyrically, the songs are both emotional and personal, reminiscent of the group’s first two studio albums, “Sounding The Seventh Trumpet” and “Waking The Fallen.” However, in contrast to “Sounding The Seventh Trumpet” and “Waking The Fallen,” the lyrics on “Avenged Sevenfold” reject a despairing tone for an emotional but strong-willed attitude instead. For example, on Unbound (The Wild Ride) lead singer Matt Shadows howls, “This ride that takes me through life/Leads me into darkness but it merges into light/No one will ever slow me down/I’ll stay unbound.”
In comparison to the lyrics, the songs have the same musical intensity that can be heard on “City of
Beginning with an in-your-face political rant, the CD is an intense and progressive ride, with drastic emotional ups and downs. Critical Acclaim, the first track, antagonizes the politically correct mindset of today with lines like “…Shhh…quiet, you might piss somebody off.”
Don’t get the wrong idea, even though the song is a political rant, it steers entirely clear of being anti-American and is very much the opposite. “…How does it feel to know that someone’s kid in the heart of American has blood on their hands/Fighting to defend your rights so you can maintain a lifestyle that insults his family’s existence?”
As the album progresses, it’s filled with musical diversity. Soaring from the thrash-influenced Almost Easy to the jazzy A Little Piece of Heaven, the CD has a little something for fans of every genre.
Speaking of “A Little Piece of Heaven,” the song is backed by a 25-piece orchestra; talk about extravagant. Apparently the song title was no accident. The Danny-Elfmanesque composition and vaudeville flair contribute to the song’s excellence. The lyrics are an epic story of two lovers. True to their nature, the band throws in a morbid twist, along with a touch of humor. This song is guaranteed to be a favorite.
While a full-blown orchestra isn’t present on all the songs, there are a couple others that feature additional instruments, including piano, organ, upright bass, violins and so forth. To name a few, Lost, Afterlife and Gunslinger all include additional musicians.
The entire album consumes the listener with each song, completely enveloping the listener’s attention. Considering there are only 10 tracks on the album, the listener can easily see the craft and concern the band focused on each song.
In that regard, the CD is much more successful than most 15-track releases. This pivotal album is bound to become Avenged Sevenfold’s trademark CD, unless, of course, it one-ups it again, just as it has with its past three albums.
Daniel Half Human worthy, simplistic but good read
November 15, 2007
By: Renny Logan <rlogan@hilite.org>
Daniel Kraushaar, the main character in David Chotjewitz’s award winning novel Daniel Half Human, is half-Jewish. Oblivious to this fact, he is vehemently pro-Nazi at the beginning of this intriguing, though somewhat bland, story.
The novel starts out in first person limited from Daniel’s view point, driving through post-World War II Germany as an American officer stationed in the Royal British Army as a translator. It’s 1945, and he’s driving through the streets of his childhood.
Throughout the book, Chotjewitz switches into third-person omniscient as Daniel fades into flashbacks, recalling the days when he longed to be in the Hitler Jugend. The transitions between third and first-person are easily discernible because they only occur between chapters. The reader can easily tell when a transition has occurred.
The different viewpoints Chotjewitz offers give a better look at the story; the reader can see the personality and emotion of each character more strongly through the third-person perspective. However, when Daniel is speaking, the reader can see how he feels about his experiences in a more “real” sense.
The novel, though written somewhat blandly, manages to be both compelling and stimulating. It’s quasihistorical references, while factual, aren’t too in depth as to bore the reader. In the opinion of a history nerd, the book could actually dive into the historical events a little more; however, for the average reader, the book doesn’t get bogged down in details, but maintains relevance and quickly jumps back to the plot.
While a general knowledge of the Holocaust in Germany and World War II could benefit the reader, the author provides brief but informative explanations each time a historical event is referenced. Chotjewitz makes clear the novel’s purpose as a historical fiction and not as a textbook.
When it comes to writing style, on the other hand, perhaps some of the flair got lost in translation. Originally written in German, the novel was translated by Doris Orgel. To say that the book is poorly written would be to overstep; however, the writing is overly simplistic at times, with little sentence variety. To its merit, though, the book is an easy and fast read, fluidly carrying the reader through its brief 325 pages.
The plot is interesting in its tortuous journey, occasionally throwing the reader a curve ball, but mostly holds fast to its meandering path. The book has an easy going feel to it that lacks any significant suspense. But the end is less than expected and probably the most shocking part of the whole story. It catches the reader unaware and unsuspecting.
While the reader wonders if the book is worth his or her while, Chotjewitz slowly has been brewing a surprise. And while the end is shocking in an unimpactful way, it lingers inside the mind of the reader, a constant source of wonder for several days later.
In its entirety, this novel has earned its place on the Rosie list. Despite the mediocre quality of the writing, the story line does more than compensate.
‘Holiday Spectacular’ draws record ticket sales this year
November 15, 2007
By: Bennett Fuson <bfuson@hilite.org>
The scene was “pure pandemonium,” Caroline Barnthouse, Blue and Gold Company member and junior, said. “Everyone was scrambling to get their tickets.”
It’s that time of year again: “Holiday Spectacular,” the Performing Arts Department’s no-holds-barred tribute to the holiday season. According to director Lamonte Kuskye, ticket sales have led to “record sales” this year, adding that most of the main floor seats sold out the first day of pre-order sales. Tickets are still available at the bookstore for those who have not gotten their tickets yet.
“I’m really looking forward to the show this year,” Kuskye said. “The kids have been working very hard, and we’re going someplace musically that we’ve never been before.”
Icehounds return confident, head out to defend State Title
November 15, 2007
By: Andrew Browning <abrowning@hilite.org>
According to sophomore and forward Jon Micah Goeller, despite the Icehounds’ youth, the team has the mentality that it can continue to compete at a high level.
“As a team we’ve gotten younger, but we have a core group of returning players with more confidence,” Goeller said.
Goeller said the long-term goal for the team is to repeat as State Champions this season. “Of course we’d like to repeat with a State Championship, and we’d really like to win league and continue to do well in tournaments.”
One tournament coming up for the Icehounds is the Indy Jones Tournament. Goeller said it is one of the team’s biggest tournaments of the year, and many of the games will be played in Carmel from Nov. 23 to 25.
Goeller said he has set some personal goals for the season, but he puts the team’s success ahead of his own.
“I want to become an all-around better player and become more of a leader on the ice,” Goeller said. “But I really want to help recapture the State Title.”
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