• Home
• About Us
  • Awards
• Ads Info
• Past issues
  • 2007 Past Issues
  • 2008 Past Issues
• Extras
  • Blogs
  • Election 2008 Coverage
  • Subscribe to HiLite Online
• Sports Stats
• Contact

The 10 Best Films of 2008

By Sam Watermeier

Although my colleague, Mitch Ringenberg and I compiled a list of the five best films of the year earlier this month, I’d like to present my own full Top 10 list as it represents a tradition withheld by all film critics.

I have yet to see some of the major contenders (”Frost/Nixon,” “The Wrestler,” “Revolutionary Road”). However, I didn’t have the patience to wait for those to come out before making my Top 10. So, without further ado… Read more

Recovering from ‘The Dark Knight’

Everyone needs to chill out over “The Dark Knight.” Yes, it is a great movie and yes, it transcends the comic book genre. Unfortunately, though, people have talked it to death. I find myself tired of it by now when I try to watch it on DVD and I know I am not the only one. Now, don’t get me wrong– I think “The Dark Knight” definitely deserves recognition. However, other movies are being left to the wayside because of it. “W.”, Oliver Stone’s take on George W. Bush, was equally provocative and just as worthy of a conversation starter. However, after roughly a month, it virtually disappeared off the face of the planet. When I try to tell people about it now, most of the time their reaction is, “What is ‘W.’?”

Another bone I have to pick with “The Dark Knight” is in regards to it being called “groundbreaking” by critics. I’m sorry, but it is not groundbreaking. Many other superhero films have tried to be gritty. Tim Burton for one deserves more credit. He was the filmmaker that tried to steer the “Batman” franchise in a darker, more serious direction in the first place with “Batman” and “Batman Returns” (both are greatly underappreciated). Director Ang Lee also tried to blend quirky comic book elements with heavy drama in “Hulk,” another criminally underrated film. However, maybe the problem lies in the fact that the quirky elements are still intact with those films. With the reaction to “The Dark Knight,” I’m starting to think that people do not really want genuine comic book movies anymore. If you really think about it, “The Dark Knight” is not a genuine comic book movie because it does not have the quirky elements of comics and it seems to stand against them completely. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. “The Dark Knight” is just more of a heavy crime drama than a ”comic book movie.” It’s more like ”Heat” than “Spider-Man 2.” Therefore, people should stop viewing it as “superior” to other comic book movies when it really belongs to another genre: crime drama. It’s story is about much more than Batman and what it means to be a superhero. Therefore, even though it is based on a comic book, it is unfair to compare it to other  superhero films when it tries to completely defy the genre.

I love “The Dark Knight.” I really do and I am not just jumping on the bandwagon in saying that. However, enough is enough. It came out five months ago, people! It’s time to move on.

Paper recycling is available over break

By Amy Flis
<aflis@hilite.org>

The yellow and green paper recycling bins located to the west of the school will be available over break for anyone to use. 
 
According to Katie Overbeck, suggested recycling items are holiday cards, non-metallic wrapping paper, catalogs, junk-mail, newspapers and office and school paper.
 
Cardboard boxes, gift boxes, bows, ribbon and phone books cannot be recycled at this location. However, the Prime Life Enrichment Center and the Carmel Hazardous Waste Center will accept cardboard and paperboard for recycling. 
 
“Thank you for supporting our recycling program,” Overbeck said in her e-mail to staff concerning the program. ”The environment thanks you, too.”

Both Carmel High School print publications earn Crown finalist status from CSPA

Both the 2007-08 Carmel High School HiLite newspaper and the Pinnacle yearbook earned finalist status in their respective categories (newspaper and yearbook) in the 2009 edition of the annual Crown competition sponsored by the Columbia Scholastic Press Association (CSPA), the only two publications from Indiana to earn that distinction in either category.

According to the official CSPA press release, a total of 1,771 newspapers, magazines and yearbooks published during the 2007-2008 academic year were eligible in the 2009 Crown Awards program. Since the CSPA dates its awards by the year in which they are given, this announcement concerns the 2009 Crown Awards.

The grand total of all Crowns to be presented in 2009 consists of 34 magazines, 54 newspapers and 44 yearbooks. Crown Award finalists are guaranteed to receive either a Gold or Silver Crown Award in March 2009. No further judging will take place.

While this is the first finalist designation for the Pinnacle in recent years, the HiLite has performed consistently well in the Crown competition, earning Gold Crowns in 1995, 1999 and 2005 and Silver Crowns in 1994, 2004, 2006 and 2007.

The editors of the 2007-08 HiLite were editor in chief Jaclyn Chen ’08 (University of Pennsylvania) and managing editors Grace Baranowski ’08 (Duke University) and John Shi ’08 (Dartmouth College).

The editors of the 2007-08 Pinnacle were Stephanie Grass ’08 (DePauw University) and Claire Horton ’08 (University of Missouri).

Jim Streisel advises the HiLite and Lisa Morris advised the 2007-08 Pinnacle. Nicole Wilson advises the current year’s yearbook staff.

Healthy Holidays

The cardio room will be open Monday through Thursday (12/15-18). All after school classes (Yoga, Pilates, Zumba) will resume after break.  Remember to contact Katie Gray by 1/5 if you are interested in joining Weight Watchers.

The Fit Tip sent today was from Governor Daniels’ INShape website (www.inshape.in.gov). Visit it weekly for great fitness and nutrition tips.  You may also sign-up to receive the weekly e-mails.

This time of year it is often difficult to find time to exercise and eat properly. The Fit Tip included some healthy snacks, calorie-free gift baskets and fitness activities to do with your family over the holidays.

Gift baskets are fun to put together. However,  a lot of us make/buy calorie-laden foods (I love to make fudge) to put in the basket. The calorie-free baskets on the Fit Tip can be made even more special by adding favorite recipes using the ingredients in the basket.

Remember to take some time during break to de-stress; relax, listen to music, read, take a long bath, exercise, cook (something healthy), spend time with your favorite person/animal, or watch a movie. Come back to the new semester re-energized!

JV Men’s Basketball Update

By David Zheng
dzheng@hilite.org

The junior varsity men’s basketball team plays Dec. 12 at North Central at 6, right before the varsity squad takes action on the court at 7:30.

“We are doing well and have a good mixture of young guys and some veteran high school players,” Head Coach Steve Drabyn said. “We also have a good mixture of ball handlers, shooters and good post players.”

Read more

Next Page »

Multimedia/Links »

Photo of the Day

PERFECT PRACTICE: Freshman Jeff Hou watches freshman Ray Qian practice on the piano in the orchestra room on Dec. 12 during 7th period. They frequently practice in preparation for future playing tests and performances. ARJUNA CAPULONG / PHOTO

View more photos >

Photo Essays

Cross Country State Meet - VICTORIOUS RUN: In Head Coach Chuck Koeppen's final season, the men's and women's cross-country capture both State titles, sending him off as a winner. NICK JOHNSON / PHOTOS

View more photos >