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(04/29/10 4:00am)
Hollywood, you should be ashamed of yourself. No, I'm not talking about your celebrities with their plastic surgery and their stupid baby names and their inflated salaries. Nor am I talking about your absurd reality shows that infest our televisions. I'm talking about shameful movie remakes. Some movies are just unremakeable. Fact. For those of you who do not know what I am talking about, a perfect example of this phenomenon is the recreation of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" that premieres this weekend. Now, I held my tongue when Rob Zombie remade "Halloween" and New Line Cinema resurrected "Friday the 13th" again, but now they're bringing back Freddy Krueger too? What is the point? The beauty of these movies, when they hit theaters in the '70s and '80s, was that they were the first of their kind. The shock factor was all there. That's why they are considered horror movie classics. These remakes are simply recycled plotlines with revamped, over-the-top gore and twice as much nudity. Or, as I like to call them: total nonsense. So, once again I ask, what is the point? One could argue that movie producers are trying to introduce classic masterpieces to new audiences, but the people who are young enough to think of "A Nightmare on Elm Street" as new are way too young to be in that rated-R theater in the first place. The truth is, it's all about the money. With today's technology, movies can be produced with utmost efficiency, and if you pair that up with little-known actors, you've got yourself a small budget that DVD sales alone will cover easily. And hey, they save even more money with remakes because their scripts have already been written. Hollywood is beginning to favor quantity over quality, and for that I say shame on them. Now, don't get me wrong, not all movie remakes are a terrible idea. I am limited on cash, so I haven't actually seen "Clash of the Titans" yet, but I think it looks flippin' sweet. The special effects in this remake will most definitely trump the claymation and action figures of the original, so it should get a thumbs up no matter which way you slice it. Also, there's a "Robin Hood" remake coming out in mid-May that has Russell Crowe in it, so … well, I really think that Russell Crowe is enough said. But, even with these cinematic gems, I still remain disappointed in the movie industry. To quote my stepdad whenever he sees a new movie trailer on TV: "Sigh. They just don't make movies like they used to." Did you know they are recycling the plot of "Beauty and the Beast" this July for an updated, live-action version called "Beastly"? Really, Hollywood? Now Disney? At least Tim Burton had enough respect for Disney that in "Alice in Wonderland" he cast such aficionados as Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, but "Beastly" stars Mary-Kate Olsen as the evil witch. No. Not acceptable. Let's face the facts here, people. How many movie remakes have won Best Picture at the Academy Awards over the years? Don't think too hard, because the answer is none. I'm sorry if this editorial makes me sound like that crotchety old woman who just doesn't understand kids these days, but it's the way I feel. And I know that no amount of complaining is going to change the fact that the economy is terrible, therefore less people are going to movie theaters and Hollywood has to compensate in any way they can. However, you can rest assured that you'll never see me standing in line to see an Olsen twin ruin a classic Disney tale. Or any tale for that matter. Unless of course it's during Free Movie Night. Like I said, I'm poor and I haven't been to the movies in a long time. t&c;LINDSEY HOBBS IS A FRESHMAN JOURNALISM MAJOR AND IS THE NEWS EDITOR FOR THE t&c.;
(11/18/09 5:00am)
Less than two weeks ago, the men's and women's cross country teams brought home second-place finishes from the Wilmington Fall Classic, the final race before the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Championships. Perhaps more important than the success they had is the fact that they will be running on the same course Saturday for the conference meet. Junior Chris Fyock, who turned in Otterbein's top time in the season finale, thinks that recently running there will help the team. "Running at Wilmington two weeks ago will definitely play into our advantage for this race." He, along with Andie Pautsch, the women's most consistent runner this season, agreed that with a good understanding of the course the teams will know when to make their moves and when to push themselves. Countless hours of hard work were put into this year for the next few races. First-year head coach John Lintz has implemented a conditioning program that should have the Cardinals taking off at the right time. "We wanted to be at our best for the most important race," he said. "We've almost used the meets as a third workout for the week." The men's team has finished fourth at this event the last three years, and placing in the top three has been a goal from day one. With Ohio Northern, Heidelberg and Mount Union all running well, it's safe to say that in order for Otterbein to accomplish their goal, they will have to beat out at least one of those teams. While Lintz admitted that on paper they might be behind those three schools, he added that they certainly have the potential to make things interesting. On the other side, the women's team has never won an OAC title, and the runners have their eyes on the possibility of making school history. "We definitely have the athletes," Lintz said. "If we run how we are capable of, we can make a run at winning it." The runners see it the same way. "If we can all come together on Saturday, I think we will surprise a lot of people," Pautsch said. "Our team has tremendous potential." Tuesday's updated regional rankings have the women's team ranked ninth as they head into the weekend. Both cross country squads travel back to Wilmington for the OAC championships. The women are set to start at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the men following at noon. Ohio Northern is the team to beat after strong seasons with the men's team ranked No. 31 nationally. The Polar Bears swept both championship titles in 2008. Name: Chad Woodfork Year: senior Major: physical education Favorite quote: "Go hard or go home." Favorite vacation spot: Los Angeles or Miami Favorite class: history Favorite food: cereal Best dance music: hip hop and R&B; Perfect weather: 75 degrees and sunny double take: Woodfork led the defense with two interceptions vs. Wilmington. For seniors Marinda Roderick and Leah Yoder, this has been their best season playing volleyball for Otterbein. They finally feel as if everything is coming together. After difficult seasons in the past, Roderick and Yoder feel that the volleyball team has really turned around and will be even better in years to come. In 2007, Roderick and Yoder were starters as sophomores; it was also coach Monica McDonald's first year at Otterbein. During that year, the team struggled with only four wins. There were six seniors on the team, but the season did not end well. Roderick said, "It was a difficult season. We had a lot of seniors, and we should have won a lot more." She knows last year was a good rebuilding year, and they have improved their team leading up to this year. McDonald believes the two seniors have developed over the last three years, and their leadership first emerged as juniors. McDonald said, "I never questioned their dedication to the team." It has been a rewarding experience for McDonald, having Roderick and Yoder as leaders. Yoder said, "We've instilled a great work ethic. It's been fun this year...a lot of girls look up to us." Roderick knows she and Yoder have had an advantage being with McDonald from the start because they respect her and understand her expectations. McDonald said, "They have been really fun to coach." Roderick and Yoder were the only two from their class to stay with the team. They work well together and enjoy playing volleyball together. Yoder said about Roderick, "We are best friends on and off the court." They are looking forward to a great finish in their final year with Otterbein's volleyball team. Roderick said, "Leah and I are going out having a great season." They are excited for the OAC tournament this week. The team is coming into the tournament seeded fourth, and its first match is against Capital University. Coach McDonald knows the team needs to focus on a win against Capital. "We upset them on their senior night," so she expects a win. The team knows that Otterbein's fourth place is a great spot but realizes there will be tough matches ahead. McDonald believes Otterbein can win their matches and said, "The girls have proven that they can play with any team." If Otterbein goes on to win the OAC tournament, they will get a bid into the NCAA tournament. Regarding the tournament win and a potential NCAA bid, Yoder said, "I have all the confidence in the world." Roderick said, "We are really excited and really pumped." She is confident that it can win the OAC. The team hopes this will be its year to make it to the NCAA tournament. McDonald said, "Our kids believe, and that's half the battle." After Otterbein's come-from-behind win over nationally-ranked Capital, the Otterbein-Mount Union game, which will be played Saturday in Alliance, was supposed to be one of monumental proportions: two top ten and undefeated Ohio Athletic Conference teams battling for the outright league title. However, plans changed slightly when Otterbein (7-1, 6-1 OAC) was upset by Marietta, 25-22, last Saturday. The Pioneers (3-5, 2-5 OAC) scored with 57 seconds left to pull off the upset. The Cardinals trailed 14-13 at half-time and after the first quarter, were led by sophomore quarterback Kyle Stoughton because the starter, Austin Schlosser, left with an injury. Schlosser, a sophomore, was filling in as quarterback for senior Jack Rafferty, who was injured in the second game of the season. The injury bug hit the Cardinals hard during the Halloween game. Along with Schlosser, other Cardinals who suffered injuries against the Pioneers were left tackle Kenny Collmar (knee), left guard Arnold Spikes (foot), center Sam Watson (knee) and receiver Dan Gendron (broken collarbone). So, maybe Saturday's matchup won't have the same allure as it did before, but it's still a huge game between two nationally-ranked teams. Otterbein dropped from No. 7 in the polls to No. 15, while Mount Union has sat strong at No. 1 all year. And no, if Otterbein wins, they won't be the outright league champion because at that point, both the Cardinals and Purple Raiders would have one loss, barring no other upsets in the final week of the season. However, many believe the runner-up in the OAC will practically be a lock for an at-large bid come playoff time due to the strength of the conference. Like last year, Otterbein tripped up only against Mount Union, finishing 9-1, and made the playoffs as an at-large bid behind automatic-bid Mount Union. Even though the Cards lost last Saturday, this has still been a special season for Otterbein, who clinched back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1982.
(11/18/09 5:00am)
It's not the pathetic bardic lifestyle or posh New Zealand accents that make Flight of the Conchords and the soundtrack to their HBO sitcom a hoot. It's the way these two love-struck buffoons compose serious, genre-spanning musical arrangements to contrast the silliness of their lyrics. There's an undeniable merit to all of the tomfoolery, and that includes the far-out, Prince-worthy, electro-pop of the title track, where the Conchords make love to a cake tin to prove how freaky they are. Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie's knowledge of music must be rather encyclopedic, as they ape various genres and artists ranging from the '60s to contemporary pop. "You Don't Have to Be a Prostitute" is an obvious-and great-spoof of the Police's "Roxanne," complete with hackneyed reggae embellishments and a spot-on Sting-like battle cry. "Rambling Through the Avenues of Time" parodies Bob Dylan's early coffeehouse folk, and "Sugalumps" makes a worthy male equivalent to the Black Eyed Peas' unfairly maligned "My Humps." But where Fergie justly proclaimed the globosity of her lady lumps, the Conchords are hilariously unaware that girls really aren't checking out the front of their pants. And just like Michael Scott on "The Office," that earnest obliviousness is what keeps the Conchords' humor from becoming stale after more than a few listens. On their eponymous TV show, McKenzie and Clement aren't just mediocre troubadours; they're mediocre troubadours with feelings. Hurt feelings, as they make clear in the album's first song. "Some people say that rappers don't have feelings," McKenzie laments over a pseudo-urban groove, satirizing the defensive nature of most rappers. The song ends with Clement saying, "These are the bulletproof, 24-karat tears of a rapper." Their futile attempts to pick up ladies after open mic night is almost identical to the awkward situational humor Greg Daniels mimes in "The Office." When Clement and McKenzie argue over whom an attractive woman's lazy eye was checking out, it's not that far in inanity from a conversation between Dwight and Andy about the new female receptionist. This endearing lack of awareness-coupled with a proximity to real life-allows them to transcend the novelty of their schtick, something other jokester bands like Bowling for Soup haven't been able to do. When's the last time we've heard from them? Things have stayed consistently funny throughout both seasons and soundtracks of their show, and now McKenzie and Clement are choosing between making one more season or a feature-length film. It's pretty unlikely that either choice will be a misstep, since they've found their niche in the comedy world. "I Told You I Was Freaky" is entertaining from beginning to end, even though there's nothing as comical as "Business Time" or eclectic as "Bowie," both from their 2008 debut. The phallic abundance of "Too Many Dicks (on the Dance Floor)" is just as funny as it sounds, and the disarming image of copulating angels described in "Angels" is made even better by the ornate acoustic strumming. A perfect way to close an album that's so off-kilter and indeed (hilariously) freaky. "New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based, digi-bongo, acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo" return Name: Ruthann Elder Grade: senior Major: music and business Hometown: Mount Vernon What's Your flavor? Raisin Brahms Interesting fact: only person in my family who is left handed Three things you can't live without: music, humor and Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream What did you do for Halloween: dressed up as Rainbow Brite and went to a costume party What kind of music do you listen to the most: tied between country and classical
(11/11/09 5:00am)
Less than two weeks ago, the men's and women's cross country teams brought home second-place finishes from the Wilmington Fall Classic, the final race before the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Championships. Perhaps more important than the success they had is the fact that they will be running on the same course Saturday for the conference meet. Junior Chris Fyock, who turned in Otterbein's top time in the season finale, thinks that recently running there will help the team. "Running at Wilmington two weeks ago will definitely play into our advantage for this race." He, along with Andie Pautsch, the women's most consistent runner this season, agreed that with a good understanding of the course the teams will know when to make their moves and when to push themselves. Countless hours of hard work were put into this year for the next few races. First-year head coach John Lintz has implemented a conditioning program that should have the Cardinals taking off at the right time. "We wanted to be at our best for the most important race," he said. "We've almost used the meets as a third workout for the week." The men's team has finished fourth at this event the last three years, and placing in the top three has been a goal from day one. With Ohio Northern, Heidelberg and Mount Union all running well, it's safe to say that in order for Otterbein to accomplish their goal, they will have to beat out at least one of those teams. While Lintz admitted that on paper they might be behind those three schools, he added that they certainly have the potential to make things interesting. On the other side, the women's team has never won an OAC title, and the runners have their eyes on the possibility of making school history. "We definitely have the athletes," Lintz said. "If we run how we are capable of, we can make a run at winning it." The runners see it the same way. "If we can all come together on Saturday, I think we will surprise a lot of people," Pautsch said. "Our team has tremendous potential." Tuesday's updated regional rankings have the women's team ranked ninth as they head into the weekend. Both cross country squads travel back to Wilmington for the OAC championships. The women are set to start at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the men following at noon. Ohio Northern is the team to beat after strong seasons with the men's team ranked No. 31 nationally. The Polar Bears swept both championship titles in 2008. Name: Chad Woodfork Year: senior Major: physical education Favorite quote: "Go hard or go home." Favorite vacation spot: Los Angeles or Miami Favorite class: history Favorite food: cereal Best dance music: hip hop and R&B; Perfect weather: 75 degrees and sunny double take: Woodfork led the defense with two interceptions vs. Wilmington. For seniors Marinda Roderick and Leah Yoder, this has been their best season playing volleyball for Otterbein. They finally feel as if everything is coming together. After difficult seasons in the past, Roderick and Yoder feel that the volleyball team has really turned around and will be even better in years to come. In 2007, Roderick and Yoder were starters as sophomores; it was also coach Monica McDonald's first year at Otterbein. During that year, the team struggled with only four wins. There were six seniors on the team, but the season did not end well. Roderick said, "It was a difficult season. We had a lot of seniors, and we should have won a lot more." She knows last year was a good rebuilding year, and they have improved their team leading up to this year. McDonald believes the two seniors have developed over the last three years, and their leadership first emerged as juniors. McDonald said, "I never questioned their dedication to the team." It has been a rewarding experience for McDonald, having Roderick and Yoder as leaders. Yoder said, "We've instilled a great work ethic. It's been fun this year...a lot of girls look up to us." Roderick knows she and Yoder have had an advantage being with McDonald from the start because they respect her and understand her expectations. McDonald said, "They have been really fun to coach." Roderick and Yoder were the only two from their class to stay with the team. They work well together and enjoy playing volleyball together. Yoder said about Roderick, "We are best friends on and off the court." They are looking forward to a great finish in their final year with Otterbein's volleyball team. Roderick said, "Leah and I are going out having a great season." They are excited for the OAC tournament this week. The team is coming into the tournament seeded fourth, and its first match is against Capital University. Coach McDonald knows the team needs to focus on a win against Capital. "We upset them on their senior night," so she expects a win. The team knows that Otterbein's fourth place is a great spot but realizes there will be tough matches ahead. McDonald believes Otterbein can win their matches and said, "The girls have proven that they can play with any team." If Otterbein goes on to win the OAC tournament, they will get a bid into the NCAA tournament. Regarding the tournament win and a potential NCAA bid, Yoder said, "I have all the confidence in the world." Roderick said, "We are really excited and really pumped." She is confident that it can win the OAC. The team hopes this will be its year to make it to the NCAA tournament. McDonald said, "Our kids believe, and that's half the battle." After Otterbein's come-from-behind win over nationally-ranked Capital, the Otterbein-Mount Union game, which will be played Saturday in Alliance, was supposed to be one of monumental proportions: two top ten and undefeated Ohio Athletic Conference teams battling for the outright league title. However, plans changed slightly when Otterbein (7-1, 6-1 OAC) was upset by Marietta, 25-22, last Saturday. The Pioneers (3-5, 2-5 OAC) scored with 57 seconds left to pull off the upset. The Cardinals trailed 14-13 at half-time and after the first quarter, were led by sophomore quarterback Kyle Stoughton because the starter, Austin Schlosser, left with an injury. Schlosser, a sophomore, was filling in as quarterback for senior Jack Rafferty, who was injured in the second game of the season. The injury bug hit the Cardinals hard during the Halloween game. Along with Schlosser, other Cardinals who suffered injuries against the Pioneers were left tackle Kenny Collmar (knee), left guard Arnold Spikes (foot), center Sam Watson (knee) and receiver Dan Gendron (broken collarbone). So, maybe Saturday's matchup won't have the same allure as it did before, but it's still a huge game between two nationally-ranked teams. Otterbein dropped from No. 7 in the polls to No. 15, while Mount Union has sat strong at No. 1 all year. And no, if Otterbein wins, they won't be the outright league champion because at that point, both the Cardinals and Purple Raiders would have one loss, barring no other upsets in the final week of the season. However, many believe the runner-up in the OAC will practically be a lock for an at-large bid come playoff time due to the strength of the conference. Like last year, Otterbein tripped up only against Mount Union, finishing 9-1, and made the playoffs as an at-large bid behind automatic-bid Mount Union. Even though the Cards lost last Saturday, this has still been a special season for Otterbein, who clinched back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1982.
(11/11/09 5:00am)
Less than two weeks ago, the men's and women's cross country teams brought home second-place finishes from the Wilmington Fall Classic, the final race before the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Championships. Perhaps more important than the success they had is the fact that they will be running on the same course Saturday for the conference meet. Junior Chris Fyock, who turned in Otterbein's top time in the season finale, thinks that recently running there will help the team. "Running at Wilmington two weeks ago will definitely play into our advantage for this race." He, along with Andie Pautsch, the women's most consistent runner this season, agreed that with a good understanding of the course the teams will know when to make their moves and when to push themselves. Countless hours of hard work were put into this year for the next few races. First-year head coach John Lintz has implemented a conditioning program that should have the Cardinals taking off at the right time. "We wanted to be at our best for the most important race," he said. "We've almost used the meets as a third workout for the week." The men's team has finished fourth at this event the last three years, and placing in the top three has been a goal from day one. With Ohio Northern, Heidelberg and Mount Union all running well, it's safe to say that in order for Otterbein to accomplish their goal, they will have to beat out at least one of those teams. While Lintz admitted that on paper they might be behind those three schools, he added that they certainly have the potential to make things interesting. On the other side, the women's team has never won an OAC title, and the runners have their eyes on the possibility of making school history. "We definitely have the athletes," Lintz said. "If we run how we are capable of, we can make a run at winning it." The runners see it the same way. "If we can all come together on Saturday, I think we will surprise a lot of people," Pautsch said. "Our team has tremendous potential." Tuesday's updated regional rankings have the women's team ranked ninth as they head into the weekend. Both cross country squads travel back to Wilmington for the OAC championships. The women are set to start at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the men following at noon. Ohio Northern is the team to beat after strong seasons with the men's team ranked No. 31 nationally. The Polar Bears swept both championship titles in 2008. Name: Chad Woodfork Year: senior Major: physical education Favorite quote: "Go hard or go home." Favorite vacation spot: Los Angeles or Miami Favorite class: history Favorite food: cereal Best dance music: hip hop and R&B; Perfect weather: 75 degrees and sunny double take: Woodfork led the defense with two interceptions vs. Wilmington. For seniors Marinda Roderick and Leah Yoder, this has been their best season playing volleyball for Otterbein. They finally feel as if everything is coming together. After difficult seasons in the past, Roderick and Yoder feel that the volleyball team has really turned around and will be even better in years to come. In 2007, Roderick and Yoder were starters as sophomores; it was also coach Monica McDonald's first year at Otterbein. During that year, the team struggled with only four wins. There were six seniors on the team, but the season did not end well. Roderick said, "It was a difficult season. We had a lot of seniors, and we should have won a lot more." She knows last year was a good rebuilding year, and they have improved their team leading up to this year. McDonald believes the two seniors have developed over the last three years, and their leadership first emerged as juniors. McDonald said, "I never questioned their dedication to the team." It has been a rewarding experience for McDonald, having Roderick and Yoder as leaders. Yoder said, "We've instilled a great work ethic. It's been fun this year...a lot of girls look up to us." Roderick knows she and Yoder have had an advantage being with McDonald from the start because they respect her and understand her expectations. McDonald said, "They have been really fun to coach." Roderick and Yoder were the only two from their class to stay with the team. They work well together and enjoy playing volleyball together. Yoder said about Roderick, "We are best friends on and off the court." They are looking forward to a great finish in their final year with Otterbein's volleyball team. Roderick said, "Leah and I are going out having a great season." They are excited for the OAC tournament this week. The team is coming into the tournament seeded fourth, and its first match is against Capital University. Coach McDonald knows the team needs to focus on a win against Capital. "We upset them on their senior night," so she expects a win. The team knows that Otterbein's fourth place is a great spot but realizes there will be tough matches ahead. McDonald believes Otterbein can win their matches and said, "The girls have proven that they can play with any team." If Otterbein goes on to win the OAC tournament, they will get a bid into the NCAA tournament. Regarding the tournament win and a potential NCAA bid, Yoder said, "I have all the confidence in the world." Roderick said, "We are really excited and really pumped." She is confident that it can win the OAC. The team hopes this will be its year to make it to the NCAA tournament. McDonald said, "Our kids believe, and that's half the battle." After Otterbein's come-from-behind win over nationally-ranked Capital, the Otterbein-Mount Union game, which will be played Saturday in Alliance, was supposed to be one of monumental proportions: two top ten and undefeated Ohio Athletic Conference teams battling for the outright league title. However, plans changed slightly when Otterbein (7-1, 6-1 OAC) was upset by Marietta, 25-22, last Saturday. The Pioneers (3-5, 2-5 OAC) scored with 57 seconds left to pull off the upset. The Cardinals trailed 14-13 at half-time and after the first quarter, were led by sophomore quarterback Kyle Stoughton because the starter, Austin Schlosser, left with an injury. Schlosser, a sophomore, was filling in as quarterback for senior Jack Rafferty, who was injured in the second game of the season. The injury bug hit the Cardinals hard during the Halloween game. Along with Schlosser, other Cardinals who suffered injuries against the Pioneers were left tackle Kenny Collmar (knee), left guard Arnold Spikes (foot), center Sam Watson (knee) and receiver Dan Gendron (broken collarbone). So, maybe Saturday's matchup won't have the same allure as it did before, but it's still a huge game between two nationally-ranked teams. Otterbein dropped from No. 7 in the polls to No. 15, while Mount Union has sat strong at No. 1 all year. And no, if Otterbein wins, they won't be the outright league champion because at that point, both the Cardinals and Purple Raiders would have one loss, barring no other upsets in the final week of the season. However, many believe the runner-up in the OAC will practically be a lock for an at-large bid come playoff time due to the strength of the conference. Like last year, Otterbein tripped up only against Mount Union, finishing 9-1, and made the playoffs as an at-large bid behind automatic-bid Mount Union. Even though the Cards lost last Saturday, this has still been a special season for Otterbein, who clinched back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1982.
(11/11/09 5:00am)
It's not the pathetic bardic lifestyle or posh New Zealand accents that make Flight of the Conchords and the soundtrack to their HBO sitcom a hoot. It's the way these two love-struck buffoons compose serious, genre-spanning musical arrangements to contrast the silliness of their lyrics. There's an undeniable merit to all of the tomfoolery, and that includes the far-out, Prince-worthy, electro-pop of the title track, where the Conchords make love to a cake tin to prove how freaky they are. Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie's knowledge of music must be rather encyclopedic, as they ape various genres and artists ranging from the '60s to contemporary pop. "You Don't Have to Be a Prostitute" is an obvious-and great-spoof of the Police's "Roxanne," complete with hackneyed reggae embellishments and a spot-on Sting-like battle cry. "Rambling Through the Avenues of Time" parodies Bob Dylan's early coffeehouse folk, and "Sugalumps" makes a worthy male equivalent to the Black Eyed Peas' unfairly maligned "My Humps." But where Fergie justly proclaimed the globosity of her lady lumps, the Conchords are hilariously unaware that girls really aren't checking out the front of their pants. And just like Michael Scott on "The Office," that earnest obliviousness is what keeps the Conchords' humor from becoming stale after more than a few listens. On their eponymous TV show, McKenzie and Clement aren't just mediocre troubadours; they're mediocre troubadours with feelings. Hurt feelings, as they make clear in the album's first song. "Some people say that rappers don't have feelings," McKenzie laments over a pseudo-urban groove, satirizing the defensive nature of most rappers. The song ends with Clement saying, "These are the bulletproof, 24-karat tears of a rapper." Their futile attempts to pick up ladies after open mic night is almost identical to the awkward situational humor Greg Daniels mimes in "The Office." When Clement and McKenzie argue over whom an attractive woman's lazy eye was checking out, it's not that far in inanity from a conversation between Dwight and Andy about the new female receptionist. This endearing lack of awareness-coupled with a proximity to real life-allows them to transcend the novelty of their schtick, something other jokester bands like Bowling for Soup haven't been able to do. When's the last time we've heard from them? Things have stayed consistently funny throughout both seasons and soundtracks of their show, and now McKenzie and Clement are choosing between making one more season or a feature-length film. It's pretty unlikely that either choice will be a misstep, since they've found their niche in the comedy world. "I Told You I Was Freaky" is entertaining from beginning to end, even though there's nothing as comical as "Business Time" or eclectic as "Bowie," both from their 2008 debut. The phallic abundance of "Too Many Dicks (on the Dance Floor)" is just as funny as it sounds, and the disarming image of copulating angels described in "Angels" is made even better by the ornate acoustic strumming. A perfect way to close an album that's so off-kilter and indeed (hilariously) freaky. "New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based, digi-bongo, acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo" return Name: Ruthann Elder Grade: senior Major: music and business Hometown: Mount Vernon What's Your flavor? Raisin Brahms Interesting fact: only person in my family who is left handed Three things you can't live without: music, humor and Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream What did you do for Halloween: dressed up as Rainbow Brite and went to a costume party What kind of music do you listen to the most: tied between country and classical
(11/11/09 5:00am)
It's not the pathetic bardic lifestyle or posh New Zealand accents that make Flight of the Conchords and the soundtrack to their HBO sitcom a hoot. It's the way these two love-struck buffoons compose serious, genre-spanning musical arrangements to contrast the silliness of their lyrics. There's an undeniable merit to all of the tomfoolery, and that includes the far-out, Prince-worthy, electro-pop of the title track, where the Conchords make love to a cake tin to prove how freaky they are. Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie's knowledge of music must be rather encyclopedic, as they ape various genres and artists ranging from the '60s to contemporary pop. "You Don't Have to Be a Prostitute" is an obvious-and great-spoof of the Police's "Roxanne," complete with hackneyed reggae embellishments and a spot-on Sting-like battle cry. "Rambling Through the Avenues of Time" parodies Bob Dylan's early coffeehouse folk, and "Sugalumps" makes a worthy male equivalent to the Black Eyed Peas' unfairly maligned "My Humps." But where Fergie justly proclaimed the globosity of her lady lumps, the Conchords are hilariously unaware that girls really aren't checking out the front of their pants. And just like Michael Scott on "The Office," that earnest obliviousness is what keeps the Conchords' humor from becoming stale after more than a few listens. On their eponymous TV show, McKenzie and Clement aren't just mediocre troubadours; they're mediocre troubadours with feelings. Hurt feelings, as they make clear in the album's first song. "Some people say that rappers don't have feelings," McKenzie laments over a pseudo-urban groove, satirizing the defensive nature of most rappers. The song ends with Clement saying, "These are the bulletproof, 24-karat tears of a rapper." Their futile attempts to pick up ladies after open mic night is almost identical to the awkward situational humor Greg Daniels mimes in "The Office." When Clement and McKenzie argue over whom an attractive woman's lazy eye was checking out, it's not that far in inanity from a conversation between Dwight and Andy about the new female receptionist. This endearing lack of awareness-coupled with a proximity to real life-allows them to transcend the novelty of their schtick, something other jokester bands like Bowling for Soup haven't been able to do. When's the last time we've heard from them? Things have stayed consistently funny throughout both seasons and soundtracks of their show, and now McKenzie and Clement are choosing between making one more season or a feature-length film. It's pretty unlikely that either choice will be a misstep, since they've found their niche in the comedy world. "I Told You I Was Freaky" is entertaining from beginning to end, even though there's nothing as comical as "Business Time" or eclectic as "Bowie," both from their 2008 debut. The phallic abundance of "Too Many Dicks (on the Dance Floor)" is just as funny as it sounds, and the disarming image of copulating angels described in "Angels" is made even better by the ornate acoustic strumming. A perfect way to close an album that's so off-kilter and indeed (hilariously) freaky. "New Zealand's fourth most popular guitar-based, digi-bongo, acapella-rap-funk-comedy folk duo" return Name: Ruthann Elder Grade: senior Major: music and business Hometown: Mount Vernon What's Your flavor? Raisin Brahms Interesting fact: only person in my family who is left handed Three things you can't live without: music, humor and Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream What did you do for Halloween: dressed up as Rainbow Brite and went to a costume party What kind of music do you listen to the most: tied between country and classical
(11/04/09 5:00am)
Less than two weeks ago, the men's and women's cross country teams brought home second-place finishes from the Wilmington Fall Classic, the final race before the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Championships. Perhaps more important than the success they had is the fact that they will be running on the same course Saturday for the conference meet. Junior Chris Fyock, who turned in Otterbein's top time in the season finale, thinks that recently running there will help the team. "Running at Wilmington two weeks ago will definitely play into our advantage for this race." He, along with Andie Pautsch, the women's most consistent runner this season, agreed that with a good understanding of the course the teams will know when to make their moves and when to push themselves. Countless hours of hard work were put into this year for the next few races. First-year head coach John Lintz has implemented a conditioning program that should have the Cardinals taking off at the right time. "We wanted to be at our best for the most important race," he said. "We've almost used the meets as a third workout for the week." The men's team has finished fourth at this event the last three years, and placing in the top three has been a goal from day one. With Ohio Northern, Heidelberg and Mount Union all running well, it's safe to say that in order for Otterbein to accomplish their goal, they will have to beat out at least one of those teams. While Lintz admitted that on paper they might be behind those three schools, he added that they certainly have the potential to make things interesting. On the other side, the women's team has never won an OAC title, and the runners have their eyes on the possibility of making school history. "We definitely have the athletes," Lintz said. "If we run how we are capable of, we can make a run at winning it." The runners see it the same way. "If we can all come together on Saturday, I think we will surprise a lot of people," Pautsch said. "Our team has tremendous potential." Tuesday's updated regional rankings have the women's team ranked ninth as they head into the weekend. Both cross country squads travel back to Wilmington for the OAC championships. The women are set to start at 11 a.m. Saturday, with the men following at noon. Ohio Northern is the team to beat after strong seasons with the men's team ranked No. 31 nationally. The Polar Bears swept both championship titles in 2008. Name: Chad Woodfork Year: senior Major: physical education Favorite quote: "Go hard or go home." Favorite vacation spot: Los Angeles or Miami Favorite class: history Favorite food: cereal Best dance music: hip hop and R&B; Perfect weather: 75 degrees and sunny double take: Woodfork led the defense with two interceptions vs. Wilmington. For seniors Marinda Roderick and Leah Yoder, this has been their best season playing volleyball for Otterbein. They finally feel as if everything is coming together. After difficult seasons in the past, Roderick and Yoder feel that the volleyball team has really turned around and will be even better in years to come. In 2007, Roderick and Yoder were starters as sophomores; it was also coach Monica McDonald's first year at Otterbein. During that year, the team struggled with only four wins. There were six seniors on the team, but the season did not end well. Roderick said, "It was a difficult season. We had a lot of seniors, and we should have won a lot more." She knows last year was a good rebuilding year, and they have improved their team leading up to this year. McDonald believes the two seniors have developed over the last three years, and their leadership first emerged as juniors. McDonald said, "I never questioned their dedication to the team." It has been a rewarding experience for McDonald, having Roderick and Yoder as leaders. Yoder said, "We've instilled a great work ethic. It's been fun this year...a lot of girls look up to us." Roderick knows she and Yoder have had an advantage being with McDonald from the start because they respect her and understand her expectations. McDonald said, "They have been really fun to coach." Roderick and Yoder were the only two from their class to stay with the team. They work well together and enjoy playing volleyball together. Yoder said about Roderick, "We are best friends on and off the court." They are looking forward to a great finish in their final year with Otterbein's volleyball team. Roderick said, "Leah and I are going out having a great season." They are excited for the OAC tournament this week. The team is coming into the tournament seeded fourth, and its first match is against Capital University. Coach McDonald knows the team needs to focus on a win against Capital. "We upset them on their senior night," so she expects a win. The team knows that Otterbein's fourth place is a great spot but realizes there will be tough matches ahead. McDonald believes Otterbein can win their matches and said, "The girls have proven that they can play with any team." If Otterbein goes on to win the OAC tournament, they will get a bid into the NCAA tournament. Regarding the tournament win and a potential NCAA bid, Yoder said, "I have all the confidence in the world." Roderick said, "We are really excited and really pumped." She is confident that it can win the OAC. The team hopes this will be its year to make it to the NCAA tournament. McDonald said, "Our kids believe, and that's half the battle." After Otterbein's come-from-behind win over nationally-ranked Capital, the Otterbein-Mount Union game, which will be played Saturday in Alliance, was supposed to be one of monumental proportions: two top ten and undefeated Ohio Athletic Conference teams battling for the outright league title. However, plans changed slightly when Otterbein (7-1, 6-1 OAC) was upset by Marietta, 25-22, last Saturday. The Pioneers (3-5, 2-5 OAC) scored with 57 seconds left to pull off the upset. The Cardinals trailed 14-13 at half-time and after the first quarter, were led by sophomore quarterback Kyle Stoughton because the starter, Austin Schlosser, left with an injury. Schlosser, a sophomore, was filling in as quarterback for senior Jack Rafferty, who was injured in the second game of the season. The injury bug hit the Cardinals hard during the Halloween game. Along with Schlosser, other Cardinals who suffered injuries against the Pioneers were left tackle Kenny Collmar (knee), left guard Arnold Spikes (foot), center Sam Watson (knee) and receiver Dan Gendron (broken collarbone). So, maybe Saturday's matchup won't have the same allure as it did before, but it's still a huge game between two nationally-ranked teams. Otterbein dropped from No. 7 in the polls to No. 15, while Mount Union has sat strong at No. 1 all year. And no, if Otterbein wins, they won't be the outright league champion because at that point, both the Cardinals and Purple Raiders would have one loss, barring no other upsets in the final week of the season. However, many believe the runner-up in the OAC will practically be a lock for an at-large bid come playoff time due to the strength of the conference. Like last year, Otterbein tripped up only against Mount Union, finishing 9-1, and made the playoffs as an at-large bid behind automatic-bid Mount Union. Even though the Cards lost last Saturday, this has still been a special season for Otterbein, who clinched back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1982. Otterbein capped off four straight winning seasons. In fact, only 40 of Otterbein's 119 seasons have been winning ones. Since Otterbein began playing football in 1890, it has not had an undefeated regular season, although it has had nine winless ones. And even though that goal is out the window for this year following the Pioneers' upset, the Cardinals still have a solid shot at turning the tables and playing spoiler on Mount Union. The conference-foe, defending national champion and Division III-juggernaut currently boasts a 30-game winning streak over the Cardinals. You had to have been wearing bellbottoms and platform shoes to experience the Cardinal's last victory over the Purple Raiders in 1977. The scenario will be much like last year, in which the Purple Raiders prevailed 49-20, where league title hopes will be on the line. Speaking of big wins and the OAC, did you know that Otterbein has three wins over former league member Ohio State? Okay, so maybe the last victory was in 1895 before college football was what it is today. But it actually did happen. Ohio State, who holds a 13-3-3 record over the Cardinals, was a member of the OAC from 1902-1912. However, the same year Otterbein beat Ohio State for the first time, 1891, the Cardinals suffered their only loss of the season to the Dayton YMCA. The Cardinals will try to dust off a loss to the Pioneers, who are in the cellar of the OAC, and knock off the Purple Raiders when the game kicks off at 1:30 p.m.
(11/04/09 5:00am)
After Otterbein's come-from-behind win over nationally-ranked Capital, the Otterbein-Mount Union game, which will be played Saturday in Alliance, was supposed to be one of monumental proportions: two top ten and undefeated Ohio Athletic Conference teams battling for the outright league title. However, plans changed slightly when Otterbein (7-1, 6-1 OAC) was upset by Marietta, 25-22, last Saturday. The Pioneers (3-5, 2-5 OAC) scored with 57 seconds left to pull off the upset. The Cardinals trailed 14-13 at half-time and after the first quarter, were led by sophomore quarterback Kyle Stoughton because the starter, Austin Schlosser, left with an injury. Schlosser, a sophomore, was filling in as quarterback for senior Jack Rafferty, who was injured in the second game of the season. The injury bug hit the Cardinals hard during the Halloween game. Along with Schlosser, other Cardinals who suffered injuries against the Pioneers were left tackle Kenny Collmar (knee), left guard Arnold Spikes (foot), center Sam Watson (knee) and receiver Dan Gendron (broken collarbone). So, maybe Saturday's matchup won't have the same allure as it did before, but it's still a huge game between two nationally-ranked teams. Otterbein dropped from No. 7 in the polls to No. 15, while Mount Union has sat strong at No. 1 all year. And no, if Otterbein wins, they won't be the outright league champion because at that point, both the Cardinals and Purple Raiders would have one loss, barring no other upsets in the final week of the season. However, many believe the runner-up in the OAC will practically be a lock for an at-large bid come playoff time due to the strength of the conference. Like last year, Otterbein tripped up only against Mount Union, finishing 9-1, and made the playoffs as an at-large bid behind automatic-bid Mount Union. Even though the Cards lost last Saturday, this has still been a special season for Otterbein, who clinched back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1982. Otterbein capped off four straight winning seasons. In fact, only 40 of Otterbein's 119 seasons have been winning ones. Since Otterbein began playing football in 1890, it has not had an undefeated regular season, although it has had nine winless ones. And even though that goal is out the window for this year following the Pioneers' upset, the Cardinals still have a solid shot at turning the tables and playing spoiler on Mount Union. The conference-foe, defending national champion and Division III-juggernaut currently boasts a 30-game winning streak over the Cardinals. You had to have been wearing bellbottoms and platform shoes to experience the Cardinal's last victory over the Purple Raiders in 1977. The scenario will be much like last year, in which the Purple Raiders prevailed 49-20, where league title hopes will be on the line. Speaking of big wins and the OAC, did you know that Otterbein has three wins over former league member Ohio State? Okay, so maybe the last victory was in 1895 before college football was what it is today. But it actually did happen. Ohio State, who holds a 13-3-3 record over the Cardinals, was a member of the OAC from 1902-1912. However, the same year Otterbein beat Ohio State for the first time, 1891, the Cardinals suffered their only loss of the season to the Dayton YMCA. The Cardinals will try to dust off a loss to the Pioneers, who are in the cellar of the OAC, and knock off the Purple Raiders when the game kicks off at 1:30 p.m. t&c;
(11/04/09 5:00am)
Today's Birthday - Sphinx (11/5/09)It's your birthday today. Happy birthday! You're coming off a big high from winning back-to-back "Greek Week" championships, but don't let that go to your head. Your float was a little lacking, and you failed to grasp the "crown." Keep your heads up, boys.Aries - Kappa (March 21-April 19) Who doesn't like a good fling? Am I right? But hey, with lots of prospects on campus, some habits are best left on your old porch.Taurus - Jonda (April 20-May 20)New house. New goals. New outlook. Now all you need is more than four people to compete in tug-of-war this year during "Greek Week." This is your year, fellas!Gemini - TEM (May 21-June 21)Originality isn't your thing. See, during Halloween, people don't typically wear their everyday clothes. But hey, great minds do think alike.Cancer - Alpha Sig (June 22-July 22)Numbers aren't everything, except to you. With some hard work and a little elbow grease, I have no doubt the future looks good for your return.Leo - Tau Delta(July 23-Aug. 22) Tau Delta! Or should I say Tomodachi? Isn't that Japanese? And isn't your mascot the Siamese cat? Looks like someone has an Oriental fetish.Virgo - Pi Sig (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)It's Christmas come early for you. In a "come back" tour to Greek life, you took home "Best Float." Keep it up and people may finally figure out where your house is.Libra - Theta Nu (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)"Buck Wild?" Never a dull moment with you girls, I guess. Stay classy, Theta Nu. It hasn't let you down yet.Scorpio - Zeta (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)The football team is doing well this year. So is Zeta, actually. You're both doing well. Coincidence? I think not. Try thinking outside the box this year. It's good for you.Sagittarius - EKT(Nov. 22-Dec. 21)Word on the street is you throw a good mixer. But try and mix it up once in awhile. Have a bad mixer and confuse everyone. It's what you do.Capricorn - Club (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Hit the gym and "shape up" this week. Who else are we going to count on to fill the security report each week if you guys are gone? You keep our lives entertaining, Club.Aquarius - Owls (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)Flowers are for giving. Cars are for driving. And singing is for auditoriums. Not that it isn't nice, but you'll need it if you're going to take "Greek Week." Pisces - Kings (Feb. 19-March 20)The Cleveland Browns are the worst team in the NFL. I'm not saying you're the Browns. I'm saying great groups go through rebuilding phases...thats all. t&c;
(11/04/09 5:00am)
Name: Ruthann ElderGrade: seniorMajor: music and businessHometown: Mount VernonWhat's Your flavor? Raisin BrahmsInteresting fact: only person in my family who is left handedThree things you can't live without: music, humor and Ben and Jerry's Ice CreamWhat did you do for Halloween: dressed up as Rainbow Brite and went to a costume partyWhat kind of music do you listen to the most: tied between country and classical
(10/29/09 4:00am)
Today's Birthday (10/29/09)It's your birthday today. Happy birthday! I wish you the very best today, tomorrow and the next day. But look, by Sunday your birthday is going to be old news, so don't go tryin' to drag this stuff out. Enjoy it while it lasts, and then let it go. Sunday will suck if you still try to soak up the lime light.Aries (March 21-April 19) "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Ever heard of verbal abuse? It hurts. This week isn't lookin' good for you.Taurus (April 20-May 20)Inspiration is all around you this week. It's in the air. It's in the water. It's even in that sandwich you are about to eat. Isn't inspiration delicious?Gemini (May 21-June 21)A little rain never hurt anyone, but a flash flood can kill you. Keep your head above water this week, and take it easy. Don't overdo it.Cancer (June 22-July 22)"Don't bite off more than you can chew." Seriously, you could choke and die. Death is no laughing matter. No, no it is not.Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) There is a price to pay for all great things. Becoming a vampire for example–you get to live forever, but you have to be bit by a complete stranger.Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)"Now I ain't sayin' she a gold digger," but have you checked your bank account lately? Save your extra pennies for a rainy day this week. You'll need them.Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)Halloween is coming up, but your mommy said never take candy from strangers. What a dilemma! Your week will be full of tough choices. Good luck.Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)Every week I run out of ideas for someone's "Humorscope." This week it is you Scorpio. Sorry. It's nothing personal, just good business. Better luck next week.Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)Just for you sir:It's good to be king. Gaze out across your court, eat a hearty feast and know that this week you are royalty.Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)I want to give a shout out to all my Capricorn buddies. Sadly, I can't because I am in the library, and they don't allow shouting. Obey the rules this week. Trust me.Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)You've been trying to hurry and get ahead all week. Remember that the turtle wins the race; slow and steady. I hear turtle soup is pretty good too.Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Everyone enjoys a good practical joke from time to time. But running into a class and yelling "I've got the SWINE!" may not be the way to go this week.
(10/29/09 4:00am)
Zombies Zombies have long been favored by nerds as their monster of choice, but recently, these brain-craving cannibals have hit the mainstream. Thanks to hits like the recently released "Zombieland," it's now cool to crack skulls open like walnuts for their juicy, delicious insides. This pop culture phenomenon began with George A. Romero. In 1968, Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" hit theaters with success and scared nearly everyone who saw it. "Night of the Living Dead" is the defining flick of the zombie genre and is directly responsible for the success of zombies in movies and video games. The 1970s saw one heralded zombie movie in the entire decade, Romero's second look at a zombie apocalypse–1978's "Dawn of the Dead." "Dawn of the Dead" features Romero's grisly take on the dead rising to eat the living. The result is a colorful gore-fest and a great zombie movie. In 1983, one portrayal of the undead pushed pop culture into hysteria: Michael Jackson's "Thriller." This 14-minute music video featured the dancing undead clapping and shuffling along to the insanely popular Jackson hit "Thriller." Zombies helped change music videos forever, and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" proved that zombies had become mainstream in 1983. The zombie phenomenon isn't just the result of movie and music video success either. Video games have had a large impact on the undead too. In 1996, Capcom's "Resident Evil" hit the original PlayStation to critical and commercial success. The game features zombies and lots of them. Your job is to uncover the conspiracy behind the Umbrella Corporation amidst a zombie horde. More recently video game developer Valve has had gamers try and survive the zombie apocalypse with "Left 4 Dead," a shooter that tasks players to work together to survive the flesh-eating hordes. Whether you realize it or not, zombies have infected the mainstream. If you spend this Halloween watching "Dawn of the Dead" or mowing down waves of zombies in "Left 4 Dead," you've been infected by zombie hysteria, too. Embrace the infection. Try some brains. You might like how they taste. t&c;Vampires As millions rushed to see "Twilight" when it came to theaters and "True Blood" on HBO, it is no secret that vampire tales are one of the favorite folklore-based stories of our time. However, the successes of modern vampire flicks have a lot of debt to pay from history. Long before our favorite vegetarian vampires took the screen, Bram Stoker brought the story of blood drinkers to the forefront with "Dracula," in 1897; but even before Stoker there was John Poidori's 1819, "Vampyre." Hollywood began to discover ways to make Stoker's novel a gold mine for film. "The Vampire," made in 1913, is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, surviving vampire on screen. "Nosferatu," 1922, signified a major break for vampire movies. It took a different look from Stoker's depiction and created Dracula to have a more corpselike and animalistic appearance. "Dracula" the movie, released in 1958 and starring Christopher Lee, followed Stoker's plot closely, using gore, seduction and sexuality to illustrate the characteristics of vampires. Recently vampires have seen a huge resurgance in popularity, almost entirely thanks to the pop culture juggernaut "Twilight." "The Twilight Saga" is a series of books that chronicle the love story of human Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen. With the books becoming incredibly popular, it was only a matter of time before the books were turned into movies. Despite middling critical reviews, "Twilight" was a huge commercial success, and the sequel "New Moon" is a hotly anticipated upcoming release. Along with "Twilight," HBO has a popular series called "True Blood." Set in a universe in which vampires live among humans and drink synthetic blood, "True Blood" follows main character Sookie Stackhouse who is a telepathic waitress who falls in love with a vampire. Trying to cash in on the popularity of vampires is "Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant," a movie that focuses on a teen who becomes a vampire. It has been a flop critically and commercially. Although there may still be a fear of night-dwelling blood drinkers, they remain a popular attraction for many of us, especially around Halloween. t&c;
(10/29/09 4:00am)
Zombies have long been favored by nerds as their monster of choice, but recently, these brain-craving cannibals have hit the mainstream. Thanks to hits like the recently released "Zombieland," it's now cool to crack skulls open like walnuts for their juicy, delicious insides. This pop culture phenomenon began with George A. Romero. In 1968, Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" hit theaters with success and scared nearly everyone who saw it. "Night of the Living Dead" is the defining flick of the zombie genre and is directly responsible for the success of zombies in movies and video games. The 1970s saw one heralded zombie movie in the entire decade, Romero's second look at a zombie apocalypse-1978's "Dawn of the Dead." "Dawn of the Dead" features Romero's grisly take on the dead rising to eat the living. The result is a colorful gore-fest and a great zombie movie. In 1983, one portrayal of the undead pushed pop culture into hysteria: Michael Jackson's "Thriller." This 14-minute music video featured the dancing undead clapping and shuffling along to the insanely popular Jackson hit "Thriller." Zombies helped change music videos forever, and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" proved that zombies had become mainstream in 1983. The zombie phenomenon isn't just the result of movie and music video success either. Video games have had a large impact on the undead too. In 1996, Capcom's "Resident Evil" hit the original PlayStation to critical and commercial success. The game features zombies and lots of them. Your job is to uncover the conspiracy behind the Umbrella Corporation amidst a zombie horde. More recently video game developer Valve has had gamers try and survive the zombie apocalypse with "Left 4 Dead," a shooter that tasks players to work together to survive the flesh-eating hordes. Whether you realize it or not, zombies have infected the mainstream. If you spend this Halloween watching "Dawn of the Dead" or mowing down waves of zombies in "Left 4 Dead," you've been infected by zombie hysteria, too. Embrace the infection. Try some brains. You might like how they taste. As millions rushed to see "Twilight" when it came to theaters and "True Blood" on HBO, it is no secret that vampire tales are one of the favorite folklore-based stories of our time. However, the successes of modern vampire flicks have a lot of debt to pay from history. Long before our favorite vegetarian vampires took the screen, Bram Stoker brought the story of blood drinkers to the forefront with "Dracula," in 1897; but even before Stoker there was John Poidori's 1819, "Vampyre." Hollywood began to discover ways to make Stoker's novel a gold mine for film. "The Vampire," made in 1913, is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, surviving vampire on screen. "Nosferatu," 1922, signified a major break for vampire movies. It took a different look from Stoker's depiction and created Dracula to have a more corpselike and animalistic appearance. "Dracula" the movie, released in 1958 and starring Christopher Lee, followed Stoker's plot closely, using gore, seduction and sexuality to illustrate the characteristics of vampires. Recently vampires have seen a huge resurgance in popularity, almost entirely thanks to the pop culture juggernaut "Twilight." "The Twilight Saga" is a series of books that chronicle the love story of human Bella Swan and vampire Edward Cullen. With the books becoming incredibly popular, it was only a matter of time before the books were turned into movies. Despite middling critical reviews, "Twilight" was a huge commercial success, and the sequel "New Moon" is a hotly anticipated upcoming release. Along with "Twilight," HBO has a popular series called "True Blood." Set in a universe in which vampires live among humans and drink synthetic blood, "True Blood" follows main character Sookie Stackhouse who is a telepathic waitress who falls in love with a vampire. Trying to cash in on the popularity of vampires is "Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant," a movie that focuses on a teen who becomes a vampire. It has been a flop critically and commercially. Although there may still be a fear of night-dwelling blood drinkers, they remain a popular attraction for many of us, especially around Halloween.
(10/29/09 4:00am)
As another fall holiday season fast approaches, we look forward to the big Thanksgiving dinner and opening of gifts Christmas morning. But prior to those festive activities come the candy-eating, pumpkin-carving, and cavity-filled holiday of Halloween. What would Halloween be without the costumes? Wearing costumes for Halloween is a tradition in which few participants know the origin. About 2,000 years ago, the Celts who lived in what we know as Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on Nov. 1. This day was the end of summer and the beginning of winter—the time of year they commonly associated with death. Celts believed that the worlds of the dead and the living were open to each other on the night before the New Year. On the night of Oct. 31, they believed ghost of the dead returned to Earth, and celebrated Samhain. During the celebration, the Celts wore costumes, typically consisting of animal heads and skins, and attempted to tell each other's fortunes. When the celebration was over, they re-lit their hearth fires, which they had extinguished earlier that evening, from the sacred bonfire to help protect them during the coming winter. When immigrants arrived in America around the year 1846, they brought with them the Irish and English tradition and helped popularize it. Americans dressed up in costumes that were usually scary and went house to house asking for food or money--tradition we now refer to as trick-or-treat. In the beginning, most costumes worn were goblins, monsters or witches. But as time has moved forward, it is now more common for people to dress up as people in the community, like fire fighters, police or nurses, or a lot of times people in the media. Although you'll always see Draculas and Frankensteins as costumes, this year there are a lot of new things to portray. Star Trek is one of the hotter costumes this ‘09 season. This has a lot to do with the success of JJ Abrams' "Star Trek," which was released in May. Other costumes predicted to be seen are Transformers, characters from Saw VI, and even President Obama. Could 2009 be a Halloween without another Michael Jackson tribute? According to Michael Jackson costumes are going to be big this Halloween. Jackson's album "Thriller," is the bestselling album of all time, with 45 million worldwide sales powered by seven Top 10 U.S. singles and eight Grammy Awards. By using the song as well as the historic music video for ideas, it can be a great way to pay tribute and also a way to create an amazing costume. Purchasing costumes for adults can be expensive, but there are ways to be creative. Using things around the house and putting together old clothes and a bit of make up can go a long way. Being creative with your costume can pay off and save you money. t&c;
(10/29/09 4:00am)
Since the beginning of time, people have been fascinated by death and obsessed with seeking thrills. Horror is an ancient art form. It's no wonder horror movies are so popular. Last weekend, the two top-grossing movies at the box office were "Paranormal Activity" and "Saw VI." "Zombieland" held the top spot just three weeks before that. It seems people will flock to see scary movies for as long as they can get thrills out of them. In the case of the horror film's success, history can do the talking. After the invention of motion pictures in the late 20th century, it didn't take long for filmmakers to create the horror genre. French director Georges Melies' 1896 short "The House of the Devil" is often credited as the first horror movie. Since then, trends in the genre have come and gone, and each decade in the last 113 years has evolved the horror movie into what people know it to be today. The beginning of the 20th century saw the first productions of "Frankenstein" in 1910 and "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" in 1920. Lon Chaney became a well-known horror movie actor for roles in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" in 1923 and "Phantom of the Opera" in 1925, among others. The 1930s saw the introduction of iconic monsters such as the vampire in 1931's "Dracula," the zombie in 1932's "White Zombie", and the werewolf in 1935's "The Werewolf of London." "The Wolf Man" was an early success in the 1940s. However, monster films were getting old. Movie studios stepped in to make more serious horror movies such as 1943's "I Walked with a Zombie" and 1945's "The Picture of Dorian Gray "which won an Academy AwardTM. There were various cultural changes that occurred between the two decades of the ‘40s and'50s, which showed in its horror films. Nuclear expansion fed visions of rampaging mutants in 1954's "Them!" and "Godzilla." The Cold War fed fears of invasion in 1956's "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" and 1958's "The Blob." The 1960s was a time for social revolution. It was also a time for suspense thrillers. The undisputed master of the thriller, filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock, released such films in this decade as "Psycho" in 1960 and "The Birds" in 1963. Hitchcock's goal in making his films was to "give them pleasure, the same pleasure they have when they wake up from a nightmare." Between "Psycho" and the Manson family murders in 1969, there was a great change in what the public perceived as terrible. Films were more edgy and movies like "Psycho" were precursors to slasher movies of the coming decades. Also, 1968's "Night of the Living Dead" would change zombie movies forever. Horror movies in the 1970s reflected the grim mood of the country at the time: the Beatles had just split up, Jimi Hendrix had just died and problems occurred with Nixon and Vietnam. However, when society goes bad, horror movies prevail. Movies of the ‘70s boldly showed violence like in 1974's "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and 1977's "The Hills Have Eyes." Even films like 1973's "The Exorcist" saw blockbuster success. The modern slasher film was also born in the decade in 1978's "Halloween" which introduced the slasher character of Michael Myers. The first half of the 1980s can be summed up by slashers like 1980's "Friday the 13th" and 1984's "A Nightmare on Elm Street." Iconic murderers Jason and Freddie Kruger were created in these two movies. The decade also showcased Stephen King's film adaptations of his books in movies like 1980's "The Shining." King was once quoted about why he wrote about horrors: "We make up horrors to help us cope with the real ones." Despite efforts like 1988's "Child Play," which featured the introduction of Chucky the doll, the end of the ‘80s saw a drop in the box office appeal of the horror movie. The early 1990s brought critical acclaim to the horror genre with 1991's "The Silence of the Lambs." In 1996, the success of "Scream" reignited the slasher films, inspiring others that followed like 1997's "I Know What You Did Last Summer" and 1998's "Urban Legend." 1999 saw two of the biggest surprise hits of the decade, regardless that they were scary movies, in "The Sixth Sense" and "The Blair Witch Project." Though the new millennium saw re-makes of many horror films such as "Dawn of the Dead" in 2004 and "Halloween" in 2007, the new century brought innovations to the horror genre- most notably the "torture porn" of "Saw" and "Hostel." Presently, there has been a surge in the vampire fascination with 2008's "Twilight" and its highly anticipated sequel "New Moon." Other vampire-related dramas are following in its footsteps, even on television. This fall's hit movie "Zombieland" has created a surge in the zombie film's popularity. Perhaps building more to the pop-culture zombie phenomenon is the re-ignition of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" music video that followed his death in June. The song lyrics of "Thriller" sum up why people love to see horror films: "'Cause this is thriller, thriller night. So let me hold you tight and share a killer, thriller tonight." t&c;
(10/28/09 4:00am)
Some of the t&c; staff in their childhood Halloween costumes.
(01/05/09 5:00am)
Every year, the Christmas season seems to start earlier than the last. This year, we skipped from Halloween to Christmas before I could even eat all of my candy and pack away my costume. The stores in the malls have already started to decorate and plan for the holiday sales, and the usual annoying Christmas tunes have started to play over the intercom system.Last weekend, I heard my least favorite Christmas shopping song, "Merry Christmas, Darling," by The Carpenters. Hearing this song reminded me of the time I spent in retail over one of our gracious winter breaks. I must have heard it over 100 times. I quickly remembered how I despised the vicious shoppers trying to get the best deals and the disgruntled husbands looking for a last-minute gift for their wives at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve when we were about to close.At the same time, I could not avoid thinking about everything else the season brings. There are the religious beliefs of course, but Christmas has also shifted into a socially accepted holiday with its own traditions not affiliated with any religious denomination. As kids we were so focused on Christmas and getting the hottest new toy for our collection. Remember Furby, Beanie Babies and Tickle-Me-Elmo? I remember always asking for the newest board games...Backoff Buzzard was my favorite until I unfortunately broke it a few years later. The question, "What do you want for Christmas?" will be asked numerous times over the next few weeks, and when we were kids it was so easy to decide what you would ask for. All you had to do was sit on Santa's lap and hope that you could find it under the tree on Christmas morning. As we grow older, I think it is harder to ask for something material like a new television (which is what I am hoping for) and we begin to establish our own "reason for the season." This year I know my reason for the season, and it is not just a new television, but family traditions. One of my family's favorite traditions is to drive around Sandusky looking at the Christmas lights and decorations on Christmas Eve. We always get bundled up in our pajamas, sometimes falling asleep in the car along the way, and have specific destinations on the route that we never miss. But by the time we get home, of course we cannot fall asleep because of the anticipation for the next morning. Christmas morning is a science in my family because with four kids you have to stay organized. We line-up on the stairwell wearing our festive hats and Mom takes our picture every step of the way into the living room. I love to look back at old videos and pictures of these moments and see how our family has grown over time. We separate our presents into piles and take turns opening them on camera, usually five at a time in a rotation. You can't forget to check all of the wrapping paper before throwing it away, either.Now who could forget the embarrassing stories, too? At the first snow fall of the season my Mother always reminds me how I described snow at a young age. "Mommy, look at all the fludderbies." I guess I thought the snowflakes looked like thousands of butterflies falling from the sky. One of the classic tales of a Widman family Christmas is when I was so excited for my sister to open my gift that I told her "Sarah, open the microphone first!" Oops. Then there is the time when I sat in the corner eating the chocolate from my stocking when everyone else was looking at their new toys. I can still hear my father's voice in the background of the video today, "Jacob...what are you doing?" zooming in on my face smeared of chocolate. I can complain all I want about the premature shift into the Christmas season before the turkey has even been cooked, but I cannot deny the excitement that arrived when I saw a Christmas tree in the mall and the "Fludderbies" of snow fall this week. As I anticipate the exciting weeks ahead of us, I cannot wait for the traditions to begin again. t&c;Jake Widman is a senior Theatre and Public Relations major and columnist for the t&c;
(11/05/08 5:00am)
Name: Jim McQuaideWhat's your flavor? Wilson GST FootballHometown: SolonMajor: BusinessYear: SophomoreFavorite Pastime? Listening to Coach Tressel's weekly press conferenceDream destination: Uniontown, PAHow many miles can you run at one time? Probalby not manyPet Peeve: People who chew gum with their mouth openWhat were you for Halloween? Coach Jim TresselPHOTO AND INFORMATION COMPILED BY JAYME DETWEILER
(10/22/08 4:00am)
Witches, ghosts and goblins, oh my! As we near the end of October, it's time to feel the spirit of Halloween. If you are looking for something spooky to do this year, there are a variety of events happening around Otterbein and throughout the Columbus area that are sure to bring out the holiday spirit. For events around Otterbein, look no further than Mayne Hall and the Campus Center. Mayne Hall is putting on its annual Halloween party, which is scheduled for Wednesday from 9-11 p.m. The party is open to all students looking to get into the Halloween spirit and will be located on the 1st floor lounge. The Campus Programming Board (CPB) is also celebrating the holiday with a pumpkin- carving craft in the Campus Center. The event will be held on Thursday, October 30 from 4-7 p.m. If you are looking for a good scare outside of Otterbein, there are a few haunted houses you can visit nearby. Cooper Stadium, home to the Columbus Clippers is presenting its 10th and final year of Terror Park 'The Final Chapter'. The stadium has been transformed into something creepy and unexpected. Terror Park is open Thursday through Saturday from Oct. 3 until Nov. 1. Tickets are $13 with an additional $3 for parking. Another frightening haunted house is The Haunted Hoochie, which is commonly referred to as the 'Darkest Show on Earth'. Regular tickets cost $17 and VIP tickets cost $27. There are also Halloween themed performances scheduled around Columbus. Shadowbox, the sketch comedy and rock 'n' roll club, is performing "Raisin' Hell" through Nov. 15. The original sketch comedy act unveils sinful temptations that show naughty is not always bad. Shadowbox is located at Easton Town Center. Students can purchase tickets for $20. The Columbus Performing Arts Center is also participating in Halloween with its production entitled "Magic of the Night." The haunted magic show stars illusionist Stephen Knight and offers a one-of-a-kind theatrical production. The show combines magic, comedy and audience participation with lights, music and special effects. "Magic of the Night" performs Oct. 23 through Oct. 25 downtown. t&c;
