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Arts & Music
Movie Review: "Miss Representation"
By The Front | May 6When you finish a documentary and start to question how you live your life, and question decisions you make, I feel like that is a very well made documentary. "Miss Representation" is one such documentary. "Miss Representation" examines rape culture, body image and self worth. The film has a lot of well-known, powerful women speaking on how little women are represented in Hollywood and in politics. From Jane Fonda to Katie Couric to Condoleeza Rice, these women speak on how hard it has been for them to be taken seriously, and what it means to be a women in their position. Some of the statistics are shocking, which is part of the reason that this film is so great. Shocking statistics and well-known women make this film powerful. There is even a few men offering their opinions on the matter, which always refreshing in a discussion about feminism. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2UZZV3xU6Q&feature=youtu.be There were a few things in the film that I did not care for. The film was supposed to be about women’s representation in media and politics, but towards the end they briefly started talking about how men are affected as well. I understand that there are stereotypes with men as well, but frustrating in a film that is trying to show how little there is out there in terms of women only media. Another thing that was strange was the narration stopped during the climax of the documentary. I wish they would have incorporated the narrator a little more during the most intense part. It would have made some transitions in topic a little smoother. "Miss Representation" ends with a clear call to action, which I also value in a documentary. I hate when you watch something or hear something that is inspiring and there is no clear way to promote change. “Miss Representation” offers several challenges to the viewer, from texting a number, checking out a website or simply changing what TV channel you watch. They were all simple things to do, that could make a big difference in the movement. For those two minor things that I did not like, I took away a half star, leaving this film with a 3.5 stars out of 4 stars. The documentary will be shown on campus tomorrow in Arntzen Hall at 6 p.m., with discussion time afterwards. I would suggest going to that. This documentary provokes conversation. If you cannot attend then this film is available for purchased streaming on Amazon and Google and with subscription on Netflix.
Arts & Music
Movie Review: "While We're Young"
By The Front | April 30____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>“While We’re Young” is the latest Ben Stiller movie and is currently playing at the Pickford Film Center. The movie is about a middle-aged couple coming to terms with the fact that they are no longer in their 20s. The movie shows the lives of three different couples. Stiller plays Josh, a one hit wonder documentarian. His wife Cornelia (Watt) is also in the business due to her father being one of the greatest documentarians out there. Josh and Cornelia have friends that recently had a baby and find themselves no longer being able to relate to them because they are unable to have children. Josh and Cornelia meet this younger couple, Darby and Jamie, (Amanda Seyfried and Adam Driver) that fascinate them. As the movie moves on, you see Josh and Cornelia trying to emulate the younger couple. Darby and Jamie are this offbeat couple that seems to live a life of simplicity. Jamie is an aspiring documentarian and Darby makes homemade ice cream. They ride bike everywhere and make their own furniture. As a viewer, I really wanted to like Jamie. I love Adam Driver in “Girls” and was hoping he’d be that same loveable character. Jamie is just not a great guy. And as you’re watching you just want to scream at the screen to Josh to stop believing this him. I feel like with how old Josh is, he shouldn’t be so naive to Jamie’s deceitfulness. This aspect of the movie seemed to stretch reality a little too much for me. Josh is 42 and clearly has life experiences that would make it so he should be able to be more suspecting of Jamie’s motives for friendship. While this movie was great, it was also fairly predictable. As Josh starts to see through Jamie’s lies you can tell exactly how he plans on exposing the truth. I think the fact that Josh gets so worked up over Jamie doesn’t play well with the character that is introduced in the beginning of the movie. In the beginning you see this very mundane and predictable guy and then even as he starts changing he typically remains level-headed. But when he explodes you see that typical Ben Stiller movie reaction, similar to how he gets in “Meet the Parents.” The ending was some-what of a twist, which was refreshing after the predictable first half hour. I like when movies give you a twist, but it makes you a little mad as a viewer because you wanted it to turn out the way you had it worked out in your head. Going in, I start out with 4 stars in mind, and as things don’t make sense, or are poorly played out, I will take away some points. I took a half a star away for the predictability, and half a star for the strange character change in Josh. I would suggest going and seeing this movie, especially if you like Ben Stiller. Rating: 3 out of 4 stars "While We're Young" will be playing this weekend at: FRI 5/01 4:05PM 6:45PM 8:45PM SAT 5/02 2:05PM 4:25PM 6:45PM 8:45PM SUN 5/03 2:05PM 6:45PM
Arts & Music
Trailblazers: Trail Work Party
By The Front | April 27Last week, I volunteered at a trail work party at the Evan’s Creek Preserve trail in Redmond. Washington
Arts & Music
Campus Style: Jerseys and Joggers
By The Front | April 24Sam Werner, 23, describes his fashion style as, "just do you baby." His unique fashion sense comes from the idea to brand yourself. "Make up your own style and change the game," Werner said.
