culture Movies: Dreamboat Efron to star in
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THE SAINT |WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2014
Grisham’s legal thriller The Associate
Television: Funny man Letterman announces retirement from Late Show
Music: Hilary Duff returns to music scene after seven year hiatus
Heartthrob actor Zac Efron will produce and fill the leading role in the film adaptation of legal fiction writer John Grisham’s novel The Associate. Efron will play the role of a young lawyer blackmailed into accepting an associate position at the world’s largest law firm for espionage purposes. No release date has been confirmed.
After 32 years of entertaining television audiences, comedian David Letterman, 66, has finally announced his retirement from hosting CBS’ The Late Show. Letterman revealed his retirement plans to audiences while taping his show on April 3, and his last show is expected to air in 2015.
On March 28, via Twitter, former Lizzie McGuire star and pop singer Hilary Duff made a statement that dreams are made of: a new album to be released within the year, with “Breathing Room,” the first single, to be dropped this spring. Since Dignity, her last album, Duff has raised a son and divorced from hockey star Michael Comrie.
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IN THE SPOTLIGHT
>>MILEY CYRUS
Just when you think Miley Cyrus begins to lose her shockvalue, she goes and performs “Can’t Be Tamed” to a giant inflatable replica of her recentlypassed dog, Floyd, during a recent concert in Brooklyn.
COURTESY CHRISTOPHER POLK
Artist Spotlight: Angus and Julia Stone
Come Clean
abigale racine | culture editor
I have a confession to make: Ever since hearing that my childhood idol, Hilary Duff, was breaking a seven year long absence from her music career, I have been unable to stop jamming to her albums, which defined my younger years. I know that some may criticize my behavior as being “So Yesterday,” but I don’t give a rat’s tushie. I am reminded how much has changed from when my best friend and I used to rock out to the Metamorphosis album on my walk man while riding the school bus every morning. With the same best friend, summer of 2003 was spent painting my bedroom an awful aqua blue color, jumping enthusiastically while belting out Duff’s mega hit “Come Clean.” Listening to these tracks I had previously worshipped as a pubescent is a different experience now and it disheartens me that the current generation lacks a star that embodies the qualities that Duff possessed. She was such a positive influence on our lives, as I know she was for my peers as well. Duff was clean-cut and I can’t recall there being rumors about the pop star/Lizzie McGuire star acting out wildly or being a cause for concern. Or, at least, if she did it, Duff flew under the radar and has kept it discrete from her impressionable fans. Her lyrics were always appropriate and she didn’t commend sex, drugs, alcohol or violence. Undoubtedly, there’s a serious lack of positive influences for today’s youth and it is a downright shame. Frankly, the tolerance of over sexualization of young adults is disgusting. It seems like society is backtracking. I realize I sound like a curmudgeon who complains about life and everything that is wrong with today’s society but gone are the days of strong female role models. Duff was not the only superstar during my childhood that I felt shaped me into the sparkling independent I am today. I cite Kelly Clarkson, Avril Lavigne and Gwen Stefani all as trailblazers that inspired me not to sell myself short or approach every day situations as an opportunity to shine. I would like to understand why it has evolved from, “I ain’t no hollaback girl” to “When you’re ready, come and get it?” As I was writing this, I realized that Miley Cyrus, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato are the same age as me and probably grew up listening to the same music as I did. They are all talented, but they have not empowered this generation’s youth in the same fashion that our childhood idols had. Instead, they abuse their power. Now, there is nothing wrong with being comfortable with yourself and feeling sexy, but I cannot stress enough the importance of about possessing some self-worth and desiring to be valued by others as something more than a sex object. I will never be able to wrap my head around society, so I will have to rely on Hilary Duff’s explanation, “You could search the world and never figure it out.”
By Paris Close Editor-in-Chief Artist: Angus and Julia Stone Genre: Folk, Blues Current Album: Down the Way Comparisons: James Vincent McMorrow & Regina Spektor Popular Tracks: “Big Jet Plane,” “Hold On” & “And The Boys” The next time you hear the names Angus and Julia Stone brought up in a nearby music debate, feel free to spring up and rave about your new favorite hipsterfolk band. Argue all you might, but the delightful brother-sister duo are COURTESY FLICKR probably the most genuine, breathtaking artists ever to set foot from Blues meet bliss: The Australian brother-sister act have all it takes to be the next folk sensation. behind the underground curtain and to impress or simply surprise their own brand of vocal authenticity, pro- The Boys” caters to that very need, onto the mainstream stage in the past listeners with their orchestral charm. viding an earthly whisper that speaks with Julia’s voice coaxing the listener few years. Their records gush a wave of silvery to the soul. Nonetheless, these night- on a woodsy expedition through the Channeling the airy essence of sounds, from the soft-spoken violin ingales are not only vocally gifted but forests of regret and redemption. Australia between their lungs, these and cello rhythms to the bluesy pulse their lyrics are always in rare form. These are just a few of the many two have backpacked their signature of piano and acoustic guitar riffs, all One can easily imagine them- treasures you’ll find sifting through sound all around the globe, especially of which prove instrumental to the selves rousing to sunshine and the duet’s most recent release. If America, and we could only be so act’s success. seagulls on the moony tune “The you’re looking to get into some of grateful for such a blessing. Even though the pair has only Devil’s Tears,” a slow-drumming ser- their oldies, try “Mango Tree” and Having almost marked their 10 completed two full length works dur- enade that has surprisingly brought “Silver Coin,” a pair of fan favourite year anniversary as a duet since form- ing their time as a band, A Book Like tears to my own eyes a few times. tunes that will certainly get you in ing back in early 2006, the spirited This (2007) and Down the Way (2010), “Big Jet Plane,” arguably their most the mood for more foot-tapping, teasiblings from Sydney, Australia have they’ve each established themselves notorious song, is a wishful record sipping fun. developed a seasoned sound that re- as successful solo artists, respective- that fuses nirvana with nostalgia and So throw on your favourite flansembles the richness of Fleetwood ly. Older sister Julia has the kind of carries with it a catchy chorus and a nel, a copy of Kazuo Ishiguro’s dysMac wedded with the mellow tem- raspiness in her voice that is simply bottle of unfulfilled wishes. topian novel Never Let Me Go, ready perament of class act artist Bon Iver. unmatched by any other songstress And what would a hipster band your skiff and press play, you’ll find With a crackerjack mix of instruments other than Regina Spektor, while An- be without some playful tunes to get yourself washed up on the shiny coast on every album, the duo never fails gus underscores his big sister with his lost in the wild to, am I right? “And of Australia by the final chord.
Captain America Winter Soldier brings action and tears
COURTESY PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Red, white and blue: Captain America, played by Chris Evans, does what he does best and saves the world By Mayra Monroy News Editor Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier was a true cinematic adventure that broke box office records in it’s opening weekend. Anyone that knows me knows I am a huge Captain America geek, so trust me when I say that this movie exceeded my expectations and more. I was sure that this movie would be doomed to repeat the
“sequel syndrome,” meaning that as per usual, the sequel would not even come close to being as good as the first movie. However, this was thrown out the window within the first hour of the viewing experience. Captain America, played by the ever-so-talented Chris Evans, returns to reality after the excitement that played out in the 2012 film Avengers. He works for S.H.I.E.L.D, the secretive agency still led by the
intimidating Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson. There’s deception, plotted decades before eventually playing out, that happens within the agency and this causes a series of events that threaten the wellbeing of the country. Alongside this, a mysterious assassin is out for blood, nicknamed and also the title of the movie, The Winter Soldier. This mysterious soldier turns out to be incredibly
strong and also very driven and a huge problem for Captain America. There are a ton of fight scenes in this movie, between the Winter Soldier and the main protagonist, but also with a variety of other characters, mostly S.H.I.E.L.D. agents. There is also a lot of action with Captain’s sidekick in the film, the smooth and strong Natasha Romanoff, also known as Black Widow and played by Scarlett Johansson. She fights off guards, pirates, an assassin, all while still keeping her hair in perfect condition. If anyone is a fan of the Marvel franchise, you know what to expect at the end of the movie. The notorious after credit scenes that are sure to keep you thinking way after you’ve left the theatre. Well, there are two this time around, so make sure to take a seat even after everyone has cleared out. I won’t spoil what it is, but all that I will say is that it sets up something that will come into play in Avengers 2: The Age of Ultron, set for release sometime in 2015. There are several plot twists in this movie, none of which I’ll share in this review, so you’ll have to check them out. But as a warning, prepare to get upset, sentimental and a little angry. Just know that Captain America does what he does best and remain humble and honest with his intentions and yes ladies, he’s still single.
Good Eats: Terra’s house-crafted cuisine warms the soul By Mayra Monroy & Chucky Blackmore News Editor & Staff Writer Cuisine Type: Organic Avg. Cost: $30 What to get: Grass fed Tavern Burgers and Pub Cheese Eastown is home to a variety of several different stores and restaurants. From the popular froyo stop-shop Spoonlickers to the unique used book store that is Argos, something that Eastown is in no shortage of is amazing food and the locally-sourced, organic cuisine at Terra is no different. Located on Lake Drive, right through the center of Eastown close to Aquinas’ campus, Terra brings home crafted foods to the table of its new age restaurant. The atmosphere is warm and wide open
with a very open space and high ceilings and, of course, friendly service. Once you come in, you’re promptly seated by a friendly server . The menu is filled with Michigan based meals and as Terra claims, a “new farm cuisine.” Terra provides several options for the vegan, vegetarian or the omnivore in all of us with nourishing food to feed the heart and soul and with only the freshest ingredients grown in Michigan. That being said, Terra’s menu consists of seasonal ingredients and delicious (and inexFarm Cuisine 2.0: Terra brings Michigan into every meal with hand crafted foods that go easy on the pensive) meals. And within no time at all, food arrived at our table and the and entrees were all locally grown. menu section, a serving of pretzel helpful server indulged us in a con- We treated ourselves to a plate of rods with Michigan craft beer chedversation about how our appetizers the Pub Cheese off of its communal dar cheese and two Grass Fed Tav-
Culture Editor Abigale Racine
E-mail saint.editors@aquinas.edu
Phone (616) 632-2975
ern Burgers, a delicious combination of meat, house made brioche with a variety of greens and red onions. The dish was served with house made kettle chips. The meal, as I’m sure others have experienced during their visit at Terra, has truly captured what the restaurant hopes to bring to the city. The restaurant’s four values: Artisan, Authentic, Seasonal and Healthful, are incorporated into every dish and provide Eastown and the Grand Rapids area with delicious and natural cuisines that will fill any stomach without draining your wallet. Terra’s great food and excellent service is worth the visit. All local Eastown businesses have their own stories--come in, enjoy a bite to eat, and learn about Terra.
Website www.aquinas.edu/thesaint