opinion
Friday, February 2, 2007
Children of Men an intelligent masterpiece worth seeing
To the editor, In response to a previous film review on Children of Men, I feel I should elaborate on the major impacts of the movie and why people should not just wait for it to be released on DVD. This movie has an array of breakthrough action scenes and perfectly depicts, in a non-extravagant manner, a realistic perspective of a dystopian society in the next 20 years. This cinematic experience is upclose and personal and will most definitely get a reaction out of the audience. The camera work is what I can only describe as stunning and eyecatching with breakthrough innovative approaches to camera shots. A vehicle had been modified to the extent that the seats could be made to tilt and lower the actors out of the way, preparing for a series of clear and concise camera shots from radical angles. The windscreen of the car had also been altered so it would be possible to allow camera movements in and through the front windscreen — this scene definitely has your eyes locked to the big screen, which only enhances the picturesque adventure. The movie is brilliantly done in the way that there is a constant overarching feel of imposing chaos. Torture, terrorism and all-out war flavour the movie as refugees slowly fill the streets and racial tensions overflow into conflict. Claustrophobia, panic, and hopelessness grip the audience as the movie builds up to a satisfying grand conflict. Yet, we’re left with the feeling of disgust in ourselves for the sheer destruction and cruelty that the movie shows as being within human capabilities. “The beauty of this film is that it creates a world we can all believe
in” (Alan Hunter, Daily Express). It takes a brilliant approach to depicting an oppressive social order with such verisimilitude that the audience can accept and come to terms with. This is a movie that the majority will enjoy; if you liked V for Vendetta, Gattaca, The Matrix, A Clockwork Orange, Blade Runner or 12 Monkeys, you’ll highly enjoy Children of Men. Children of Men offers inventive energy, ferocious intelligence and yet affirmation of the life against the most calamitous circumstances” (Gene Seymour, www.Newsday.com). Don’t miss out on the cinema experience; see it as soon as you can. Waiting for the DVD will not do this movie justice. — Melissa Buckell Environment and planning
Back off little skeptic
To the editor, After reading the Friday January 5, 2007, edition of Imprint, I came across the article, “Back off Big Environment” by Brendan Pinto. As a first year environment and business student I must say that I am a little bit concerned with many of the allegations Mr. Pinto made regarding global warming. Mr. Pinto has some guts to start out with a statement like “the myth of global warming…” Any scientist, and probably any person living in Southern Ontario this winter, would note that global warming is not a myth: it is a fact. The earth’s average temperature has skyrocketed in the last 100 years. Any debate on the issue of global warming is not whether or not the world is getting warmer, but rather what is causing this warming. Furthermore, Mr. Pinto continues by saying that scientists are trying to convince the public that global warming is caused by hydrocarbons in order to achieve their own economic benefits. His argument continues that once people stop spending their money on hydrocarbons they will have more money to put into environmental campaigns like Greenpeace. This idea is absurd. The fact is that thousands
of scientists have agreed and provided many reports, like the IPCC being published in February, proving that global warming is caused by the consumption of fossil fuels. It is also clear that the only scientists that seem to disagree with this relatively consistent perspective are those that are working for petroleum companies. However, even this concept is no longer true because many of the major oil companies, like Shell and British Petroleum, are now admitting to the linkage between global warming and fossil fuel consumption. Fossil fuels are creating many health and safety hazards for people all over the world. Not only is it the cause of global warming but it is also causes such things as acid rain, smog, and land degradation. Even if someone is completely against the idea of global warming there are dozens of other benefits to using alternatives. — Barry O’Doherty Environment and Business
Citizenship act against nation’s best interest
To the editor, After reading the article, “Students born outside Canada may lose citizenship status after age 28,” published on January 19, I felt compelled to express my disagreement with the enforcement of Section 8 of the Citizenship Act. With the Canadian growth rate already on the decline, how is Canada going to be able to sustain its current standard of living without the help of immigrants? Although some may argue that this act works as a good security measure, it will cause a severe dent in the Canadian economy and its growth. As of 2006, Canada’s growth rate was estimated to be 0.88. What this means is any value below 1.0 is considered a declining growth rate; thus, the current growth rate in Canada is not large enough to maintain the present population size. In order to keep the economy at its existing size and standard of living, we rely on im-
F RIDAY NIGHTS
TGIF @
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migrants. Canadian immigration will not only sustain the population but it will also increase the valuable assets of knowledge and skilled labour. The enforcement of this section of the Citizenship Act will negatively affect immigrants currently living in Canada and it will also deter future immigrants from coming to Canada.
Canadian immigration will not only sustain the population but it will also increase the valuable assets of knowledge and skilled labour. The immigration process is already slow enough as it is. Many people looking to migrate choose countries other than Canada, such as the U.S., because they have a faster process with less restrictive policies. If Canada is looking to draw more immigrants to sustain or increase our economic growth, this is not the right way to go about it. The implementation of Section 8 will turn out to be more of a hassle and a detriment to the country than a benefit. I suggest that the government re-examine its stance on this issue. — Jennifer Mansell 1B environment and business
Refundable bus pass a riskier move than flat-rate system
To the editor, In his article published January 19, Mr. Davenport was right to say that a U-pass referendum is not a matter of will it happen, but when it will happen. Mr. Adams’ petition, circulated last week and with over 2,200 signatures, proves that the U-pass is a hot topic for students.
The most recent move was by Mr. Henry at the previous council meeting passing a motion to delay a referendum on a non-refundable bus pass. Instead, the Feds will gather and analyze additional information for a refundable bus pass. Though laudable in an egalitarian sense, this move is a risky one. If results do not come promptly and exactly how students want it, the issue could escalate into something ugly. An equation that includes all possible variables, while possessing a high degree of accuracy, is immensely difficult to calculate. The same will be true with a U-pass that will try to accommodate all people, transit users, car owners and otherwise. An additional roadblock for a refundable U-pass comes from our heroes of congestion and long walks, the GRT. If the Feds have the creativity and know-how to hash out a refundable bus pass system, the next issue is the GRT who, like any business needing to reduce risks when investing, cannot offer a variable rate to the Feds; a bus still costs $250,000 regardless of ridership. The GRT will want a flat rate (most likely where the value of $41.67 per person per term was derived from). If people began declining the service and asking for their share back, the Feds have to foot the difference. Either the bus pass will be more expensive, or compensatory funds will be drawn out of other Feds activities, which is something that would disappoint everyone. Feds has good intentions by looking into a refundable bus pass system, but this is far riskier and more difficult to implement than a flat-rate system, especially if the wellinformed student body is told that it will cost more or take longer to implement. Unless an easy, no-nonsense method or system of implementing or maintaining a refundable bus pass system can be conceived, the U-pass will cost excessive time, effort and money, something that no one wants or can afford. — Eric Bays Environment and planning
FRIDAY NIGHTS @ KW|AG Friday, February 9 | 8 p.m. – Midnight | 19+
15 in advance 20 at the door $
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Call 519.579.5860 or reserve online:
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>>> After hours at the Gallery for the
creative and the curious. Mix and mingle in a setting like no other, + art events, music, food and fun. Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery located in The Centre In The Square
101 Queen Street North, Kitchener, Ontario, N2H 6P7