Features
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FEBRUARY 5, 2013
‘Bodies’ makes a lively box office showing J.D. Roberts Staff Writer With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, guys around the world will try to get out of watching the ridiculous chick flicks that have plagued movie theaters and video stores for years. Lucky for them there is a movie that might just help them out this year. “Warm Bodies” is a unique film directed by Jonathan Levine, director of “The Wackness” and “50/50.” “Warm Bodies” tells the story of R, played by Nicholas Hoult, a young zombie who just stumbles around grunting and wanting more out of life, or death, in his case. R isn’t a bad guy. He likes collecting things and Bruce Springsteen albums, but occasionally he likes to eat people’s brains. This all changes when he runs into a girl named Julie, played by Theresa Palmer, while looking for food. He saves her from being eaten by the other zombies and thus begins their odd friendship. As the two grow closer, R begins to become more human while the other zombies begin to change as well.
This doesn’t sit well with the bonies, zombies that have let go of their humanity, as well as Julie’s father, the head of the zombie resistance. R and Julie must find a way to convince the people that the zombies are changing before the bonies can kill them all. “Warm Bodies” has a lot of really cool aspects that work in its favor. Much of the story is told through R’s inner monologue, which is well written, funny and honest. This is where most of the comedy comes from because nothing is funnier than watching someone awkwardly falling in love with someone. That is what the movie feels like, watching two people meet and going on their first real date. The writing is what really stands out. It is witty and sarcastic but without being annoying and pretentious. It isn’t afraid to try new things, and these things work. The acting is decent for this type of movie. It blows the Twilight movies out of the water on every level, but sometimes it felt a little phony. John Malkovich plays Julie’s zombie-hating dad, but he is never really believable. He sticks out like a sore thumb.
Hoult does better when he is a total zombie compared to when he is gaining his humanity back. He seems like he kind of gave up half way through or forgot how to really act human. The worst part of the movie is the pacing. It starts off great and picks up momentum, but about 30 minutes into the movie it just slows down and starts to drag. The movie almost becomes a zombie itself. It stumbles around, dragging its feet while looking for its footing. Luckily it finds it by the third act of the film and picks up where it left off. All in all, the movie isn’t bad, and it could have been a lot worse than it was. While the acting is a little stale and the pacing is off, it still manages to entertain.Since this is only Levine’s third big feature film, it will be interesting to see what he does next. It is rare for a movie with such a unique plot like “Warm Bodies” to really get past the hate of Twilight and other weird teen romance stories, but it takes the hate and uses it to its advantage by completely defying low expectations. “Warm Bodies” is a movie everyone can enjoy and fall in awkward zombie love with.
Photo courtesy of Summit Entertainment
DEATH DO US MEET
Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer co-star in the unconventional zombie movie “Warm Bodies.” The story focuses on a zombie who is trying to gain a better experience in death and the possibility of love. The wellwritten script and fresh story make this movie stand out as a unique moviegoing experience that will likely grant reprieve from the numerous Valentine’s Day movies.
Caddo River Art Guild showcases local artists Cherith Cobbs Staff Writer Fire, goats, roosters and Barack Obama. These are just a few things featured in the Russell Fine Arts Building at the Caddo River Art Guild showcase. The guestbook was filled from top to bottom with signatures of satisfied viewers. On the opening date of Jan. 24, the Henderson art department launched an art show screening local artist from the Caddo River Art Guild. The gallery is complete with six 3D pieces and 43 paintings covering each wall. “The exhibit has progressed since I have last seen it,” Noel Garland, junior mass media major, said. The Caddo River Art Guild is a group of local artist from various ages, races and backgrounds who enjoy sharing their talents with their communities. They meet up on the third Thursday of each month to discuss their agenda for the month. They host workshops, classes and participate in shows independently and as a group. “They hosted us so now we’re hosting them,” Claire Cade, sophomore studio art major, said. “HSU art students had a chance to put one piece in the salon show at the Arkadelphia Art Center.” Cade explained that the Arkadelphia Art Center and the Caddo River Art Guild work together closely. Dan Leamons created the piece “Barack Obama.” The 16-inch by 20-inch oil painting was very popular with most of its viewers. Jones immediately wanted to take the picture off of the wall. “Four more years,” Stanley Jones, junior mass media major, said. “Can you buy this for me? This picture is empowering.” Dan Leamons has been a proud member of the Caddo Valley Art Guild for three years. “The Caddo River Art Guild is really neat,” Leamons said. “There are a lot of different artists of all different ages.” Leamons has two other pieces in the showcase entitled “Cow-
boy” and “Quarterback,” which were also popular pieces with the viewers. A few of his artistic influences include Norman Rockwell and Thomas Kincaid. His work can be found in places such as: the democratic office, the office of George Vanhook and on his website at www.danleamons.com, as well as his Facebook page. Johnny Whatley was another well-liked artist featured in the show. He moved here three years ago and joined the guild. “I really enjoy the meetings,” Whatley said. His pieces were entitled: “Stone Breakers,” “Bible and Coffee Mug” and “Strawberries and Shortcake.” The picture “Bible and Coffee Mug” was a fan favorite. Simplistic and calming were a few of the words viewers used to describe the piece. “I think this should be called ‘Sunday Mornings, Wednesday Nights,’” Garland said. Whatley said he uses painting as a way to vent and get through things. Some of his influences come from everyday things that he sees. He uses magazines or simply things that he sees lying around the house. “When I drew “Bible and Coffee Mug,” I saw a Bible lying on a coffee table and drew it,” Whatley said. He said this is the way many of his pieces were created. “With ‘Strawberries and Shortcake,’ I saw the picture of strawberries and shortcake in a magazine,” Whatley said. Most of his artwork can be found within the quarters of his own home and with other family members. The Caddo River Art Guild showcase will be showing through Feb. 25 in the Russell Fine Arts Gallery. The gallery hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cade wants viewers to remember one important detail before they leave the gallery. “Make sure you sign the guest book when you come,” Cade said. “It helps us to keep track of the progress we are making.”