Oscar special 03.02.2014

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Best Picture Countdown

to the OSCARS

Arts & Entertainment

6

Best Picture

Countdown to

Gravity

Ariel Guerra Design Manager aguerra2@lhup.edu

I walked into this movie half expecting it to be a steaming pile of poop, driven by an overbearing George Clooney with a cameo by a “barely-there” Sandra Bullock. But despite my best efforts to be unimpressed, this movie kept me on my feet. is thrown into an alternate reality where the Space Shuttle Program has continued and was never retired. The Space Shuttle “Explorer” has been sent on a mission to repair a broken Hubble Telescope.

Here we are introduced to Bullock, playing Ryan Stone, a Doctor of some sort. Despite a questionable past, she has somehow managed to become an astronaut

The Oscars

12 Years a Slave Kayla Marsh A&E Editor kmarsh2@lhup.edu

Erika White Sports Editor ewhite@lhup.edu

“12 Years a Slave” tells the true historical account of Solomon Northrup, a free black man living in Syracuse New York in 1841. Solomon, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, works as a prominent violinist to support his family. One day, he is offered a job in Washington DC. While there, Solomon is kidnapped, sold into slavery and taken to New Orleans where his identity is stripped away.

Solomon ends up on the plantation of Edwin Epps, played by Michael Fassbender. Epps has the reputation of being the worst slave owner in New Orleans, and rightfully so. He is a raging alcoholic who viciously beats and whips his slaves. Along with his horrid wife, played by Sarah Paulson, they force the slaves to have midnight dance parties for their enjoyment after the

nonchalant and just sort of there, but then I realized that this was going is a middle aged woman.

Clooney’s character, Matt Kowalski, seems to have a heart, despite his playful bantering that makes me feel as though he has a problem keeping it in his pants around Dr. Stone.

“Gravity” includes some touching moments that make you scratch your head in a “but they’re in space, how did that even happen” sort of way.

Kowalski, I won’t really get into it but, somehow helps Dr. Stone recover her will to live during an “AH-HA!” moment that left me hitting myself in the face.

Overall “Gravity” is a movie I wish I had seen in theatres, at times it makes you clutch your seat and at other times you just want to run up to Dr. Stone and punch her in the face. It’s a visuwant to become an astronaut. Then you realize, hell no, I don’t want to die in the empty void that is space.

Seriously, thanks for that one Alfonso Cuaron, you made me afraid of space. I give it a 3 ½ out of 5.

“Gravity” photos courtesy of digitaltrends.com

February 20, 2014

Throughout the movie, Solomon struggles to hold onto his identity and return to his family in Syracuse. During his harrowing experience, he encounters Patsy, played by Lupita Nyong’o, a tragic young slave girl who is the object of Epps’ affection. Solomon’s journey is loses faith that he will one day be reunited with his family. The compelling story is reason enough to see this movie, and the incredible acting is the icing on the cake. Fassbender and Paulson are so realistically cruel and terrifying, that the anxiety they create makes viewers empathize completely with Solomon. deserving of every award that she receives. Her powerful portrayal shows the innocence and devastation of a young girl whose only fault was being too desirable.

Ejiofor’s moving performance as Solomon breaks the hearts of the audience while also giving them an intense glimpse into the dark reality of our nation’s history. In every scene, Ejiofor shows the determination and strength that this real life counterpart faced over the 12 years of enslavement.

Overall, this movie deserves the highest award for its amazing performances and outstanding cast. In our opinion, this is our bet for Best “12 Years a Slave” photos courtesy of collider.com

Arts & Entertainment

6

Best Picture

Countdown to

February 13, 2014

The Oscars

American Hustle

The Wolf of Wall Street

Amanda Burris Guest Writer aburris@lhup.edu

Lisa Conner Staff Writer lconner@lhup.edu

The 70’s have never looked so good; especially when it involves Christian Bale (even with his beer-gut and his mop of -

Sex, drugs, alcohol, money and position. The setting of “The Wolf of Wall Street” is a much different atmosphere than Leonardo DiCaprio has become known for.

Most of us are used to seeing Di-

Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) and his British mistress, Sydney on have to make a decision; help the FBI catch a

as “Revolutionary Road”, “Inception”, “Shutter Island” and “The Departed” just to name a few.

I can honestly say that his character

go to jail.

When they team up with FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), Sydney faces the decision of being in a relationship with Richie or Irving, who is married. Meanwhile, they must schmooze their way into the trusting arms of New Jersey’s political

Though DiCaprio’s character, Jordan, is a drug addict who has numerous relations with prostitutes (while married) and takes advantage of good, hard working people to make money, you just can’t help rooting for him.

DiCaprio’s performance in this comedy has caused him to win car, an award he hasn’t been nominated for since “Blood Diamond” in 2007. Will this new success change the types of roles and movies that DiCaprio seeks out? Personally, I hope not, but then again his perfor-

serves this nomination as well. these great actors or to the reputation of director Martin Scorsese. “The Wolf of Wall Street” was very raunchy and set the record for using the most “F words” in a movie. There was a lot of unnecessary nudity and the sex scenes were anything but tasteful. should be nominated for the Best Motion Picture of the Year award, serve their recognition and nominations that they are receiving.

Throughout the movie, Carmine Politio is represented as the family friendly, good-nathrilled that there is somebody willing to help

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bring in money and create jobs. Politio, who’s only real goal is to make the state of New Jersey a better place for the people living there, soon becomes unknow-

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of course, throughout the movie, there is Rosalyn (Jennifer -

times her antics came close to unraveling the entire plan. for everybody; action, romance, comedy, and tragedy…you name it and this movie has it. There will be moments you will be sitting on the edge of your seat, holding your breath as you wait to see if the group actually pulls their scam off. There will be moments that you burst out laughing at Rosalyn for nagging Irving. This is a movie that is impossible to predict, but you will have a great time trying to.

Arts & Entertainment

6

Countdown to

Best Picture

February 27, 2014

The Oscars

Dallas Buyers Club

Philomena

Lisa Conner Staff Writer lconner@lhup.edu

Kyra Smith-Cullen News Editor ksmithcu@lhup.edu

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Dallas photo courtesy of slate.com Philomena photo courtesy of o.canada.com Oscar logo courtesy of hollywoodreporter.com

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