Entertainment
The Whittier Miscellany March 2014
John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars is a tear-jerking, thought-provoking book about a sixteen-year-old girl named Hazel who is diagnosed with cancer. Hazel’s parents force her to attend a support group with other teens living with cancer. While Hazel attends these support groups, all she wants is to attain a normal life. However, this task becomes nearly impossible as she struggles with the idea of her parents’ lives after she dies. At the support group, Hazel meets a boy named Augustus who later becomes her love interest. From the moment Hazel meets Augustus, the two become inseparable. The foundation of their relationship is based on Hazel’s favorite book, An Imperial Affliction. From then on, Hazel’s life story is not so much sad, but rather inspirational. For all of the fans that have read this book, get excited for perhaps the greatest love story to grace the big screen. For those who have yet to read this amazing novel, you are highly suggested to do so before the movie comes out. As some fans may know, The Fault in Our Stars trailer was leaked, and the movie is planned to release this summer. The moments of profundity throughout the novel make the movie so highly anticipated. The mixture of the coming of age angst and the ever-approaching closeness of mortality creates a robust connection between the reader and the characters throughout the story. One can only hope that the movie version of the novel will do the book some justice. Josh Boone, the director of the film, also directed Stuck in Love. This movie was particularly important to him after losing his own friend to cancer during filming. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Boone said, “John’s book came along just when I needed it. It pierced my heart and helped me deal with my grief. I laughed and cried and was left with an overwhelming feeling of hope that our lives matter, that love and
kindness we share with others reverberates long after we are gone. I feel the weight and responsibility to get this [the movie] right and give his readers and devoted fans as pure a translation as possible.” Boone is very dedicated to producing this movie in the best way possible, and he hopes the cast can fulfill his vision. The upcoming cast includes Shailene Woodley as Hazel, Ansel Elgort as Augustus Waters, and Natt Wolf as Isaac, a friend of both Hazel and Augustus in the story. Shailene Woodley is a Golden Globe nominated actress who starred in ABC’s The Secret Life of the American Teenager. Woodley will shine in the role of powerful, witty, and humorous Hazel based on her experience in drama from the past. Wolf is also an extremely talented actor who played smaller roles in movies such as Admission and Stuck In Love. Elgort is a fairly new actor who has not played any roles in films until now. When asked how he would prepare for the movie in a recent interview, Elgort said, “We are going to visit some cancer hospitals. We are planning to see some patients and talk with real people with our diseases. I’ll meet with people who have prosthetic legs, and learn how to use them for filming.” Even though there are new actors, if The Fault in Our Stars is anything like the trailer, the world has every right to be optimistic about this upcoming film. The only reason to be a skeptic about this debut is the risk of being let down. Everyone knows the book is always far superior to its movie counterpart, but there is something about this particular film that is different. Perhaps it is the writing, the story, or the human connection, but the world is ready to see this highly awaited movie this summer. This movie just might be the film of a generation, and the book certainly is. In the words of John Green, this quote from the novel perfectly describes how the world fell in love with his writing, “I fell in love the way you fall asleep: slowly, and then all at once.” Let us all hope to get the same experience from the movie!
Seth Meyers Says Goodnight to SNL
Maddie Ireland ’16 Entertainment Writer
In his ten years working as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, Seth Meyers has become a household name, making audiences melt with his irresistible charm, witty jokes, and his signature signoff every week. On February 1, 2014, Seth Meyers performed his last show on Saturday Night Live. His last segment included alumni such as Amy Poehler, Fred Armisen, Andy Samberg, and Bill Hader audience favorite, Stefon. Before SNL, Meyers attended Northwestern University where he was a part of the improvisation group Mee-Ow. He later moved on to become a part of the improvisation group Boom Chicago in Amsterdam. Although Meyers has made an appearance in certain movies such as Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist and Journey To The Center Of The Earth, audiences know him primarily for his time as a writer and anchor on the “Weekend Update” segment of the comedy show Saturday Night Live. Meyers joined the cast of SNL in 2001. He was promoted to writing supervisor, co-head writer with Tina Fey, co-anchor of “Weekend Update” with Amy Poehler, and eventually solo anchor until cast member Cecily Strong joined him as a co-anchor. On “Weekend Update,” where Meyers acted as co-anchor, he imitates a news anchor, usually poking fun at modern day politics or reporting ridiculous news. The interviewees on “The Weekend Update” are cast members of the show, frequently mocking politicians, historians, and specialists. Some of Meyers’s famous interviewees include Kat and Garth, two goofy musicians who never remember the words to their songs; Stefon, a partier who tends to go to ridiculous and unheard of clubs around New York; and Jacob, a young boy who has just celebrated his bar mitzvah and talks in a scripted manner. Caroline Wren ’16 said, “My favorite is Stefondefinitely Stefon, and I liked it when he interviewed Olya Pavlatsky.” Olya Pavlatsky, played by Kate McKinnon, is an older Russian woman who often discusses current events in Russia and some of the cruel and harsh conditions from her homeland. Meyers recently announced that he will take over Late Night, previously hosted by Jimmy Fallon. Fallon,
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who is also a previous cast member of Saturday Night Live, is taking over The Tonight Show for a retiring Jay Leno. Saturday Night Live co-head writer Colin Jost will take over Meyers’s anchoring duties along with current co-anchor and cast member, Cecily Strong. Julia Blumberg ’15 said, “I’m surprised by it. He [Meyers] was hilarious, and he changed everyone he worked with in a positive way, but he’s moving on to better and greater things. It’s not the last we will see of Seth Meyers. I am okay with it because he is going to be hosting other shows.” In an interview with John Jurgensen, Meyers said, “Likability. That’s what Lorne stresses the most in a job like this.” Michael Lorne, the creator of SNL, is also the creator of Late Night and provides a similarly comic feel to his shows. As to why Meyers decided to leave SNL, most SNL viewers will say that it is just part of the process, and like Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, Amy Poehler and many before them, Seth Meyers is just moving forward in his career as an actor and writer. In an interview about his upcoming show, Meyers said, “The nice thing about having a nightly show at 12:30 PM is the previous hosts have all shown that it’s a piece of real estate where you can try to be as creative as possible and take some risks that you probably can’t take in prime time, and to some degrees maybe can’t take at 11:30.” In an interview about Meyers’s first months on SNL, Meyers said, “When I first got that job, I spent a lot of time, probably too much time, spinning out how I’d make it different than everyone before me. Then you realize that just happens, because you are genetically different from those people.” During his time as a cast member, Seth Meyers did just that. Meyers brought heart to the show many have known and loved since the first episode aired in 1975. Sujuylee Alvarez ’16 said, “It’s sad because Saturday Night Live is funny, and I watch it during my free time, but even though he is leaving, he’ll still be a part of the show in viewers’ minds.” Meyers’s first show as the host of Late Night aired on February 24, 2014. His first guests included former cast member Amy Poehler and vice president of the United States, Joe Biden.The world will await how the funnyman will entertain audiences with new puns and skits.
Doable Day Trips for a Fun Spring Break Meera Kohli ’15 Entertainment Writer After a series of extended weekends and snowy weather, everyone is beyond ready for a break when the weather permits for outdoor activity without fear of losing toes to frostbite. Spring break might finally provide that opportunity. With two weeks off school and comparatively warm weather in sight, spring break begs outdoor adventure. With spring sports’ preseasons also vying for possession over these two weeks, it is simply the perfect time for day excursions. Only a short drive away, Philadelphia is always a popular destination for eating, shopping, and socializing. Philadelphia boasts a wide range of activities, making it impossible to run out of places to go and things to do. Maddie Fruchtman ’15 said, “I like being able to walk freely around the city and going to art museums and stores!” As most destinations in Philly can be reached in a short walk, the best choice is to find a parking lot to leave your car and to travel by foot or subway. wikimedia.com
Okay? Okay? TFIOS Film Slotted to be Faultless
Olivia Garber ’16 Entertainment Writer
The Philadelphia Art Museum To begin a possible day trip itinerary, head over to the popular Philadelphia Museum of Art, which opens at 10 AM and is only fourteen dollars for students in high school or with a college ID. During spring break, this museum will be presenting its highly appraised exhibit, “Marc Newson: At Home.” This exhibit contains some of the most fascinatingly designed household appliances, and as odd as it sounds, it truly is more interesting than Renaissance paintings! After exploring there, the next practical thing to do would be to grab lunch. Only a few blocks and a short walk outside Center City is an interesting little restaurant called Cheu Noodle Bar. Behnaz Varamini, upper school Spanish teacher, explained, “It is not an authentic Asian noodle place and doesn’t claim to be, but it’s delicious and has a great vibe inside!” Then, another short walk away is the underground Reading Terminal Market for shopping enthusiasts. It also hosts plenty of charming stores that sell unique products such as Amazulu, which sells handmade jewelry and Terralyn, which sells high quality handmade skincare products. Finally, a day in the beautiful city of Philadelphia can conclude with a trip to the Comcast Center, located in Center City. Not only does it provide the best view of the city, the Comcast Center brags an amazing eightstory “Winter Garden” and a 2,000 square foot LED wall with extraordinarily realistic images! With all these attractions located within the same general vicinity, these activities can all be done within a day, and the proximity of Philadelphia makes it possible to be home by the end of the same day. There is more than one opportunity for adventure during spring break, so after a trip to Philadelphia, there is still time to visit the incredibly popular New York City. One of the most favored vacation destinations, New York City is the prime location for shopping, dining, and exploring! Bill Gordon ’14 agreed, “New York City always has a lot going on and so much to do!” Travel by foot and by Subway are also the optimal modes of transportation, so leave your car in a car park at the start of the day! Spring break should provide relief from the freezing snow and ice, so it is a perfect time to enjoy the warm temperatures in the friendly atmosphere of Central Park!
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