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Arts and Entertainment • Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Historical movie earns good review WASHBURN REVIEW
Usually, it is hard to get me to go see a movie based on true historical events. But once I see a movie based on true events, I find I enjoy it, but when I saw that George Lucas, creator of ‘Star Wars’, was going to be the executive producer for the movie ‘Red Tails’, I quickly became interested. When one thinks of Lucasfilm, the only two movie series that really come to mind are ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’, because there really have not been too many others. ‘Red Tails’ is a high action movie inspired by the heroic exploits of the first all African American aerial combat unit. Anthony Hemingway takes the directors chair to visually capture this World War II epic, along with a powerful cast, including Cuba Gooding Jr., who plays Major Emmanuel Stance and Terrence Howard, who plays Colonel A.J. Bullard. The film opens up with an air battle with the U.S. against the German Nazis. The U.S. struggles, with planes and
bombers constantly getting destroyed. Next, we see four African American pilots flying around, bored out of their minds because even though through the Tuskegee program they are able to fly for the U.S. military, their assignments don’t give them a chance to be part of the action. They find themselves looking for enemy trucks or trains on the ground. The Pentagon, desperate to protect the number of bombers being taken out, decide to let the Tuskegee Airmen have their chance to be a part of the action and prove they are worthy in battle. Their mission is to protect the bombers as they go to their destinations. At the time, it is believed that African Americans are too stupid to fly and do what the White man can do. They prove everyone wrong when on their first real mission, they succeed in protecting the U.S. bombers with only one or two casualties. The inside conflict of the movie involve Marty Julian “Easy,” played by Nate Parker and Joe Little “Lightning,” played by David Oyelowo.
Ben Lerner returns to Topeka to read at Mabee Sam Sayler
WASHBURN REVIEW
Photo by Nevada Millis, Washburn Review
Professor Poetry: Tom Averill, writer in residence, reads both a poem from the published anthology as well as another of his personal works.
Local poet creates anthology Tricia Peterson
WASHBURN REVIEW
Friday night at Bosco’s Downtown, poets shared their work that was published in the Blue Island Review. “Blue Island Review” is an anthology created by Katie Longofono, who noticed the lack of such publications in the northeast Kansas area and wanted to change that. After taking a large poetry class at Kansas University, Longofono decided to create the Blue Island Review, not only to create a setting for writers to share and have their work critiqued in a small group setting, but also to close the gap between academia and local writers. “‘Blue Island’ Review provided a unique home for academic and less conventional
“Easy” is the air captain of the Tuskegee Airmen and has a problem with drinking, while “Lightning” has a problem following orders and is always looking for a way to get himself killed. “Easy’s” drinking problem seems to stem from his father never being proud of him, though this is only mentioned briefly in the film. “Lightning” brings on the romantic side of the film as well when he meets an Italian girl nearby named Sofia, played by Daniela Ruah. Even though the two don’t speak the same language, they are still able to fall in love. Photo courtesy Lucasfilm Overall, I was impressed with ‘Red Tails.’ Historic Blockbuster: Cuba Gooding Jr. and Terrence Howard both star in this action-packed movie about black It kept you on the edge of history in the U.S military during World War II. your seat at each battle. I was not looking forward to sit- then we see him put in the pris- cal. with a smile at the historical ting and watching a World War on, then the next time we see Visually, the film was spec- epic story that has been unfoldII film for two hours, but there him escaping with other U.S. tacular. With the sounds of the ed in front of you. wasn’t a second that I was look- prisoners. There is that typi- planes and the explosions, evI give the film 4 out of 5 ing around bored. Some of the cal shot of the American flag erything felt so real. I strongly Top Hats. scenes in the movie seem un- waving on the screen with the recommend not waiting and goderdeveloped, like when one National Anthem playing in the ing to see this movie. You will Brian Dulle is a senior mass of the African American pilots background, and Gooding Jr. laugh, cheer and maybe even media major. Reach him at got captured by Nazi forces and with a pipe just looks hysteri- cry, but in the end, you leave brian.dulle@washburn.edu
poets alike, bound by a common residence,” said Longofono. “I was introduced to the work of many writers and was able, in turn, to give their work exposure.” The anthology includes mostly short, image-driven poems with strong and vivid descriptions. It features seasoned poets, some with published works, as well as younger writers whose first publication is the anthology itself. Washburn professor, Tom Averill, as well as SevenEightFive poetry editor, Dennis Etzel, have poems included in the publication. “Blue Island Review” can be purchased online at lulu.com for $15 or at The Raven Bookstore in Lawrence. Tricia Peterson is a junior mass media major. Reach her at patricia.peterson@washburn.edu
After making quite the impact on the literary world over the past few years, author Ben Lerner returns to his home of Topeka for a reading at Washburn’s Mabee Library on Monday at 5 p.m. “[Lerner] is maybe the best writer of his generation and certainly the best Topeka writer of his generation,” said Eric McHenry, Washburn assistant professor of English. “He’s a prodigy and a genius. He’ll
knock this campus on its backside. I hope everybody comes to hear him.” Among his many accolades, Lerner is the youngest writer to be published by Copper Canyon Press with his three books “The Lichtenberg Figures,” “Angle of Yaw” and “Mean Free Path.” The second book was a finalist for the National Book Award. “It was Ben and all the great eminences of the poetry world at this big tuxedo banquet,” said McHenry. Using his time as a Ful-
bright Scholar in Madrid, Spain, in 2003 as inspiration, Lerner’s new novel, “Leaving the Atocha Station,” has received mountains of praise and has been called one of the best books of 2011 by numerous publications, including a writeup in The New Yorker and an acclaim from celebrated author Jonathan Franzen. “[Lerner’s] the smartest person I’ve ever met,” said McHenry. “I met him when he was 16 and still a student at Topeka High School. I didn’t feel like I was meeting a 16-year-
old. You can only be grateful to be in his company. He’s not aloof or self-important or offputtingly eccentric, like some geniuses are.”
Norman. “It’s as short as one evening in the end and as long as a week to two months work of rehearsals.” Sarah Labovitz, conductor of ensemble and the assistant director of bands at Washburn University, premiered her first performance with the students with two pieces: “Sun Dance” by Frank Ticheli and “Children’s Folk Song Suite” by Kevin Walczyk. Cary Stahly, the en-
bands at Seaman High School, also a Washburn University graduate, returned for his first performance with the students with three pieces: “Roller Coaster” by Otta Schwarz, “Pas Redouble” by Camile SaintSaens and “Africa: Ceremony, Song and Ritual” by Robert W. Smith. All pieces, a c -
songs and rhythmic based pieces, an unplanned roller coaster, if you will,” said Norman. Between the rhythmic sounds of the band and the sound effects from the band members, the Topeka Youth Wind Ensemble members kept the audience’s attention when their pieces required them to scream. Connor Penton, Washburn Rural senior and first chair saxophone player, described the experience as worth it. “Meeting new people and working with a new director every year has been a huge benefit to me as a musician,” said Penton. Along with his peers, Penton claimed the experience is always exciting and new. “There’s always something different musically,” said Penton. “It’s always riveting.”
Sam Sayler is a junior English major. Reach him at samuel. sayler@washburn.edu
Topeka high schools compete for ensemble spot Jordan Loomis
WASHBURN REVIEW
At the high school level, hard work and determination mean everything when working toward a goal that will affect the future, especially when that goal is one that comes only to those who are practiced eloquently in their talent. From a l l surroundi n g schools in the Topeka area, high school musi- cians tried out for a spot in the annual Topeka Youth Wind Ensemble. Mark Norman, Washburn University director of bands, hosted the event for his third year. “The previous director of bands started this ensemble about fifteen years ago,” said
semble’s guest conductor and di-
rector of
cording to the ensemble’s host were a mix of culture. There was no theme involved. “We had a multitude of folk
Graphic by Katie Child, Washburn Review
Jordan Loomis is a freshman mass media major. Reach her at jordan.loomis@washburn. edu
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Brian Dulle