Day: April 13, 2007

A moment with the Wailers

As an appreciative listener of the fan of the Wailers music, I know that the Wailers carry hope and optimism. The overall message that the Wailers convey is quite an impressive one, one of unity. The Wailers performance at Brandeis was one of the most empowering performances I have ever seen, and afterwards I had the opportunity to interview Aston Family Man Barrett, bass guitarist, and Yvad, lead vocalist of the Wailers.

My time with Reel Big Fish

This past week, Brandeis University had the distinct pleasure of hosting those kings of crooning, those sultans of song, Reel Big Fish. And I was fortunate to be able to sit down with the band for an interview. I had the privilege of speaking to Aaron Barrett, the energetic lead singer, and Scott Klopfenstein, the multi-instrumentalist vocalist, and they told me everything from how the band started, to the strange string of 16 year old band members, to their love of a good nights sleep after a show.

300 comes to the big screen

300, based on the graphic novel by Sin City creator Frank Miller, has its greatest victory not by conquering Persian elephants or barbarian hordes, but by its ability to turn testosterone-soaked camaraderie and combat into stylized high art. Director Zack Snyder, who had previously undersold the powerful social commentary in his visually overwrought remake of Dawn of the Dead, crafts a powerful vision in 300 that both preserves and improves upon Millers original work.

Spring concert in review

So it was my first real rap experience. Id been to and hosted freestyle competitions in high school in Chicagoland, but rap as a genre isnt really my thing. So watching Naughty by Nature yell into their mikes for an hour wasnt exactly my cup of tea. The rest of Brandeis and the many high school-aged visitors tried really hard to get into the music, and even succeeded somewhere towards the middle of the set, but altogether the group was not really working with the crowd;

the group eventually disappeared from the stage. Vinnie and Treach, the two frontmen were interesting to watch Vinnie bouncing around, trying to enthuse, and Treach variously removing clothing and performing somewhat gymnastic feats. Treach has apparently starred in Oz, AND married (and divorced) Pepa of Salt-n-Pepa. Both Vinnie and Treach have also managed to get arrested for illegal weapons possession in Harlem, a fact trumpeted on their website. The group rejoined with its DJ Kay Gee in May 2006 and an album is rumored to be on the horizon.

Vonnegut's death end of an era

Many college students have been inspired by the strange, whimsical novels of the renowned American author Kurt Vonnegut, who just this week passed away at the age of 84. His loss is a significant one, as he was considered by many the spokesmen of a disillusioned generation that yearned for both off-kilter science fiction and political satire.

Super slashers for Friday the 13th

Today marks yet another one of those fabled Friday the 13ths– a day that has long been considered unlucky and also one which conjures images of the masked killer of the numerous Friday the 13th slasher films, Jason Voorhees. Undoubtedly, Friday the 13th is as good a day as any to view films that will scare you, as Friday the 13th is always offered on television every time the date comes up, along with other such horror staples like the Halloween series and Wes Cravens Nightmare on Elm Street series. For those of you who have already seen all of the aforementioned big three slasher films (along with their respective sequels that are generally far inferior to the original), here are some other classic, lesser known slashers that are just as mysterious, heart wrenching, and shocking that are definitely worth checking out.

Grindhouse gory and great

Grindhouse is one of the year's most widely talked about films. Splitting its time into two different segments, the film was written and directed by well known directors Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino. At 191 minutes long, you certainly get what you paid for. As the film is split into two segments, this review will do the same.

Make leggings work for you

Ugg boots and mini-skirts. Sweat shirts and leggings. Plastic beads, oversized sunglasses and side ponytails. These are the fashions that Brandeis females have been sporting recently and, despite this schools (not completely deserved) reputation for being fashion unconscious, these looks reflect current, national fashion trends. The problem with the current styles of clothing throughout fashion and, thusly, at Brandeis, is that, for many body-types, they arent flattering.

Strange But True

Man gets voted into city council with zero votes
A resident of Missouri City, Missouri, ran for City Council representative, got zero votes-and won. He didn't even vote for himself, since, as he stated at an interview, he forgot that it was election day. Apparently, everyone else did too. Fortunately for him he was running unopposed. Otherwise, it might have been a tie.

Learning about Sudan in a van: Taken for a ride

Note: some quotes in this article are paraphrases, as the person quoted has very broken English.

I hadnt intended to take a class on cultural conflict on the van ride to Brandeis from Logan Airport, but then again, I hadnt intended to be arriving at midnight, either, thanks to a seven hour flight delay.

Schedule of events for the spring open-house

* 8 to 9 a.m. Registration in Gosman Athletic Center * 9:30 a.m. Welcome * 10 a.m. Presentation: “The Academy at Brandeis” * 10:45 a.m. Forums o Parent Panel o Student Panel o Financial Aid o Open Classes o Campus Tours * Noon Lunch * 12:15 p.m. University and Student Club Fair * 1 p.m. […]

Congressman Markey to speak about global warming

U.S. Representative Ed Markey is expected to speak at Brandeis on Friday, April 13th about global warming and environmental issues. The event will also include a screening of An Inconvenient Truth, Al Gores documentary film about global warming, and an introduction by Brandeis biology and Environmental Studies professor Dan L. Perlman.

Debate team goes to nationals

The Brandeis Academic Debate and Speech Society (BADASS) will send eight students to the American Parliamentary Debate Associations (APDA) National Championships. The three-day competition is the final tournament of the season, and will be held at Vassar College from April 20 to April 22.

Brandeis tennis victorious for fourth straight time

While many Brandeis students went home over break, the mens and womens tennis teams had a long week of competitions. The men most recently competed against Salve Regina, taking the day in a close 5-to-4 exhibition. The women also had matches over break and competed against UAA rival Case Western University. The team played well, beating Case 5-0. These victories top a long list of wins,
These victories add to the string of wins that these teams have been having and improves their rankings considerably.

Prognosis for MLB 2007 season

Baseball season has finally come around again, and this year promises to be especially exciting. Barry Bonds should pass Hank Aarons home run record, and some of baseballs hottest rivalries haven risen to a whole new level. The Boston Red Sox, armed with Japanese import Daisuke Matsuzaka, have increased their payroll significantly in order to rebound from last years disappointing finish. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees look to overcome a six-year drought and win their twentieth world championship. For Alex Rodriguez, this year will determine his future as a Yankee, as he can now opt out of his massive ten year, $252 million dollar deal. As the seasons begins, here are a few predictions:

Softball team wins double header

Before the break, captain Cristina McWilliams stated that the offense got going that people would see a different Brandeis softball team. Those were not her words exactly but after the break, it is clear that this team is not to be underestimated after their latest victory, a double header sweep against UMass-Boston by lopsided totals of 11-3 in game one and 9-1 in the second game.

Israeli activist speaks on peace and human rights

Israeli activist Hana Barag spoke at Brandeis Wednesday, marking the first event sponsored by the new student-run club Students for Peace in Israel and Palestine. Barag is a member of Machsom Watch, a womens human rights organization that monitors activity at checkpoints in the West Bank.