Vol. 11 No. 18

“I think UCB is the premier supplier of comedy

actors with chops... They are doing the type

of manic , original, inventive stuff I’m

always interested in.”- Conan o’brien

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19

7:30 PM • Rudder Theatre

Student tickets only $15!*

HURRY! Tickets increase to $20 the day of the show!

MSC Box Office979-845-1234MSCOPAS.org

mscopas

Sponsored by

Student tickets only $15!

*Student tickets available at window of MSC Box Office and by phone at 979-845-1234. Student tickets not available for purchase online. A valid Student ID is required. HURRY! Tickets increase to $20 the day of the show!

pg 4 • MAROON WEEKLY • Feb. 04, 2015 • maroonweekly.com

Album:F.E.A.R.

Album:Non-Fiction

EP:Celloverse

Album:Modern Nature

Release Date:Jan. 27, 2015




Brad Paisley Brad Paisley Brad PaisleyPapa Roach 2Cellos The Charlatans

Ne-Yo’s new album begins with a confusing monologue describing how “Non-Fiction” is complete fiction made up of true stories and, therefore, non-fiction. This leaves us wondering, wasn’t it just non-fiction in the first place?

Despite the odd intro that sounds a bit like the villain from “Princess and the Frog,” the album isn’t bad, although it isn’t enough to bring back his relevance. Ne-Yo maintains his usual sound, but he adds some new rhythm in “Coming With You,” which is less “safe and pretty,” like his other songs. There a few questionable aspects of “Non-Fiction,” like the creepy voice that introduces “Everybody Loves,” and the intro to “Run” where it sounds like Ne-Yo is trying to rap. “Story time” is the main falling point in this album. He introduces it with “boys and girls gather around, it’s story time” – extremely troubling for a song that completely centers on convincing a girl to have a threesome. The sad part is that his voice sounds great. Hopefully, this isn’t the story time he shares with his kids.

Papa Roach’s new album, “F.E.A.R.” (an acronym for Face Everything and Rise), tackles the theme of transformation, weaving stories that relay the evolution of despair into hope, and darkness into light.

The band continues to experiment with its sound. “Infest,” their first major label release back in 2000, is characterized as rap metal. “F.E.A.R.” is a hardcore rock album with a heavier sound pumped full of guitar riffs, pounding drums, and harsh, often screamed vocals. You can feel the desperation dripping from lead singer Jacoby Shaddix’ raw vocals as he pours his own emotions and miseries into the music.

Papa Roach has created a collection of songs that inspires its listeners to face their fears and find the better versions of their selves.

2Cellos is Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser, a classically trained cello duo from Croatia. One might think a cello is made for softer, slower music, but 2Cellos’ style is feverish and builds with excitement.

In a 2014 performance at Rudder Auditorium, Stjepan, the more outgoing of the two, had the entire audience laughing and standing on its feet throughout most of the show.

2Cellos plays mostly pop/rock cover songs, and it’s like hearing some of your favorite music in a faux-throwback classical symphonic spectacular. “Celloverse,” released on Jan. 27, includes “I Will Wait,” “Thunderstruck,” “Shape of My Heart,” “Wake Me Up,” “Live and Let Die,” and eight others. Check out this new album for some seriously rock-infused cello music.

Don’t be confused. This is the U.K. indie band called The Charlatans, not the American one. The group has been making music for the last 25 years and originated out of the music scene of Manchester (called Madchester) in 1988. Including their most recent album, they have had 12 releases since 1990. The Charlatans are in it for the long haul.

“Modern Nature” is soulful and brings in familiar sounds with a mixture of funk guitar and a classical organ. After losing their founding drummer to a brain tumor in 2013, the band resolved to create a more upbeat, hopeful sound in this album – they succeeded. The album is rich in feeling and reaches out to their audience in an emotional but still joyful way. Notable songs include “Come Home Baby” and “So Oh.”

By Adrianna Zampieri

By Annabeth Reeb

By Abigail Stricker By Linley McCord

Music Reviews

Ne-Yo

maroonweekly.com • Feb. 04, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 5

Album:Modern Nature

Wade Bowen, Texas Country/Red Dirt sensation, is set to perform at Harry’s on Feb. 6. Bowen hails from Waco and is an alumnus of Texas Tech University in Lubbock. He first entered the music scene with buddy Matt Miller as part of the band West 84. A 2001 band realignment had Bowen striking out alone. In 2002, he released his first album “Try Not To Listen,” which became very popular within the regional Texas music scene. Bowen’s more recent stuff, including 2012 album “The Given” and 2014 self-titled album “Wade Bowen,” has continued to boost his success to an almost national level. At least, if he’s not already there, getting there seems inevitable. Another Texas Country legend (and personal friend to Bowen), Pat Green has followed a similar trajectory in his rise to prominence.

“Wade Bowen” has been described as both allowing for a few more artsy ballads while simultaneously staying true to his country roots – perhaps less blatantly honky-tonk. “When I Woke up Today,” “West Texas Rain,” and “Honky Tonk Road” are some of the album’s more popular tracks. Because the album was released within the last few months, expect it to be showcased heavily at the concert. In addition to his unique vocals, the New York Times has described Bowen’s subtly beautiful songwriting as “graceful, with twists like small sighs.”

See Wade Bowen at Harry’s on Friday, Feb. 6. Doors open at 9pm.

Wade Bowen @ Harry’sBy Abigail Stricker

thescoop

WHAT: WADE BOWENWHERE: HURRICANE HARRY’SWHEN: FEB. 6 @ 9PM

meet the teamPUBLISHER

Chris Shepperd

BUSINESS MANAGERLeisha Shepperd

MANAGING EDITORLuke Murray

ASSISTANT EDITOR/COPYEDITINGBarbara Hosler

PHOTOGRAPHERSPeyton Boles

Lauren Howes

STAFF WRITERBrad Cox

Joshua Russell

MARKETING INTERNPeyton Boles

Ally White

WRITING INTERNSLinley McCord

Annabeth ReebAbigail Stricker

Adrianna Zampieri

DISTRIBUTIONCody Atkinson

Lindsay CoxRandy Shepperd

Maroon Weekly is an independent, publication and is not affiliated with

Texas A&M University. Maroon Weekly receives no student fees or university

funding.

Opinions are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views

and opinions of the editor, publisher or the newspaper staff. Maroon Weekly

is not liable for omissions, misprints or typographical errors. No part of this

publication may be reproduced without the express consent of the publisher.

© Copyright 2015 Campus Press LP


Exclusive Interview: The Night OwlsBy Linley McCord

An up-and-coming Motown band out of Austin, The Nightowls, is making waves in the music world and coming to the Grand Stafford Theater on Feb. 6 at 8pm. We sat down with lead vocalist Ryan Harkrider to hear about how a soul band came out of a country music state.

MW: So you’re originally out of Austin, but you play big band Motown? How did that happen?

RH: Most all of us have been playing in soul and Motown bands around Austin together in some different projects. Some of them have been Motown and soul cover bands, some original bands. I’m a songwriter, and I had all of these great players in the family, if you will. I decided that we should bring everyone together and start an original project out of our love for Motown.

MW: Did you grow up on Motown?

RH: Yeah, to some degree. Everyone grew up listening to our parents’ record collection. Most of the guys went to college to study music. I’m the only one born and raised in Austin – everyone else is a transplant. But everyone moved to Austin to play in a big band like this. It’s kind of the perfect thing for us.

MW: What is the band dynamic like? Is it constantly a party?

RH: Well, yes. We have a really good infrastructure. We’re very organized and very clear about

where we’re going and how we’re going to get there. The margin for errors is very large, but when you get everyone moving in the same direction, that is huge for us. At the end of the day, we’ve got 10 people who are family. At this point, we spend almost 50 percent of our time together. We’re in a van, we’ve got a gig, and we’re doing whatever – together. We’re playing four days out of the week together. It’s been a really amazing thing because we are a family, and we love each other, and we don’t have a whole lot of disagreements. All that said, the horns section is wacky. Like, post-gig van rides can turn into a 3-hour, 90-song singalong. It can get a little crazy.

MW: Were you at all nervous about being received in such a country music state?

RH: You would think that it would be difficult for anybody that’s not country to be successful. We’ve got the element of surprise with us. We have three horns, three vocalists – we’re kind of striking. The live show is a thing to be seen for sure. But there’s something about soul music that is multi-generational, and everyone loves it. It’s about feeling good. It’s about dancing, about having a good time. It’s all about getting people to dance more. It’s easy for us to help people have a good time. We are confident in who we are and what we do. We’ve been doing it for three years. Our record came out last year, and from there it has been nothing but good things. At this point, we feel confident about who we are and what we’re doing. I know the people will enjoy the live show and enjoy the record.


thescoop

WHAT: THE NIGHT OWLSWHERE: GRAND STAFFORD THEATERWHEN: FEB. 6 @ 8PM

MW: What would you consider to be your most exciting achievement as a band?

RH: Sure. Probably, at this point, playing ACL. I’m from Austin – born and raised. I’ve been playing music my whole life and have been in a band since high school. I’ve been doing this now for upwards of 15 years. My personal goal from day one has been to play ACL. And I’ve been going to ACL as a patron for six or seven years now. Every year, I go and see these shows, and I sweat because it’s September. But I’m always thinking that I want to be on that stage. It was a big personal victory and honor that my band got asked to be in the lineup. That was big for us.

MW: Looking back on that, what are you looking forward to in 2015?

RH: We’re doing a couple first things. Two weeks ago we played at the House of Blues in Chicago. It was a packed crowd and we were playing at this amazing venue. That was fun. We’re looking forward to our record coming out in September – it’ll be our second album – because last August we got in a van and drove out to FAME Studios. But it’s basically where some of the famous soul albums were made. The studio is still there, and all the guys who played in the house band for those albums are still alive. So we called them all up and made a pilgrimage to the mecca of soul music. We cut the album in three days, filmed a little documentary film, and we’ve been working on that for the last few months. It comes out this September. We are also probably going on our first national tour this September.

MW: Which bands did you want to model your own band off of?

RH: A lot of bands. We were pretty clear about our inspiration. One of our songs is homage to the Jackson 5. Another one is homage to Wilson Picket. We were very intentional about doing a song from that era. On a broader scale of inspiration, we listened to Stevie Wonder, Pat Green, Bill Rivers, Aretha Franklin, of course. Yeah, all of those.

MW: So why did you choose to come to the BCS area?

RH: We’ve heard a lot of good things about the Grand Stafford Theater. Our band is built for parties and big events, and there are a lot of college students there. I think you guys are going to fall in love with the band, and, likewise, I think we’re going to fall in love with the town.


MSC Opas Presents Guys and DollsBy Adrianna Zampieri

“Guys and Dolls,” the “perfect musical comedy,” is coming to College Station for a performance on Feb. 7 at Rudder Auditorium. This romantic comedy follows the journey of four unique and eccentric characters: Nathan Detroit, the manager of an illegal crap game; Miss Adelaide, showgirl and Nathan’s fiancée of 14 years; Sister Sarah Brown, a puritanical woman determined to reform sinners; and Sky Masterson, a high-rolling gambler who bets that he can make Sarah fall in love with him. Ticket prices range from $30 to $70 and are available for purchase at the MSC Box Office. Showtime is 7:30pm.

We sat down with the director, Jeffery B. Moss, to get the inside scoop on both the production and his career.

MW: As an award-winning director, you have accomplished a lot, but what was your inspiration for pursing this career? How did you develop this passion?

JM: It seems I was always interested in what was happening on the stage. I had an aunt who claimed she discovered Ethel Merman, so the stories about show business were part of my childhood. I started in the business as a designer – set and costumes. I did theatre and TV. It gave me a very specific way of looking at scripts and production and I learned just how important collaboration with other "creatives" was to the success of a show. Eventually, I began directing and still find my design sense very useful in visualizing what I am about to put on the stage.

MW: Do you have any advice for those wanting to break into the theatre industry? Maybe some advice that you wish you had been told when you first started?

JM: I wish someone had told me how hard this business is, or someone had made me listen to that advice! Would I have turned to something else? No way. But, like in most careers, you need to have a deep passion for what you do in order to get past the many stumbling blocks that need to be overcome. MW: Being a director means that you have to ensure the quality and unity of a theater production. How much work does that involve, especially with one that tours around the country? Have there been any funny behind the scenes moments while preparing for “Guys and Dolls”?

JM: Pre-production work is crucial for any show that I do. Finding the choreographers, musical directors and designers that will understand my vision and help put it on the stage is very important. Making sure that it all can work in the many different theaters the show will play must be part of this as well. Everyone needs to be on the same page. And, of course, the exploration and discovery of the script and music that happens in the casting process is vital – and exciting! Finding actors who can deliver the material in the right style is the cornerstone to the success of any show. And knowing that the actors can make the kind of choices I need helps me shape the show as we progress in rehearsal. Also, choosing actors who will travel

maroonweekly.com • Jan. 28, 2015 •MAROON WEEKLY • pg 9

thescoop

WHAT: GUYS AND DOLLSWHERE: RUDDER AUDITORIUMWHEN: FEB. 7 @ 7:30PM

well between shows is crucial to keeping the energy and enthusiasm needed each night in each new city.

Funny? Well, almost everything is funny in "Guys and Dolls"! Even in the serious scene in the Save-A-Soul Mission where Sky Masterson points out to Sarah Brown that she has misquoted the Bible. When we first rehearsed this scene, the actor playing Sky put his finger on a page in the Bible to show her the correct quote. Knowing that Sarah would be embarrassed and angry by this, the actress playing Sarah slammed the book shut on his finger. He was surprised and I think his finger hurt, too! It gave all of us a big laugh. But, we kept it in … and now the audiences laugh as well. I'm hoping that Sky's finger will heal. MW: What would you say separates "Guys and Dolls" from other productions? What makes it sparkle above the rest?

JM: Sparkle? Well it does, indeed. I think the seamless blend of a brilliant book and wonderful songs makes this show very, very enjoyable. These are lovable characters we can laugh at and feel for at the same time. Yes, it's all about gamblers and crap games, but it has a lovable innocence about it that audiences have applauded since the opening night in 1950. It is a clever mixing and matching of two love stories where opposites attract, and, as in all fables, these characters make sweet and important discoveries about themselves - just in time for the final song. We call it a classic because it is; unforgettable characters, world class songs and lots of laughs! That puts a sparkle in everyone's eyes!



Everyone knows Valentine’s Day is a special day for girls and boys who are gushing over their significant others or crushing on someone secret. For those of you that got turned down, turned someone else down, or never got asked, we invite you to celebrate in a different way.

For the Bitter: Breakups before Valentine’s Day can be challenging. You don’t have time to find a new valentine, and you are still stuck on your ex. But don’t worry. There’s an anti-Valentine for that. San Francisco Zoo is offering a giant hairy scorpion and a hissing cockroach as the perfect gift. Just like your typical “adopt an animal” donation, you can pay $50, which supports the real invertebrates, and send a wonderful little stuffed scorpion and cockroach to your ex to say how you really feel. The zoo claims, “Nothing soothes the sting like the adoption of a giant hairy scorpion in honor of your former beloved.” It’s a win-win, helping the environment and your heart!

For the Lonely: Honestly, who needs a valentine when you can have something even better? This anti-Valentine will do everything a real one can, like sit and watch a movie, cuddle or listen. But even better, it won’t complain. Take the money you saved by

not buying an expensive dinner and gift and go to Walgreens for one of their life-sized teddy bears. Nothing sooths a lonely heart like a cute stuffed animal from your childhood.

For the Proud: You don’t need another person to take you to dinner. In fact, you probably turned a few invites down.

The anti-Valentine’s Day for you is the Parks and Recreation series episode, “Galentine’s Day.” Forget the guys, and head over to someone’s house for wine, storytelling and games. You’d be surprised how many girls are looking for something to do on Valentine’s Day, just like you. This way, you can watch The Notebook without the tears because you won’t be alone after all.

Don’t worry boys. There’s a cure for you, too. For a Bro Valentine’s Day all you have to do is everything you’d do any other night. Except this time, calculate all the money you didn’t

spend on girls (flowers, dinner, presents) and put it in a pile. When you and your friends add it all up, you’ll have enough money for some beer, pizza and a new video game.

For the Restless: Who wants to sit down at a dinner table when you could be on Northgate? Not you, that’s for sure. A drinking game is your perfect anti-Valentine’s Day. Go to any bar (the more popular the better) and find a

seat. Every time anyone holds hands, kisses, or says happy Valentine’s Day, take a shot. Warning, you’ll have to cut yourself off at some point. Even anti-Valentine’s Day can have a bad ending – so drink responsibly. Happy hating!

Valentine’s Day for the Bitter, Lonely, Proud and RestlessBy Annabeth Reeb

pg 12 • MAROON WEEKLY • Feb. 04, 2015 • maroonweekly.compg 26 • MAROON WEEKLY • January 29, 2014 • maroonweekly.compg 28 | maroonweekly.com | 01.23.13THINK


dance music theatre visual art

I t ’s Time For Texas A&M

It’s Time For

For more information, call [email protected] v academyarts.tamu.eduw w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / AV PA a t TA M U

Tickets $5 Students, $10 General AdmissionAvailable at the MSC Box Office

Call 979.845.1234

The Ac

ademy

for the

Visual

& Perfo

rming

Arts

Black Violin

Thursday, February 12, 20157 PM in Texas A&M

Rudder Theatre

Combine the awe of classical violin music with modern tunes and a splash of incredible creativity, and the result is Black Violin. Kevin “Kev Marcus” Sylvester and Wilner “Wil B” Baptiste are two extraordinarily talented men who have successfully meshed pop culture with a violin.

The two have been playing orchestral violin since their high school days in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and after graduating from college, they returned home to work in studios to showcase their talents. Their high school graduation was 10 years ago, and they have not stopped making jaws drop since.

Locally and globally acclaimed, the pair has performed at inaugural balls, even receiving a handshake and a hug from President Obama. They have traveled to South Africa and Prague and performed at Super Bowls and a U.S. Open golf championship. They have played with an astounding number of pop artists, collaborating with everyone from Kanye West to The Eagles.

Backdrop recordings of beats, raps, soul music, and spin table sounds accompany their classical sound, which adds even another layer to the sheer talent and musical ears these two men possess. While initially surprising that a violin is not the only instrument played, it is definitely the focus of each piece. Everything in the background simply enhances the music of the men and their violins.

With a heart for others, particularly kids, Wil B and Kev aim to be an example to young men and women who face the choice of being pulled into street life versus picking up an instrument or another hobby. Conquering difficult life circumstances is a tune that they are well versed in.

“Black Violin is about overcoming your obstacles and staying strong,” writes Wil B on the duo’s website.

That is the message Black Violin tries to convey with their music. From rock to Bach, they are succeeding at drawing quite an audience. Come out and see them on Feb. 12 at 7pm for a night to remember.

thescoop

WHAT: BLACK VIOLINWHERE: RUDDER THEATREWHEN: FEB. 12 @ 7:00PM

By Linley McCord

Black Violin @ Rudder Theatre


James Morrison, famous for his role as Bill Buchanan on the hit Fox TV series “24,” is coming to College Station to appear in “In the Heat of the Night” (based on the novel by John Ball). We sat down with Morrison to talk about his experience with “24,” his success in other areas and with show business in general, and his experience working on “In the Heat of the Night.” See the show Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 7:30pm in Rudder Theatre. Expect a slice of life in the 1960s where the civil rights movement and integration tensions abound. Tickets available through the MSC Box Office.

MW: You’ve been involved with many shows, movies, documentaries, etc. Does a specific project stand out especially to you? Do you have a favorite medium of performance, or are all forms equally appealing to you?

JM: I have many favorites. Of course, it’s hard to pick just one or even a few, but the ones that stand out of course are the ones that were the most collaborative, where everyone puts the story’s needs before their own and lets their personal needs take a backseat to what the story demanded. It’s my favorite way to work for obvious reasons.

I love working on the stage, within sight and sound of the audience, because that – of all of them – is the actor’s medium. And the work we do, the ritual of the exchange between audience and storyteller doesn’t really exist without that contact. It’s a very intimate exchange and can be life altering for audience and performer alike. It’s one of the strengths of our production of “In the Heat of the Night.” I think the audience really feels like collaborators in the process. I know we feel that way while doing it.

MW: You’ve even worked in music as well, showcasing your ability to tap into nearly all areas

of performance that you could have. Other than raw talent, what would you say has been the key having so much success in all of your ventures?

JM: Well, success is subjective, I think. And the definition of it changes, as we do as artists. Our egos’ needs dictate one form of it – our financial needs, our needs as a creative vessel or channeler of what is out there for us to access. Our self-esteem changes through our work and sense of accomplishment, just as it does through the various reactions to it, or lack of reactions. I’d have to say that the process of working on something until you feel it’s exactly right, or until you’re so prepared you feel you cannot get it wrong, is still the most satisfying. But then that isn’t really clear until you share it, right? Again, it doesn’t really exist until we share it. So the test question becomes “did we do the work that required us to be successful?” It’s always about the work.

MW: You spent five years playing Bill Buchanan, Counter Terrorist Unit director, on Fox’s hit TV show “24.” Tell us a little bit about that experience, what it meant to your career, and what you did or didn’t enjoy about working on such a high profile and successful project.

JM: “24” was a gift, no doubt about it. I’m grateful for every minute of it. I learned a lot from everyone I worked with and will always treasure it. It was the first time I was invited to play a character that long and feel like I had a hand in creating beyond what were simply words on the page.

MW: Finally, you’re playing Chief Gillespie in the live show based on John Ball’s novel “In the Heat of the Night.” Tell us a little bit about this show, your role in it, and what it’s been like to work on this project.

Exclusive Interview: James MorrisonBy Abigail Stricker


JM: I have a 30-year connection to L.A. Theatre Works and when this opportunity came I leapt at the chance to reconnect. Gillespie is an American archetype that shows us how hard it is to break out of the racism we were raised with. It’s in our country’s DNA. Changes don’t happen over night – and this is a long night, isn’t it? But they also don’t happen unless we recognize they need to happen and apply ourselves to the task. It’s not easy. No one said it would be. But we can’t ignore it.

The best part of it for me is the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act. Much of our audience was not alive during that time. In fact, much of our cast wasn’t even born in 1964, so we’re helping introduce a whole generation to part of America’s history that should never be forgotten, and a transition toward equality for all under the law that should always be celebrated, and that we should continue to promote and encourage. For instance, there are still Americans who cannot marry the person they love, their rights are being denied for reasons that have nothing to do with them, based on prejudices, preconceptions and dogma. I think it’s our responsibility as human beings to make sure no one is denied rights that we have ourselves based on our prejudices. As Lincoln said, “Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves.”

thescoop

WHAT: IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHTWHERE: RUDDER THEATREWHEN: FEB. 10 @ 7:30PM


LIVE MUSIC CALENDAR

www.bcslive365.comfacebook.com/bcslive365twitter.com/BCSLive365

February 5 - February 11

Looking for some family-friendly fun?

Historic Downtown Bryan will be hosting an all-day event on Saturday, Feb. 7, to celebrate the beginning of Mardi Gras! Starting at 10am, there will be a host of activities for people of all ages.

Feeling artsy? Kids will love the face-painting booth at the Palace Theater. Embrace your inner artist and decorate your own Mardi Gras mask at the Purple Turtle or the Frame Gallery from 10am to 4pm.

Feeling hungry? Satisfy your taste buds and devour some authentic King Cake at the Brazos Glassworks or the Jim.n.i. Boutique. Indulge your sweet tooth and pick up some mask-shaped or crown-shaped shortbread cookies from the Chocolate Gallery. Visit the Baby Love Boutique for some tangy Cajun party mix and refreshing sweet tea.

Feeling celebratory? Join the walking parade that departs at 5pm from the Palace Theater and stroll along the sidewalks of Downtown Bryan while tossing beads and enjoying the music. Greg Tivis and his N’Awlins jazz band will be leading the parade. Also, from 6-8pm, Greg Tivis and his band will put on a concert at the Palace Theater.

Feeling tired after a long day of nonstop fun? Put your feet up, sit back and relax during a horse and carriage ride that will be offered at the courtyard of the LaSalle Hotel from 2-6pm. Cost: $30 for 1-4 people.

No matter what you choose, be ready to be overwhelmed by the sparkle of sequins, the clinking of beads, and the tickle of feathers.

For more information regarding this event, visit facebook.com/mardigrasindowntownbryan

Mardi Gras Day in Downtown BryanBy Adrianna Zampieri


RUEBEN MARTINEZ

I don’t really hate Valentine’s Day. But there are high expectations.

ABIGAIL GIEGER

I do like it. Except the preconceived notion that if you don’t have someone, that you are forever alone. My brother says it’s a greeting card holiday.

COOPER THOMPSON

Reminds people, guess what, you’re alone. I guess they don’t like that, but I don’t hate it.

NANA OFORI

The people who go on Instagram and Twitter and complain about not having someone to spend Valentine’s

Day with when they have friends and family.

CARLOS ALVAREZ

The price for stuffed animals goes up.

What is something you hate about Valentine’s Day?


GOAT SIMULATOR - BY ANNABETH REEBOne of the newest goat-related video games, “Goat Simulator,” has added an entire new goat city, new goats and a “lickable” helicopter! If you like mixing fighting and barnyard fun, this game is for you. From a Call of Duty-like perspective, you steer your goat toward potential threats such as other goats or crates. Then, you have a few choices: you can lick, charge or jump on bystanders. After the first few knockouts (don’t worry, they get right up), your goat changes colors to a darker, scarier goat. You also have the option to turn into a spider goat, a penguin (classy goat), a giraffe (tall goat), or a goat with a jet pack. We didn’t get far enough to discover all available goat alter egos, but it seemed promising. All in all, the app is everything it claims to be. Don’t buy it hoping for anything else but mindless goat violence.

TIMELINE - BY ABIGAIL STRICKER“Timeline – News in Context” is an interesting new app that aims to eliminate some of the confusion in news stories. It’s easy enough to find breaking news stories, but they can be confusing without context. “Timeline” gives you that context. When you click on a current news story, it delivers the typical news coverage you’d expect but also a timeline of all relevant events and articles, though some users have complained that the timelines can be a bit long. On the plus side, you can just scroll through and pick out whatever relates to what you’re lacking in context. “Timeline” covers it all: front page, U.S., world, technology, business, politics and policy, science and environment, health, sports, culture, and entertainment. The app is well designed with a professional, sleek look. If you’re interested in a little deeper meaning to go with your news coverage, check it out.

GIBBON - BY ADRIANNA ZAMPIERIDo you have a top of the line camera but haven’t figured out how to take stunning, professional photographs? Have you always wanted to write a book about that one idea that’s been bouncing around in your head for months but don’t quite know where to start? Do you find yourself aimlessly gazing up at the stars in the night sky but have no clue about the mythology behind the ancient constellations?

If any of that applies to you, or you’re just curious by nature, then download “Gibbon: Playlists for Learning.” This application provides collections of articles and videos organized into various categories, including photography, writing, science and programming. For those who want to find shortcuts that make life easier and more efficient, there’s a “life hacking” playlist. You can also create custom playlists to save all your favorite information in one place.

With “Gibbon,” all of this knowledge goes where you go, and it’s accessible with just the touch of your finger.

pg 18 • MAROON WEEKLY • Dec. 10, 2014 • maroonweekly.com

BATTERY DOCTOR - BY RACHEL PICKERINGDoes your phone die when you least expect it? You deserve to know when your phone is about to RIP, and you can do so by downloading Battery Doctor. The app can extend your battery life up to 50% by monitoring and regulating your phone’s power consumption.

The app finds other apps and settings that drain power on your phone. It’ll provide you detailed battery information, and the info will allow you to make proper adjustments to your phone. In addition, the memory scan and junk clean up will help you save extra space by cleaning and deleting clutter. (Before deleting anything, you have the option of setting your preferences so only certain files/folders will be scanned for clean up.)

Battery Doctor also tells users how long your battery will last under a variety of situations. For example, if you are playing a game on your phone, it will let you know how much power the game is using. The app also keeps a log of how often you fully charge your phone and what features you can turn on/off to extend the battery life.

HANX WRITER - BY CONNIE SONGClickity, clack, clack. Fueled by his love for the typewriter, Tom Hanks (yes, Forrest Gump himself) developed Hanx Writer, an app that mimics old-school typing machines. Yes, there was a reason why the typewriter went away, but the cons of the machine were taken into consideration and modified for this app. For instance, you can now delete your typos and go back and edit your horrible grammar instead of having a document covered Xs. However, if you’re a fan of the Xs, there’s an option to have them, too. In addition, you can also export documents you’ve typed with the app. Hanx Writer can also be used in other apps if you’re solely using the app for the sounds (which is pretty nostalgic, but some people can’t write without them).

ZEN SHOPPING - BY DANIELLA DELGADOWant to make holiday shopping a breeze? With Zen Shopping, you can have your own personal shopping assistant straight on your phone. It has a variety of features to make your online shopping experience simple and expedient. Among these features are a price comparison calculator, where Zen automatically recognizes the product you’re looking for and searches other stores to find the most affordable option. Zen also automatically provides you with the best coupons for the store you are shopping at prior to checkout.

Zen notifies you of deals tailored to your shopping interests. The app also has a package tracking feature, so you can keep track of the delivery status of all your precious merchandise. Avoid the long lines and crazy crowds and do all of your shopping from the comfort of your own phone with Zen Shopping this holiday season.

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maroonweekly.com • Feb. 04, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 19866.973.5389

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In the midst of a war-torn world, Nazi Germany has created an unbreakable code to send messages to effectively take out the Allied forces. The code, called the Enigma, has Britain’s best minds haggling over potential meanings with a Cinderella deadline of midnight before the code changes again the next day. Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a mathematical prodigy who accepts the challenge of breaking Enigma.

Cumberbatch is arguably most famous for his compelling role as the socially impaired, but completely brilliant, Sherlock Holmes on the BBC. If you have ever seen “Sherlock,” you have a pretty good idea how Cumberbatch portrays Turing. Don’t expect gleeful smiles or vibrant facial expressions. The main difference between the Turing and Sherlock characters is that Turing is more of a weeper.

“The Imitation Game” jumps between three different time eras, two of which are within three years of each other. This was confusing because there was no obvious change in time other than clothes and setting, which happens in all productions regardless of time passing. Another somewhat disorienting aspect of the film was sporadic voiceovers explaining what was already obvious. Helpful at times, but it could also be distracting.

Overall, it was compelling and engaging. While there were times when some scenes could have been shortened, the feeling of desperation to crack the code remained throughout. In addition to the general plot, the characters were relatable. Disappointingly, though, Keira Knightly performs well but only has a secondary role to the real star, Cumberbatch.

The most notable surprise was the intense homosexual undertones throughout the film. While parts of it added to the depiction of a misunderstood individual, Alan Turing, there were other parts that were just too political. That would have been far more understandable and enhanced the film’s overall mood if it had been about Alan Turing’s life. However, if “The Imitation Game” was about breaking an unbreakable German code…

Director Morten Tyldum has directed pictures such as “Headhunters” (2011) and “Buddy” (2003), neither of which seem to be the mental and emotional grippers that “The Imitation Game” is. But those movies didn’t cast big names such as Cumberbatch and Knightly either.

Drama (PG-13)

The Imitation Game Netflix

“Amanda Knox” follows the true story of American student Amanda Knox who is accused of murdering British student Meredith Kercher. Hayden Panettiere, who has a history of playing convicted murderers on “Law and Order,” portrays Knox in the 2011 film. This movie is especially relevant today because Knox is scheduled to stand trial in March for the third time in Italy for Kercher’s murder.

Knox leaves the United States to attend school in Perugia, Italy, and finds a flat with three other girls attending school, including her roommate Meredith Kercher. She quickly finds love in Italy, every girl’s dream, until the love turns into a nightmare when Kercher’s body is found raped and murdered. Knox and her newfound boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, become the prime suspects.

Panettiere plays the confused and anxious college student well, but she is even better at keeping her role objective. Like a crime show, the film unravels evidence and questions witnesses. The difference is we never really know what happens, and neither do the actors. The film does a good job of portraying events in an unbiased way, and even though it is an American film, it does not tilt toward Knox being innocent or guilty. It focuses on the faults in the Italian judicial system, and rightfully so.

The movie wasn’t a masterpiece by any means, but it did the job of informing viewers about one of the most controversial trials in recent history. The Italian court has little to no evidence that Knox is guilty – it’s not that she isn’t suspicious – but they are able to convict her anyway. There is no jury of her peers, no “smoking gun.” Overall, the movie is an interesting portrayal of what happens when you get caught in a foreign courtroom.

Amanda KnoxMurder on Trial in Italy

By Linley McCord

By Annabeth Reeb

maroonweekly.com • Jan. 21, 2015 • MAROON WEEKLY • pg 21

Across1 Cartoon character with blond hair6 Glove material11 2002 Olympics host, briefly14 Bush Supreme Court appointee15 Central Florida city16 When doubled, a guitar effect17 Movie about a road trip spent filling up the car?19 End of a tongue?20 Former Turkish title21 Constricted23 $, for short24 “Father of Modern Philosophy” Descartes28 For-profit university founded in 193129 Movie that clears up why Brits pronounce a letter differently?33 Wired component?34 Prefix before hedron or gon35 Conductor ___-Pekka Salonen36 Movie about booting the laptop again?39 Flatow who hosts NPR’s “Science Friday”41 Coffee coast of Hawaii42 “Stop, matey!”46 Movie focusing on flies in the ointment?49 “Good Times” actress Esther50 A long, long time51 With it52 Patronize, as a hotel54 “Dreamgirls” character ___ White (hidden in SHEFFIELD)57 Michael Jackson hit off “Thriller”58 Movie that follows an unwelcome school outbreak?63 David Allan ___64 Take the penalty65 Pearl gatherer66 Alpine country, for short67 Abalone-shell liner68 Swordfight souvenirs

Down1 “Macbeth” trio member2 Goes by3 Totals the total?4 Rides for the back country, for short5 2014 Russell Crowe epic6 Hawaii’s Mauna ___7 Get busy8 Mai ___ (bar order)9 SpaceX CEO Musk10 1980 hit for Olivia Newton-John11 Yanks the wheel12 Former Dodgers manager Tommy13 Granola bar option18 “Is this your ___?”22 Set aside23 “Miami Vice” weapon25 Transition zone between two plant communities26 “Sorry, that’s impossible”27 Get on board30 With respect to hearing31 Born with the name of32 Like some chances37 Calypso cousin38 ___ in “Edward”39 “Copy that”40 Tells, as a story43 Ambitious-sounding Oldsmobile model44 Stanley ___ (rental carpet cleaner brand)45 Unit of meas. that’s often leveled47 Close up securely48 Fraction of a fraction of a min.49 UK humane org. (anagram of CRAPS)53 Funny Fey55 Passing crazes56 Abbr. in a bank window59 300, in Roman numerals60 Afr. neighbor61 “___ you for real?”62 1999 and 2015

2015 Jonesin’ Crosswords ([email protected])


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Aggies Feeling Highs and Lows as Spring Sports Fire UpBy Brad CoxSeasonal changes in Texas can be unpredictable, and so it is with the start of Texas A&M spring sports. The men’s and women’s basketball teams are streaking in different directions. At the same time, the men’s and women’s swimming teams are both enjoying success while approaching the SEC Championship. Without warning, the baseball team is scrambling after a pre-season injury took out a promising prospect. This sports roller coaster is just getting started!

BasketballThe A&M men’s basketball team earned votes in both the Associated Press Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Polls following a 67-61 victory at Tennessee on Jan. 24 – its fourth straight since taking No. 1 Kentucky to two overtimes in a 70-64 loss. The Aggies earned some buzz as a potential NCAA Tournament team after beating Auburn 71-61 on Jan. 27.

But while the loss to national title favorite Kentucky has been the men’s only game against a ranked opponent, the women’s team has struggled in recent weeks against a bevy of ranked foes.

The women were ranked No. 4 when they lost to rival Texas 67-65 in December and have steadily moved down the

rankings ever since, with losses to No. 7 Tennessee (81-58), No. 22 Georgia (54-51) and No. 1 South Carolina (79-61) since opening SEC play.

To make matters worse, the women’s team will likely get just one more chance to beat a ranked conference foe – Feb. 8 at Mississippi State – before the SEC Tournament in March.

SwimmingA&M men’s and women’s swimmers had three members earn weekly SEC honors after a dual sweep of LSU on Jan. 24.

Senior team captain Luke Shaw was the SEC men’s Swimmer of the Week, Mauro Castillo was the men’s Freshman of the Week, and Béryl Gastaldello was the women’s Freshman of the Week. Shaw dominated with wins in the 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly events, and swam the third leg of the winning 200 freestyle relay team.

Freshman Castillo won the 100 breaststroke and the 200 breaststroke – setting a new school record in the 200 breastroke with a time of 1:55.65 – and helped swim the Aggies to a win in the 400 medley relay.

Gastaldello won the 100 backstroke, pushed the 400 medley

relay and 200 freestyle relay teams to victories, and placed third in the 200 individual medley.

BaseballAnticipation of Aggie baseball’s quickly approaching opening game has taken a blow by a pre-season injury suffered by sophomore southpaw Tyler Stubblefield.

TexAgs reported that the Lufkin native tore his ACL during a scrimmage on Jan. 24 and will be out for at least three months. He’ll miss the season-opening series against Holy Cross on Feb. 13-15 at Blue Bell Park, as well as much of the regular season.

Stubblefield was the team’s midweek starter as a freshman but was thrust into the spotlight when he threw a complete game in a 3-2 victory over rival Texas in an elimination game of the Houston Regional. Eleven of Stubblefield’s 17 appearances last year were starts and he had a 4-2 record with a 3.81 ERA – second on the team among the regular starters – and a team second-best 61 strikeouts.

He was expected to join Grayson Long as a weekend starter this year after staff ace Daniel Mengden left for the pros and Sunday starter Parker Ray exhausted his eligibility.

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