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About The amplifier. (West Linn, Oregon) 1921-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2006)
if* 2006 13 V Entertain Yourself "Reckless" cast displays diverse talent _ C hristopher E rbin _________ Staff Reporter After following in the shadow of "Crazy For You" for nearly two months, the cast of "Reckless" finally got its chance to demonstrate the performers' natural ability to create tension, drama and laughter all in one impressive show. Although the cast was not as experienced as those selected for the fall's first production, the cast demonstrated that lack of experience is not a measurement of success. The play was the first to be performed in the new Black Box Theatre, a room of black painted walls with one step in the front to denote the presence of the stage. For this production however, the audience was the cast's . stage. Under the guidance of Annie Kaiser, director, the actors brought the story to life, as they maneuvered in between rows of seats to involve the audience. The dark and soothing setting, accompanied with the pajama costumes worn by cast members, created a warm and comfortable atmosphere. By far, the highlight of the performance was the versatile acting abilities displayed by the relatively novice cast. Madelynn Marcotte, senior, starred as a deaf cripple and teamed up with the pair of Dylan Stark, junior, as a man who has a contract taken out on his wife's life, who is played by Andra Sturtevant, sophomore. The overall cast exhibited strength for dark comedy. It was exceptionally pleasing to see high school students play characters so different from their own personalities. Sambaraan Chatterjee, senior, played a depressed drunk on the verge of committing suicide. Caitlyn Olson, sophomore, also plays a character much different from herself. In "Reckless" one of Olson's characters is a sex-obsessed psychiatrist who tries to diagnose Rachel's denial that her husband tried to kill her. "I could not be more thrilled with my cast," Kaiser said. "Every show was packed and I could tell that the audience was left wanting to see more when the show ended. All in all, I can see with confidence that it (Reckless) was a success." "Science of Sleep" balances energy, comedy HiLLI ClAVARELLO Lead actors Sambaraan Chatterjee, senior, and Andra Sturtevant, sophomore, rehearse their lines in preparation for the debut of "Reckless" which was held on Nov. 30. The play was thé first to be performed in the school's new Black Box Theatre. Photo by Cole Fiala Staff Reporter If you are tired of movies filled with immature humor or special effects that control the script, then you should definitely consider "The Science of Sleep" to clear your mind. Michel Gondry, French director of movies like "Eternal Sunshine of the MPAA assigns inconsistent ratings to movies jjPjUh is 1 liig e ssiflr________ a continued from page 3 When the film was submitted to the MPAA the first time it was issued an R rating for its nudity. The film's director then cut half a second out of the nude scene and the film was issued a PG- 13 when resubmitted. The interesting thing about the MPAA is that the movie industry existed for almost 50 years without it, the MPAA was not established until 1966. According to MPAA's website "there was a huge national outcry for some kind of regulation of film content." It was at this time that a man named Jack Valenti proposed an idea for a film ratings board; this idea then became the MPAA. With the organization established, they then created four ratings a film could receive; G, PG, R and X. These ratings were in effect until 1984 when parents groups complained that the PG-rated "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" was too intense for young children though the content was not bad enough to get an R. Out of this controversy the PG-13 rating was born. Later the MPAA changed "Reckless" cast members accomplished just what they wanted: to make a name for the actors who weren't immediately selected for the school's first musical. "One person can't make a good play, it was the effectiveness of all our different talents that made this show so special," Sturtevant said ." Basically it's been a simply amazing experience. The whole process, from the first read-through to the actual performances... It's been a truly amazing thing to be part of." the X rating to NC-17 because people began to consider the X rating to mean pornography. The irony of this is now the NC-17 rating is widely considered to be pornography and the majority of theater owners refuse to screen these films. One might ask, if all the MPAA is doing is protecting children, then what's the problem with it? My problem isn't with the goals of the MPAA but rather the actions they take to reach this goal. The ratings board of the MPAA is one of the most mysterious organizations in the world. I like to picture them as a bunch of hooded goblins who sit around a giant table and decide what's best for the children of America. According to the MPAA they are a group of concerned parents. But who are these ambiguous and unseen film raters? No one knows, the MPAA refuses to release their identities for fear that they might be manipulated into giving certain films certain ratings (someone has a pretty high opinion of themselves). Another thing that bothers me about the MPAA is the ages that accompany certain ratings. Why is a 17-year-old considered more mature than a 16-year-old by the MPAA? I have no idea. If the MPAA is all about helping parents decide what films to take their children to, then why do they have age restrictive ratings? Is the MPAA necessary? That is the ultimate question. What would happen without them? They weren't around before 1966 and last time I checked the film industry was fine. Does putting a letter or a number on a film really protect children? Or does it just make them find new and more creative ways to see these "inappropriate" films? The MPAA either needs to change their ratings or get out of town. Male pageant raises money for charity it, ............. The charities included Make a Wish, Dornbecher, LiveStrong, Kirk Spencer Foundation, Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation, American Cancer Society, Ju- venile Diabetes Research, Red Cross and the Boys and Girls Aids Society. The categories in the com- petition were formal wear, swimwear, talent and inter- view. HerweUy won followed runner up, Lewis. Lewis made the audience cry out in laughter during the swimwear competi- tion when he walked out with his phone number written on his back, The talent show included a tribute to Vanilla Ice and Tena- dous D. Merlin made a Subway sandwich in 23.5 seconds and then gave it to the judges for his talent. I. .. m m mstsSm During the ten minute in- the chance to donate money to charity and those points factored in to decide the win ner. A raffle sale for themed baskets, like an Oregon Duck gift basket or Hometown Sports basket, was also held to raise funds. by current students, faculty members, past students and community members. mmmmm WÊ&am Spotless Mind" and music videos for the likes of musicians Beck and Daft Punk, takes us into a world of imagination with his newest movie, "The Science of Sleep." Starring Gael Garcia Bernal ("Y Tu Mama Tambien," "The Motorcycle Diaries"), as the shy artist Stephane Mirroux whose dreams invade life, Gondry's film blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Set in a Paris and in the mind of the eccentric Stephane himself, its depth is balanced by its energy and comedy. Stephane moves back to Paris from Mexico, after his father dies, to stay with his distant mother who has gotten him a dull job setting type for Parisian calendars. Although his job is mundane, Stephane's life Is transformed by a beautiful neighbor, Stephanie, and he escapes pain by retreating to his dream world. Gondry, staying true to form, balances animation and live action to create a wondrous atmosphere. With animation, he creates a world for Stephane to dream, and for imagination to live. With live action he acknowledges the reality of life, with the exception of mundanity. Gondry incorporates his token awesome soundtrack with spoken narrative, orchestration and rock & roll (including a cover of Lou Reed's "If You Rescue Me"). Though characterized as a foreign film, it's spoken mostly in English but has both French and Spanish speckled throughout. It is a true testament to imagination, and definitely a movie to pick for your fall "to watch" list. y
