Wednesday
March 1st , 2006
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Opinion
I'd like to flank the academy
By Jason Satek - Columnist
This very weekend, the most worthwhile (my opinion) of the art form award shows, the Academy Awards or Oscars, takes place. It will be the 78th edition of the show, but keeping with a tradition, which I came across years ago (Oscars = female Super Bowl), I will call it LXXVIII.
Because I fear that this might be another one of those wacky years, I am going to provide my very own “Big 6” template for this Sunday, though I’m certainly not going to every beat Roger Ebert.
Actor, Lead–Funny story, I’ve seen four of the five films nominating a gent, but would give the gold to the one I haven’t seen. Joaquin Phoenix and Heath Ledger were OK, but I never got a sense that they weren’t acting. Terrence Howard was passable, but his “nice pimp” character seemed a bit contrived. He was better in “Crash,” though he wouldn’t be a lead.
My sleeper pick would be David Strathairn, whom I know very well from multiple John Sayles movies, but something about his playing a real person with recorded mannerisms implies unintentional exaggeration, so I would give it to Philip Seymour Hoffman sight unseen, as he seems to have found his role of a lifetime (See Foxx, Jamie).
Actor, Supporting–Thinner ice here, having seen three of five. Jake Gyllenhaal did little for me, and was carried by Ledger. Love William Hurt, but didn’t see it (though he has won in the past). Clooney winning would be a big marker for the “Year of the Political Film” run, but I don’t think so. Likely to go to Paul Giamatti (son of the former baseball commissioner), cause everybody seems to like him, though Matt Dillon would be my choice.
Actress, Lead–Big trouble here, having seen only one of the five, though something tells me I saw the right one. Reese Witherspoon was very good, and with “Walk the Line” getting stiffed in the Best Picture Category and Phoenix looking like a long shot, it’s here or nowhere; I say here.
Actress, Supporting–Ever since Judi Dench won in this category with an eight-minute performance in “Shakespeare in Love” (Best Cameo Oscar?), I’ve had trouble treating it seriously. Michelle Williams has gotten all the press, but I thought Anne Hathaway was better and she isn’t even nominated. Rachel Weisz was good if angelic and Frances McDormand has won before. That leaves Amy Adams and Catherine Keener. “Capote” times two?
Best Director–Four of five for me, but hands down Ang Lee. The man who made such disparate films as “The Ice Storm” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” rebounds from “The Hulk” and stakes a claim on “Mountain.”
Best Picture–Four of five again, and it isn’t very close. “Crash,” at times, feels like a second draft of a bad cliché–driven crime drama, but tended to by the most deliberate of contrarians. Not a particularly feel-good, or even morality piece, it has numerous unheralded actors slamming into one of the remaining frontiers of society. It doesn’t have actual historical bona fides, like “Brokeback Mountain,” but seems sleeker than its competition. “BBM” has become a cultural shorthand, and doesn’t need the second act booster rocket.
Does winning make that big a deal? People seem to think so. Tom Cruise (yes, he is odd) was robbed in 1999 by Michael Caine. Clive Owen was robbed last year by Morgan Freeman (playing the same type character as in “Shawshank Redemption,” “Se7en” and “Unforgiven”) and seems untraumatized. Life goes on (as long as “Wallace and Gromit” wins).
Why the Olympic fever made me ill
By Ron Felten - Columnist
As we’re easing out of winter and into spring, it seems as though nearly everyone has come down with some variation of influenza. So far, I’ve been lucky and have managed to avoid catching any viruses; unfortunately, that doesn’t mean I haven’t been “sick.”
The other day, as I was visiting my parents, I caught my dad watching figure skating. And he was into it. What’s worse, he had the DVR set to record women’s curling. While I was certainly glad to not have the flu, I definitely could have vomited.
What is it about the winter months, particularly the Olympics, that makes otherwise hardcore football and hockey fans want to declare pretty much everything a sport? Perhaps it’s because there’s only so much “competing” one can do in snow and on ice but, really, we have to start drawing the line somewhere.
The 2006 Olympic Winter Games wrapped up this week and I for one could not care less. If anything, I’m a little thrilled. Now, I know that’s not very patriotic of me and that I should show some pride and cheer on my fellow countrymen but, no matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to make myself care about who wins a little piece of gold on the end of a ribbon.
Honestly, though, what’s with this curling? When (and, more importantly, why) did the act of fast sweeping become an Olympic-level sport. And this ice dancing? Are we serious?
I think it’s about time someone sets forth a list of guidelines, more or less, on what is and isn’t considered a sport. (And, of course, I’m happy to oblige.)
First, in order to be considered a sport, any activity one participates in must principally consist of something more than steering. Steering is easy – we all do it almost every day. Which major “sports” are affected by this rule: NASCAR (even though it’s not in the Olympics now, I can almost guarantee that some Larry the Cable Guy devotee will make the request soon), bobsledding and the luge.
Second, if you can wear a dress or tuxedo during the competition, you’re not participating in a sport. Yes, I’m referring here to ice dancing, which is essentially ballroom dance but on figure skates. Not only that, but the contestants aren’t even allowed to design all of their own routines; in the “flamenco medley,” for example, all couples must perform the same steps.
Third, you must break a sweat during your event for it to be considered a sport. (In my version of the Olympics, someone would be testing for this after you compete.) And, if the duration of your “run” isn’t long enough for this to happen, the track must be made at least four times as long. If, by chance, you can’t meet this fourth requirement (if you’re a ski jumper, for example), you still may be able to qualify by following the next step.
Fourth, there must always be the possibility of broken limbs. If you can’t get hurt doing it, chances are it’s not a sport. Again, I’m looking at you, curling teams.
So, let’s recap. The Olympics might possibly be worth watching if a) something that actually mattered was on the line, b) it consisted of real sports and c) if there weren’t more important things happening in the world (like – oh, I don’t know – pretty much everything else).
Counselor's Corner
By Courtney Bailey - Counseling Center GA
For most people, sadness happens every once in a while and then it lifts and they feel better again.
However, for about 18.8 million adults sadness occurs frequently, intensely and painfully. Depression is a difficult and powerful force that can overtake one’s life and leave them feeling helpless and hopeless. Unfortunately, sometimes when the effects of depression become too overwhelming people contemplate suicide. Suicide is a scary and permanent solution to a temporary problem. Depression is treatable!
Counseling offers ways for people suffering from depression to learn ways to cope with depression. Through counseling, people with depression can learn what aspects of their life may be contributing to and exacerbating the symptoms of depression and learn how to solve or improve those aspects.
Negative thinking can also aggravate depressive symptoms and contribute to feelings of hopelessness and helplessness. Counseling can also help alleviate these symptoms and teach new, positive and hopeful thinking patterns.
Most importantly, counseling offers the opportunity to be heard and validated. Depression is a biochemical imbalance; it is not your fault. Help is available!
If you or someone you know may be at risk for depression or suicide, please seek help before making a permanent decision. Stop in (HRB 64) or call (206-7122) the Counseling Center to see a counselor. Or call 1-800-SUICIDE, the national suicide hotline. Counseling is free and confidential. You do not have to feel this way.
Please support Suicide Prevention Month by wearing the yellow diversity pins that can be picked up at many locations across campus including the Counseling Center.
Source: National Institute of Mental Health
