Author: The Ranger News

Wings for a Cause

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On Monday March 9, Family Video will be teaming up with Buffalo Wild Wings to help to find a cure for Lymphoma. Lymphoma is a blood cancer that affects millions of people. The American Cancer Society estimates that over 79,000 new cases will be diagnosed each year.

To help put a stop, or at least a dent, in these numbers Buffalo Wild Wings has agreed to help Family Video by donating 10 percent of each check before taxes to the cause. Just mention Family Video’s Lymphoma Drive to your server. This will be going on all day long on Monday from 11 a.m. until close at midnight.

Each year Family Video does a promotion to raise money for research. Last year, Family Video alone raised 1.2 million dollars! Help them with their cause by eating some chicken wings on Monday, or stop by any Family Video location to donate from March 13 through March 29. Each location will also be raffling off different items with all proceeds going to researching a cure for lymphoma.

 

Article by Krista Skweres

“Fifty Shades of Grey” vs “Nymphomaniac”

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I remember the fan-girls drooling over Edward and his lack of emotion. I remember hating people asking me if I were “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob.” I remember wanting to scream when people would get mad at me for not having read the book “Twilight.” Why, dear Universe, why is this happening again? The novel that the new film-mania of “Fifty Shades of Grey” is based on doesn’t hide the fact that it was originally written as a fan fiction of the novel “Twilight.” My first question would be why anyone would want a fan fiction of something that was already pretty terrible. My next question is what is it that causes people to flock to it?

The film opened in theaters Feb. 13, just in time for Valentine’s Day. Opening weekend it grossed more money than ever anticipated, especially considering the ratings that multiple critics have given it. The film made $81.7 million dollars in the first three days alone. This is more than any movie that could be classified as a chick-flick has ever made. It has a whole following behind it as well, all the way up to domestic violence groups trying to boycott the movie, claiming that the sexual relationship between the main characters, and seemingly the entire point of the film and novel, is that of an abusive one. This has also been said of “Twilight” as well (though strangely never about “True Blood”). This leads to my final why: why is this so interesting to women that they are flocking to see it or read it? The only answer I can think of is the kinky content.

Lars von Trier directed a series of films that released in March of 2014 entitled “Nymphomaniac: Volume I and II.” This pair of films starred Shia LaBeouf, Stellan Skarsgard, Charlotte Gainsbourg and Jamie Bell on top of others. As one could tell based on the title, all of these films are about the same type of content of “Fifty Shades of Grey.” What’s the difference? One actually gave audiences what it was craving and the other didn’t. With the idea of eroticism being the only thing appealing about a movie or book, it would be safe to assume that the potential audience would be wanting a certain level of activity as well as visuals. Here lies the difference between American directors and really any other country’s directors.

In his film, Von Trier fulfills all of the things that the imagination could come up with in regards to a film about eroticism. It shows body parts that the audience loves to be titillated by, usually in the form of porn star stunt doubles. It has dialogue that would make anybody blush, and it follows through with a great storyline that holds the audience captive. The main thing that almost all reviews are saying about “Fifty Shades of Grey,” including the user reviews that are often times harsher than the professionals, is that there is a lack of all of these things. The storyline is lacking, which is to be a bit expected of the first film in a trilogy. But the thing that most people are upset about is that there is a lack of scenery to the film, and that all things wild that were supposed to be there, aren’t.

So with a film that is lacking the one thing that promises to be its salvation, why did it gross so much money in so little time? Maybe there’s something that I’m not seeing. My suggestion to anyone who’s debating seeing it is to check out Lars von Trier’s film instead. It promises to be everything that you’re searching for in “Fifty Shades of Grey” and more.

Article by Krista Skweres

And the Oscar Goes To: A Complete List of Winners

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On Sunday Feb. 22 Neil Patrick Harris was our tour guide through the biggest night in Hollywood. Some people celebrated, some people cried and still others just thought “everything was awesome.” Actors, actresses and directors all clung to their Lego Oscar statues, hoping that their name would be called after those $200 envelopes were opened. America held its breath to see who would be named the best. Here is a complete list of who was chosen by the academy as the representatives of the best in this year’s American cinema, and next year’s votes for who will be considered at the top of their game.

Visual Effects: “Interstellar”

Sound Mixing: “Whiplash”

Sound Editing: “American Sniper”

Live Action Short: “The Phone Call”

Animated Short: “Feast”

Documentary Short: “Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1”

Production Design: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

Best Original Song: “Glory” from the movie “Selma”

Best Original Score: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

Makeup and Hairstyling: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

Costume Design: “The Grand Budapest Hotel”

Cinematography: “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”

Film Editing: “Whiplash”

Best Foreign Language Film: “Ida”

Best Documentary Feature Film: “CitizenFour”

Best Animated Feature Film: “Big Hero 6”

Best Director: Alejandro G. Inarritu for “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”

Best Adapted Screenplay: “The Imitation Game”

Best Original Screenplay: “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: J.K. Simmons for his role in “Whiplash”

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Patricia Arquette for her role in “Boyhood”

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Eddie Redmayne for his role in “The Theory of Everything”

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Julianne Moore for her role in “Still Alice”

And last but certainly not most least, Best Picture: “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”

There were tears, there were laughs and there were exchanges of hate glares (Richard Linklater to Alejandro G. Inarritu). “Birdman” and “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” who were both tied for nine nominations, ended the night tied, again, with four wins each. “Whiplash,” which was seen as kind of an underdog of the Oscars blew everyone away by taking home three wins. “Boyhood” was let down with its singular statue. Congratulations to all the winners, and I hope they choose more wisely next year with their guaranteed places on the academy when it comes to “Best Animated Film.” Maybe Disney won’t win one of these years.

Article by Krista Skweres

Illusions and Life Changers: Magician Jim Munroe Visits Parkside

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This upcoming Wednesday March 4 UW-Parkside’s Cru will be hosting illusionist Jim Munroe at the campus cinema. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be about two hours long, although many will want to stay afterwards. The show is entitled “The Maze” and promises to be a great time for all.

Jim Munroe has been touring campuses across the nation for about six years now but this will be the first time he’s visiting our campus. Cru is absolutely delighted to be welcoming him. He has previously been offered opportunities to have his own show in Vegas, but declined in order to continue sharing his talents and his story of self-discovery with young students.

The show that he will be putting on for the campus on Wednesday will be a two-part performance. The first hour will be the illusion show, promising to blow minds and impress even the skeptical. There will then be a short intermission where all who feel uncomfortable in a religious setting are welcomed to leave, no strings attached. After this, Munroe will speak to the crowd about his life and faith. This event is open and free to the public and all are welcome. The Cru organization would like to welcome anyone who is interested to come and enjoy the magic of Jim Munroe, no religious affiliation required.

After the discussion and illusion show, the Blood Center of Wisconsin will be there as well, registering those who are interested in becoming bone marrow donors. The Blood Center will be waving the usual $100 fee that goes along with registration to all students who choose to register after this event. Bone marrow transplantation has saved many lives over the years and is a known treatment for things such as cancers as leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and many other diseases that damage bone marrow. This is a great way to give back to community.

Cru is a Christian community organization at Parkside. They meet on Tuesday evenings in Molinaro, Room 107 at 8 p.m. They strive to connect students to the Gospel through different speakers, such as Munroe, and spend time learning what it means to be a Christian.

Article by Krista Skweres

Get Fit and Healthy with The Ranger Wellness Challenge

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Looking for new, cost efficient ways to stay fit and healthy this semester? The UW-Parkside Campus Activities and Engagement Center has got you covered.

The Ranger Wellness Challenge is hosting dozens of heath related events all month long and the best part is they are free! The Challenge is comprised of various fitness activities while also providing students and faculty with informative health tips.

The UW-Parkside’s Campus Connect website describes The Ranger Wellness Challenge as “a wellness competition for UW-Parkside students, faculty and staff who want to achieve a healthier, balanced lifestyle. It is not a diet program or an extreme fitness routine, but a fun, informative way to learn how to improve overall health and wellness. Teams or individuals compete by earning points for weekly activities such as exercising, eating well and maintaining a balanced life.”

Dance your heart out at one of their scheduled Zumba sessions or ask a friend to accompany you to a health demonstration right here on campus. Now is the perfect time to get involved and partake in a challenge or two since the last day of activities is scheduled for March 13. Upcoming events can be found on their Facebook page or by searching The Ranger Wellness Challenge on the Campus Connect website. Go get involved and make a healthier, happier you!

Article by Chelsie Aloisi