January 20, 2012, saw the national release of the new Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock movie Extremely Close & Incredibly Loud. Since its release, this movie has enjoyed a modest box office return, strong critical acclaim for the entire cast, and two Oscar Nominations for Best Picture and Best Supporting Actor for veteran actor Max Von Sydow.
Mark Wahlberg delivers an action-packed performance playing a warm-hearted and well-meaning ex-smuggler who intended to stay on the straight path, until he is pulled into one last heist. Chris Farraday (Makr Wahlberg), a home security salesman who is married to Kate (Kate Beckinsale), a hair salon manager.
Georgia-based indie band, Of Montreal, has just recently released their newest album, Paralytic Stalks; a very modern, poetic, and original work of art. According to several magazines and websites, it has been given quite a bit of critical acclaim, so now, after listening to it, I’m here to give it a little more.
Following the exploits of average teens Andrew (Dane DeHaan), Steve (Michael B. Jordan), and Matt (Alex Russell), Chronicle begins when the friends encounter a mysterious entity that – after afflicting them with days of bloody noses – results in the trio developing advanced telekinetic abilities. The boys quickly discover that their newfound superpowers can be manipulated, honed, and strengthened which results in the ability to control larger objects, as well as mimic other traditional enhanced “abilities,” such as flight and invulnerability. However, as their powers increase, so does their potential to unintentionally (or intentionally) cause harm to others. Ultimately, the friends agree to keep their abilities in check, but it’s a delicate balance that one member of the group – the proverbial loner who has suffered physical and emotional abuse at home and at school – isn’t as ready to accept.
Simple Math is the third album by the Indie-Rock band Manchester Orchestra, Andy Hull (lead vocals, rhythm guitar, piano), Robert McDowell (lead guitar, keyboards, vocals), Chris Freeman (keyboards, additional percussion, backing vocals), Jonathan Corley (bass), and Tim Very (drums, percussion). The brilliant string arrangements, along with the introspective lyrics make this an album well worth checking out. The opening track “Deer” starts with an acoustic guitar strumming in A Major, while a synth plays ambient noise in the background. It starts out very reminiscent of a simple folk song with lyrics that are mournful, but this sound lays down the emotional framework for the album. The next song “Mighty” is heavier and will appeal to the fans that got into Manchester Orchestra for songs like “Shake It Out” from their previous album. It has overdriven guitars playing in Drop D, while Hull’s voice is gruffer and more aggressive than in the previous track. Also interesting to note about “Mighty” is the incorporation of stringed instruments, like the violin and viola, which mesh beautifully and are kept at the perfect levels so that they do not overpower the song, something that tends to happen when traditional style orchestras are incorporated into a rock song.
This year, Saint Leo University has Spring Break from March 12th to March 16th, with the inclusion of the weekend. Although every student attending the university has the same break, there is a diverse range of locations in which students will spend their break.
Have you heard? Commuters can have a social life on the Saint Leo Campus too! Saint Leo is home to many students with different schedules and lifestyles. There are several organizations, clubs, interest groups, and activities to involve every student, with every kind of schedule.
Globalization is the buzzword that you hear every time you watch the news or read the newspaper. Globalization is taught in our school systems and our universities and is seen as a way to improve our economy. But no one asks who really benefits from globalization? In our efforts to become a global economy, did we sell the goose that lays the golden eggs?
Saint Leo held its 3rd International Business Conference (IBC) on Feb. 8-10 with the help of its main sponsors Pearson eCollege, the Conference Committee, the faculty and staff of the Donald R. Tapia School of Business, and the Saint Leo community. The focus of the IBC was on “Strategic Alliances for a Global Economy” featuring keynote speakers, Thomas Stewart from Booz and Company, and Dr. Jeff Borden from Pearson eCollege. The featured speaker was Dr. Josefa Ramoni from the Universidad de Los Andes in Venezuela, with speaker Giampaolo Orlandoni.
Week 10 of the 2012-13 National Football League season arrives with the majority of the teams still theoretically in the playoff hunt. This week’s slate of games features some key divisional match-ups, as well as some intriguing AFC-NFC games. Here are my predictions: