Movie Review: Sierra Burgess Is a Loser

Madison Albert-Nelson

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3120280/

Sierra Burgess Is a Loser
Released: 2018
Director: Ian Samuels
Actors: Shannon Purser, Kristine Froseth, RJ Cyler, Noah Centineo
Rating: PG-13

Sierra Burgess Is a Loser, a Netflix special, came out on September 7th, 2018. The movie focuses on Sierra Burgess, played by Shannon Purser, who’s a studious Stanford hopeful, and Veronica, portrayed by Kristine Froseth, a cheerleader who bullies the people that she thinks are losers. It all begins when Jamey, portrayed by Noah Centineo, walks up to Veronica in a restaurant, in hopes of getting her number. She instead gives Sierra Burgess’ cell phone number to him instead of her own. Later that night, Jamey texts who he thinks is Veronica, but in reality is Sierra. Sierra is confused by this mystery man texting her, but goes along with whoever he is. Throughout the movie, Sierra has to decide what’s important to her: grades or a social life. Will everything eventually work out for Sierra? I found Sierra Burgess Is a Loser a decent movie. It is definitely not something I’m going to watch many more times, if at all. I did like the actors/actresses chosen for this movie. It still has comedic touches within it, as well as the basic motifs: romance and friendship. The storyline itself was difficult to watch because at some points, it was outright boring. The movie seemed to drag on during some scenes or there wasn’t enough pizzaz to keep my distracted eyes locked. It was the predictable love story with a cat fight between the two main characters. It’s a cliché that you see in every teenage love story. However, I did really enjoy the soundtrack of the film. Overall, this movie is a three out of five.

Good Charlotte’s New Album, Not Good

Quinn Collins

Good Charlotte's Generation Rx

     Rocking out to some high energy pop punk was easy back in the 2000s and Good Charlotte was one of the bands responsible. Their hit album The Young and the Hopeless gave us some killer tracks to rock out to. I was hoping Good Charlotte could help revive this lost genre with their new album Generation Rx, but I’m afraid they missed the mark. The album begins with an eerie serenade that was quite unexpected. Pop punk is famously maligned for all sounding the same, but the opening track, and album’s namesake, proved Good Charlotte could break the mold. The opener transitioned perfectly into their second song, a classic sounding anthem that really did sound like the Good Charlotte I was hoping for… until the chorus. The singing sounded monotone and uninteresting. Good Charlotte is known for biting vocals that let you hear the singers emotions, but on this album, it felt like Joel Madden was just singing for his paycheck. At many points throughout the album they layered Joel’s voice several times, but instead of giving us the energy of multiple singers, it gave us the apathy and mediocrity of one singer amplified. Unfortunately the album gets worse from there. “Self Help,” “Shadowboxer,” and “Actual Pain” sounded annoyingly identical. They got worse with each track and really showcased Good Charlotte’s identity crisis. They didn’t want to abandon their original sound, but they also wanted to modernize. They were left with a watered down copy of the band Fall Out Boy that desperately needed an electric guitar and an energy drink. The song “Prayers” finally broke the curse and sounded different, but it lacked that frenetic energy that pop punk needs. Suddenly, as I began to give up hope, “Cold Song” rose from the ashes and revealed that Joel Madden could sing with emotion and the band could have a distinct but still exciting sound. The song moved me emotionally and I didn’t want it to end. But it did, and then we heard two more songs that tried to sound unique and exciting, but couldn’t make up for the disappointments previously. The final track of the album was another hidden gem. It wasn’t a perfect song but it sounded emotional, and well written. If Good Charlotte would have taken their four best songs and polished them, they could have made a solid EP that would attract new and old fans alike. But they didn’t, and they probably won't ever again. It hurts me to say this but, Good Charlotte’s not good anymore.

Fan-Da-Monium At Wizard World Comic Con

by Claire McMannes

    Thousands of comic enthusiasts, TV show obsessed fans, cosplayers, and collectors united for a weekend of panels and fan-da-monium at Wizard World's first Comic Con in Madison Wisconsin’s Alliant Energy Center on the 5th-8th of February. Stars such as Ian Somerhalder (Damon, Vampire Diaries , Christian Serratos (Rosita, The walking Dead), Brett Dalton (Grant, Agents of Shield), Michael Rooker (Yondu, Guardians of the Galaxy), William Shatner (Captain Kirk himself) and more.

    Not only were there panels of some of our favorite TV show and movie characters, but there were even comic book artists ranging from Marvel’s Spiderman, DC's New 52, and Image Comics’ The Walking Dead -- you actually receive a copy of their first issue upon walking inside.

    An entire third of the Wizards event layout was dedicated to autographs on prints or comics from the talented artist of the comics. you could even get a quick picture with them. Another part of the layout had all of the TV and movie celebrities just waiting to take a picture with you and/or autograph for a hefty price of $25-$50. But hey, you get a pretty cool photo right and get to interact with your favorite character!

    Another part of the event was dedicated to comic book lovers and amine obsessed fans. From the classic Teen Titans of 1964, before it became a terrible television show for your average four year old, to Duel Masters anime. Boxes and boxes of the classics to the updated versions could be found throughout the jumble of aisles while the vendors, not only sold, but bought and traded over the phone.

    The popular four-sided Funko Pop Figure wall was also present at the event along with collectible toys that got parents reminiscing about their childhood. But don’t be fooled, Comicon is not just for comics; it is also for collectors. Toys from the classic Frankenstein and Dracula movie could also be found, along with merch for SuperWhoLock fandom.

     But this event is not just held to see comic book artists, vendors, and your favorite TV show heroes. It gives you a chance to be one, or the opposite. Cosplayers (people who dress up like fictional characters) including; Captain America, Arrow, Deathstroke, Castiel, Dean Winchester, Harley Quinn, Batman, The Doctor, Joker, Flash, Deadpool, and Mr. Freeze could be found ready to act out their parts as convincingly as possible. Some were even willing to share their experiences with The Voice. .

    When asked why he cosplays ‘Arrow’, as one individual  liked to be called, he answers, “It’s really fun to be someone else for a day instead of your ‘regular self.’ I would do it more often, but it probably wouldn’t look very good if some dude walked into Walmart with a cape and mask on.”

    Another cosplayer, ‘Captain America,’ chips in, “It’s also really cool to see little kids look up to you the way they do. To them we really are the heroes they see, and it’s really exciting for them to see us and talk to us. Plus, it’s cool to have so many people walk up to you and want to take a picture with you because they think your cosplay is that good.”

    Along with cosplayers, metal based celebrities were also there. The original Batmobile from the 1960s series starring Adam West and Burt Ward was also there. You could even sit it the car and get pictures in it for only $25. Another car was the Delorean from the Back to the Future movies, you could also get a picture with it.

    The Wizard World Comic Con is an impressive, fun, and entertaining event for all ages so check out the next closest one in at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago on March 7-8th!

Nostalgic Kingsman: The Secret Service Impresses

by Matt Schaefer

    Nothing brings more joy to this critic’s face than watching a movie that makes me feel like a little kid. When I sat down in the theater to see Kingsman: The Secret Service, I was immediately reminded of the old days, playing imaginary games in my backyard and on the playground, wanting desperately to be a spy when I grew up. And as glamorous as Kingsman makes the profession look, I certainly remember why.

    The tale of Kingsman is a classically simple one: big bad guy with a plan for global attack, a small agency discovers the plot, and the new recruit that takes on the threat. Taron Egerton plays Eggsy, the son of a deceased Kingsman who is recruited by “Galahad,” played by Colin Firth. These are just two of the exceptional performances in this film, which also includes Samuel L. Jackson as the film’s villain, Michael Caine as the head of the Kingsman, and Mark Strong as “Merlin.”

    The movie is chock-full of spectacular action, accompanied with innovative and tight camera work. Never before have I seen action look quite this slick and intense, and the use of “Freebird” during the church brawl is on par with the 2Pac scene in Django Unchained in terms of awesome absurdity. Backing the action is a tight and hilarious script, pairing the espionage of James Bond with the over-the-top comic bookiness of Batman.

    If you’re looking to treat yourself to an exciting action film or enjoy the exciting and somewhat silly nature of the old 007 films, Kingsman: The Secret Service earns a high recommendation from this critic. You’ll laugh, you’ll wince, and you’ll be on the edge of your seat the whole time. Plus, it may just rekindle your childhood fancy.

Focus in On This New Crime Thriller

by Matt Schaefer

     Every so often when you go to the movies, it’s more fun to root for the people that do the dirty work. Whether it be going for a bit of the old ultra-violence with Alex and his droogs in A Clockwork Orange or trying to determine the rat in the pack in Reservoir Dogs, bad guys can be just as fun as the good guys. And when that bad guy happens to be the king of cool Will Smith, it just makes the cheers come easier. Such is the case in the new con-artist flick Focus.

    What’s interesting about Focus is that it doesn’t have a typical plot. Instead, the movie follows the life of Nicky (played by Smith) as he meets a younger and less experienced con named Jess (played by Margot Robbie). We go along as these two as they play the streets for everything they’re worth and break the rules of the game by falling for each other.

    The writing of Focus is definitely its strongest suit, ending up being a cross between The Sting and Now You See Me. We immediately are intrigued by the characters the writers establish in this world of thievery and end up enjoying every step of the criminal thrill ride the characters go on. The cinematography accompanies the script brilliantly. There are moments of the film that are blurry, often during emotional scenes, which regain focus when clarity is achieved. We follow each member of Nicky’s ring as he or she picks and nicks everything that strikes his or her fancy. It’s a cool touch being able to see how the lifestyle works, but it’s also a very frightening concept that it can be just that easy.

    However, the story isn’t 100 percent sound. The attempt to establish an antagonist in the final act of the film isn’t very interesting when the film has been so successful without having a typical good guy/bad guy story. And as much as I love Will Smith, I feel like he’s been playing the same character since he came to cinema (think Hitch as a professional thief).

    In the end, Focus was a very cool film to sit through. The artistic filming techniques and solid script kept me entertained the whole way through. Just don’t go in expecting anything earth shattering. It’s just Will Smith doing what he does best: being cool.

Thinking Spring: Fashion Tips For 2015

by Pauline Justal

     Spring is here. Even if you can’t see it or feel it, it is here. This year’s spring trends vary from dreamy, ’70s-style Bohemia to no-nonsense, military-inspired styles. Every year pastels are a spring favorite and this year is not an exception. As the Chilean poet-diplomat and politician who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971 Pablo Neruda said “You can cut all the flowers, but you cannot keep spring from coming.”

     But this spring is special. Don’t you think it isnt fair that fashion is stereotypically for girls? This season is going to be different, though! Spring trends 2015 for MEN are here with a little advice from Ivan Acierno (‘16), “Light colors are always the way to go.” But to Hayley Strong (‘15) spring is just an in-between season to buy winter clothes on sale until it’s too warm and then you  move on to summer clothes.

     As one of the easiest patterns to pull off, stripes continue to hold their place in the modern gent’s wardrobe year after year. While the traditional Breton T-shirt is a typical spring/summer classic that hasn’t and will never fall out of fashion. This pattern has been re-imagined for the coming months.

     As said before, designers have been inspired by the ’70s this season . Many people will instantly think of the ’70s as one of the least stylish decades in recent memory. Perhaps it’s time for the skinny jean and slim-fit buttoned-up shirt to make room for something looser.

     But what do you think? Would you wear clothes that were popular in the ’70s? Or do you think flares, exaggerated collared shirts, and florals should remain in the past?

Back in Black: The Woman in Black 2

by Matt Schaefer

What better way to wrap up the holiday season than reviewing a horror movie? And more specifically, a sequel to a horror movie I never thought would get a sequel. The Woman in Black was released in 2013 to good reviews and moderate success, mainly getting a lot of publicity for being Daniel Radcliffe’s first major non-Harry Potter role. It was a tight and atmospheric ghost story that had me shivering in my seat. So, did The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death live up to its predecessor or did it take a place next to the many other bland and routine horror sequels?

In war torn London, two school teachers take a group of orphaned children out of the city to keep them from harm. A doctor brings them to the countryside town of Crythin Gifford in the abandoned Drablow house. However, things take a dark turn when one of the school teachers, played by Phoebe Fox, is plagued by nightmares of her tragic past and one of the children, played by Oaklee Pendergast, seems to gain a connection with the house’s previous owner. Has “she” returned for another reign of terror? (Spoiler alert: yes.)

Once again, horror champions Hammer Entertainment deliver a gothic ghost story, shot with spooky forestry and one seriously creepy haunted house. The atmosphere is thick and drenched with gloom, ever prevalent in the dark subject matter. Suspense is a key factor of the film, which seldom goes for gore.

However, the film is too reliant on jump-scares and always left me feeling cheated when I was startled by something harmless. They even throw in the same stupid crow gag from the first film! And, that’s the biggest problem I have with this movie: it feels stale. Yes, the movie is suspenseful and even scary, but it follows a lot of the same routine its predecessor did, banking on the hope that you’ll find it scary because you found the first one scary. Add in a plot that has quite a few glaring holes (that also has the audacity to add the horror trope of a kid with a blank stare and a bowl haircut) and an ending “chair-jumper” that’s so insultingly tacked on, and you have all the makings of a bland horror sequel.

So, if you’re looking for a good horror movie of this generation to treat yourself to, I’d recommend sticking with the first film. If you have seen the first one, I’d say check this one out for curiosity’s sake. However, on its own right, I honestly can’t recommend The Woman in Black 2. There’s just better ghost stories to be told.

PHS Marvels at Comics

by Max Frommelt

Before PHS went on a well-deserved break, Marvel Comics artist Jerry DeCaire visited PHS. He offered a spectacle that could only be described as by Anna Greenhalgh (‘16) as, “I am not really into comics, but I thought his work was incredible.” The freelance comic artist who is recognized for his depictions of Thor and X-Men, among many others, is on a speaking tour that he began in 2013 to teach students nationwide about the way art, science, and math merge in his trade. Along with an impressive demo on his comic book magic, DeCaire had a number of things he wanted the student body to take away from his presentation. 

The Saginaw, Michigan native realized his passion for drawing when he was only seven years old. He saw a picture of a German shepherd and thought it was the most amazing thing he had ever seen. It was then that his instinctive vision took hold; wanted to draw that picture. DeCaire adds, “Our brain tells us where to go.”

The funny part was that upon showing his grandmother what he had drawn, she noticed how well it was drawn. And accused him of lying. While his pride was a little hurt, the young DeCaire moved on with his head held high.

The artist now resides in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and has reached amazing heights with his art, biology, and education degree he obtained from Central Michigan University. When asked about his experiences, DeCaire shares that his favorite series to draw was The Avengers, but his “absolute favorite [was the] Silver Surfer series.”

Even after his years of drawing, the work still has a charm. DeCaire admits that there off days when it becomes tiring to put pencil to paper. In case you were wondering, he does find that some of his pieces have evolved with his talent. “I like the Wolverine that I draw now compared to what I did for the real series.”

Eager to share what he’s learned in his experience, DeCaire advises the student body at PHS that everyone has an “arsenal of talents” but are too afraid to let them shine for fear of failing. He smiles at that point and says that you need to act like a hero sometimes. Even if there is only a one percent chance you’ll make it, it is worth a shot because, “Even a shot in the dark has a chance to be great.”

The Interview Screens At Millennium Cinema

by Eramis Momchilovich

Despite the attacks on Sony by North Korea in late 2014 and all the controversy surrounding the movie, Millennium Cinema began showing the film The Interview on Christmas Day. 

The Interview was due to be released to theaters October 10, 2014, but was pushed back to December 25, 2014 and then completely canceled due to unprecedented cyber attacks on Sony Pictures that resulted in the leaks of intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material. Despite threats on the places where The Interview would be shown, Sony made it slightly less offensive and released the film online as well as in a select few smaller theaters across the nation.

In the movie the main characters of the film, Dave Skylark and Aaron Rapoport, manage a celebrity tabloid show called Skylark Tonight. The two are recruited by the CIA to assassinate their latest interviewee and avid fan, Kim Jong-un, on their trip to Pyongyang. Seth Rogen and James Franco star in the comedy, which has brought in more profit than Sony might have hoped for after the threats, leaks, and cancelations. Whether it’s considered a success might just be up to those who see it, something people in the Platteville-area can boast with their local display.  

Millennium Cinema was one of these courageous theaters to show The Interview. “The Millennium Cinema was due to show this movie before the release was cancelled,” says general manager Jeremy Patnaude. “We were just following through on what was planned.” Showing a film that already had such a reputation would be a leg up for a small town theater like Millennium Cinema. Patnaude also stresses that Millennium's priority was to get the customers what they wanted by showing the anticipated film. 

On the opening night there was “a wide audience with people ranging from seniors all the way down to college and high school students,” remarked Patnaude. The hype from the controversy surrounding the film peaked many people’s interests and they were not disappointed. “People seemed to like it; it was funny,” added Patnaude. As to the possible danger, Patnaude isn’t worried. “Platteville is in the middle of nowhere, how could a terrorist even find us?” he says. So head over to Millennium Cinema for some stress free laughs.

Trivia Facts Cracked

by Max Frommelt

While many applications tend to take the public by storm, Trivia Crack lit the mobile market once again. Although, many are just discovering it today, the app created by the Argentinian company Etermax has been here for over two months. 

Trivia Crack is one of the few applications that crosses multiple devices and platforms. It covers iOS, Android, and Windows for the mobile world. The other bonus? The application can run through Facebook. 

The app only recently reached the typical US consumer, though it’s been in Latin America for over two months. Hispanic communities in the US served as the bridge to the rest of the general public in America, a reason for the slow spread. So, what’s up with the game becoming so popular now? Try social media. 

Through popular outlets, Trivia Crack trickled into the radar and caught our attention. It was only a matter of time before it fairly exploded all over PHS. McKenzie Scanlan (‘15) says, “Everyone else plays it, that’s the only reason I do. If no one else played, I wouldn't either.” And, that’s another thing: it uses other people to play.

So, if ten kids in study hall each play two different games, 20 kids get a notification that it is their turn. With the total time for one round being around a minute, it seems like a simple thing to pick up your phone and play for a bit. This is obviously against school policy, which is why the office has reported getting “more cell phones than usual.”

Trivia Crack has lead to daily disruptions around PHS, evidenced by the many times one hears “Quick, I need this answer!” during class. Senior English teacher Mrs. Keleher says, “The game is creating a major distraction for my students.”

The Work Behind Tarzan

by Eramis Momchilovich

Disney’s Tarzan has been a heartwarming part of many a high schooler’s childhood, but how many have seen the musical adaptation? Well, Platteville High School students are going to get their chance at the school performance on December 3rd thanks to all the dedicated, hardworking staff and students involved.

Assistant director Ms. Schober has been helping with musical for fifteen years and was a component in choosing this year’s show. She says that a major factor that contributed to choosing Tarzan was it is a children’s show with a contemporary feel. Some other Platteville Schools staff members that are heavily involved in the production are director Mrs. Armstrong, technical director Mr. Beaulieu, and set designers Mr. Swailes and Mr. Urness, a former PHS physics teacher. 

After the initial decision, much more brainstorming has to take place. Visualization of how the stage will be built and decorated, as well as costume details, makeup, and hair all needs to be considered. According to Ms. Schober, a lot of “hard work, sweat, and long hours” are needed to translate the ideas into reality. Many teachers and students end up spending over 10 hours at the school four days a week to work on choreography, lights and sound, memorizing lines and lyrics, and critiquing their acting. So much time spent away from home and family is a sacrifice cast, crew, and pit members have to make. 

The fact that “it (the musical) involves two things I love, drama and music” is what keeps Ms. Schober coming back each year to the hectic life of musical. “And, sharing that love with students is what it’s all about,” she adds. In the end, many participants will say that being involved with the musical is an experience of a lifetime.

Fall Play's Final Act

by Anna Greenhalgh

 

This year’s Fall Play, “If Only,” written by M.W. Lonetree and directed by Mike Willis, reached the Sectionals portion of competition this season. The members involved included Ivan Acierno (‘16), Frenchy Bisi (‘16), Danielle Dillon (‘16), Eleanor Clement (‘17), Rachel Schaefer (‘17), Rachel Ababio (‘18), Brook Gassman (‘18), Michael Prestegard (‘18), Cloe Seickman (‘18), and Lucy Tian (‘18); they all were proud to be enlisted in the cast and crew. They began rehearsing two weeks after the commencement of the school year.

All that hard work seems to have paid off. There are three levels to perform at: Districts, Sectionals, and State. This year, our performers made it to Sectionals, with one of the three judges wishing to send them on to State. Two judges need to be on board for the group be to sent on.

If you recall from when the group performed for the school, “If Only” is about a young girl, Sydney, age 17, who is comatose due to an accident caused by texting and driving. The play shows the concern and pain Sydney’s family is experiencing while Sydney, somehow up and walking outside of her body, tries to convince them that’s she’s really there. I’ll save the rest - no spoilers!

After reaching Sectionals, the play was recognized by and is now in the process of being published by Brooklyn Publishers. The author changed the names of the current characters to those who played the actual parts - something to be extremely proud of since this was the first time it has ever been performed.

Congratulations! It was so well earned!

Punk's Not Dead, It Just Went Pop

by Anna Skubal

Remember the 80’s? Mullets, shoulder pads, acid washed jeans, Chernobyl? Unless you’re one of our sage, elderly teachers, you probably don’t remember that part. Maybe you know more of the pop music: Madonna, Prince, Duran Duran, Michael Jackson? How about the more hardcore-punk side: The Misfits, Dead Kennedy, T.S.O.L., MDC? Well, punk’s making a comeback, and it’s coming back strong.

In the early 00’s the band Blink-182 started to join other pop sensations on the charts with a style known as pop-punk. Other bands such as Fall Out Boy and Panic! At The Disco soon followed them and drew many people into the other genres and bands that are part of the underground alternative music scene.

Four Australian boys in particular loved the pop-punk genre. Loved it enough, in fact, to start posting cover videos on YouTube from bands such as A Day To Remember, All Time Low, and Blink-182 under the name of 5 Seconds of Summer. The videos soon got noticed by major record labels and producers. This caused the boys to move from Sydney to London where they got some serious attention from another popular group based there… One Direction.  

They've been touring alongside teen heartthrobs One Direction since February 2013, but as Alternative Press said, “The massive major-label infrastructure pushing this band is highlighting the fact that they’re pop-punk—not trying to change them into a boy band.” 

Could 5SOS’s fanbase look more into the genre’s origin with the progression to We Are The In Crowd to Escape The Fate and possibly all the way back to The Misfits or Blink-182? There’s a very good chance, and it’s likely we’ll see more of this style trickle on to the mainstream radio.

How I Met Your Vampire

by Matt Schaefer

The story of Dracula is certainly not a new one, and since Bram Stoker penned his original novel, it has been the subject of countless adaptations. On October 10th, the latest adaptation Dracula: Untold was released to movie theaters, doing fairly well at the box office but failing to leave fang-like impressions on the critics.

Released by Universal Pictures, who intended it to be a reboot of their 30s and 40s monster franchises, Dracula: Untold spins an origin tale of the infamous vampire, attempting to couple the fictional Stoker tale with the real life inspiration Vlad the Impaler, though it shouldn’t be credited with being historically accurate. When Vlad’s kingdom is being attacked by an army of Turkish soldiers, he seeks the assistance of a cave dwelling vampire for the strength to vanquish his enemies, but needs to decide whether or not he wants to be a bloodsucker for eternity.

The story of the film is surprisingly solid and well thought out. Luke Evans does a great job as Vlad, being one of the only adaptations of Dracula to make the viewer sympathize with the internal struggle Dracula goes through. The action sequences are well paced and always entrancing, often accompanied with astounding visuals and larger than life set pieces. The gothic castles and spooky woods put you in the mood for a good ol’ fashioned monster movie.

There are flaws, though. The action is intense but in a PG-13 sort of way. This leads to a lot of sloppy cuts and nauseating shaky cam to hide the bloody impalings. The first third of the film is painfully slow, being burdened with too much frontloaded exposition. Also, the dialogue is far too heavy. It’s all loaded with cliched philosophy, and it seems like every trivial conversation transforms into a battle of wits.

In the end, Dracula: Untold is pretty good but nothing spectacular. If you’re a gore hound looking for some brutal violence or if you’re looking for an intense horror movie, you’ve come to the wrong place. But, I can guarantee that Dracula: Untold is a fun little monster movie that can be enjoyed for what it is. Plus, it makes the vampire movie something worth going to see again. That’s right: no sparkling.

Rachel Holder Held Up the House

by Max Frommelt

Through the WGLR radio station, PHS got to see one of the newest country artists on November 14th. Rachel Holder, along with her guitarist, paid a visit to the school, and  while she demoed some of her new songs, she explained the purpose of her tour. 

The twenty-two-year-old singer is running for Miss Tennessee, and her trip to Wisconsin was a perfect chance to promote the Don’t Text & Drive program, which she hopes will be a hit in Tennessee, too. 

Tiana Gile (‘16) says of Holder’s performance and message to aspiring artists, “She was inspiring!” It takes a positive outlook on life in order to succeed in the music business. Even someone like the Chattanooga native  struggles with internal confidence. “I’m trying to find myself everyday of my life,” Holder admits. One of the best things that you can do is “have a great support system” as you go through life. 

Holder even shares about her younger years, “I got picked on a lot.” But, she maintains that this his should not deter you from making decisions. “If you feel like you're at a crossroads, make a decision and go with your gut.” While life is not always simple and kind, Holder says it’s imperative not to let things get to you.  Because, when it comes down to it, “Success is the best revenge.”

While the past two presenters, Holder and the up-and-coming Nashville sensation Tyler Barham, have been country artists, our future guests could bring anything. Mr. Engh explains,“The radio station is a reason for the musicians.” 

These presentations are not for the purpose of skipping class, according to PHS’s administration. They allow students to see what they can do with their future as they plan for college or whatever comes beyond high school.“Life has a lot of possibilities, not just what you see here in Platteville.” 

While some of the student body may not be interested in music, PHS will be having a special presenter come the week before winter break: Jerry DeClaire. While the name may not mean much now, wait ‘til you hear that he is a Marvel comic writer. He has written hundreds of comics for Marvel, including all of the X-Men series, Hawkeye, Ironman, Silver Surfer and Thor. He will be showing us the art of drawing comics and just how much science is involved. So, music is not the only tune that will be hitting our High School!

Music Takeover: So Last Season...Or This One?

by Claire McMannes

     What do you first hear when you tune into the radio? Music is constantly changing as we have heard throughout the ages. But what year was the best? 2013, or this hit-filled season?

     Last year’s music had a more pop-centered feel to it. “Mirrors” (Justin Timberlake), as a pop alternative and “Radioactive” (Imagine Dragons), being more pop-rock. Both found themselves in the top ten charts that year. “Locked Out of Heaven” (Bruno Mars) followed the number one song of the year “Blurred Lines” (Robin Thicke featuring T.I and Pharrell). Both gave off a “groovy” feel.

     But, perhaps you prefer this year’s selection with its techno-pop feel. Songs such as “Wiggle” (Jason Derulo) and “Problem” (Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea) have stayed consistent on the top ten charts this summer. The leading song was pretty plainly obvious: “Fancy” (Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX) with “Rude” (MAGIC!) coming in at a close second. The pair skyrocketed to the top in meer weeks and constantly played on our radios slowly driving us crazy.

     PHS senior Madelyn White says, "I prefer last year’s music because the lyrics had a more deep meaning to them."

     Courtney Edge, another PHS senior disagrees saying, “I like this year better. It has a more dancy feel to it than last year’s.”

     So what do you think? Was this year more epic on the music scene than all the rest?

Recap: Summer of the Sequels

by Matt Schaefer

     There’s no better time for audiences around the world to lay siege upon their local cinemas than during the summer, and Summer 2014 has been a good time for good ol’ American popcorn flicks. Guardians of the Galaxy annihilated the box office, grossing nearly $300 million after barely a month’s release, with Transformers: Age of Extinction and Maleficent trailing close behind. But, this summer has also been a breeding ground for sequels or remakes, such as Godzilla and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. And, among the list of anticipated sequels were The Expendables 3 and Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.

     Sin City: A Dame to Kill For is inspired by Frank Miller’s dark and gritty comic series and a sequel to 2005’s Sin City. A Dame to Kill For is co-directed by Miller and Robert Rodriguez (Spy Kids, From Dusk till Dawn) and recaptures the same intense and stylistic nature of its predecessor. The cast is fantastic, which includes Jessica Alba, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Mickey Rourke, all giving truly memorable performances. Using an episodic format of storytelling with two segments inspired by Miller’s comics, the two stories written for the film are bland and uninspired and leave you feeling the film was trying too hard to be as brilliant as its predecessor.

    The Expendables 3 continues the franchise’s tale of classic violence and adventure. The action is tight and intense and is not overly wimped down by a PG-13 rating. The cast is just as entertaining as always with newcomers Wesley Snipes, Antonio Banderas, and Harrison Ford being welcome additions. Mel Gibson’s antagonist is wonderfully evil, even if the film substitutes its storytelling for action. No, you’re not going to find an Oscar-worthy screenplay in Expendables 3, but you are going to get what you expect: big guys with big guns.

     So, for you action fans and blockbuster attendees out there, this summer was probably a good one, and this critic highly recommend giving The Expendables 3 a view. However, if you’re a fan of the Sin City comics or the original movie, it’s hard to say if A Dame to Kill For will live up to your expectations.

Behind the Scenes of Working

by Rachel Lueder

  Picture a tree in your mind…what do you see? Big beautiful boughs, towering over Earth’s dark soil. A sea of green leaves on an endless number of intricately woven branches. What you usually wouldn’t think about are the roots. The roots are what keep the tree standing tall. They make sure water is evenly distributed throughout the trees’ branches. In the standpoint of a musical, the cast would be the branches and leaves, while the crew would be the roots.

  I sat down with Bryn Bowden (‘14), one of the stage managers from this years musical, to learn more. When asked about what the job of a stage manager entails, she told me of all her duties and those of the crew. I was intrigued at the amount of work put into the musical by the crew to make the show what it is. Right at the very start, the crew is busy making plots for lighting, sound, and for stage. They then make a prop list and scavenge around for all the things needed. If something on the list can’t  be found then it is the job of a crew member to build it. With the help of Mr. Urness and Mr. Swailes, the set for the musical begins to take shape. Things start to come together. Production is now in process. The crew is still busy, though. They have to move pieces of the set onstage, take them back offstage, and yell out lines to those who have forgotten them. Each crew member has a different responsibility. One crew member might have to remember to bring a box onstage, and another might have to remember to turn on a mic at a certain time.

  When asked what her favorite part about being on crew was, Bryn stated it was the family aspect of everything. “When you spend hours upon hours backstage with someone, you tend to get to know them really well.” said Bowden. Being in the cast, I can attest to the amount of hard work that goes into production. So the next time you see a bunch of black-clad people assemble on stage at the end of a show, make sure to give an extra hoot-an’-a-holler for those that dedicate their time and effort to make everything go as smoothly as possible.

Party In The U.S.A.

   

An Assessment of Miley Cyrus's Performance at the VMAs

by E.J. Kruser

  Miley Cyrus. Adorable child star gone ratchet or an inspiration to all of us? For those of you who don’t care enough to stay in the Hollywood social media loop, first of all, good for you, and second, OMG I can’t believe you haven’t been watching and waiting for stars to make embarrassing mistakes so you can talk about that instead of worrying about your own insecurities and cosmetic flaws! By the way, you-know-who, yes, we did notice your fake tan, and no, it’s not as unnaturally preposterous as Snooki from the Jersey Shore. Congrats! While we’re doling out kudos, let’s mention our appreciation for the unveiling of Miley Cyrus’s newest music video for her new hit single “Wrecking Ball.” Congratulations, Miley! It takes a lot of courage to release such a depthless erotic video onto the world-wide web, especially proceeding the backlash and insatiable buzz following the controversial VMA performance with Robin Thicke and giant teddy bear strippers.

   For those of you who haven’t viewed the viral video of Ms. Cyrus twerking, gyrating, and sexualizing inanimate objects, I cannot, in good conscience, recommend doing so, as all of my previously fond recollections of the young sensation carrying on with her goofily innocent antics and switching between outfits so her date wouldn’t find out that she’s actually Hannah Montana have been tainted and voided of all value in my memory for life. R.I.P. My fond memories. R.I.P American morality and decency.

“It’s nice that Miley’s comfortable with herself.” Tweets esteemed funnyman Judd Apatow.

  While it is nice that the singer/songwriter/actor has found her confidence, the performance was less than pleasant for the majority of Americans viewing it. One Youtube video alone has over 3 million views with a 4:1 ratio of thumbs down to thumbs up. It would appear America disapproves. But who is America to judge? Consider this scenario: a teenage boy has a “crush” on a girl in his school, but he lacks the confidence to ask her out because of his low social status in the community and high score of 82,690 in Minecraft, which is getting higher daily. One day, the boy decides to put himself out there and ask his crush out on a date to The Olive Garden on Dodge Street in Dubuque, now offering the Never Ending Pasta Bowl™ for just $9.99! The young lady turns him down and is disgusted with the video game habits he takes so much pride in. Miley Cyrus is that poor, acne-ridden boy. She put herself out there and was shot down on a much larger scale. Surely he was devastated and lived a depressing hermit lifestyle until his final lonely days. Surely America feels compassion for this poor soul, but why then does America react with such animosity to a person like Miley in a near parallel situation? Ms. Cyrus doesn’t let it get to her.

"They're overthinking it … You're thinking about it more than I thought about it when I did it. Like, I didn't even think about it 'cause that's just me." Ms. Cyrus is quoted in an interview following the media’s uproar over her VMA performance of “We Can’t Stop”/”Blurred Lines.”

  Perhaps, we should praise Miley’s spirit rather than ridiculing her risque attire and unnecessarily sexualized social media. Miley is a strong, brave young woman who is able to admit fault. "I have so many...issues," Cyrus tells a reporter while discussing the public’s reaction to her performance. "I don't have a normal life … I take a hiatus every now and again, but I'm not good at that." We need to look deep within our hearts and find some empathy for this filthy-rich 20-year-old pop sensation. She’s just trying to find herself and having fun doing it. The moral of the story is this: Open judgement is cruel and stymieing. We need to be unafraid of this inevitable judgement, as Ms. Cyrus exemplifies, and just do whatever we want for our own personal pleasure. Over the weekend, this reporter put this philosophy into action. I put my hands up; they were playing my song. The butterflies flew away. I said, “Hey! It’s a party in the USA!” And you all know what that means. Freedom. And do you know what that means? E’r’body gettin’ ther’ twerk on without regret and criticism. Because this is America. And our parties compete with each other to form a more perfect union.