Joaquin Phoenix was once known for being a phenomenal actor, starring in films such as Gladiator and Walk the Line. However, according to YouTube and the international press, Joaquin Phoenix is now, more or less, a weirdo.
Comic books are a historically neglected media in pop culture. But you would be surprised how often they influence, and are influenced by, other entertainment mediums such as movies, video games and TV. They also tend to respond to pop culture trends by doing the exact opposite of what is popular in a genre. Take vampires, for example. Vampires used to be feared creatures of the night, stalking their human prey and feeding on blood. Recently, they have become the object of teenage girls’ fantasies. Obviously this whole vampire fetish has spun out from the Twilight movies and HBO’s True Blood series, the latter of which had its season finale on Sunday, Sept. 12. In the Marvel Comics’ crossover story X-Men: Curse of the Mutants Saga, the mutant superhero team known as the X-Men find themselves up against an army of vampires who want to turn them into bloodsuckers so they will help take over the world. The vampires are led by Dracula’s son, Xarus, who killed his father so he could rally the various vampire factions together and use them to begin his war against humans. Cyclops, leader of the X-Men, decides that the only way to put a […]
If the game show Family Feud ever includes a category of most loved movies, I would be shocked if The Godfather did not secure an instant position on the list. What is it about this film that tugs so firmly at the strings of our hearts? What sort of phenomenal masterpiece could Francis Ford Coppola possibly have created that would pass the test of time with flying colors and entertain generation after generation just as effectively as it did upon its 1972 release? Last year, I finally decided to find out for myself. To say that I was impressed would be a drastic understatement. I was captivated by the intrinsic messages of this film, and I can safely say that I’ve watched it at least 15 times since first viewing it. What sets The Godfather apart from the majority of modern films is its passionate and complex drama which envelops political, personal and romantic turmoil while also delivering a unique and very appropriate presentation of action. Because of this, The Godfather is one of those unusual movies that can be enjoyed equally by both men and women. Coppola has included a struggle for power and domination among such characters as […]
Saturday night the Patriot Center was filled with the sounds of hot and spicy salsa. Marc Anthony, one of the world’s most famous Latin salsa artists, shook up the stage and brought down the house song after song, entertaining the pumped-up audience. The biggest moment of the night came when Anthony was taken aback by an almost five-minute standing ovation from the crowd. To show his appreciation, Anthony bowed down to the audience and kissed the stage floor. “Wow,” was all Anthony managed to say with tears in his eyes and his hand on his heart. “This has got to be the loudest place in the United States right now,” said Anthony to the crowd’s reaction. “Last night, we played Madison Square Garden and it wasn’t even half as loud. You guys pack a punch. Now, I got to go back to New York and tell them to wake up!” Anthony’s stage presence was undeniable. His singing and dance moves captivated the audience. “I love his music, especially the salsa. It’s romantic. It’s sexy,” said Gaby Weissenberg from Maryland. Anthony performed many songs from his latest album, Iconos, released in May 2010 including the most popular “Abrázame Muy Fuerte” (Embrace […]
George Mason University has recently become a major epicenter of the Northern Virginia music community. Gracing the stages of the Mason community over the past few years have been names like T-Pain, Wayne Brady, The All-American Rejects and Cobra Starship. Making this possible is the university’s student-run organization, the newly-named Office of Student Involvement. Student Involvement acts as an umbrella organization for several groups such as Student Government, Weekends Committee, Program Board and Film Committee. From weekend movies in the Johnson Center Cinema to Every Freakin’ Friday Bingo Night and even an Evening with Kid Cudi, Student Involvement is here for the students. In determining which events Student Involvement brings to campus, research is key. “We look at any indicator that points towards an artist [who] will be successful on campus,” said program vice president and junior administration of justice major Addison Brown. “Students’ opinions and wants are the basis of any decision, with other factors such as artist availability and such being limiting factors.” Student Involvement looks into what the students want to see at Mason. They do market research, looking into the kinds of acts that would draw students out. With such a diverse community at Mason, Student […]
Last Wednesday, hundreds of new and returning George Mason University students walked through the Student Organization Connection Carnival held at North Plaza to see all the different student organizations with which they could get involved. Just a few feet outside of Southside Dining Hall, the return of the Smart Markets, Inc. farmers’ market was a living testimony to the result of student activism at Mason. In fall 2009, Auxiliary Enterprises at Mason decided to bring a farmers’ market to campus. According to Mark Kraner, Assistant Vice President of University Services, “The campus market was always scheduled to be a spring-to-fall market.” Following the low attendance last spring, University Services discussed whether the Mason farmers’ market would return to campus. While attendance was used as one indicator of Mason’s support for the market, the members of the Rescue the Mason Farmers’ Market Facebook group, which numbers over 900, and numerous student e-mails demanding the return of the campus market showed overwhelming support. When asked about the impact student e-mails had on whether the market would return, Kraner responded, “Hearing from the campus was positive and reinforced the decision that Auxiliary Enterprises made to locate a market for the campus.” The Rescue […]
Someone once told me that the difference between Democrats and Republicans is that Democrats feel and then think, and Republicans think and then feel. To this day, I still have trouble deciphering not only which is better, but also whether or not this statement is true. Certain issues within this country, such as illegal immigration and free health care, undoubtedly demonstrate the desire of Democrats to make life easier and more enjoyable for all people in this country despite their citizenship or financial standing. Republicans, however, believe that certain principles stated in the Constitution should prevent the U.S. from using its citizens’ earnings to benefit the less fortunate and those who dwell illegally in this nation, despite the suffering this may cause them. The issue of whose perspective is more justified, the Democrats’ or Republicans’, is one of the relentless hands tearing apart the unity of the U.S.. Having been raised in a very right wing home, I grew up having certain beliefs ingrained in my mind that I never questioned until certain circumstances forced me to, namely the presidency of George Bush. Until his decisions began to yield extreme anger and hatred among the American people, I had never […]
Same-sex marriage has come up again and again over the past few years. This is a topic that lends itself to sound-byte answers and diametric choices. But I think we must truly and honestly analyze the real and complex issues this topic engenders.
On any college campus in the U.S. you will find many clubs and organizations that can be classified from diverse to outright bizarre.
At George Mason University, you can join a club that celebrates belly dancing or another that practices medieval sword fighting.
There truly is something for everyone but there is one club that takes the spirit of these activities to a disappointing new level: the Secular Student Alliance.
A number of years ago, I took a bus trip from Los Angeles to Kansas City. I thought it would be a fun way to see the country. My parents reminded me that my grandmother once took a bus from Pittsburgh to Dayton to visit us and then insisted that they buy her a plane ticket home. “Oh, she was just over-reacting,” I thought. “It can’t be that bad.” My friends, it can be that bad. Each bus stop was filthier and more crime-ridden than the last. Also, one peculiarity of bus travel I was not previously aware of was that passengers spend a lot of time in bus stations. A good rule of thumb is to expect to spend as much time sitting in a bus station as sitting on a bus. Phoenix was worse than LA. Albuquerque was worse than Phoenix. Amarillo was worse than Albuquerque. But it wasn’t until we were pulling into Oklahoma City that the bus driver made the announcement, “This bus station is in a bad neighborhood.” Evidently it would not be enough to keep your bags next to you; it was strongly recommended that we have our bags in hand the entire time. […]
ANNOUNCEMENT: Merger between C2M and Broadside 
Mason Week celebrates road to Cabrera’s inauguration 
Women’s lacrosse look forward to A10 after winless season 
Ten Minute Play Festival brings talent to the stage 
Study abroad offers students a chance to work with the African Wildlife Foundation in Kenya
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