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• Red Flash cooled down: Mason holds on in five sets against Saint Francis

  Sports April 12, 2010 at 12:47 pm Comments are Disabled

  By Fernanda Bartels, Staff Writer The George Mason University men’s volleyball team beat the Saint Francis Red Flash in five sets on Wednesday, ending a five-match losing streak. The win came at a good time, as the Patriots are getting closer to the Eastern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association (EIVA) quarterfinals. With the win, Mason improved its record to 3-4 in conference matches. The Patriots are seeded third in the EIVA standings, one win behind the Princeton Tigers. Mason lead early, having no problem taking the first two sets (30-26, 30-18). The Red Flash came back strong in the third set, outhitting the Patriots in .469. Saint Francis wrapped up the third set with a 10-point difference, 30-20. The Red Flash kept up the heat in the fourth set, opening with a 5-2 lead. The Patriots picked up their game with help from junior setter Brandon Joyner and junior outside hitter Dave Reilly. But the Patriots could not stop junior Jordan Varee’s attacks, falling short in the fourth set, 30-25. The Patriots returned for the fifth set determined to win. By serving and attacking aggressively, Mason took the lead 8-6 after two kills by sophomore outside hitter Joe Norton. The Patriots gained […]

   

• Mason tames Terps: Kendrick shines in the win

  Sports April 12, 2010 at 12:45 pm Comments are Disabled

  By Cody Norman, Staff Writer It took freshman pitcher Nick Kendrick just 17 batters and 49 pitches to get through four scoreless innings of work against the Maryland Terrapins in a 3-1 victory for the George Mason University baseball team on Tuesday afternoon. Kendrick was in a groove early and retired 12 of the first 16 batters he faced before being hit in the hand with a ground ball off the bat of centerfielder Matt Marquis. Redshirt junior T.J. O’Grady stepped in and sat the Terrapins down in order during two stellar innings of work before handing the ball back to a freshman, this time Anthony Montefusco, who allowed one run in the final three innings to pick up the save. Head Coach Bill Brown was impressed with the performance out of his freshman starter and praised his effort after the game. “[Kendrick] is getting better every time he steps out on the mound,” said Brown. “He works hard and he certainly gave us an opportunity to win the game today.” Mason scored first in the bottom of the second inning when freshman second baseman Chris Cook plated junior catcher Brett Hendricks on a triple down the right field line. […]

   

• An Automatic Classic

  Lifestyle April 12, 2010 at 12:40 pm Comments are Disabled

  By Patrick Wall, Style Editor When history looks back on ’90s alternative rock, the word “fleeting” will likely define much of the genre’s music. The decade produced some incredible work, but not without its price. Many bands released an exceptional breakthrough album, then failed to recreate that initial magic and spent the rest of their career in stagnation. Albums like The Wallflowers’ Bringing Down the Horse and Hootie & the Blowfish’s Cracked Rear View still stand as the epitome of the decade — bands whose careers were so promising but whose continuing existence has moved from exciting to parody. Despite all the mediocre bands and disappointing records that made up the burgeoning scene at the time, it took a truly talented band to show how it was done. That band was R.E.M., and that album was 1992’s Automatic for the People. In a career spanning nearly 25 years, the Atlanta, Ga. trio has charted more than a dozen songs and recorded 14 albums. Yet Automatic remains its triumph — high praise for a band many credit for creating the alternative rock genre. Why? From start to finish, Automatic is brimming with the kind of emotional honesty and quality songwriting that […]

   

• Kicking out the Tuesday Jams: Small turnout ends up ‘adventurous’

  Lifestyle April 12, 2010 at 12:39 pm Comments are Disabled

  By Pras Gustanto, Staff Writer It was not exactly the ideal type of day for an outdoor jam session. The afternoon was sunlit and windy, temperatures reached up to the 90s and the wind blew so strongly that hats and class papers were flying all over the place. Not the best conditions for a concert. Nor was it the most intimate. The venue is located outside of the campus Starbucks, next to a dormitory staircase exit. Occasionally, the sound of students shutting the door would interrupt the flow of the music. But for Addison Brown, concert chair for Tuesday Jams, the new venue is actually an improvement compared to the last venue inside Jazzman’s Cafe. “Our turnout’s bigger here than in Jazzman’s,” Brown said. “Back there, there was very little recognition of us in that corner of the Johnson Center.” Freshman communication major Will Clayton was the day’s performer. He played his guitar to an audience of scattered college students who were listening while tanning under the sun. Among his repertoire were cover songs from Bon Iver, The Shins and Coldplay. He also improvised through requests, occasionally joking about how he didn’t know all the chords. The set was less […]

   

• In Bed with Billy: Revisiting celibacy: Lessons they've learned

  Lifestyle April 12, 2010 at 12:37 pm Comments are Disabled

  By Billy Curtis, Sex Columnist Sex is one of the most important things you will ever learn about: how to have it, ways to protect yourself from it and, essentially, how to enjoy it. Last week, I became a teacher, and I don’t think I have ever been so proud of what I write in this column every week. When teaching someone, it’s not every day that you actually learn something as well. But after receiving an e-mail from a friend describing the conditions I will soon dispense to you, I realized that I had not only learned from my mistakes, but I was helping those around me as well. My year of celibacy was probably the most profound thing I have done for myself. (This column can be found billycurtis.wordpress.com and is entitled “My Year of Celibacy Ends .”) It had meant so much to me. But what I would later understand and appreciate more is what my friends would learn from my celibacy. Sarah was an extremely smart woman. I knew this because we shared a common love for both science and English, and had many conversations in the past ranging from Shakespeare to String Theory. I didn’t […]

   

• Ten flicks worth a second look: These remakes rival the original films

  Lifestyle April 12, 2010 at 12:35 pm Comments are Disabled

  By Ross Bonaime, Staff Writer Hollywood is always ready to look to its past for inspiration for its future. In fact, this month alone, we will see remakes of Clash of the Titans, Death at a Funeral and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Since it is growing frequently popular to remake older films, here are the top 10 modern film remakes. 10. Hamlet (2000) While not as great as Laurence Olivier’s Shakespeare adaptation, this modern retelling of one of The Bard’s greatest stories is almost as inventive as Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet revamp. 9. Dawn of the Dead (2004) Zack Snyder’s first film is a surprisingly good modern take on George Romero’s classic horror film. With it, Snyder creates one of the only decent horror reboots recently made. 8. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) After several film adaptations of the play, Tim Burton took his own turn and made a very effective take on this morbid story. Using his usual go-to guy Johnny Depp, Burton creates a gothic, yet touching story. 7. The Mummy (1999) One of the great Universal monsters came back to life with this guilty-pleasure remake. The Mummy brought Rachel Weisz to […]

   

• Sigismondi resurrects The Runaways: First-time director conquers passion project

  Lifestyle April 12, 2010 at 12:33 pm Comments are Disabled

  By Kayla Beardsley, Broadside Correspondent Floria Sigismondi is most known for her direction of music videos such as Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People.” But after April 9, Sigismondi will be known for something much bigger: her first feature film. Sigismondi has been an artist from a very young age. “I would look at a paintbrush and just have to touch it, or use it,” she said. As a child, Sigismondi painted and drew, but as she grew up, her passion turned to photography. Sigismondi wanted to tell the story of the ’70s rock band The Runaways because she was inspired by their story. “I loved the story of two completely different girls coming together and doing something that girls weren’t supposed to do at that time,” she says. “Cherie Currie and Joan Jett were so different . . . yet they created something awesome.” The real Joan Jett and Cherie Currie played a large role in the filmmaking process by helping Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning develop their characters; Sigismondi even had the chance to sit down with Currie’s family. Although many may be a little taken aback by seeing Dakota Fanning as a rock and roll star, Sigismondi saw […]

   

• GMU Players nerd out: Mason’s theater group shines in The Nerd

  Lifestyle April 12, 2010 at 12:32 pm Comments are Disabled

  By Dylan Hares, Staff Writer We all have people in our lives that we just can’t stand. Luckily, few of us can say that those people literally ruin our lives and bring us to the brink of madness. But such is the case for the character of Willum Cubert when a long-lost friend comes over to stay in the George Mason University Players’ rendition of Larry Shue’s 1981 play, The Nerd. The stage lights up with the rather bland architect Willum surprised by his more lively friends, Tansy and Axel. A long exchange ensues, and the audience learns that Willum’s primary love interest, Tansy, is moving away, leaving Willum and his fast-talking friend Axel depressed. Student Michael Burgos, who plays Willum, plays the slow-talking awkward role to near perfection, exuding that too-nice guy feel — he can’t speak up, say no or express what he actually wants. Willum’s birthday party takes a turn for the worse when a character from his past, Rick Steadman, comes over with all the subtlety of a bull on cocaine. English major Joshua McCreary is absolutely stunning in this role as the boisterous Rick. From the moment he comes on stage in a ridiculous purple […]

   

• Mason Ecosphere

  News1 April 12, 2010 at 12:23 pm Comments are Disabled

  By Environmental Action Group Last Thursday, advocates for comprehensive climate and energy policies held a film screening and panel discussion at George Mason University. The film was Clean Energy Jobs for a Strong USA, which highlights the benefits of clean energy jobs for American workers. The screening of the film was followed by a discussion with panelists Jason Von-Kundra, from the GMU Environmental Action Group, and Chad Laibly, with Continuum Energy Solutions. The event was sponsored by the Environmental Action Group, Repower America and the Sierra Club. As the debate in Washington intensifies over how to address our nation’s energy, environmental and economic challenges, the personal stories of workers, veterans, business executives, investors and union members make a compelling argument in favor of meaningful and comprehensive clean energy policies. They also lay a roadmap for how our leaders can work together to implement climate and energy policies this year. “Virginia has suffered in this economic recession, but today’s screening and discussion, especially with the large turnout, reminds us that hope is on the horizon,” said Chad Laibly, who manages a team that sells and installs solar panels for Continuum Energy Solutions in Northern Virginia. “As a former IT consultant, I […]

   

• Physicians speak to students: Colloquium to teach young people about the joys, hardships of careers in medicine

  News1 April 12, 2010 at 12:21 pm Comments are Disabled

  By Ethan Vaughan, Asst. News Editor George Mason University students considering careers in medicine will have a valuable resource to turn to on Tuesday, April 13. The Alpha Epsilon Delta Colloquium, to be held in the Johnson Center’s Room F tomorrow, will focus on the issues faced by those going into the medical field. The event will feature a pediatric physician, a resident physician and two medical students, each of whom is slated to speak for 10 minutes before taking questions from the audience. “They’re going to be talking about why they wanted to go into medicine,” said Dr. Ronald Bashian, who served as a pediatrician for more than 20 years before taking a leave of absence in 2002. “They’re going to be talking about what it means to be in medicine. They’ll talk about the exciting learning moments that taught them about being physicians, but they’ll also talk about the hard times.” Bashian said the colloquium’s goal was to give prospective medical students a full picture of what the journey to being a doctor entails. “Medical school is a difficult time,” he noted. “You have to learn this enormous body of knowledge, and [when] applied to the care of […]