Recent Posts

• Burger King Economics: Attaching Dollar Signs to Everything Doesn’t Bode Well

  Editorials March 1, 2010 at 2:29 pm Comments are Disabled

  Brandon T. Minister, Staff Writer My brother-in-law once said to me, “What I love about economists is the way they can put a dollar figure on everything. They can say, ‘Sitting at one additional traffic light costs a driver $5.37.’” It is nice of him to tell me what he loves about my profession, especially since I’ve never once returned the favor with, “You know what I love about energy traders . . . ?” However, I can’t tell if he means he loves economists like he loves his wife, or if he just loves us like he loves watching Dumb and Dumber. Is what he loves about the cost-benefit analysis-laden world of economics the ridiculousness of it all? It’s true that economists try to attach a dollar figure to everything. The opinions of haughty arts majors aside, this is a helpful practice. Dollars are the universal common denominator, allowing us to compare two unlike things. If a shirt or a painting has no quantifiable value, I can never know how many paintings to give you as compensation for taking one of your shirts. When we turn them both into dollars, we can start trading. Most people don’t have a […]

   

• Twitter to the Rescue!: Social Networking Sites Create New Adventures for Amateur Journalists

  Editorials March 1, 2010 at 2:27 pm Comments are Disabled

  Evan Benton, Staff Writer On February 12, 2010, two Metro cars on a six-car train jumped the rail. While there were no serious injuries, over 300 passengers were left stranded, and once again the thousands of people using the D.C. Metro system every day were left wondering: What the hell is going on here? There are many reasons to be alarmed. This is the third such incident since mid-June of last year, when the area experienced the deadliest Metro crash in history: a collision of two trains resulted in nine deaths and over 76 injuries. Since then, two Metro employees were crushed by a runaway utility vehicle on the tracks on January 27th; and now there’s this. Granted, cars jumping the rail is better than cars colliding, and in this case an “automated derailer” threw the trains off the tracks before they could collide with each other. Really? An automatic derailer system? I wasn’t aware that the threat of train collision was so ominous and frequent that a derailer system was even necessary. What’s worse is the fact that actual news stations didn’t pick up the incident until 15 hours after the derailment, leaving the populace ignorant to the event […]

   

• Spirituality As I See It: A Walk Through GMU Campus is a Personal Pilgrimage

  Editorials March 1, 2010 at 2:25 pm Comments are Disabled

  Vincent Ali, Broadside Correspondent Every day I walk the paths of George Mason University waiting for someone to hand me a flier explaining why I should follow their path to God and leave my heathen lifestyle behind without a second thought. I politely listen to them, giving them a chance to convince me. However many times I am approached, their aim is always the same. A five-minute conversation to convince me to change my ways is not an effective method to change the beliefs I have had for the past 23 years. How can you possibly fathom the idea that I will change my life after five minutes? It blows my freaking mind. Half of the time it feels like these preachers just want more people to join their following. They see it as a way to strengthen their faith, even though they assure me that they are just trying to spread the word. It is kind of selfish when I look at it that way. Most of my experiences with religion and spirituality have been pretty generic. Someone comes up to me saying that they have the cure to all of life’s problems — all you have to do […]

   

• Hunting for an Oscar: Christoph Waltz Looks to Win Big

  Lifestyle March 1, 2010 at 2:11 pm Comments are Disabled

  Chris Demarco, Staff Writer Before his turn as Hans Landa in Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds, Christoph Waltz was an Austrian actor who had never done an American film. Having never been featured in a film outside of Europe, the worldwide audience that lined up to see Inglorious Basterds was surprised, albeit pleasantly, at the performace of the previously unknown Waltz. Those who didn’t know who Waltz was sure know now, with the steady amount of critical praise he’s received since the film’s release. Waltz was a fairly successful actor in Austria prior to working on Basterds. He began his acting career as a stage actor at venues all over Austria and Germany. Shortly thereafter he jumped into television, where he found more success. He also became a writer and director, working on the film Wenn man sich traut. He has starred in over 90 projects, mostly in television. Waltz is considered a method actor, meaning he essentially becomes the character he is portraying. This was the type of actor Tarantino was in search of when trying to cast the role of Hans Landa. The part was originally offered to Leonardo DiCaprio, but Tarantino decided to go after an older, lesser-known […]

   

• Great Mason Dates: Students Weigh in On Their Favorite Date Ideas

  Lifestyle March 1, 2010 at 2:07 pm Comments are Disabled

  This list contains the top 10 affordable ($30 or less) date ideas accessible by George Mason University transportation, which were received by Sexual Assault Services during Healthy Relationships Week. 1. For lunch, walk to University Mall to Otani Japanese Steak House and get the hibachi ($7 each, or less if you use a 10 percent off coupon found in the Mason coupon pamphlet book). Next, see a movie at the University Mall theaters ($2 each on Tuesdays). Then take the Mason shuttle to the Vienna Metro and go to Ibiza nightclub for a night of dancing (free if you go before 11 p.m.). [Bri Green] 2. Take the Mason shuttle to the Vienna metro and ride it down to U-Street to eat at Ben’s Chili Bowl (cheap food, historical location) and enjoy a walk downtown. The U-Street district is beautiful and full of D.C. culture. [Melissa Edwards] 3. Here’s a great idea for a ‘home date’: get some arts and crafts supplies from a craftstore (like Michael’s), a pizza and make fun crafts for each other in the comfort of your own home. [Nicholas Brightwell] 4. Go to Fat Tuesday’s at University Mall across the street. Two shrimp po’ boys […]

   

• The Crazy Heart of Jeff Bridges

  Lifestyle March 1, 2010 at 2:05 pm Comments are Disabled

  Evan Benton, Staff Writer This year, Los Angeles native Jeff Bridges is the forerunner for the Best Actor award for his role as Bad Blake in Crazy Heart. For fans like me, this attention, praise and heaps of “shoo-in” talk is a long time coming. A major Hollywood presence since 1971 with the release of The Last Picture Show (where he starred with his brother Beau), Bridges has been a fan favorite for decades. Besides his Best Supporting Actor nomination for Show, Bridges has also been nominated for 1974’s Thunderbolt and Lightfoot, a car-theft thriller that featured alongside the great Clint Eastwood, and 2000’s The Contender. He also earned the first of his two Best Actor nominations for the sci-fi film Starman in 1984. Following several flops in the early to mid-90s (the terrible remake of The Vanishing, Blown Away and Wild Bill among them), Bridges appeared in what is arguably his most widely recognized role as “The Dude” from the Coen Brothers’ cult classic The Big Lebowski in 1998. Already known for his on-screen charisma and formidable talent, Bridges channeled his inner So-Cal stoner to give a performance that united classic Bridges fans with a younger generation of viewers. […]

   

• Hidden Talents of Oscar Night

  Lifestyle March 1, 2010 at 2:03 pm Comments are Disabled

  Ross Banaime, Staff Writer Ever watched the Oscars and thought, “How could this film be nominated? I’ve never even heard of it”? Every year, categories are filled with nominees most moviegoers have never heard of. To help get acquainted with these films for the big night, enjoy a description of some of these films, as well as information about where you can find some of them. One of the strongest categories this year is the Best Short Film (Animated) category. Each of these films can be found online and are playing at local theaters. The most familiar entry is Wallace and Gromit in ‘A Matter of Loaf and Death’ in which the duo start their own bakery while dealing with a murderer who is killing bakers. Also nominated is Logorama, which takes place in a world of nothing but corporate logos and where Ronald McDonald goes on a gun-crazy rampage. Granny O’ Grimm’s Sleeping Beauty features a grandmother telling her granddaughter the famous fairy tale, yet getting sidetracked with her own commentary. French Roast is about a stingy businessman who forgets his wallet at a coffee shop and tries to stall the check. Finally, The Lady and the Reaper is […]

   

• From Sundance to Oscar Gold: Silver Screen Novice Gabourey Sidibe Hoping for Precious Win

  Lifestyle March 1, 2010 at 2:02 pm Comments are Disabled

  Evan Benton, Staff Writer In the history of the Academy Awards, there have been several times that a talented newcomer has come along and won the hearts (and votes) of the Academy. Hilary Swank surprised the world with her 1999 Boys Don’t Cry Best Actress win. In 2007, American Idol finalist Jennifer Hudson won the best Supporting Actress award for her role in Dreamgirls. Both pale in the face of Gabourey Sidibe, nominated this year for her debut role in Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire. Sidibe plays Claireece “Precious” Jones, an obese, illiterate African-American girl impregnated for the second time by her father, and enduring long-term mental and physical abuse from her unemployed mother, played by actress and comedienne Mo’Nique. As you can obviously tell, it’s a tough movie to watch. Sidibe plays the title role with such vulnerability and hopelessness that the hardest parts of the film, especially the moments of abuse, make you want to look away. Born and raised by her mother in Harlem, the 26-year-old half-Senegalese Sidibe attended several New York City-area colleges, including Mercy College, where she was in the middle of taking an exam when a friend phoned her and encouraged […]

   

• Walking the Red Carpet Walk: A-List Newcomers and Veterans Bring the Latest Fashions to the Oscars

  Lifestyle March 1, 2010 at 1:58 pm Comments are Disabled

  Deena Smith, Staff Writer Every year at the Academy Awards, E! hosts a red carpet special to watch the stars arrive in their sometimes elegant couture designer dresses and sleek expensive tuxedos and suits. Certain celebrities always have a particular style, whether it is more sophisticated or sexy, but someone always brings something new. The red carpet fashions from previous awards shows have been quite disappointing in the shock factor category — except for Lady Gaga and her well-known extravagancies. But the Oscars are when the gloves come off and the best designs come out. Aside from the Oscar winners, the fashions are the most talked about part of the evening. “Who are you wearing?” is always the first question asked on the carpet for guys and gals alike, but the women’s dresses always receive the most critiques. So, starting with the females, in a surprising new trend for the season, fashionistas are rocking bridal couture down the carpet, instead of down the aisle. Most of them alter the color of the gown, like Glee star Lea Michele who looked sensational at the Golden Globes in a black Oscar de la Renta bridal gown and, again, in a shorter bridal […]

   

• Going for the Gold

  Lifestyle March 1, 2010 at 1:56 pm Comments are Disabled

  Ross Bonaime, Staff Writer Best Director Who Should and Will Win: This year, it’s the battle of the exes as Kathryn Bigelow and James Cameron face off. But the advantage goes to Bigelow for The Hurt Locker. Her gritty take of the conflict in the Middle East dripping with realism and some of the most memorable shots of the year will hopefully make Bigelow the first female ever to take home the award. Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Who Will Win: Thirty-eight years after his first nomination, Jeff Bridges is a shoo-in for the best actor Oscar with his fifth nomination for his alcoholic country singer Bad Blake in Crazy Heart. After four decades, Bridges should finally get his overdue Oscar. Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role Who Should and Will Win: Mo’Nique for Precious is going home with this award, no question. Her fellow nominees are all well-deserved (except for you, Ms. Gyllenhaal), and Mo’Nique’s performance is without a doubt one of the best. Best Picture of the Year Who Will Win: This year is truly a battle between Avatar and The Hurt Locker. While Avatar was a remarkable success, most critics […]