DVD REVIEW
Some movies make audiences feel smart. For instance, what makes supernatural thriller “The Sixth Sense” great is the moment the viewer foresees its famous plot twist. Other movies, however, might make audiences feel much, much dumber for having paid hard-earned cash to watch them.
The four best TV shows you’re not watching
For true TV junkies such as me, fall pilot season is bigger than Christmas. Guessing which shows will sink, swim or barely stay afloat is a lot like athletic drafts. The following four shows are my top picks on primetime network television. The first two shows are brand new, and the last two shows are returning for a second (and hopefully not a final) season.
Art student learns from a master
Some art students might find it hard to come up with an inspiration. But not Amanda Dalla Villa – she found hers in a Richmond art legend. Dalla Villa, 21, a senior sculpture major, works alongside well-known Richmond sculptor Paul DiPasquale. DiPasquale is known for creating large-scale sculptures, such as the Indian at the Richmond Braves stadium, the Arthur Ashe statue on Monument Avenue and the Neptune at Virginia Beach.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Rachel Vamenta’s opinion column in the Oct. 11 edition left me reeling. At the end of a well-considered essay, she flippantly added, “We can simply file Susan’s comments under ‘stupid things said by women undergoing menopause.'” Ms. Vamenta is right on this point: The comment in question (a slight against the efficacy and validity of a Filipino education) was in poor taste and the product of desperate scriptwriters, hoping for a laugh.
Now recruiting: Colbert Nation and Dumbledore’s (big gay) army
Isn’t it funny two big stories this past weekend were about a comedian running for president and a gay wizard? This is not a joke. At least the second part isn’t. But first, the media’s still buzzing about Stephen Colbert’s Oct. 16 announcement that he will run for president, which Fox News predictably reported as a “mock candidacy.
Journalism students learn from a distinguished pro
Jackie Jones, a former editor for The Washington Post, has spent her career working at more than 11 news services, but she tells VCU students not to resent small beginnings. “When you’re young, you’re in a hurry. You want the best beats, the best hours, the best days off.
Lifting the veil of shame
Matt Wetsel is a healthy-looking 22 year old, standing tall and lean with wispy blond hair and a short, cropped beard. Looking at him, one might never guess he struggled for two years with anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and significant weight loss.
BRIEFS
WORLD KARACHI, Pakistan – Benazir Bhutto blamed al-Qaida and Taliban militants Friday for the assassination attempt against her that killed at least 136 people, and she declared she would risk her life to restore democracy in Pakistan and prevent an extremist takeover.
SPORTS BRIEFS
FIELD HOCKEY VCU defeated Appalachian State 3-0 Friday evening, bringing to a close a six-match losing streak. Freshman Flore van Dessel (Oisterwijk, Netherlands/Odulphus Lyceum) netted her second goal of the season in the first half. Freshman Merel Kroon (Amstelveen, Netherlands/Keizer Karel College) and senior Jenna Harris (Aurora, Colo.
The CT sports editor sounds off
BASEBALL I know I’ve already talked about this before, but this year’s Major League Baseball playoffs are without a doubt the worst edition I’ve seen in a long time. Don’t get me wrong, the Rockies and Diamondbacks are great teams, but the series just doesn’t have the appeal to keep me interested.