You know what they say about death: it’s inevitable and comes to us all. With that in mind, you might as well have a good life à la Jeremy Bentham and get as much pleasure as possible. How? Why, television and movies.
While you may be under the impression that Cardinal and Cream writers don’t go home over break, slaving over new op-eds, in-depth sports analyses, and some sweet, sweet A&E features, we are only human. Over break, we all found time for a show or movie, and below are some of our thoughts concerning these experiences.
Hannah Heckart on The Office
My boyfriend and I recently started watching The Office, and I know I’m about 13 years late since it first aired in 2005, but it is the type of show that carries its humor throughout the years. Starring Steve Carell as the office boss and clown, it reflects Carell’s personality well. This comedian coupled with writers from Saturday Night Live. The Office is a documentary-style comedy that will keep you laughing from season to season, but also leaves space for more serious parts of life like death and break ups. The show won five Primetime Emmy Awards and is still being rerun on NBC since its end in 2013.
Suzanne Rhodes on Gladiator
In 2000, Russell Crowe became the face of the perfectly imperfect character, Maximus, the famous war hero who became a slave for Rome. For the first time, 18 years later, I experienced the world of Gladiator.
Even as a teenage girl whose choice of movies always consists of cliché love stories, I loved every minute of the action-packed drama that received five Oscars.
As incredible and encaptivating as the movie is, the soundtrack, composed by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, is truly what makes Gladiator the masterpiece that it is. It even took home the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Score in 2000.
A vast majority of people have already witnessed the greatness of Gladiator, but if there are still people like me in the world who have waited 18 years to jump on the Gladiator bandwagon, then I strongly encourage each of you to experience the thrilling, emotional, and heartfelt story.
Austin Maddox on Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
Over winter break, I saw Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and it was a treat. Normally, I am pretty skeptical of comical movies; however, this was not the normal, lack-of-compelling-plot, slapstick comedy that I am used to seeing. Jumanji had the perfect mix of laughs, action, and even a few heartwarming scenes that made you want to, you know, snuggle with a puppy or something. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Kevin Hart have great comedic chemistry on screen, and Jack Black absolutely kills his role as a pretty, preppy, teenage girl trapped in a middle-aged, overweight man’s body. Overall, I would highly recommend giving this movie a shot when it comes to DVD.
Stephen Walker on The Last Jedi
The Last Jedi, the second film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, picks up as Rey finally tracks down Luke Skywalker, who has been living in isolation. While Rey tries to convince Luke to come out of seclusion and help the Resistance fight The First Order, Luke teaches Rey the ways of the Force as her powers grow stronger, and Leia, Finn, Poe, and the Resistance continue to battle Kylo Ren and The First Order. I did not like Luke Skywalker’s new hardened demeanor in this installment; he seemed to be a completely different character. This was my first time watching a Star Wars movie in theaters (having watched the first seven last summer), so it was cool to be able to experience the film at the same time as everyone else and understand the current Star Wars discussions that would inevitably take place.
Grace Sloan on The Greatest Showman
What movie did I go see in theaters three times over break you ask? That would be The Greatest Showman. Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya, and the rest of the star-studded cast brought to life the story of P.T. Barnum, circus extraordinaire. The film takes you through a story of imagination, dedication, love, acceptance, and you will leave feeling like you’ve been wrapped up in a hug for the past hour and 45 minutes. If anyone is going, I’ll gladly watch and sing through it for a fourth time.
Emma McLeod on Bridesmaids
I know, I know, I’m late to the bandwagon, but this movie was ideal for my snow day/J-Term blues. For those of you who haven’t seen it, this chick-flick is about a bride and her two best friends, who are in an unspoken war to be the best bridesmaid, leading to an epic and hysterical set of escapades with the bridal party. I was laughing, crying and felt that somewhere in another life, Kristen Wiig and I must be best friends. (And she’d definitely be my maid of honor. Sorry not sorry, Rose Byrne.) If you already need a little pick-me-up from the syllabus shock you experienced last week, I highly suggest watching Bridesmaids with your best girl friends.
Randall Kendrick on Good Time
Cameron Woodard on Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle
I had the pleasure over break of seeing “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” with my family. Despite a large array of infamous celebrities and actors that can often pollute a film, I thought it was hysterically good. The humor was balanced, with Kevin Hart and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson playing off each other in a “Big Guy vs. Little Guy” way. Not to mention Jack Black’s humor is always incredibly witty and refreshing. The plot was solid and gave so many opportunities for laughs and just enough character development to keep me entertained. And Jack Black…c’mon now. Male character pretending to be a woman? That’s golden. Clever dialogue makes any movie a good movie.
Until next time,
the Cardinal and Cream staff.
