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Articles by Hayley Hodson
‘Bandersnatch’ is a gimmick gone to waste
Although “Bandersnatch” is about decision-making, I can’t decide what to make of it. Is it a brilliant analysis of both free will and the nature of technology’s influence on our minds? Possibly. Is it a dated, derivative take on well-worn ideas? Could be. Is it an extended, mildly amusing joke at the viewer’s expense? Sometimes. It’s impossible to decide.
On the floor: A ‘Second Act’ event with JLo
Jennifer Lopez — yup, as in “JLo” — was on campus on Jan. 11. One of the doyennes of singer-actresses in modern-day Hollywood, Lopez is famous for her role in movies like “Selena” and “Maid in Manhattan” and such hit songs as “On the Floor” that had us all going wild at middle school dances. During the first week of classes, Lopez graced us with her presence in none other than Memorial Auditorium.
Documentaries for good: Dale Bell and Harry Wiland discuss the Media and Policy Center
Based in Santa Monica, California, the Media and Policy Center (MPC) is a non-profit documentary film company that specializes in creating content addressing social justice issues for public television and educational distribution platforms. Co-CEOs Dale Bell and Harry Wiland, who both boast storied careers in film and television spanning decades, joined forces in the early 2000s to develop a media model that would combine documentary filmmaking with community education and engagement.
‘The Grinch’ for the modern moment
It has been 18 years since Jim Carrey brought the Grinch to life in one of the most iconic Christmas movies of all time, and now, in 2018, everyone’s favorite green Christmas character is back in action and cuter than ever before. In addition to reminding you that you are old, this year’s Grinch movie is an animated delight. In line with the times, “The Grinch” depicts a much more modern Who-ville and features an updated narrative with new supporting characters.
An introvert in a pond of extroverts
I, like many of my fellow Grind writers, consider myself to be an introvert. When I have free time, my first thought is not to seek out my friends, but to stay in my room and read a book or watch YouTube or Netflix. This isn’t to say that I don’t enjoy spending time with other people; I just seek out time with myself more often. Given these tendencies, I’ve pleasantly surprised myself this year with how much time I’ve spent with my friends. First of all, I love my friends a lot.
Beware Orson Welles’ final film
“The Other Side of the Wind” is an echo chamber, a hall of mirrors and an irreverent saga jabbing at Hollywood, macho-ism, literary figures and European art cinema. A disorienting ordeal with cinematic Easter eggs scattered throughout, “The Other Side of the Wind” is Orson Welles’ final film 50 years in the making, posthumously released. Held back by financial, legal and political obstacles, production of the film began in 1970.
Interview: Stanford’s Ben Werdegar on music for ‘A Star is Born’
Despite a 10-hour time difference, I had the chance to interview Ben Werdegar, a junior here at Stanford University, about his work on the music for the recently released “A Star is Born” movie. Starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga in Cooper’s directorial debut, “A Star is Born” is the fourth iteration of the iconic Hollywood film. Werdegar, who is currently studying abroad in Florence, Italy, is a trained classical guitarist, but loves rock and pop as well.
“First Man” flies high
Damien Chazelle has made a name for himself directing ambitious films often focused on jazz. At 32, he became the youngest person ever to win the Oscar for Best Director for his Hollywood movie-musical “La La Land.” While at first an unlikely candidate to direct a space movie, there’s actually something quite poetic about Chazelle being at the helm of “First Man.” Based on James R.
Chloe Zhao’s ‘The Rider’ is riveting
Chloe Zhao’s “The Rider” is a film deserving of at least two viewings. I first saw “The Rider” back in September at the Telluride Film Festival and was immediately struck by the clarity with which Zhao directed her film. While “The Rider” is a story about cowboys and deals with themes of masculinity and violence, Zhao’s film explores the fraught relationship between one’s identity and one’s community.
Courtney Balaker’s ‘Little Pink House’ confronts enormous issues
Based on Jeff Benedict’s book by the same name, Courtney Balaker’s “Little Pink House” tells the story of Susette Kelo (Catherine Keener), a middle-aged paramedic, twice divorced, who has finally settled down in small-town Connecticut. And, of course, she’s painted her house pink. However, as a part of the governor’s plan to economically revive the City of New London, Kelo’s historic Fort Trumbull neighborhood is singled-out as the location for a Pfizer Corporation expansion.
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