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Articles by Will Tarpley
Conflicted ‘House of Gucci’ nowhere near as seductive as it promises
“Strong family makes a strong business.” Much like its central family, the “House of Gucci” should have it all: glamour, thrills and, above all, fun. A biographical crime drama directed by Ridley Scott weaving a decades-long tragedy of betrayal, familial strife and murder plus a cast including Lady Gaga and plenty of other heavyweights like Adam Driver, Al Pacino and Jared Leto. In many ways, it all sounds too good to be true, and in almost as many ways it is.
More COVID-19 financial aid will be available to students in the spring
The university has allocated between $20 and 24 million in emergency student aid for the upcoming semester through the COVID-19 Student Success Award using the third iteration of the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Act. “$71 million of our funds are allocated to students,” said Mark McLellan, vice president for Research and Innovation.
No true laughs or style in lackluster ‘Red Notice’
“It doesn’t matter what you do, only matters what they think you’ve done.” Writer-director Rawson Marshall Thurber’s “Red Notice” is the kind of movie others make fun of for existing. It has big stars like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot, yet the result comes off as an unintentional parody of big-budget adventure movies.
University to raise housing rates, not tuition
The Board of Regents voted unanimously to raise the prices of housing and meal plans for the 2022-2023 academic semester at this month’s meeting while declining to vote on a proposal to increase tuition rates. The university will increase housing rates by 2.1 percent and dining meal plans by 3 percent during the 2023 financial year, an increase Vice President for Brand Strategy & Communication Jim Berscheidt attributed to a number of factors.
Haunting ‘Spencer’ is a passionate, aching portrait of its icon
“Here in this house, there is no future. Past and the present are the same thing.” What does it mean to have lived nearly your entire adult life under the microscope of the media? To be a public face for a system that restricts you tightly? The same system which seeks to swallow up your sons? These are the questions at the core of director Pablo Larraín’s “Spencer,” a daunting psychological drama starring Kristen Stewart as Diana Spencer, the Princess of Wales.
University does not anticipate changes to vaccination requirements as federal mandate is taken to court
The university does not anticipate any changes to its voluntary vaccination program in light of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton suing President Joe Biden’s administration over vaccination requirements for federal workers and contractors.
Bleak ‘Antlers’ a satisfactory slow burn for the patient
“All this has got to be an animal, right?” “No animal that I’ve ever seen.” When it comes to great folk monsters on film, the wendigo ranks nowhere near the top of the list. Despite having fairly interesting mythology rooted in the First Nations, it hasn’t had any particularly memorable appearances outside of “Until Dawn” and “Pet Sematary.” Its cinematic legacy has certainly left something to be desired, amounting to a little more than two dozen or so cheap z-movies haunting the bargain bin.
New DCTA city representative sees GoZone as supplemental to bus routes
The Denton City Council has appointed council member Alison Maguire to its chair on the Denton County Transportation Authority board of directors, removing incumbent Chris Watts. Maguire, elected to the city council last May, said Watt’s removal came after the former mayor ignored a campaign organized by Denton residents to prevent the axing of six Denton Connect Routes.
‘The Last Duel’ works medieval wonders in spite of shortcomings
“The truth does not matter. There is only the power of men.” For “The Last Duel,” director Ridley Scott of “Gladiator” and “Blade Runner” fame has returned to familiar soil: a historical epic set in fourteenth-century France, based on the book of the same name. Whilst her husband, Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon), is off fighting for the king, noblewoman Marguerite (Jodie Comer) accuses estranged friend and squire Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver) of sexually assaulting her.
SGA leaders discuss transportation, transparency at State of Undergraduate Student Body
Student Government Association President David Skinner and Vice President David Muñoz-Sarabia led the Wednesday night State of the Undergraduate Student Body and addressed current issues affecting students, such as transportation, transparency and participation.
COVID-19 testing update, new legislation and members for SGA
The Student Government Association received an update on the university’s second phase of COVID-19 testing and voted on legislation pertaining to braille replacement and Canvas shortcuts during Wednesday night’s meeting. Elizabeth With, senior vice president for Student Affairs, said 1,301 testings had taken place last week.
‘No Time to Die’: a solid, chaotic goodbye to Daniel Craig’s James Bond
“We have all the time in the world.” All good things must come to an end. For Daniel Craig’s 15-year run as famed secret agent 007, aka James Bond, that time has come. Plagued with pre-production troubles and delayed for 18 months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, “No Time to Die” has finally surfaced in theaters with the objective to end Craig’s five-film tenure on a high note.
Homecoming returns to in-person format, set for second week of November
The university’s annual Homecoming events are returning to campus this year from Nov. 7-13 with the theme “Keep UNT Groovy.” This marks the first in-person version of the tradition since 2019, after last year went online due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While last year saw event format plans shift, planning for Homecoming 2021 kept the in-person experience in mind, Student Affairs Campus-Wide Events Coordinator Andrea Jackson said.
‘Venom: Let There Be Carnage’ is the best superhero sequel of 2006
“Responsibility is for the mediocre.” Three years ago, Sony unleashed “Venom” upon skeptical moviegoers to massive box office success. While critics mostly dunked the original for inconsistent tone, dodgy special effects and a very self-serious plot, general audiences had the complete opposite reaction. Many loved it for some of the reasons its detractors detested it: the hilarious and often homoerotic dynamic between Tom Hardy’s Eddie Brock and Venom.
Netflix’s ‘Midnight Mass’ shocks with a stellar jolt of religious horror
“Feels wrong, doesn’t it? To interrogate a miracle?” Mike Flanagan has had a solid past five years with hits like both seasons of Netflix’s “The Haunting” anthology, the highly underrated “Doctor Sleep” and the tense “Gerald’s Game.” Now, “Midnight Mass” finds him in new territory as his first original project since 2016, a seven-episode miniseries explores a sleepy fishing community turned upside down by the arrival of a new priest, the cryptic Father Paul Hill (Hamish Linklater).
Students with disabilities discuss semester progress and challenges
With this fall semester reverting largely back to face-to-face classes, the North Texas Daily reached out to students with disabilities for their thoughts on how the university is accommodating them. “I would say that it has been a challenging experience,” sculpture junior Ryan Semegran said. “It is difficult to get used to an entire year of being online and secluded, then being shoved back into face-to-face life in just a couple of months.
Clint Eastwood looks for forgiveness in uneven ‘Cry Macho’
“[Being macho], it’s like anything else in life. You think you got all the answers. Then you realize, as you get old, that you don’t have any of them. By the time you figure it out, it’s too late.” After being laid off, an old friend comes to washed-up rodeo star Mike Milo (Clint Eastwood) in 1980 for a favor — he wants Mike to smuggle his son, Rafo (Eduardo Minett), who has gotten to trouble under a neglectful mother, out of Mexico.
University launches eight new degrees for fall semester
This fall semester, the university launched eight new degree plans, covering topics such as addiction studies, biomedical engineering and geographic information systems, according to a Sept. 8 press release. “We are constantly evaluating our programs and looking for new ways to provide our students with the best possible opportunities for learning in our ever-changing world,” said Jennifer Cowley, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs.
‘Malignant’: A glorious rollercoaster of camp and carnage
“It’s time we cut out the cancer.” In 1993, doctors and security guards frantically work to restrain a super strong, nigh unstoppable killer called Gabriel. Decades later, Madison (Annabelle Wallis) has just survived an encounter with her abusive husband, only to find him brutally murdered the next morning. Soon, she starts seeing visions of a leather-clad killer eviscerate members of the hospital she grew up in. Has Gabriel come back?
Students, faculty and politicians react to statewide voting changes
When Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 1 on Sept, 7, he promoted the legislation as tightening election integrity. For political science associate professor Gloria Cox, Abbott’s words clashed with reality. “If there were problems with electoral integrity, I would be the first to want the problems corrected, as I believe elections are a key element of democracy, but I have read extensively and there is just no evidence of anything beyond the occasional glitch,” Cox said.
Shrewd ‘Only Murders in the Building’ skewers true crime with love
“Do I wanna break into a dead guy’s apartment and go through all his shit? Sounds like an afternoon.” The first impression Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” gives to its audience is deceptive — Steve Martin plays his usual grumpy old man schtick, Martin Short is bouncy and campy and Selena Gomez talks about her obsession with true crime and how she would kill an intruder in her apartment. One’s a grouch, one’s a keet and the last is a tad quirky. They all live in the same building, the Arconia.
Bold 'Kevin Can F--k Himself' delivers dark laughs in sitcom deconstruction
“The whole world is rigged! It’s made for guys like Kevin!” Having finished its first season run just over a month ago, “Kevin Can F–k Himself” was recently renewed by AMC for a second season and it’s not hard to see why.
Student veterans reflect on Afghanistan War following America’s recent withdrawal
The U.S. has officially ended its participation in the Afghanistan War, a conflict that killed 2,400 American service members and 50,000 Afghan civilians, according to the New York Times. The Department of Defense said more than 800,000 military personnel have served in the country since combat began in 2001. This includes biology senior Enrich Ellis, a former Marine Corps Special Forces sergeant who served from 2005 to 2013.
College Inn set to be demolished next year, no current plans for new housing
The College Inn residence hall is set to be demolished in January 2022, following the university shutting down its operations last fall. A low-income, economic alternative to more expensive residence halls, College Inn hosted up to 412 beds before its closure in consideration of budgetary issues from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The hall itself was built as a private residence in the 60s before being sold to the university and opened to occupants in the 70s.
Nia DaCosta’s ‘Candyman’ unnerves but rarely terrifies
“Candyman ain’t a ‘he.’ Candyman’s the whole damn hive. If you’re out here looking for Candyman, you ask me? Stay away!” In the upscale areas of Chicago, artist Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) is looking for inspiration to reverse his creative stagnation. After hearing a telling of the legend of Candyman, he heads to the gentrified Cabrini-Green residences to investigate.
Smatresk discusses in-person plans, rising enrollment at Board of Regents meeting
President Neal Smatresk reaffirmed the university’s commitment to in-person events and classes for the fall semester at the Aug. 12-13 Board of Regents meeting. “We will be doing everything we know how to still have that full face-to-face experience,” Smatresk said. “We know for a fact that students are coming back to school because they expect in-person classes. They want networking. They want activities.
Dark ‘Stillwater’ explores murky depths with unexpected grace
“I’m trying to get my little girl out of jail — that’s all I give a damn about!” “You sound very American right now.” “Good. I am!” Bill Baker (Matt Damon) is a man with an empire of dirt. He’s been working odd jobs since his oil job laid him off six months ago, his town is dying and his daughter, Allison (Abigail Breslin), is locked up for supposedly killing her girlfriend in Marseilles.
Denton police recovered stolen Honda after hit-and-run call
Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth...
‘Space Jam: A New Legacy’ has no soul and I must groan
“You want to be great — you got to put in the work.” Estranged from his son, Dom (Cedric Joe), a video game developing protege, LeBron James (LeBron James) takes him to Warner Studios to bond. However, a self-aware algorithm, Al G Rhythm (Don Cheadle), decides he wants to become the next best thing and sucks LeBron and Dom into the Serververse. To save Dom, LeBron must assemble the Looney Tunes for a high-stakes game of basketball like you’ve never seen before. Supposedly.
Why national Democrats will fail the Texas House walkout
On July 12, approximately 59 House Democrats walked out of the special session of the 87th Texas Legislature, breaking quorum to prevent the passage of controversial legislation which would place restrictions on voting. These restrictions include bans on drive-thru voting, 24-hour voting and prohibiting local election officials from sending unsolicited applications for requesting mail-in ballots. It is not the first time they have done so this year alone.
Light on substance but high on style, ‘Gunpowder Milkshake’ is an alright treat
“F–k you!” “Language, Anna May. There’s a child present.” “Fine. Fudge you.” Years after her mother (Lena Headey) left her, Sam (Karen Gillan) has become an elite hitwoman, following in her footsteps. Working for the Firm, a powerful crime organization, Sam kills the wrong target one night and fails to make amends when she saves Emily (Chloe Coleman), the daughter of one of her targets.
31 years after ADA became law, demonstrators in Denton say change is still needed
Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth...
Black, veteran-owned Jus A Cup coffee shop revives roasts in Sanger
Country United States of AmericaUS Virgin IslandsUnited States Minor Outlying IslandsCanadaMexico, United Mexican StatesBahamas, Commonwealth of theCuba, Republic ofDominican RepublicHaiti, Republic ofJamaicaAfghanistanAlbania, People's Socialist Republic ofAlgeria, People's Democratic Republic ofAmerican SamoaAndorra, Principality ofAngola, Republic ofAnguillaAntarctica (the territory South of 60 deg S)Antigua and BarbudaArgentina, Argentine RepublicArmeniaArubaAustralia, Commonwealth...
Half-decent, barely-fresh ‘Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness’ fails to find a point in its existence
“More important question is, how the hell did zombies get into the White House?’ “And who’s behind it?” In 2000, members of the “Mad Dogs” unit of the U.S. army are killed by insurgents during the Penmastan Civil War. Years later in 2006, evidence is discovered by Claire Redfield (Stephanie Panisello) suggesting bioweapons may have been used, while Leon Kennedy (Nick Apostolides) deals with an outbreak of zombies at the White House.
‘No Sudden Move’ is another solid caper from a heist master
“Motherf–ker’s got eyes, they just can’t see.” “Let me ask you something. What made you think you could trust me?” Detroit, 1954. Curt Goynes (Don Cheadle) is a day fresh out of prison when he’s contacted by Jones (Brendan Fraser) for a job with two other thugs: Ronald Russo (Benicio Del Toro) and Charley (Kieran Culkin). They take the family of Matt Wertz (David Harbour) hostage and force him to retrieve some valuable documents.
UNT ecosystem geographer picked for EPA clean air committee
University of North Texas ecosystem geographer Alexandra Ponette-González has been picked by the Environmental Protection Agency to serve on the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee. She was one of seven people selected for the panel out of 100 applicants.
How much will February's winter storms cost Denton schools?
February’s winter storms, and accompanying rolling blackouts caused by a faulty electric grid, could cost Denton-area schools somewhere in the ballpark of $20 million. Local schools’ damage estimates made before the state thawed in mid-February put costs somewhere in the millions. While that figure was clearer four months later, representatives from Denton ISD, the University of North Texas, Texas Woman’s University and North Central Texas College didn’t have the full picture.
Aubrey school board appoints new assistant principal to Fuller Elementary
Aubrey ISD board members approved Nathan Smith as the newest assistant principal at Fuller Elementary School during June’s board meeting. Smith will be serving under Principal Kari Abrams, who has headed the school since its opening last August. This upcoming year will serve as the second complete year for Aubrey ISD’s third elementary school. “Fuller Elementary is honored to welcome Nathan Smith into the Chaparral Family as our first assistant principal,” Abrams said.
Denton library returns to fun, in-person summer activities for families
The Denton Public Library this month has rolled out a series of family reading programs, marking a return to pre-pandemic, in-person activities designed to entertain and educate area children during the summer break. One of the first such activities, Bring-a-Blanket StoryTime, began the morning of June 4 on the lawn of the Courthouse on the Square, with the next Bring-a-Blanket event scheduled for July 2.
On tour in Denton, O'Rourke talks voter suppression: Threat to democracy 'requires all we got from all of us'
Former U.S. Rep. Beto O’Rourke, the high-profile El Paso Democrat who ran for Senate in 2018 and president in 2020, drew a crowd of around 200 listeners Monday night at North Lakes Park as part of a tour to raise awareness of voting rights across Texas. After opening remarks by state Rep. Michelle Beckley, D-Carrollton, and volunteer Jen Spugnardi, O’Rourke took center stage.
‘Mortal Kombat’ is neither a flawless victory nor a fatality
“Test your might!” Disgraced MMA fighter Cole Young (Lewis Tan) is just barely scraping by when a superpowered assassin, Sub-Zero (Joe Taslim), starts hunting him and his family. Trying to figure out what’s going on, Cole meets Sonya Blade (Jessica McNamee), who suspects he has some tie to Mortal Kombat, an ancient tournament that will dictate the fate of Earthrealm. As they find further allies, sorcerer Shang Tsung (Chin Han) seeks to undermine the tournament and murder Earth’s best champions.
SGA passes resolutions on library hours, transportation costs, pronoun inclusivity
The Student Government Association closed out its 57th senate session with the passing of resolutions that seek to extend Willis Library’s hours, lower transportation fees and introduce pronouns into UNT Systems. Willis Library cut back its hours of operation due to COVID-19 when it reopened last July. The library has since extended its hours but is still not back to being open 24 hours as it was before the pandemic.
Food pantry’s partnership expands service, number of employees and hours
The university entered a partnership with Kroger Company, as part of the latter’s Zero Hunger Zero Waste foundation, for $250,000 in funding for the campus food pantry in exchange for naming rights. The commitment was announced at an April 8 campus event, attended by President Neal Smatresk.
Trans rights activists hold protest outside state Rep. Lynn Stucky’s office
Denton residents protest anti-trans bill in front of Rep. Lynn Stucky's Denton office on April 21, 2021. Image by Ricardo Vazquez Editor’s note: The North Texas Daily interviewed Kevin Whitt, a former Texas GOP staffer who led the counter-protest. We ultimately chose not to include this interview due to Whitt’s participation in the capitol insurrection and his statements regarding the alt-right group Proud Boys, for which he was fired.
Toulouse graduate programs rank in top 10 nationwide
Two of the university’s graduate programs were ranked in the top 10 nationwide in the U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Graduate Schools report. The College of Health and Public Service had a number of programs make the list, such as public finance in budgeting which was ranked No. 1, Master of Public Administration (MPA) for homeland security and emergency management which came in at No. 7 and local government management which was ranked No. 12.
BREAKING: UNT Police investigating aggravated assault near fraternity home
University police are investigating an aggravated assault that took place in the 1000 block of Maple Street at 1:43 a.m., Sunday, in Parking lot 41, according to a UNT Police Crime Alert sent out this morning. The reported alteration, which involved fraternity members and unknown individuals, escalated to gunfire behind the Kappa Sigma fraternity. Two people were transported to a nearby, unspecified hospital.
‘Shiva Baby’ is an anxiety-driven nightmare of the best kind
“You can’t just show up to the afterparty for a shiva and, like, reap the benefits of the buffet.” “Yeah?” Danielle (Rachel Sennott), a young Jewish woman about to graduate from college, attends a shiva with her family. There, she runs into not only her ex-girlfriend, Maya (Molly Gordon) but also her sugar daddy, Max (Danny Deferrari). As the gathering goes on, her relatives push her into anxiety about her current path in life, her sexuality and what direction she hopes to take.
Devon Skinner, David Muñoz-Sarabia elected for 2021-2022 SGA Presidenct, Vice President with continued record-low turnout
President-elect Skinner said the first step for his administration would be to start communications with Student Housing to implement town halls held inside dorms. “Doing so will start an outreach effort that goes to the students, not expecting them to come to us,” Skinner said. Vice President Muñoz-Sarabia said another cornerstone would be accessibility for disabled students.
‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ knows how much dumb fun it is and owns it
“If [Kong] leaves, Godzilla will come for him. There can’t be two alpha Titans.” Years after 1973, an older Kong is contained at Skull Island, his only companions being the on-site Monarch research team and Jia (Kaylee Hottle), a mute orphan who can communicate with him through sign language. However, as Godzilla begins an unexpected rampage, the researchers move Kong out. As the Titans clash, a sinister research company operates from the shadows.
‘Cherry’ chokes on its own ambitions
“As I stood there holding a gun, taking her in, something overtook me. Like a kind of sadness. It’s as if I’d always known that this was how things were supposed to end. But I wasn’t made to realize it until that exact moment.” As he holds up a bank, opioid-addict Cherry (Tom Holland) reflects on what led to his desperation, including the day he met Emily (Ciara Bravo), his traumatizing time as a medic in Iraq and his descent into self-destruction and crime.
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