Let It Snow! - Convent of the Sacred Heart

B8
cristina ceballos
arts
Foreign Film Focus
Avenue Montaigne shows Paris’ artistic side
managing editor
This lovely French film, directed by
Danièle Thompson, provides the sweetness
and texture of a chocolate
croissant. Avenue Montaigne
is a delightful comedy, an airy
romance set in the magical city
of Paris. But do not mistake
this film’s charm for substance.
Avenue Montaigne is a
delicious dessert of a movie,
but it lacks the seriousness and
purpose that could have made
it a truly great film.
The movie opens with
classical views of the Eiffel
Tower and the Seine, sparkling
in the morning sun as a romantic
waltz plays in the background.
Into this charming vista steps
Jessica, an innocent girl who wanders the
narrow streets of Paris in search of a job and
an adventure. She becomes a waitress at the
Bar de Théâtres, a small, street-side café
popular among the area’s artistic types. With
a cheerful smile and a sympathetic ear, Jessica
befriends many of the famous and sometimes
neurotic artists who frequent the café.
The plot centers on the night of March 17,
when three major events- a play, auction, and
concert- take place near the Bar de Théâtres.
The movie skillfully weaves together the lives
of several different people, using Jessica
as the focal point between them. Jacques
Grumberg, an art collector played by Claude
Brasseur, plans to sell an art collection he
spent a lifetime amassing. His estranged son
Frédéric, struggles to understand his father
and to prevent him from selling his mother’s
Radiohead revolution
British rockers sell record online for free
meg larson
news editor
Imagine a world without record stores,
where all music is bought online from the
artists without the help of record labels. Now
picture listeners being able to get their favorite
artists’ latest album, legally, for free. While this
may seem like a dramatic departure from the
current music industry model, it could be the
way of the future. Radiohead, an alternative
rock group, certainly believes this.
On October 10, Radiohead released their
seventh album, In Rainbows, exclusively
for online download and independently of a
record label. They chose to offer their newest
release for free, giving fans the option to pay
whatever they want for the disc.
Several other bands have chosen to sell
their albums this way already, but Radiohead
is the most well-known band to do so.
Radiohead’s move to sell their record
independently also indicates a growing trend
of releasing records away from the big record
companies, whom many hold responsible for
overpriced albums. Both music critics and fans
see this move as potentially revolutionary. It
may lead more bands to do the same because
it eliminates many of the difficulties that
come with releasing an album on a major
label, such as the majority of the profits going
to the record company and executives who
are unhappy with an artist’s creative product.
Radiohead’s guitarist Jonny Greenwood,
in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine,
commented on the band’s decision to let
listeners choose their own price.
He said, “It’s fun to make people stop for
a few seconds and think about what music is
worth.”
A British music journal conducted a
survey among people who had bought In
favorite statue. Other characters – a pianist, a
soap opera star, and a hotel concierge – face
difficult decisions and pivotal turning points
in their lives.
The overall acting was excellent. Cécile
de France, as Jessica, played
the leading role with warmth
and charm. Albert Dupontel
was especially pathos-inducing
as Jean-François Lefort, a
renowned concert pianist
sickened by the artificiality of
the classical music world.
But Valérie Lemercier
stole the show as Catherine,
a vain, high-strung actress
yearning to break free of
her unexceptional television
roles. Although she seemed
like a conceited fool at first,
empiremovies.com
Catherine became surprisingly
sympathetic as she desperately
chased a role in an upcoming film by
American director Brian Sobinski. This prima
donna stopped at nothing to get her way,
even using Jessica as a human shield to stage
a “casual” encounter with Sobinski. Her
ridiculous antics teetered between annoying
and hysterical, but by the end of the movie, I
was laughing with her when she finally gained
her coveted role.
Catherine’s role was the high point of this
warm-hearted romantic comedy. Although
Avenue Montaigne is more pleasant than
profound, it recognizes its limits and steers
away from overused platitudes and mawkish
sentimentality. The result is a light-hearted,
appealing film which succeeds on its excellent
acting and charm. It’s a pleasure to watch, and
viewers will find it hard to resist the allure of
the beautiful city of Paris.
Rainbows. Of those surveyed, about half chose
to pay nothing, while the rest paid between
ten and twenty dollars for the album.
“People are constantly pirating music
today so even if they feel loyalty to an artist,
it might not be enough to get them to pay for
something they can legally get for free,” said
junior Lauren Alexander.
The music industry has struggled with
which direction to take when sharing music
has become impossibly easy to do. Although
many file-sharing programs have been shut
down or turned into legitimate ways to buy
music, the music industry is still struggling
with how to adapt to new technology. In the
last five years, the explosion of mp3 players,
have revolutionized the way people listen to
“
It’s fun to make
people stop for a few
seconds and think about
what music is worth.
”
- Radiohead’s Jonny Greenwood
music and have made record companies focus
on making releases technology-friendly.
Every year, the number of albums sold
in stores decreases. The days when pop bands
could sell millions of records in a week seem
to be over. There is much discussion about
how the music industry needs to adapt to new
technology. Many students at Sacred Heart
already purchase most of their music online.
“I’d definitely rather buy music online,”
said sophomore Jojo Golden. “Especially
now that you can buy whole albums online, it
would be pointless to get the actual CD.”
Radiohead released a “discbox” featuring
the album on CD, two 12” vinyl records with
artwork and lyric booklets, and a bonus CD
containing additional tracks on December 3.
How much are you wearing
Financing fashion at Sacred Heart
elyse yoder
Sacred Heart sweatshirt
- $22 - $50
Uniform skirt
- $44.95
Gap Cushion Tab-
Socks - $7.00
staff writer
Plaid kilts and polos are the hallmarks
of a Convent of the Sacred Heart student
just as much as are a social awareness
which impels to action or a deep respect
for intellectual values. For Sacred Heart
students, these kilts and polos comprise
their every day look, along with other
accessories and uniform options.
Although students at Sacred Heart
are required to wear a specific uniform to
school every day, additional accessories
and uniform options increase the
price of what they wear. Many
students stick to the basic
polo shirt and skirt, but
others wear the required
uniform along with extra
accessories and apparel.
Students can select
from an array of sweatshirts,
t-shirts, sweaters, and
other school-sponsored
apparel that can be
bought at the school’s
bookstore. While
the classic Sacred
Heart gray, white,
or hunter green
long-sleeve t-shirts
only cost students
about $20, the
Boathouse warmup
set, required for
all Sacred Heart
athletes, costs over
$100. Although students
are allowed to wear their
Boathouse jackets during
the day, many feel the
price is too high.
“I can understand why
we need to buy the sweatshirt
and jacket because we can wear
them everyday, but not the pants.
Unless I am required to wear them to
practice, I don’t think I am every really
going to wear them,” said freshman Cece
Urbanczyk.
While the price of school polo shirts
and skirts does not vary, what students
spend for accessories such as socks and
shoes ranges widely depending on the
brand, style, and quality. Some students
“
It’s the accessories
that are making everyone
think that the uniform
cost is high. Remember
UGGs are not part of the
uniform.
”- Dean of Students
Miss Karen Panarella
may wear a pair of shoes costing as little
as $20 whereas others could be wearing
a $200 pair of shoes. Such price variation
causes the total amount of money spent
on schoolwear to fluctuate.
“I think the average cost of the
uniform is fairly reasonable,” said Upper
School Dean of Students Miss Karen
Panarella. “It’s the accessories that are
making everyone think that the uniform
cost is high. Remember “UGGs” are not
part of the uniform and could earn you
a detention.”
Some students think that money
spent on items worn to school is a
reasonable price. Because students are
given so many options to wear, these
students do not have a problem with
the cost. Students also recognize
that because Sacred Heart
does have a uniform, they
Uniform Polo Shirt -
$25.00
probably spend less
on school clothing
than if there were
not a uniform
requirement.
They also
recognize that
with an initial
investment in
Sacred Heart
apparel, such
pieces of the
uniform can be
worn multiple
times over the
Gap Classic Tights
- $12.50
UGG flats
- $120.00
course of
their four
years in
the Upper
School.
“I don’t
think that
the cost of
the uniform
is that big a
deal. It
is not
like
a $100 pair of jeans that you wear
like once a week or so, but you wear your
skirt and other school apparel five times
a week,” said junior Allie Hagan.
Other students believe the cost of
the uniform to be too much.
“I don’t like that the prices are high.
I think the prices of the uniform should
be lowered,” said sophomore Shanique
Clarke.
Wearing optional uniform pieces
such as tights or leggings and jewelry or
hair accessories can increase or decrease
the price of the uniform. While certain
students wear more expensive brands,
others are wear only the necessities.
Beyond the basic uniform, some
Sacred Heart students wear clothing such
as UGG boots and expensive jackets to
and from school. There is also variation
because senior privileges allows for the
senior class to wear sneakers and their
customized rugby shirts. Sports teams
often have additional apparel as well.
additional research by lauren manning