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For 1st level designers, Saturday night was their big debut at the 29th annual CFC Fashion Show, a time to test the waters and make one piece that highlighted all they had experienced in their first year here. For 4th level students, however, it was a time to shine, to showcase all the skills they learned at Cornell and through a variety of impressive internships.

Beginning with the 3rd level designers, it was clear that the CFC runway would look a lot like Milan, New York, Paris, London — heavy in mixed materials, juxtaposed fabrics and muted palettes with pops of color. I was most impressed with Dorado’s line, which involved bright, sheer fabrics paired with classic preppy looks (houndstooth, plaid, etc.) and collared shirts buttoned all the way up to the neck. The line was cohesive, fun and soundtracked to reflect the modern preppy feel that it took on.

Unlike the 3rd level students who designed multiple looks, 1st level students had the task of designing one look that reflected one of the seven deadly sins. Overall these pieces worked with thick, heavy materials used in almost an origami-like fashion. Perhaps the most interesting (not best, just…weird) piece was a long white satin gown complete with a neck brace that sported white feathers off it. I’m not super familiar with the seven deadly sins but if purity was one (it isn’t), this gown would have filled that niche.

For the 2nd level students, whose task was to create a modern take on the collared button down, ideas ranged from 3D bubbles that didn’t cover anything from the neck down to pastel cape crop tops that buttoned down. I was unclear how many of these recreated anything that looked remotely close to the classic button down, but I particularly loved one look that used sheer neon fabrics colorblocked with straight vertical lines. These two pieces were, in fact, a modern take on the classic button down and demonstrated mastery of a delicate fabric and balance between work and play.

To review the 4th level collections would not do any of them justice. Perhaps most striking was Gottesman’s line done entirely in black and metallic forest green. It was simple, straightforward and had a beautiful flow and cohesiveness. Another favorite was Aguialar’s line that contrasted leather and chiffon (two of my favorite materials) to pair feminine with powerful. Ultimately, Ceesay stole the show with her incredible hair and makeup as well as Betsey Johnson meets Marc Jacobs line. Ceesay worked with heavy, starched fabrics to create texture and volume while using muted complementary color combinations (orange + navy) to blend the crazy with the tame.

From butts that were shown (you know what I mean) to the variety of struts (stand up straight, some of you!), I applaud all the designers for their beautiful collections and the models for being able to walk down the runway in what looked like shoes with only half a heel. Well done, CFC.

Cornell Baseball vs. Princeton

Celeste Cirillo-Penn — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 02:15:25 +0000

Photography by Celeste Cirillo-Penn

Photos can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151194128413078.1073741845.6048358077&type=1

Cornell Fashion Collective Photo gallery

Celeste Cirillo-Penn — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 21:55:26 +0000

Photo Gallery 1: photography by Celeste Cirillo-Penn

Photos can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151193826628078.1073741844.6048358077&type=1

Photo Gallery 2: photography by Alexa Salazar

Photos can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151194157993078.1073741846.6048358077&type=1

Battle of the Chefs Photo Gallery

Celeste Cirillo-Penn — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:59:08 +0000

Photography by Glenn Mathews

Photos can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151193721688078.1073741843.6048358077&type=1

The Cutting Room Floor #17: The Graduate (1967)

sydney.reade — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 16:21:11 +0000

Here it is, my last column on classic films. To commemorate the end of another wonderful semester and those graduating, we turn to number 17, The Graduate.

The movie begins the summer after Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman) graduates from college. He doesn’t know what he wants to do with his life, and his father (William Daniels) and his parents’ friends seem keen on making that decision for him, which becomes clear from the graduation party they throw him. Apparently plastics was a hot field in 1967. Benjamin is asked to drive the wife of his father’s law partner, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), home where she tries to seduce him. He’s hesitant at first, but through the unwitting advice of Mr. Robinson who counsels Benjamin to enjoy his youth while he can, he goes ahead with the affair.

With the pressure to make major life decisions mounting, Benjamin’s father forces him to take Elaine, Mrs. Robinson’s daughter, out on a date to see if they might be interested in getting married. Mrs. Robinson warned Benjamin that as long as they were involved, her daughter was off limits, so Benjamin tries to make himself as unappealing as possible, hurts Elaine’s feelings, and winds up kissing her to make up for it. In his embarrassment and newfound connection with Elaine, he reveals the affair he had with her mother. In shock, Elaine takes off to Berkeley and cuts ties, so that when Benjamin comes to find her, she’s been made to think he raped her mother. Benjamin also finds out she’s betrothed to another man. Mr. Robinson finds Benjamin and threatens him to stay away from his family. Benjamin seems intent on doing just that, but in a last ditch effort to enjoy his youth as he was so prophetically advised, he drives to Santa Barbara where Elaine’s wedding is taking place, runs into the church a hair too late, and disrupts the whole affair with his Stanley Kowalski-esque bellows of “Elaine! Elaine!” His presence causes an all out fist fight, but he and Elaine escape, hail down a bus, and travel down a long and dusty road, no more sure of their future than they were months before.

As is typical of college graduates, most of the learning about life is done post-academia. Whatever Braddock learned in school (although he is not yet 21 when he graduates, a potential plot hole), it could never have prepared him to face the temptations of, well, a cougar, the pressure from his family to get a job or get a life, the ability to upend someone else’s life completely with one impulsive decision, or the pull of individuality and living according to one’s own standards over following the herd. These were all lessons Benjamin had to learn on his own through cold, hard experience.

Some may find it amusing that the father figure in this movie is none other than William Daniels—Mr. Feeny from Boy Meets World, the esteemed and wise educator. I’m not sure his philosophical powers were in as fine a form in his character in the movie, but it’s interesting to note nonetheless. When I first watched this movie, I watched it because of its fame and because of the illustrious soundtrack that brought Simon and Garfunkel to the forefront of the music industry. Their music makes this film as much as the themes and technical construction do. But I wasn’t all that intrigued with the plot. I found it slow, boring, and anticlimactic. I felt frustrated by the pace of the movie, and in my view what were failed expectations for a movie of such caliber and hype. It wasn’t until later when I was able to analyze the film that I realized the sense of frustration, that slow-going what-the-hell-is-happening feeling was intentional. Through the films construction, the audience is able to feel the palpable sensation of placelessness and confusion that Benjamin feels throughout the film. It isn’t until the pivotal scene when Braddock’s car runs out of gas just before he makes it to church and when he is banging on the glass in the church, that the viewer finally feels a sense of validation and excitement, which is the same trajectory Benjamin’s feelings followed.

Of course, Dustin Hoffman strikes again in his earlier work, his awkward personality and unique vocal quality lending themselves perfectly to the characterization of Braddock. It is pretty much a one man show in the acting department, and the cinematic construction, while not revolutionary, certainly had its film noir moments reminiscent of Double Indemnity and Casablanca in the way shadows played up the drama, particularly where Mrs. Robinson was involved. In short, the movie is worth its hype, even if it may not seem like it upon first viewing. Good for a nostalgic look back at those days following college graduation, or for a Hollywood take on the experience that will resonate with college grads everywhere.

To everyone who followed or enjoyed even one of my columns, I hope you learned a little bit about what makes great films, and maybe added a couple of gems to your viewing repertoire. I haven’t been able to cover all of the films on the American Film Institute’s list, but there’s nothing stopping you from embarking on the same challenge I have. Happy watching!

161 and Counting

Alexandra Clement — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 01:58:12 +0000

Just some lovely models and me post-walk

#87: Have a friend’s parents take you out to eat at John Thomas Steakhouse or Boatyard Grill. My friend and I are dating Sig Nu boys (go ahead, be jealous) and they just finished up their parents’ weekend. Sig Nu held their first annual powderpuff game today to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and my boyfriend, who coached us, got to see just how unathletic I really was. I almost didn’t play because I wanted him to have one last strand of hope that I wasn’t this…unskilled slash unfit. Anyway, at the game I met my friend’s boyfriend’s mom (and let me just say, there’s a reason these boys are so amazing: their mothers) and she ended up taking the four of us out to dinner at the Boatyard Grill.

Side note: I dislike how this number on the list is phrased. It makes it sound like we’re taking advantage of our friend’s parents, which is so not the case.

So she treated us to a fabulous dinner, minus the Grill ran out of the steak she and my friend wanted. Not cool. But it was great because it wasn’t awkward like parental encounters I’ve had in the past have been. Which I guess is probably my fault because I’m a really awkward person until you get to know me and you realize I’m like more than awkward. This mama was so fun, so nice, so words that aren’t generic that I can’t think of. It was lovely.

#112: Be a model in the Cornell Design League’s annual fashion show. My designer drunkenly asked me in Loco last semester to model for her and I’m so glad she did. I was obsessed with my outfit¾it was a high waisted cropped jean pant with a top that I was literally about to steal. It had ridges under the fabric in the shoulders to make it stand up a bit and the fabric itself was a slingy green material. It was so sick! It kind of took up my entire day on Saturday, but I don’t even care because it was so fun. Hanging out backstage, we got to see everyone’s looks before they went on the runway. My designer, who was a fourth level in what’s now actually called the Cornell Fashion Collective, not the Cornell Design League, had eleven looks to show on eleven girls. People were coming up to me afterwards asking about the designer and the clothes.

If you ever have a chance to model in the show, DO IT. You meet some awesome people. Even if you’re a dude, do it. You basically get to see girls in their underwear. There were a few lines that featured men and they were really impressive. Just remember to eat…I only ate breakfast that day. An omelet can only hold a girl over for so long.

Lessons learned: Sig Nu rocks. Their mothers raised them to be perfect. Cornell designers are damn talented so wear their clothes in front of hundreds of people. Eat.

Song of Spring

Lindsay Rothfeld — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 20:06:43 +0000

The music pounds and I feel the heat, the beat transforming my stance.

Surroundings disappear and I’m pulled forward, moving through a melody.

Outstretched arms, harmonize with me.

Slope Magazine Spring 2013

leela.chantrelle — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 19:05:00 +0000

Cornelligible Bachelors!!

leela.chantrelle — Sun, 28 Apr 2013 18:41:53 +0000

Latin Single of the Week

Ashley Chacon — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:13:54 +0000

This Week: Bachata

I’m not sure if it’s possible for Aventura to make a song I don’t like. Come to think of it, it’s not since the music group separated in 2011. It’s extremely difficult for me to try to pick just one song for my readers to listen to. Therefore I strongly encourage you to listen to more of their songs after reading this article. I did, however, narrow it down.

“Dile al amor” is a song released on their rightful titled album The Last, which was their final studio album. This song is about a man who has given up on love and does not welcome it. In the video viewers watch as love fails lead singer Romeo time and time again. At the end of the song he sings, “I don’t need no love in my life,” a direct statement of his feelings towards love.

I love Aventura’s bachata, and I’m sure many young people who listen to Latin music can agree that Aventura was one of the reasons they even listen to (or dance to) bachata. I also think its fair to say that groups like this paved the way for singers such as Prince Royce and Leslie Grace who both have very similar styles.

I really hope that this band reunites some day. For now though, it looks like Romeo is trying to advance is solo career and will not be looking to reunite just yet. Amidst his success, I can only hope he won’t forget the band that helped him get there.

Artist on the Rise: Ruby & The Rib Cage

Myra Nizami — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 19:05:13 +0000

Before I write about this band, I just wanted to put this out there: if you are ever on the lookout for new music, please check out The Mahogany Sessions on Youtube. I’m slightly obsessed with these series, and each time they spotlight incredibly talented musicians, all of whom sound great live and have really unique styles. Look the sessions up, your ears will thank you.

The Mahogany Sessions are how I discovered Ruby and the Ribcage, while on a random Youtube sidebar adventure. If Adele and Florence Welch had a baby, I’m certain it would sound like vocalist Ruby. Their live version of their original song Dandelion is flawless, and their incorporation of unconventional instruments like the violin and the cello (both of which I am a sucker for, I love strings.) makes this song incredibly lush, and multi-layered. Each time I listen to their songs, I discover a new element and I absolutely love it. Plus, the song makes you want to go lie down in a field of dandelions…which sounds way better than finals right about now. Their other tracks, such as Horror and This City all have this sense of optimism and happiness in them, which I really like. Ruby’s voice is gorgeous, and is filled with a lot of soul and emotion, which I absolutely love. I personally prefer their live songs versus their studio tracks, so I thought I’d link their song Dandelions. Happy spring everyone!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P5td1uXjVcA

THEESatisfaction and Shabazz Palaces @ The Haunt

leela.chantrelle — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 18:16:58 +0000

Before I start this concert review, I have to be honest, I was only going to see THEESatisfaction. My friends and I showed up a couple songs before the end of the Malitia MaliMob’s set. I’m not a big fan of aggressive rap, but for anyone who is, this African rap duo might be the band for you.

Now onto the perfection that was THEESatisfaction live. I, like other fans of the band was hooked with their first single “QueenS,” a song that has a great beat and message. However, this band is about so much more than a single, truly, they are about changing the face of hip hop. From starting out in Seattle to being signed by indie label, Sub Pop records, the duo haven’t had the most typical story of a rap group, but it’s a good thing. These women rap and sing about women, female empowerment and SWAG, of which they have a lot of. They came on stage, with only some tracks on a computer to back them up, but managed to rock it. From their synchronized dancing, to their AMAZING leopard print vintage shirts, the duo was entertaining. My friends and I only knew a couple of their songs, but we found ourselves dancing to every single song they performed, and we were not alone! Though the crowd was small, everybody was vibing to the music in a way that only people at the Haunt can do (read: weird couples in sweatpants).

THEESatisfaction Photo by Mckenzie Sullivan

The band finished their amazing set with their single “QueenS” and by that point I was fully embarrassing myself in front of everyone. After their set and after a brief pause, Shabazz Palaces came on. Warning: I am really afraid of their album “Black Up” and I don’t know why. Unfortunately I had to leave a couple of songs into their set, but they seemed great. Whatever energy THEESatisfaction got going, Shabazz definitely kept up. Really, what Ithaca was privy to last night was the future of Hip Hop and a good dancing occasion on a Wednesday. Ultimately that’s what I wanted and that’s what I got!

Finally, to the people that I know personally and are aware of how crazy I am. I saw the two singers from THEESatisfaction run into the restroom at one point, and I conveniently needed to use it as well, SO I RUSHED IN WITH THEM. The definition of classy if you will. Anyways, I really wanted to ask them where to get a shirt as swag-ful as the leopard print one one of them was wearing (shirt on the right in picture above), unfortunately the shirt was from a thrift shop! The duo was incredibly nice and down to earth, and completely not phased by how weird I am, another reason to spread the word and get this band recognized!

Everyone listen to QueenS by THEESatisfaction below!

Linda Cohn Advertisements

Celeste Cirillo-Penn — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 23:05:27 +0000

ESPN anchor Linda Cohn is coming to speak at Cornell on Thursday April 25.

Photography by Glenn Mathews

Photos can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151187260263078.1073741842.6048358077&type=1

Class of 2013 Reception

Celeste Cirillo-Penn — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:16:53 +0000

Photography by Glenn Mathews

Photos can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151187165763078.1073741841.6048358077&type=3

Breakin’: A Hip Hop Fashion Show

Celeste Cirillo-Penn — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 20:42:06 +0000

Photography by Lillian Chen

Photos can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151187114588078.1073741840.6048358077&type=1

Breakin’: A Hip Hop Fashion Show, is a fundraiser for the Khalil J. King Gift Fund that took place on April 21. The show provides Cornell- and Ithaca-affiliated individuals and businesses with an opportunity to showcase their talents as models, designers, performers, and more.

Electro Study Sessions

Laura Furman — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:50:47 +0000

Album Review: Andrew Bayer, “If It Were You, We’d Never Leave”

The trance community has been buzzing about the release of Andrew Bayer’s second full length studio album for months. His tracks have gotten preview plays on Above and Beyond’s Group Therapy Radio, BBC Radio 1 with Zane Lowe, and Myon & Shane 54’s international departures. Fortunately, no amount of hype could overwhelm the pure artistic genius that is “If It Were You, We’d Never Leave”. The Berklee School of music graduate and DC native is easily one of the most innovative American producers in electronic music right now. Bayer, a member of Above and Beyond’s Anjunabeats team, a dominant label in Trance and Deep House, brings us more of his genre-breaking instrumental style in an album that challenges narrow conceptions of electronic music.

Fans of house and progressive music will be pleasantly surprised by the calm, nouveau-orchestral compositions. With a toolkit of distorted synths, xylophone notes, gorgeous cord progressions, pulsing beats, snares, and subtle echoing vocals, Bayer takes the listener through a quiet meditation. This music is perfect for spending some time with friends, studying, or taking Zane Lowe’s advice and watching the sunset.

Bayer highlights delicate string sections in compositions titled “A Brief Interlude” and “All this will Happen Again”. Those still just dipping their toes in the deep creative pool of the album will find some familiar notes in “Lose Sight (feat Ane Brun” with it’s vocal loop, piano chords, and deep breakdown. The only way to describe the rippling notes, major scales, and bright crescendos in “Let’s Hear that B section Again!” and “Counting Down” is to say they are the perfect soundtrack for a good dream. It was almost impossible to pick a favorite track among the seventeen, but there’s something addictive about how cool the repeating bells and kick drums in “Fransworth Court” sound. For anyone whose looking to expand their musical palate and get a lot of work done studying to some incredible sounds, “If It Were You, We’d Never Leave” is an essential.

For more of Andrew Bayer, check out his guest mix on Above and Beyond’s Group Therapy Radio Episode 24.

App Review of Uni+ by Michael Herman

leela.chantrelle — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:02:01 +0000

Long gone are the Facebook’s “wall-to-wall” days when it was a simple yet elegant university networking tool to chat and catch up with the people we just met on campus. These days, pictures of cats, people’s meals, their daily rambling, things we might not necessarily care about flood the newsfeed. All these nagging moments leave a deep void for a network where we can easily find and connect with other students who are in the same classes or match our interests. This is where the latest location-based iPhone app Uni+ steps in. It is not meant to replace the existing social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Rather, it helps users find and discover others before moving those contacts over to other social media platforms.
Less formal than LinkedIn and far less information sharing than Facebook, Uni+ is a mobile app that allows you to find nearby classmates and alumni from your college or university, providing a safe and fun way to connect with new acquaintances in your area. By providing a local community where people can post social activities, or find things they’re looking for within their network, Uni+ fosters the same spirit you felt in the dorms on the first day of freshman move-in. Based on profile information and location that you enter, users are matched to those who are similar to them in their proximity. People can discover others from their school year, the classes they are taking, areas of study, industry, hometown, activities, and interests. Currently, Uni+ is the only mobile app for meeting new people that is strictly university and mobile based, ensuring security by verifying users through their university email address or official Facebook network. This offers a stark contrast to other location-based social discovery apps which are flooded with random and irrelevant users with unverified profiles and untruthful personal information.

The inspiration came when Alexandria Sun, Cornell’11 and Yang Han, a graduate of University of Toronto, first moved to New York City after graduation and they started talking to their friends about the experience of meeting others in a new city/environment. They found that many people, just like themselves, wanted to connect with others from the same university, whether for networking, meeting new friends, job leads and dating. Unfortunately, most universities only have a few formal alumni gatherings or charge high alumni club membership fee. Even after these hurdles, the experience of striking up conversations and trying to find those who share a few things in common with you can be very overwhelming and time-consuming. To make the process of finding people with the same passions and interests, the app Uni+ is thus created.

So far, Uni+ had a “soft launch” in mid-March, most notably at the University of Toronto, Cornell, and NYU. News of the app’s offerings have been spreading primarily through word of mouth and Facebook marketing, helping Uni+ land a few hundred users only a couple of weeks into its launch, gaining new users and growing everyday. They’re excited to continue improving their codes this summer in order to bring you a better app when you come back to school in the fall! Also expected this summer is the release of the Android based version of the app so that anyone with a smart phone can participate! They will also be coming out with additional features such as letting users create and join communities which would complement the current group chat function.

The ability to be anywhere and find classmates around you makes networking and socializing much more convenient. On campus, the app could have an endless list of uses, from allowing student groups to post events to students advertising pick-up games on the quad. With a large base of users, Uni+ will provide an unparalleled way to connect with classmates and make new connections no matter where you are.
For more information, check out www.uniplus.me

Cornell Baseball vs. UPenn

Celeste Cirillo-Penn — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:25:06 +0000

Photography by Celeste Cirillo-Penn

The Cornell Baseball team played the University of Pennsylvania this past weekend. Photos can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151184572853078.1073741839.6048358077&type=1

Scandal of the Week: Jay-Z and Beyonce Edition!

Rashidah Daniels — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 18:20:54 +0000

Earlier this month Jay-z and Beyonce made a trip to Cuba, why Cuba is what people want to know. Some say to celebrate their fifth year wedding anniversary, but no one knows for sure, but apparently they got the thumbs up to make their way to the land of Cuba. In Jay-Z’s song “Open Letter” released a few weeks ago, there was a line in the song that got people talking. The verse said “Obama said ‘chill, you gonna get me impeached’/ But you don’t need this sh*t anyway/ Chill with me on the beach” of course the world went crazy and people began to think that Obama had something to do with the clearance for the couple to go to Cuba. As we all know Jay-z and Beyonce are pretty close with the president, there’s nothing like two power couples in a room together, I’m just saying!

OK, back to the Cuba incident. There were also other things said in the song that included “I’m in Cuba, I love Cubans/ this communist talk is so confusing.” White house officials began to get upset that people are implying that President Obama had anything to do with Jay-Z’s trip, the press secretary held a press conference to diffuse the situation. The press secretary claimed that the U.S Treasury Department is responsible for the trip being cleared, not the president. In the video below you will see a reporter attempting to rap Jay-Z’s lyrics.

Then the President himself commented on the whole ordeal in an interview with “Today”. When the interviewer first brings up Jay-Z and Beyonce the President starts to chuckle and said he didn’t know about the trip and that from his understanding they might have went with a group that organizes trips to Cuba. He also said that “the White House has better things to do” which can be understood because there is just so much going on and Jay-Z’s trip didn’t harm anyone so I guess he gets a pass this time. I guess next time he won’t write a rap song in Cuba, implying that the President gave him clearance to go.

Press Secretary:

Today interview with Obama:

The Cutting Room Floor #43: Midnight Cowboy (1969)

sydney.reade — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:32:59 +0000

All right so you’re not into westerns. I don’t blame you. Good thing this isn’t a western, at least not in the traditional sense. Part of my initial hesitation in viewing this film was the deeply ingrained feeling that I did not want to see another Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969; #73) or Bonnie and Clyde (1967; #42) both of which are fantastic films, but I had had enough of the brash shoot out based on an arcane code of honor. But then I read that Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman starred in Midnight Cowboy so I gave it a gander. And I am sure glad I did.

Joe Buck (Jon Voight), a young Texan dishwasher, is determined to make his way to New York to become a male prostitute. He may dress like a rodeo cowboy, but he’s anything but when he makes it to the east coast. Just how ill-equipped he is to deal with the urban wilderness is immediately apparent as he winds up paying his first client, and gets ripped off by Enrico “Ratso” Rizzo (Dustin Hoffman), a polio-crippled con man who says he’ll help Joe with his business plans and winds up taking him to a religious fanatic. Ratso flees, but when Buck catches up with him, he demands all the money he has. 64 cents later, both are broke and decide to strike up an unlikely friendship in the form of a business arrangement. They share a condemned apartment as Ratso’s health deteriorates, trading pieces of their past in the way only hard-on-their-luck New Yorkers can—with just a hint of nostalgia and little time to dwell for fear it will overtake everything else. Just when Joe’s “career” starts to gain traction, Ratso’s health is at its worst, and Joe abandons his tepid success to take his friend to Florida.

No, Midnight Cowboy is not a traditional western. But with a name like that, we’d be fool to think it has nothing to do with the ideals of the west. That sense of adventure and yearning is omnipresent throughout the film, and struggling blindly against the unknown just as the original cowboys did is also a major theme present. There’s the surprising relationship between the two principals, a la Brokeback Mountain but with a strict “bromance,” nothing more. Above all else, there is austere determination in both Buck’s pursuit of his career and his at-all-costs approach to helping Ratso. Though Ratso starts out as the unlikable, to-be-avoided character, you come to see much of Buck in him as he is as determined to survive, really, to surpass the life of his working-class father, and to maintain his identity (he adamantly prefers “Rizzo” over “Ratso”). Any of these values sound archetypically American west?

Midnight Cowboy is surprising in virtually every aspect—straight through from the title to the mental reconciliation needed to remember that Jon Voight is Angelina Jolie’s father. Good luck wrestling with that image while you watch. It’s also the only X-Rated film to ever win an Oscar (3, if you wanna be exact). You’re reminded of why Dustin Hoffman is such a legend, which may not be immediately apparent from his work in Meet the Fockers. But he really is a Hollywood gem of an actor, capable of a wide range of emotional depth and completely embodying the character. His adlib capabilities are unparalleled. The movie is a stunning depiction of New York in the late sixties, if a little stereotypical of the hard life that New York represents. Of course it’s not always such a struggle, but for these two eccentric characters, their battles are real, their plights life or death. A modern, urbanized western if there ever was one, and definitely a standout from the genre. And if you really need another reason to watch, there’s always the anticipation of seeing Dustin Hoffman slam the hood of a taxi screaming, “I’m walkin’ here! I’M WALKIN’ HERE!” What New Yorker hasn’t wanted to do that?

161 and Counting

Alexandra Clement — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:51:31 +0000

#94: Go to an a cappella concert.

Sorry about the quality…But these are the Waiters in tuxes.

If you didn’t go to the Cayuga’s Waiters Spring Fever concert on Thursday, you need to sit down and reevaluate your priorities. Before coming to Cornell, I never understood a cappella. I imagined a bunch of randos who thought they could sing but couldn’t play instruments. Um, wow, I was wrong. I’ve become obsessed with a cappella groups and think they’re just the shit. But the Waiters take the awesomeness that is a cappella to another level.

First off, they’re hot. Like, let’s not pretend that’s not one of the main reasons people love them. They got some damn fine men up there. During the concert, one of my friends turned to me and said, “They’re all definitely getting laid tonight.” I hope they did, they deserved some lovin’ after that performance. Ladies of Cornell, do your duty.

Their choices in songs were also fantastic. They sang When You Were Young by The Killers. Do not judge me when I say that is one of my all time favorite songs. I fell in love with it years ago during my brother’s guitar hero phase. Anyway, they played that and plenty of other awesome songs (I’m not naming them because I don’t remember song titles or artists. Sorry). And it’s not just like they have good voices¾they have talented voices. I’m not on a first-name basis with them (I actually don’t know most of their names…) but they have that guy with the deep voice, they have Ben who can hit those high notes, and one of them just did things with his voice I didn’t know were possible.

I do have one critique of the show. They told the audience they had one song left, sang the song, and left the stage. Naturally, people got up to leave and a lot of the audience left. Then the Waiters came back on stage and were like, “Where are you going? Let’s get the alumni up here.” So with like half the audience gone and people still in the process of leaving, they performed a few more songs with graduated Waiters. They were incredible, but not a lot of people really got to appreciate it because they were all dead set on leaving. It was awkward. That’s also partly the audience’s fault though. Like, you can’t wait ten minutes before going to get drunk? Rude, people. Just rude.

Moral of the story: the Waiters kick ass.

Filthy Gorgeous Photos

Celeste Cirillo-Penn — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 19:54:11 +0000

Photography by Glenn Mathews

Photos can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151183390918078.1073741837.6048358077&type=1