Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Published since 1915 by the students
of Xavier University
Emily Hoferer
Diversions Editor
It is a cliché to say that September 11, 2001 is a day that our generation will tell our children about.
It’s a cliché because it’s true. Everyone remembers where they were, who they were with, and more importantly, how they felt.
The national tragedy started a chain of events that has shaped life for the average American today. It is not outlandish to say that our lives would be very different without 9/11.
It was only a matter of time until Hollywood started to make films about this tragedy. This summer started and ended with two films, both about the events of September 11, but both dealing with different aspects of that fateful day. “United 93” came out in early May.
It was a small, independent project that focused on the people on board the hijacked flight and their efforts to stop the hijackers.
We all know the result of the movie before the opening titles even appear; the flight crashed in a field in Pennsylvania, while the other three hijacked flights hit their well-known targets.
“United 93” got rave reviews, as it took a very personal look at the people on board the plane, the passengers and the hijackers. The film also showed scenes from airport control towers and the Pentagon.
Director Paul Greengrass used actors who were relatively unknown so that the audience would get a more realistic feel. Greengrass also consulted with families of the people onboard United 93 and even had the military and flight officials in the control towers portray themselves in the film.
The film tried to include everything that the victims’ families knew about the passengers trying to stop the hijackers.
“World Trade Center” is very much the opposite of “United 93.” It was a big budget film, starring Nicolas Cage, and most of the scenes were shot in huge studios, not quite as intimate as the sets used in “United 93.”
“World Trade Center,” which is based on a true story, focuses on the police officers in New York City on 9/11, and two in particular who were in the Twin Towers rescuing people when the buildings collapsed.
Oliver Stone, the director, who is most famous for directing movies that tackle other hard subjects, such as the Vietnam War, went on a wide press junket tour, sitting down with a lot of the youth and other people whose lives were closely affected by this tragedy.
No one said that the September 11 movies would do well, but they have exceeded expectations.
Some skeptics believe that the pain is still so real and harsh that audiences are turned away from going to see the films, since most people view the cinemas as a way to escape the real world, and not to be reminded of one of the worst things to ever happen on American soil. But the point of these movies is not to make money.
Even if they are not hugely appreciated now, they will be twenty, thirty, fifty, maybe even one hundred years from now, when 9/11 is something students read about in American History classes.
Everyone involved in both films has done something significant for America: the preservation of the stories that happened on that fateful day.
I would not be surprised if either of the movies took on the heavy task of reminding the next generations of Americans to never forget the people who died, to never forget how they felt, and to never forget September 11, 2001.
Emily Hoferer
Diversions Editor
At last we can all breathe a sigh of relief: the Xavier Players have announced their 2006-07 season, and it looks like it will be one of laughs, culture and political statements.
The Xavier Players have a reputation for making productions that deliver every time. They also have an amazing knack for choosing great material.
There are two series that the Players will participate in: the Main Stage Series, which are three big production plays that span the academic year, and the Studio Series, which take place in more intimate venues and are usually the platform for groundbreaking material.
October is the month in which things will start to kick off, starting with “Caribbean Blend,” which is basically storytelling in a more tropical and calypso form. Don’t look for any Captain Jack Sparrows here. Their first big production will be shortly after that. “Noises Off” is notorious for being a hilarious play about an acting troupe that can’t seem to do anything right. Hopefully it will be a stretch for all actors.
After this jab at comedy, they go back to the Studio Series for “Death and the Maiden,” a serious play about the effects of living in a totalitarian society. That’s some heavy stuff, but then the Players will jet back to everyone’s favorite decade, complete with bad hair and the one handed glove, in “Totally 80s Snow Ball.” The show is complete with a band and hors d’oeurves, so does that mean there will be food at this thing?
Upon returning from our Christmas Break (which seems so far away, yet not so far away at the same time) the Studio Series takes off with “Voices for Change,” then does a complete 180 for “Bert’s Golf Pants” about a man who desires to commit heinous crimes against fashion, and then goes to “Keely and Du” which perhaps has the heaviest material that the Xavier Players have ever tackled.
For the final Main Stage Series Production, the Xavier Players will present the timeless tale “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by everyone’s favorite author, William Shakespeare. I’ve never seen the play, but I’m going to go out on a limb and guess that there are some love triangles and fairies involved.
Finally, it’s time to celebrate the struggling writers and directors in “Workshop,” a series of short plays that are written, directed and acted by students. The close of “Workshop” also means that the Xavier Players can hang up their hats and congratulate themselves on another good season.
While some auditions have already happened (or are happening as you are reading this article), it does not mean you can’t get involved. Auditions are year round, so check your authoritative Newswire for information on those, as well as dates and times of the productions. We will also be reviewing the plays, since we love the theater here at the Publications House.
Only someone really cranky or really bitter will write a bad review, I promise.
It’s general knowledge now that Monday is one of the best days at Xavier, Club Day on the Mall! Come out to visit the booths representing all of Xavier’s great clubs. The Newswire will have a table, too, and you can sign up there to get in the mailing list for the Diversions section. Club Day on the Mall starts at 10 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m. on Monday out on the greenspace.
“The Break Up”
Come see Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn in the movie that brought them together! “The Break Up” will be showing at 11 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the GSC Theater. Free to students with an All Card!
Commuter Dinner and a Movie
All commuters are invited to dinner at 7 p.m. on Thursday at Bucca di Beppo in the Rookwood Plaza. The cost is $5 for commuters and $8 for campus residents. Join them afterwards to watch “The Break Up” in the GSC Theater.
Coffee Hour
Those wonderful people at the International Student Society are having another coffee hour. Join them at 3:30 today in the Faces of the World Lounge in the GSC. This is a great way to meet international students and get your daily dose of caffeine!