Cheers for Jane and her book club
Stephanie Metz
Assistant Campus News Editor
Newswire Official Rating: 
rottentomatoes.com
One of the many book club meetings.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged” that Jane Austen is just as interesting today as she was over 200 years ago.
While the movie “The Jane Austen Book Club” is not canon Austen the way 2005’s “Pride and Prejudice” was, it is a look at the way modern viewers (and readers) interpret Austen. Based on Karen Joy Fowler’s book of the same name, the movie follows a book club of five women and one man who each read Austen’s six novels.
Don’t worry if you haven’t read the books (although seriously, it’s Jane Austen, at least read “Pride and Prejudice”). The book discussions are more about each character’s point of view than literary analysis.
The casting is superb; each actor is a perfect fit for his or her character. The characters are familiar and comforting like a neighbor down the street. Amy Brenneman and Maria Bello in particular stood out among a great ensemble. Both fully embodied their characters without going overboard. Hugh Dancy was also charming as Grigg, a modern American take on the legendary Mr. Darcy. Each actor made his or her character interesting without overshadowing the larger story and other characters.
rottentomatoes.com
Maria Bello and Hugh Dancy get comfortable.
The movie’s other strength is its ability to adapt Austen’s acute perceptions of human nature to our own time. The audience sees a divorce play out in addition to a courtship. Instead of being cold and aloof like Mr. Darcy, Grigg is overenthusiastic and a little nerdy. It may sound weird, but his character was refreshing to watch and worked well within the film.
Of course, Austen’s sense of humor is an important part of the film as well. The opening credits are filled with the infuriating yet hilarious problems of everyday life that set the scene for the movie’s focus on real people.
This film will not change your life and it will not win any Oscars, but it is entertaining and enjoyable. If you don’t have the time to read any Austen, “The Jane Austen Book Club,” this will satisfy your craving for laughter, love and human connection.
Radiohead’s 'Rainbows'
Jeff McMurray
Feature News Editor Newswire Official Rating:
mtv.com
The band got their start in the 80s.
If you were given the option to name your price for a CD, how much would you pay? How about $0.00? Is £5 too much?
With their new release “In Rainbows,” Radiohead is allowing their fans to name their own price for the CD. The groundbreaking album has been years in the making for the band from Britain, with most of the songs on “In Rainbows” stemming from unreleased material Radiohead has played throughout the years.
Released on Oct. 10, this is Radiohead’s first major album to be released without a label backing it. This is because Radiohead filled its contract with EMI Records to record six albums.
Even though there is no major label backing, you can tell that a lot of time and effort went into making Radiohead’s seventh album.
The CD starts off strong with the song “15 Step.” The driving percussion and upbeat guitar really set the stage for the rest of the album.
Following “15 Step” the CD is a masterful mix of guitar, percussion and lyrics, sung by the powerful Thom York.
One of the stronger points on the CD comes from the song “Faust Arp.” Fueled by York’s voice, this acoustic song, finger picked by Johnny Greenwood, is often compared to the Beatles classic “Julia.”
Following “Faust Arp” is one of the more unique songs on the album, “Reckoning.” Reports of when it was first played said it featured a heavily distorted guitar and different lyrics compared to the now finished product. The only carryovers from then are the name of the song and one lyric.
The album closes with the gloomy, piano driven “Videotape,” which is a fitting close. What is even more interesting is that it fits the mold of the previous songs that ended the various albums Radiohead has done.
Critics and fans credit the strength of the album to Radiohead working with longtime producer Nigel Godrich after briefly working on the album with producer Mark Stent.
As said before, the best part of the album is that you can name your own price for it. It’s fairly simple to “purchase” and download. Just go to www.inrainbows.com and follow the directions.
Though if you are one of those fans who needs more from their album, you can purchase a special diskbox edition for $82. The special edition comes with the full album on CD as well as two 12” vinyl records with made-to-order artwork and lyric booklets.
Regardless of which version of the album you get, you will not be disappointed.
The new face of dorm diets
Maggie Prosser
Contributing Writer
booksamillion..com
Most of us have picked up a dieting book before, only to be confused or scared by what we find inside. If the idea of a no carb, no calorie, no fat diet doesn’t exactly sound appealing, try reading “The Dorm Room Diet” by Daphne Oz.
Oz is a student at Princeton University and the daughter of a cardiac surgeon. In her first year at Princeton, she not only skipped the “Freshman 15,” but lost 10 pounds and became the healthiest she’s ever been. In this book, she shares her secrets of success through an easy eight-step program.
Let’s be honest, a late night chow session is usually in order after a night out with friends. On top of that, the selection of unhealthy food at college, even in the cafeteria, can be overwhelming. “The Dorm Room Diet” is a readable guide to begin altering your approach to the food around you.
In sections like “Healthy Eating 101,” Oz describes where and how to eat healthy at college, no matter how busy your schedule may be. Her tips and tools are ideal for anybody to use. The most important thing to remember: It’s not an impossible feat to get fit at school!
If you are like me, you might have a love-hate relationship with exercise. Endorphins are amazing and post-workout feels fabulous, but getting yourself up and moving is another issue.
Going to O’Connor Sports Center may or may not be your thing, so there is an entire workout program designed to strengthen and condition any body type. The best part is that you can do the cardio, strengthening, abdominal and other workouts in your dorm room without any fancy equipment or a large space.
Towards the end of the program, Oz includes everything you need to know about supplements and vitamins. Tools such as checklists and organized charts make it easy to keep track of what your body needs and what it is actually getting. Yes, we all like to have a good time, but why not be relaxed and effective when it comes to that killer chemistry test on Monday morning? It’s important to learn how to de-stress and unwind, which is exactly what this book is capable of teaching.
We’re still young. Our habits aren’t set in stone. There is no excuse not to get in shape and create a healthy lifestyle for ourselves, especially when it is this easy. Read Daphne Oz’s “The Dorm Room Diet” and get on your way to looking good, feeling great, and keeping it that way!
Stephanie Metz
Arts & Entertainment Editors
Pumpkin carving contest
Ryan’s Xavier Sports Cafe is holding a pumpkin carving competition on Oct. 24. They currently need 10 contestants to compete in the contest that will start at 7 p.m. Each contestant will be given an hour to carve his or her pumpkin. A prize will be given for scariest pumpkin carved and for most creatively carved pumpkin. Pumpkins will be provided. You must sign up at Ryan’s by 5 p.m. the day of the contest. Come at 7 p.m. to watch.
Aida
Come out and support XU Theater Arts as they present “Aida,” a play by Elton John and Tim Rice. With a Tony and Grammy Award-winning score, “Aida” is an epic and classic tale of a love-triangle, which tests the boundaries of loyalty, betrayal and courage. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 18-21 and Oct. 20 at 1:30 p.m. in the GSC Theatre. Tickets are $5 for XU students, staff and faculty and $15 for general admission.
Karaoke night
Think you can sing? Belt your heart out during karaoke night from 9-11 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 18 at Ryan’s. Come and show off your musical talents and enjoy $0.25 wings. Music and wings, what’s not to love?
Late Night Snack
The GSC Late Night Snack for October will be McDonalds breakfast and a “Boy Meets World” video marathon. The snack will take place on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 10 p.m. in the GSC food court. Free to XU students with All Card.
