A Review: Trouble the Water

Beads were tossed, clothing was lost, and everyone paid a hearty cost… that is, the head-pounding hangover that followed the next morning. Ahh… Mardi Gras, a celebration best known in the United States down in the soulful south of New Orleans. The famous French Quarter of the city was flooded with natives and tourists alike last Tuesday, for the carnival celebration, showing no sign of the devastating category five Hurricane Katrina that whipped through the city just four years prior. At least that is the facade that is told through these happy go-lucky partiers- New Orleans is fine, the buildings have been rebuilt, and the city is flourishing. A different picture is painted however, in the documentary Trouble the Water, which shows just how ‘fine’ the ninth ward region of New Orleans is doing in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards, Trouble the Water is the redemptive tale of Kim and Scott Roberts who filmed their horrifying Hurricane Katrina ordeal on their hi 8 camera (the amateur filming does not set well with those prone to motion sickness). The young couple, which at the time did not own a car, had no means of evacuating New Orleans before Katrina ravished the city. The Roberts, were not alone, as many in the working-class and predominately black neighborhood of the ninth ward were left with zero options for leaving, as the city did not provide any public transportation to evacuate, the ninth ward residents were just left to wait. And wait. And wait.

While waiting, the brash and outspoken Kim, 24-years-old, rides around the neighborhood on her bike saying a friendly hello to everyone from the cute kids next door to the drunks hanging around the corner of the liquor store. The neighborhood feels very connected, everyone knows everyone and is in everyone’s business, a certain warmth that makes the neighbors seem to be like one big family, accepting of everyone’s faults and fortunes. It is this very connection that holds this community together throughout the following days as Katrina barrels through their streets with no mercy.

The documentary is beyond powerful, as you are enthralled in the Roberts first hand account of Katrina, moving with them as they pile up their mattresses and head to the attic for higher ground, praying the roof stays attached to their house, praying the water stops rising. The film has a clear message backed behind the Roberts footage, that the Bush Administration, FEMA, and the officials of New Orleans failed miserably in preparation for Katrina and in it’s wake. A familiar story of criticism, Trouble the Water, gives it new depth as it’s more personal told through the Roberts, you see the struggles that hit them, one after the other… bam, bam, bam, you feel their emotion, their spirit, only leaving you left with a gut-wrenching frustration at the maniacal mistakes made.

The Roberts, despite all the adversity they face, refuse to allow Katrina to drown their will to survive. Their will to make tomorrow a better and more meaningful day than the one before is strengthened by the multitude of obstacles that they face. Formally involved with selling drugs and other illegal activity, Kim and Scott use Katrina to redeem their past bad decisions and unearth a new life filled with purpose. Scott begins rebuilding homes in the neighborhood and enjoys contributing to the community while Kim focuses on her hip-hop career, striving to become a famous rapper. One of the most riveting scenes is when Kim stands in front of an open closet, pops in the last remaining copy of her CD, and raps to her song, “Amazing.” Powerful in her delivery and aggressive in her lyrics, you hear all that Kim has experienced and you see in her worn and tired eyes a fire that will just not burn out, no matter how much water comes rushing down.

Trouble the Water amazes its audience by restoring your faith in people and their compassion to care for one another in times of need, while simultaneously crumbling your confidence of those who hold power. Trouble the Water did not walk away with the golden statue, but it is a true winner.

7th Annual USF Human Rights Film Festival!

FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Tuesday February 24

1:00pm     Opening Remarks

                 USF Students' shorts

1:45pm FILM: 4 De Julio. La Masacre De San Patricio

4:00pm FILM: Promise to the Dead

6:30pm FILM: Nuevo Dragon City

7:00pm FILM: Sleep Dealer

Wednesday February 25

1:00pm FILM: Freeheld

2:oopm FILM: Burning the Future: Coal in America

4:30pm FILM: The Greatest Silence: Rape in the Congo

6:30pm FILM: Trouble the Water

Thursday February 26

1:00pm USF student shorts

2:00pm Alex Gibney: the Role of Documentary in Re-making the News 

4:00pm FILM: Taxi to the Dark Side

6:30pm FILM: Dos Americas: The Reconstruction of New Orleans

A Review: Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Monotony is scary. Stuck in the same pattern, life becomes a dull disease that slowly deteriorates pieces of your former self. In the latest Woody Allen film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Allen combats monotony with what he knows best, eccentric and twisted relationships of love rooted in sex and a need to escape.

Allen uses Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) to depict his varying vision of love. In the film, the soon to be married Vicky, who is grounded and realistic, has her ideals of what life should be flipped upside down after a night with a mysterious Spanish painter, Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem). Not knowing of Vicky's misguided feelings of love, Vicky's best friend Cristina, a free loving wanderer that relishes in artistic expression, has an open and drawn out love affair with Antonio. The film is accentuated when the fiery ex-wife of Antonio, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz), comes back into his life and joins the passionate relationship between Antonio and Cristina to strike the perfect balance.

The essence of the film is based in the altering views of monotony between the two friends which are punctuated by their interactions with Antonio; Vicky sees her life unraveling into a predictable cookie cutter routine where no true excitement exists, while Cristina becomes restless with even the most erratic of relationships only to suggest that she will never truly be satisfied.

Johansson's portrayal of the neurotic and impulsive Cristina is limited. Allen has an apparent affection for the 24-year-old actress (Johansson also stared in Allen's Match Point), but I find it hard to identify what makes this actress so noteworthy. Her performance is the same in nearly every film, as she heavily relies on her sex appeal and forces the emotion from her character. Unlike Johansson, Cruz plays the crazed Maria Elena effortlessly. The character is dynamic and full of spirit, which Cruz capitalizes on with the right mixture of passion, mystery, and insane behavior. Acknowledged for her brillance in the role, Cruz won for best supporting actress in this year's Oscars.

Last year's Oscar winner for best actor in a supporting role for No Country for Old Men was Bardem, whose performance in Vicky Cristina Barcelona revolved around one main stature, to look good. There was no real depth into Bardem's character, Antonio, other than he was an artist, he had had a dysfunctional relationship (Cruz), and he liked to make love to attractive American tourists. Bardem was the man candy of the film and his main role was to appear sexy and secretive as if he always had a hidden agenda. The real roles of the film were given to the ladies, and although she always seems to be forgotten, Hall, who plays Vicky, does her character justice. You don't like Vicky, as she seems pompous and above all things spontaneous and alive with adventure, I found myself wanting to jump through the screen to shake her and say, "live a little!" but nonetheless, her performance is believable and more realistic than the whimsical fantasy that Johansson's character lives by.

Overall, I found the film enjoyable. Although dealing with heavy-hearted themes, the film remained light with a fast rhythm made possible by the music, which varied from the relaxing Spanish guitar to the eerie staple song, "Barcelona." Where the film really hooks you however, is with unexpected instances of humor. Allen's direction for Vicky Cristina Barcelona has been his best work in years, as he tells the story with finesse amongst the beautiful Barcelona background.

A Review: Chevys Happy Hour

There is a special time of day when one can relax, let loose, and just enjoy. Escaping the headache hassles of work and school, this time of day unearths the best versions of ourselves. It is the happiest time of day, and for that reason, we know it as happy hour.

This weekend I explored happy hour in all of its glory at Chevys. Now, I know what you're thinking, "shame on me" for going to a cookie cutter national chain like Chevys, a place that squeezes every ounce of originality out of the Tex Mex cuisine and serves it at a discounted rate. But hey, these are tough times. And with an economy that is down in the dumps and a 40,000-dollar yearly tuition to pay, I can't regularly afford to be inspired by the many affluent restaurants that San Francisco has to offer. Rather, I seek refuge in the reliable and the affordable that Chevys always delivers.

El happy hour at Chevys is simple, three-dollar drinks and three-dollar appetizers. The drinks include, original frozen margaritas, domestic draft beers, house wines, and well drinks. The appetizers include, a tamale sample (any two), crispy flautas, nachos grande, original fajitas nachos, and spicy wings. Offered from 4:00pm to 7:00pm Monday through Friday.

My four friends and I went to the Chevys at the Embarcadero Center (one of the four locations in San Francisco) on Friday where we found the fiesta to be in full swing as young professionals from the Financial District came ready to blow off steam and relish in the start to the weekend. With a full house, Chevys atmosphere during happy hour is lively and exciting. The standard decor is reminiscent of a laid-back Mexican cantina that you'd wander into on the streets of Puerto Vallarta - vibrant, eclectic, and fun. The wait staff mimics the crowd with a fun and inviting attitude.

Chevys happy hour offers more than an agreeable ambiance as the food and drink satisfies your hunger and thirst. When other happy hour specials water down their overly sweet and pathetically weak margaritas, Chevys margaritas are made with the top shelf tequila, Don Julio, making them strong enough to num the worries of the day. The appetizers are equally impressive as the portion of one appetizer is large enough to split between two people. The food is good, but not great, simple in its approach and execution. The beauty with Chevys is that they don't try to be something they are not. They don't over extend or reach to unknown culinary creations, they stay safe with food that is filling, fun, and most of all consistent. 

Filling, fun, and consistent was reason enough for me to go to Chevys happy hour, but the price will keep me coming back. As a college student living in an expensive city during a recession it isn't always easy to feel good about eating out as your mind gets boggled down with guilt for spending money, but with Chevys happy hour you can truly enjoy your dinning experience. So head over to Chevys for the happiest hour of all!

Learning Some Common Sense

This sunless and fog filled summer was a memorable one. I turned that longing age that every college student counts down the days for, moved into a new apartment, and had my first “I hope I don’t get hit” bike ride around this beautiful Bay City. But the most noteworthy experience didn’t involve champagne glasses or moving boxes or even bicycle spokes, rather it was my internship with Common Sense Media.

For the past three months I have been fortunate enough to be the PR and Communications Intern for Common Sense Media, a non profit non partisan media organization that provides tools and reliable information for families and kids as they navigate their way through our vast media world. Offering ratings, reviews, and an independent forum, CSM focuses on teaching families to be savvy media interpreters.

Having worked first hand with kids in the past, CSM was a different perspective, as I learned how to benefit kids and families indirectly while still providing a service. The need for the service that CSM provides is more prevalent than ever before as cyberbullying (13% of online teens reported that someone had sent them a threatening or aggressive email, instant message, or text message), online predators (32% of online teens have been contacted by strangers online), and media violence continues to rise in numbers.

Through this internship, I've learned the ins and outs of Public Relations, the significance of staying current on the news that affects your organization, and the need and importance for such an organization to exist. Most importantly I’m taking away the understanding that a company who is dedicated to a cause and making a difference provides for a positive and productive work environment that isn’t stuck in a monotonous, “just trying to make it through the day” routine. As soon as you walk into the vibrant office with lime green carpets and splashes of bold orange paint it is evident that CSM cares about what they’re doing and how they’re doing it. From the foosball table in place of a desk in the front hall to a good luck cake for a colleague’s first marathon, CSM’s distinct style motivates its employees to make a difference and have fun while doing so.

Thanks CSM, it has been a great experience!

Computer Class to Every Class?

I remember it like it was yesterday… Applying a little lip gloss subtle enough to look like I had just sucked on a watermelon lollipop, saying a cool “hey” to friends that were – gasp- boys! While circling the florescent halls linked elbow to elbow with my four best friends.

For me, those menacing middle school years weren’t as bad as most had made them out to be. Instead, they were spent making friendships in a time when boy’s voices were squeakily transitioning from a high to lower pitch and girls were moving away from their perfectly parted pigtails. It was a time to be social. Learning to interact and become articulate from the timid elementary schoolers we were just two years ago.

So when I read a story about laptops for middle schoolers in Maine, I was skeptical. Take away the crucial time for kids to develop socially and stick them in front of a computer screen? I can picture it now… No more mini adrenaline rushes during algebra of, “will the teacher see me pass this note?” Because now I can talk to you through my screen name, “Cutie234.” And not just you, but five other of my tech savvy classmates. But if I’m not responding to your message right away, I’m probably googling Miley Cyrus, my hero, having the latest scandalous photos appear. "Uh oh," the teacher is starting to look my way! No worries; I have enough time (four seconds as she walks over) to “X” out of my aim chat and google image windows and safely return to my word document of algebraic formulas, the answers to which I already looked up because I am a child of the 21^st century.

Laptops in the classroom better for learning?

Maine seems to think so. Beginning in 2002, Maine’s laptop program started with 7^th graders and later expanded to 8^th graders and one-third of the state’s high schools. Spending $90 million through 2010, Maine is working with Apple to provide 43,500 students and teachers with their own ibooks.

Despite my skepticism students and teachers are enjoying the benefits of the laptop learning. As stated by the msnbc article, many teachers who were surveyed said that students using laptops are becoming better at combining information from multiple sources and expressing their thoughts. More than 80% of instructors say the laptops help them make lessons more personal to students, make it easier for students to study problems from the real world and to dig deeper into certain topics. Students in the program report that they understand the material better.

Some critics of the program say the hardware hasn’t made an impact in the state's test scores, where improvement needs to be seen. “What we need to look at is the broader impact of student improvement,” said Timothy Magner, the director of the Office of Education Technology, in the msnbc article. “One of the key metrics is test scores. We’re keenly interested in that.”

Put aside the advancements made with the laptop program, and consider the risks. According to a Pew 2007 study, about one third of all teenagers have been contacted by strangers online. One Third of teenagers who use the internet, also said they have been targets of a range of annoying and potentially menacing online activities.

Sure, laptops are great. The media is great. I am, after all a Media Studies Major. This web 2.0 world excites me as technology continues to flourish. We now have friendships created and maintained solely in cyberspace, we have video games that allow us to get up off the couch and move, and cell phones that give us everything we could ever want at the touch of a fingertip. But shouldn't somethings be experienced and learned rather than simplified and stimulated? So my question is, are twelve year olds ready for a constant online flow during a six hour school day? During a crucial time when kids should be developing socially in preparation for the big leaguers of high school, when their most vulnerable to peer and media pressures?

It seems to me the kids of Maine would benefit more from the old school methods of middle school teaching… you know, listening to the teacher and writing in their five star binders. And by keeping the 21^st century teachings to computer class. Not every class.

The Best Education is Found Outside of the Classroom

This past spring semester I was far from the bay breeze and routine I had nestled myself into at USF. I was now eating gelato daily, avoiding eye contact and causal smiles with men, laughing with friends amongst some of the world’s most celebrated sites, and every so often checking my purse to insure a gypsy hadn’t emerged victorious with my wallet and passport in hand. For four short months I was wandering the cobblestone streets living and learning in the Eternal City as I studied abroad at The John Felice Rome Center.

My experiences in Rome, all throughout Italy, and the three other countries I visited, can't be given justice with even the most extravagant and heavy hearted words. Sure, when your asked, “how was your time abroad?” It’s fun to say, “I skied the Swiss Alps, went to a famous Flamenco bar in Southern Spain, swam in the Mediterranean, took a gondola ride in Venice during Carnivale, went wine tasting in Tuscany, and even popped champagne underneath the Eiffel Tower.” But as I learned early on, the exuberant and giddy feeling that you get from sharing stories of abroad comes off as arrogant and showboating to others. I now tend to reply with a simple and understated, “amazing. Indescribable.” Because going abroad cannot be explained but rather must be experienced.

Luckily, students throughout the United States have started to take advantage of the study abroad experience. According to the Open Doors report in 2007, the number of American students receiving academic credit for their study abroad has increased 150% in the past decade, from fewer than 90,000 students in 1995/96.

Below, Vistawide provides reasons for students to get those visas approved:
-It is the optimal way to learn a language
-Study abroad provides the opportunity to travel
-Allows you to get to know another culture first-hand
-Will help you develop skills and give you experiences a classroom setting will never provide
-Study abroad helps you to learn about yourself
-It expands your worldview
-Gives you the opportunity to break out of your academic routine
-Study abroad enhances employment opportunities
-Study abroad can enhance the value of your degree

For me, studying abroad truly was the epitome of the overstated yet underrated cliché, “time of my life.” Besides, how else are you going to learn how to say “cheers” in several different languages…

“Prost!” “Cin Cin!” “Salud!” “A Votre Sante!”