Evolution of Teen Movies
October 30, 2009
For every decade, there is a set group of teen actors and actresses that dominate the film industry. These teenage stars are the representation of a generation, the face of an era. Read more
No Plans for Show Choir
October 30, 2009
Glee, the new hit TV series, has been a hit since its premiere earlier this spring. Known generally for its fantastic music, such as its remixes of “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Alone,” and “Somebody to Love,” Glee has also been recognized because of its focus on show choirs. Read more
Last House on the Left Fails to Scare Audiences
March 30, 2009
From 1970s to 2009, Last House on the Left has failed to thrill the audience once again. Friday the 13th was the ominous day chosen for the release of the movie and the day may have been chosen to help make the movie scarier, but the movie was not a horror. Last House on the Left was full of gore and amateur acting. Read more
Heath Ledger Wins at Oscars
March 3, 2009
As expected, Heath Ledger received very high praise for his role in “The Dark Knight.” On January 11 Heath Ledger won the award for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ at the 66th annual Golden Globe awards. As his director accepted the award on his behalf the audience stood in applause, the first standing ovation of the night.
Before his death, Heath Ledger’s brilliant performance playing the joker, a mad anarchist, was already creating Oscar buzz. Audiences of “The Dark Knight” knew they were watching something both special and tragic. It came to no surprise therefore that Ledger won ‘Best Supporting Actor’ in this year’s Oscar awards.
The Oscar was accepted by Ledger’s mother, Sally Bell, his father, Kim Ledger, and his older sister, Katherine Kate Ledger. As the award was accepted, it was announced that the Oscar would be given to Heath Ledger’s daughter, Matilda Rose Ledger, “the person who mattered most in his life.”
Following Peter Finch, the “Best Actor” winner for “Network” in 1976, Ledger is the second performer to receive an Oscar posthumously.
Heath Ledger’s acting career essentially began with the romantic comedy “Ten Things I Hate About You” in 1999. His acting continued to progress with Mel Gibson’s “The Patriot” and the adventure film “A Knight’s Tale. “Best Supporting Actor,” was not Ledger’s first Oscar nomination. He was nominated in 2006 for ‘Best Actor’ in “Brokeback Mountain.” Read more
Atticus and Boo Radley Teach Timeless Lessons
December 18, 2008
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view…until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.” This quote from Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird sums the entire central idea of the novel in just a few wise words. This year’s winter play, To Kill a Mockingbird, brings the anticipation of every Neuqua Valley production, while also providing a humble message. Read more
“All is Well” at Crystal Concert
December 18, 2008
The Wildcat’s music program is one of the best in the district. The Marching band’s drum line came in third place this year and they have won a Grammy for their music department. In the fall, the music department has a show that has a Halloween theme, and in December, it is all about the Crystal Concert. Every year the best musicians in the school play in small groups throughout the concert. It is very prestigious to be chosen to play in the small groups. Almost every Neuqua student knows about this event, and it is always a race to get tickets. Read more
Quantum of Solace
November 25, 2008
After the enormous success of Casino Royale in 2006, James Bond once again graces the silver screen in the 22nd 007 film, Quantum of Solace. With a budget of $230 million, Quantum of Solace has high expectations to meet, and actor Daniel Craig feels he is up to the task. As the sixth actor to portray James Bond, Craig exceeded fan expectations in 2006 with Casino Royale and helped to gross $594 million at the box office. This may have played a large factor in director Marc Forster’s decision to cast Craig again for his second appearance as 007. Read more
Disappearing Acts of Disney Starlets
November 25, 2008
The days of Disney Channel have been replaced with MTV and VH1, but Neuqua students never seem to forget those classic shows they watched when they were younger. Most students watched shows such as, Lizzie McGuire, Sister Sister, Even Stevens and Phil of the Future, all had to do with teenagers and their hassles of every day life, usually depicted in a comical manner. Read more
Third Book in Inheritance Trilogy is Released
November 25, 2008
Our world has seen its share of successful young adults. From gymnastic sensation Shawn Johnson to timeless Beethoven, there have been teens who have mastered their art at an early age. Christopher Paolini was only fifteen when he wrote the first draft of Eragon, the first in what would become the bestselling Inheritance Cycle. Eragon was followed by the release of Eldest, and most recently the third book of the cycle, Brisingr, selling 550,000 copies in the first day alone. Read more
Nineteen Minutes
November 25, 2008
In Jodi Picoult’s newest novel, 19 Minutes, Picoult depicts a riveting picture of a community dealing with the aftermath of a school shooting. Although this is one of fifteen novels Picoult has written, 19 Minutes, is kept fresh by its realistic setting and by the duality of characters. Read more
