The Descendants

I don’t always particularly enjoy going to movie theaters. Good movies are hard to find, and the thought of spending $11 and then potentially being stuck for two hours watching a film that makes me think, “what happened to original storytelling,” is not very appealing.

However, this weekend, I took a chance on seeing The Descendants in theaters. And I can honestly say it was an $11 and 2 hours well spent! Director Alexander Payne does an eloquent job of mixing slapstick with pathos in a dramatic comedy that examines everyday people dealing with an uncommon tragedy. The film follows the journey of Matt King (George Clooney), an uninvolved husband and father of two daughters, as he searches for his wife’s the secret lover, all while his wife is in a comma from a boating accident. Throughout his search, Matt also wrestles with the decision to sell the family’s land inheritance, which has been handed down through history by Hawaiian royalty, while also learning how to re-connect with his children.

The thing I found so refreshing about this film is the underlying honesty and authenticity that is found in its tone and characters, a product of the film’s offbeat rhythm. The film has a non-preachy air to it; rather, it simply explores the complexity of family relationships and life, a topic everyone can relate to. Providing a unique view on humanity, The Descendants is refreshing both in Clooney’s complex performance of a middle aged man trying to make his like whole again, and in the film’s overall message that there is heroism in simply making it through daily life. Overall, this is unique movie that should be seen either on the theaters or on your couch when it comes out on DVD. I guess original storytelling is not dead after all. 

Worth the Listen

I stumbled upon this guy whilst surfing the internet, and boy am I glad I did. 


His is the folk artist Josh Ritter, and his voice has the kind of raw, haunting quality that is hard to find among more mainstream musicians. His latest album, So Runs the World Away, was released in 2010, and evokes music that "falls through the cracks," according to iTunes. Simply put, his music is the kind that sticks with you.


A few of my favorite songs include "The Curse" (from the above album) and "Girl in the War" (from album The Animal Years), but really, I don't think there's any such thing as a bad song for Josh Ritter.


Want to sample some of his music yourself? Go to joshritter.com/music/ for some free downloads! You won't regret it.


By Lauren Lessard

FOX's "New Girl"

       Let's get one thing said straight out of the gate: I am a HUGE Zooey Deschanel fan.

       However, I was disappointed with the first few episodes of New Girl. I was expecting a quirky, Middle Earth loving girly-girl in Deschanel's character Jess, but I didn't anticipate how simpleminded she was. The tagline for the show is "Simply Adorkable," but based on the first couple of episodes, it should have been switched to "Simply a Dumb Girl Who is Lucky that Craigslist Didn't Give Her Serial Killers for Room Mates." Who says that a dork has to be dumb? In the beginning, Jess wasn't nearly three-dimensional enough. 

       But hold on, there's hope. Now that we're past the Thanksgiving episode (which I believe is the best one so far), I think New Girl has some newfound potential. Jess is slowly but gradually shedding her dummy robe in favor of a more believable personality, while still being as puppy, rainbow, and unicorn loving as ever. 

       If you've given up on New Girl like I almost did, I'd say it's worth another shot. The show has the potential to be the classically cute comedy that can bring a smile to your face and light up the room. Tune in Tuesday nights at 9pm!


By Lauren Lessard

The Goat Rodeo Sessions

I know what you’re going to say: “Yoyo Ma playing bluegrass? Really?” Really.

If you haven’t heard of The Goat Rodeo Sessions yet, consider this your wake up call. Just imagine – the musical virtuoso and cellist prodigy Yoyo Ma plus the award-winning bluegrass-er Stuart Duncan PLUS the jazzy contrabassist Edgar Meyer PLUS the dreamy folk-inspired mandolin-playing Chris Thile. These four musicians, all stellar in their own rights, have come together to craft the album The Goat Rodeo Sessions, an eleven-song bluegrass journey with soul, power, and intoxicating sound.

If the folk revival is where your music’s gone recently, The Goat Rodeo Sessions is where it needs to be now.

Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvw0vbewH_Q

Your Voice

By Lauren Mahncke

Over the past few weeks, despite the lack of mainstream media attention, Occupy Wall Street has garnered up a lot of discussion about the current state of affairs in the United States. Despite differences in opinion on the movement, one thing that can be said about the movement is that this group of protesters is making their voices heard. And in a society that often prides fitting-in and conformity, a great lesson can be learned from the Occupy movement— silence does not set you free.

I believe that the one thing everyone has in this world is a voice, and this voice gives you power. When you start to figure out your voice, you start to figure out who you are.  When you begin to speak out, it’s a lot harder to be ignored. Realistically, one voice cannot change the world. But being a rebel in thought doesn’t get you very far until you begin to speak and act on your voice. And when a lot of voices join together, they become harder to ignore. Even if you don’t think you’re being heard, speechlessness does not protect you, it simply hides you. Only your voice can make your presence known.

For our generation, it is easier than ever to make our voices heard. Blogging in particular is an easy way to get your voice out, especially among your peers. So I invite you, the Stonehill community, to submit your posts to this blog. State your claim, tell the world what you think, and hear what others have to say. You never know who is listening.