Review: "A Million Ways to Die in The West" Disappoints

Do you want to watch a western comedy that is packed with jokes about farts, sex, and manages to offend every minority? “A Million Ways to Die in the West” is the film for you!

Seth MacFarlane’s “A Million Ways to Die in the West” opened this weekend to a disappointing $17.1 million, coming in third behind Disney’s “Maleficent".

“A Million Ways to Die in the West”, which starred MacFarlane himself, brought laughs but overall was a disappointment in terms of a 'laughing out loud' comedy.

The film tells the story of a courage-less sheep farmer, Albert Stark (Seth MacFarlane), in Arizona in 1882. Albert loses his girlfriend Louise (Amanda Seyfried) to a mustache shop owner, Foy (Neil Patrick Harris) as a result of his withdrawal from a duel.

Official Movie Poster

Soon after, he meets Anna (Charlize Theron) who helps him regain his courage to win back Louise. Albert and Anna begin to have feelings for eachother when Anna’s husband, the infamous outlaw Clinch Leatherwood (Liam Neeson) arrives in town. Clinch wants Albert dead for his relationship with his wife.

Starring as the lead role wasn't the only thing MacFarlane did. The “A Million Ways to Die in the West” star also wrote, directed, and produced the film.

MacFarlane, who is most known as the creator of “Family Guy” and “Ted”, provides plenty of crude jokes in the film and manages to offend just about every religion, race, and ethnic group.

“A Million Ways to Die in the West” wasn't received well by critics either. The film currently has a 34 percent rating on the popular review website, Rotten Tomatoes.

Los Angeles Times film reviewer, Betsy Sharkey said, "MacFarlane is a very funny dude, and there are times A Million Ways to Die is indeed funny. But too often the movie feels half-baked.”

“The deeper problem is the way the director uses political incorrectness like a blunt instrument. Mocking convention, religion, ethnicities, etc., is a long comic tradition and, well done, it can provide insight and laughs. But the pejorative way 'West' floats the references is problematic rather than provocative,” said Sharkey.

Some movie goers on the other hand seemed to enjoy the film, "Seth MacFarlane was brilliant in this movie. It was like he plucked himself from today and went back in time with the knowledge of now," said LBCC student, Carmen Fraijo.

"Seth being Seth, poop and poop noises and sheep penis' are scattered around actually helping the plot be more entertaining. Every point he makes about how bad the Old West was is scarily accurate and really let's you stop romanticizing things like 'Little House on the Prairie'."

LBCC first-year student, Christine Turner said, "I think the film definitely fit the western comedy genre. It related more towards "Blazing Saddles" than it did "Ted" to me. Seth MacFarlane lets his own personality shine through."

Personally, “West” offers you a good chuckle but nothing that you wouldn't have seen in the trailer for it. This is one of those films where the trailer had all the good parts in it. Some people loved the movie and thought the jokes were hysterical. I wouldn't pay $10 to see it again.

Bottom Line: Unless you enjoy jokes about sex, diarrhea, and farts, The raunchy pic isn't worth the $10 movie ticket. Save your money and wait until the film goes to Redbox and rent it for $1.50.

- At A Glance -
“A Million Ways to Die in The West” - Currently In Theaters
Starring: Seth MacFarlane ("Family Guy", "Ted")
             Amanda Seyfried ("Mean Girls", "Dear John")
             Charlize Theron ("Hancock", "The Italian Job")
             Liam Neeson ("Taken", "Schindler's List")
             Neil Patrick Harris ("How I Met Your Mother", "Doogie Howser")
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Seth MacFarlane
Running Time: 116 Minutes
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

The Big C - Copyright

Image Credit: Copyright Authority 

We have all been there, It’s 11 p.m and you have a research paper due in the morning and you hit up Google to find some images to use as filler in your paper. However, did you know that what you’re doing, using someone else's image without their permission, is considered copyright infringement?

The U.S Copyright Office defines copyright infringement as, “when a copyrighted work is reproduced, distributed, performed, publicly displayed, or made into a derivative work without the permission of the copyright owner.” In laymen’s terms, this means copyright infringement occurs when someone uses another person’s work without permission.

So that image that you just copied and pasted is considered a crime.

Using someone else’s photographs without their consent is considered stealing. Stealing is a crime and punishable by law. If you steal any image on or offline, you are committing a federal crime and are subject to appropriate punishments.

Unfortunately, it is very rare that someone gets arrested/ fined for using someone else’s work. Instead, they get sued, usually by the photographer or large companies.

Large companies are able to defend themselves against copyright infringement.  However, small photographers and artists are often unable to afford the legal costs to protect themselves.

Locally; a Lebanon women, Danita Cahill, discovered she was a victim of a copyright Infringement. In February of 2012, the freelance writer and photographer was alerted to the fact that an image she had taken was being used on a decorative tile for sale for $12 at a New Mexico truck stop.

Cahill immediately starting investigating and found that the company selling these tiles, Sun and Fun Specialties, wasn't the company at fault. They told her that Rainbow Trading Company of Dallas, Texas was the manufacturer of the tiles. Rainbow Trading company owner, Paul Kim, said he had bought the image along with about 100 others from a woman who said she paid for the images and got them off a website.

Kim said he would get Danita the woman’s contact information and get back to her. The article, which was originally published in the Albany Democrat-Hearld,  was never followed up on.

This situation is a reminder that copyright infringement can happen in your own back yard and how vulnerable your images are to theft when online.

Although I don't have a personal experience with someone stealing my images, I can't imagine it. As a amateur photographer, the thought of someone taking a image you've worked hard on and claiming it as their own is very angering.

People think that if an image doesn't have the little c, ©, somewhere in the image, that they are allowed to use it and mass produce it as they please. Unfortunately, this is not the case.

Some don't know this but the moment the photographer clicks down that shutter button, that image they've taken immediately becomes their property. They own the rights to that image and any use without their express written consent is illegal.

Some images can be used, legally, through Creative Commons. Creative Commons is an organization that allows creators to express if they wish to release their rights to certain images so that others can use them freely or keep them.

Creative Commons licenses do not replace copyright, but are based upon it.

Co-founder of the Creative Commons, Lawrence Lessig said, "Copyright gives people almost to much protection, There is no easy way to signal 'I don't need all this protection, I am happy to give away some rights'. So we created this technology that makes it easy for artists to signal the kind of rights they are happy to give away while signaling rights they want to keep."

"It facilitates sharing, building, and remixing on top of content where the authors opt in to this more balanced and rational copyright system and it supports the idea of remixing with support of the author," said Lessig.

People need to stop illegally stealing images online. So, next time you go to search for an image on a Google for that research paper, please check and make sure it is legal for you to use it. If not, then make sure that you get the photographer’s permission to use that image or at least give them credit for the image.

--At A Glance--
Copyright Infringement
Do: Check that you can use the image and give them credit
Don't: Pass Google Images off as your own

**http://creativecommons.org/tag/lawrence-lessig**

Profile: LBCC's Danielle Blackwell Juggles Teaching and Coordinating while being Inspiring

Danielle Blackwell helps students Brittany Vandersteen (left) and Kelsey Franich (right) with a question.

Danielle Blackwell juggles teaching and advising all while she is also inspiring to her students, with her sarcastic humor she lights up the room and her students.

Wearing her “Through a healthy body, you build a strong mind” t-shirt, Mrs. Blackwell, who is often referred to most as just Blackwell, commands her Lifetime Fitness and Wellness class, reminding them about their upcoming fitness plan that is due later in the term.

As she presents her lecture to her morning class she tells students to start working on their fitness plan with others around them and she will walk around the room to help. The all get to work and she begins the walk around the room.

Blackwell taught classes for the past few years at West Albany High School before coming to LBCC this year to teach Lifetime Fitness and Wellness and be the Albany High School programs Advanced Diploma program Coordinator and Adviser.

This is the first-year for the Greater Albany Public School's Advanced Diploma program. The program pays for students, who just graduated high school, first-year of college at LBCC.

When at West Albany, Blackwell taught Lifetime Fitness and Wellness along with a program called Peers.

Blackwell help student Amanda Jeffe.

"One of the big things the students had to do was take on a peer that either at risk or struggling in school, and they worked one-on-one with them. Then we did impact days, which were VERY powerful," said Blackwell.

[Impact Days are] a day spent just getting rid of harassment and bullying and finding out that underneath it all we're just human."

"Through that Peers class, Because we were so intimate in it, I crossed a lot of lines as a teacher that you're not supposed to because I did learn their personal life and they learned my personal life."

"We became very close, like a family," said Blackwell.

A student stops her to ask if she needs to finish the rest of a previous assignment. "Nope, you're good! Turn it in," said Blackwell.

In 2007, Blackwell won West Albany High School’s Most Inspirational Teacher award; which is an award in which the students nominate the teachers for. That same year, she also received Oregon Physical Education Teacher of the Year Award.

When asked why she believes she is an inspiration to so many students, Blackwell said, “I think because I relate to them a lot. I don't act older or superior. I'm goofy with them.”

“The way she was with students was incredible because we weren't just students to her, we were actual humans. A lot of teachers lose sight of the fact that we actually have feelings and that we're all different. Mrs. Blackwell never did lose sight of that,” said former student Karla Baum.

“My attitude on life changed after listening to her talk about how life should be. I'm more confident in my actions as a human being, and as a member of society, I feel better about my image than I did before I met Mrs. Blackwell and all around I just love people more."

Past students praise Mrs. Blackwell for being there for them or getting them through tough times. Former student Emmalee Harmon said, “Blackwell was always there for any of us that needed it. She always had open arms and an open heart.”

After finding out her father was diagnosed with cancer, Former Student Kelsea Neuenschwander said “[Blackwell] cried with me. She continually gave me a follow up of, "How are you doing?", and told me not to worry about my homework for her class.” “It made me feel like a teacher actually did care about my personal life and it made school a little less stressful through that time.”

Blackwell teaching her Lifetime
Fitness and Wellness Class.

Blackwell tries to work in her real-life experiences and mistakes she has made into her lessons, “I always give real-life examples, I always share the same battles I had. I've had battles with weight and all those things," said Blackwell.

"When I join weight watchers, I share that with everybody, so they just know that these are the things I've done too. I think it [helps me] become real or relatable [with the students]."

When asked to describe Blackwell, Co-Coordinator and Adviser of the Advanced Diploma Program, Larry Anderson, said, “She is upbeat – positive, communicates that she cares about people, has high expectations for students, has a ton of energy, is driven, has a good sense of humor – likes to laugh and can laugh at life even in tough times, and is a hard worker."

How is she able to juggle everything? “I go a little crazy sometimes,” said Blackwell.

-- At A Glance: --
Danielle Blackwell
Lifetime Fitness and Wellness Instructor, High School Program's Advanced Diploma Program Coordinator and Adviser.
Email: blackwd@linnbenton.edu
Office: T-213

"Divergent" Film Review

“Divergent”, the film that is sweeping the nation.

Opening at #1 and earning $56 million dollars internationally on its opening weekend, Divergent, is capturing the Young Adult audience. The movie is based on the series of best selling books by Veronica Roth.“Divergent” is the first in the series.

“Divergent” is a young adult film set in a post-apocalyptic Chicago where everyone is divided into five distinct factions based on their dispositions; Abnegation (selfless), Amity (peaceful), Candor (truthful), Erudite (intelligent) and Dauntless (brave).

Every year, all 16-year-olds take an aptitude test that determines what faction they are best suited for, then they must choose to stay in their current faction or choose one of the others. The choice is up to them.

Official Movie Poster

Tris, also known as Beatrice Prior, (Shailene Woodley) has grown up in Abnegation her whole life, where she serves other, and doesn't feel like she belongs. During her faction aptitude test she finds out she has attributes for several of the factions, meaning she is Divergent.

It's a fight to live as a Divergent because Divergents are extremely rare and are considered dangerous because they don't form to just one of the factions. Divergent's who are found out by the government get murdered.

The film follows her journey as she encounters love with a fellow divergent; Four (Theo James), battles for her place in Dauntless, and fights to live life as a divergent.

Tris looks like a quiet, sweet, and innocent girl you would find reading in the corner of the library. However, Woodley does a great job showing us Tris’s bad-ass side; showing us her bravery, charisma, humor, and dedication to Dauntless. Giving us multiple moments that leaves you rooting for her.

Woodley shatters her "Secret Life of The American Teenager" past. Breaking away from the fresh faced teen mom personae I had of her prior to watching "Divergent".

The one thing Woodley lacks is facial expressions. In some scenes she seems disconnected from what is going on in the scene, which can be a bit of a distraction at times. Otherwise, Woodley does a amazing job bring the character of Tris to life.

The film has been compared to “The Hunger Games” franchise because of the multiple similarities between the two films. Both films feature a strong female lead, a young adult audience, a highly successful book series, and a massive following.

The second film in the “Divergent” series, “Insurgent”, has already been announced, and is scheduled to be released in theaters on March 20, 2015.

Fans of the book series applaud the film for staying consistent with the books. “They captured the general mood of the story quite well, and I was surprised at how well they stayed true to the book,” said first-year LBCC student Loui Carnley. First-year LBCC student Meghan Hobson said, “I thought it remained relatively true to the book, so I personally enjoyed it.”

The film has received mixed reviews. Some reviewers rave about the acting quality, while other rant about the let down of the film.

"Although “Divergent” has understandably attracted a great readership, as did its predecessor, “The Hunger Games” series, this new “young adult” tale has a much weaker presence on the big screen," said Quad-City Times reporter, Linda Cook.

"But the performances—namely from stars Shailene Woodley and Theo James and Kate Winslet in a juicy supporting role—always make the movie watchable and often quite engaging," said Christy Lemire, a movie reviewer for RogerEbert.com.

I agree with Lemire, the acting is incredible and director Neil Burger does an amazing job with action packed scenes, perfect film score, and overall great cinematography.

“Divergent” is 140 minutes of heart pumping, non-stop action, that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

-- At A Glance --
"Divegent" - Currently In Theaters
Running time: 140 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Neil Burger (Limitless, The Illusionist)
Starring: Shailene Woodley (Secret Life of The American Teenager)
              Theo James (Underworld: Awakening)
              Kate Winslet (Titanic)
Based on the Series of Books by Veronica Roth
Overall: 4/5 Stars

The Table Table in Madrone Hall

Photo Credit: Concrete Counter top Institute

Hidden between the walls of Madrone Hall's courtyard lies a special table. This is no ordinary picnic table, this is a table of elements, the periodic table of elements that is. Known to most as the "Table Table" this picnic table has the periodic table of elements embedded in it.

The Periodic Table of Elements is an arrangement of chemical elements. The table is organized on the basis of their atomic numbers, electron configurations, and recurring chemical properties. The elements are presented in order of increasing atomic number.

The table project began in 2009 when Madrone Hall was being built. Physics professor, Greg Mulder,was in charge of the making of the table.

The table is made of four concrete layers and it took nearly a year to make. It was made by Preben Petersen of Concrete Lifestyle in San Jose, Calif.

Photo Credit: Concrete Counter top Institute

The cost of the table was $4,000. "That might sound like a lot for a table, but a regular table of this capacity would be $2,000, so another $2,000 was worth it," said Mulder.

"[The Table] combines science and art," said Mulder. "The table is perfect viewing from the second floor, which is where chemistry classes are mostly taught."

"I honestly didn't know [LBCC] had a actual periodic table table," said first-year student Christine Turner.
"Its very interesting, and unique."

Photo Credit: Justin Williams

The table is surrounded by native plants and sits on a leaf-shaped concrete slab. Outlined around the slab is cement blocks from the previous science building. "We recycled a lot for this area," said Mulder.

Mulder also has three small prototype stools, that sit in his office, that were made to see how they could make the table.

The table, which has diminished in appeal due to weather and wear and tear,serves as a great symbol of Chemistry in Madrone Hall.

-- At A Glance --
Where: Madrone Hall Courtyard
What: Picnic Table with Periodic Tables of Elements
Cost: $4,000
Fun Fact: Currently, scientists know of 118 different elements.

Feature Story: The Chemistry Table

My first feature story is about a small picnic table that is hidden between the wings of Madrone Hall, on this picnic table is the periodic table of elements.

The Chemistry Table, represents a staple of the Chemistry department and fits perfectly in the hall that almost exclusively has science related courses taught in it.

Sources: Chemistry Teacher: TBD
              Chemistry Student or Regular Student: TBD


If you know anyone I should contact, please comment below. Thank You.

7 Steps To Surviving Finals

With finals around the corner, students are starting to wondering what they can do to survive finals week

When asked how he studies for finals, first-year student; Taylor Plagmann said, “I cram...a lot.”

"One way I study for finals is by forming study groups. If six or so of us from the same class can meet together , then we can spend some quality time spent bouncing questions off each other, allowing for a fuller comprehension of the topic at hand, and for a fun time spent learning with friends," said first-year student, Candra Hahn.

Seven Steps to Surviving Finals:

1. Get Organized: Before you begin to study for you classes, you must get organized. Figure out what finals are when and then prioritize your time.

2. Study: The best way to pass your finals is to study for them. Use flashcards, review your notes and past tests, and get a friend to help you study.

3. Sleep: Studies have proven we need seven and a half to five hours of sleep every night in order to function at our highest.

4. Be Comfortable: When you are studying for your final, find a place that is quite and comfortable. Its not a good idea to study in a loud environment.

5. Take Breaks: Its a good idea to stop every once in awhile and take a break, watch a TV show or listen to music. Its not a good idea to spend hours “Binge Studying”.

6. Eat Breakfast: Studies have shown eating breakfast improves attention and short-term memory, and Students who eat breakfast do better on test than those who don’t.

7. Take Away Distractions: Turn the iPhone off, Power down your TV, pause the music. Take all your distractions away and focus on studying.

(7 Steps inspired by articles published on DoSomething.org & HuffingtonPost.com)

LBCC also offers students the opportunity to attend, the weekend before finals, a “Study Jam” sponsored by the SLC. At Study Jam students have a place to study, and the all the learning center resources are open and available to them. Snacks, drinks, and pizza are also provided.