WISE Struggles to Guide Students Properly
David Beal, Staff Writer
May 31, 2011
During second semester there comes an exhilarating day for freshmen, sophomores and juniors all across campus. Sometime in February, counselors pop into each English class and distribute that colored course sign-up sheet asking: What do you want to learn next year? For some juniors, this... (more...)
New “Jane Eyre” Attempts to Capture Source Material
David Beal, Staff Writer
March 11, 2011
Charlotte Brontë wrote her classic British coming-of-age novel Jane Eyre in 1847, 164 years ago. For 111 of those years, filmmakers and television producers have been throwing together countless screen interpretations, from silent films to faithful miniseries to zombie B-movies. This latest... (more...)
“Live at the Orinda” Returns for Second Year
David Beal, Staff Writer
March 9, 2011
The Orinda Theatre will host a live stand-up comedy night this Friday, March 11 at 8:00 p.m. The second annual “Live at the Orinda” will feature six comedians: Ed Tracey, Mark Pitta, Dan St. Paul, Vic Dunlop, G. King, John Fox, and Denny Johnston. The event is for those aged 17 and older.... (more...)
Beach House Plays ‘Dreamy’ Set at Fillmore
David Beal, Staff Writer
March 2, 2011
Midway through Papercuts’ opening set for Beach House, someone next to me remarked, “ They all look like they’ re about to fall asleep.” Indeed, there they were, gazing at their shoes, emanating loose, soporific indie-pop echos from the hallowed stage of the Fillmore Auditorium. Singer... (more...)
Community Debates Future of Downtown
David Beal
December 16, 2010
Orinda citizens and leaders review different proposals for downtown revitalization Controversy is stirring around proposed changes to Orinda’s downtown. Two public workshops at the Orinda Community Church on Oct. 18 and Dec. 9 provided forums for discussion about the downtown’s commercial,... (more...)
The Tourist is Dead on Arrival
David Beal, Staff Writer
December 13, 2010
At some point in The Tourist, a spy movie that’s both new and old, Johnny Depp tells Angelina Jolie, “Where I come from, the highest compliment you can pay a person is to say they are down-to-earth, grounded – and it drives me nuts.” Depp is Frank Tupelo, an American math teacher on... (more...)
British Bromance Kicks Off Oscar Season
David Beal, Staff Writer
December 13, 2010
The signature shot in The King’s Speech, repeated countless times, looks slightly downward at Albert, Duke of York (Colin Firth) in a claustrophobic, offset framing with fisheye distortion. If it wasn’t already clear enough, the character is living in a fishbowl-world, drowned by the public... (more...)
Stewart and Colbert Host Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear
David Beal
November 5, 2010
“Civil Is Sexy.” “Stark Raving Reasonable.” “Beck – Go Fox Yourself.” “My Arms Are Tired.” These were just a few of the signs carried around the National Mall Saturday, Oct. 30, when Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert hosted the “Rally To Restore Sanity and/or Fear.” Stewart... (more...)
No One is Friendly in “The Social Network”
David Beal
October 1, 2010
Relationship status: In a relationship. Mark Zuckerberg, a Harvard sophomore, and his girlfriend Erica Albright are having a rapid and heated discussion in a dim Harvard restaurant in fall 2003. She longingly tries to keep up with him, but soon gives up. “Listen. You’re going to... (more...)
“Jennifer Cathy” Raises Facebook Concerns
David Beal
October 1, 2010
Approximately 90% of Miramonte students use the online social network Facebook. If you are one of them, last year you may have received a friend request from a “Jennifer Cathy.” Those who viewed Cathy’s Facebook profile page or accepted her as a friend saw an attractive blonde teenager... (more...)
Court Grants Corporations Power to Think For Us
David Beal
March 12, 2010
When Obama boldly chastised the Supreme Court in his Jan. 27 State of the Union address, it provided a breath of fresh air that the U.S. desperately needed. If the Court makes an incorrect decision, they shouldn’t be immune to criticism. They should be held accountable. On Jan. 21, the... (more...)