THE BLUE BANNER,
Academy Awards fuel film dialogue among community
AAaddie Stagnaro
msfagnar@unca.edu - Staff Writer
The Oscars season officially heated
up when the academy announced
nominations last Thursday morning.
According to members, anticipation
within the film community centers
around the cultural and social impact
of the nominated film choices.
Amy Adams and Christian Bale blew
audiences and critics away with their
chemistry, Leonardo DiCaprio shocked
us as Jordan Belfort and Chiwetel
Ejiofor stunned his audience with a
glimpse into the horrors of slavery.
“I think ‘ 12 Years a Slave’really spoke
to the African-American community
and spoke to the true horrors of what
was going on in that time,” said Greg
Branson, an entertainment business
insider for nearly 20 years. “I’ve
never seen Ejiofor in anything before,
so I don’t really have anything to
compare it to but he did a great job.”
Martin Scorsese’s “The Wolf of
Wall Street” may have been the most
shocking movie for viewers this year,
as it displayed a large amount of nudity,
including an orgy and significant
amounts of drug use.
“I was really surprised to see that it
got nominated,” said Erik Montoya of
the Asheville Film Society. “DiCaprio
did a fantastic job but I think the
content shocked a lot of people. It will
speak volumes about the viewers and
voters if it wins.”
Joaquin Phoenix proved himself
a true actor with his performance in
Spike Jonze’s “Her” in a welcome
comeback. “Her” brought viewers into
a futuristic world where a man can
have a relationship with his computer.
“My cellphone tells me when to go
to wake up in the morning, it was a
very real issue about being obsessed
with a cellphone, and I think it spoke
to the direction our culture is headed.”
Branson said.
According to some members of the
film community, there were several
disappointments in this year’s crop of
Academy Awards nominees.
‘“Captain Phillips’ wasn’t as good
as I thought it would be. I think Tom
Hanks did well, but the storyline was
too weak for the amount of intensity,”
said Jenna Parker of the Asheville
Film Society.
Montoya said she disagreed with
Parker.
“I think “Nebraska” was
disappointing, the story was cliche
and the acting was mediocre; however.
“American Hustle” lived up to every
expectation I had. Adams and Bale had
such fabulous chemistry, it blew me
away.” Montoya said.
Matthew McConaughey may have
decidedly been the most surprising
performance of the year in “Dallas
Buyers Club.”
“McConaughey was not only cast
against type, but threw himself into
the character and his physicality,
dieting off almost 50 pounds to play
a believably gaunt, wasted patient. He
didn’t sacrifice his humor and charm;
however, which are vital to capturing
our interest in and sympathy for his
plight,” said Ann Weber, a retired
UNCA professor of psychology.
“It’ll be an interesting awards show
this year, with such a diverse set of
movies it’ll be interesting to see what
America chooses.” Parker said.
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said.
Ak said her traditional Turkish food
is more sophisticated, but UNCA offers
more options.
Puupponen said she was surprised
when she discovered the desert
selections offered at the dining hall.
“It really takes some self control to
not eat it everyday,” Puupponen said.
However, Puupponen said her No.
1 dining preference on campus is
Rosetta’s. After only being at UNCA
for a little more than a week now, she
said she has already fallen in love with
their vegetarian and vegan menu.
Although their journey at UNCA
just began, several of the international
students said they are already planning
what they would like to accomplish
during their time abroad.
Ak said she hopes to do as much
traveling as she can, while Puupponen
said she seeks inspiration.
Puupponen said she has already
found some inspiration during her first
week at UNCA. She said she enjoys the
approach her professors take in teaching
their courses, especially in her studies
of health and wellness promotion.
“So far it’s been an amazing
experience and I am looking forward
to everyday I get to spend here around
great people.” Puupponen said.