Archive for category NEWS
The Campus Socialite
This coming year, I’ll be “taking my talents” to The Campus Socialite. Check out some recent posts below (you may recognize some from this site).
Dream ONondaga: Preparing for Senior Year
Exclusive Interview with Viral Video Phenom Tyler Gildin of “Nassau (County) State of Mind”
Don’t Cry Over Spilled Muscle Milk
To Mel With It!
Mel Gibson may be a raging fool, but he also happens to be a genius. While the American Australian actor, director, and producer is feeling the heat this week for his starring role in the most career-damaging tape recordings since Nixon’s Watergate scandal, one can abhor the man without abstaining from enjoying his work.
Heaven and Mel
Sure, Gibson’s phone recordings are alarming, but they certainly shouldn’t be surprising. For years, we’ve known this man is batshit, and while he may now appear crazier than his character in Lethal Weapon, there’s nothing wrong with still being a fan of this artist’s art.
While Gibson’s vulgar ranting makes Alec Baldwin’s infamous 2007 voicemail sound like a Joel Osteen sermon, this wouldn’t stop me from watching a film with Mad Max’s name in the credits. I don’t believe there’s anything shameful about exploring the work of a shameful individual. Of course, most filmgoers don’t share my position, as Gibson’s career and reputation are now dead (or at best, on life support).
The Joely One
Sure, I’m angered by this former icon’s arrogance, ignorance, alleged violent tendencies, and overt racism/sexism/anti-semitism, but I’m also disappointed that Gibson has blown his opportunity for future professional triumphs. Some troubled celebrities have continued to succeed after overcoming seemingly insurmountable personal woes (including the resilient, public-relations nightmare Charlie Sheen), but I can’t foresee another Braveheart or Apocalypto (two of the most ambitious and awe-inspiring films ever produced) hitting theaters anytime soon. Heck, the only thing less likely than another studio-financed Gibson epic would be a sequel to What Women Want.
Where Have You Gone, Helen Hunt?
I’ve frequently written about the “power of celebrity” and how America should hold its stars to higher standards. Still, I think the line between entertainers’ public and private lives needs to be stretched. We often confuse actors with the larger-than-life characters they portray, distorting our cultural values. TMZ may be entertaining, but it certainly isn’t interesting, and our obsession with stars’ “everyday” lives only sets us up for disappointment when we realize they are as flawed and fragile as the rest of us.
I often wonder if celebrities themselves lose track of their surroundings and remain in character when they’re away from their set. After all, wasn’t 24′s Kiefer Sutherland recently arrested for headbutting/”Jack Bauering” a fashion designer? Didn’t Christian Bale verbally “terminate” a crew member during a 2008 T:4 shoot?
Even Kiefer Sutherland wears Jack Bauer pajamas
If you listen closely to the Mel Gibson tapes, you’ll hear that he sounds a lot like a cross between his roles in Hamlet, Conspiracy Theory, and The Patriot (with a little Darth Vader added in). Essentially, Mel was just being who we knew him to be- the intense renegade we always loved to watch fight back on-screen. Only this time, unbenownonst to Gibson, it was real.
To be perfectly clear, I’m not defending Mel Gibson’s actions. I’m only trying to understand how an individual with so much to lose can throw it all away. For someone who once brought people so much joy, the fallen star has truly earned the masses’ animosity (while NBA icon Lebron James has taken fair criticism for his egotistical “Decision,” Gibson’s actions were significantly more offensive and help put things in perspective).
While I could care less about Gibson’s image, I do want to protect his artistic legacy. Like the auteur himself, Gibson’s projects have often been controversial, unconventional, and uncompromising. Society may deserve better public influences, but cinema certainly needs more like Mel Gibson.
Bandwagon on the Run
With the US eliminated from World Cup competition, it’s now time for Americans to repeat what most of us did after 5th grade- abandon our interest in soccer.
It was fun while it lasted, but feigning love for a sport in the name of patriotism is exhausting and unfulfilling. I love America as much as the next guy (unless the next guy’s John Mellencamp), but buzzing Vuvuzelas, inexcusable blown calls, and tie games made my colors run faster than Landon Donovan.
Buzz off
Sure, the World Cup gave us all a great excuse to get drunk, paint our faces, and find a television substitute for American Idol, but there’s a profound difference between supporting your country and following the team that represents it. In fairness, though, it’s easy for this truth to be lost on an overcrowded bandwagon.
America, F**K Yeah!
For those who really do love soccer, I’m sorry. The World Cup is an amazing spectacle and I’m sure you got a real “kick” out of seeing your homeland valiantly compete against the world’s elite. At the same time, however, the phony soccer love generated by the masses must leave real fans feeling uneasy. While the sting of America’s loss to Ghana affected the masses for about four minutes, this outcome will last with you for the next four years.
As part of a consumer nation, it’s fitting that we Americans are so quick to buy into things and/or people (think President Obama) that are hot in the moment. Our inherent fear of missing out is equaled only by our quickness to jump ship when our collective dreams don’t live up to our often impossible-to-meet hype. Many times, this makes us appear attention-span challenged and ungenuine. No one ever said life in the Land of the Free has no costs.
With the Gulf Coast drowning in oil, controversial immigration reform nearing, and our growing involvement in two wars, I wish the public would give World Cup-like attention to issues that are more American! Even pretending to care can help our nation progress towards a brighter future. I guess phony patriotism is still patriotism, after all.
BRAHmerica
I’m in the process of developing a second blog. BRAHmerica, while independent from AndrewBank.com, will hopefully help expand this site’s reach and potential for growth.
The Brahmerican Flag
This is a work in progress, but feel free to check out a sneak preview of my new blogging endeavor. Click the above link, or visit my Blogroll to see what BRAHmerica’s all about.
***Additionally, I encourage anyone who read my most recent post (“Chill, Hippies”) to check the “comments” section for an excellent response from fellow blogger (and my friend) Evan Klonsky. If you haven’t already, please visit PROSE & KLONS to read his interesting work. Comments are always appreciated, as they truly help make this site more communal and fun. I love receiving feedback from you readers along the way.***
On Haiti
With Leno-Conan drama, the Golden Globes, a New York Jets AFC Championship appearance, and a critical Massachusetts senate race dominating this week’s domestic news, it could be easy for Americans to forget about the unparalleled, ongoing tragedy in Haiti. Thankfully, however, this hasn’t been the case.
Millions of necessary dollars are being raised to help the relief efforts and Haiti’s struggle has appropriately been the predominant story covered by this country’s news media. The giving and press coverage are equally vital for this nation and its people.
In 2008, I traveled to the Gulf Coast on an Alternative Spring Break trip. While living in Mississippi and working to rebuild a home in Louisiana’s Saint Bernard’s Parish, I saw first-hand how Hurricane Katrina affected (and still affects) the families who were displaced by this powerful natural disaster. The devastation was so terrible that those who only lost their homes were considered to be the “lucky ones.” Sadly, what’s happening in Haiti makes Katrina look like child’s play.
An inside look at a home I visited in Post-Katrina Louisiana
Another look inside...
During my freshman year at Syracuse, I was very fortunate to meet and have dinner with Dr. Paul Farmer, a world-renowned physician and medical anthropologist. Dr. Farmer has dedicated his life to treating individuals in some of the world’s poorest countries, and his organization “Partners in Health” has done wonders for many people lacking essential medical care, health resources, and most importantly, hope. Having done previous philanthropic work for the Global Fund (an organization that raises money to combat HIV/AIDS, T.B., and Malaria in impoverished African nations), I was granted the amazing opportunity to discuss global healthcare with Dr. Farmer (a close friend of President Bill Clinton and the subject of Tracy Kidder’s inspirational book “Mountains Beyond Mountains: Healing the World: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer”).
Dr. Farmer and President Clinton in Haiti
When speaking with Dr. Farmer, I learned that his early work in Haiti inspired him to confront significant problems in other places around the globe. It was clear, then, that Haiti held a special place in Dr. Farmer’s heart, and I immediately thought about him after learning about last week’s earthquake. To no surprise, I learned that Dr. Farmer is currently in Haiti with President Clinton, scrambling to organize important life-saving medical efforts and lobbying for international support. He has already written a column in the Miami Herald, and Partners in Health has been at the forefront of Haiti’s long road to recovery. Today, Haiti’s struggles make Dr. Farmer one of the single most important leaders on the planet. Having met the man, I am confident that he will rise to the occasion.
A few weeks ago, I wrote a post entitled “American Idiots,” which criticized several cultural icons for abusing the “power of celebrity.” I wrote, “While many celebrities do use their wealth and fame to positively change the world (Bono, Oprah, Bill Gates, Lance Armstrong, Brad Pitt, etc.), the majority of our heroes end up abandoning or abusing their unique positions of influence. Leading lives of excess can certainly be difficult, but we need all of our revered public figures to lead by example.”
On Friday, the George Clooney-organized Hope For Haiti Now telethon will air on a variety of networks to support important organizations like Oxfam America, The Red Cross, and of course, Partners in Health. The over-150 celebrities performing/donating their time for this great event are exemplifying the very leadership I previously called for. I encourage all to watch, and give money to the telethon…every contribution will make a difference.
The world is a funny place. It sometimes paradoxically takes the breaking down of a nation (or a people) to bring us all closer together as one. While it’s impossible to tell how long Haiti’s recovery will take, we all need to unite in order to speed this process up.