It's a Mother-F***ing Walkoff!

WARNING: DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED THIS WEEK'S EPISODE OF "PROJECT RUNWAY." SPOILERS LIE AHEAD!!!

So, I've looked at all the lines of the Project Runway designers, and I honestly think that Daniel Vosivic's should win. Austin and I had several major discussions about the designers over the weekend, and while he is still sticking with Santino Rice's collection, I have to say as a woman I would actually wear the clothes that Daniel V. has designed, as opposed to the clothes that Santino has designed. (See below, 2 of my favorite Daniel V. pieces.)





















I was very disappointed with what Chloe designed. She looked like she was trying to hard to make a statement, and the result was not pleasing. Kara's collection was more feminine than Chloe's, and hers was just used as a decoy, so that the excitement of knowing who the top three were wouldn't be ruined. While the tailoring and detail on Chloe's work is obvious, taking the concept to reality did not translate well. (See below, 2 of my favorite Chloe pieces.)





















The smooth lines of Chloe's design are seen, but that's about it. Santino's stuff is better than Chloe's. I was really proud of his ability to reign in his usual "tack as much junk on as possible" technique. (See below, 2 of my favorite Santino pieces.)





















Last, poor Kara. She got cut, but made it to the final four without winning a challenge. I guess that says something about the quality of her work. I like what Kara has done, and think that she took to heart what the judges said to her the last time she was on the runway. Remember when someone said the dress she had on was more interesting than the dress she made? Anyone notice how lots of her dresses have the same shape on the top? (See below, 2 of my favorite Kara pieces.)





















Well, this week we get to hear everyone dish the dirt on what went on behind the scenes. The original 16 are brought back together, along with the models, Heidi Klum, and of course, Tim Gunn. Hopefully, we can hold our horses until the big finale where we will get to see who is the winner of Project Runway.

Shot v. Sprayed and Patriotic Feelings

So the vice president of our wonderful country had an accident last week. While on a quail hunting trip, he accidentally fired at a hunting companion. This man was sent to the hospital and listed in critical condition after being hit in the face, neck and chest. The White House was reluctant to release details about the accident until it was leaked to the press. Now, the White House is arguing with the press over whether he was “shot” or “sprayed.” Does it really matter? The point we should be focusing on is the fact that one of the major leaders of our country couldn’t tell the difference between a bird and a man. Makes you wonder about other distinctions this leader has made…

Also, the other day I was listening to my history professor lecture about George Washington. Now, people who know me well know that I do not usually feel very patriotic. The Fourth of July is about the only time of the year when I actually have a burning feeling of patriotism in my chest. However, as I sat in class and listed to my professor tell a story about our first president, I actually became overwhelmed with a strong love for my country. It was pretty cool. Listening to how inspired our forefathers were by this one man made me feel so proud of my country’s history, the good and the bad. I just wanted to throw out a little reminder that despite the many problems that face our country on a daily basis, there are still many things worth feeling proud of.

"Nanny McPhee" review

*As printed previously in "The Northeastern."





For a dose of the nanny who is needed but not wanted, students and faculty can check out the fun-filled British children’s film "Nanny McPhee," starring Emma Thompson and Colin Firth.

This 97 minute film delves into the hectic lives of the Browns, a family of seven children and a recently widowed father (Firth), and their search for a suitable nanny. The children drive away a succession of nannies with disturbing antics until the formidable Nanny McPhee (Thompson) shows up at their doorstep. After her arrival the family learns a series of five lessons that teach them to grieve their loss while continuing their lives. By the end of the movie, the family comes together triumphantly in a heart-warming sequence.

At the beginning of the movie the plot seems like the typical story of ornery, clever children being taught valuable, life lessons. However, the well-fit cast, the fantastical production design and unusual plot twists save this film from being another boring children’s film.

Sarah Littlejohn, LaTosha Hoover and Nikki Carlisle, third and fourth graders at Grandview, watched the flick Friday evening and all agreed the film was very enjoyable.

"It was a very good movie. I liked Nanny McPhee," said Littlejohn.

Although certain elements of the film were purely entertaining, the lessons learned by the characters teach the audience how enjoyable having values can be.

"I liked it whenever she taught the lessons about, like to listen and to say thank you and please," said Hoover.

Representing their growing love for her, the nanny loses an ugly mark each time the family learns a lesson, revealing the beautiful, familiar Thompson.

"I liked Nanny McPhee. I liked when she had lost her unibrow and her two moles and her tooth, ‘cause then she looked a lot prettier," said Littlejohn.

Along with screen favorites Thompson and Firth, the movie is well cast with such talent as "Gosford Park" star Kelly Macdonald and legendary Angela Lansbury, who plays the grumpy aunt. Additional side characters add colorful flavor; Celia Imrie plays the tart Mrs. Quickly, Imelda Staunton plays the cook, Mrs. Blatherwick, and Thomas Sangster from "Love Actually" plays the eldest child, Simon. The performances given by these actors provide an added level of entertainment.

A large part of the enjoyment of the film can be derived from the visual aspects of the production design. Vibrant colors are prominent not only in the settings but the clothing as well. The only cast member not regularly dressed in a beautiful shade is Nanny McPhee, who stands out in her black garb. Thompson is not the only actor to wear prosthetics in the film; Lansbury dons an appearance-altering beak for a nose. Dr. Lynn Cyert, professor of optometry, saw the film Friday evening and said she would not have recognized Lansbury had she not known she was portraying the role.

Some students want to see the movie because of the talent in it. Renee Myhre, NSU graduate and manager of Green Country Cinemas, said she wants to see the movie because Thompson is a good, funny actress. Thompson not only stars in the title role but also adapted the screenplay from Christianno Brand’s children’s books "Nurse Matilda." The story provides an unlikely hero, a nanny who uses magic less cherry than the other well-known British nanny Mary Poppins. If the audience expects to see a similar woman, Thompson’s clever dialogue and witty humor set both the nanny and the film apart from "Mary Poppins."

In a review for the Chicago Sun Times, Roger Ebert explains how the differences between British and American children’s movies are easily seen in "Nanny McPhee."

"Watching the movie, I reflected that the difference between American and British children in the movies is that the American kids tend to run their families and the British kids (Harry Potter excepted) tend to require, and deserve, many hard lessons in life," said Ebert. "In American movies, the kids end in triumph, pumping their fists into the air and chanting, ‘yes!’ In British movies, they end as well-behaved miniature adults who have come to see the truth of all the wisdom bestowed upon them."

"When you need me, but do not want me, then I will stay. When you want me, but do not need me, then I have to go," is commonly used throughout the movie and is one example of how this philosophy is put into use in the film.

Whether British or American, child or adult, students and faculty will enjoy this light-hearted family film; if not for the pull of a children’s film, then for the pleasure of the performances given by the stars, the execution of a fantastical world created by the production design and the unusual way this fairy tale is told.