The Other Woman

Bella Riccitelli
Sports Editor

    There is nothing funny about finding out that your husband is cheating on you. There is especially nothing funny when his mistress knocks on your front door in a stripper outfit. However, Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton, stars of “The Other Woman,” made that situation into one of the funniest movies I have ever seen.

    With previous projects such as “The Notebook” and “My Sister’s Keeper,” it is no surprise that the director of “The Other Woman,” Nick Cassavetes, directed yet another box-office topping film.

     The movie starts with the trendy, firm, and stylish Carly, played by Cameron Diaz, in love with Mark (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau), a charming financer. Scenes show the two happily and passionately in love, until suddenly it’s time to meet Carly’s father and Mark spits out an unbelievable excuse about the pipes in his home. When Carly doesn’t believe her boyfriend’s excuse, she takes it upon herself to drive to his home in a skimpy plumber’s outfit only to have the front door answered by Mark’s wife, Kate (Leslie Mann).

    After Carly and Kate meet and talk to each other a couple of times, they become friends and decide that it is their job to take Mark down, rather than just leaving him to suffer alone in life.

    Once the women become comfortable enough with each other, the good parts begin to flow. These two furious women spend most of their time plotting schemes and following Mark around. During one specific outing, they find out there is yet another woman.

    Mark’s young girlfriend, Amber, played by swimsuit model Kate Upton, they are spotted at the beach. When given the chance, the two women approach Amber and inform her about themselves and their situations. After hearing what a sleaze her boyfriend is, Amber joins their team to take Mark down once and for all and teach him a valuable lesson.

    While this was Upton’s first film, she did an incredible job at acting, and it was unnoticeable that she lacks any experience in the industry. In contrast to that, Mann and Diaz’s characters were tear-jerking funny as always. I’ve never seen a movie with Mann in it that I didn’t enjoy, and I’ve never seen a movie with Diaz that did not make me want to be her.

    Types of revenge that the women come up with include estrogen hormones blended into Mark’s morning smoothie and laxatives poured into alcoholic beverages of his while out in public. Then, of course, the big bang: ruining not only his career, but his life as well.

    This movie is hilarious. I haven’t stopped thinking about it and laughing about random scenes since I saw it. Although bits of the movie were quite predictable and other scenes were just too played out or too obvious to be an attempt at comedy, “The Other Woman” ended up being one of the best romantic comedies I have seen.

    These women almost feel like your heroes by the end of the film. Their roles are so strong, funny and sneaky that you even feel as if you want to be their friend, to ride around town with them and crack their good-for-nothing man.

    “The Other Woman” is definitely female friendly. If I were to have a girl’s night out, this movie is the movie I would bring my girlfriends to, in order to guarantee laughs and to bring out strong friendship vibes.

    I strongly suggest “The Other Woman” to anyone who has yet to see it. Go watch it immediately with your best friend, and if you have seen it already, go watch it again.

Two Albums To Keep Your Two Feet Moving

Damian Gordon

Staff Writer

Pharrell Williams: Girl

    Pharrell is on top of the world right now with multiple chart topping songs under his belt. So what better time than now to release his new album Girl to the masses.

    The album is filled with influences from funk and neo soul to even touches of orchestral music. Its diverse selection makes every tune sound distinct from the next one.

    The catchy lead single from the album, “Happy” has been playing on any object that sound comes out in. Someone could go into a cave in the middle of a forest and the birds would probably be chirping that song all day there too.

    Pharrell is the kind of artist where more of him isn’t necessarily better, with over 40 minutes of his singing becoming grating with the opening song” Marilyn Monroe”. The first half is plagued with mediocre songs that make the skip button a very familiar action.

    The bright spot of the first half is the duet with Justin Timberlake called “Brand New”, where Pharrell’s voice actually works. It’s a very rhythmic song that makes you want to dance with Timberlake’s angelic like voice.

    One track that really highlights what’s so bad with the first half is called “Hunter”, making me want even more to put a muzzle on Pharrell with his  irritating falsetto. The song has cringe worthy lyrics like” Duck Dynasty's cool and all, but they got nothin' on a female's call, I’m a hunter, is that a tree is that camouflage? Come get eaten by the damn mirage”.

    Girl is concept album that could have been better executed in certain parts, but has enough saving graces that make it worth a listen.

Foster The People : Supermodel

    Played in Fridays restaurants, Gap commercials and any place that wanted the youth to think they were hip too. Foster The People took the nation by storm with hits like “Pumped Up Kicks”, from their 2011 album Torches.

    One of the best albums of that year with every song automatically catching you the second it played, it’s Supermodel, a deserving successor to their last effort.
an understatement to say they are a unique group. Now here we are in 2014 and the indie pop-rock band has returned with

    The electronically focused sound featured on Foster’s previous outing has taken a backseat for more guitars and a variety of other instruments from different parts of the world. The content has also taken a more aggressive turn at some points, talking about societal problems, personal demons, etc.

    Gone are the tunes that were stuck in your head all day, instead to be replaced with songs barely to be remembered.  At least that’s what I would have said on my first listen, but then something happened…I couldn’t stop listening.

    Supermodel has its own version of “Pumped Up Kicks” with lyrics just as dark, covered up by joyful singing by leader singer Mark Foster. “Best Friend” will have you dancing in a matter seconds, not even realizing that the songs talking about drugged out friends.

    There aren’t really any gripes to be found. That only helps to speak volumes on how much deeper and content filled it is.

    All the elements found in Supermodel succeed in many aspects that come together to make a well-rounded experience. It’s no surprise that Foster The People started a trend many other bands try to emulate, but can’t because originality can’t be copied and manufactured (well expect for the copies of this album flying off shelves).

Simply Liza

Jared Michael Kenwood
Contributing Writer

    After twenty-one years, the Legendary Liza Minnelli returned to the Broward Center For The Performing Arts in FT. Lauderdale, Florida on Feb. 16th. This time kicking off a brand new tour called Simply Liza, A show devoted to songs that have been most requested by her fans. It’s an hour and a half of just Liza, backed by a band of seven men, including the talented Billy Stritch, in a very intimate show.

    One could only feel a wave of exhilaration sweeping over them as the band plays the Overture, anticipation throughout the venue. Then Liza walks out onto the stage, sending the sold-out house into rapturous applause. Dressed in all black, draped with a red scarf around her neck, and looking absolutely stunning, she greets the audience, “Wow! Hi Guys!” And immediately launches into her opening number, “Teach Me Tonight”. A reminiscence of her Radio City days, despite the voice having changed since, she sounds strong and determined to give it her all. Boy, does she deliver.

    Being the daughter of Hollywood’s Greatest Director, Vincente Minnelli, and Legendary Entertainer, Judy Garland, it was only natural that talent would be in Liza’s DNA. Lets not get carried away though because success was something that she had achieved all on her own. For years it has been over emphasized that Liza is the daughter of two famous people, and that paved a way for a show biz career. But for Liza, it only meant that she had to work twice as hard. Minnelli is a star in her own right. In 1965 Liza landed the title role in Flora, The Red Menace, and at 19 years old she was the first young person to win a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance. Not long after was she releasing albums and performing in nightclubs. By 1973, Liza Minnelli reached legendary status, receiving an Oscar for the 1972 film Cabaret and later an Emmy Award for her first television concert, Liza with a “Z”.

    Liza then sits down and goes right into her second number, a beautiful rendition of “Here I’ll Stay”/ “Our Love Is Hear To Stay”, it’s touching lyrics cause Liza to choke up, “I get emotional,” she admits to the Broward audience, who respond with cheers of empathy.

    “Listen, do you mind if I just keep sitting down?” Liza asks the audience, and explains about her injured foot, a consequence resulting from trying to get a handsome man’s attention at the pool. Not even an injured foot could keep her from the stage. Having already sacrificed both knees and hips from a lifetime of extensive dance numbers, what’s a sprained ankle? Nothing seems to stop her.

    The next number she performs is a quaint and rather jaunty number, written especially for her by Fred Ebb and John Kander, “Liza with a “Z”. The song serves as a reminder that its Liza and not Lisa. There is a moment of Minnelli on Minnelli as Liza sings a beautiful song, “What Did I Have That I Don’t Have?” from her Father’s film, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever. As she sings the song, she jokingly throws in her own lyric, “What did I have that I don’t have? ‘Balance’ ” The audience roars with laughter.

    The set-list continues with two Charles Aznavour songs, “You’ve Let Yourself Go” and “What Makes A Man a Man”.

    Then comes the beautiful ballad, “Maybe This Time” more famously known from the film Cabaret, she is singing it more beautiful then ever. There is a solo behind the voice, while she sings “Everybody, oh they love a winner, so nobody loved me,” Ross Konikoff on trumpet creates the most lovely bit of music to fill in her phrases. “I love playing big, beautiful solos,” says Konikoff, “ always aspiring to play the way Harry James used to, soaring into the sky with his incredible, emotional sound and style, and the fact that Liza lets me do that is reason alone to love her forever.”

    And love her forever is what her fans will continue to do, and so comes the next song, the title song from the film Cabaret where she can only love her fans in return by reassuring them that when she goes, “I’m NOT going like Elsie.”

    Liza then decides to take a break and hands over the mic to another singing talent on the stage. “Ladies and Gentlemen, it should say, the show is ‘Liza Minnelli with Billy Stritch, my wonderful arranger and composer. Wait until you hear this. Oh Billy, I’m crazy about you.”

    Billy Stritch, a talented singer and pianist, croons “No Moon At All”. Originally recorded in the 1940s by Nat “King” Cole, “No Moon At All” is a perfect song for Stritch’s unique vocals, his ability to scat and play piano. He sings like the singers of the 40s but better and with a modern day twist.

    “It has been in my repertoire for a long time,” says Stritch, explaining why he chose to sing this particular number. “ It’s a great chance for me to scat sing and improvise, and it’s a song that’s not done by many people, so I like doing it.” To hear more from Billy Stritch look for his albums, especially Billy Stritch Sings Mel Torme which is overwhelmingly breathtaking. His talents have no limits.

    The two entertainers, Liza and Billy then come together and perform a beautiful duet of “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” dedicating it anyone who has a birthday in the audience.

    “Singing “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love” with Liza is one of my favorite parts of the show,” says Billy, “I think it’s a nice moment in the show, not only for me but for Liza as well. It shows our collaboration and affection onstage and the audience seems to enjoy when we harmonize and sing together. We’re always thinking of new songs to do and perhaps there might be another duet or a different one in the show at some point. People seem to love when Liza sings the old standards and we always get a great response for “I Can’t Give You Anything But Love”.

    Liza continues her show with the song “Ring Them Bells” and three songs from her 2010 album Confessions. Proudly, Liza introduces her Band, “I love them so much and I’ve been with them so long. They are really the best. There’s not a lot them up here but we make quite a sound”. The gentlemen in her band, dressed in white tuxedos, each play a very crucial role in creating this beautiful show. Some of these men have been with Liza for practically her whole career. Ross Konikoff first started out with Liza back in 1977 as a trumpet player for the Broadway musical The Act.

    “In the summer of 1977 I was called for a Broadway show called The Act, starring Liza Minnelli. I had certainly known of Liza, but until that point I had been primarily a jazz trumpet player.” Konikoff left Berklee College of Music in 1971 and moved to New York City and began performing with Show Bands. In 1973 he toured with Kiss Me Kate and in 1974 No No Nannette. Then from 1975 to 1977, Konikoff joined the Buddy Rich band, being offered the Jazz soloist position.

    “The Act was great fun to play, “ Konikoff recalls. “The large orchestra was lined up against the back wall of the stage, all dressed in tuxedos, in full view for the entire show. I was seated next to Jay Leonhart, Liza's first bass player, and Bill Lavorgna, who had already been Liza's drummer for a few years. Liza was a ball to work with every night, looking back at the band or doing something to make us laugh.”

    Konikoff reflects on how he permanently joined Liza’s band, “When they announced the closing, Bill Lavorgna had a little talk with some of us and told us that Liza was taking her night club act on the road and that she wanted twelve of us to go with her to be her permanent band. I loved Liza and I loved traveling, so I accepted happily.”

    The places they traveled to have been all around the world, and it’s been quite an extraordinary journey, one that Ross Konikoff is very proud to be a part of.

    “I love traveling, and with Liza, it has always been absolutely first class. Nobody is more loving and respectful to her musicians than Liza. She let's me stand up and play my heart out on a few tunes and that makes me very happy. Then of course, playing for her as she sings has always been exciting and rewarding. We make music history every night. Who could ask for more? I am 50 times the trumpet player I might have been had I not met Liza and played in front of millions of people over these past 35 years.”

    In the 70s Konikoff had the privilege of being Liza’s dancing partner in a number “Everybody Gets The Blues”. “I was scared to death. I had never danced anything with anybody prior to that routine. Fred Ebb told me I could do it, and that he would make me a star! Everybody Gets The Blues started with me playing some soulful, bluesy licks all alone, indicating that I was feeling very sad. Then Liza turned around and asked me what was wrong. We had a little back and forth, then I walked down next to her and she sang as we danced this routine. I played at her, she sang at me and by the end I was all cheered up and ran back to my chair.”

    Billy Stritch has been with Liza now for twenty-three years. He had been work nine years prior with his vocal group, Montgomery, Plant and Stritch.

    We had already made a splash in New York,” Says Stritch. “having worked many engagements at the Algonquin Hotel Oak Room as well as concerts at Town Hall and Carnegie Hall, so I had somewhat of a following in New York by then.” Then one night he was playing the piano in a restaurant and in walks Liza Minnelli, who was immediately drawn to Billy.

    “Liza was beginning rehearsals for her show "Stepping Out At Radio City Music Hall" and she invited me to be part of the creative team, crafting vocal arrangement for her and the twelve women who co-starred in the show. That was the beginning of my collaboration with Liza and the rest as they say is history. I've learned so much from this collaboration and I think Liza would say the same. She's made it possible for me to work all over the world and has certainly promoted me in ways that I never dreamed possible. She is unfailingly generous and kind and it has certainly been the most important professional relationship in my life. Twenty three years and counting....”

    Simply Liza draws to a close with Liza singing her two highly anticipated songs “But The World Goes Round” and of course, “New York, New York.” She then encores with an emotional rendition of, “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye”, leaving the audience wanting more. There is simply no other performer like Liza Minnelli.

    For those who missed this One-night only performance at the Broward Center, perhaps in the near future Liza Minnelli will bring her Simply Liza show back to South Florida. The Broward show was most certainly a success.

    “I love Florida,” says Konikoff, “Getting my life batteries recharged by that beautiful, pure sunlight is the best thing there is to keep one alive and healthy. Any time I have the opportunity to go to Florida, I am thrilled. In addition, the Broward Center theater is a fantastic place to perform. The whole group looks forward to performing there at every opportunity.”

Gay Men Can Only Donate Blood In the Closet

Fidel Castro
Staff Writer

    Walking by a blood donation bus is almost unavoidable on any Broward College (BC) campus—but if you are a gay man, you should probably save yourself some time and immediately tell them, “I am gay.” You will see how quickly the employee will sigh and turn to look for another possible donor.

    “If you are a male who has had sexual contact with another male, even once, since 1977,” you are ineligible to donate blood because you pose the risk of having HIV/AIDS, as implemented by the FDA. It is also listed on the Red Cross donation center’s website under the category of HIV/AIDS which somewhat implies most homosexual men who have ever (even once) been sexually active are probably infected with the deadly virus.

    The “Big Red Bus” usually parks outside the only main entrance to BC’s Miramar Town Center, which allows employees from blood centers to ask most people who enter if they are able to donate. One day, I recognized a former flame working, trying to convince people to donate blood in order to save lives. Saying hello was my only option once we locked eyes, but I was startled when he approached and asked if I was willing to donate blood.

    Working at an organization that discriminates against the both of us was one thing, but he went as far as to ask me to lie about my sexual orientation and history in order to save lives. “It is not a big deal, I have to do it all the time,” he claimed, in order to meet a certain quota. I was stunned.

    I knew this man on an intimate level, and the audacity of him to ask me to lie about our relationship just to meet his quota felt insulting to me at the time. There is no way I would walk back into that closet just to lend him a hand!

    In theory, to lie about your sexual orientation to save someone’s life is not a mortal sin; it is just not right. There is no harm done, especially if you test regularly and know your status, but it is unethical because it does involve deceit.

    Taniamary Marquez, a BC student who formerly worked at a blood bank in Hialeah opened up about her thoughts on the guidelines and her experiences at the bank. “Sometimes, very questionable people would walk through the door and as long as they checked off the correct boxes, they were able to donate. It is sad, because there is such a large gay community in South Florida who could contribute but they are being discriminated against,” said Marquez.

    The policy, regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has received criticism from defenders of the gay community for years. Rumors circulate constantly in media that change to the policy is coming soon, but it seems the chances of marriage are more likely for gay men as the recognition of their commitments is a current hot-button topic.

    For now, it is up to each individual gay man to decide about whether a visit to the closet is worth potentially saving a life. Personally, I will wait until these guidelines reflect the ideals of equality.