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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015
PAGE 5
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arts & features
TRENDING
'American Sniper' criticized,
'praised for veteran portrayal
Despite making $105 million in its first four days, according to ABCnews.com, "American Sniper" sparked varying reactions on social media from praise to condemnation. Bradley Cooper plays former SEAL sniper Chris Kyle, who holds the record for most confirmed kills in U.S. history at 160. Kyle was killed while volunteering with a fellow veteran in 2013.
KELLY CORDINGLEY
@kellycordingley
The movie also depicts the struggles Kyle faced when he returned stateside, from the guilt of not having saved comrades to the struggle of assimilating back into his everyday life. The film is nominated for six Oscars, but those facts haven't stopped the backlash that arose when celebrities and politicians chimed in.
One of the more notable instances began from filmmaker Michael Moore's tweet which said his uncle was shot by a sniper, thus snipers were cowards and not to be admired.
From there, the backlash against Moore's tweet began. Some referred to him as a "socialist slob" while some questioned his authority to comment on snipers' actions.
But Moore stood by his tweet, claiming that it wasn't in reference to "American Sniper," and that he was misunderstood.
This Twitter battle invited a slew of news coverage on the controversy. Despite the fact that the film depicted Kyle's difficulties to reconnect with
civilians and his internal struggles, some critics say the film glorified war and questioned if a movie should be made about someone who killed for a living, according to Business Insider.
Even actor Seth Rogen tweeted his criticism, likening "American Sniper" to the Nazi propaganda film in "Inglorious Basterds."
Despite the criticism, moviegoers, film critics and actors alike have praised the film for shining light on the plight veterans face when they return home and the need to better care for our veterans.
Actress and liberal activist Jane Fonda tweeted her praise for "American Sniper" director Clint Eastwood and for Cooper's portrayal of Kyle.
However, the people it seems the film would affect the most are Kyle's family. His widow, Taya Kyle, told Military Times the movie got her husband right. She goes on to say when she watched the movie, she saw her husband come through. She also told multiple news outlets of the promise Cooper made to portray her husband accurately, something she said he did.
Country singer Blake Shelton also took to Twitter to share his thoughts on Moore's comments calling them sickening and tweeting about the importance of supporting America, according to CBS News.
Regardless of if the movie glorified war or just told the story of a veteran who lost his life too early, the conversation surrounding the needs and struggles of veterans is more prominent. Even when politicians, celebrities and Americans can't all agree on something, we tend to all agree that veterans deserve all the help and attention they can get.
According to USA Today, former governor of Alaska Sarah Palin praised the movie and thanked Eastwood and Cooper for "respecting the United States Military" while calling out her dismay at the "Hollywood leftists" for their lack of respect for the sacrifices of our veterans.
Edited by Jordan Fox
KU student to compete in Miss Universe
RILEY MORTENSEN
@RileyMortensen
@RileyMortensen
Alejandra Argudo, a psychology major, was crowned Miss Ecuador in 2014. Argudo will compete for the title of Miss Universe this Sunday.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Not every little girl gets to live her dream, but as former University student Alejandra Argudo laughs and smiles enchantingly while looking over glistening gowns in the living room of an Ecuadorian designer, it's safe to say her dream has come true.
Argudo, 22, was crowned Miss Ecuador 2014 last year and has been vigorously training to take the stage in hopes of capturing the Miss Universe title this Sunday.
"I always dreamt of being Miss Universe," Argudo said. "I always saw myself on that stage. I always saw myself saying my name and Ecuador in front of everybody and I think it's just amazing that I'm actually having the opportunity to do it."
Arguido spends many late nights reviewing looks and perfecting details for her Miss Universe debut. Late nights and early mornings are routine for Arguido, but she said she doesn't mind the sacrifice.
"I think it just blows my mind that you can take something from a dream and actually make it come true," Argudo said. "Just getting to be at Miss Universe, for me, it's a win."
COMING TO AMERICA
Argudo moved from her hometown of Portoviejo, Ecuador, to the Kansas City area when she was 11 so that she, along with her older brother and sister, could attend school there. When Argudo left Ecuador she said she was very upset with her mother.
"I just saw it as getting so far away, but what my mom always told me was keep working for it, just go to school and live my teenage years as I should," Argudo said.
Spanish is Argudo's first language but she has also taken eight years of French and learned English once she moved to Kansas through the second language program at school.
She attended community
college before transferring to Kansas to major in psychology. She's still one semester short of receiving her degree and plans on returning to do so, but left to pursue—and eventually win—the Miss Ecuador title.
PAGEANT PREPARATIONS
A typical day for Argudo would normally start around 6:30 a.m. and includes multiple workouts, portioned meals, dress fittings, classes and appearances depending on the day. Argudo worked with the Miss Ecuador Organization to train with the help of their team as well as taking classes
Argudo is now in Miami preparing to compete on Sunday with the rest of the contestants from around the world. Argudo and the other women spend three weeks in Miami traveling, socializing at fundraiser galas and sponsored events and preparing for the actual event in preliminaries, but Argudo has been training for the pageant for months.
and making preparations on her own. She took a number of classes including speech, catwalk, audience management, public speaking, makeup, styling, hair and picture posing.
"It's such a big huge honor out of this world to win my national pageant and become Miss Ecuador."
ALEJANDRA ARGUDO Miss Universe contestant
Her day typically would wrap up around 9 or 10 p.m.
"It's just a whole bunch of things that you have to do," Argudo said. "It takes a lot of time. You can't get ready in one week."
Argudo has taken multiple makeup and hair classes because contestants do their own hair and makeup when the competition comes around.
"They also have a staff or 15 makeup artists and like 15 hair stylists, but there are 90 girls, so they're only there to fix the little things." Argudo said.
Although it's a lot of work, Argudo still has her favorite parts of being Miss Ecuador.
"All of a sudden everybody in your country just loves you and they start looking up to you and you have the opportunity to become a role model for little girls or for women in your country," Argudo said. She said she enjoys connecting with the people from her country by "helping people that really need it and being a voice for those people."
Argudo said because she must be 100 percent focused on preparing for Miss Universe, she misses having a social life, but she does have a boyfriend.
"Since he met me before being Miss Ecuador, I think what I really like about him is he never treated me less and he never treated me more." Argu-
do said.
COLLEGE DAYS
As far as what she credits her success today to, Argudo said all her experiences have played a role, but the University definitely played a big part.
Argudo specifically remembers Professor Stephen Ilardi, associate professor of clinical psychology, as being one of her favorites. She recalls going to see him during his office hours and confiding in him her dreams of becoming Miss Ecuador. Argudo remembers him being very supportive and said she hopes to reach out to him soon.
A SUPPORTIVE FAMILY
Argudo is also thankful that she had Christmas and New Year's Eve to spend with her family and get her emotions in check before the big day. When it comes to her family, Argudo
SEE GLAM PAGE 6
The Bottleneck hosts vacation-themed concert
@aleaheileen
ALEAH MILLINER
alcehillen
Students are invited to dress in their best vacation-themed attire and attend tonight's concert at The Bottleneck by local band Captiva to ring-in the start of classes. Doors open at 6 p.m., the cost of entry is $5 and the show is open to all ages. Brian Lockwood and the Jorge Arana Trio will be opening for Captiva, and the person or group with the best outfit will win a free performance from Captiva. After the show there will be an after party at Bullwinkles Bar. The Kansan asked the performers a few questions to get to know them better before the show.
HANK WIEDEL OF CAPTIVA
HANK WIEDEL OF CAPTIVA KANSAN: How did you guys get started as a band? WIEDEL It started off as Patrick and Jackson playing around with music. They had written a bunch of songs. I came along to record the album with them and things took off from there.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
KANSAN: What do you love most about performing?
WIEDEL The interaction from the crowd. There could be 10 people or 10,000, as long as someone's getting into the music.
spires your music:
WIEDEL. For Patrick, it would be personal thoughts, personal life, struggles and success.
Jackson is more on the socialite aspect, having a lot of friends, being around people. For me, it is more of just the love of doing something that makes you happy. I enjoy it, it's my passion.
KANSAN: Who and what inspires your music?
KANSAN: What should everyone expect out of your show?
WIEDEL! We have a big announcement with Brian Lockwood that we will be sharing.
BRIAN LOCKWOOD
start in music
WILDEN: I started in my bathroom in high school. I played in the shower because it had good acoustics and a good echo. I played by myself and wrote songs and taught myself guitar. It evolved into a talent and hobby of mine.
KANSAN: How did you get your start in music?
WIEBEL When you do it well,
you get to see people let go and
have a good time. For that hour
when you are playing, nothing
else matters, just enjoying the
KANSAN: What do you love most about performing?
WIEDEL Things that are going on in my life. I strictly write about stuff that happens to me or things that are going on around me. Me and my friend groups. The certain times and things happening in our lives.
KANSAN: What should everyone expect out of your show?
one expect out of your snow.
WEDDLE They should expect to see a good time. Good original music. The group of guys that I got together work really well. It will be a fun jam session. We are going to play one new song that night.
KANSAN: Who and what inspires your music?
music.
JORGE OF JORGE ARANA TRIO KANSAN: How did you get your start in music?
ARANA I started listening to '90s rock music, and then my dad got me a guitar. I started playing in bands in high school. My first serious band I played in for 8-10 years. I didn't play too seriously until I saw friends in high school play and I thought, "I can do that."
KANSAN: Who and what inspires your music?
KANSAN: What do you love most about performing? All of it is fun. Our music is a catharsis,it is a bit chaotic. It is a little bit aggressive and ugly sometimes, but we try and make something beautiful.
ARANA There are no lyrics. Otherwise, there is just hooks, rhythms and sounds. It is inspired by life. There is not a
specific thing, it is all very instinctual. Emotions and moods, day to day stuff. We are primarily an instrumental group. I have never had a big interest in writing lyrics, but we do chant occasionally. I am a lot better getting my ideas out in an abstract way.
KANSAN: What should everyone expect out of your show?
ARANA The music is a bit unpredictable. It varies pretty widely and is a bit chaotic. It is good for those who like dissonance and something in your face, but it can also calm down and become jazzy and a little more soulful. Expect the unexpected.
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— Edited by Jordan Fox
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