Arts and Entertainment

Animation Revelation

By Micaela Manning, Art Director

Who says 2D animation is dead? There are many great artists who beg to differ. Don’t let the surge in 3D animated movies fool you. There is an underground alliance working tirelessly to bring this forgotten art back into our theaters.     Right now, a newly and fully funded revolution on IndieGogo is taking place, with renowned Disney artist James Lopez at its head. Hullabaloo is the first 2D film since The Princess and the Frog, in 2009. It is, as Mr. Lopez puts it, “pro­girl and pro­science.” James Lopez stated on his IndieGogo bio that his intention is to promote strong, clever women in the science ­fiction universe. The film follows a young scientist, Veronica Daring, and her best friend Jules on their quest to find Veronica’s father, a famed scientist by the name of Jonathan Daring, and rescue him from people who seek to use his work for evil.     Another vastly underrated 2D animated movie is The Song Of The Sea. Director Tomm Moore won multiple awards for past works, such as The Secret of Kells. Moore is an Irish cartoonist and the founder of Cartoon Saloon, an Ireland-­based production company, which may explain the film’s lack of attention in the U.S.. Most of Moore’s work explores the vast and undiscovered world of Irish folktales, The Song Of The Sea being his most recent. The movie tells the story of a young boy who discovers his young mute sister is a Selkie, who must find her voice in the sea and save all of the other supernatural creatures who live there from a malevolent goddess.     This next film, though far more recognized than the two previously mentioned, is still totally underappreciated. Spirited Away, a product of Studio Ghibli, not only breaks the fourth ­wall conceptually and artistically, but also in its use of morals, both horrifying and realistic, as well as genuinely endearing. Also a foreign film, it appeals to members of every age group, receiving a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Spirited Away walks alongside spoiled ten-­year-­old, city-­girl, Chihiro Ogino and her unbelievable and magical road to selflessness.     Chihiro is forced to sell herself in order to save her parents, emphasizing the central theme of understanding the importance of selflessness, and putting others before yourself.
Arts and Entertainment

Impressive Indie Movies

By Nick Lee, Entertainment Editor

Indie films have seen a surge in popularity. From classics such as Pulp Fiction to recent hits such as Whiplash, independent films have always been a staple of pop culture. Some, however, still manage to fly under the radar. Luckily, many have seen small cult success on the movie-streaming service Netflix. 1. Short Term 12: directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and starring Brie Larson of 21 Jump Street fame, this film covers the story of a supervisor at Short Term 12, a group home for children in at-risk home situations. The intensity of the acting alone is enough to warrant a viewing.  Afterwards the emotional intensity will leave you speechless. 2. The Babadook: a first-time film for Australian director Jennifer Kent, The Babadook depicts a mother and her son living years after the father died on the way to the hospital to deliver the son. The Babadook relies less on blood and gore and more on atmosphere and mystery. The titular Babadook is never fully revealed, and the film ends on a rather ambiguous note, keeping you guessing long after the credits roll. 3. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night: another film debut, this time from Iranian director Ana Lily Amirpour, Girl Walks Home encompasses many different genres into one to create something completely original. Combining elements of neo-noir, western, romance, and horror, promises an engaging experience, and is totally worth reading subtitles. So take a weekend off, grab some pizza, invite your significant other (or your friends–probably your friends), and watch some artistically amazing artwork.
Opinion

Solving the Parking Problem: A Modest Proposal

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By Jordan Wilson, Editor-in-Chief

Tuesday, September 15. 7:52 a.m. It’s raining. And I’m late to class. Wonderful. Why am I late to class, you might ask? Because parents made me sit in traffic for twenty-three minutes on my drive to school this morning. I’m also running on empty because of them and I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it to a gas station after school. Great day. Unfortunately, this sort of situation is not even limited to those days when it rains. Parents are actually really bad drivers all the time. They’ve made me late to school so many times this year.Before you try to blame me–the student and easy target–think about this. I live down Red Hill Avenue, and my first class starts at 7:45 a.m. I leave my house by 7:15 a.m. Sure, it takes about ten minutes to drive to school, but once I cross Seventeenth Street, it’s a horrorshow. Now, I know that not much can be done about the traffic on Newport in between Seventeenth and Dodge, but something can (and should) be done about the mess in our student and staff parking lots. “There’s nothing you can do about the parents!”“They aren’t the problem, it’s the inexperienced student drivers!”

WRONG. We need to reduce the number of parents who are dropping off their precious offspring in the morning. But how read more

News

Laptop Re-Distribution

By Elizabeth Mazuca

There is no better way to welcome students back to Foothill than with laptops. Right? Unfortunately, there were some problems with the distribution process this year, almost all of which have been resolved. Distribution took place during the second week of school, although several hundred students did not receive their laptops for another two weeks after that. According to Dr. Stephany, one of the reasons for the delay was the fact that Foothill was the last of the three TUSD high schools to have distribution, but he did point out that distribution occurred earlier this year than it did last year. He added that the administration is aiming to distribute laptops during registration next year. Knightlife staff members asked Henry Ha, the tech genius, a couple of questions. QUESTION: What common/recurring problems have you been getting? Any ideas on how to solve them yet? HENRY: The most common problems we’ve been getting is a black screen, and the runaway mouse. Both are quick fixes if you come in when our Tech Club is present. QUESTION: Why were Foothill students without a laptop? HENRY: We reissued the senior devices as loaners for students in summer school and we had not started working on the damaged laptops from the prior year until the first of August [when summer school ended].
Opinion

School Sports Rivalries

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By Garrett Elms, Editor-In-Chief Digital

Why are rivalries so popular? What is it about sporting team colors, shouting ten-syllable chants, and having a lifelong prejudice against a certain school or city that appeals to so many people, especially high school students? Whether it’s Angels v. Dodgers, Red Sox v. Yankees, Ducks v. Kings, or Celtics v. Lakers, rivalries exist and have for decades. Granted, rivalries can get ugly. Not just ugly, appalling. Last year, 24-year-old Jonathan Denver was stabbed to death for wearing a Dodgers jersey in San Francisco. Incidents like these give rivalries a bad name. We cannot, however, dwell on these events. Rivalries create tense atmospheres of competition and ambition. They push teams and individuals to go one step further towards their full potential, constantly reminding us to try harder. Not to mention the fact that it’s stimulating getting involved in old traditions that build the charisma of a town or district. Why is it then, that the beloved rivalry between Foothill and Tustin already feels like a distant memory? What made us squelch that drive to beat the Tillers? Not because of violence or gangs, but because we still haven’t crept out of our shell after the childish sign incident last year. I supported Dr. Stephany’s public apology last year for the racist actions of a handful of Foothill students. It would have in been bad taste to say nothing. One year later, however, Foothill still tiptoes tentatively around any possible offense, while Tustin strides headlong into friendly competition between the two schools. While Foothill’s walls were barren of posters and our opening assembly lacked any Tiller red, Tustin’s quad was carpeted with posters poking fun at the Knights; their assembly featured an artfully designed dance battle against Foothill. I spoke with both Dr. Stephany and Tustin assistant principal Michele Boudreaux about the issue. Stephany’s response was immediate. “We want to downplay the rivalry,” he said before the game on September 5. According to him, last year’s incident was too close for comfort. That night, I interviewed Ms. Boudreaux. She agreed last year was embarrassing, but discussed Tustin’s taunts openly. “As long as ASB remained respectful and wasn’t degrading towards the Knights, our administration supports the rivalry. It’s been a tradition since I attended Foothill (yes, Ms. Boudreaux was a Knight) and it’s something I want to see continued.” This rivalry is much more than a sports competition. It is a substantial chapter in the history of our town. Yielding to juvenile insults and living in fear of offending some writer from OC Weekly accomplishes nothing. Foothill students have the talent and creativity to continue the rivalry in respectful and kind ways, and the school should not stand in their way .