The Daily Mississippian http://thedmonline.com Online version of the Daily Mississippian, student newspaper for the University of Mississippi in Oxford since 1911 Sat, 31 Jan 2015 00:23:57 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1 Super Bowl XLIX Poll http://thedmonline.com/super-bowl-xlix-poll/ http://thedmonline.com/super-bowl-xlix-poll/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2015 18:29:07 +0000 http://thedmonline.com/?p=15570 http://thedmonline.com/super-bowl-xlix-poll/feed/ 0 Gunfire incident on Square still under investigation http://thedmonline.com/gunfire-incident-on-square-still-under-investigation/ http://thedmonline.com/gunfire-incident-on-square-still-under-investigation/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:13:12 +0000 http://thedmonline.com/?p=15562 Oxford police are seen at the Round Table Saturday. Courtesy of Anne-Conner Dickerson

Oxford police are seen at the Round Table Saturday. Courtesy of Anne-Conner Dickerson

The Oxford Police Department is still investigating a shooting incident that occurred early Saturday at the Round Table, a restaurant and bar on the Square.

Robert “Ash” Hollis, 24, was arrested and charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling. No injuries occurred as a result of the gunfire, and upon initial investigation, OPD believes the incident was isolated and accidental.

“Detectives are still trying to garner more video and eyewitness encounters of the incident,” Deputy Chief James Owens said.

Hollis is listed in the 2014-2015 University of Mississippi student directory as a senior economics major from San Antonio, Texas. His bail was set at $10,000, but as of Thursday afternoon, Owens confirmed that he has been released on bond.

Andrea Jordan, a senior public policy major, was at the Round Table when the shot was fired. Although she did not see the gun or Hollis, she recalled the sound clearly.

“It sounded like a bottle rocket going off, like a firework,” she explained.

Jordan said confusion was the initial reaction she saw from others in the bar.

When police officers began rushing into the building, panic ensued.

“That’s when, I think, people realized that it was a gunshot and started leaving,” she said.

Experiencing the incident has caused Jordan to be more aware of her surroundings. She said the next time she goes out, she will “lower her comfort level.”

The Mississippi state constitution reserves the right of every citizen to keep and bear arms in defense of his home, person, or property or in the aid of the civil power when thereto legally summoned, but the legislature may regulate or forbid carrying concealed weapons.

Owen advised those who carry firearms to assume all of the risks associated with firearms.

Lacey Russell

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Blizzard affects UM students during New York internship http://thedmonline.com/blizzard-affects-um-students-during-new-york-internship/ http://thedmonline.com/blizzard-affects-um-students-during-new-york-internship/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:09:36 +0000 http://thedmonline.com/?p=15559 Joe Baton, left, and Austin Atlas clean a Mansfield sidewalk after a winter storm, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, in Mansfield, Conn. The storm buried the Boston area in more than 2 feet of snow and lashed it with howling winds that exceeded 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Hartford Courant, Mark Mirko)

Joe Baton, left, and Austin Atlas clean a Mansfield sidewalk after a winter storm, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, in Mansfield, Conn. The storm buried the Boston area in more than 2 feet of snow and lashed it with howling winds that exceeded 70 mph. (AP Photo/The Hartford Courant, Mark Mirko)

Two Ole Miss students were among the 8 million residents of New York City who experienced severe winter weather earlier this week. Despite the mild outcome of one of the most anticipated blizzards in history, Winter Storm Juno made a large impact on their everyday lives.

Nancy Kartos and Connor McClain, senior accountancy majors participating in a co-op with KPMG in New York, said that even though the weather is not what they expected through the forecasts, they were still a part of a historic moment.

McClain said throughout the week leading up to the storm’s arrival they received updates through email and the media on the weather approaching the Northeast.

McClain said he could see the hype of the storm really worried those in New York because there was a run on banks and multiple grocery stores ran out of essentials like bread and water.

“I couldn’t even get money out of the ATM,” McClain said. “Everyone was kind of freaking out. I was trying to figure out what was the worst that could happen.”

Kartos said seeing how seriously others were taking the weather started to worry her.

According to Kartos, the entire office she was working in was completely empty by 1:30 p.m., and the rush for the supermarkets caused lines that went out the doors and hour long waits.

“Everyone was freaking out, which kind of led me to start freaking out,” Kartos said. “The entire supermarket was empty. Everything was gone. There was nothing there.”

McClain said in his experience in anticipation of the storm, he found things like the strict curfew and shutting down of all transit services to be very odd, especially for a large city. Although this made it difficult for McClain to commute to work from Queens to Manhattan, McClain believes it was a good idea to take extreme caution.

Even though the weather was not as severe in the area as everyone expected, McClain said, it was an exciting experience to see the city in a different way.

“It was cool getting to see parts of the city without any cars and to see the complete opposite of what it’s normally like,” McClain said.

Kartos said being from Alabama, she has not seen more than three inches of snow at once in her life and part of her wanted to stay inside to avoid everything, but she feels that if it had actually snowed as much as was predicted, she would have wanted to venture out into the city.

According to Kartos it was strange being in Manhattan and not having to deal with the busy night sounds that usually filled the streets.

“It was completely silent outside of my apartment,” Kartos said. “That was the weirdest thing, not hearing sirens or anything outside my window. Just complete silence.”

Both Kartos and McClain were a little disappointed there was not as much snow as was predicted, but they were happy to see people safe.

“It didn’t materialize into what they had hyped it up to be,” McClain said. “I only fell once.”

“I feel let down because it didn’t happen, but I think it’s better safe than sorry,” Kartos said.

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Rebels React: Superbowl XLIX http://thedmonline.com/rebels-react-superbowl-xlix/ http://thedmonline.com/rebels-react-superbowl-xlix/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2015 15:04:16 +0000 http://thedmonline.com/?p=15552 Jones

Aubrey Jones Freshman-Undeclared

What are are you looking forward to about the Super Bowl?

-“I like Super Bowl day”

What is your favorite thing to eat while watching the Super Bowl?
– “Tostitos multigrain scoop chips with seven layered dip”

-Who is going to win?
-“The Patriots, because I am from Rhode Island”

-What Super Bowl commercial are you looking forward to?
-“The Go-Daddy one, but it was cancelled”

-Will Tom Brady deflate the football?
-No, I don’t think so that would be rude.”

What has been the best Super Bowl halftime Performance ever?
-Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction

 

Mills

Darby Mills  Freshman-Accounting

What are you looking forward to about the Super Bowl?
-“The commercials”

-Who is going to win?
-“Who else is in the Super bowl?”

What is your favorite thing to eat while watching the Super Bowl?
– “My dad’s homemade spicy cajun barbecue wings”

-What Super Bowl commercial are you looking forward to?
-“NA

-Will Tom Brady deflate the football?
-“Yes, because they think he will, so he won’t”

What has been the best Super Bowl halftime Performance ever?
-Beyonce

 

Cain

Zach Cain Junior-Accounting

What are you looking forward to about the Super Bowl?
-“Beer and food”

-Who is going to win?
-“Seahawks, because they are a better team.”

What is your favorite thing to eat while watching the Super Bowl?
– “Hot wings, i could eat 25 small ones”

-Will Tom Brady deflate the football?
-“Tom won’t because he already got caught, but if he could he would bite it.”

What has been the best Super Bowl halftime Performance ever?
-The Who

 

 

Sharp

Tavarius Sharp  Sophomore-Criminal Justice

 

What are you looking forward to about the Super Bowl?
-Marshawn Lynch’s running game

-Who is going to win?
-Seahawks, they have a good offense and defense that work together

What is your favorite thing to eat while watching the Super Bowl?
– Rotel dip

-What Super Bowl commercial are you looking forward to?
-Beer commercials

-Will Tom Brady deflate the football?
-No

What has been the best Super Bowl halftime Performance ever?
-Janet Jackson

 

 

Ezell

Andrikus Ezell Freshman-Criminal Justice

 

What are you looking forward to about the Super Bowl?

-The Game itself

-Who is going to win?
-“Patriots, they are on fire and Tom is looking for another ring”

What is your favorite thing to eat while watching the Super Bowl?
– Mild buffalo wings, they go with everything

-What Super Bowl commercial are you looking forward to?
-“Coors beer commercials”

-Will Tom Brady deflate the football?
-No

What has been the best Super Bowl halftime Performance ever?
-Beyonce

 

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Three individuals threatened, language suggests racial motivation http://thedmonline.com/three-individuals-threatened-language-suggests-racial-motivation/ http://thedmonline.com/three-individuals-threatened-language-suggests-racial-motivation/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:51:58 +0000 http://thedmonline.com/?p=15550 The University Police Department has issued a crime alert detailing an incident involving three individuals who were threatened by two or three young white males Wednesday night in the parking lot of the Malco Theater on Jackson Avenue.

The three victims were walking to their vehicle when a large black truck occupied by the white males approached them, according to the statement. As the truck passed, one of the males pointed his finger and threatened the group using language that suggests the victims were targeted because of their race.

Sellers told the The Daily Mississippian Thursday evening that there is no further information available at this time.

The Oxford Police Department is investigating this incident with assistance from the University Police Department. If you have any information pertaining to this crime please contact OPD at 662-234-2400 or UPD at 662-915-7234.

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Super Bowl XLIX should be one for the ages http://thedmonline.com/super-bowl-xlix-should-be-one-for-the-ages/ http://thedmonline.com/super-bowl-xlix-should-be-one-for-the-ages/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:49:28 +0000 http://thedmonline.com/?p=15545 A woman takes a photo of Roman numerals for Super Bowl XLIX Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, in downtown Phoenix. The New England Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

A woman takes a photo of Roman numerals for Super Bowl XLIX Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, in downtown Phoenix. The New England Patriots face the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

It all comes down to the final game of the season; and for the second year in a row, both number one seeds from each conference will meet up in the Super Bowl.

The defending NFC and Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks will square off against the AFC champion New England Patriots on the biggest stage in all of sports on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona.

No team has won back-to-back titles since the 2003-2004 Patriots. How ironic that the Seahawks are trying to repeat as champions against the last team that was able to pull off that feat.

There is a lot at stake for the New England Patriots in this game. The Patriots are trying to end a decade-long championship drought filled with controversy, including deflated footballs.

“Deflate-gate” has dominated the headlines leading up to this year’s Super Bowl and seems to shadow Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady wherever they go nowadays. Both the head coach and quarterback have done everything they can to deflect the allegations against the organization and shift their focus to the Seahawks, but the constant media attention is hard to ignore. It’s a shame that the majority of the headlines have been dedicated to footballs and not the actual football game, but “deflate-gate” should not be a factor in the outcome of this year’s Super Bowl.

A victory in Super Bowl 49 would give Brady and Belichick their fourth Super Bowl ring. A victory would also put Brady in elite company when it comes to the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Brady would become only the third quarterback to win four Super Bowls along with Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw. A victory would align Belichick with former legendary Steelers coach Chuck Noll as the only coaches to win four Super Bowls.

The Seahawks are looking for the second consecutive Super Bowl title and second in team history in only three appearances. With a victory, quarterback Russell Wilson would join Brady as the only two quarterbacks to win two Super Bowls in their first four seasons. When the game kicks off, Wilson will surpass Brady as the youngest quarterback to start two Super Bowls.

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was replaced by Belichick as head coach of the Patriots back in 2000. Oh, how the times have changed.

There are many matchups that make this Super Bowl one of the most intriguing contests in recent history. As of right now, it could be the most even matchup in Super Bowl history. Vegas has the Patriots as a one-point favorite and if that stands, it could be the closest spread in the history of the Super Bowl. The game is a classic matchup of a great offense with New England versus a great defense in Seattle, but don’t overlook the matchup of the opposite groups.

Here are some matchups to look forward to.

1. Which quarterback will steal the show? 

Tom Brady has been in these situations before. Six Super Bowl appearances is something to be proud of, but a victory Sunday will put Brady in the discussion as the greatest quarterback of all time. Brady has demons to exorcise in Glendale. Facing perfection, Brady and the Patriots faltered against the Giants in Super Bowl 42. There will certainly be motivation from that loss with Brady and the Patriots. Brady has a tough task preparing for the NFL-leading Seahawks defense that stifled Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos in last years’ Super Bowl.

The dual-threat ability of Russell Wilson makes him one of the most prolific players in the NFL. What Wilson is good at is extending plays with his feet, making throws inside and outside the pocket and getting the ball downfield with his arm strength. The Patriots’ secondary is one of the best in the NFL but hasn’t looked like it in the playoffs. The play-action passing game could benefit Wilson and the Seahawks in the game.

2. How will the Seahawks try and stop Rob Gronkowski? 

Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is arguably the greatest weapon in the NFL. When Gronkowski is healthy, Brady and the passing game is better. With 1,124 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns for the year, Gronkowski is the top tight end in football and the top target for Brady. The linebackers and safeties for the Seahawks will do the majority of coverage on Gronkowski. Whether it’s safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor or linebackers K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner, they’ll need to be physical like they have all season in order to stop Gronkowski running routes up the middle of the field.

3. How will the Patriots defense try and contain Marshawn Lynch? 

Seahawks running back Marshawn “Beast Mode” Lynch is quiet when it comes to talking to the media, but his play on the field is anything but quiet. Lynch has rushed for 1,306 yards on the season adding on 13 scores, good for fourth in the NFL. His physical style of running has given teams problems all season as he could run through tackles and dash by defenders on the outside. Players like Vince Wilfork, Rob Ninkovich, Jamie Collins and Dont’a Hightower on the front seven for the Patriots defense will have a tough time defending Lynch, but they have the talent to contain him and limit his yards. The odds are we’ll see a heavy load of “beast mode” Sunday.

4. Which group of wide receivers will make more plays? 

You won’t see any big names in either group of wide receivers, but that hasn’t slowed both teams down all season. The average football fan probably can’t name a receiver on the Seahawks roster. The top two receivers for the Seahawks, Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse, aren’t the most talented, but they make plays attacking the ball when it’s in the air and fight for the football. Don’t underestimate emerging tight end Luke Willson either.

The Patriots have a combination of small shifty receivers in the slot and big physical playmakers. Slot receivers Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola help move the chains for Brady, and Gronkowski and wide receiver Brandon Lafell provide big targets down the field. The problem for the Patriots’ wide receivers is that none of them can create separation and make plays on their own. The Seahawks’ secondary is a favorable matchup against the Patriots wide receivers.

If this year’s edition of the Super Bowl ends up like last year’s, I would be shocked. The matchups across the board are almost even, and the game could go either way.

The difference for me in this game is Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. What Belichick is good at is providing bulletin board material for his team to motivate them. Some may also say that he’s good at bending the rules a little bit, but that’s a different story. Belichick will use all the distractions surrounding the Patriots as motivation to lead them to a win.

The Seahawks defense will give Tom Brady problems, but I see Brady driving down the field for the game-winning and legacy-sealing drive to win his fourth Super Bowl.

Prediction: Patriots 24, Seahawks 21 

Dylan Rubino

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Ole Miss sports experts make Super Bowl picks http://thedmonline.com/ole-miss-sports-experts-make-super-bowl-picks/ http://thedmonline.com/ole-miss-sports-experts-make-super-bowl-picks/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:47:04 +0000 http://thedmonline.com/?p=15543 Two former Daily Mississippian sports editors and Ole Miss Spirit beat writer Jeff Roberson weigh in their thoughts and opinions on the big game Sunday.

Austin Miller
Ole Miss Sports Information

Seattle blitzed Denver in last year’s Super Bowl, and many of the same pieces are in place on both sides of the ball for the Seahawks. With that being said, I give the edge to Tom Brady and New England in this year’s matchup.

After coming up short in the AFC Championship each of the last two year, New England outlasted Baltimore in the Divisional Round and routed Indianapolis in the AFC Championship game. Tight end Rob Gronkowski is the biggest mismatch in the game, if not the league, and he makes the difference in favor of the Patriots.

It would also make many Ole Miss fans happy to see former Rebel Brandon Bolden come away with a Super Bowl ring.

Score Prediction: New England 28, Seattle 20

Jeff Roberson
Ole Miss Spirit 

This Super Bowl, as much as any in a long time, matches two successful franchises and two veteran head coaches that have won it all before. There’s not much question these are the two best teams in the NFL this year and they really didn’t sneak in, although any team that gets this far has gotten some breaks along the way. I’ll go with Seattle. But either team could win it, because both are clearly capable of another title in the biggest game of all.

Score Prediction: Seattle 35, New England 31

David Collier
Former Daily Mississippian Sports Editor 

There’s certainly no shortage of story lines leading up to this year’s Super Bowl, but unfortunately, most of them deal with off the field issues. As far as on the field goes, everyone is talking about Tom Brady going up against the Legion of Boom, but the wildcard to me is Russell Wilson. The play of Wilson will ultimately determine how good Brady needs to be. Nevertheless, I think Brady has a chip on his shoulder and deflates Seattle’s title hopes early in the fourth quarter. (See what I did there?) Give me the Patriots.

Score Prediction: New England 24, Seattle 13

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Secondary and other recruiting notes for Signing Day http://thedmonline.com/secondary-and-other-recruiting-notes-for-signing-day/ http://thedmonline.com/secondary-and-other-recruiting-notes-for-signing-day/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:44:58 +0000 http://thedmonline.com/?p=15539  

Tony Bridges courtesy of Scout.com

Tony Bridges courtesy of Scout.com

Ole Miss is taking a big hit in the secondary next season, as star cornerback Senquez Golson and star safety Cody Prewitt are both graduating and moving on to the NFL. The Rebels are looking to the junior college and high school ranks to find potential replacements and were able to secure two commitments and a signee.

From the high school ranks, Ole Miss holds commitments from Pulaski, Tennessee, cornerback Cameron Ordway and Walnut, Mississippi, safety Armani Linton.

Ordway has an impressive offer sheet, containing schools like Alabama, Auburn, Ohio State and Tennessee but remains firm in his commitment to the Rebels and should sign with them. Linton, who stands at 6-feet-2, is ranked as the 14th best safety in the nation and the number six player in Mississippi by 247’s composite rankings. He, too, seems solid in his commitment to Ole Miss.

Meanwhile from the junior college arena, the Rebels have already signed Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College cornerback Tony Bridges. Bridges has outstanding height for the position at 6-feet-2 and is rated as the 8th player and number one cornerback in the nation in junior college by 247 Sports’ composite rankings. Bridges held offers from Auburn, Alabama, Georgia and Florida State and is expected to play right away for Ole Miss and could also be used in the return game.

As mentioned in a previous article, athlete Jalen Julius could also possibly see time as a returner if he commits, but it doesn’t look like the 2015 class will have a kicker or punter in it. The Rebels could still add a kicker though, as former Lafayette High School and BYU kicker Tyler Jackson is expected to join the program as a walk-on.

There has also been some speculation that Jamal Peters, a Mississippi State commit, was considering flipping to Ole Miss, but as the season progressed, it became clear that Peters was solid in his commitment to the Bulldogs.

Ole Miss also holds a commitment from six-foot-three-inch, 200-pound athlete Jay Johnson, but it looks like he might take the junior college route due to a risk of academic ineligibility. Johnson was projected as a safety or wide receiver at the next level.

For the rest of 2015 recruiting class, the biggest story this week is the recruitment of five star offensive tackle Drew Richmond.

Richmond is rumored to be taking visits to both Alabama and Tennessee this weekend. Recent Crimson Tide commitment and four-star offensive tackle Isaiah Prince is rumored to have de-committed from Alabama and started looking closer at Ohio State and Maryland. If this is true, it definitely helps Alabama due to Prince playing the same position as Richmond. Meanwhile, Tennessee is still making a very strong push for Richmond, and could make a huge play for him during his potential visit. Richmond remains committed to Ole Miss, but with Tennessee and Alabama really coming on strong near the end of his recruitment, it could go any way.

Cody Thomason

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LLAMAS and LOOMS: Fiber Arts Festival kicks off Friday night http://thedmonline.com/llamas-and-looms-fiber-arts-festival-kicks-off-friday-night/ http://thedmonline.com/llamas-and-looms-fiber-arts-festival-kicks-off-friday-night/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:36:05 +0000 http://thedmonline.com/?p=15536 Critical Mass, a mainstay of the event, investigates an attendee at last year's Fiber Arts Festival. Courtesy: Knit Oxford

Critical Mass, a mainstay of the event, investigates an attendee at last year’s Fiber Arts Festival. Courtesy: Knit Oxford

A llama named Critical Mass is coming to Oxford. A famous llama, really; Critical Mass will take part in the oldest and longest-lasting fiber arts event in the state, the fifth annual Fiber Arts Festival.

Drawing in an average crowd of a thousand people each year, the Fiber Arts Festival will be taking place at the Oxford Powerhouse today through Sunday. Organized by Knit1Oxford and Yoknapatawpha Arts Council, the festival is comprised of 24 workshops and 16 vendors as well as many children’s activities. Critical Mass, along with goats, rabbits and a few sheep will be out for introduction in the petting zoo at 11 a.m. at the Powerhouse.

“Our featured speaker this year is from Denver, and we have vendors from all over,” said Lynn Wells of Knit1Oxford. “We will also have something called ‘Spin It In A Minute,’ where the vendors get to speak about their craft.”

The vendors come from many surrounding states, including Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Penny Nelson of Sky Loom Weavers in Cat Springs, Texas, has attended the festival since the first event in 2010.

“The first year, everyone was a bit tentative because we didn’t know how many people would show up,” Nelson said. “There were only seven vendors that year, but we were thrilled to have so many people. And every year, it’s gotten bigger.”

Sky Loom Weavers spin, weave and dye by hand. They will bring their finished products to display as well as represent a company out of Colorado called Schacht Spindle.

Denise Bell of Lost City Knits and three year veteran of the festival said there is a common stereotype among “non-knitters” that isn’t quite true.

“Walk down an aisle of greeting cards, and you’ll spot a cartoonish lady knitting,” Bell said. “Here’s the thing – sure, there are old ladies who knit, but it’s not like they just learned, usually. It’s what has stuck with them and what they always loved to do.”

Bell said knitting has become a pastime for many age groups.

“Google ‘Yarn Bombing’ for some punk knitters,” Bell said. “Basically, knitting or gardening or playing guitar or writing … it all just stems from our desire to create. The Knit1Oxford Fiber Festival is one group of people getting together to celebrate this particular art. Young people, especially, are hammered with marketers wanting to sell them things. Festivals such as this one celebrate making.”

Bottletree Bakery, Bourè and Square Books are some of the draws of coming back to Oxford, Bell said, but familiar faces both at Knit1Oxford and at the festival are a great perk.

“Because we’ve been coming for several years, I’ve been able to see students who I taught lace classes to walk in wearing a lace piece they’ve made, maybe even one of my patterns,” Bell said. “Everyone feels better wearing something they’ve made and know they look good in. That’s the best thing here and anywhere Lost City Knits takes me.”

Wayne Andrews of the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council said the festival all started with an exhibit at the University Museum on quilts and quilters.

“We wanted to coordinate a program for local quilters,” Andrews said. “The original plan was to have workshops, but then we added exhibits and animals. We went from zero to 60. It was a huge success.”

That success wouldn’t be possible, Andrews said, without Knit1Oxford.

“Knit1Oxford really stepped up. Lynn and Patsy are great; they are great partners.”

Audrey Hall 

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Academy Award Nominee: The Theory of Everything http://thedmonline.com/academy-award-nominee-the-theory-of-everything/ http://thedmonline.com/academy-award-nominee-the-theory-of-everything/#comments Fri, 30 Jan 2015 14:32:27 +0000 http://thedmonline.com/?p=15533 TheoryofEverything

COURTESY: MOVIEPOSTERSDB.COM

 

Rating: A+

Chronicling the life of theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, director James Marsh’s “The Theory of Everything” breaks down the biopic formula and perfects the balance between science and poetry; mathematics and romance; profession and love.

By fusing the mind and heart of Stephen Hawking’s life, a carefully layered depiction of one of the modern era’s most revered geniuses emerges and rises leagues above a din of lesser, clumsy biopics.

Without a doubt, the success of “The Theory of Everything” can be directly attributed to incredible performances from both Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, who play Stephen and Jane Wilde Hawking, respectively. Anchoring the film throughout, both performers approach the characters so wholeheartedly that the story becomes magnetic. The film envelops you entirely, much like the all-devouring black holes of which Hawking’s field consists. But instead of being pulled into oblivion, you’re gently drawn into something that is part biopic, part romantic drama – an eloquent, intelligent and elegant genre in and of itself.

The film begins in 1963 at Cambridge University, the place of origin for the things that would truly define Hawking’s adulthood: his scientific achievements, the development of his motor neuron disease and his relationship with Jane Wilde. As these three forces in Hawking’s life intersect, the film becomes a beautiful collage punctuated by heartbreaking and heartwarming moments, with Eddie Redmayne at the center of it all.

As Hawking, Redmayne executes one of the most stunningly physical and raw performances (dare I say it?) in the history of cinema. From as early as the first scene where Hawking meets Jane, Eddie Redmayne and Stephen Hawking are synonymous. Throughout the film, Redmayne sheds all inhibitions and fully embodies everything that Hawking is from head to toe.

While the physical demands alone would be a huge challenge for any actor, Redmayne expertly depicts the various stages of Hawking’s debilitating disease, even to the moment Hawking is wheelchair bound and can no longer speak. He achieves this physical presence while jointly maintaining Hawking’s persistent effervescent charm, even if it’s just through a twinkling of the eyes or the slightest of smiles.

But behind every great man is an equally great woman, and this adage refers to both Felicity Jones and the woman she portrays, Jane Wilde Hawking. Where Redmayne’s performance is more overtly striking, Felicity’s is subtler. She slowly reveals Jane’s perceived fragility as actually a quiet strength, a soulfulness that could only exist in a poet from Cambridge who loves a dying man. In many ways, Felicity’s performance is as physical as Redmayne’s. As Jane is naturally quiet, Felicity is left to reveal her character’s emotions almost entirely through her facial expressions and body language. It is through this very natural portrayal of Jane that the real complexities of their relationship are unveiled.

Laudable performances from members of the supporting cast – especially from Charlie Cox as close family friend Jonathon Jones – help to flesh out the dynamic of this relationship.

Eventually, the relationship between Stephen and Jane takes the forefront position in the story, overriding the more professional aspects of Hawking’s life. While many may disagree with James Marsh’s direction, by fixating so heavily on the personal side of Hawking’s life with Jane, the film becomes something relatable and inspiring.

It is no wonder that the film takes this route, however, as the screenplay written by Anthony McCarten is actually adapted from Jane Wilde Hawking’s autobiography “Traveling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen.” This very reason is why the film emerges as something so breathtakingly intimate and is the reason why the actors can tap into such profound emotion.

At some points, the film almost feels like a well-made home movie. The cinematography by Benoîte Delhomme evokes nostalgia, incorporating bright, retro filters into pivotal scenes and sequences. Even the score provided by Jóhann Jóhannsson further defines the relationship so central to the film. In a unique combination of acoustics, piano and electronic instruments, the score highlights the intersection of science and the arts, almost paralleling Stephen and Jane.

With five Academy Award nominations – including Best Picture, Actor and Actress – “The Theory of Everything” is one of the most intimate films from 2014, with Eddie Redmayne’s performance as one of the best I have seen and well-deserving of the Best Actor award.

Colton Herrington 

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