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"2012" storms in as another apocalyptic hit


Although several apocalyptic stories have hit the big screen within the past couple years, "2012" stands out with higher quality and an advanced plot. Director Roland Emmerich captures audiences' imagination with a multi-layered plot and visually stunning special effects. This epic adventure critiques the humanity of the governments of the world's most powerful nations by assessing how the world would respond to an apocalypse.
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Growing green branches

"Can we bring down the lights?" University of Maryland Professor Ross Salawich asks. The auditorium gradually dims, enveloping the Blair student audience in a darkness that Salawitch's voice soon penetrates. "It's the little things that decrease our carbon footprint," he says during the environmental assembly.
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Entering public domain

It is six a.m., and as junior Selena Wyborski is awakened by her shrill alarm clock, she remains under her covers, eyes still closed. She ponders the looming task that lies before her - choosing an outfit for the day - and reminisces about the days before she went to Blair, when she could slip on a familiar uniform every morning without a second thought. But as of two years ago, those days are over.
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Media in motion

He hoists the video camera in a steady hand, its lens as his only source of vision, as he maneuvers his way through Blair's hallways like a hunter scoping out his prey. He comes to a halt as he approaches a classroom door and closely observes its doorknob, the focus of his lens.
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A chronicle of cheer

It's Friday night at Blazer Stadium and Blair fans are going crazy. One group of friends is clapping, shrieking and jumping up and down, causing the gleaming metal bleachers to shake. Other fans are pointing towards the field with wide smiles plastered on their faces.

Lifestyle Blog

BangaLore #29: Behind the silver screen


Each of the fifty American states has a state bird, a state flower, a state motto…now, what about a state film industry?

Lifestyle Blog

A modern phenomenon

The main feature on Infinity Ward.com, the website of a popular video game developer, is a movie-like video depicting the horrors and awe-inspiring images of war. mid clips of destroyed cities and of camouflaged soldiers wielding powerful weapons, the famous beat of Queen's "We Will Rock You" booms.
Lifestyle Blog

Coating the holidays with warmth

This time of the year not only serves as a cause of celebration, but also is a season to help our neighbors and those in need around our communities. A recent episode that aired Nov. 9 on the "Tyra Banks Show" featured her partnership with clothing store Aeropostale.

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Remember the name

It's game day and the stadium lights glow as the Blazers stand ready to step onto their turf. Fans are stomping their feet in the stands, decked out in red and white, cheering for their team. Across the field, Northwood students stand equally excited, waiting for the first whistle. Everyone knows that this match is much more than just another game: it's a battle.
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Open mic, open minds

It is chilly outside but Blair's media center is warm and inviting. The large audience quietly nibbles cupcakes and cookies as the resonating sounds of voice and guitar wash over them. In the middle of the dreary school day, the Silver Quill open mic has brought student expression alive.
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The trails less traveled

It's dark and rustling leaves can be heard in the distance. Walking along the trail, an ominous feeling fills the air and suddenly something jumps out from the darkness. These spooky trails are so much fun, it's scary. SCO is here with the SCO-down on the best Halloween trails Montgomery County has to offer.

Entertainment

Movies

"A Christmas Carol" that can't achieve harmony

Disney's "A Christmas Carol," is the latest in the long line of film adaptations based on Charles Dickens's 1843 classic of the same name. In this brilliantly animated re-creation, Jim Carrey stars as the stingy Ebenezer Scrooge and the Ghosts of Christmas, but unfortunately falls short in delivering the heart-warming magic.
Movies

"The Fourth Kind" is all kinds of scary

Horror films like "The Fourth Kind” have solidified the horror industry's move from gore and sadism to the kind of psychological thriller that made Alfred Hitchcock a household brand. With a recurring style of imposing suspense and cinematography over gruesome and gaudy storylines, the meaning of hardcore thriller is being redefined and "The Fourth Kind" is more than enough proof that change is good.
Movies

"The Box" is just plain weird

Director and screenwriter Richard Kelly has been known for thought-provoking thrillers such as "Donnie Darko" and "Southland Tales." With "The Box" he deviates from his original story telling and creates an adaptation of the Richard Matheson short story, "Button, Button." The result is bland and slow and epitomizes what a thriller should not be.