Search

The Observer

Menu
-

The Observer is a student-run, daily print & online newspaper serving Notre Dame, Saint Mary's & Holy Cross. Learn about us.

-

archive

Scene Selects

Scene Staff Report | Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Football

I know this is a revolutionary idea for the Scene section, but I’m going to throw a wrench in the system and not pick the hemp-necklace acoustic jazz guitarist from Seattle as a Scene Select today. You know what the biggest event in the world of entertainment is this week? Football. The Super Bowl is on Sunday, and it’s shaping up to be a good one. Patriots-Giants rematch? Count me in.

Walk the Moon

Indie-rock band Walk the Moon made its 2012 concert season debut at Notre Dame’s Legends on Jan. 21. Ohio natives Nicholas Petricca, Kevin Ray, Sean Waugaman and Eli Maiman won over the crowd with their full sound and infectious charm. Songs like “The Liftaway” and “Anna Sun” were impressive, with spot-on harmonies and catchy dance beats. Walk the Moon channels a sound similar to that of The Killers, and following performances at Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza in 2011, they are certainly a group to look out for. Check out Walk the Moon’s newest album “I Want! I Want!”

Zooey Deschanel

Zooey followed her big sister Emily (“Bones”) into Hollywood, but she has captivated the hearts of viewers in her own right. She perfected the “manic pixie dream girl” role in movies like “Elf” and “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” but really hit her stride in “(500) Days of Summer.” Now she has her own TV show on Fox, “New Girl,” a hilarious new sitcom that was nominate for two Golden Globes: Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical and Best Actress in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical. Her work is only getting better, so stay tuned for her next moves.

Sunglasses

Yesterday, the sun came out and everyone on Notre Dame’s campus felt just a little bit better. It’s funny that a little sun can change the outlook of your day, but it does — and don’t blame that on Seasonal Affective Disorder, unless you really do come from a sunshine state.

The good news: the sun is planning to stick around for a few days, with no rain and only a few clouds on the forecast for the rest of the week. So whip out your favorite pair of sunglasses — which are undoubtedly buried away somewhere with your shorts and flip-flops — and soak up the rays. Make it count, too, because the rain and snow are back by Super Bowl Sunday and you’ll need all the energy you can get for football’s favorite day.

“Ai se eu te pego” — Michel Telo

After Real Madrid soccer stars Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo Vieira da Silva Junior randomly started singing and dancing to this Brazilian song after scoring a goal against Malaga in late 2011, “Ai se eu te pego” (meaning “Oh if I catch you” in Portuguese) quickly became an international hit. The single is causing a sensation all over Latin America and Europe. Its new English version and accompanying dance steps are bound to become very popular in the U.S., too. Listen and share it with your friends. It is so catchy you won’t be able to turn it off!  

-

The Observer is a student-run, daily print & online newspaper serving Notre Dame, Saint Mary's & Holy Cross. Learn about us.

-

archive

Scene Selects

Scene Staff Report | Tuesday, January 24, 2012

John Mulaney

John Mulaney is a hilarious guy, known, if at all, for a bit on his first album about his friend queuing up Tom Jones’ “What’s New Pussycat” to continually play on a jukebox. He is also the writer on “Saturday Night Live” responsible for the popular “Weekend Update” character Stefon, and he frequently tweets funny things. And his new stand up special, “John Mulaney: New in Town,” premieres on Comedy Central Jan. 28 at 10 p.m. This is one funny guy you should be aware of.

Colored Jeans

It’s easy to get stuck in the same routine when picking out an outfit each morning. Jeans are a staple of any college student’s wardrobe, but it’s time to switch up the ordinary blue or black denim you usually sport. Many clothing retailers offer jeans in a wide array of colors, from purple to green to coral. If you’re really feeling adventurous, there are some pretty bright pairs available. Use these bold jeans to brighten up a cold day or stand out in a crowd.

“Impractical Jokers”

A modern version of “Punk’d” and “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” “Impractical Jokers” will have you laughing from start to finish. Every Thursday at 10 p.m. on TRUtv, friends Q, Sal, Joe and Murr entertain us by daring each other to do the craziest and most embarrassing things in public. You’ll have to see this to believe it.

Pesto in South Dining Hall

Finally, equality of the dining halls. North has always had the unique distinction of having pesto sauce available daily at the pizza bar, while South only offered Winter Pesto Fettuccine every so often. But now, South not only has its very own Make Your Own Pizza station once every 12 days featuring the delicious sauce, it now frequently offers pesto as a sauce option at the pasta bar. Feast away, Notre Dame, feast away.

“Law and Order: SVU“

It’s been on for over ten years, but it doesn’t get old. This show follows the Special Victims Unit of the NYPD, the department that investigates and prosecutes sexually based offenses. For years, the show primarily followed detectives Elliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) and Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay), a tight team with an amazing track record. Unfortunately, Meloni left the show last season and Hargitay asked for a lighter load. But the supporting actors, like Ice-T, along with the new faces, will continue to keep the show riveting. And in case you’re nostalgic for old episodes, USA loves to run weekend SVU marathons. 

-

The Observer is a student-run, daily print & online newspaper serving Notre Dame, Saint Mary's & Holy Cross. Learn about us.

-

archive

Scene Selects

Scene Staff Report | Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Awards Season

For film fans and movie nerds, right now is the most wonderful time of the year. Sunday’s Golden Globe Awards kicked off the 2012 Awards Season proper, which culminates in the distribution of that oh-so-important little golden man, Oscar. Right now is the time to revel in the glories of movie-making, check out all the awards bait in theaters and on DVD and prepare your very own Oscar ballot.

“Portlandia“

“Portlandia,” starring Carrie Brownstein and Saturday Night Live’s Fred Armisen, is a hilariously awkward presentation of the Pacific Northwest. Armisen and Brownstein play numerous different characters, ranging from feminist bookstore owners to outspoken animal rights advocates, all of whom live in the city that never left the 90s. “Portlandia,” now in its second season, airs Fridays at 9 on IFC.

Philosoraptor meme

There are a large number of memes floating around on the Internet, from Socially Awkward Penguin to First World Problems. Philosoraptor, with his wise words and intriguing questions, though, is the best of them. The meme features an image of a velociraptor pondering existential or metaphysical questions that he challenges the reader to consider. Make sure you have a lot of time when you sit down to peruse it though, as it’s hard to just read one page.

Words with Friends

This smart phone app is highly addicting and brings the fun of Scrabble to your pocket. You can challenge your friends to a battle of the vocabulary any time of the day. Or you can pass time waiting for a bus playing with the person sitting next to you at the station. Fun is always at your fingertips, and the dictionary the app uses is a lot more forgiving than most.

“Cars 2”

With the start of a new semester, the anticipation of study abroad decisions is palpable. Hopeful sophomores can kill the waiting time by watching “Cars 2.” Though “Cars 2” was a summer film, its cute cartoon adaptation of James Bond’s worldly adventures makes it worthy of re-watching. Those with international tastes will enjoy Queen Elizabeth’s cartoon rendering, as well as the Pope-Mobile’s appearance in Italy. “Cars 2” can be a great way to ease back into classes.