Blue Is the Warmest Color depicts incredibly candid love story
November 5Blue Is the Warmest Color (originally titled La Vie dAd?le) is possibly the best film of 2013. Having won the Palm dOr at the Cannes Film Festival, it has already achieved remarkable acclaim for its director, Abdellatif Kechiche, and its two lead actresses, Ad?le Exarchopoulos and L?a Seydoux. Its release into mainstream theaters has been highly anticipated and was well worth the wait.Three hours long and rated NC-17 for graphic sex scenes, Blue Is the Warmest Color is a brutally intimate film, sparing absolutely no aspect of its protagonists emotional or physical life. The film is composed almost entirely of close-up shots of Ad?le (Ad?le Exarchopoulos). Throughout the film, the viewer sees every blemish and stain on her face: splatters of pasta grease left un-wiped on her chin, tear tracks and snot streaking into her mouth and slick strands of hair framing her face. Watching her take a drag from a cigarette, viewers can practically feel the smoke seeping through her teeth as she exhales. The overall effect of this stylistic choice leaves the audience feeling almost like they know Ad?le. Any shot that contains a background or even Ad?les whole body feels like a deviation a breath of fresh air from the claustrophobic focus on the films protagonist. The film accomplishes this in other ways, as well: the sound, the lighting, the acting everything is tailored to familiarize the audience with Ad?les life.Ad?le is a 15-year-old high school student who aspires to become a teacher. One day she passes a blue-haired art student named Emma (L?a Seydoux) and becomes inexplicably enamored with her. From this moment on, the film traces the rise and fall of Ad?le and Emmas relationship. One of the movies most shocking elements is its graphic depiction of Ad?le and Emma having sex. Nothing is left to the imagination Ad?le and Emmas first sex scene alone is a nearly 10-minute marathon of contorted limbs, full-on nudity and a medley of pants and moans. Still, even through this, the film maintains its signature proximity to its characters faces and mouths one of the most controversial aspects of the film. The inclusion of such explicit scenes has prompted several critics to ask whether this is a legitimate demonstration of the characters humanity or simply glorified pornography.In any case, it would be difficult to discount the rest of the film based on these assertions alone it is simply too well done. The dialogue is natural, understated and always poignant. Indeed, nothing the characters say is trivial or cliched you wont hear any refrigerator magnet quotations here. Their lines build meaning slowly and subtly from one exchange to another, relying heavily on innuendo and facial expressions.In this and other ways, the film is effortlessly subtle. Throughout the movie, a series of thematic milestones are introduced through culture, art, philosophy and literature. Classroom scenes depicting literary discussions indirectly mirror the turmoil of Ad?les life. Yet, the movie never throws these moments in the viewers face. Instead, it allows them to linger in the background. There are no a-ha! sequences; no labored epiphanies the thematic resonance is fluid throughout the film, played out from conversation to conversation.One of the most satisfying transitions in the film occurs when Ad?le finally becomes the teacher. In her first grade classs basic lessons, the importance of spelling a word correctly illuminates just how deeply rooted our notions of correctness and normality really are (a concept that is even more resonant in French, where words are notorious for containing letters that remain unpronounced when spoken).While Blue Is the Warmest Color deals with queer issues, it never preaches about them. Ad?les struggle is not solely with her sexuality rather, the movie is about a relationship. The power of the film lies in its genuine treatment of the two girls it never detracts from the dignity of its characters. It fully acknowledges both the underlying and obvious pressures a gay relationship faces within a heteronormative society without indulging in excessive sympathy or judgment. Unflinchingly candid, Blue Is the Warmest Color regards a marginalized perspective with humanity and complexity. The triumph of the film is the universality it demonstrates within such an intensely personal struggle.12
![The Jumbos have held a lead in all four of their games. They have scored first three times. They are 0-4.Tufts' opponents have made the plays that count. Saturday's homecoming contest against Trinity, the top-ranked team in New England, was a case in point: The Bantams, after a sluggish start, made one big play after the next until the game spiraled out of control.First, Tufts forced a three-and-out and drove 99 yards to take a 7-0 lead. But Trinity scored the next 43 points to win 43-7, a turnaround reminiscent of Wesleyan's 52-point barrage in the season opener.After the Jumbos pulled ahead, Trinity sophomore Ian Dugger returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards to tie the game. Then came another special teams lapse, as the Bantams recovered their own kickoff at Tufts' 30-yard-line.On its next possession, Trinity drove 55 yards to make it 14-7. Tufts responded by moving the ball to the goal line, but Trinity denied diving freshman Chance Brady on 4th-and-1. It was a golden chance to tie the game. The Jumbos would not get another. Junior Jack Doll attempted a screen pass on the next drive; senior defensive lineman Michael Weatherby tipped it, caught it and rumbled 30 yards to the end zone. Trinity led 21-7.After 19 minutes of play, the Bantams had scored a special teams touchdown, an offensive touchdown and a defensive touchdown. Freshman Ben Rosenblatt followed with two short field goals, the latter coming late in the half after the second of Doll's three picks, and Trinity entered the locker room leading 27-7.The Jumbos had more total yards of offense than the Bantams at halftime, including 106 yards rushing and a touchdown from junior Zack Trause. But the scoreboard indicated a blowout.We felt like we were the better team in the first half, but we made some mistakes," Trause said. "We all knew that if we just played our brand of football, we could have closed the gap. But we didn't come out as strong in the second half, and the score showed."In the third quarter, Trinity returned Doll's third interception for a touchdown, effectively putting the game out of reach."You can't expect to win games that way," head coach Jay Civetti said. "When [you make two mistakes] on special teams and you throw three interceptions, two of them for touchdowns - regardless of how well the defense played, it doesn't matter at that point."For a team that has now lost 27 straight, turnovers and missed opportunities told the story. Civetti said he expects better."We're evaluating everybody's job on this team right now," he said. "We've got to find guys who are in positions to help us be successful." With Tufts trailing 34-7, freshman Liam O'Neil replaced Doll for the final five possessions and completed four of eight attempts. According to Civetti, Doll knew coming in that if he did not protect the ball, he would not stay on the field. "I told him, 'You're starting the game, but if I feel like you're putting things in a place where you're not doing your job, I'm going to find somebody who will do what we're asking of them,'" Civetti said. "There's a handful of positions where I could say that," he added.The typically pass-heavy Jumbos took to the ground Saturday, racking up 251 yards rushing, including career highs of 114 from Trause and 78 from senior Jon Sobo. They finished with 69 yards passing. The 99-yard drive to open the game was masterful](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/ttd/6cf2433b-02b7-407d-8fb2-835a356caca2.sized-1000x1000.?w=1500&ar=4%3A3&fit=crop&crop=faces&facepad=3&auto=format)
![They arrived at Fenway Park with 15 games left and a greater than 15 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to Baseball Prospectus. They left Boston on Sunday with just over a four percent shot at the postseason, 2 and 1/2 games back with a dozen remaining and the Royals, Orioles, Indians and Rangers in their way. It's not quite over yet, and if any two teams know miracles do happen, they're the Red Sox and Yankees (see: 2004 ALCS). Still, the strange prospect of Alex Rodriguez parading through the Canyon of Heroes this October will probably be left to play out only in our minds. That's because the Sox outscored the Yankees 22-7 this past weekend, because they snagged six of seven games from New York in September and because they won 13 of 19 matchups this season."They've basically whipped our [butts]," A-Rod told reporters after Sunday's game, which he left in the fifth inning with calf tightness. The 2013 baseball season will go down as the one in which Rodriguez - and Ryan Braun and 11 others - were suspended for their roles in the Biogenesis case. But on the field, it may go down as the year the Yankees finally got too old and the balance of power shifted in the American League. You could see it coming. The Rays averaged almost 92 wins from 2008 to 2012 and will likely claim the top Wild Card spot this year. The Orioles made the playoffs in 2012 and have a young, talented offensive core led by a trio of 27-year-olds in Chris Davis, Adam Jones and Matt Wieters and a 20-year-old superstar in Manny Machado. That's not to mention the AL Central, where the Indians are battling for the second Wild Card while the Royals, with an entire lineup of players on the right side of 30, are anticipating their first winning season in 10 years. What you couldn't see coming was the Red Sox' stellar year. Boston made a slew of offseason moves, none of which made serious waves. Now, general manager Ben Cherington looks like a genius. His four offensive acquisitions currently in the starting lineup - Mike Napoli, Stephen Drew, Jonny Gomes and Shane Victorino - have seen their collective on-base plus slugging percentages increase by a total of 140 points over last year. Drew is having his best season since 2010, while Victorino boasts an OPS over .800 and the best ultimate zone rating among regular right fielders, according to FanGraphs. On the mound, Jon Lester has been solid and improving as of late, Felix Doubront has been serviceable and Clay Buchholz has been flat-out remarkable, returning from a neck injury last week and not allowing an earned run in his last two outings while improving to 11-0 on the season. And then there is John Lackey - he of the seemingly bloated five-year, $82.5 million contract - who returned from Tommy John surgery and has been the most consistent pitcher on the staff.Whether or not the Red Sox' 2013 season is a fluke, their performance against the Yankees - they had 13 wins, more than any team against the Yankees since the 1976 Orioles - is a bad sign for fans in the Bronx. The Yankees are an aging team with not much talent on the way in the minor leagues. They are also hamstrung by long-term contracts, namely Rodriguez's,which lasts through 2017. And they may struggle to hold on to some of their top players in the offseason. Most notably, Robinson Cano is a free agent after this season and is not likely to accept a hometown discount, even while being a client of Yankees fan Jay-Z's agency. Additionally, Lyle Overbay, Travis Hafner, Curtis Granderson, Kevin Youkilis and Andy Pettitte all have expiring contracts, while A-Rod will presumably be serving a suspension and Derek Jeter may not have much left in the tank for 2014.The Yankees find themselves in a precarious position. If they choose to re-sign Cano, he may not have much support around him. If they don't, they may go the Red Sox' route of gambling on a handful of cheaper options. After making the playoffs in 17 of the last 18 years and winning the division 13 times in that span, the Yankees are no longer the toast of the American League. Young teams with savvy spending habits have become postseason contenders. If the Yankees don't play their cards right, it could be a while before they reclaim their throne.](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/ttd/5bd2fffc-f542-4c26-9938-fc656872668e.sized-1000x1000.?w=1500&ar=4%3A3&fit=crop&crop=faces&facepad=3&auto=format)
![Simulcast in 94 different countries and in more than 1,500 theaters to millions of viewers around the world, the BBC's "Doctor Who" 50th Anniversary special, "The Day of the Doctor," was an absolutely spectacular treat for the show's dedicated fans. This record-breaking special has certainly earned its place as one of the greatest science fiction episodes of all time.For viewers, cast and crew alike, there was much anticipation and preparation for the special. While many fans - often known as Whovians - were thrilled about the return of the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) and his former companion (Billie Piper), the writers were confronted with a difficult task. Not only were they expected to pay homage to a long line of Doctors, but they also faced the challenge of making the episode stand out on its own merit. Luckily, they have succeeded: Showrunner Steven Moffat has outdone himself, achieving a perfect balance between the two.While some of the episodes in season seven were criticized for being repetitive and anti-climactic, Moffat has redeemed himself with the anniversary special. He brings viewers an episode full of excitement, humor and, not surprisingly, fezzes - the Eleventh Doctor's signature hat.Two storylines run throughout the episode and later intersect. The minor arc involves the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) and his companion Clara (Jenna Coleman) investigating the disappearance of figures from paintings hidden in the National Gallery. Meanwhile, the Time War - the conflict between the Doctors' own race of the Time Lords and their enemies the Daleks - rages on. In this storyline, the War Doctor (John Hurt) is about to eliminate his home planet, Gallifrey, and the Time Lords, by detonating a weapon of mass destruction in order to end the war.In a rather unusual plot twist, the weapon develops a conscience and allows him to step into the future to see what would result if he sacrifices Gallifrey. Unlike typical sentient machines in science fiction, this weapon - called the Moment - is interested in saving a planet, not destroying it.Because of the Moment's actions, the Eleventh and the War Doctors jump through time fissures. They end up in the Tenth Doctor's timeline, where hilarity ensues.The interaction among the three Doctors is unlike any in past multi-Doctor specials. Hurt, Tennant and Smith have undeniable chemistry as they bicker amongst one another. While Doctors Ten and Eleven pass petty judgments back and forth, the War Doctor seems in a constant state of skepticism toward his future selves. Still, it is touching to see them work together and recognize the mutual respect they eventually develop.Hurt's Doctor is arguably the most complex regeneration in the show's history. As the Eleventh Doctor rightly says, "[He was] the Doctor on the day it wasn't possible to get it right." Hurt's interpretation of this tragic role is spot on. He is torn apart by the choice he has to make, even denying himself the title of a Doctor. The anguish he feels as he mulls over his decision is palpable and affecting.One of the most powerful scenes in the episode occurs when the War Doctor mentions the Time War to the Tenth and Eleventh Doctors, creating tension between Ten - "the man who regrets" - and Eleven - "the man who forgets" - that gives the term "inner conflict" a whole new meaning. It shows both the audience and the War Doctor the lasting impact of the destruction of Gallifrey.The extermination of the Time Lords was a pivotal point in "Doctor Who" history. It turned the Ninth Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) into a bitter, battle worn character. It filled the Tenth with regret. It drove the Eleventh to forget an entire portion of his life. These emotions fueled the Doctor during those lives and motivated him even further to help anyone in need.Unfortunately, the episode's conclusion seems too happy to be realistic and thereby reduces the dimensionality of the Doctor as a character. Nevertheless, Moffat deserves commendation for honoring the classic "Doctor Who" series and breaking new ground.Although the Doctors featured in the special are from the reboot and a new, forgotten Doctor is introduced, the episode also pays tribute to the old Doctors. Perhaps the most exciting was the cameo by fan favorite Tom Baker, who played the Fourth Doctor from 1974 until 1981. The final scene of the special, with all 12 Doctors standing side by side, brings on a whirlwind of emotions. Seeing everyone involved in its multi-decade run together in one scene only further demonstrates the lasting legacy of the series.](https://snworksceo.imgix.net/ttd/0dad2908-6801-4af7-8276-8dfed8b7ae62.sized-1000x1000.?w=1500&ar=4%3A3&fit=crop&crop=faces&facepad=3&auto=format)
