“Sex Education” better the second time around
Magnificent Schmidl, Staff Reporter
March 12, 2020
If you have been privy to the public school system’s sex education courses in the last decade or so, you know that they need to step up their game. The limited information they are allowed to cover leave many students behind and uninformed, leading to more risky sex practices later on. This is a...
“The Circle” is worth the watch
Solil Devyn Borthwick, Staff Reporter
March 12, 2020
At first, “The Circle” is easy to judge too harshly. The show is Netflix’s US import of a British reality show bearing the same name. In it, players compete for a cash prize by vying to be the most popular player of the game – without face to face interaction. Every conversation and competition...
A terrific performance with a terrible script
Rebecca Flieder, Editor-in-Chief
February 20, 2020
After watching “Good Kids” put on by Dibden last weekend, all I can say is, “Okay, boomer.” I should preface this and give my congratulations to the cast, who ran well with a poorly written show. Amber Follansbee’s performance as Deidre, the narrator, was excellent. Given that her character...
Clothes make the woman
Solil Devyn Borthwick, Staff Reporter
February 20, 2020
Not often in my life do I have experiences that I would call enlightening or rapturous. In the Stearns Performance Space a few Thursdays ago, I had one such experience. The catalyst was a drag show hosted by local Burlington drag sensations Nikki Champagne and Emoji Nightmare. Before I get into the...
Bad plot, bad porn: “The Room”
Solil Devyn Borthwick, Staff Reporter
February 20, 2020
Imagine a film that has it all. Every scene is perfectly shot – the way the camera moves is entrancing. The dialogue is gripping and delivered masterfully. The physical acting is just as good, with body language and expressions that seem genuine and effortless. The score is one of the most beautiful...
An un-bear advantage
Magnificent Schmidl, Staff Reporter
February 20, 2020
I had been let down before by the Discovery channel and wasn’t sure I would be able to trust them again. It was the summer of 2017 and Shark Week was swimming along the TV guide. I was promised a race between Olympic gold medalist Michel Phelps and a great white shark. It was going to be extreme and...
Creative Audience offers a widely diverse array of events
Adriana Eldred, Photo & Web Editor
February 10, 2020
Every semester is jam-packed with interesting and thought-provoking events, and this semester is no exception – however, there are a few changes in the works that will continue to improve the creative audience experience. Although Emily Nielsen, who formerly coordinated creative audiences, has left,...
The weed with the roots in hell
Solil Devyn Borthwick, Staff Reporter
February 10, 2020
In the modern era, it’s hard to believe that a film such as “Reefer Madness” (1936) was once presented as factual. The movie is clearly dated – the archaic spelling of “marihuana” is used, and the drug is described as “a violent narcotic” with a plethora of dangerous symptoms. This...
The Joker: Maybe not so funny
Justin Robertiello, Staff Reporter
February 10, 2020
The film Joker was released Oct. 4, 2019, and was screened at the Bijou Cineplex 4 in Morrisville. The movie was also screened at The Roxy located in Burlington, and the Essex Cinema. The movie was directed by Todd Phillips and production was done by Warner Brothers. The Joker was played by Joaquin Phoenix,...
Defining grandfamilies
Lisa Monique Kent, Contributor
February 6, 2020
There’s a new sociological word floating around our communities these days, though the concept is almost as old as time—grandfamily. Grandfamilies are grandparents and their grandchildren as a family unit, without the parents in between, because they cannot or will not take care of their own offspring. In...
DiCaprio’s disturbing documentary disappoints
Jenn Dezotelle, Student
December 12, 2019
“Before the Flood,” staring Leonardo DiCaprio aired a little over three years ago. This Hollywood star used his fame in attempts to bring climate change to light in a way that creates change like never seen before. A beautifully filmed documentary doesn’t seem to have lived up to its standards. The...
The Milton Diner is a local classic
Cody Blaisedell, Student
December 12, 2019
In the town of Milton, Vermont, just short of 30 miles west of Johnson, a staple in the community that has thrived for over 40 years rests on the side of Route 7. When entering Milton from Interstate 89, you are almost guaranteed to pass by the Milton Diner, a small establishment that packs its parking...
The Monarch and the Milkweed offers eclectic cuisine done well
Justin Robertiello, Staff Reporter
December 12, 2019
Monarch and the Milkweed is located on 111 Saint Paul St, Burlington ,Vermont. The restaurant presents itself as a pastry shop, fine diner, and cocktail bar. The feel of this place is quite relaxing, and although small, I never felt cramped at any time. It is winter now, but in summer they offer three...
Compelling and cruel: “The Report” is a true story at breakneck pace
Thomas Streeter, Staff Reporter
December 12, 2019
From Director Scott Z. Burns, the producer and writer of “Side Effects,” “Contagion” and “The Bourne Ultimatum,” comes an Amazon Prime Original Movie, “The Report.” The film was released in select theaters on Nov. 15 and made its way to Amazon Prime Video on Nov. 29. Starring Adam...
Exhibit highlights creative reflection
November 22, 2019
Adriana Eldred, Will Lewis and Gillianne Sheppard presented their bachelor’s of fine arts (BFA) exhibits in the Julian Scott Memorial Gallery on Nov. 13. Eldred and Lewis are both seniors in the Studio Arts BFA, and Sheppard is a senior in Media Arts. All three chose Phil Robertson, part-time faculty...
Brontë: a family affair
November 22, 2019
“Brontë,” directed by Laura Roald, made its debut at Dibden Center for the Arts Nov. 7 -10. Roald has directed a number of plays including “Macbeth” and “Nine” at NVU-Johnson. “Brontë” follows the fictionalized lives of the real-life Brontë sisters Charlotte, Emily, and Anne and...
Indie bass with Beabadoobee
November 21, 2019
On Oct. 14, Beabadoobie released her third EP, “Space Cadet.” Beatrice Kristi Laus, also known as Beabadoobee, is a 19-year-old singer-songwriter based in London and born in the Philippines. Kristi began releasing music in 2017. She has released three EPs since 2017: “Lice,” “Patch...
Holy Oleo!
Adriana Eldred and Ari Erlbaum
November 21, 2019
Basement Medicine staff members Ari Erlbaum and Adriana Eldred discuss the Nov. 13 evening’s musical performance of the Oleo Romeos, featuring Professor Tyrone Shaw as frontman. Editor’s Note: This article has been published much to the goodhearted embarrassment of Shaw, who declined pre-...
The punisher: he’s a diamond in the Russ
Ari Erlbaum, Staff Reporter
November 7, 2019
First-year advisor Russ Weis talked to Basement Medicine about life, puns, dinosaurs and an insidious conspiracy to eliminate compound words. Can you introduce yourself? I am Russ Weiss. I am a first-year advisor. And I sometimes teach in the writing and literature department. What are you actually doing o...
An acetone addiction: my journey from nail biter to nail artist
November 7, 2019
I feed my addiction a couple dollars at a time, buying once a month from my suppliers online. It’s generally $12.50 for a half ounce at a time, but I’ll buy a couple plus some extras if my budget allows. It comes weeks after, gently and diligently bubble wrapped, with my pseudonym printed neatly...
Tame Impala’s new album combines psych rock and pop
Patrick Bell, Sports Editor
November 7, 2019
Kevin Parker, also known as Tame Impala, announced to his fans via Instagram that his new album, “The Slow Rush” would release on Valentine’s Day 2020. This announcement was years in the making, as Parker’s latest release was “Currents” in 2015. It was an album that I loved from top to...
Hilariously happy ever raptor
November 7, 2019
“The VelociPastor” is an understated character study with a lot to say, subtly mining pathos from small moments of everyday life. Just kidding. “The VelociPastor” is a movie about a priest who sometimes turns into a dinosaur and fights ninjas. It’s one where that priest, upon being told...
Open Ring Circus dances through the flames in Dibden
Allison Irons, Staff Reporter
October 24, 2019
On Oct. 1, the Dibden Center for the Arts welcomed Open Ring Circus to perform “Coated: 1944 Circus Fire Project,” an interactive acrobatic and dance production. From the performance’s playbill: “On July 6, 1944, the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus pitched their tents in Hartford,...
Radamiz’ lovely lyricism
Thomas Streeter, Staff Reporter
October 24, 2019
Passion. Growth. Change. Progression. These are words that describe 27-year old Dominican-born Bed-Stuy Brooklyn rapper, Radamiz’s newest album. The album, ”Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes,” was released on Oct. 4, 2019 on Payday Records. Radamiz, whose real name is Radhames Rodriguez, released...
It’s a-me, Mario Kart Mobile!
Allison Irons, Staff Reporter
October 24, 2019
“It’s a-Mario time!” This time, it’s on your phone! The new Mario Kart Tour game has finally hit the App Store & Google Play as the number one racing game. The application was available to download on Oct. 3, and has taken over the free time of my suitemates and I. The game is very addictive,...
Kissing ass and taking names: a foolproof guide
Adriana Eldred, Photo & Web Editor
October 24, 2019
If you’re like me, you already dread showing up to class and being subjected to the downward-turned nose and jaded stare of your professor, never mind the radical thought of ever approaching them with questions, clarification, or – more distastefully – genuine interest. These creatures are hard...
Gallagher answers “Why me?”
Patrick Bell, Sports Editor
October 24, 2019
“Why Me? Why Not?” is Liam Gallagher’s second release from his solo career. Released in September of 2019, it has received positive reviews from both critics and fans alike. Liam’s journey in music started in 1992 with his brother Noel in the band Oasis. The band quickly rose in the UK with...
Awesome avian assholery
Rebecca Flieder, Editor-in-Chief
October 24, 2019
I wasted about 10 hours pretending to be a goose, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I’m not normally a big ‘gamer,’ but after seeing the memes, I spent $15 on House House’s “Untitled Goose Game” for my laptop. The visual style of the game is cartoony and unpatterned, favoring a simple style...
“The Mask” show confidence
Allison Irons, Staff Reporter
October 3, 2019
Why have young men been raised to not show emotion? Why can men not share their emotions without being called feminine? In what ways has the media in our society changed the way boys are raised? Many of these questions and more are answered in the 2015 documentary “The Mask You Live In” written and...
The Black Keys return to roots
Patrick Bell, Sports Editor
October 3, 2019
Rejoice Black Keys fans. After a five-year hiatus, they are back with their album titled “Let’s Rock.” The Black Keys, consisting of guitarist, singer, and songwriter Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney have been going strong for close to 17 years, as their first debut album was released...
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