Author Archives: Richardson Rutter-Reese

Bingeworthy October Netflix Shows

Posted on by
Reply

Insatiable 

Insatiable follows the story of Patty Bladell, played by Debby Ryan, as she gets revenge on those who mocked her for being overweight. After a violent altercation with a homeless man, Patty spends her summer vacation in the hospital consuming a liquid diet. After Patty recovers, and now thin as a result of her hospital day, she meets lawyer and disgraced pageant coach Bob Armstrong. Bob takes Patty under his wing and introduces her to the world of pageants. 

What follows is a season full of revenge, deceit, and betrayal by every single character on the show. Although Patty more often than not is a catalyst and throws fuel on whatever fire is happening, her neighbors, classmates, and friends need no help to be conniving when their sites on set on a goal. 

Each episode of Insatiable features revenge that pushes that bar just a bit further than the last, all culminating in a very surprising ending. For all the drama that fills each episodes approximately 40 minute runtime, the show’s writers seem “in on the joke.” Insatiable effortlessly alternates between what sometimes feels like overdramatic plotlines and comedic scenes in a way that leaves the viewer wanting more after the credits roll. After the 12th episode and season finale is rolling credits, fans won’t have to wait long for a new season. Netflix is premiering season 2 of Insatiable next week on October 11. 

Peaky Blinders

Peaky Blinders is a five season British crime drama originally released in 2013. Set in Britain post World War I, the show follows Tommy Shelby in his efforts to raise his family’s status from two-bit criminals to a feared, highly successful criminal enterprise. 

Fans of Boardwalk Empire will feel right at home with Peaky Blinders. The show features a mix of action, character developments, cliff-hangers, and intrigue. It’s also important to note that the show is extremely graphic in both language and violence, with portrayals of sexual assault, along with copious drug use. Some viewers should stay away. 

Netflix users won’t have to wait long to catch the newest season of Peaky Blinders, the show releases on platform this week on Friday, October 4th. 

You can watch the season five trailer for the show below: 

 

Trees Need Baths Too

Posted on by
Reply

Richardson Rutter-Reese

Local crepe myrtles have been home to a nasty infestation that has only been spreading. The pests are known as Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale. These pests invade the tree, and suck out tree sap. After the pests eat, mold grows on their secretions. This mold creates a layer over the tree, which slows the process of photosynthesis. Given enough time untreated, the tree will die.

On February 19, the city of Texarkana decided enough was enough. With the help of students at A&M – Texarkana and a few residents, the city tackled its infestation problem downtown. On a breezy Friday morning students showed up ready to clean their city. After a little instruction by a wildlife representative, students got to cleaning. All it took was warm water, some dawn dish soap, and willing volunteers. Over the course of two hours, trees were giving a bath, and got cleansed of their scales and mold.

Although downtown Texarkana trees were washed, the problem is not over. The Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale is an invasive species, and since it was first spotted in Dallas in 2004, it has spread over Texas, and to other states in Louisiana, Georgia, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. The most active time for the species is in the summer time, so it is important to inspect any Crepe Myrtles before the have an opportunity to hatch and reproduce. It is recommended to give Crepe Myrtles at least one cleaning a year. This will not only keep local trees infestation free, but slow the spread of the infestation to other areas.

Organizations represented are, Phi Lambda Chi Fraternity, Omega Delta Chi Sorority, and the Student Government Association.

trees need baths too

Left to right is Erin Beach, Ruth Kliewer, Bryan Huynh, Michael Canales, Alex Claiborne, Kacie Gray, Emily Rios-Rojas, Elizabeth Vargas, Braxton Wood, Aaron Harp, Austin Greig, and Heath Coston.

Review: “The Jungle Book”

Posted on by
Reply

Richardson Rutter-Reese

“The Jungle Book” was a welcome visit from an old friend. Once again written and produced by Disney, the movie was a combination of a live-action and CGI work. For those not familiar with the work, it is a story of an orphan boy, Mowgli, who lives in a forest among his animal companions. The new take draws on elements of Disney’s original animated movie, and Kipling’s original work.

The story revolves around Mowgli trying to find his place in the jungle. From when he was found, Mowgli has been raised by a pack of wolves. During a period of peace, Shere Khan,  a tiger, threatens to kill Mowgli when the truce ends. As Mowgli’s wolf pack debates on if he should remain in the wolf pack, Mowgli voluntarily leaves.

Throughout the rest of the movie Mowgli goes through various trials throughout the jungle. Mowgli has an encounter with Kaa, voiced by Scarlett Johansson, he comes face to face with a swarm of bees, gets washed away in a rushing river, and ultimately, comes face to face with Shere Khan.  

Beyond singing along to “The Bare Necessities”, and “I Wanna Be Like You”, the story is one of accepting others, believing in yourself, and standing together against adversity. Mowgli faces adversity not from Shere Khan, but from those he considers family, and from himself. We not only see Mowgli grow into who he is, but seeing others around him accept Mowgli even though he is different.

“The Jungle Book” is an excellent film. Older viewers will find this not only a welcome return, but a significant movie that can stand on its own. Younger viewers will be enthralled by the cinematics and animation.

“The Jungle Book” is a worthy movie of anyone’s time. 5/5

Officers At Sea

Posted on by
Reply

Richardson Rutter-Reese

The U.S. Coast Guard is one of the five armed branches in America. The Coast Guard is unique in that it falls under the Department of Homeland Security, while the other four branches fall under the guidance of the Department of Defense. The Coast Guard was the first armed force created by the United States as a nation, then known as the Revenue Cutter Service. The job of the service was to deter smugglers and to ensure that taxes were being paid by sea-going merchants. Over the centuries other agencies and duties have been created and absorbed, including the Life-saving service, the lighthouse service, the ice breaking service, the aids to navigation service, the radio service, the humanitarian service, the intelligence service, the law enforcement service, and the immigrations service. All these services and more have been combined to form the multi-directed mission that the modern U.S. Coast Guard performs today.

From a historical perspective, the Coast Guard has been involved in every American conflict, notably Vietnam, World War II, and the War on Terror. During World War II the Coast Guard performed minesweeping operations, operated watercraft during beach landings, collected intelligence, kept traveling routes clear of ice, and performed anti submarine operations. It was a during a beach rescue operation that Signalman First Class Douglas Munro was killed after volunteering to make multiple trips to get all the Marines off the island, including a Marine who would become General Chesty Puller. He was shot on the way back to the ship after making the last trip. He remains the only Coast Guardsman to receive the Medal of Honor.  During the Vietnam War the Coast Guard patrolled the shoreline ensuring the Vietcong would be cut off from supplies and reinforcements. They would also transport troops.

The Coast Guard is the only military branch authorized to perform law enforcement action. This is becuse it falls under the Department of Homeland Security. A Coast Guard vessel may at any time inspect, board, or question any vessel in U.S. waters or our Allies’ waters. There are no rights to privacy on the water as on land. All petty officers in the Coast Guard are federal law enforcement officers, and able to carry subpoenas, detain suspicious individuals, and make arrests. Due to the dual military and law enforcement nature of members in the Coast Guard, there is confusion on how far the rights of a petty officer go. Technically, as federal law enforcement officers, petty officers can carry weapons across the fifty states.  Some state police disagree with this and will still arrest members carrying weapons. This is still an ongoing issue in the courts.

On the topic of members of the Coast Guard, it has consistently been the smallest service since its creation. At the height of its force, the New York Police Department outnumbered the active duty members of the Coast Guard. It has always been a service that prides itself on doing more with less. It receives the lowest budget out of the five services, it has one of the oldest fleets in the world, and consistently uses older technology from the Navy. Many swathes of water go unguarded due to their not being enough funds to patrol all the areas of the coastline.

Even with these problems, people are not deterred from the Coast Guard. It is the most competitive branch to enlist into. The reenlistment rate is above 90%, the only service to have this claim. The Coast Guard administration had to create programs to phase non-performing members out to create space for other sailors to advance. Through the ages, members of the Coast Guard stay with their service. The Coast Guard is a unique service in America, and although its numbers are small, it provides a large impact for the safety and protection of the American people.