jasmine van schouwen

Spilling the beans on the best local coffee and tea spots  Illustration by Jennifer Vo As a polical science student, professional night owl, dancer, journal editor, full-time sarcastic, and part-time cynic, one could consider me an expert when it comes to the mighty bean. While Ottawa hasn’t always had a brilliant reputation with regards to …

Why it’s famous:  Scarface is probably one of the most famous, adored, and dramatic gangster movies of all time. It’s a story of greed, corruption, and hunger for power and features a sometimes unintentionally hilarious Al Pacino in the role of a ferocious Cuban gangster making his way up the social ladder of the Miami …

While our politicians may be very good at rallying supporters and defending their constituents’ interests, they can’t be expected to be experts in every field. There is a clear need to establish mechanisms that require leaders to base their decisions on the work of those who devote their lives to their fields of research, not on their personal ideology.

Why it’s famous:  Not one of the most famous movies of its time, Swing Kids is nonetheless well known as a simple tale of teenage rebellion under the Nazi regime. It brings together a cast of bright young actors to jive and swing their way across the screen, slowly transforming into the disciplined young people …

Must-see movies required for a successful existence Why it’s famous:  This neo-Western thriller set in the 1980s is probably one of the most famous Coen Brothers flicks. With four Academy Awards and numerous appearances on critics’ top 10 lists, this suspenseful story of cat-and-mouse takes the screen with gripping scenes, brilliant screenwriting, and probably one …

Why it’s famous: Featuring a great number of Mozart’s most famous compositions, this eight-time Oscar winner brings together a brilliant cast, mind-blowing sets, and unparalleled costume design to tell the story of one of the world’s most beloved geniuses through the eyes of his bitter rival.   Famous lines: Salieri: You don’t mean to tell …

While some events may offer an open bar, don’t treat it like the booze cabinet in a frat house. Conferences should be considered professional scenarios where it is best to keep a clear mind. There is nothing worse than waking up the next morning after what you thought was a student pub night, only to be reminded that you (unsuccessfully) hit on the CEO of the firm you were hoping to score an internship with.

Why it’s famous:  Considered one of the greatest foreign films of all time, this movie is artistic and hilariously written. It transports its audience to the strange and delightful world of Amélie, an eccentric but lovable character. Played by the brilliant Audrey Tautou, she perfectly captures the character’s melancholic yet adorably imaginative personality.   Famous …

Must-see movies required for a successful existence Why it’s famous:  Probably one of the most thorough biopics of all time, this eight Academy Award-winning movie tells the story of the non-violent movement that led to India’s independence from the British Empire in the 1940s. Politically charged, yet touching and personal, this was an impeccably shot …

MUST-SEE MOVIES REQUIRED FOR A SUCCESSFUL EXISTENCE Why it’s famous: One of Quentin Tarantino’s most famous movies, Kill Bill is an epic, non-sequential, neatly scored blend of cinematographic styles. It brings together an incredible cast of actors to tell the thrilling tale of the revenge of the deadliest woman in the world. Famous lines: Copperhead: …

Must-see movies required for a successful existence Why it’s famous:  Clever, well cast, and brilliantly written, the movie offers a bittersweet glimpse into the psyche of a disturbed, yet amusingly stoic murderer. This is dark comedy-horror at its best. Famous lines:  Club Patron: So, what do you do? Patrick Bateman: I’m into, uh, well, murders and …

Are plastic bags that big of an environmental issue? Photo courtesy of Tina Wallace Point: We should focus on more important issues Jasmine van Schouwen | Fulcrum Staff Companies who claim they are curbing pollution by reducing plastic bag production are misleading and short-sighted. Plastic bags are a problem, there’s no doubt about that. According …

Malala is not alone. She is one child among hundreds victimized in conflict zones year after year. However, this girl’s determination and devotion to education allowed her to transform what could have been a symbol of a child’s weakness and of woman’s oppression into a symbol of contestation.

At the end of the day, it’s not just the scandal we should be paying attention to. We need to observe our prime minister’s response to it because it is an indicator of our country’s leadership. Not only does his response display a lack of integrity, but more importantly, by deflecting the blame onto a different politician every day, he’s also displaying an inability to take responsibility.

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