When I was in seventh grade, in 2014, I fell in love with not just a TV show, but a world of fandom and opportunities that would continue to inspire me for years to come. This epiphany came about when I started watching “The Walking Dead.” Ever since watching the first few seasons in middle school, I am still inspired by the series and what its themes stands for. Love, loss, harmony, turmoil, you name it! “The Walking Dead” has revolutionized the zombie genre in such a powerful way, that I still ended up loving it, even though I had never watched anything with too many trappings in common with it.
Right now, Season 11 is airing. It’s on break until February, but once the remaining sixteen episodes are released, fans will endure the end of an era, as the start of something new for the franchise will begin to unfold. In short, “The Walking Dead” is ending. Fans such as myself, who enjoy the spinoffs, like “Fear the Walking Dead,” and the two-season limited series, “The Walking Dead: World Beyond,” will have plenty of new content to look forward to within this universe, as there are indeed some movies coming, as well as more spinoffs in the works. However, Season 11 is the final season of the flagship series, “The Walking Dead,” and for a fan who has been positively impacted by this show in so many ways for so many years, that means something.
Here at the Observer, I spoke to David Arivella, an academic technology assistant here at Northern Essex. Arivella is not caught up with ‘The Walking Dead,” but nonetheless, I still asked him about some of the reasons why he did enjoy the seasons that he watched, “I think it was about the characters, relating to them and the way they acted, and watching them get through whatever was going on in the given storyline.” His favorite character was Rick, “As a character, I thought Rick was the most relatable, with the way he handled himself. I liked how he became a leader, even though he didn’t really take on that responsibility himself, but because the other characters looked up to him.”
“The Walking Dead” returns on AMC on February 20th.
“The Last Duel” is the latest film directed by Ridley Scott and sees him return to the sword-and-sandals epic with grand spectacle, action, and drama, but the majority of that primarily serves a backdrop for the film’s scathing social commentary on patriarchal rule, religious influence, and most notably, sexism.
Based on a true story, the film takes place in 1386 France and focuses on the last legally authorized duel in the country’s history between Jean de Carrouges and Jacques Le Gris, played by Matt Damon and Adam Driver respectively, after de Carrouges’ wife Marguerite, played by Jodie Comer, accuses Le Gris of raping her.
What’s unique about the film, outside of its timely themes, is the plot’s structure. Taking a page out of films like “Rashomon” or “Pulp Fiction”, The story is told through multiple viewpoints, with each act (or chapter, as the film calls them) differing depending on the perspective. Chapter one depicts Damon’s perspective of events from him being a warrior seeking honor but then becomes waylaid when Comer tells him what happened to her. Chapter two shifts to Driver, a squire and friend of Damon, as now, the events we saw from the latter’s point of view weren’t exactly portrayed how the former remembers. In addition to that, we also see Driver winning the favor of Count Pierre d’Alençon, played by Ben Affleck, to even witnessing his viewpoint on the horrific instigating incident that causes the duel. Finally, we view chapter three in which we see Comer’s side of the story, and in turn the actual truth. The film utilizes this narrative technique brilliantly.
Scott once again directs with striking craftsmanship, not only with the more intimate dramatic scenes, but the action sequences are also nothing short of spectacular, complete with practical swordplay, wonderful setpieces and sound mixing, and intense violence. Another thing to mention is this is the first time both Damon and Affleck have written a screenplay together since their Oscar win for “Good Will Hunting”, and they along with Nicole Holofcener deliver a very well-written, and as previously mentioned layered script. The performances are also incredible, with Comer being a standout, particularly in the third chapter, and will most likely be a strong contender for awards night. Damon and Driver are also great as usual, both shifting from generally likable to malicious both as the film progresses and depending on the point of view. Affleck is surprisingly funny in the film as well, and I liked how his character is cocky, yet never to the point of essentially being a cartacture of a real person.
Unfortunately, there’s one thing I want to point out, but it’s not about the film itself. Instead, I want to point out that sadly not many are seeing this film as it’s still in theaters. For me, it sounds surprising as the film has all the right components. You have an amazing director, a talented cast including a duo who are both respected actors and writers, gritty yet lavish period spectacle, and more-than-timely themes. Some have suggested poor marketing, which can potentially be attributed to the film’s understandably sensitive subject matter, while others suggest its older target demographic are still not fully ready to return to theaters. One thing that was particularly polarizing was that when the film was announced, people were skeptical of what type of film it would be, with some fearing that it would a glorified tale of two men dueling over a woman and the fact that this story which contains sexual assault of that woman was written and directed by men. That couldn’t be further from the truth as One, Scott is no stranger to weaving feminist/anti-toxic masculinity themes into his work. Two, Both Damon and Affleck brought in Holofcener to help give the story a more authentic female perspective, and Three, the titular climax, while exciting, also does not manipulate the viewer as we the audience see that these two men are basically battling for their own pride, something Comer verbally points to Damon as well. Speaking of whom, we see her view this fight appropriately disturbed, as not only is she worried for Damon’s safety, not only is worried for her own, but she is horrified as to how far this went and how everyone else views this event as grand. The film essentially denounces what it’s advertising.
In conclusion, “The Last Duel” is a film that, despite the potentially off-putting subject matter, I encourage everyone to see and support. It’s well-acted, well-directed, superbly written and greatly paced, immersing the viewer, not realizing two and a half hours have passed.
Throughout the pandemic, and in general, movies and TV have always been very important to me in an artistic manner. Thus, I’m always interested in knowing what other people have been watching. This is the Fall 2021 edition of “What Has NECC Been Watching?”
Kim Lyng, the Liberal Arts Program Coordinator at NECC, enjoys watching “Ted Lasso,” a series on Apple TV+. She likes the aspect of how all of the characters are very different, but they still work well with and listen to each other. “I think the show came along when we all needed a reminder of this, that kindness can go a long way to understanding.” says Lyng. Personally, I have heard great things about “Ted Lasso,” and I love her take on the series, as I think that now in our country more than ever, it’s important for all of us to push aside differences, and try to alleviate how divided we all can be at times. Lyng has worked in TV news in the past, and she also recently watched “The Morning Show,” also on Apple TV+. “The Morning Show” follows a fictional TV news outlet, and all of the drama that occurs behind the scenes. “…Some of the show rang true, but on a much more dramatic scale!” says Lyng.
Isa Grullon, Editor-in-Chief here at The Observer, recently watched “You,” on Netflix. “I think when a show like this that has a very specific plot, it can get old really quickly, but I think this third season was really well done. It stayed true to the original, but still felt fresh to the audience.”
As for myself, I love Lady Gaga. I recently saw the movie, “House of Gucci,” in theater. I think her performance was awesome in the movie. Check out my full review of “House of Gucci” at Fandomize Media (fandomize.com). I watched the “One Last Time” concert featuring Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett. “One Last Time” was a concert that they performed at in August, and it was filmed for a TV special, which aired on Sunday night. It was such an emotional and moving last hurrah for Bennett, and of course, they both killed it as always! “One Last Time” is now available to stream on Paramount+.
The production of “Diana” the musical came out on Netflix on Oct 1. 2021; the creators of this show were Christopher Ashley, with choreography by Kelly Devine.
Back in February 2019, the show was only previewed in the La Jolla Playhouse, and then in March, the exhibition was opened on the 3rd. But the production stopped when Covid-19 hit the world. The show was supported to be back in 2020, but again the pandemic delayed it. Luckily in the summer of 2020, the Broadway production had done a show with Covid safety protocols in place and no audience. I have always been fascinated by Princess Diana’s story. I watched many documentaries on her life in London with the royal family.
I also love musicals, so this was right in line with my interest, and I saw many people reviewing it. Everyone was hyping it up and saying it was terrific, so I had to see for myself. They were not wrong. The musical was beautiful, and the casting was perfect; Jeanna de Waal, the actress, was absolutely an excellent Diana.
The music was enjoyable and would make anyone want to sing along as well as dance. The costumes were unbelievable and right on the dot of what the characters would wear during that time. I think this music does Diana’s story justice and shows the feelings from beginning to end. It never goes into disrespecting territory, and when it goes to very serious parts of her life, they always keep it passionate and rough.
I recommend everyone who loves musicals and learning about Diana or about the royal family to watch it. It’s worth it.
On Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. NECC Knights faced Massasoit Community College for a conference game at the Sports and Fitness Center at Haverhill Campus.
The Knights defeated Massasoit 66-54 to snap their four game losing streak.
It was the second give away of the season. All fans in attended received a Matt D’Amato “Mullet Mamba” t-shirt, including his teammates was supporting D’Amato by wearing it before the game.
Knights was looking to snap a four-game losing streak their overall record was 4-7 three games under .500 coming into Dec.9 game and 2-2 in conference games.
Before the game I asked the head coach Darren Stratton, what is the key to play well and to try to break the 4 game losing streak ?
“I think what they need to do is just focused I think were beating our self against Quincy we currently beat our self against CCRI we beat our self…Daniel (Almarante) right now is one of the only points guard and teams is taking advantage of that, that understanding we’re able to get pressure and we’re just throwing the ball away we need to settle down relax move the basketball…” said Stratton.
The Knights did not have Cristian Kinsley of Lawrence, Jason Parello of Lawrence, Elijah Haas of Haverhill and Cameron Stratton of Haverhill all of them were out due to injuries except for Cameron Stratton he is out due to health issues.
Kinsley missed five games heading into Dec. 9 contest “Cristian Kinsley goes to revaluation in January to see if he can gets cleared right know the prognosis is he supposed to be back by the second week of January the problem with him is he doesn’t have full range of motion in his shoulder yet…” said Stratton.
Parello got injured in his last game against Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) “Right know it wasn’t a fracture, so it was great but the diagnosis is he has a heal bruise which put him out for two weeks put him out until the end of the semester,” said Stratton.
Hass missed two games prior to Dec. 9 match up “Elijah Haas has a pending issues that we need clearance from a doctor from him. Losing him really hurts because he is a viral part of our scoring,” said Stratton.
Cameron Stratton missed three games heading into Dec. 9 game “Cameron we loss which is a vital part as you see were struggling in the point guard position right know. He handled a lot of that for us.Cameron, he has been sick he was in the hospital, right know he got a double a ern infection with a high fever…” said Darren Stratton.
The first period during the game the Knights did not came aggressive as they did against CCRI. In the first four minutes and three seconds in the game they were outscored 7-0 and they committed three fouls in less then five minutes. They started slow and did not have momentum but as the first period progressed they were starting to click in, and they were working on those little mistakes, so it would not cost them the game. They ended the first period strong thanks to a wide open three point shot from Greg Duran of Lawrence.
Knights in action on their final home game of the fall semester Photo by, Jose Rodriguez Sports Editor
“Greg did an excellent job not as much as the three pointer but defensively he is a spot for us he is one of (Assistant) coach (Joe) Tardif in the aspect of he mentioned to me to give him a shot… we had guys on foul trouble Daniel (Almarante) pick two quick foul Phillip (Cunningham) pick two quick fouls Kevin (Monteiro) had two quick fouls so we were dealing with some foul trouble issue so we went to Greg knowing what we are going to get out of Greg anything Greg give us offensively is a huge plus because we do not expected defensively we expect every single night from Greg,” said Stratton.
Duran of Lawrence just played seven minutes during the game including scoring three points the three pointer late in the first period.
The Knights in the first period had nine fouls while Massasoit had eight and the Knights had a two points lead at the half 27 to 25.
Having a two-point advantage at the half did not change the mentality and the game plan “It didn’t really change the game plan every time at the half we think is zero zero it doesn’t matter if we were down two or up two we would’ve came the same way at half time,” said Jaleek Urena of Methuen.
The Knights came aggressive attacking the zone as they began the period with a 7-0 run and Massasoit fought back. Massasoit had a 7-0 run as well on their own after the Knights struck back with a 10-0 run. The Knights fought through it and it frustrated Massasoit knowing it is going to be difficult for them to comeback against this Knights team and the time was running out. “We played hard we ran in the court and we got fast break and we got defensive stop and we got a lot of basket in and pretty much get us get the lead,” said Philip Cunningham of Haverhill.
Cunningham played 37 minutes with 12 points, nine rebound and two assist.
The Knights in the second half committed eight fouls one foul less then the first period while Massasoit committed 10.
Metin Yavuz at the last play of the game it looked like he got injured. When the game ended, he was attended to by Maureen the trainer. “I think it was his IT band Metin is seeing Maureen she said that she will evaluate him tomorrow… but the last play of the game he said he got knee in his hip area which it was his IT band that went all the way down to his ankle he felt numbness …” said Stratton.
The Knights defeated Massasoit 66-54 to snap their four game losing streak. They will be on the road on Sunday Dec. 12 to face against Holyoke game time is scheduled to be at 6 p.m.
On Dec 4. NECC Knights got blown out 94 to 51 against the red-hot Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) at noon.
The Knights havebeen struggling lately coming into today game Knights have lost three in a row meanwhile CCRI have a six game winning streak coming into the game and their only loss there only lost was to begin the 2021-2022 campaign.
The Knights are in a middle of a 4-game division conference stretch they lost to a non-conference division game against Great Bay Community College and a conference division a nail biter game to Quincy College 75 to 71 in the road.
Before the game we find out that Knights won’t have Christian Kinsley of Lawrence until at least January. This team is battling with injuries all season long. Cameron Stratton of Haverhill has missed two games and it was out of today contest against CCRI.
In the first period the Knights began the game strong with an 8-0 run. Matt D’Amato of Peabody shot a 3-pointer followed by Mehmet Asik of Ankira, Turkey two 2 pointers and Philip Cunningham of Haverhill steal the ball then went to the free throw and made one of two shots.
Knights in action versus CCRI Photo by Jose Rodriguez, Sports Editor
Ashton Ventola of Danville N.H. who played 16 minutes and 8 points during the game “I was just trying to give my team a spark you know we got a good start you know like you said 8-0 run we got up pretty well and they start to fight back and coach puts me in so you know I am just trying to be aggressive you know not be afraid to shot and just keep attacking the whole work my shot into it… I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help my team,” said Ventola.
Then the Knights collapsed after having a commanding 8-0 run they were trailing 18 to 13 coach Stratton told me in the post-game interview “I think this team doesn’t know how to overcome adversity right now I think we‘re trying to struggle, find ourself and I think that was the case when a team make a run on us we attempt to hold our heads instead of fighting through it. I think we need to find some kind of leadership for someone…,” said Stratton
The Knights need someone to step up and fight. They need to keep their head up in the game is basketball and make a run and not gave up during the game anything can happen. Is not over until the buzzer hit at the end of the second period anything can happen.
The Knights after they gave up the lead they were playing sloppy and they weren’t playing smart basketball Stratton told me “Turnovers are atrocious but you know Jose I am going to be honest with you that has been an illingproblem for us through the first eleven games so far I don’t think you can find one game that we haven’t turnover the basketball more than 15 times…” Stratton said. That is the big key and why this team is under .500 other than injuries right now they need to improve in every aspect as they can to be above .500 and finish the season strong.
They were down 44-29 at the half.
Coach Stratton still feel a chance they can win the game against a very good CCRI game “100 percent I felt we had a chance to win the game we came back from 16 down the other night against Quincy I told them at half time were beating our self… if we don’t turn the basketball over there and were play discipline basketball that game is a lot different…” said Stratton.
The first eight minutes of the second period CCRI was on a 23-7 run. The Knights they were struggling they couldn’t make the ball inside the bucket, and it was going to be extremely difficult to win as they were down 67-37 with 12 minutes left in the quarter.
“We struggle to score and is sad to said like coach Caneryand coach Tardif we need kids to work on their fundamentals we don’t have kids that work on their there skill set they think they are better than what they are and if they watch this film tonight playing against a team like this today you get exposed and if you don’t have the skills and willing to work at your skills to get better stuff like this is going to happen…” Stratton said.
During the second period the Knights lost another player due to injury Jason Parello of Lawrence he has been fighting a heel issue lately and during the game against CCRI he landed knee first on the ground he was taken out of the game with some help he couldn’t walk under at his own power.
The Knights know have a 4-game losing streak. They will face Massasoit Community College looking to end their four game losing skid on Thursday Dec. 9 game time is scheduled at 6 p.m. at Sports and Fitness Center at Haverhill Campus.
Dejalee Torres of Lawrence made history on Dec. 1 when she became the first woman volleyball player in school history to earn All American Honors.
During the season she played 13 games 2.81 kill per set, .181 hitting percentage, 0.48 assist per set, 0.29 kills per set, 0.54 service per set, 2.60 digs per set according to neccknights.com She also led in all regions in both kills and kills per set.
“When I receive my All American it was definitely surprising, I wasn’t expecting to win All American I know I was nominated but All American is a very big brad like achievement and I know I was nominated but I wasn’t really certain that I was going to win it was very surprising and also confident that knowing that I am a good player, not within the region but around the country,” said Torres.
She also told me that she felt very blessed and honored to win the award. She been playing volleyball since middle school and-all that hard work is paying off in a positive way. She never envisioned or imagined in her first year at NECC something magical would’ve happened in on her career.
“To be honest a lot of the achievement that I received this volleyball season were all very shocking just for the simple fact our team this year wasn’t really the best we started off with having a NJCAA All-American whole lot of girls and we slowly lost a lot of players due to injury so I wasn’t expecting much out of the season so for us to go far as far as we did and also for me to get all the recognition it was very surprising,” said Torres.
In the future when she leaves NECC she is not sure if she wants to continue playing volleyball, but she knows she will be playing volleyball 100 percent for NECC next upcoming season as Torres will try to help the team to capture region 21 championship. As of right know she hasn’t received any kind of offers once she leaves the Northern Essex.
“Overall Torres will become the 42nd name (17th female) added to the All-American wall in the annals of the Knights athletic program and second this calendar year joining baseball’s Nick White,” according to neccknights.com
Watch out for Dejalee Torres I see a bright future on her and let’s see if she can repeat what she did this past season after an unbelievable 2021 campaign that helped the team to become NJCAA runner-up champions after losing on the finals to Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) on late October.
Professor Stephen Slaner and other participants take part in a discussion on zoom.
“If I point a gun to your head and not fire it, it is still using the gun.” Professor Slaner
Professor Stephen Slaner and Professor Andrew Morse debated on Dec. 1 on the ratification of the Treaty of Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. More than a dozen viewers tuned into the public zoom that ran for a little over an hour. Slaner and Morse are leaders of the student groups Amnesty International and Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) respectively, the two groups working together. Each professor received about 20 minutes to explain their opening stances; Slaner arguing for the ratification and Morse arguing against the treaty. After some back and forth rebuttals and counter arguments, the floor was open to viewer input and questions.
Slaner expressed the great concern of a potential crisis, saying that “luck is not a policy we can depend upon.” America has not yet signed the Treaty, maintaining thousands of nuclear arms, hundreds on hair trigger alert. We also don’t have a ‘no first use’ policy: a protocol that would restrict the United States to only launch nuclear attacks in response.
“Weapons of mass destruction are weapons of mass destruction. If we can abolish two categories, being chemical and biological, we can abolish another.” – Slaner
Morse, while obviously not advocating for a nuclear winter, doesn’t see the treaty as practical or useful. He points out that the only signers of the Treaty are small countries that wouldn’t even have the resources to attempt nuclearization. Nuclear powers comparable to the United States haven’t signed the Treaty. The most rational steps would involve reducing the numbers of atomic warheads, non-proliferation agreements, procedures for escalation prevention, etc; it’s not wise to trust nations’ promises when there is no global enforcing policy.
“While it’s possible to convince a government to abolish nuclear weapons, it is not possible to abolish the knowledge of how to build them.” – Morse
Ultimately, there is a consensus to some degree between the two professors that co-lead the student group SDS. “I don’t think anyone wants nuclear war,” Morse said. “They want protection…They want protection from the United States.” Slaner and guest viewer Stephen Russell agreed that America could still assert dominance with far less than half of the current nuclear firepower.
The viewer submitted questions fueled the lively conversation for the last portion of the zoom. Matthew Sherman asked “Is the threat of mutually assured destruction realistic for long term peace?” The moderator Andrew Venditti asked “Why would we ever retaliate if we’d hurt the world and ourselves in the process?”
As the debate wrapped up, SDS member and viewer April Richer chimed in.
“This is an opportunity where something should be done…If we had even half the money that is being spent on maintaining and modernizing nuclear weapons, we really would be able to make it a safer, better world. Encouraging education, investing in poverty…”
Former NECC Baseball Player Xavier Nunez and the current assistant baseball coach under Jeff Mejia was named the softball head coach earlier this year for the upcoming season in 2022.
Nunez played baseball under coach Mejia from 2016 and 2017 before transferring to New England College in Henniker, N.H.
Nunez as a senior played in 46 games batted .383
He helped the team to earn there first ever conference championship in NECC history and advanced to NCAA Division three tournament where they won the New England Regional championship before losing in the Super Regional.
NECC softball head coach Xavier Nunez Courtesy neccknights.com
“For the past five years he has worked with area softball players through Rams Athletic Complex Softball clings at the North Reading based facility. At the facility he has also conducted private instruction for both softball and baseball. He was two years of club coaching experiencCourtesy neccknights.come as well with both Team Boston and New Hampshire prospects,” According to neccknights.com
Nunez said he thanks Mejia and Blair for this opportunity.
“I’m very proud it is a happy moment definitely in my career. It’s my fist job coaching college sports I been helping Jeff (Mejia) coach the baseball team and I’m happy him and Dan (Blair) were confident me enough to give me this job I’m excited about it and move the program forward,” Nunez said.
Nunez believe he is fully prepared to coach. He also is learning more thinking every day that it will help him to be a better coach than what he already is.
Coach Nunez also announced when tryouts can possible be available for softball players who are interested participating and trying to make the time.
“I will be holding tryouts probably early March to late February you know depending on what we are looking for the number,” he said.
Then how you determine if a players fits well on the team? “If you can help the team win games you going to be in the team it’s pretty straight forward… I’m not a big favored guy my favorite player is the one that want to be there the most…”
The NECC Knights Track and Field head coach is Nelson Desilvestre he coaches both men’s and women’s.
He came to NECC in 2017. Before coming over to Northern Essex he was the head coach of Winter track at Manchester-Essex Reginal High School for four season.
According to neccknights.com “Prior to Manchester-Essex, Nelson was the Head Boys Coach at Beverly High School for 18 winter seasons and 17 spring season. He accumulated 214 wins with a .680 winning percentage, and was voted coach of the year on two occasions.”
Desilvestre he has a lot of coaching experience. He has coach more than two decades.
If you still undecided to play Track and Field Desilvestre said it can be a positive experience.
NECC Track and Field both men and women head coach Nelson Desilvestre Courtesy neccknights.com
“It’s a good thing to participate other than just studying we try to have some fun we try to make it entertaining and positive experience so that they will hopefully develop friendship that will last the rest of their lives and memories that can tell their friends and family on the future…” Desilvestre said.
I ask him how it’s different men and women teams.
“Whatever I do with the men I do with the women — the workout is basically the same their designed basically for what ever their ability is so it’s equal opportunity situation everyone is treated the same…” It’s nothing different everything is the same.
Last year it was difficult not having a season in the spring because of the virus, he sad.
“It was extremely difficult I think it hurt us in many ways the kids that wanted to join the time obviously couldn’t… being a community college and only have them for two years… this year it’s basically started from scratch starting from zero…” Desilvestre said.
They are no tryouts if you are interested to join the team you can the more athletes joining the team the better it is. You just need to get an athletic physical form at the sports and fitness building in the Haverhill campus. Athletes that is interested to join can get in touch with the head coach Nelson Desilvestre and the athletic director Dan Blair. This season will start some point on the spring when student return back to class.
