The contemplation of video games as an art form rears its head every so often in gaming journalism. Comparisons are drawn to works of art in traditional media, and everyone takes a moment to reflect on the meaning of art in general. Recent years have seen the influx of “art” games, designed with the purpose of being artistically thought-provoking, that utilize unique visuals, sounds or game mechanics. Artists often desire to distinguish themselves and deliver their own unique perspective and style; game developers are no exception.
Going in, I was fairly skeptical about “Lincoln.” Naturally, the desire to see Daniel Day-Lewis in one of his patented live-as-the-character method roles excited me, but the potential for a movie about one of our greatest presidents to be little more than a waxworks show was undeniable, and the presence of Steven Spielberg at the helm left me even more ambivalent. Don’t get me wrong: Spielberg has made several of the greatest films of the modern era, and his ability to craft equally compelling films aimed at both pure escapism and hard-hitting drama is unparalleled.
Men
The Amherst men’s swimming and diving team opened its 2012-2013 campaign in convincing fashion on Nov. 16 with a 173-103 route of NESCAC rival Colby. Of the 16 events in the dual-meet, the Jeffs won an astounding 11 in Pratt Pool, proving that despite their grueling second-place finish at NESCACs last year, the team is back with a vengeance.
Leading the way for the Jeffs were sophomores Conor Deveney and Alex Kang, both of whom won individual events before coming together to win the 200-yard medley relay.
Last season the Amherst men’s hockey team rattled off an astounding 16 wins in 17 games en route to a NESCAC Championship and the program’s first-ever berth to the NCAA Division III Frozen Four in Lake Placid, N.Y. Led by National Player of the Year Jonathan La Rose ’12 in goal, the team had arguably the most successful season ever. One year later, the Jeffs return to Orr Rink with high expectations of similar success and, inevitably, question marks about just how to replace the class of 2012.
Soccer can be a cruel sport, a game in which it’s often better to be lucky than good.
Derailed by five shots off the crossbar, the men’s soccer team suffered a devastating loss to Williams in the NCAA Quarterfinals last Sunday, battling to a 0-0 tie in regulation before falling 4-3 in penalty kicks.
Amherst (17-0-3) controlled play for the majority of the contest — outshooting the Ephs 23-7 and peppering the Williams’ box with corner kicks and long throw-ins all afternoon — but inexplicably failed to find the back of the net.
While most Amherst students enjoyed some downtime last week, the men’s basketball team did just the opposite, as their 2012-2013 season got off to a quick start with three games over the break.
Coming off an impressive, 26-win campaign last year, the defending league champion Jeffs are looking to build on that success this season.
