Thursday, May 9, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Jb1Mi tigan E3a4 Edited and managed by students at the University of Michigan since 1890. 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, Mt 48109 tothedaily@michigandaily.com KATIE BURKE ERIC FERGUSON ELLIOT ALPERN EDITOR IN CHIEF EDITORIAL PAGE EDITOR MANAGING EDITOR . Unsigned editorials reflect the official position of the Daily's editorial board. All other signed articles and illustrations represent solely the views of their authors. Poor execution 'U' administration mishandled student seating change n April 22, University students learned that student seating at football games for the 2013 season will be conducted under a general admission policy. This policy is different from previous years, where the number of accumulated credits determined how close to the field a student's tickets were. Many students have voiced their opposition to general admission, and a petition on the University's UPetition site calling for a gradual implementation of the new seating arrangement has garnered nearly 3,600 signatures. While the Athletic Department's decision to have general admission for football games shouldn't be problematic in the long run, the manner in which the department is implement- ing general admission leaves much to be desired. Thursday, May 9, 2013 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 5 CHECK OPINION OUT ONLINE This week on michigandaily.com: Columnist James Brennan breaks down why inequal- ity is detrimental to society, Maura Levine explains why she doesn't approve of general admission and Clayton McLaughlin discusses the Daily's portrayal of money in politics. Ann Arbor atmosphere Twists, laughs in Iron Man 3' ne morning, I was at Biggby Cof- fee on East Liberty Street work- ing on a Spanish assignment. It was the midst of winter; most people ordered hot cocoa_ that morning to warm - up. It was 9 o'clock in the morning - one of the most hectic times in an average Ameri- _ can's day. While I was stressing about SARA my assignment that SHOUHAYIB was due a few short hours later, I noticed a girl crying at the corner table of the cof- fee shop. She was sitting alone bundled up in her winter gear with her face nestled in her hands. As she was quietly whimper- ing, a middle-aged woman gently tapped the girl on the shoulder asking if she was all right. "Do you need a hug?" the woman asked. The girl accepted the offer, and they embraced for a few short moments as if they were mother and daughter. The woman lent the girl a few last consoling words and then took off for her day. A minute later the girl packed up her stuff and did the same. She wasn't crying anymore. In fact, she walked out with a smile. It was in that moment I felt the world would be a better place if it were like Ann Arbor, Mich. I thought about all the random things the city showcases that make me smile, like the violin-playing wolf. Or the guy that sits outside of the UGLi knee slappingand play- ing the harmonica. I learned last year that he's actually a professor at the University. That fact alone makes me smile. How about the fact that you can walk everywhere? Not only is it convenient for those of us who don't have cars, but it also works off all of the unwanted calories, like the Amer's frozen yogurt that we all so shamelessly indulge in. The city not only forces you to exercise when walking to places, but it also accommodates all kinds of fun and adventure. Take the Nichols Arboretum for example: the winding foot- hills and trails are a runner's dream, where all the day's stress melts away. It's even a great place for those who want to picnic in the fields away from the hustle and bustle of downtown. And if you're lucky you might even be able to catch a Quidditch match or witness two lovers sneaking kisses on a romantic walk. It's the hidden gem of the city that everyone can find ause for. When you're in the city, you may notice a variety of languages being spo- ken around you - you can hear every- thing from Mandarin to Greek, showing that Ann Arborites are exceptionally well-rounded and culturally aware. The worldly experience doesn't end there. The city hosts multiple restaurants that serve various international cuisines. The best part is, it doesn't eat away at wallet. But if you are willing to spl The city is a perfect example for the world. your urge, By JAMIE BIRCOLL DailyArts Writer Oh, how far Tony Stark has come. "Iron Man 3" is the fourth outing for Robert Downey Jr. ("Sherlock Holmes") as the genius-billionaire- playboy-philanthropist Tony Stark. But this time, Blake sang lion songs frm his new album, Overarnwn. James Blake takes on the Majestic there's something different about Tony: He seems damaged. The film fol- lows the events of last year's block- buster, Marvel's "The Avengers," meaning the world remem- Iron Man3 At Quality16 and Rave Walt Disney Pictures There are several aspects of general admission seating that, while different from the past, will benefit students. All students now have the chance to sit wherever they want in the student section, provided that they arrive early enough to the stadium. As a result, students can freely move around the stands and sit in whatever group they desire without having to sign up for group tickets beforehand or having to dodge ushers. Moreover, Athletic Direc- tor David Brandon's stated reason for going to general admission in the first place was to ensure that more stu- dents show up to the start of the football game. If this logic plays out in practice, the atmosphere in the student section on game days should become even more energetic and enjoyable, with more stu- dents showing up to support the team. However, this change should have been handled differently. Regardless of his goals, the way Bran- don chose to implement the general admission policy is disrespectful to return- ing students. The Athletic Department announced the policy change at the start of the 12-day window in which students could purchase season tickets, coinciding with the already busy end of the semester. The depart- ment also chose not to con- sult the student body. Had the department announced their intention to change the seating policy at an earlier date, students who oppose the policy change would've had the chance to voice their opposition and suggest alter- natives along the lines of the petition before they had to buy tickets. Most disappoint- ingly, the Athletic Depart- ment deprived seniors of a time-honored privilege with- out their consent. Implementing this policy change in a way that will ensure student safety and streamline the process of getting into the stadium on game days should be a prior- ity for the University as the football season approaches. Pennsylvania State Univer- sity - a school with general admission - has allowed their students to camp out days in advance in order to get one of the first few spots in line for the student sec- tion. This is just one of the contingencies that Univer- sity administration must pre- pare for next fall, along with long lines outside of the sta- dium well in advance of the game and students jockeying for seats during the game. While general admission has numerous benefits, its abrupt introduction was ill- advised. University admin- istration, particularly the Athletic Department, must now ensure the switch to general admission doesn't adversely affect the game day experience this fall. Main Street is the place for you. The point is the options are limitless, and the beau- ty of Ann Arbor is you don't have to go to Thailand to taste Thai food - you can do that just by walking a few blocks. Also within walking distance are great shopping experiences for an entire family. From toy stores to sex shops, downtown Ann Arbor has it. It's the perfect paradox exemplifying how conducive the area is not only for college kids, but for family life as well. Ann Arbor also has not only one movie theater, but two! Granted, some of the mov- ies they play come out 5 months later than when they actually debut ... but hey, who's counting? The farmer's market is another con- venient aspect of the city. Locally grown foods are cheaper and healthier for us humans, and they also decrease pollution and cut costs for imported goods from other countries. Being in Ann Arbor taught me all of that - admittedly, it also brought out the inner tree hugger in me. Aside from the amazing sights, it's the people of Ann Arbor, like the woman at Biggby, who make this city what it is. There's a certain energy you can feel when you walk down the streets of downtown. Even the homeless men asking for money on the street are friendly. "You have a blessed day now," they say, even when you can't spare some change. The city is a per- fect example for the world to model after. So what does the world have to do to be like Ann Arbor? It's a simple recipe really. It requires a dash of compassion, a pinch of exercise, a sprinkle of humor, a tablespoon of education and a variety of languages and cultures all blended together. Bada bing bada boom, and there you have it, the per- fect recipe and most importantly, the world is saved. -Sara Shouhayib can be reached at sarasho@umich.edu. I ha Theat last F saw at storm wreck Creatc cert s bers b glass was m It was been t closes to dea I had voice. Nee singer at the differi the a upside there WAN( Startir would impos of abc hipste on ove hard t the sh Aft, del So Englishs r mance from a man called "Fal- tyDL" - who graced us with an ivers with synth over-long set of sluggish EDM tracks from his laptop - Blake )und in Detroit took the stage, accompanied by a guitarist and drummer and look- By JOHN LYNCH ing remarkably lanky and awk- ManagingArts Editor ward in his six-foot-five stature. Without an introduction, the trio d only been to the Majestic opened with "Air & Lack There- re in Detroit once before of," an obscure instrumental riday. Two years ago, I from his early discography that n upstart Odd Future crew translated surprisingly well in into the small venue and concert. havoc. Though Tyler, the Sitting behind a keyboard or eventually cut the con- (as he did throughout his per- hort after audience mem- formance), Blake first used his egan inexplicably throwing microphone on "I Never Learnt bottles on stage, the show to Share," a haunting number emorable for many reasons: from his self-titled debut album. the first concert I had ever With the help of a loop machine, o with a mosh pit, it was the he triple-layered his voice - t I have come to suffocating which was absolutely stunning in th and it was the first time person and every bit the improb- ever heard Frank Ocean's able combination of D'Angelo and Joni Mitchell that penetrates dless to say, seeing English the synths of his studio tracks - and producer James Blake before unleashing the song's diz- Majestic was an entirely zying drop. ent experience. This time, Two of Blake's more famous dience wasn't adorned with tracks, "CMYK" and his Feist -down cross T-shirts and cover, "Limit To Your Love," were no shouts of "GOLF were arguably the highlights of G!" nor any shouts at all. the show. The former, a slow- ng a mosh pit at this show building, Kelis-and-Aaliyah- have been an incredible sampling dance track, was the ition to the crowd - a group set's most energetic piece - sub- out 200 silent, motionless tly reinterpreted from its studio r folk that sipped casually version through electric guitar er-priced beer while trying and live drums. With fan-favorite o look vaguely interested in "Limit To Your Love," Blake had ow. the crowd in a frenzy from the er a trivial opening perfor- first piano note to the final, bass- wobbling wave of sound. Though Blake only played five songs from his latest release, Overgrown, most tracks from the album were relatively disappoint- ing in a live setting. "Our Love Comes Back" and "I Am Sold," which he debuted live for the first time in Detroit, were lackluster, tedious and hypnotic in the worst way. "Retrograde," the crown- ing achievement from Overgrown and Blake's career thus far, con- cluded the main set and seemed unexpectedly flat. The song's cathartic crescendo of synths didn't pack the awe-inspiring punch of the studio track, and for the first time that night, Blake's vocals didn't quite "hit" right. After an encore performance of his Joni Mitchell cover, "A Case of You," Blake was met with rousing applause and looked gen- uinely humbled by the audience's response as he left the stage. At one point in the show, Blake remarked that the Majestic The- atre was renowned among musi- cians as a "magical" venue and that he could certainly see why. Though his genre of music is not inherently thrilling live - glass bottles were daintily sipped that night rather than thrown on stage - and though he and his band missed the mark on a few tracks in Detroit, James Blake has incredible talent, and his live performance (which matched the Majestic's dark and gloomy atmo- sphere) is certainly one worth seeing. bers the alien attack on New York City. Tony, more than anyone, has questions about that day, but none more pressing than, "Are we safe now?" Having established a solid relationship with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow, "Contagion"), Tony has everything to lose and spends sleepless nights preoccu- pying his tireless brain. Then enters the Mandarin, played by Ben Kingsly ("The Dic- tator") and bearing resemblance to Osama bin Laden. By the time the film starts, the Mandarin has already attacked three Ameri- can cities and promises more to come. Between the terrorism and Tony's obvious PTSD symptoms, a very serious tone pervades the film. But director Shane Black ("Kiss Kiss Bang Bang") makes an inter- esting move: He keeps it comical. The film is interspersed with jokes, ironies and deadpan sarcasm that keeps it engaging even when the plot simmers down. And it does sim- mer down, albeit in a good way. About an hour in, the focus shifts to Tony's encounters with a fatherless boy who possesses the same genius and sense of humor as his own. Here the audience views a vulnerable Tony - vulnerable because his suit is damaged and unusable, and vulnerable because the boy forces him to confront his own past demons. But just when sappiness threatens to over- whelm, the film switches back to comedy, then back to action. It's not perfect - in fact, it's rather abrupt - but it works. And it works because Robert Downey Jr. is Tony Stark. This is a character we have seen through four films and, at this point, one that carries a set of expectations. We expect the cynicism, the sarcasm, the over-the-top action, but also the heart and heroics of a man with a dark past thatstill wants to do right. Stark and Rhodey (Don Cheadle, "Flight") - formerly War Machine and now the Iron Patriot - domi- nate the action sequences, though even Paltrow has more than one shining moment. The obligatory final battle scene may not hold up to that of "The Avengers," and the road there is somewhat bumpy, but it holds its own and truly thrills. Kingsley and Guy Pearce ("Pro- metheus") clearly enjoy playing the villains, with Kingsley particularly standing out. There's no real way to go into it without spoiling the best twist of a multi-twist film, but, to put it as the Mandarin so eloquently does: You'll never see it coming. At this point, Downey Jr. is Tony Stark. Black makes this entry memo- rable because, while there are quite a few action sequences, the bulk of the film is spent with its heroes out- side of their armor. He reminds us that, in the end, Tony is just a man. He has a life beyond the suit and must face consequences of actions he took long before he became Iron Man. Beneath its action-packed exte- rior, "Iron Man 3" has heart. It has a story to tell, and a good story at that. It certainly has its noticeable faults, but a chance to see Downey Jr. in that hot-rod red and gold chrome is always a chance worth taking. Stay after the credits for some comic interplay between Tony and an old friend.