How to Be Single Movie Review

There are two ways to being single, the right way and the wrong way. After meeting Alice (Dakota Johnson), Robin (Rebel Wilson), Meg (Leslie Mann), and David (Damon Wayans Jr.); you will see single in a new light.

Johnson is best known for her performance in “Fifty Shade of Grey”; where she played a submissive sexual partner, but wants a relationship. Contrary to this film where she wants to be single and fool around. It was distracting to say the least. Johnson’s character is too contradictory.

Wilson is the loud and outrageous single twenty something female who is living it up in New York City. She quickly befriends Johnson and shows her how to be single.

The single life shows it’s true colors when Wilson takes Johnson to her favorite watering hole. The bar scene shows how sexist and stereotypical the male and female bar scene really is. It goes as far as buying drinks for them with their “sausage wallet.” This scene shows how the real world is.

Mann portrays a single gynecologist and obstetrician. Her life is just too busy for love, and all work and no play makes Meg dull. She’s too busy for children, so she opts out for that too.

Children don’t fit into her work schedule and she doesn’t have much patience with them either. Let’s just say she argues with a patient’s little girl and doesn’t win.

Any film that Mann acts in she is brilliant, hilarious, and witty. The last film, “This is 40,” was about their mid-life crisis of sorts and it was awesomely funny. Each character she portrays is similar to the previous, which I think makes her a unique actress and continually shows her abilities.

A big downfall to “How to Be Single” was the predictability. A lot of films are that way, but this one was textbook: open close. There were a couple curve balls thrown in, but nothing too significant to knock me out of my socks.

Also the way they portrayed being single as a bad thing. Not everyone thinks being single is terrible.

Looking for a romantic comedy, go to the nearest cinema and check out “How to Be Single” for some good laughs and real world love life issues; no couples required.

STARRING: Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, and Leslie Mann

DIRECTOR: Christian Ditter

PRODUCTION: Flower Films (II), New Line Cinema, and Wrigley Pictures

GENRE: Comedy, Romance

RATED: R

OVERALL RATING:  3 out of 5

World Hijab Day

Photographer Marwah Alzabidi

Linn-Benton celebrates Muslim women’s right to hijab

Embracing different cultures under one roof, Linn-Benton welcomes diversity among students.

Feb. 1 is known as World Hijab Day. It is a day for Muslims and non-Muslims to come together and experience hijab, the traditional Muslim head scarf, for a day.

The Human and Civil Rights Club put together a Hijab Panel on Monday, Feb. 1, to better inform the campus of the wearing the hijab. The event was held at noon in the library.

Three woman braved the crowd: Elham Maqsood, Maryam Almasoodi, and Mona Gutub. The panel was mediated by social science instructor, Tim Watson.

“Draw the Hijab over your whole body,” said Maqsood. “Cover body from head to toe.”

A hijab is a veil that covers the head and chest. It is worn by some Muslim women after the age of puberty in the presence of adult males outside of their immediate family.

Maqsood began the discussion with “alssalam ealaykum,” which means peace be upon you. She then went on to discuss the religion Islam.

The religion began in Arabia and was revealed to humanity by the Prophet Muhammad. Those who follow Islam are called Muslims. Muslims believe that there is only one God. The Arabic word for God is Allah.

Maqsood explained the Holy Quran, which is a compilation of the verbal revelations given to the Holy Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years. The Holy Quran is the Holy Book of the Muslims. It sets forth their law and commandments, codes for their social and moral behavior, and contains comprehensive religious philosophy.

After discussing the religion and the Holy Quran, Maqsood explained the five pillars of Islam. These five pillars put into perspective the framework of Muslim life. The five pillars are: the testimony of faith, prayer, giving Zakat (support of the needy), fasting the month of Ramadan, and the pilgrimage of Makkah.

“Most western people have very negative ideas about Muslim women,” said Maqsood. “They think that we’re ignorant, segregated, and invisible.”

Muslim women are not represented in the media the way that they would like to be portrayed.

“Both genders are equal,” said Maqsood.

In Islam, sex is only allowed in matrimony. Men and women are not to engage in any sexual contact before marriage. When Muslim women wear a hijab they’re covering up and limiting the temptations. They also practice “lowering the gaze,” which also helps avoid any misleading behaviors.

“The face is what tempts men,” said Watson.

In America, Muslim women wear hijabs with their faces revealed for the communication factor, as American culture tends to rely on facial expressions for nonverbal communication. However, when traveling to Saudi Arabia they might cover their faces up because it’s less acceptable in their culture to reveal it.

“When I used to go to Saudi Arabia I would cover my face...over there it is tradition,” said Maqsood.

After presenting Maqsood fielded questions from the audience.

Christina Johnson a sociology student asked, “Do you see us objectifying ourselves as women?”

“No,” replied Maqsood.

Chelsey Mick, SLC clubs and engagement director asked, “Is it ever hot or uncomfortable?”

“It is good, we do it for god. It is not for us,” said Almasoodi.

Social science instructor Arfa Aflatooni asked hot button topics.

“Why don’t men cover their face? It’s a double standard here. It puts men in a difficult position.”

No matter the question the panel didn’t back down.

Maqsood closed by telling a story about discrimination her daughter has faced as a teenager.

“Don’t care about them,” said Maqsood.

She went on to tell a story about how her daughter’s classmates tried to convince her to take off her hijab because her mother wasn’t there. She stood up for her faith.

“If you're not from a society you can't judge it.”