Krug breaks school vaulting record
Run. Stick-it. Jump. Clear it. This same routine is that runs through junior Chesley Krug’s mind every time she gets to the track and is ready to compete.
Pole vaulting has become a world-wide Olympic sport and began in 1893 when colleges would compete using bamboo poles.The first Olympic pole vaulting record that was held in 1896 was 10-foot-6-inches.
Krug believes she has managed to reach a new school and personal best this season through training, dedication, and support.
Roberson graduate Ally Sherlock set Roberson’s pole vaulting record in 2011 with a height of 10-feet-1-inch. Before Krug broke the school record, she set the new record held while competing at the TC Roberson Open Meet on March 17. Just a week after that, she broke the record and reached 10-feet-10-inches, setting the schools new record, along with a new personal best for Krug.
Pole vaulting isn’t the end of Krug’s accomplishments this season. She has managed to place in several other events such as the 1,600 meter run, setting a new personal record and placing first with a time of 5:57.10 at a home meet on March 6.
Track coach Andy Morgan has worked with Krug throught her track career.
“Chesley is a great athelete and can do anything she sets her mind to,” he said. “She has outstanding work ethic and a great spirit whether she’s breaking a record or just out there practicing. The thing about Chesley is, most of what she has accomplished isn’t natural talent. She’s easily one of the hardest working runners we have and is able to do most events from sprints and distance running to pole vaulting.”
According to Morgan, the improvement he has seen in Krug since she started running track last year is largely due to weight lifting she has done when she is not doing track workouts.
“Her conditioning is something I personally have seen great improvement in,” Morgan said. “The strength and muscle she’s gained has obviously helped her excel past the average athlete.”
Krug travels to East Henderson High School most weekends to train with their coach as much as she can.
“I train as frequently as I can but it’s tough to practice during the week with the busy meet schedule,” she said. “Weather can sometime be a factor with training, but I make it a large priority and focus on it as much as I can.”
Senior Kendall Soule has been a friend of Krug’s since they both participated in competitive gymnastics in elementary school. Soule and Krug have run together for three years now, and according to Soule, Krug is one of the most competitive runners she has been able to race with.
“Chesley is always working hard to improve and become a better runner, which is how she’s gotten to be as good as she is,” she said. “One thing I admire about Chesley is the fact that she can do any event during track season. She isn’t limited to pole vaulting or a certain distance, but she’s really versatile. Her competitive nature and drive shows when she’s able to compete as well as she has this season.”
According to Krug, her goals for the rest of the season include clearing higher marks and being able to place well at regional and state meets.
“I’ve definitely become more confident in my abilities as an athelete and have learned to never doubt myself,” she said.
Pole vaulting has become a world-wide Olympic sport and began in 1893 when colleges would compete using bamboo poles.The first Olympic pole vaulting record that was held in 1896 was 10-foot-6-inches.
Krug believes she has managed to reach a new school and personal best this season through training, dedication, and support.
Roberson graduate Ally Sherlock set Roberson’s pole vaulting record in 2011 with a height of 10-feet-1-inch. Before Krug broke the school record, she set the new record held while competing at the TC Roberson Open Meet on March 17. Just a week after that, she broke the record and reached 10-feet-10-inches, setting the schools new record, along with a new personal best for Krug.
Pole vaulting isn’t the end of Krug’s accomplishments this season. She has managed to place in several other events such as the 1,600 meter run, setting a new personal record and placing first with a time of 5:57.10 at a home meet on March 6.
Track coach Andy Morgan has worked with Krug throught her track career.
“Chesley is a great athelete and can do anything she sets her mind to,” he said. “She has outstanding work ethic and a great spirit whether she’s breaking a record or just out there practicing. The thing about Chesley is, most of what she has accomplished isn’t natural talent. She’s easily one of the hardest working runners we have and is able to do most events from sprints and distance running to pole vaulting.”
According to Morgan, the improvement he has seen in Krug since she started running track last year is largely due to weight lifting she has done when she is not doing track workouts.
“Her conditioning is something I personally have seen great improvement in,” Morgan said. “The strength and muscle she’s gained has obviously helped her excel past the average athlete.”
Krug travels to East Henderson High School most weekends to train with their coach as much as she can.
“I train as frequently as I can but it’s tough to practice during the week with the busy meet schedule,” she said. “Weather can sometime be a factor with training, but I make it a large priority and focus on it as much as I can.”
Senior Kendall Soule has been a friend of Krug’s since they both participated in competitive gymnastics in elementary school. Soule and Krug have run together for three years now, and according to Soule, Krug is one of the most competitive runners she has been able to race with.
“Chesley is always working hard to improve and become a better runner, which is how she’s gotten to be as good as she is,” she said. “One thing I admire about Chesley is the fact that she can do any event during track season. She isn’t limited to pole vaulting or a certain distance, but she’s really versatile. Her competitive nature and drive shows when she’s able to compete as well as she has this season.”
According to Krug, her goals for the rest of the season include clearing higher marks and being able to place well at regional and state meets.
“I’ve definitely become more confident in my abilities as an athelete and have learned to never doubt myself,” she said.
online prom shopping proves popular amoung students
With prom season comes the infamous and endless search for the perfect dress for every sophomore, junior, and senior planning to attend prom. Prom dresses can be found at a variety of retail stores and online boutiques, all offering different styles, sizes, and colors.
Most retail stores that sell prom dresses give customers with a more classic prom look; generally the dresses featured in stores are a part of a very vivid color selection, with most having an abundance of jewels and embellishments. While some girls are seeking a cleaner, simpler look for prom, online dress shopping has become a must.
A website that has just recently become a favorite among Roberson students is Rent the Runway. They allow people to rent designer gowns for a total of four days, but deliver the dress two days before their event. The dresses displayed on their website vary from the classic prom style of dress. Most of the dresses present a refined, tailored, “classic Hollywood” type dress and can be found in almost every style of prom dress available. They feature designers such as BCBGMaxMaria, Monquie Lhuillier, and Calvin Klein Collection.
Rent the Runway, although it does offer high-quality designer gowns at an affordable price, can be nerve-racking for some customer since there is little time for tailoring. Junior Bethany Knecht chose a more traditional route while purchasing her original prom dress but ultimately found that online options were helpful.
“We traveled down to Greensboro to start looking for a dress and ended up going to six different stores,” she said. “The whole in-store process was really stressful and overall the experience wasn’t successful. Once I got home I ended up ordering the dress I’m going to wear online at idreamprom.com.”
According to Knecht, ordering a dress online is much easier and relieves a lot of stress from the customer and whoever is helping them.
“Buying a dress online not only gives you a lot more options than going to boutique, but you can customize the sizing and eliminate any need to get the dress tailored,” Knecht said. “Another benefit of shopping online is that you can do it from the comfort of your own home and not have to deal with the hassle of trying on several dresses in front of a bunch of strangers.”
Most retail stores that sell prom dresses give customers with a more classic prom look; generally the dresses featured in stores are a part of a very vivid color selection, with most having an abundance of jewels and embellishments. While some girls are seeking a cleaner, simpler look for prom, online dress shopping has become a must.
A website that has just recently become a favorite among Roberson students is Rent the Runway. They allow people to rent designer gowns for a total of four days, but deliver the dress two days before their event. The dresses displayed on their website vary from the classic prom style of dress. Most of the dresses present a refined, tailored, “classic Hollywood” type dress and can be found in almost every style of prom dress available. They feature designers such as BCBGMaxMaria, Monquie Lhuillier, and Calvin Klein Collection.
Rent the Runway, although it does offer high-quality designer gowns at an affordable price, can be nerve-racking for some customer since there is little time for tailoring. Junior Bethany Knecht chose a more traditional route while purchasing her original prom dress but ultimately found that online options were helpful.
“We traveled down to Greensboro to start looking for a dress and ended up going to six different stores,” she said. “The whole in-store process was really stressful and overall the experience wasn’t successful. Once I got home I ended up ordering the dress I’m going to wear online at idreamprom.com.”
According to Knecht, ordering a dress online is much easier and relieves a lot of stress from the customer and whoever is helping them.
“Buying a dress online not only gives you a lot more options than going to boutique, but you can customize the sizing and eliminate any need to get the dress tailored,” Knecht said. “Another benefit of shopping online is that you can do it from the comfort of your own home and not have to deal with the hassle of trying on several dresses in front of a bunch of strangers.”
tc baseball team targeted in car break-ins
From broken windows to stolen clothes, the night the baseball team left for their annual retreat was anything but ordinary. The entire team set out for a weekend of team bonding and came home to seven cars that had been broken into.
As of now, the team does not know who was behind the break-ins and is still looking to figure out who committed the crimes. The team received the news the night it happened once a member of the girl soccer team, junior Amanda Pritchard, had seen the aftermath of the break-in.
“I was driving to school to warm-up for a scrimmage we had that morning and once I drove past the first few cars I thought that they had left their windows open,” Pritchard said. “I was shocked to find that the windows were smashed in, with glass all over the front seats of the cars and I immediately called any player I had in my contacts to try and tell them.”
Pritchard contacted members of the team Saturday morning and sent a variety of pictures to the team members.
The consequences of the crime are yet to be determined, but the investigation has been handed over to Asheville Police Department. They are working to find more information, although they do have several small leads on the crime so far.
According to sophomore Garrett Blaylock, some of the items stolen from other team players include backpacks, money, clothes, shoes, and sunglasses.
Junior Chris Barnwell was one of the many players who was a victim to the crime committed.
“They took a pair of shoes, boots, my bookbag and a pair of Oakley goggles,” he said. “The most expensive thing they took were the Oakley goggles, which cost about $200. Luckily, my backpack didn’t have anything like my wallet in it, but it did have my calculator and all my school work.”
Junior Matthew Ide and Barnwell both had their backpacks taken from them the night of the break-in, but according to both, teachers have been very understanding and cooperative when dealing with their missing work.
“They’ve been really lenient about making up the work,” Barnwell said. “Some stuff, like worksheets and notes, I’ll have to redo, but for the most part they haven’t asked anything too drastic of me to make up considering the position I’m in.”
Along with his backpack, Ide had jeans and a belt stolen. Ide’s backpack had his wallet in it, as well as his debit card, his mom’s debit card, and $50.
“etting my stuff stolen is really frustrating,” Ide said. “It really didn’t hurt me emotionally, but it’s irritating because I don’t feel like I did anything to deserve this. Waiting for my truck to get fixed is probably the most stressful part of the whole situation.”
According to Assistant Principal Chris Collins, Roberson administrators are working hard to improve the safety of the school parking lots and other outdoor areas on campus.
“The break-ins have caused us to evaluate the lack of cameras not only in the parking lots, but in the surrounding areas like the football stadium and the track as well,” Collins said. “It hasn’t only been the recent break-ins that have brought up this problem to the school. We’ve had multiple instances when students have hopped the fence to use the track and football field after school hours.”
The school plans on adding three to four cameras in the upper lot, football stadium, and press box. The total cost of these additions will total up to around $800.
“We have plenty of cameras in the school and attached right to the outside of the building, we’re currently in the early stages of working to put in the addition cameras in a variety of places,” Collins said. “Along with the cameras, we have also noticed that the lighting in the parking lots is very poor, so we hope to address that issue to help students keep their cars and belongings safe if they were to leave them on campus over night.”
As of now, the team does not know who was behind the break-ins and is still looking to figure out who committed the crimes. The team received the news the night it happened once a member of the girl soccer team, junior Amanda Pritchard, had seen the aftermath of the break-in.
“I was driving to school to warm-up for a scrimmage we had that morning and once I drove past the first few cars I thought that they had left their windows open,” Pritchard said. “I was shocked to find that the windows were smashed in, with glass all over the front seats of the cars and I immediately called any player I had in my contacts to try and tell them.”
Pritchard contacted members of the team Saturday morning and sent a variety of pictures to the team members.
The consequences of the crime are yet to be determined, but the investigation has been handed over to Asheville Police Department. They are working to find more information, although they do have several small leads on the crime so far.
According to sophomore Garrett Blaylock, some of the items stolen from other team players include backpacks, money, clothes, shoes, and sunglasses.
Junior Chris Barnwell was one of the many players who was a victim to the crime committed.
“They took a pair of shoes, boots, my bookbag and a pair of Oakley goggles,” he said. “The most expensive thing they took were the Oakley goggles, which cost about $200. Luckily, my backpack didn’t have anything like my wallet in it, but it did have my calculator and all my school work.”
Junior Matthew Ide and Barnwell both had their backpacks taken from them the night of the break-in, but according to both, teachers have been very understanding and cooperative when dealing with their missing work.
“They’ve been really lenient about making up the work,” Barnwell said. “Some stuff, like worksheets and notes, I’ll have to redo, but for the most part they haven’t asked anything too drastic of me to make up considering the position I’m in.”
Along with his backpack, Ide had jeans and a belt stolen. Ide’s backpack had his wallet in it, as well as his debit card, his mom’s debit card, and $50.
“etting my stuff stolen is really frustrating,” Ide said. “It really didn’t hurt me emotionally, but it’s irritating because I don’t feel like I did anything to deserve this. Waiting for my truck to get fixed is probably the most stressful part of the whole situation.”
According to Assistant Principal Chris Collins, Roberson administrators are working hard to improve the safety of the school parking lots and other outdoor areas on campus.
“The break-ins have caused us to evaluate the lack of cameras not only in the parking lots, but in the surrounding areas like the football stadium and the track as well,” Collins said. “It hasn’t only been the recent break-ins that have brought up this problem to the school. We’ve had multiple instances when students have hopped the fence to use the track and football field after school hours.”
The school plans on adding three to four cameras in the upper lot, football stadium, and press box. The total cost of these additions will total up to around $800.
“We have plenty of cameras in the school and attached right to the outside of the building, we’re currently in the early stages of working to put in the addition cameras in a variety of places,” Collins said. “Along with the cameras, we have also noticed that the lighting in the parking lots is very poor, so we hope to address that issue to help students keep their cars and belongings safe if they were to leave them on campus over night.”
Stores offer local, healthy food in winter months
The endless Christmas cookies and decadent hot chocolate that defines the holiday season has finally come to an end and for many, the post-holiday detox has begun.
According to an article recently written for Fox News by Emily Alford, eating clean during the colder months can be more difficult due to the scarce amount of fresh fruit and vegetables and the higher prices of produce nationwide. However, a variety of recipes and simple food choices can make the adjustment an easy transition. Restaurants around Asheville, like Green Sage Cafe and Plant, offer healthy alternatives to many of the standard food choices that some restaurants offer.
With the colder weather comes a desire for warmer, comforting foods like soups and richer dishes. Substituting an entree with a salad may be out of the question for people who are looking to clean up their diet, so instead of using the leafy meal as a healthy replacement, one option is to focus on winter vegetables like squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes that can bring a twist to the basic, everyday diet.
Junior Cameron Comerford believes that even in the cooler months, eating clean is still something everyone can do.
“It is harder to eat clean in the winter mainly because of all the holiday season sweets and the comfort food that goes along with the colder weather,” she said. “But warm tea and soups are always the best during the winter. Plus, you can play around with different soup recipes depending on what’s available at the time.”
Green Sage Cafe, located on Hendersonville Road and downtown, offers a seasonal squash quiche that is featured from October through December. Along with this dish, Green Sage offers other options like lentil soup and their signature quiche of the day. Madea’s Espresso and Juice Bar and Mosaic Cafe also offer entrees like quiche and hot paninis for prices starting at $6.00 and up.
“Green Sage is definitely my favorite restaurant here in Asheville,” Comerford said. “The focus they put on making every dish balanced and organic is something I value and can’t find everywhere.”
Many local eateries provide alternatives to standard cafe food while focusing on keeping their entrees and ingredients local. Additionally, even bigger names in the food industry continue to offer healthy choices all year long. Places like Chipotle and Zoe’s Kitchen offer customers a variety of healthy options all over the United States.
According to Ingles produce manager Blaine Killian, the produce that seems to be the most popular during the winter are root vegetables like turnips, parsnips, and hard-shell squash.
“The quality of our produce in general doesn’t change since we ship a lot of it in from places like California, Florida or Mexico,” Blaine said. “During the warmer months,we do get almost all of our produce from local farms like New Sprout Farm up in Black Mountain, so the demand for local foods here in Asheville is something that can easily be accommodated.”
The key factor in determining the pricing for the produce coming into Ingles, especially during the winter, is the weather.
“Since we do ship most of the produce in during cooler months, we depend heavily on the climate of the places we get shipments from,” Killian said. “If places see deep freezes or heavy amounts of rain, it can affect the quality of the vegetables, making the prices go up.”
According to an article recently written for Fox News by Emily Alford, eating clean during the colder months can be more difficult due to the scarce amount of fresh fruit and vegetables and the higher prices of produce nationwide. However, a variety of recipes and simple food choices can make the adjustment an easy transition. Restaurants around Asheville, like Green Sage Cafe and Plant, offer healthy alternatives to many of the standard food choices that some restaurants offer.
With the colder weather comes a desire for warmer, comforting foods like soups and richer dishes. Substituting an entree with a salad may be out of the question for people who are looking to clean up their diet, so instead of using the leafy meal as a healthy replacement, one option is to focus on winter vegetables like squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes that can bring a twist to the basic, everyday diet.
Junior Cameron Comerford believes that even in the cooler months, eating clean is still something everyone can do.
“It is harder to eat clean in the winter mainly because of all the holiday season sweets and the comfort food that goes along with the colder weather,” she said. “But warm tea and soups are always the best during the winter. Plus, you can play around with different soup recipes depending on what’s available at the time.”
Green Sage Cafe, located on Hendersonville Road and downtown, offers a seasonal squash quiche that is featured from October through December. Along with this dish, Green Sage offers other options like lentil soup and their signature quiche of the day. Madea’s Espresso and Juice Bar and Mosaic Cafe also offer entrees like quiche and hot paninis for prices starting at $6.00 and up.
“Green Sage is definitely my favorite restaurant here in Asheville,” Comerford said. “The focus they put on making every dish balanced and organic is something I value and can’t find everywhere.”
Many local eateries provide alternatives to standard cafe food while focusing on keeping their entrees and ingredients local. Additionally, even bigger names in the food industry continue to offer healthy choices all year long. Places like Chipotle and Zoe’s Kitchen offer customers a variety of healthy options all over the United States.
According to Ingles produce manager Blaine Killian, the produce that seems to be the most popular during the winter are root vegetables like turnips, parsnips, and hard-shell squash.
“The quality of our produce in general doesn’t change since we ship a lot of it in from places like California, Florida or Mexico,” Blaine said. “During the warmer months,we do get almost all of our produce from local farms like New Sprout Farm up in Black Mountain, so the demand for local foods here in Asheville is something that can easily be accommodated.”
The key factor in determining the pricing for the produce coming into Ingles, especially during the winter, is the weather.
“Since we do ship most of the produce in during cooler months, we depend heavily on the climate of the places we get shipments from,” Killian said. “If places see deep freezes or heavy amounts of rain, it can affect the quality of the vegetables, making the prices go up.”
seniors prepare graduation project presentations
Senior Grant McPolin said he was instantly inspired at this year’s LEAF Festival when he first experienced someone play the didgeridoo: an Australian wind instrument described as a “natural wooden trumpet.”
McPolin then decided to take on the challenge of learning how to play this regional instrument for his senior project, which has proven to be drastically different than the saxophone that he has become familiar with since middle school.
“My experience so far is definitely interesting and not anything like playing the saxophone,” McPolin said. “It’s a challenge, but one that I’m glad I took and I’m looking forward to continue learning more about this instrument.”
According to McPolin, choosing something unusual gives a student a wider variety of knowledge about a topic and is more beneficial overall.
The Graduation Project has been a long-standing requirement in order for Buncombe County students to graduate.
After choosing a topic, like yoga, skiing, strength training, or even sky diving, students are required to turn in a portfolio, write a research paper and present their topic in front of a community panel.
English teacher Tristen Plemmons has been a part of the Graduation Project process for several years and has seen a wide variety of topics presented.
“I would have to say the most interesting topic I’ve been able to see was Khalani Jackson’s presentation on belly-dancing,” she said. “It was truly a fun experience for her, and you could tell she really enjoyed it. She came dressed in full belly-dancing attire and gave an unforgettable demonstration to the judges.”
According to Plemmons, no student before or since Jackson’s graduating class has presented their project on the topic of belly dancing.
A couple of senior projects that are taking place this year include a student directed play and one student training to get her pilot’s license.
Senior Luke Sagaser is the co-director, along with senior Abby Methvin, of the student-produced winter play, “Julius Caesar.” Sagaser has been acting in Shakespearean plays for two years and describes the process of finalizing the play without much guidance from any teacher.
“I cut the script myself, but I’ve had a lot of assistance from my co-director and stage managers,” Sagaser said. “Letting this become my senior project definitely has been fun and everything has come together without much effort since I’m doing something I enjoy. Although I enjoy directing, after this I do plan on sticking to acting.”
The student directors cast a total of 18 students in the play, which includes theater arts teacher Sarah Leary.
English teacher Helen Smith said one of the more intriguing Graduation Projects that she’s seen was presented by a student that graduated last year.
“It was focused around a long, three-day hike through the Grand Canyon that was guided by a professional,” Smith said. “It started as simple local hiking and progressed to the more intense hike. Picking a topic that is cumbersome and overwhelming won’t be beneficial to the student, or the project.”
McPolin then decided to take on the challenge of learning how to play this regional instrument for his senior project, which has proven to be drastically different than the saxophone that he has become familiar with since middle school.
“My experience so far is definitely interesting and not anything like playing the saxophone,” McPolin said. “It’s a challenge, but one that I’m glad I took and I’m looking forward to continue learning more about this instrument.”
According to McPolin, choosing something unusual gives a student a wider variety of knowledge about a topic and is more beneficial overall.
The Graduation Project has been a long-standing requirement in order for Buncombe County students to graduate.
After choosing a topic, like yoga, skiing, strength training, or even sky diving, students are required to turn in a portfolio, write a research paper and present their topic in front of a community panel.
English teacher Tristen Plemmons has been a part of the Graduation Project process for several years and has seen a wide variety of topics presented.
“I would have to say the most interesting topic I’ve been able to see was Khalani Jackson’s presentation on belly-dancing,” she said. “It was truly a fun experience for her, and you could tell she really enjoyed it. She came dressed in full belly-dancing attire and gave an unforgettable demonstration to the judges.”
According to Plemmons, no student before or since Jackson’s graduating class has presented their project on the topic of belly dancing.
A couple of senior projects that are taking place this year include a student directed play and one student training to get her pilot’s license.
Senior Luke Sagaser is the co-director, along with senior Abby Methvin, of the student-produced winter play, “Julius Caesar.” Sagaser has been acting in Shakespearean plays for two years and describes the process of finalizing the play without much guidance from any teacher.
“I cut the script myself, but I’ve had a lot of assistance from my co-director and stage managers,” Sagaser said. “Letting this become my senior project definitely has been fun and everything has come together without much effort since I’m doing something I enjoy. Although I enjoy directing, after this I do plan on sticking to acting.”
The student directors cast a total of 18 students in the play, which includes theater arts teacher Sarah Leary.
English teacher Helen Smith said one of the more intriguing Graduation Projects that she’s seen was presented by a student that graduated last year.
“It was focused around a long, three-day hike through the Grand Canyon that was guided by a professional,” Smith said. “It started as simple local hiking and progressed to the more intense hike. Picking a topic that is cumbersome and overwhelming won’t be beneficial to the student, or the project.”
'Family man' lacks modern attraction
From stringing lights up on the roof to baking countless amounts of Christmas cookies, holiday traditions take on a variety of different forms.
Curling up on a cold December day and watching a Christmas movie is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.
One movie that may not be on the top of the family list of annual Christmas movies is “Family Man.” Directed by Brett Ratner, this movie highlights a fast-paced investment banker named Jack Campbell and played by Nicholas Cage.
Campbell’s life gets turned around one Christmas Eve, his lavish lifestyle and bachelor state-of-mind are traded in for a wife and the average suburban home.
Once he accepts his alternate experience as real, Campbell soon learns to appreciate his two children and marriage to his college-sweetheart. By the end of the film, he is forced to choose between the life he knew and the new life he’s come to love much more than he had ever expected.
“Family Man” was released on Dec. 22, 2002 and opened at No. 3 in North American box offices. During the opening weekend, it took in $15.1 million, and after 15 weeks, it grossed a total of $124,745,083.
All-in-all, the film lacked substance that could have made it more interesting. Multiple other Christmas movies have achieved the same concept with more interesting plot details than “Family Man.” The idea is overused, and the choice of actors to play the main characters was the only feature that positively contributed to the plot line.
Luckily, other holiday classics are always an option to get into the Christmas spirit with friends and family. The top ten highest grossing holiday films take on a wide variety of popular movies throughout the past several years.
“The Santa Clause 2,” “A Christmas Carol,” and “Four Christmases” a just a few of the popular festive movies that made it on the list.
The main thing that differentiates “Family Man” from these holiday classics is the unoriginal, shallow plot line that makes the movie blend in to the many forgotten Christmas-themed films.
But, if most of the movies mentioned above are ones that have been intensely overplayed, “Family Man” could be an easy watch for the whole family that steers away from the holiday routine.
Curling up on a cold December day and watching a Christmas movie is a great way to get into the holiday spirit.
One movie that may not be on the top of the family list of annual Christmas movies is “Family Man.” Directed by Brett Ratner, this movie highlights a fast-paced investment banker named Jack Campbell and played by Nicholas Cage.
Campbell’s life gets turned around one Christmas Eve, his lavish lifestyle and bachelor state-of-mind are traded in for a wife and the average suburban home.
Once he accepts his alternate experience as real, Campbell soon learns to appreciate his two children and marriage to his college-sweetheart. By the end of the film, he is forced to choose between the life he knew and the new life he’s come to love much more than he had ever expected.
“Family Man” was released on Dec. 22, 2002 and opened at No. 3 in North American box offices. During the opening weekend, it took in $15.1 million, and after 15 weeks, it grossed a total of $124,745,083.
All-in-all, the film lacked substance that could have made it more interesting. Multiple other Christmas movies have achieved the same concept with more interesting plot details than “Family Man.” The idea is overused, and the choice of actors to play the main characters was the only feature that positively contributed to the plot line.
Luckily, other holiday classics are always an option to get into the Christmas spirit with friends and family. The top ten highest grossing holiday films take on a wide variety of popular movies throughout the past several years.
“The Santa Clause 2,” “A Christmas Carol,” and “Four Christmases” a just a few of the popular festive movies that made it on the list.
The main thing that differentiates “Family Man” from these holiday classics is the unoriginal, shallow plot line that makes the movie blend in to the many forgotten Christmas-themed films.
But, if most of the movies mentioned above are ones that have been intensely overplayed, “Family Man” could be an easy watch for the whole family that steers away from the holiday routine.