The Southern Berks News

‘Warcraft’

- By DanO’Neill Columnist ReadingFil­m

Regardless of how good the video games are, almost always, the movie adaptation­s tend not to work out so well. However, “Warcraft” does everything that fans of the game have come to love and expect; there’s action, magic, Orcs and all sorts of other fantasy that made the game such a draw in the first place.

The story itself is quite simple; two sides (one human, the other, Orcs), all battle against one another. Director Duncan Jones, son of the late David Bowie, knows how to craft visuals in a unique way, even if the story isn’t always there. Still, people will know what they’re getting themselves into with “Warcraft,” which is why it’s fine as is.

Could have been better, but then again, so could have every other video game adaptation.

2 out of 5 stars

Dan O’Neill is currently a journalism student at Temple University. He can be reached at tuf73940@temple.edu.

The ReadingFil­m office and the Greater Reading Alliance of Community Theatres are excited to announce a partnershi­p that will create a temporary part time staff position to provide administra­tive support to the ReadingFil­m Office, ReadingFil­mFEST and Greater Reading Alliance of Community Theatres.

According to Santo D. Marabella, Film Commission­er, ReadingFil­m, which is a program of Go Greater Reading, “This collaborat­ive arrangemen­t will be a wonderful boost for both organiza- tions because the skill set needed for the position is so similar.” Marabella explains that knowledge of the Greater Reading community, social media, program coordinati­on and keen administra­tive abilities describe the primary staff needs for the film office and theater alliance. Plus, he continues, “pooling the limited resources of both organizati­ons enables us to offer a slightly more respectabl­e level of compensati­on.”

The person selected will report directly to Mara- bella, but will receive direction and assignment­s from representa­tives of both organizati­ons. The successful candidate will enjoy a fast-paced, highenergy, multi-focused work environmen­t and tasks. An authentic appreciati­on and enjoyment of film and theatre, commitment to the cultural and economic growth of Greater Reading and a good sense of humor are required personal qualities. The position will terminate Dec. 30, 2016, but an extension might be possible if fund- ing is available and needs are present.

Individual­s interested in applying for the job, which is currently a sixmonth position, should send their resume and a cover letter to Dr. Santo D. Marabella, ReadingFil­m, 2525 N. 12th Street, Suite 101, Reading, PA 19605. Go Greater Reading encourages applicatio­ns from all qualified individual­s, and is committed to employing people who represent diverse background­s. The deadline for applying is July 1, 2016. would have felt for being In the mid-1700s, aucchosen last! It was illegal tions were held in taverns to sell a daughter other and coffeehous­es daily, than at this yearly auction. with catalogs printed

During the Roman Emahead of the items being sold for $10,000.” pire, auctions were held sold. Some of the early and

“One time a family came to pay off people’s estates famous auctions houses late with a punch bowl called “atrium auctionara­re the oldest in Sweden, they felt wasn’t worth anyium.” This same procedure the Stockholm Auction thing. It turned out to be was used by soldiers afHouse, in 1674, Sotheby’s, white carnival glass and ter a military victory. The in 1744, and Christie’s, in sold for $2,000.” “spoils of war” to be auc1766 - both in New York.

Tracy’s last story: “The tioned were usually surAuction­s in America date people that do the bidrounded by a spear in the back to the 1600s when the ding have different forms ground, called “sub hasia” Pilgrims auctioned off beaof bidding. One woman (under the spear). ver pelts, crops, imports, told us, if her hat is on, An unusual Roman Auclivesto­ck and more. she’s still bidding; if it’s tion, in 193 A.D., was when Similar to the Roman off, she’s not bidding. Or it the emperor’s Praetorian soldiers auctioning their could be a person’s hand Guard, after killing the “spoils of war” were the in his pocket, means he’s emperor and plundering American Civil War Coloin; if out, he’s done bidthe area, placed the entire nels, who with their loud ding. Even winks work.” Roman Empire on the aucbooming voices, were al

After chatting with tion block for the highest lowed to sell land and Tracy, I can well underbidde­r. items they acquired in batstand thetle.companymot­to:Therearedi­fferent “It’s Fair, It’s Fast, It’s types of auctions, such as he Great Depression Fun!” ascending or descending (1929-1939) slowed down

And now for some hisauction (bidder competes the auctions, since no one tory. Auctions have existed by bidding higher or starthad money to buy things. for some 2,500 years and ing the bid high and going After World War II (1939contin­ue to be in demand, lower), or live auction, and 1945), the country bound where customers gather at the closed bid auction. back and auctions were local auctions, or even onHere are a few of the again thriving. Auctions line, to buy merchandis­e different ways auctions are were a great way to sell by bidding against each held in different countries: items or property within a other until the higher bid During the 17th and few hours, instead of trais reached. The term “auc18th century, in England, ditional ways. tion” comes from the Latin there were candle aucBy the 20th century, “auction,” which means tions, where a candle was auction schools began. The “to increase.” lit. If your bid was the earliest on record is the

The earliest auctions rehighest by the time the Jones’ National School of corded are from the Greek candle extinguish­ed itself, Auctioneer­ing and Orahistori­an, Herodotus (C. you received the item. tory, in Davenport, Iowa, 484-424 B.C.), who travIn the Netherland­s, datin 1906. There they not eled extensivel­y and wrote ing back to 1887, fruit and only learned the complexabo­ut his findings. In Babvegetab­le growers allowed ities of items and Real Esylon (now Iraq), in 500 buyers to bid on their tate, but also how to projB.C., Herodotus recorded goods through auctions. In ect their voices to huge that auctions were held the same way, fishermen crowds. Historians have annually for unmarried in North Holland and Gerfound auctioneer­s using women to be purchased many used auctions to sell this kind of singing chant by men, by bidding, on the their fish, which gave them for centuries. condition of marriage afmore freedom to actually Today, through the develter the purchase. The aucfish. Still, the Japanese opment of technology - the tioneer chose the most athave a system of simultaint­ernet, e-bay, computers tractive women first on neous bids for selling fish, and smart phones - we can down to the least. Imagusing hand signals for the participat­e from the comine how awful “the least” auctioneer. fort of our homes in Kutztown, Hamburg or across the ocean in England, and enjoy the wonderful world of bidding, for that one item we can’t resist.

Carole Christman Koch grew up in Berks County and has been published in numerous publicatio­ns. She has a passion for writing and has many stories from growing up on a farm to everyday stories.

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