Full EFFECT Titan Entertainment Guide
MUSIC: Chingy and Warren G light up the House of Blues MOVIE: Oscar nominees and predictions FOOD: Shabu-shabu treats its customers like family
February 24, 2005What’S Inside
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News Briefs Comedy- John Lovitz takes a Movies- "Hitch wins with witty one-liners "Constantine' worth the cash Flashback Favorite-Saved By the Bell Oscar predictions Music-Chingy and Warren G Musicrap to their own beat CD Review-Rebels songs similar in style Comeback Kid evokes emotion Fashion- Designer bags, a sign of status Food- Shabu Offers unique dining
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Full Effect FULL EFFECT EDITOR KYM PARSONS EXECUTIVE EDITOR MARTI LONGWORTH ADVERTISING SALES DIRECTOR KEVIN COOK PRODUCTION KYM PARSONS SEESON MAHATHAVORN, KEVIN COOK ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES DAISY NOELLE, KIMBERLY LEUNG CAN SENGEZER, JESSICA LEVENTHAL, VANESSA RUMBLES, RICK LEON
The Daily Titan 714.278.3373 Full Effect Editorial 714.278.5426 fulleffect@dailytitan.com Editorial Fax 714.278.4473 Full Effect Advertising 714.278.3373 ads@dailytitan.com Advertising Fax 714.278.2702 Full Effect , a student publication, is a supplemental insert for the Cal State Fullerton Daily Titan. It is printed every Thursday. The Daily Titan operates independently of Associated Students, College of Communications, CSUF administration and the CSU system. The Daily Titan has functioned as a public forum since inception. Unless implied by the advertising party or otherwise stated, advertising in the Daily Titan is inserted by commercial activities or ventures identified in the advertisements themselves and not by the university. Such printing is not to be construed as written or implied sponsorship, endorsement or investigation of such commercial enterprises. Copyright ©2004 Daily Titan
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Daily Titan February 24, 2005
The Buzz BY NIYAZ PIRANI Daily Titan Asst. News Editor
After 14 years of playing with Korn, guitarist Brian “Head” Welch has decided to leave the band. Headʼs decision came after weeks of speculation that he was unhappy with the direction the band is taking and has cited his moral obligations to Christianity as the main reason he is departing. In more possible breakup news, Blink-182 have confirmed that the band will be going on an “indefinite hiatus” so they can take the time to enjoy family life. Prepping for an April 12 release, Mudvayne recently announced a U.S. tour with Life of Agony, American Head Charge and Bloodsimple. West coast dates for the trek have yet to be revealed. If youʼve ever wanted to talk to Usher, Lindsay Lohan or Fred Durst, all you had to do was call. This past weekend, a hacker tapped in to Paris Hiltonʼs T-Mobile Sidekick and posted pictures, schedules and celebrity phone numbers on the Web. Although most celebrities have either turned off or changed their cell numbers by now, one can always thank Hilton with a “Paris Made Me Change My Number” t-shirt being sold online. Fans of the animated band Gorillaz donʼt have to wait much longer for the bandʼs second album. Danger Mouse has finished production on the untitled disc which has been slated for a March 24 release. The O.C.ʼs fourth mixtape installment will be on shelves April 5. The compilation will include a cover of “Champagne Supernova” by Matt Pond PA, “The View” by Modest Mouse and “Scarecrow” from Beckʼs upcoming album, Guero. DJ John Digweed has set March 8 as the date to drop his album Fabric 20. The DJ will follow up the release with a string of US dates in March to support the effort. Judas Priest has rejoined with Rob Halford and will release their first album with him in 14 years. The band is gearing up to deliver Angel of Retribution to their masses of Top 10 Pop Singles This Week Last Week 1. Mario No. 1 “Let Me Love You” (3rd Street/J) 2. Ciara feat. Missy Elliott No. 2 “1, 2 Step” (Shoʼnuff/LaFace) 3. Green Day No. 4 “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (Reprise) 4. The Game feat. 50 Cent No. 6 “How We Do” (Aftermath/GUnit) 5. 50 Cent No. 7 “Disco Inferno” (Shady/Aftermath) 6. Lil John & The Eastside Boyz No. 5 “Lovers and Friends” (BME) 7. Destinyʼs Child feat. T.I. & Lil Wayne No. 3 “Soldier” (Columbia) 8. 50 Cent feat. Olivia No. 30 “Candy Shop” (Shady/Aftermath) 9. Kelly Clarkson No. 9 “Since U Been Gone” (RCA) 10. Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell No. 8 “Drop It Like Itʼs Hot” (Doggystyle) Top 10 Albums 1. The Game No. 2 “The Documentary” (Aftermath/G-Unit) 2. Tina Turner new entry “All the Best” (Capitol) 3. Green Day No. 4 “American Idiot” (Reprise) 4. Kenny Chesney No. 1 “Be As You Are: Songs From an Old Blue Chair” (BNA) 5. John Legend No. 6 “Get Lifted” (Good Music/Columbia)
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fans on March 1. House of Blues, Anaheim will feature Dead Kennedys on Feb. 24. Duran Duran will be at Staples Center on Feb. 26. Writers Guild of America announced the winners of its annual prizes over the weekend. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind won best original screenplay and Super Size Me took best documentary honors. With Constantine as its only competition, Hitch has taken the top spot at the box office for the second week in a row. DVD releases for March 1 are Brady Bunch: The First Season, Exorcist: The Beginning and The Spongebob Squarepants Movie. CD releases for March 1 are In Between Dreams by Jack Johnson, Rebirth by Jennifer Lopez and Frances the Mute by the Mars Volta.
6. Motley Crue new entry “Red, White & Crue” (Hip-O/Motley) 7. Eminem No. 5 “Encore” (Shady/Aftermath) 8. Various Artists new entry “Grammy Nominees 2005” (Grammy) 9. Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz No. 7 “Crunk Juice” (BME) 10. Usher No. 9 “Confessions” (LaFace) Top 10 Hot Country Singles 1. Rascal Flatts No. 1 “Bless the Broken Road” (Lyric Street) 2. Keith Urban No. 3 “Youʼre My Better Half” (Capitol) 3. Brad Paisley No. 2 “Mud on the Tires” (Arista Nashville) 4. Josh Gracin No. 7 “Nothinʼ to Lose” (Lyric Street) 5. LeAnn Rimes No. 5 “Nothin ʻBout Love Makes Sense” (Asylum-Curb) 6. Alan Jackson No. 6 “Monday Morning Church” (Arista Nashville) 7. Reba McEntire No. 10 “He Gets That From Me” (MCA Nashville) 8. Blake Shelton No. 9 “Some Beach” (Warner Bros.) 9. Craig Morgan No. 13 “Thatʼs What I Love About Sunday” (Broken Bow) 10. Sugarland No. 11 “Baby Girl” (Mercury) (c) 2005 King Features Synd.,
Next week: Vin Diesel shows a softer side in 'The Pacifier'
INTERVIEW COMEDY
John Lovitz takes a stab at stand-up BY DESDEMONA BANDINI Daily Titan Staff
He has an unmistakable face that draws you in. It feels familiar and approachable and just his name alone creates an anticipation of laughter. He is John Lovitz, the man who created characters like Master Thespian and Hanukkah Harry during his five-season run on "Saturday Night Live" and is the voice behind the animated character Jay Sherman (based on himself) in the TV show "The Critic." He is John Lovitz, the movie star, who has appeared in movies such as “The Stepford Wives,” “Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star,” “Rat Race” and “City Slickers II: The Legend of Curlyʼs Gold.” Now, for the first time ever, he is John Lovitz, the stand-up comedian. Lovitz comes from a family of comedy prone doctors where he, his twin sister and three older sisters were raised in Encino, Calif. His father was one of the founding doctors of Tarzana hospital, and who loved to make people laugh and make prank phone calls to the hospital. Lovitz was a typical Jewish kid from the San Fernando Valley and though most people in his family
Laugh Factory
John Lovitz makes his stand-up debut at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood. His performances are every Wednesday at 8 p.m..
went on to become neurosurgeons and lawyers, he knew he wanted to his profession to involve the love of laughter that his family shared. He studied theater at UC Irvine, was member of the Groundlings comedy troupe and not long afterwards found his way to New York and "Saturday Night Live" where he excelled and established his career as a professional funnyman. Stand up comedy, however, is a completely new career move and something he has never tried before. His buddy Norm Macdonald pitched him on co-headlining some stand-up gigs and soon Lovitz was offered a weekly gig at The Laugh Factory in Hollywood. Currently, he is leaving his audience in stitches with his musical piano renditions of Beatles songʼs with lyrics he has replaced to explain how corn can cause odd bowel movements. “The thing I like about stand-up is that I can sit around my piano (he has been playing piano since age 8) and write these lovely funny tunes about pooping and make fun of my friends and then share them as a gift to the world,” Lovitz said. During his show he takes jabs at Republicans and Democrats and wonders out loud if John Kerry will have shot at a commercial future with Viagra like runner-up
Bob Doyle did. He laments about the horrors of going bald and finding grey pubic hairs comparing aging to decaying. With that unmistakable face, he is able to manipulate his audience into finding the humor in his point of view. Lovitz has often played the part of lecherous lothario, though he can count on his two fingers his big love scenes, the ones that were with Tia Carrere in "High School High" and Kim Basinger in "My Stepmother's an Alien." “I am so sick of hearing these stars complaining about doing love scenes and sitting in bed all day with beautiful women," Lovitz said. "Give me a break. I will take that job any day.” Lovitz was given advice about stand-up comedy from Johnny Carson, Seinfeld and Robin Williams. “Get to the punch line in the jokes quicker. Try out what you think is funny to you," he said. "I am always finding humor in things and then it snowballs from there and ends up in my act. It is all about timing and the set-up leading to the punch line. Cut the fat and get to the jokes quicker.” You can catch Lovitz hot new routine every Wednesday night at The Laugh Factory in Hollywood.
Daily Titan February 24, 2005
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MOVIE REVIEW
'Constantine' worth the cash BY MARK MEYERS Daily Titan Staff
Sony Pictures
Will Smith and Eva Mendes star in the new romantic comedy "Hitch," now playing in theaters.
'Hitch' wins with witty one-liners BY ANNA LOUSTAUNAU For the Daily Titan
Hitch…the cure for the common man. And woman? Columbia Pictures “Hitch” is a sweet success with witty oneliners and comical mishaps longremembered after the ending credits have rolled. The funny flick, starring sizzling Will Smith and sassy Eva Mendes, is one of the most refreshing and truthful stories displaying “every day life” since teen-angst sensation “Mean Girls,” its contents full of raw sentiment and humiliating hilarity. Taking place in New York, “Hitch” starts off with suave professional “date doctor,” Alex Hitchens, helping his latest client, clumsy Albert (James), woo famous actress Allegra Cole (Amber Valleta) through clever conversation and dating games. Intending for his occupation to be legendary, yet anonymous, Hitch lets his guard down when he comes across gossip column sweetie Sara (Eva Mendes), falling hard for her feisty character and literally making a fool of himself. When Sara discovers a smashing story opportunity, Hitch realizes that honesty, not games, can be the best way to a womanʼs heart and vows to be more open-minded about his clientsʼ quirky qualities than he had previously been. With comedic seafood sequences, sappy predictable lines and beautifully talented actors, “Hitch” has all the makings of a winning romantic comedy that teaches a positive message: “When it comes to dating, itʼs always better to just be yourself… your true bad dancing, stuttering, klutzy self. Thatʼs what will win them over in the end.” However, there was one po-
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tentially negative message displayed in “Hitchʼs” dialogue. Resembling past films “Two Can Play that Game” and “How to Be a Player,” “Hitch” first exhibits “game-playing” to be effective in dating, like when men use certain techniques to flirt with women and lure them past first base; but luckily, Smith saves the day in the end, teaching men new knowledge that “games should not define a personʼs character.” As always, Smith is simply charming as “ladies man” bachelor Hitch, giving viewers reminiscences of his “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” days, but adding more sophistication and maturity to his universally flirty role. In fact, itʼs Smith and (Kevin James) James together that are the triumphs of the film, as Smith was perfect for playing the “Date Doctor”, while James added a unique flair of attraction to his character Albert, revealing tenderness through his awkward actions. But Mendes was a wonderfully spicy addition to the cast as well, by her exotic appeal and mischievous mind. There was never a time where one could predict what her next actions would be or whether she would chuckle or sob. Valleta was also unforgettable, with her ability to disclose a secret shy side to her usual spunky onscreen self, perhaps for the first time in her film career. “Hitch” was a vivacious victory for singles, couples, friends and family in its ability to cause viewers to choke with laughter and shed a tear in minutes of each other. Purely, it was the modern fairy tale that we have been seeking since “The Notebook,” complete through humor, love and aptitude all tied up into one big red bow.
Daily Titan February 24, 2005
A wager between God and Lucipher, one “man” against an army of demons and a Gavin Rossdale sighting, what more could you want for $9.50? Putting aside the consensus says that Keanu Reeves has the acting skills of a piece of cardboard; "Constantine" is a movie that at the very least will not make you feel as though you wasted money. Based on the D.C. Comics cult favorite “Hellblazer,” "Constantine" introduces the viewer to John Constantine (Keanu Reeves), a demonologist/exorcist who has been stuck in the battle between heaven and hell with his own motives at heart. Enter Angela, played effortlessly by Rachel Weisz, a Los Angeles detective who is investigating the apparent suicide of her identical twin sister Isabelle; a suicide that
doesnʼt sit well. Angela seeks out Constantine because of his reputation for dealing with the supernatural. She starts off as the typical cynic who needs a few meetings with demons and supernatural occurrences to realize what the audience has already known. Constantine is in a world of hurt himself, as he is diagnosed with terminal cancer from a smoking habit that isnʼt deterred by his sickness and fighting constant battles to “win” his way into Godʼs good graces in an attempt to reverse his already guaranteed trip to hell. The story gets interesting as it becomes more apparent that Isabelleʼs suicide has much deeper implications. Apparently, God and Lucipher have placed a wager on who can claim the most souls without any direct action, meaning neither demons nor angels can cross over to the mortal realm to influence the human population. When it becomes obvious that
demons are in fact crossing over, Constantine and Angela try to link Isabelleʼs death to a much bigger plan that involves Lucipherʼs son and an ancient relic called the “Spear of Destiny” that grants its bearer unequaled power. What ensues is a moderately action packed whirl through the demonic underground with notable performances by Djimon Hounsou as Poppa Midnight, Shia LaBeouf as Constantineʼs young book smart sidekick, and a menacing Gavin Rossdale as Balthazar. There are some mildly surprising twists at the end of the movie, with an excellent portrayal of Lucipher by Peter Stormare of Fargo fame. "Constantine" can be classified as a fun movie with heavy religious overtones. So if supernatural thrillers are your thing, you will not be disappointed, if they arenʼt, you will at the very least not feel like a bored spectator.
Flashback Favorite
School was never so cool BY MAHSA KHALILIFAR Daily Titan Staff
When I wake up in the morning and the alarm gives out a warning, I don't think I'll ever make it on time. By the time I grab my books and I give myself a look, I'm at the corner just in time to see the bus fly by. It's all right, cuz I'm Saved By the Bell. Come on admit it, that catchy tune still plays in most of our minds from time to time, and the show that accompanied it gave us many years of laughs and memories that we still recall today. Saturday mornings haven't quite been the same since "Saved By the Bell," a show about six high school students and their principal came on the scene in the early '90s and gave teens something to look forward to each week. Now, I am not talking about the first episodes with Ms. Bliss or "Saved By the Bell: The New Class" (anybody else think that was a horrible decision?) or even "Saved By the Bell: The College Years," (although those were decent), I am talking about the original one where you still remember all the episodes and every cast member's name. Zack, Kelly, Lisa, Slater, Screech, Jessie and Mr. Belding all became a mainstay in many of our lives and for those that had yet to reach what seemed like the fun world of higher education craved walking the hallways of Bayside High with the gang. Each character had their own quirks and common characteristics, so that each viewer found someone to relate to. Zack, the hot guy in school, was the one who was a big class clown, but was charismatic andgave us many laughs (do you remember that cell phone?!). For people who did not prefer the blonde cutie, there was A.C. Slater- the dimple-faced muscular wrestler. Slater's adorable smile and great body made many adolescent girls swoon. Then there was Screech. Are you smiling…even a little? That is because you remember how much we were all annoyed by the nerdy and scrawny guy, yet we still loved him for his good intentions.
Of all the characters Kelly was among the favorites. What girl did not want to be Kelly for her great style and what guy did not want to date the beautiful brunette? She was the popular cheerleader that for some reason you could not help but like. Lisa Turtle, the fashionista of the group (anyone else think her fashion sense was a little bit wacky?) stirred things up as well. It was just cool to see what she would wear next and how her relationship with Screech would falter. Jessie Spano, the intelligent feminist of the group made us yearn for her smarts rather than for her stance on life, yet brought us entertaining moments and her relationship with Slater (although dysfunctional many of times) had a lot of us envious. Although other series spun off from "Saved By the Bell," nothing beat out the chemestry of the original six. Luckily, we never have to say goodbye to them and many of our other "Saved By The Bell" memories. Now, with "Saved By the Bell" DVD's and cable reruns we can take a moment to walk through the halls of Bayside in the comfort of our homes. Many of us are thankful for that and know we're alright, because we're "Saved by the Bell."
OSCARS FILM
BY REINA V. SLUTSKE Daily Titan Staff
The Oscars are said to be the ultimate salute to last year in movies. A tribute to the graces of cinema, this little golden statue has been the symbol of great achievement in the media of film. Some of the best actors out there have not gotten their statues yet, and some havenʼt even been nominated for one. And some of the most provocative and strong films from last year arenʼt even nominated. Here are our Oscar picks in the top six categories, specially for your office pool: BEST PICTURE: Aviator, Finding Neverland, Million Dollar Baby, Ray, Sideways. WHO WILL WIN: Tough call. Usually, the safest bet is for the movie with the most nominations (Aviator, the Howard Hughes biopic, with 11), but Million Dollar Baby, about a boxer and her trainer, has been raising the stakes. Sideways is a quirky movie, but the Academy hate quirks. Ray, the Ray Charlesʼ biopic. is all about Jamie Foxx, and Finding Neverland, the J.M. Barrie biopic, is just too sentimental. But I expect that Aviator will pull through in the end. WHO SHOULD WIN: Aviator. Just give Scorcese his Oscar already. BEST DIRECTOR: Martin Scorcese (Aviator), Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby), Taylor Hackford (Ray), Alexander Payne (Sideways), Mike Leigh (Vera Drake) WHO WILL WIN: Expect a split between Scorcese and Eastwood. In this case, Eastwood will take the cake, and will give Scorcese the best picture Oscar. Eastwoodʼs only been getting better, and this will prove his worth. WHO SHOULD WIN: Martin Scorcese, if only for the fact for four lost nominations and a legacy of amazing films. BEST ACTOR: Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda), Johnny Depp (Finding Neverland), Leonardo DiCaprio (Aviator), Clint Eastwood (Million Dollar Baby), Jamie Foxx (Ray) WHO WILL WIN: Jamie Foxx. It is possibly the most buzzed about performance of the year. It doesnʼt hurt that the late great Ray Charles won eight Grammy awards a couple weeks ago just on sentimentality, either. This is the only sure thing this year. WHO SHOULD WIN: Jamie Foxx. But any other year, it would have been Leonardo DiCaprio on that stage. Aviator proved to the world that, yes, the pretty boy can act. BEST ACTRESS: Annette Benning (Being Julia), Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria Full of Grace), Imelda Staunton (Vera Drake), Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby), Kate Winslet (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) WHO WILL WIN: Itʼs a race between Annette and Hilary again. Iʼm betting if one of
OSCAR PICKS
those women will win, it will be Annette, but donʼt be surprised about an upset. I think out of all those women for a potential upset, Winslet will steal it away from them. WHO SHOULD WIN: Winslet. She has four nominations under her belt at the age of 30, and her performance in this movie was stellar. She should already have one by now. BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Alan Alda (Aviator), Jamie Foxx (Collateral), Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby), Thomas Haden Church (Sideways), Clive Owen (Closer) WHO WILL WIN: Thatʼs a great question. Other than Foxx, itʼs anyoneʼs game right now. Each has gotten their own recognition and each is incredibly talented. But my money is going on either Alan Alda or Morgan Freeman. Both have been jipped, but my favor is heading more towards Freeman. WHO SHOULD WIN: Freeman. BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Cate Blanchett (Aviator), Laura Linney (Kinsey), Virginia Madsen (Sideways), Sophie Okenedo (Hotel Rwanda), Natalie Portman (Closer) WHO WILL WIN: Enough buzz hasnʼt risen for Okenedo to come above, and Sideways was a boyʼs movie. Linney, although consistently good, just isnʼt high profile enough in this category. Portman and Blanchett will go neck and neck, but Blanchett will probably get the edge. Although donʼt underestimate Portman: her character is a stripper, and the Academy has a fetish for women in the role of sex workers. WHO SHOULD WIN: Blanchett. Sheʼs wise beyond her years, her performance was exceptional, and should already have an Oscar. There are always those people overlooked by the Academy. Here are some that should have been nominated: PICTURE: “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.” You see it, and it will stick with you forever. Too daring for the academy, but moviegoers will remember this one for a long time. DIRECTOR: Zach Braff, “Garden State.” This film seemed to be the perfect Oscar film, the little movie that could. Too bad it was released during the summer. Zach Braffʼs direction is understated, sweet and funny. The film of a new generation, this movie didnʼt get a single nomination. It could have at least gotten one for its script. ACTOR: Jim Carrey, “Eternal Sunshine.” As his heartbreaking turn as Joel, the lover of bold Clementine, you fall in love with Carrey. He should have already gotten his statue for Truman Show. But once again, he has been jipped. ACTRESS: Uma Thurman, "Kill Bill Vol. 2." She should never work without Tarantino, because she does the best work. The Bride was a full-fledged, developed character by the end of the saga, and she should have at least gotten a nomination for the effort.
Daily Titan February 24, 2005
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MUSIC REVIEW
Comeback Kid evokes emotion BY SHANNON HEWKIN Daily Titan Staff
Comeback Kid will save hardcore music. The Canadian bandʼs March 2003 release of Turn It Around proved that the latest incarnation of the hardcore scene has the potential to inspire, evoke emotion and be more than simply runway music for guys sporting tight jeans, cadet hats and too much eyeliner. The bandʼs sophomore effort, Wake the Dead, walks the same line as Turn It Around, but opts to turn down the guitar feedback a notch in favor of a slightly more restrained sound.
For Comeback Kid fans, warming up to Wake the Dead will be an easy transition. The new album relies on the same hard, fast, rhythm-driven sound as the last, and continues to use group vocals and repetition to emphasize lyrics. Much like Turn It Around, Wake the Dead is packed with anthems and sing-alongs. The title track is a call to action. With lyrics like, “Iʼll kick and scream-letʼs break this hold,” Comeback Kid embodies the “us against them” sentiment used by many bands in the hardcore scene, but somehow makes it heartfelt and believable. Taking cues from the straightahead punk-rooted hardcore of the '80s and early '90s, the sound on Wake the Dead separates the band from the more heavy metal-influenced hardcore lumped into the same genre. The simplicity in the sound and the earnestness of the lyrics make this album stand out from other bands in the scene. In fact, the album doesnʼt stray
Rebels songs similar in style BY JASON KEHLER Daily Titan Staff
from the sound that gained them fans the first time around, making the album even more likeable. With hardcore music being touted for the past two years as the “next big scene,” many bands in this genre struggle to find a niche and change their sound to separate themselves from other similar bands. Comeback Kid proves that you donʼt have to reinvent the wheel or your band in order to stay interesting, talented or popular. The 11-song album ends much the same as Turn It Around did fading away, the faint and haunting squeals of guitar feedback leaving those who enjoyed this CD as much as I did marveling at how much energy and emotion is expended listening to a truly powerful album.
The River City Rebels offer throwback-punk rock with a horns section and emotional lyrics on the bandʼs latest disc Hate to Be Loved. The 12-song album is a quick journey through sex, alcohol and rock ʻnʼ roll. The band stays relatively consistent with their sound, keeping it upbeat with punk-rock-rhythms, highlighted with a trombone and tenor sax. A couple of songs take on a ʻ50s rock ʻnʼ roll sound complete with fast-paced piano. The lyrics in general tell their own story, but the songs, which range from just over two minutes to about four minutes in length, are not very in-depth. Many lines are repeated several times which gets a little annoying and takes away from the song. Despite the majority of the
songs sounding very similar to each other, some songs on the CD jump out. The song that stands out the most is “I Wilt,” where the singer describes not being able to live without his love and opens with “Slit my wrist, watch the blood run down.” The album is book-marked with two love ballads about an ex-girlfriend, who seems to be the major inspiration for all of the songs. The first is a slow-paced song with spoken lyrics, and the last an acoustic song with violins. However, it is not all sad-emo-lyrics. “Her New Man” is a very humorous revenge song about an ex-girlfriend, where the girlfriend confesses that her new man just canʼt please her like he can. The CD is hard to like but also hard to hate. River City Rebels do, however, have a fairly unique sound in a genre where everyone sounds the same.
Chingy, Warren G rap to their own beat BY MAHSA KHALILIFAR Daily Titan Staff
Drinking, smoking, good music, half-naked girls shaking their behinds and a posse of men in the background…no not another MTV video, it's a Chingy concert. With no set list and no elaborate stage show, a drink in one hand and a microphone in the other, Chingy and Warren G lit up the Anaheim House of Blues Stage last Friday night for a crowd of restless yet excited hip-hop fans. When the doors opened at 7 p.m., the restless crowd started to make their presence known and chanted in unison "Chingy, Chingy," (as others said they just
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Daily Titan February 24, 2005
wanted to see their future baby's daddy, referring to the St. Louis rapper), while others of us wondered why we had showed up so early for what was said to be an 8 p.m. appearance. When the show finally started a little past 9 p.m., the audience screamed and hands flew. For unsuspected newbies to the venue, no assigned seating and general admission meant once the curtain opened, you would have to fight your way to the front, deal with the lack of air and plant your feet for dear life. As Warren G came out, screams, waving hands and utter respect for the seasoned rapper roared through the place. With nothing more than what
looked like a gym outfit, a cup filled with what he said was Hennessy and an entourage of men who were smoking in the background, Warren G sang all his famous hits and opened the show up. Giving the crowd tracks they wanted to hear like "I Want it All" and his '94 hit "Regulate," he excited many of his fans who waved their hands up in unison. Singing the most recent hit from his group 213 (which includes Nate Dogg and Snoop Dog), Groupie Luv, almost everyone in the venue were singing and dancing along with him. As he ended his short set of around six or seven songs, the crowd clapped and everyone looked at each other smiling and pumped up. As the curtains on the stage suddenly closed up again though, the crowd booed and the happiness from Warren G's performance seemed to quickly fade away like the smoke that had filled the stage moments earlier. Minutes later, the crowd went wild again as the lights dimmed and Mr. Powerballin himself came out to really start the festivities. Chingy looked like he had just stepped out of his CD cover - donning a yellow bandana, baseball hat, and his signature sparkling Chingy necklace along with other blinding bling. Singing songs, like "Fall-N," and 26 's with his signature country twang, the rapper has made famous, the audience went back into
hyper mode and forgot about their exhaustion. His show looked more like a street performance with a DJ rather than a multi-million dollar production with real dancers as you would see at other rap shows. As some ladies raised their hands in hopes of being picked up to go on stage and "Make That Ass Talk," as Chingy would put it, many were questioning the point of it all. At times the show looked more like a raunchy, cheap rap video rather than a concert people had paid to see. His performances of "Leave Wit Me" (which features R. Kelly on the album) and the Janet Jackson duet "Don't Worry" brought the crowd back into it though and pleased his fans that were there for the music. Trying to score a touch with the famous rapper or attempting to grab one of his few towels thrown off stage, girls continued to sing to the words of his hits from his first album such as "Holidae Inn" and "One Call Away" and the 2003 debut single that made Chingy a household name: "Right Thurr." The show was short and many were surprised by the amount of time Chingy actually performed. The hour and a half show kept people waiting around after it was over and wanting more. Although the show set-up was mediocre, the music was decent and to see the rapper up-close and personal was almost worth the price of admission.
FASHION PITSTOP
STYLE SCOUT
SALOME’S STARS ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Change is still dominant for Rams and Ewes, both in the workplace and their private lives. This is also a good time to look at a possible relocation if that has been one of your goals. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Doing things for others is what you do well. But donʼt forget that Bovines thrive on the arts, so make some time for yourself to indulge your passion for music and artistic expressions. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) While the Romantic Twin considers where to go for his or her upcoming vacation, the Practical Twin will start making travel plans now to take advantage of some great bargains. CANCER (June 21 to
July 22) Your sensitive nature helps you deal with a difficult emotional situation. Be patient and continue to show your sincere support wherever (and for whomever) it is needed. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Youʼre making progress as you move through some unfamiliar territory. And while there might be a misstep or two along the way, overall youʼre heading in the right direction. Good luck. VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Some good news arrives -- and just in time to remind you that youʼre making progress. Perhaps things arenʼt moving as quickly as youʼd prefer, but theyʼre moving nevertheless. LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) This is a good week to step back
and assess the facts that have recently emerged to see where they can be used to your advantage. Also, donʼt hesitate to make changes where necessary. SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) You should begin to experience some support from those who now agree with your point of view. This should help counter the remaining objections from die-hard skeptics. SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to December 21) Donʼt let your aim be deflected by trivial matters as you try to resolve a confusing situation. Take time to find and thoroughly assess the facts before making any decision. CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) The possibility of moving to another location has come
up. But before you dismiss it as unworkable, itʼs worth checking out just in case it does have some merit after all. AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) New relationships -- personal or work-related -- show mixed signals. Best to assume nothing. Let things play themselves out until you have something substantive to work with. PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Your ability to make needed changes without causing too much, if any, negative ripple effect comes in handy when dealing with a sensitive matter either on the job or in the family.
(c) 2005 King Features Synd., Inc.
TRIVIA TEST By Fifi Rodriguez
1. TELEVISION: On TVʼs “M*A*S*H,” what was Radar OʼReillyʼs job? 2. ENTERTAINERS: What was the first name of the actor/father of Lynn and Vanessa Redgrave? 3. SCIENCE: To what do Kirchhoffʼs Laws apply? 4. GEOGRAPHY: Vilnius is the capital of what country? 5. LITERATURE: Who wrote the classic “Little House on the Prairie”? 6. MUSIC: The composer Tchaikovsky died and songwriter Cole Porter was born in what year? 7. HISTORY: Who was elected governor of Louisiana in 1928? 8. MOVIES: Who directed the 1951 movie “Strangers on a Train”? 9. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What do you call a group of hens? 10. MONEY: What is the basic monetary unit in Egypt?
ANSWER TO CROSSWORD WILL APPEAR IN NEXT WEEK’S FULL EFFECT
Answers 1. Company clerk, 2. Michael, 3. Electrical circuits, 4. Lithuania 5. Laura Ingalls Wilder, 6. 1893, 7. Huey Long, 8. Alfred Hitchcock, 9. A brood, 10. Piaster
Designer bags, Designer a sign of status BY KELLY HICKMAN Daily Titan Columnist
I have a bag. It s small, cute and made of genuine leather with the letters LV plastered everywhere. Its interior has a red velvety texture and after three years it still smells brand new. My Louis Vuitton bag used to go with me everywhere. I'd bring it to school, work, shopping ventures and usually to nocturnal outings with friends. Louis and I were inseparable. Like a crazy woman every night I'd tuck it into its original box emblazoned with its name on the exterior only to take it out the next morning. Temporarily psychotic, maybe. In late 2003 it seemed almost everyone was seen carrying a designer bag, whether it was Louis, Dooney & Bourke, Coach, Gucci or Prada. It was all the rage. As I walked through the halls of school I would look at others bags and wonder, Is it real? I remember being asked several times if my bag was real to which I would answer yes. And that's what makes me wonder. Why do we live in a society where we're labeled by the labels we wear? Why does having a designer bag give a person a sense of status appeal? Only the person who is carrying the bag knows if it s real and how much it costs. I have a friend who spent over a grand, (yes, a thousand dollars) on a Balenciaga bag. She spends so much money on designer bags that in fact, the people at Bloomingdale's call her once they've received new bags they know she'd love. Apparently you don't have to be Jennifer Lopez to get house calls from lavish department stores. But I also have friends who are just as happy with their cheap imitation bags that look surprisingly close to the real thing. Another friend two years ago went on a trip with her family to China where she came back with an imitation Louis. She recalled going into the marketplace with vendors asking, Do you want a real or fake one? Obviously, all of what they' re offering is fake, but she happily paid for the fake. Now, two years later, I unfortunately don't even use my Louis anymore. The bag doesn't come out of its box. And I must admit spending hundreds of dollars on a bag and not using it anymore, is a waste of money. It s like buying a car and not driving it. So, I ve come to the realization that there is nothing wrong with wearing a designer fake. If it makes you feel good about yourself, then do it. I mean, if you can afford it, more power to you, but if the same $700 can be spent on a car payment or college tuition, so be it. Don't get me wrong, I still salivate over designer bags and if the moment arises and I feel like rewarding myself, I might consider purchasing another, but for now I tag along with me a metallic hobo bag that resembles a $400 designer original for which I paid a measly $30. I don' t care if it looks like a knockoff. I'm just happy that once I eventually get tired of wearing it, I won't have the same guilt I felt when I retired my Louis. Kelly Hickman is a print journalism major. Catch her column every Thursday in Full Effect.
(c) 2005 King Features Synd., Inc.
Daily Titan February 24, 2005
FULL EFFECT
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FOOD REVIEW
Shabu offers unique dining BY NICK COOPER Daily Titan Staff
From Genghis Kahn in China to Osaka, Japan and now to Orange County, the shabu-shabu or “hot pot” method of cooking is offering more diners a delicious way to enjoy their food. Shabu-shabu, which literally means “swish, swish,” is a style ofcooking that first came to Orange County in 1997 with the opening of California Shabu-shabu on the corner of Brookhurst St. and Garfield St. in Fountain Valley. Taka Itoyama, the owner of the restaurant (and the owner of the second ever shabu restaurant in Los Angeles County),
explained that this was a different concept from the original shabu in Japan, which can run up to $100 a plate. He said that when he emigrated from Japan 14 years ago, he wanted to make it more affordable and so he offers lunches under $20 and dinners ranging from $15 to $30. This is an excellent deal when one considers what that money gets. After walking into Calif. Shabu-shabu, customers take a place at a long bar with pots of boiling water in front of each seat. The meal is started with an appetizer of Japanese pickles. Also, two sauces, one for meat and one for vegetables, are
placed in front of each person along with a bowl of steamed white rice. These sauces can be seasoned with Yamasa soy sauce, chili flakes, green onions, chopped garlic and sweet horseradish. At Shabu, the customer is given the chance to become the chef, which some find troublesome and others enjoy because they can easily customize their meals. Next, the customer gets a plate of vegetables which includes cabbage, spinach, carrots, noodles and a choice of meat from beef, chicken, shrimp, mussels, scallops or kobe beef (when it is in season). All of the food is served raw and the customer then puts
the food in the boiling water, swishes it around until it is done (a few seconds for meat, a few minutes for vegetables), seasons it to taste and then enjoys it on the plate of rice. Shabu-Shabu has an amazingly friendly atmosphere. First-time customers are guided through their meals either by Itoyama himself, or one of his helpful employees such as like Heidi Herolde. "Itʼs not like a regular restaurant. Everyoneʼs got each otherʼs back and the boss really makes a difference,” Herolde said. Shabu-Shabuʼs unique experience, tasty and healthy food and exceptiona staff make it a great place to eat!
GABRIEL ALONSO/ Daily Titan
Book sheds new light on college BY NICK COOPER Daily Titan Staff
We all have our stories and our hardships while we search to find ourselves. And that is no exception for Edward Zanni, the 17-year-old main character of Marc Acitoʼs debut book, “How I Paid for College: A Novel of Sex, Theft, Friendship,
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Daily Titan February 24, 2005
and Musical Theater.” It is hard to describe the zany antics of “How I Paid for College,” but to put it bluntly it is the flamboyant ranting of a humor columnist turned author. If you take one defiled Buddha lawn ornament, add in a pinch of clergymen impersonation, a dash of fraud and embezzlement, you will have the ingredients of Acitoʼs novel and the funniest books I have read all year. Edward is a semi-popular kid in his high school. He has an attractive girlfriend, a loud-mouthed best friend and all the other cliché stuff that high school coming of age stories include. What separates this book from other coming of age stories is the humor and unique attitudinal characters that retain the warm fuzzy feelings that make the reader genuinely care
about the fictional personalities. Shortly after his father remarries, Edwardʼs “wicked” stepmother takes control and ruins his plans to go to Julliard. He has no choice but to steal the money from his father in an elaborate scheme involving his many conspiratorial friends. His search for misappropriated funds brings Edward and his friends to impersonate clergy, establish a false scholarship, and nearly blackmail the son of a politician. Add in the twists and turns of some three way relationships and the nostalgia of some early ʻ80s references and you have “How I Paid for College.” Acitoʼs colorful and wacky writing style is an enjoyment for a quick easy read for the busy college student looking for a fun book to procrastinate over.
