March 9, 2006
Music, Movies and More
Philadelphia
The
Story
NOW PLAYING AT CSUF
Chapelle Pumps Up the Volume
‘Daxter’ Takes Gamers Back To Basics
Entertainment News, Fashion Tips and More...
MARCH 9, 2006
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INSIDE
T H E B U Z Z @ DA I LY T I TA N . C O M
THE BUZZ
CONTENTS 02 Entertainment News Top 10 iPod Downloads 03 Video Game Review 04 ‘The Philadelphia Story’ Hit Debut Flashback Fa Favorite 06 Chapelle Pumps up Volume On The Cover: “The Philadelphia Story” staring Hannah Baumhove as Tracy Lord and Peter Weidman as Sandy Lord/ Photo provided by Jim Volz/ Page designed by Danielle Torricelli.
THE BUZZ ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR Dianika Abbott EXECUTIVE EDITOR Nicole M. Smith DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Can Sengezer ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Emily Alford PRODUCTION Dianika Abbott Danielle Torricelli ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Kimberly Leung The Daily Titan 714.278.3373 The Buzz Editorial 714.278.5426 thebuzz@dailytitan.com Editorial Fax 714.278.4473 The Buzz Advertising 714.278.3373 ads@dailytitan.com Advertising Fax 714.278.2702 The Buzz , a student publication, is a supplemental insert for the Cal State Fullerton Daily Titan. It The 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 ©2006 Daily Titan
INSIDE By Mahsa Khalilifar Daily Titan Columnist
Hollywood was partying it up this weekend, as the Oscars showed up at an earlier time and surprised some viewers. Now that things are back to normal in the crazed celebrity world, we continue with real life and some real celebrity news … Dana Reeves, more famously known as the deceased actor Christopher Reeves’ wife, died on Monday. The 44-year-old widow, mother and non-smoker died from lung cancer … Teri Hatcher confesses to have been sexually abused when she was 5-year-old.
The actress - star of “Desperate Housewives” - told magazine “Vanity Fair” about the abuse she received from her uncle Richard Hayes Stone. After a girl her uncle abused committed suicide in 2002, Hatcher testified, giving her account, and Stone was sentenced to 14 years … Baseball star Kirby Puckett died at the beginning of this week of a stroke. The 45-yearold former player of the Minnesota Twins was a popular All-Star, 10 times over … Only after less than two weeks in announcing his pick, “Bachelor” star Travis Stork is still the Bachelor. Him and his pick Sarah Stone are no longer the happy couple viewers saw last week at the final rose ceremony. They both claim to still be friends though but blame the show and the “baggage” that came with it, as the cause of their break-up… Uma Thurman and her boyfriend Andre Balazs are no longer the
handsome couple. After Thurman shower up at the Oscars, rumors of the break-up went around but it was not confirmed until early this week … New CD releases of the week include Van Morrison’s Pay the Devil … Reggae artist Matisyahu’s Youth… hip-hop boy Juvenile’s Reality Check … singer James Hunter’s People Gonna Talk … New DVD releases include the novels-turned-movie series “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” (Harry Potter 4)… Jake Gyllenthall in “Jarhead”… Ryan Reynolds in “Just Friends.” Celebrity gossip of the week: Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes naming their first-born Hubbard? Possibly true? Are Kristin Cavallari from the MTV hit show “Laguna Beach” and Nick Lachey, Jessica Simpson’s former hubby, hanging out as more than friends? … Stay tuned for that and more in the next Inside Buzz ….
TOP 10 IPOD DOWNLOADS By Mahsa Khalilifar Daily Titan Columnist
The Buzz is your source for the most updated trends going on in the music industry and where would we be today without the ever so popular and trendy iPod? In darker times so for you iPod fanatics out there: shuffle, nano,
mini etc. (we don’t discriminate)... Here is the list of the top 10 downloads according to www. Apple.com for the week, some pop, hip-hop and everything else in between … Happy listening! 1. Newcomer Ne-Yo’s “So Sick” 2. “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter 3. Sean Paul’s “Temperature” 4. “You’re Beautiful” By James
Blunt 5. T-Pain & Mike Jones’ “I’m N Luv (Wit a Stripper)” 6. “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield 7. Sheryl Criw & Sting “Always On Your Side” 8. “Shake That” by Eminem 9. Cascada’s “Everytime We Touch (Radio Mix)” 10. “Stupid Girls” by Pink
MARCH 9, 2006
MAINSTREAM
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‘DAXTER’ TAKES GAMERS BACK TO BASICS By Dominic Kingdamo Daily Titan Staff Writer
Are you someone who misses the simpler days of video games? Did you used to consider yourself a gamer, but then were turned off by the selection of games available? Not interested in games that involve stealing cars, sniping a multitude of enemies or scoring touchdowns? Well, then there’s still hope for you as the first creation from Ready At Dawn Studios, Daxter, is a throwback to the old platform days of gaming. What is platform gaming, you ask? Well it’s just how it sounds – games where you have jump around from platform to platform in order to accomplish various goals and tasks and progress
through the game. Think Super Mario Bros., Sonic the Hedgehog or Bonk’s Adventure. Daxter, which features the main character of the same name, is actually an offshoot of the established Sony Playstation Jak franchise. In this particular adventure, coming out March 21st on the PSP, you assume control of Daxter, the sidekick of main character Jak in the previous games. The storyline of the game takes place, time-wise, in between the original Jak & Daxter and the sequel, Jak II. At the beginning of Jak II II, Daxter is saving Jak from prison, and this game tells the story of how he did that. I had the chance to play an extensive demo version of the game at the Ready At Dawn Studios offices
in Santa Ana and also interviewed the company’s president, Didier Malenfant. In terms of game play, Daxter
I got stuck at parts of the game (which happened quite often), I just couldn’t quit. It was challenging, but not to the point of I’m-aboutto-throw-thisgame-througha-window frustration. In the game you play as Daxter the ottsel, who looks and moves around like a cross between an otter and a weasel. Daxter’s infilPhoto provided by Ready At Dawn Studios trated the city is really quite fun. I wouldn’t nec- where Jak is being held by masessarily consider myself an avid querading as an exterminator and gamer, and even when I do play as a result, Daxter is equipped with video games it’s usually sports titles. a bug swatter and spray gun, which But as soon as I picked up Daxter, he uses to destroy various sorts of I couldn’t put it down. Even when bugs during his quest to find and
free his friend. Along the way, Daxter is able to pick up upgrades to the spray gun, which leads to even more types of attacks and ways of getting around. While the game play was really fun and challenging, I did occasionally have trouble with the camera angles. When trying to make a specific move from one spot to another, it often took a few attempts to get the camera set up exactly how I wanted it. The game itself however looked absolutely brilliant, though, even on the small PSP screen. The buttons and controls were very intuitive and I was able to pick up the game and get going immediately. All in all, I would say for anyone who has a PSP and is looking for a throwback style game with contemporary graphics and game play, Daxter would be a great game to keep you occupied for hours.
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MAINSTREAM
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Concert Calendar MARCH 13
MONDAY Keith Jarrett Walt Disney Concert Hall Los Angeles, Calif.
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TUESDAY Flogging Molly Anaheim HOB Anaheim, Calif.
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WEDNESDAY Arctic Monkeys Henry Fonda Theatre Los Angeles, Calif.
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THURSDAY Korn Long Beach Convention Ctr. Long Beach, Calif.
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FRIDAY Mellowdrone Troubadour West Hollywood, Calif.
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SATURDAY Belle & Sabastian The Wiltern LG Los Angeles, Calif.
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SUNDAY Betrayed Chain Reaction Anaheim, Calif.
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MONDAY Metal Skool Key Club Los Angeles, Calif.
‘THE PHILADELPHIA STORY’ HIT DEBUT By Lisa Chung
Daily Titan Staff Writer
Through the month of March, the Department of Theater and Dance will be performing “The Philadelphia Story,” and after seeing it this past weekend, I highly recommend you check out one of the many performances. As college students, we’re very busy, but the cast and crew of “The Philadelphia Story” offer us a few hours to take a trip to a different time and place entirely. The play takes place during a time when the rules of society were vastly different from today. Mothers didn’t like their daughters to say the word, “stink.” Shorts were worn to knee length. People gathered in their sitting rooms and sat on their porches. However, the Lord family teaches us that while times have changed, people and their inherent struggles with themselves and each
Photo provided by Jim Volz
other haven’t. From the set to the storyline to the actors, this play shines. The simple, yet elegant, set is perfect in its subtlety. There’s not too much going on that won’t distract the audience from the action, but there’s just enough color and class to make the audience really feel like they’re in the company of socialites of the 1940’s. The performance is completely
polished, and although I went to the second in a series of performances, it seemed as if this cast had been working together for years. Each actor uniquely brings each character to life, with the distinct personalities shining through at the right moments. The entire cast gave a flawless performance, but the true star of this play is Hannah Baumhover, who played Tracy Lord.
She was very charming and even though her character is a bit unrelatable at first, Baumhover does a brilliant job in making the audience like Tracy. By the last scene, you, as an audience member, have a connection to Tracy’s happiness. Special acknowledgements should also be given to Sarah Sumner and Alexander Crow Reimers, who play Dinah Lord and C.K. Dexter Haven. These two actors, while also having pivotal roles to the story’s development, were great at the comic relief aspect of this play that was necessary to break up the sometimes confusing storyline. Logan Sledge should also be applauded for his role as Seth Lord in what was the most believable acting throughout the entire play. The small, yet delicately thought out details of the set, costume design and make-up – combined with the obvious hard work of the cast and the enjoyable story – make this play a must-see among the list of campus activities.
‘SMALL WONDER’ TOOK VIEWERS ON A JOURNEY By Kristen Alto
Daily Titan Staff Writer
The memory is there. Hidden behind “Saved by the Bell” and “Ninja Turtles” you should find it looming. Perhaps the catchy theme song will be first to jolt the memory of the once hit show, “Small Wonder.” For those of you who can’t find
that memory, think back. It was in 1985 when the Lawson family first appeared on your television. Father, Ted Lawson, played by Dick Christie, excitedly tells his wife Joan (Marla Pennington) and his only son Jamie (Jerry Supiran) about his new invention, a robot in the form of a little girl named Vicki. Vicki the robot, played by Tiffany Brissette, must be kept top secret so
that no one is able to steal the idea. But, because of the nosey neighbors the Brindles, Vicki is discovered and then needs to be legally adopted, enrolled in school, and created scripted reasons as so why she can’t do certain activities like swim. Like the theme song says “she’s fantastic, made of plastic… a child unlike other girrrrrrls,” and though she spoke in a robotic voice, had sprinkler-like tears, and sometimes
repeated random phrases that she heard earlier in the show; for four years no one suspected she was not a real girl. Was it the genius combination of science fiction and family fun that made this sitcom last as long as it or was it simply the time slot it aired in? We don’t know and we can only hope that Fox will someday put “Small Wonder” on syndication. For now, 1980’s babies will have to resort back to those memories.
MAINSTREAM 5 DAVE CHAPELLE PUMPS UP THE VOLUME T H E B U Z Z @ DA I LY T I TA N . C O M
MARCH 9, 2006
THE BUZZ
By Dominic Kingdomo Daily Titan Staff Writer
This is not “Chappelle’s Show”: The Movie. For anyone expecting that, you might be in for a bit of a surprise. Though the movie does feature the aforementioned Dave Chappelle, it doesn’t include any skits, characters or stand-up. What Dave “Chappelle’s Block Party” does include is an intimate look at Chappelle interacting with some of his favorite music artists, local Brooklyn-ites and people from his hometown of Yellow Springs, Ohio. The premise is this: Back in September 2004, Dave Chappelle decided to host a free hip-hop concert in the Clinton Hill neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y. The movie was filmed and directed by Michel Gondry, who also directed “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.”
Aside from musical performances, the movie allows viewers to get a closer look at Dave Chappelle the person, who comes across as extremely funny in a very casual way. He travels around his hometown, interacts with people and invites them to the concert. He also goes to local Central State University and recruits their marching band. He gives viewers glimpses into the lives of the residents of the Brooklyn neighborhood where the concert is set to take place. The artist selection itself is very interesting, too. Most viewer’s of Chappelle’s Show, the comedian’s hit television show that aired on Comedy Central, will be familiar with his musical tastes, as a majority of the acts featured in the movie have also been musical guests on that program. The first musician featured in
Photo provided by Pilot Boy Productions/Bob Yari Productions
the movie is Kanye West, the latest and most visible artist carrying the Native Tongues flag into the new millennium. The movie also features the golden trinity of late ‘90s underground/backpack/conscious rappers – Mos Def, Common, and
Talib Kweli. The poster boys of the genre, between the three of them they filled up a majority of the stagetime, performing their own songs (“Get By,” “Umi Says”), helping out on each other’s songs (“Definition,” “The Blast”), and
assisting whoever was left (Erykah Badu). The grand finale of the night was a surprise reunion of the Fugees. Filling out the line-up, in addition to the artists already mentioned, were Dead Prez, Jill Scott, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane and The Roots – who acted as the house band for a majority of the night. Overall, I would have to say the movie is what I expected it to be – a little bit of music, a little bit of Chappelle. While you do see some great performances in the movie, I would have liked to see more casual interaction with the artists in the film. For anyone who is an aboveaverage fan of Chappelle or the musicians, I would say go check it out while it’s in theaters. For everyone else, wait for it on DVD. Already 18 months after the fact, it’s old news as is, and you might as well wait another four months.
REVITALIZE YOUR CLOSET WITH ORGANIZATION By Lauren Padilla Daily Titan Staff Writer
As you walk into your closet, you’re met by several cascading outfits either hung or thrown into
corners. Shoes fill the shoe rack and cover the floor. Your closet looks like it’s filled with all types of outfits, but when you get close and try to make something work, the clothes don’t
come together together. Contrary to popular belief a decent wardrobe can be recovered. The problem lies within you, but can easily be remedied by following three easy steps. First: You will need to let go of the past. Women tend to hold on to everything. There’s always the “what if?” You know what I’m talking about. That bright pink, ruffled tube top
you haven’t worn in five years, but might wear one day. We both know it’s never going to happen. Stop holding on to the “what if” – it’s clogging your closet and your style. Go through your closet and throw out everything you haven’t worn in the last two years. If it hasn’t been used in two years, it doesn’t have a place in your closet. Second: Get it through your head
that you don’t have the same body you did as high school (or even last year for that matter). I know it’s hard to comprehend, but our bodies have changed. It’s hard to notice the change when you see yourself everyday, but it can definitely be seen in your clothing. That dress might have fit you perfectly a year ago, but now it grabs all the wrong places. Everyone has a pair of skinny jeans. It’s time to say goodbye and make room for the items that will compliment you now. Finally: Shop for you and not the current trend. You do have style … let it come out. Gauchos, how in the world do they compliment anyone? They make the butt look wider and the stretchy fabrics red-light a not-sotoned butt. It’s called a trend. Women often buy an item because it’s “in.” Don’t succumb. If your heart’s not in it, you won’t enjoy wearing it. Buy what’s right for you and your body. If you don’t like ankle boots or Bermudas, don’t buy them. Instead, buy items that make you look and feel good – those are the items you will most wear. Trends come and go but looking good is always in style!
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MOVIES
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‘AQUAMARINE’ A BIG HIT WITH PRETEENS By Jody Cason
Daily Titan Staff Writer
P
eople are fascinated by the mystic of the mermaid, just as Hollywood always
has been. And with “Aquamarine,” Hollywood’s trying again to capitalize on people’s predictable interest with the mythical mermaid. It was inevitable that filmmakers would try this amphibious formula again, especially after the phenomenal successes of “The Little Mermaid” and the 1984 smash hit “Splash.” Those two films have an ingredient that “Aquamarine” doesn’t possess, however – the ability to reach a broad audi-
ence. “Aquamarine” is a simple and sweet movie, but to the point that only girls under 16 can appreciate and relate to. The story is about two eighth grade girls who are best friends, and how they must deal with the circumstances that the end of the summer will bring them. Claire (Emma Roberts) and Hailey (Joanna Levesque) will soon be separated as Hailey and her mother plan to move to Australia permanently. The two plan on having a little more fun together, however, and getting the attention of the cute lifeguard Raymond (Jake McDorman) is on the top of their list. But their plans get interrupted
Photo provided by 20th Century Fox
Claire (Emma Roberts, left) and Hailey (Joanna ‘JoJo’ Levesque) are startled by an incredible sight: a mermaid (Sara Paxton) who’s washed ashore into a swimming pool.
after a storm leaves behind a mermaid named Aquamarine (Sara Paxton) in Claire’s pool. Aquamarine tells the girls that she is only there for three days because that’s the amount of time her father has given her
to find true love. There’s only one problem: Aquamarine wants Raymond to be her true love. Claire and Hailey aren’t happy about this at first, but soon agree to coach the mer-
maid after she offers them a wish to be granted in return. The wish the two friends hope to cash in on is to make Hailey’s mother change her mind about moving to Australia. The three then become fast friends and run into typical teenage trouble as they try to manipulate the great love encounter. There are the popular girls who try to get in the way, as well as other obstacles to overcome, but the film raps it all up nicely. The film has some good funny bits, as well as some cute mermaid references. After all, who else would have starfish earrings and a shell phone? The best thing about this film, though, is the messages it delivers to young women – especially about how working together can bring about a greater good.
MARCH 9, 2006
MISC.
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THE MUSIC SCOOP PART QUATRE By Jimmy Stroup Daily Titan Staff Writer
I have returned to spill more ink in my semester-long endeavor to retrain your ears to discern the disastrous from the divine. You may see a thread through a couple of choices today, and that’s OK. You get into moods, you know, and really identify with something for a while. So, as Todd Rundgren said in an album I previously recommended, “Here we go; comin’ atcha.” (16) The Best of Dark Horse (1976-1989) by George Harrison. Now, I’m not in the habit of recommending compilations. Greatest hits albums are invention of marketing weenies and are the sad domain of the impure fan. However, Harrison’s career has been so brilliantly uneven that this
grouping of the best stuff from five of his middle albums is a good way to sample all his creative juice without having to endure some of the less profound works he thought were worth recording. If you like this, you have to try All Things Must Pass, his first solo effort and a real portrayal of how Lennon and McCartney were not the only Beatles who could write a killer tune. Best track on the Dark Horse compilation: “When We Was Fab,” which appeared originally on Cloud 9. (17) So by Peter Gabriel. Everyone knows the tunes on this record, but everyone ought to own it. If I were stuck on a desert island with only 10 or 20 records, this would be one of them. It’s much peppier – and more accessible – than his earlier solo stuff, and contains the great tune “In Your Eyes,” the song featured in
Cameron Crowe’s Say Anything. If you like this, don’t be afraid to move into Gabriel’s less popular early self-titled albums, or even the early Genesis stuff before he left and gave Phil Collins a chance to spread his wings. (18) Another Live by Utopia. You may have heard of the last one, but you have no idea who this is, right? Well, it’s a Todd Rundgren band effort. That didn’t help? So you have no reference, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t like this. It’s a prog-rock album (which is to say that it’s a sort of rule-less rock and roll with all sorts of weird instruments). It’s hard to describe. More musical than lyrical, the b-side is all covers of random tunes that are all progrocked up. PLUS, one of the band members is named “Moogy” and how often does that happen? Best tune: the cover of “Something’s
Coming” from West Side Story. (19) Traveling Wilburys Volume I by the Traveling Wilburys. This is a great example of individual talent coming together to produce a sum greater than its part. OK, maybe not greater, but still really good. Made up of members Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne (from E.L.O.), Roy Orbison and George Harrison, the Traveling Wilburys is classically rock material from classically rock-oriented guys (though Dylan’s folk tendencies are noticeable). Wilburys represents a well-engineered and wellwritten attempt that delivers all the magic the band members’ names require. Best tracks: “Heading For the Light” and “Tweeter and the Monkey Man.” (20) Tuxicity by Richard Cheese. The greatness of the Cheese is my final choice for this week. Richard Cheese (not his
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real name, but more like a superpseudonym) takes popular alternative and pop tunes of the current day and “lounges” them up. His second full-length album (following Lounge Against the Machine), Cheese treats tunes you’re all familiar with to a Dean Martin-ization. The result is lounge versions of Puddle of Mudd’s “Fell in Love With a Girl,” Sublime’s “Smoke Two Joints” and Rob Zombie’s “More Human Than Human.” Also, Cypress Hill’s “Insane in the Brain.” This is just a really funny album – and I’m all for the funny. Unfortunately, I’m pretty sure you have to get this album online at his website. But it’s worth it; your friends will truly appreciate the Cheese. Until next week, this is all I have to share with you. I hope I’m having some impact here, otherwise the 25 minutes a week I’m spend-
A CHEAP VACATION ON CATALINA ISLAND By Jackie Kimmel Daily Titan Columnist
Spring break is rapidly approaching and I thought I’d focus on a great place to spend a few days. Yes, friends, I’m referring to that car-free little island of Catalina. Catalina Island is the little Hawaii off the coast of our California shores that’s no more then a 30- or 45-minute boat ride away from San Pedro, Long Beach or Newport Beach.
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It’s the perfect spot to get away from the rush-hour, fast-paced life here on the “mainland.” There are so many great things to do on Catalina Island: For those who like to fish this is a great venue to catch fish just for the fun of it. And for those who enjoy swimming with the fish, Catalina would be perfect to learn to scuba dive or snorkel. If you want to add a little excitement to your trip, a kayak trip would be fun as a unique date
idea, and a way to work out your arm muscles without hitting the gym. Another vacation plan would be to go on a jeep eco-tour as a way to take advantage of some of the only vehicles on the island and go off-roading on the island trails. For all you gentlemen out there looking for a way to make your lady feel special, a romantic daytrip to Catalina could add some sizzle into your relationship. A day on the beach, playing in the water, or even a romantic din-
ner would be a great setting to win or re-win the affections of your significant other. And if by any chance you’re missing education during spring break, visiting the Catalina Museum would be the best bet as museums are always a blast and possibly worth extra credit in a class by going (depending on the professor). So no matter whether you like fun on the land or in the water, Catalina Island is a happening and beautiful place to vacation.