Anime becoming mainstream

CHRIS ROGERS STAFF WRITER

CLR723@CABRINI EDU

Whoever said Japanese animation was just for kids? These over-exaggerated films have captured audiences throughout the United States, primarily by means of redefined art and visually stunning features. Though one may agree to such conceptions, others simply cannot stop staring at the unusually big-eyed, puppet-like features most anime characters seem to share. Regardless of such, Japanese animation has brought forth new dimensions to both cartoons and films in the United States.

Armed with everlasting creativity, main-line film producers “borrowed” the conception of using fictional characters as a way to charm an audience composed of both adults and children. For instance, Shrek became an addiction to younger viewers, who, on their part, praised the ugly yet fun features of the character. Much the same way, adults could easily plunge themselves into the enchanting world of an ogre, without necessarily dreading the fact that they are watching a cartoon.

“I didn’t mind the fact that I was going to spend two hours watching a cartoon. I love everything that’s animated, and this movie really caught my attention. What’s really cool about it, is that children can enjoy it just as much as an adult can,” Alberto Davila, a sophomore computer major, said.

Clearly, Japanese animation has contributed to an entirely new level of film production in the United States. Not only do producers have the ability to touch upon a wider audience but also have gained the ability to add character to their movies.

This became apparent in the movie Kill Bill. As Uma Thurman took on a fierce battle of sword fighting, the scene suddenly turned into that of animation. By doing just that, producers were able to over-dramatize the essence of the fight, as well as add a touch of humor to the slicing and dicing present during the fight.

“Even without the animation part, the movie was kinda crazy. The cartoon part was cool though, cause it brought something funny to the whole exaggeration of Uma kicking the crap out of all those people,” sophomore Ryan Nernei said.

Despite the fact that most Americans enjoy the essence of Japanese animation amongst movies such as Kill Bill or Shrek, others are entrapped with the stereotypical notion that, in majority, true Japanese animation reflects technology, violence and sex. Though this may very well be the case abroad, the Untied States was successful in turning animation into a motion picture more suitable for the eyes of a younger audience.

So don’t let stereotypes ruin the fun! Get out there, and lose yourself in the magic of Japanese-based animation. Chances are that you will enjoy such creativity more than the typical, ever-so-boring, trend of movies poisoning our theaters.

JOHN DEL SORDO STAFFWRITER JOHN DELSORDO@CABRINI EDU

Some people love them, some people love to hate them, but there is certainly no denying veteran recording artists Bon Jovi’s accomplishments. Bon Jovi started out as a small band from New Jersey that got their first break when their song, “Runaway,” originally from their demo, started getting some airplay in 1984.

As the band’s career began to take form, so did their sound. Although receiving respectable success on their first two albums, Bon Jovi was ready to move to the next level and start producing more songs that would attract a larger audience. From that moment on, Bon Jovi’s sound took on a poppier, less aggressive sound, but the music still managed to speak for working class, every day people.

Now, 20 years later, the band finds itself at the top of the music industry, celebrating their 20 year anniversary as a band and their 100 millionth album sold by releasing a new, four CD, box set entitled

100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong... The title suits this box set well because it manages to prove its title true using mostly formerly unreleased material.

Many of the songs on this album were actually taken straight from the Bon Jovi vault that actually exists under the band’s recording studio. These songs are previously unreleased, B-sides, import “extras”, a few soundtrack songs and a DVD that includes an interview with the band. The box set also comes with an exclusive booklet filled with quotes from fans, information about Bon Jovi and pictures of the band.

This box set is quite a treat to both moderate and die-hard fans of Bon Jovi because it is like purchasing four new Bon Jovi albums for the price of two. Disc one starts out with the hard-rock ditty about a heart stealing girlfriend entitled, “Why Aren’t You Dead?” Some other tracks that scream out Bon Jovi’s classic sound are “Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night” taken from their 1984 demo, and the slower, more passionate, “Last Man Standing.”

The second disk of the set opens with an up-beat song describing the band’s early days entitled, “Garage Band.”

Some other tracks that make one wonder how these songs became unreleased in the first place are “Outlaw Love,” “Ordinary People” and the more bluesy “Flesh and Bone.”

Disc four closes with an appropriate track entitled, “Nobody’s Hero” where Bon Jovi proclaim that although they are nobody’s hero, when you need a friend, they will always be there for you.

100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong... is not your typical box set full of repackaged songs off previous albums with a few rarities and remixes thrown in. 100,000,000 Bon Jovi Fans Can’t Be Wrong… is not an elaborate greatest hits collection. This box set is truly a premiere collection; it’s the premiere of the greatest hits many listeners, even fans, have never heard.

If you’re already a fan of Bon Jovi this box-set will help you rediscover why, and if you’re not, this multi-disc masterpiece may just sway you into being one of the 100,000,000 who are already familiar with the unique and classic sound that is Bon Jovi.

ALYSSA SCHOENLEBER PERSPECTIVES & COPYEDITOR AMS725@CABRINI EDU

Two words. Each word: two syllables. Usually occurs near or at the end of an academic term. Most often contains a set of questions pertaining to information given over the period of a semester or course.

And the answer is? You guessed it, f inal exams. Sure, you’re thinking “that wasn’t too difficult,” but for some, studying for them may be.

Towards the end of the semester students often begin to make attempts towards, or at least realize that they need to start preparing for final exams. Along with this comes stress for many. “What happens is we stop all social aspects we enjoy,” Dr. Maria Elena Hallion, exercise science and health promotion professor, said.

“Do not wait until the night or two before to study! Save the night before the test for a final review of