INSIDEBEAT NOVEMBER 19, 2009 • VOL. 27, NO. 12
THE WEEKLY ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE OF THE DAILY TARGUM
the saga continues The Twilight series, a pop culture phenomenon, is back to bite harder than ever with the premiere of New Moon
November 19, 2009
Column • Video Games
SURPRISE! BY TOM WRIGHT-PIERSANTI ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Surprise parties can have two very different results: great success or horrible failure. To ensure that your surprise party is the former, there are a few things to keep in mind. The most important thing to consider is whether the guest of honor even likes surprises. If the birthday boy or girl is easily startled, a surprise party is not your best bet. Also, be sure they like parties. But really, if you’re trying to plan a surprise party for someone who is both easily startled and doesn’t like parties, you obviously do not know that person very well — also, that person is boring. If you have determined that your guest of honor would appreciate the element of surprise in a festive setting, then proceed to organize
your party by creating a Facebook event. Don’t send out the invite until two weeks before the party — you don’t want to give your guests too much time, or else they’ll blow the secret. Keep the event secret and private, otherwise it’ll come up on the news feed of your surprisee. Instruct your guests that the party is indeed a surprise and to keep everything hush-hush. Once your guests are in on the plan, it’s time to recruit a partner (or two) in crime. If your guest of honor is smarter than the average bear, it’s helpful to give them a red herring. For example, you could have someone “give away” the surprise — but have the surprise they give away be something much less exciting than the party you’re planning. That way, the birthday boy or girl will think they have figured out the surprise, and they’ll stop snooping. It’s also helpful to stage a fight to make
your guest of honor feel bad for getting suspicious. Be careful here — if your poker face is not as good as Lady Gaga’s, then faking an argument could give away the whole game. The final step to throwing a successful surprise party is getting the guest of honor to the party locale without raising any extra suspicions. First, make sure your guests arrive before the birthday boy or girl. Second, have your guests park their cars on the next block. Finally, ask your guest of honor when they’re on their way and wait by the window, peeking out of the blinds. Have the guests hide, and put one person in charge of turning the lights on when the guest of honor arrives. Party hats, party blowers and dress rehearsals of yelling “surprise!” are optional. When telling the birthday boy or girl to come over, do not suggest that you’ll be getting it on — you risk the guest
rant
Page 2 • Inside Beat
of honor showing up naked, embarrassing both of you in front of all of your friends. If you follow these steps, you should successfully surprise your guest of honor. Once you have the surprise part down, remember to provide snacks, drinks, cake and decorations. The Dollar General has any basics you’ll need, such as tablecloths, napkins and paper goods. Get a case of beer, and tell your friends to bring their own if they’d like. Be sure to provide a non-alcoholic option for everyone who is driving. Throw on some tunes or a football game in the background and let the good times roll. Once the party is hopping, apologize to your guest of honor for sneaking around (and of course, for the fake fight) and wish them a happy birthday. And there you go — you just gave someone the best birthday of their life!
CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2 Infinity Ward | A
BY TOM WRIGHT-PIERSANTI TV EDITOR
It just might have been the most anticipated video game release of all time. In the first 24 hours, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, the sequel to the hugely popular Call of Duty 4, sold 4.7 million copies and earned $310 million dollars, mak-
ing it the fastest-selling video game of all time. The biggest opening weekend in movie history, by the way, is just barely half of that. But for all the enormous hype and sales numbers, would the product possibly measure up — especially in the eyes of the ravenous and notoriously cynical video game audience?
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The short answer is yes. For starters, Modern Warfare 2 provides the most engrossing, flawless and fun multiplayer action I’ve ever seen. Just two days after its release, there were more than a million people actively playing on Xbox Live at one time. The multiplayer consists of a wide variety of games, most centered on destroying people and things and capturing flags. The depth comes in the leveling system and plethora of unlockable weapons and perks you can achieve if you play long enough. The experience is seamless, too — on Xbox Live, I’ve yet to see a lag or skip due to weak Internet connectivity, and when a host does drop out, the game is paused for a few moments, transferred to a new one, and resumes where it left off. For many gamers, the multiplayer is the only reason to buy it. (For example, I’ve played multiplayer for around 8 hours so far and I’m at level 20. Many people I play against are on level 60, which could mean they’ve played 6 hours a day every day since it came out.) But the game
doesn’t attempt to market itself as an online-only affair — there is a fairly engrossing, comprehensive story mode that often gets overlooked. Players battle their way through an Afghanistan street in the first level, in a scene that’s a bit harrowing because of its realism — many actual American soldiers are living the game right now, making the experience quite a bit less fun to play in a game. But once the game leaves Afghanistan, the story mode trails off beyond realism into a crazy scenario in which Russia and the U.S. are at war, making it easier to enjoy. The game has gotten some negative media attention because of one surprisingly traumatic level. As a CIA agent, you become involved with a Russian crime lord and join his clan. With his henchman, you are responsible for walking slowly through an airport, spraying bullets through civilians. The level is chilling and quite difficult to complete. The game does prompt you with the option to skip this level, calling it “disturbing,” but it’s hard to
imagine most gamers will choose to skip a level in something they just paid $60 for. Apart from the few disturbingly realistic scenes that sensitive gamers might find troubling, though, the single player mode is fantastic. There are fun, varied levels, taking combat onto snowmobiles, submarines and through Brazilian slums. The fighting is fast-paced and hectic; the level of difficulty for non-hardcore gamers is extremely high, even on normal settings. Mountainous snow regions in Russia are rendered beautifully, as are the dusty streets of Karachi, Pakistan, and a war-torn Virginia suburb. It all looks remarkable and is a joy to play, though some have complained the story mode is not as deep as it should be. But odds are, if you’re buying Modern Warfare 2, you’re getting it to play online with friends. And in that realm, it won’t let you down. In fact, it will probably provide you with hundreds of hours of entertainment. That it has a gorgeous, exciting single player is almost just an add-on.
EDITORIAL BOARD M ARGARET D ARIAS ..................................................... EDITOR T OM W RIGHT -P IERSANTI ................................ ASSOCIATE EDITOR S TACY D OUEK ........................ ASSISTANT EDITOR NIDHI SARAIYA..................................BOOKS EDITOR A DRIENNE V OGT ............................ COPY EDITOR MICHAEL MALVASIO.......................FASHION EDITOR
EMILY SCHACHTMAN..............................FILM EDITOR JASON STIVES.........................................MUSIC EDITOR R AMON D OMPOR ............. PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR TOM WRIGHT-PIERSANTI..........................TV EDITOR
THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS TO INSIDE BEAT : Amanda Amanullah, Jennifer Carlin, Ciara Copell, Amanda Litchkowski, Elena Lobello, Ashley Park, Avery Russell, Britni Williams, Becca Zandstein. Cover photo courtesy of allmoviephoto.com.
visit our website at www. insidebeat. com
Fashion • Books
November 19, 2009
Ethnic Beats:
Miguel Algarín at Rutgers BY AMANDA AMANULLAH STAFF WRITER
The beat of percussion and the voice of poetry are artistic in their own right, but former Rutgers student and professor Miguel Algarín shows that together, they can form a unique and harmonious pair. As the author of more than 10 books of poetry, the editor of anthologies and the founder of the widely recognized arts forum the Nuyorican Poets Café, Algarín has gained the respect of a vast literary community. But while he has clearly branched out of the New Brunswick scene, this Puerto Rican poet does not forget his alma mater. Miguel Algarín came to the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus on Nov. 11, as the second guest speaker for the Writers at Rutgers Reading Series. With an animated personality and rhythmic voice, he began reciting his poetr y — not just as a reading, but as an artistic collaboration with congas, tall Cuban drums. When Algarín repeated words and phrases, the drummer’s beats grew faster and louder. The lively performance was well received, with laughs at his spontaneous humor, applause at his literar y, and thematic intelligence and wonder at his fearless attitude. “Puerto Rican children have nothing to say in school” is the first line of a popular poem, entitled Biological, about a boy who is punished by his teacher for being late to school and peeing in his pants, but says nothing to defend himself. Ending with the same sentence it begins with, it creates a wraparound, encompassing an ef fect symbolizing the inability to change the socio-cultural issues that occur daily. Known to cover the topic of politics and culture, Algarín writes in English, Spanish and sometimes a combination of the two, which appeals to not only bilingual audiences, but also to lovers of language and technique. He seems proud of his heritage and
is not afraid to explore bilingual vocabular y and word associations. The poem “A Mongo Af fair” speaks phrases like “viejo, anciano africano, Washington/ will send you in your old age/ to clean the battlefields” and “your feelings cocinan/ en mi sangre.” Lines like “don’t fill me of vain/ disturbing love for an island/ filled with Burger Kings,/ for I know there are no cuchifritos/ in Borinquen” are full of honesty, intimacy and deep socio-cultural thought and response. He made it seem like there was not even the thinnest barrier between him and the audience. He read an entire poem in Spanish, which demonstrates that a language barrier does not take away from a poem’s emotion and pleasurably lyrical sound. What senior Starky Morillo found most interesting about Algarín’s reading was “he was a real poet first and then an ethnic poet.” Morillo says, “His culture and its influence simply showed because that is who he is. The poems themselves were not all about the problems of a foreigner in another country — he presented a range of topics which shows how versatile he is.” Indeed, when Algarín shifted to the area of romance, he maintained his stark humorous tone. One of his popular love poems compares the heart to bubblegum claiming that he will not rip out his lover’s hair if she finally decides to stop chewing on his heart. Ultimately, Algarín connects with people of all races, colors and ages through not only his simple, straightfor ward words, but also with his strong societal statements. The Writers at Rutgers Reading series are open to all audiences. The next event features Temple Grandin, the author of eight books and more than 300 articles in scientific journals and livestock periodicals, on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at the Rutgers Student Center on the College Avenue campus.
FASHION WIDE WEB BY AMANDA LITCHKOWSKI STAFF WRITER
Looking for top-name garments at slightly cheaper prices? Want to be the first to get the scoop on up-and-coming designers and opening boutiques? Dying to give some life to your wardrobe, but empty wallet got you stuck? Here are some valuable sites that take fashion and online shopping to another level. WWW.DAILYCANDY.COM Daily Candy is the expert on fashion, beauty, food, travel and gifts, and it personalizes your e-mail subscriptions to major cities of your choosing. If you want to receive updates on new designers opening locations in SoHo and the Lower East Side, this is the place to go. Best of all, it offers weekly deals to readers on everything ranging from spa excursions to stationary.
WWW.GILTFUSE.COM Gilt Fuse, a child of elite sale site Gilt Groupe, hosts sample sales of less exclusive designers. Like its predecessor, Fuse is a members-only club that offers limited amounts of designer-line garments on a daily basis. Recent designers included BCBGMAXAZRIA and Rich & Skinny.
WWW.RUELALA.COM Ruelala works on the same basis as Gilt Fuse, but its daily boutiques are home to notably more affordable designers such as Puma and Marc by Marc Jacobs. Ruelala is members-only, but it also balances clothing sales with home wares and random items, such as linen designed for a San Diego-based resort.
WWW.DIGNSWAP.COM Dig ‘N’ Swap allows users to post pictures of clothes they no longer want and trade with other users. In an eBay-esque way, Dig ‘N’ Swap users bid on others’ clothes with as many of their pieces they think it will take to win. No one can deny the pure genius of clothes swapping: It’s fun, it makes you feel like you’re digging for buried treasure and it’s free!
WWW.RENTTHERUNWAY.COM Rent the Runway allows members to rent pricey and otherwise nearly impossible-to-obtain designer dresses for four nights. The dresses usually run for $200 or less and are sent to renters via mail. Members must be referred to the site though, which helps guarantee the integrity of the garment for the next renter.
Inside Beat • Page 3
UGG Alternatives Shorter days, colder nights, and layers abound — let’s face it, winter is just around the corner. There’s no better way to kick off the season than with the perfect pair of fall/ winter boots. Boots should be the staple of any girl’s winter wardrobe, and with so many new trends to choose from, the possibilities are endless to achieve a chic, cold-weather look. The right pair can make trudging to class if not more enjoyable, then more fashionable at least. So whether you’re a no frills kind of girl or you prefer something a bit flashier, take a look at the hottest styles below to find the boot that’s right for you all for under $200. — Rosanna Volis
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: DEENA & OZZY OVER-THE-KNEE BOOT $178, URBANOUTFITTERS.COM; SEYCHELLES ‘ORCHESTRA’ BOOT $169.95, NORDSTROM.COM; FRYE 8R ‘ENGINEER’ BOOT $188
t
wilight akeover
With a cult following rivaling Harry Potter and Star Wars, the Twilight Saga embarks on a new journey, New Moon, at midnight tonight.
Your Mood Swings Are Kinda Giving Me Whiplash... Let’s be honest: With lines like “hold on tight, spidermonkey,” Twilight, the first film of the Twilight Saga, isn’t exactly cinematic brilliance. Filled with raging hormones and unhealthy, obsessive relationships, Twilight is a tween’s version of Dracula, complete with puberty analogies and watered-down horror. The film basically goes down as such: Bella Swan, played by the jaw-quivering Kristen Stewart, moves to a classic rainy and depressing town with a population close to zero (Forks, Wash.) from a far-away land (Phoenix, Ariz.) only to meet Edward Cullen, played by the ever-so-dashing Robert Pattinson, who wants to suck the life out of her veins. After briefly meeting in a science class and exchanging a total of three or four sentences, Edward disappears for a week or so and Bella freaks out. (Hey, he could have gone on a family vacation, it’s not all about you, Bella.) Upon his return, Edward and Bella form what may be the most awkward friendship, which eventually turns into the most awkward relationship. And for all of you girls out there who are eternally waiting for an Edward Cullen to come and sweep you off your mortal feet, watching someone as they sleep unknowingly is both creepy and illegal. But as they fall deeper into teenage inter-species love, Bella decides to take on the role of Nancy Drew and discovers that Edward is a vampire. However, Edward puts Bella’s worries to rest when he tells her that he’s a vegetarian vampire — in other words, he only feeds on animals. After the non-vegetarian vampires randomly come to town and unsuccessfully try to capture and devour Bella for sheer entertainment, Bella and Edward live happily ever and go to prom. But a lurking background character, Bella’s old childhood family friend Jacob Black (Taylor Lautner), becomes more prominent in the Twilight Saga’s upcoming installment, New Moon. Jacob is that dependable guy — the really hot dependable guy — who always seems to watch over Bella and becomes a more dominant figure in Bella’s life. Jacob also has a supernatural secret of his own: He can transform into a very large, aggressive and fluffy werewolf. As if a stalking Robert Pattinson wasn’t enough to lure in a swarm of swooning girls to theaters everywhere, New Moon brings in another tantalizing and Adonis-like male character to secure the Twilight cult, promoting and reinforcing completely unrealistic and downright strange relationship dynamics that give girls an addictive false hope that is just too difficult to give up. –– Stacy Douek
Hear Me On The Equinox...
BELLA AND EDWARD IN TWILIGHT
BEHIND THE SCENES OF NEW MOON
NEW MOON SOUNDTRACK | A Stephenie Meyer’s second novel, New Moon, is finally making its theatrical debut accompanied by an awesome soundtrack. When Myer’s first book, Twilight, hit the big screen, it also had a soundtrack jam-packed with many reputable artists. The Twilight soundtrack contains ideal tracks for the movie from artists such as Paramore, Iron and Wine, Linkin Park, Muse, and the series’ star, Robert Pattinson. New Moon’s soundtrack had big shoes to fill, and it does so successfully. The New Moon soundtrack features tracks from Death Cab for Cutie, Thom Yorke of Radiohead, The Killers, Muse and Grizzly Bear. The album’s highlighted original track is titled “Meet Me at the Equinox” by Death Cab, with “Everything/everything ends” being the key line in the song. Overall, the song helps set the tone for the whole soundtrack by initiating a somber mood very fitting for Myer’s second novel. The retrospective song is despondent and is followed by Thom Yorke’s dark track titled “Hearing Damage” two songs later. The ending track of the album is titled “New Moon” and is an instrumental involving solely a piano, tying up the album well. The whole album captures the grim mood of New Moon and will serve as a great accompaniment to both the movie and the book. It is definitely full of listenable tracks, so Meyer’s fans will continue to be amazed. ––Emily Gabriele BELLA AND VAMPIRE LAURENT IN NEW MOON
Vamp It Up... Darkness cloaked the fall runways with models stomping down the catwalk in tough leather, black lips, smoky eyes and pale faces — the epitome of vampire-chic. The inspiration: Twilight. Fashion from the Twilight saga has become a driving force in and of itself. While the fashion in the movie was not very dramatic, it did consist of a couple of standout pieces that left a lasting impression on every viewer. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, costume designer Wendy Chuck said she wanted the clothing to reflect the characters, which did not necessarily require it to follow the latest trends. She dressed Bella in warm earth tones to emphasize that she is an outsider from Arizona who isn’t prepared for the cold weather. As for Edward, Chuck drew inspiration from English royals because “Edward is the embodiment of an English gentleman.” The Cullens were dressed mainly in grays, whites and blues because Chuck wanted them to “feel cold and frozen.” At the same time, they were not dressed as their money and expensive tastes would have one believe. “I had to anchor them in the practical world of going to school and being able to blend with everyone else,” Chuck said. Teen Vogue was one of the first to acknowledge the vampire trend when they featured an editorial entitled “Twilight Prom” last April. Twilight mania has now reached its apex. Copies of Bella’s prom dress from the first movie flew off shelves last year, and now both Hot Topic and Kohl’s are offering a version of Bella’s birthday dress, which was custom-made for the movie. Nordstrom is featuring a New Moon collection with T-shirts that force you to make the painful decision: “Team Edward” or “Team Jacob”? The collection also has jewelry that includes the infamous Cullen crest. To top it all off, for $33, you can bring home a life-size cutout of either Edward or Jacob. Diehard fans can complete the vampire look with Luna’s Twilight makeup line, which features “Mortal Glow” blushing crème, “Moonshadow” eye shadow and of course a blood-red lip stain called “Just Bitten.” So whether you are a member of the Twilight obsessed, a closet fan or you just don’t get Edward’s glittery appeal, one thing is for certain — the vampire fashion craze is here to stay. —Rosanna Volis
What’s Next For Stephanie Meyer...
JAMES ATTACKING EDWARD IN TWILIGHT
BELLA AND JACOB IN NEW MOON
Bad news, Twilight fans. While visiting Oprah, Stephenie Meyer revealed that she is not sure whether she will write a fifth book in the series. Even if she does go back to the Twilight universe, it may be a few years from now. “I am a little burned out on vampires right now. I think I need a little break,” Meyer says. “I might go spend some time with my aliens. I might do something completely different,” referring to her solo adult novel, The Host. With a film adaptation of The Host on the way, she admits that it is likely that her next project will be a sequel to the sci-fi story. — Nidhi Saraiya
More Twilight Tidbits... Stephenie Meyer revealed backstage at Oprah that she feels The Host is her best work. In retrospect, she thinks there are many things that she could have edited or written differently in the Twilight universe. BELLA AND EDWARD IN TWILIGHT
After becoming known as a J.K. Rowling of vampire books, Meyer’s future tales may involve stepping on J.R.R. Tolkein’s turf. If she does not continue with The Host, she may work on another side project that is “so fantasy that it will have a map in the front.” Fans who are desperately pleading for Meyer to finish her Twilight companion novel, Midnight Sun, are receiving help from an unlikely source. Meyer’s mother frequently appeals to her to complete the story, which recounts the plot of Twilight through Edward’s perspective. If you enjoyed Taylor Swift’s SNL parody “Firelight,” then check out Harvard Lampoon’s Nightlight. Read about Belle Goose, Edward Cullen and their life in Switchblade, Wash. Looking to fill your Twilight void? Yen Press is working with Meyer to publish a Twilight graphic novel, although it is uncertain when it will hit bookstores. Sources: www.oprah.com, www.ew.com
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF ALLMOVIEPHOTO.COM
JACOB BLACK IN NEW MOON
Page 6 • Inside Beat
November 19, 2009
Film
2012 Roland Emmerich | BBY BRITNI WILLIAMS STAFF WRITER
THE BOX
COURTESY OF ALLMOVIEPHOTO.COM
Director Roland Emmerich, notoriously known for his sci-fi disaster films such as The Day After Tomorrow and Independence Day, has done it again. 2012 is a pivotal film that will keep you on edge throughout the entire movie. Based on the infamous legend of the Mayans’ prediction, Dec. 21, 2012 shall be the end for all. Emmerich delivers an insane, action-packed film. The graphics are amazing, but like any disaster film, it lacks reasoning behind the chaos. The movie begins in 2009, when Adrian Helmsley (Chiwetel Ejiofor, Children of Men), the president’s scientific advisor, is one of the first to hear about the evidence supporting disaster and attempts to prompt the president but fails due to interference. Three years later, in 2012, President Wilson (Danny Glover) and a team of world leaders have made plans to board special vessels that can withstand the natural destruction. The small portion of the population that is able to gain access on the ships will be left to rebuild and populate human civilization — Emmerich’s vision of Noah’s Ark for the new millennium. While the committees are planning an escape, the true reason why the evidence is proof for “doomsday” is kept unclear. The plot then turns to Laura Wilson (Thandie Newton), President Wilson’s daughter, who works preserving antique paintings in a museum. Little does she know, the
government has secretly been replacing the paintings with replicas and putting them in storage in effort to preserve the originals. As the plot thickens, Jackson Curtis (John Cusack) is introduced, a struggling writer and one of the millions who have ignored the signs of the world could possibly come to an end. Adding to the confusion of things, Curtis runs into Charlie Frost (Woody Harrelson) a mentally-checked-out disc jockey that has been preaching about the world ending. Declaring that it will start in California and spread throughout the entire world, Frost initially fails to convince Curtis of the world disaster and is left to continue the lonely and bizarre conversation on his radio show. Curtis reconnects with ex-wife Kate (Amanda Peet) after the first devastation hits. From this point on, the movie stops explaining the little bit of information given and goes straight into a two-hour eye guzzling experience as the race against time becomes imperative. Earthquakes take place while monumental statues and iconic figures are destroyed. The cast of the movie elevates to be a success. But with no clear perspective on the situation and just sheer chaos throughout the movie, 2012 should not be taken seriously. This movie is clearly special for its dazzling effects and not for the story. 2012 is a great film, but see it with the expectation to be entertained and awed by the graphics, not to be educated about the year 2012 and the significance it may hold.
Richard Kelly | B+ BY ELENA LOBELLO STAFF WRITER
COURTESY OF ALLMOVIEPHOTO.COM
Do you accept a reward of a million dollars with the only catch being that somewhere, someone you don’t know will die? Director Richard Kelly (Donnie Darko) explores this compelling side of human nature in his new thriller The Box, based upon the short story Button, Button by Richard Matheson. The Box stars Hollywood icon Cameron Diaz and James Marsden (Hairspray, X-Men) as Norma and Arthur Lewis, an average suburban couple in the 1970s who are given a puzzling opportunity by a mysterious and eerie stranger, played by Frank Langella (Frost/Nixon, Good Night and Good Luck). The stranger offers them an average-looking box with a large red button and tells them they have 24 hours to push the button, receive $1 million and cause of the death of another human — or the deal is off. They take all options into consideration, including their current financial issues, the fact that the box appears to be hollow and that the person who dies could be some crazed serial killer. With time almost up, Norma pushes the button, completely unaware that she has just set in motion a life-changing (and ending) series of events. What the film morphs into is an allegorical and religious statement of the faults of human nature. We learn that the mysterious stranger who offered them the box is part of something alien, and has an endless string of “employees” who constantly watch over the paranoid Lewis family and scare them as much as they try to help them. Just as viewers think that Norma, Arthur and their son may finally be freed from the disastrous events they’ve caused, the mysterious stranger appears once more, with a choice that can only end in heartache: Either their son will be blind and deaf for the rest of his life, or Arthur has to shoot Norma through the chest. With a string of the religious images such as water providing salvation, and women always giving into temptation and pushing the button, The Box leaves an odd feeling in its wake that may change the way people view human nature. It makes you wonder as to what lies beyond our world and whether we are taking advantage of our lives. Marsden gives one of his most emotional and dramatic performances to date and really proves himself as a serious actor. Diaz veers away from her typically ditzy persona to play a confused and mature family-woman, a role that may seen strange at first but that Diaz plays with confidence. The Box, despite being a little slow and farfetched at certain times, is very entertaining and thought provoking. There isn’t a person living in today’s society who would not leave this film wondering, “Would I push the button?”
Pirate Radio
BY JASON STIVES MUSIC EDITOR
Richard Curtis | A-
COURTESY OF ALLMOVIEPHOTO.COM
Comedic screenwriter Richard Curtis has made a career out of brash British humor and romantic comedystyle plots, with films like Four Weddings and a Funeral, Notting Hill and the Bridget Jones’ Diary movies. Being able to create a balance between both of his expertises led him to his directorial debut in 2004’s acclaimed holiday comedy Love Actually, a coming-of-age stor y centered on multiple characters and plot lines. With Pirate Radio, Curtis channeled American Graf fiti, a testament to the music of his youth and the people who helped raid the airwaves and bring that music to Great Britain in the ’60s. While the characters and events of Pirate are not true, the situation was indeed an important part of rock’s revolution in 1966 England. With no media outlet to play current popular music due to strict rulings by the British government, rebel rock deejays were forced to play their music from of fshore boats, broadcasting outside of the restricted air waves. It was from them that most of Great Britain got their heavy dose of the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and various U.S. R&B acts. The film follows a gang of these deejays fighting the good fight against the tight-collared suits of queen and countr y. The film is told from the perspective of Carl (newcomer Tom Sturridge), a teenager who joins the crew of the Radio
Rock ship, which is run by his godfather Quentin, played brilliantly by noted British actor Bill Nighy (Love Actually, Underworld). The crew of Radio Rock is headed up by “The Count,” a brash, energetic American with a knack for the spirit of rock ’n’ roll, played with fine physical comedic form by Academy Award winner Philip Seymour Hoffman. Performances from Shaun of the Dead alum Nick Frost and Rhys Ifans (Notting Hill, The Replacements) bring the outlandish nature of the disc jockey’s persona to the forefront with vulgar language, sexual tenacity and a touch of cheeky British sophistication. Leading the strict yet hilarious arm of the British government, Kenneth Branagh (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) plays an official trying desperately to seize the production of Pirate Radio, but to no avail — and fiendishly funny results. In a way, there is an underlying social commentar y to this blissfully funny stor y. The desperate cr y for help from a society under rule by an old guard with morals and standards is the basis of 1960s Great Britain, one that was only beaten by the rebellious nature of music that many said would not endure. shows that regardless of our general knowledge, the rock music of our parent’s generation has made a profound impact on our culture, our morals and our way of life. The film also shows just how endearing the basic formulas of Richard Curtis’s screenwriting and direction can make for great stor ytelling, endless amounts of laughs and heartfelt stories that span the generation gap.
November 19, 2009
Inside Beat • Page 7
Books • Music
The Acadamy Is, Mayday Parade
Have a Ball in Sayreville BY AVERY RUSSELL STAFF WRITER
Alternative Press’ Fall Ball Tour hit the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville on Nov. 7. The tour, in its first year, encouraged crowd interaction by promoting a prom theme, which had concertgoers attending in formal attire. Taking the stage this year were You Me At Six, The Secret Handshake and Set Your Goals. The shows co-headliners Mayday Parade and The Academy Is… switch off as the last act each night, giving a different flair to every show. The jam-packed venue was sold out with 2,500 people, the largest show the Fall Ball had played thus far. The three opening bands, You Me At Six, The Se-
cret Handshake and Set Your Goals each had their own unique sound and sub sequentially gouged different reactions from the crowd. Both You Me At Six and Set Your Goals had a more rockdriven sound, while The Secret Handshake stuck with its dance pop. But it was the show’s headliners that really defined the evening. The Academy Is… played first, and fans loyally sang along to ever y lyric. It was one of their better sets, as they played all of their singles and songs voted on by their fan club. The band is on tour in the midst of promoting their new five-song EP, Lost In Pacific Time. They played old and new songs alike, such as “Almost Here,” “We’ve Got a Big Mess On Our Hands” and
“I’m Yours Tonight.” If anything, The Academy Is…. outshined the rest thanks to a manic crowd during their set and a set list featuring only 11 of their hits. Mayday Parade closed the show, and they galvanized the crowd easily with their high-energy music. Like The Academy Is… , Mayday is also promoting their new album Anywhere But Here, and was quick to play fan favorites like “Black Cat,” “Jamie All Over” and “Anywhere But Here.” The AP Fall Ball was one of the best tours of the year, as it covered up-andcoming bands of the alternative scene. As far as album-promoting tours go, Alternative Press had all its bases covered and sold out almost ever y venue.
Playlist Picks BY AMANDA LITCHKOWSKI AND BECCA ZANDSTEIN STAFF WRITERS
It’s typical to find Rutgers students wearing earphones, tuned in to their jams of choice and tuned out to the noisy buses and strangers around them. It’s as if each person has an individual playlist to get them through the day, so we’d like to share what two Inside Beat writers have been listening to as of late:
BECCA’S PICKS: 1. “Race You” by Elizabeth and the Catapult The trio Elizabeth and the Catapult manage to sound like a five-piece band with its beautiful and melodic simplicity. Their music is the perfect blend of light pop with a small zest of jazz influence. 2. “Off Our Backs” by MEN MEN’s live performances are absolutely incomparable to their recorded music. Their performances have everyone dancing and begging for an encore. “Off Our Backs” may have some catchy repetitive lyrics, but the climax is never-ending. 3. “Boundaries” by Kyte Kyte, a small UK band, create melodious songs that beautify every moment in which they are played. Nick Moon, on vocals, makes it sound so effortless to be a part of and blend into the music. “Boundaries” has the ability to either caress me to sleep or distress a study session.
AMANDA’S PICKS:
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Shwayze BY JENNIFER CARLIN STAFF WRITER
Los Angeles rapper Shwayze and Whitestarr frontman Cisco Adler switch up the pace with their sophomore album, Let It Beat. They maintain the acoustic, laidback aesthetic that boosted their popularity in summer 2008 with tracks like “Buzzin” and “Corona and Lime.” However, this dream team shows they can get off the beach and out of the sun. Attempting versatility, club-style tracks with synthesized beats are spliced between a chill, Jack Johnson kind of hip-hop. The biggest surprise is an appearance by Snoop Dogg, who is featured on the first track, “Livin’ It Up.” It defines Shwayze’s evolution as an artist, rising from a Malibu trailer park, working at Starbucks and now frolicking with superstars. Hardly shy, the lyrics reek of lust, indulgence and satisfaction. The first single, “Get You Home,” is merely an introduction to their techno-pop sound and shameless attitude. Endorsing nightlife and partying, a thumping baseline will get your blood flowing on tracks like “Dirty Little
Let It Beat | A-
Girl,” featuring New Orleans duo The Knux. While some tunes amp up the drums, others mellow out with droning beats like “Wait All Night,” featuring Tabi Bonney. These electronic hooks are contrasted with signature feel good tunes like “Crazy for You,” “Sally is a…” and “Perfect for Me.” Reminiscent of their debut album, these tracks are mainstream pop easy on the ears. The closing song, “Heart and Soul,” has a hint of depth. It reprimands girls for their promiscuity — the same lack of morals encouraged throughout most of the album. Yet besides the downto-earth lyrics, the song is finally free from overproduced effects. The gentle piano melody at the end is a standout moment by Bruce Springsteen’s keyboardist Roy Bittan. Blending Shwayze’s flow with an assortment of instruments and styles succeeds more often than not. The album shows ingenuity through a rollercoaster of rhythms. The only image it’s capable of portraying is wild vision of self-gratification, but that fantasy world is the reality of Shwayze and his musical mentor, Cisco Adler. They are a little rough around the edges, but they make the most of what they have.
1. “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence and the Machine “Dog Days Are Over” is characterized by powerful vocals from frontwoman Florence Welch, whose voice refuses to blend into the background of the Machine’s indie beats. It’s the best tune to blast amid the stress of exams; Florence reminds you that yes, soon the dog days will be over. 2. “Animal” by Miike Snow Miike Snow seems to be fitting all the stereotypes of good indie bands: They hail from Sweden and “Animal” was featured on this season’s Gossip Girl. Lead singer Andrew Wyatt’s slight lisp is cute and catchy; in combination with the upbeat, pop-like electro tune of the song, it immediately puts a smile on your face. 3. “Hellhole Retrace” by Girls Girls is a fascinating group, primarily because its lead singer Christopher Owens is a former member of the cult Children of God. Thankfully, for indie/psychedelic rock lovers, he now fully expresses his musical talents outside the cult’s boundaries. “Hellhole Retrace” is the single off Girls’ first album, inconspicuously titled Album. The slow ballad has the same lo-fi feel as that of Glasvegas, but the romantic lyrics rise above the rest.
Stones
Michael Aaron Rockland | ABY ASHLEY PARK STAFF WRITER
Death has a funny way of governing our lives. We do not often like to acknowledge it, but we all have a time limit. We scramble to finish all that we dream to accomplish, but what happens when time is up? Will we be ceremoniously laid in velvet-lined coffins, lowered into the cold jowls of the earth, forgotten? In Stones, by Michael Aaron Rockland, the dead live on in the memories and hearts of their family. It is a simple, yet powerful story about how one family’s past haunts their present and impacts their future. It is the Jewish New Year, and narrator Jack Berke is busy ferrying his half-deaf, half-blind, handicapped mother, Rachel, around Long Island to visit the graves of
their kin. According to Jewish custom, they recite the Kaddish, a mourning prayer, and place stones on top of the gravestone. Reflecting upon old memories, mother and son discover that the dead are much more alive than they seem. Each tombstone and its subterranean resident has a secret which has not died along with them. The plot moves with a sublime grace and poise while building a subtle drama, told with an enter tainingly cutting humor. As Jack unear ths family scandals and hushed tr uths in the cold and quiet cemeteries, he solidly grounds the foundations of his own identity in a self-epiphanic journey. Stones is a poignant tale about how death may not be the end after all — a message, which reverberates with a special wisdom even after closing its covers.
November 19, 2009
Film
THE MEN WHO
Grant Heslov | BY CIARA COPELL STAFF WRITER
The Men Who Stare at Goats, directed by Grant Heslov, focuses on Bob Wilton (Ewan McGregor, Angels and Demons), a journalist covering the war in Iraq after his wife leaves him for another man. On his way there, he meets Lyn Cassady (George Clooney) who is a retired member of a secret division of the Army created during the Vietnam War to make psychic super-soldiers. Convinced he can find a story, Wilton follows Cassady on a truly crazy journey through Iraq. The film hosts a very impressive cast, including Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges, who display some superb acting. Clooney also delivers a stellar performance in his hilarious part, using paranormal fighting powers and equally impressive dance moves to save the main character and himself numerous times. McGregor is also great, playing the confused and awe-struck protagonist perfectly. Spacey creates the villain brilliantly, while Bridges gives an impeccable portrayal of the quintessential hippie.
B+
STARE AT GOATS
COURTESY OF ALLMOVIEPHOTO.COM
Page 8 • Inside Beat
Though slightly confusing because of the plotline’s continuous craziness, The Men Who Stare at Goats definitely delivers. The acting is spot-on and the story certainly captivates the audience. What makes the film even better is that many of the events, including the Army’s development of “psychic” soldiers and the use of the Barney theme song to torture prisoners, actually occurred. The unusual title of the movie comes from the supposed ability Cassady had to stop a goat’s heart by staring at it. From the opening scene, the movie maintains the pace and excitement of a wild ride, like the exciting sequence where terrorists capture Wilton and Cassady. The movie features the perfect amount of absolutely outrageous humor and impossibly funny situations without going overboard and making the movie hard to watch. The ending of the movie is odd to say the least, but even that added to the overall effect of the film. The Men Who Stare at Goats has all the makings of a great movie: talented cast, memorable plotline and uproarious dialogue. With all these factors contributing, it is undoubtedly worth watching.