INSIDEBEAT DECEMBER 2, 2010 • VOL. 28, NO. 22
THE WEEKLY ENTERTAINMENT MAGAZINE OF THE DAILY TARGUM
Internal Affairs Not all political memoirs are created equal
APP OF THE WEEK
Page 2 • Inside Beat
ZEN BOUND
December 2, 2010
Column
Many of the best iOS games have an unusual premise, and Secret Exit’s critically acclaimed Zen Bound is one of them. In Zen Bound, the player must use a length of rope to tie up wood and stone carvings. As the carvings — anything from animals to abstract shapes to alarm clocks — are tied up, color will spread across their form wherever the rope touches. The more painted the object, the higher the goal reached. While the first few levels are simple, there is a somewhat steep learning curve as the carvings become more elaborate. Even though the later levels may be challenging, Zen Bound will still provide a fun and unique experience to anyone who downloads it. —Jason Pearl
rant
Lions, Tigers, and Mama Bears BY NATALIA TAMZOKE ASSOCIATE/THEATER EDITOR
The other day I was in a Barnes & Noble, and as soon as I walked in I stumbled upon Sarah Palin’s newest book America by Heart. I’ll admit that my first reaction was to laugh, and it wasn’t because I think she’s a ridiculous political figure; rather, the smile came to my face as I began to think about her possible bid for the presidency in 2012. Now, I’m not going to sit here and rant about Sarah Palin— that would be far too easy. Instead, I’m going to explain why I hope she does run, and why I can’t wait for it to happen. As someone obsessed with theater, I can’t help but take pleasure in the theatricality of politics. During the 2008 presidential election, I would literally sit in front of the television for hours just watching polls, speeches and the latest outlandish remarks from politicians about their opposing political party. CNN was my station of choice, and Anderson Cooper was my homeboy. Those were the days. While the campaigning has quite a few months before it kicks off, it’s nice to see Palin planting her seed early. Mentioning she might run around the same time her memoir comes out seems to be helpful. (After all, having time to edit and compile her views may
be more effective than her past inter view blunders.) However, some of her material is still likely to cause controversy — and I’m loving it. Regarding victims of Hurricane Katrina, Palin states, “Hurricane Katrina revealed something other than government incompetence. It revealed a population of Americans dependent on government and incapacitated by the destruction of the American family.” Wow. I’m sure affected families and the Democratic Party will have lots of fun stuff to say about that. And what about her bit on teenage pregnancy and abortion? “Many Americans, I think, are a lot like Juno.” That’s so rad. I wonder if she could get Ellen Page to endorse her views. Despite her words, Palin has grown as a politician. Based on her tea party speeches and recent inter views, she has developed confidence while still managing that raw honesty that we know all too well. Will this stir things up? Can Palin pull through? Only time will tell. In America by Heart, she says, “If they thought pit bulls with lipstick were tough, wait until they meet a mama grizzly.” Sarah, keep it coming — your words are loaded guns, and I can’t wait for you to go hunting this political season. Just make sure you don’t shoot any elephants.
EDITORIAL BOARD S TACY D OUEK ................................................. EDITOR NATALIA TAMZOKE.......................................ASSOCIATE ROSANNA VOLIS.............................................ASSISTANT ARIBA ALVI..........................................................................TV EMILY GABRIELE...........................................................MUSIC NATALIA TAMZOKE...................................................THEATER ROSANNA VOLIS..........................................................FASHION AMANDA LITCHKOWSKI.....................................................ART NANCY SANTUCCI..............................................................COPY KATHERINE CHANG.........................................................FILM NIDHI SARAIYA..............................................................BOOKS ASHLEY PARK..............................................................ONLINE RAMON DOMPOR...............................................................PHOTO
EDITOR EDITOR EDITOR EDITOR EDITOR EDITOR EDITOR EDITOR EDITOR EDITOR EDITOR EDITOR
INSIDEBEAT THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTORS INSIDE BEAT :
TO
Alex Natanzon, Ciara Copell, Gwendolyn Breitstein, Inayah Bristol, Jason Pearl, Jenna Grunfeld, Steve Smoke, Ryan Surujnath Cover Photo of Nelson Mandela of Wikimedia Commons
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December 2, 2010
Art • Fashion • TV
Inside Beat • Page 3
The Art Aficionado’s Designer Digs Wishlist BY ROSANNA VOLIS
ASSISTANT / FASHION EDITOR
BY AMANDA LITCHKOWSKI ART EDITOR
It’s almost holiday time, and there’s a downside to all the wintery joy and cheer. There are about 20 days left to find the right gifts for all the right people. What’s even tougher is being on a budget. Unfortunately, this time Inside Beat is not here to help. Instead, this week we take a look at a few bank-breaking gifts that are too awesome for most to afford. What: your DNA on a canvas Price: starting at $440 Where to buy: dna11.com First, you mail a mouth swab of your DNA to the company. DNA11 then categorizes your sample into a Haplogroup, which is like an ancestral group of human beings based on migration patterns. Next, your DNA sequence is combined with a personal serial number to create a unique URL address. Finally, the URL is transformed into a 2D barcode that is then printed on canvas in the colors of your choice.
A perfect closet, it’s what every clothes-obsessed individual dreams about — to hold all of your precious belongings, to display your shoes and hang your coat. Who wouldn’t want a closet like Carrie Bradshaw’s in the Sex and the City movie? That closet played a crucial role — it’s where Carrie and Big finally reunite in search of her navy blue Manolo Blahniks. How about the awesome closet from Clueless? It guided Cher through her many color-coordinated, ’90s ensembles with ease. The underestimated centerpiece of any room, a closet is where a person decides how he or she will present themselves to the world on a particular day. Ever wondered what the closets of some of the most influential designers look like? So did we. Take a look at how one generation of little girls who once played dress-up have lived out their fantasies. So when you’re storing your shoes in Target bins or packing precious dresses into a tiny dorm room, you can dare to dream.
Clockwise from L-R: Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer (Creative Director of Estee Lauder), Jenna Lyons of J.Crew and Nanette Lepore Photos Courtesy of ElleDecor
COURTESY OF DNA11
What: a workout session in a gallery Price: upon request Where to buy: Technogym, located in SoHo Technogym is part workout space, part showroom and part luxury lounge. The two-story gym, complete with a grand staircase surrounded by a vertical garden, opened only two weeks ago. After a sweaty session under the supervision of a galore of personal trainers, customers can enjoy gourmet espresso while skimming art books in the library area. And coolest of all, Mick Jagger uses the same technology housed in Technogym. COURTESY OF URBAN DADDY
What: loans for high-end art Price: ranging from $133-$5,332 Where to buy: culturelabel.com/art In addition to Culture Label’s extensive unique art selection, the online shop also totes a ser vice called “Own Art.” The program allows customers to purchase contemporar y paintings to furniture with the help of incremental loans. And even better, they’re interest-free! Most of the available pieces are or have been exhibited in top spots like the Tate Galler y and the Museum of Modern Art. COURTESY OF CULTURE LABEL
Sarah Palin’s Alaska Seriously... TLC, Sundays at 9pm | D
Donut Wall
BY JENNA GRUNFELD
What were they thinking?
STAFF WRITER
In case you were wondering, Sarah Palin’s Alaska is just as beautiful as anyone else’s, but it has a shrill, annoying running commentary along with it. Sarah Palin’s Alaska is a reality show with a touch of nature. The Alaskan scenery is majestic — there are some breathtaking shots of Mt. McKinley, picturesque lakes and eagles in their natural habitats. If you were to watch the show on mute you might enjoy it for the green lakes and snowy hills. If you do have the sound on, you have the supreme displeasure of noticing just how unnecessary — if not detrimental — it is to have Sarah Palin there at all. It’s clear almost immediately that there is very little focus to the program; is it a platform for Palin’s opinions, an inside look at the often-overlooked 49th state or a window into the Palin family life? Palin is a mother of five, a grandmother, an aunt, a wife and, lest we forget, a politician. We are painfully reminded of her political role about five minutes into the series when Palin begins talking about a neighbor who has moved in to observe and write a book about her. “Todd and his buddies got out there and built a 14-foot fence,” Palin says in her interview.
BY AMANDA LITCHKOWSKI
COURTESY OF JENNIFERRUBELL.COM
ART EDITOR
“By the way, I thought that was a good example. What we just did, others could look at and say ‘Oh this is what we need to do to secure our nations border.’” In the pilot episode, the viewers do get the chance to learn a little about the dif ficulty involved in climbing a mountain like Mt. McKinley. We are able to see tiny brown bear cubs and larger bear cubs fishing and fighting wish each other; we learn about the small planes commonly employed in Alaska as a means of transpor tation; and we learn that Palin’s husband, Todd, is a ver y quiet individual, which at the least provides insight into how their relationship works.
The unbelievable: a wall covered with 1,521 donuts The culprit: Jennifer Rubell The down-low: Rubell, a graduate of Harvard and the Culi-
PHOTOS COURTESY OF TLC.COM
The scenes from the remaining episodes in the season show more of the same: extreme adventures, the children’s antics and Palin’s highpitched leadership in keeping the family together and showing them the way. For those who have noticed Palin’s lingering presence in sidebanter, this show will provide plenty of good material. But if you are looking for quality entertainment, it’s probably best to look elsewhere.
nary Institute of America, as well as a daughter of Miami’s alleged richest art-collecting couples, has been successful her whole life. She’s opened a series of hotels in Miami, been a food columnist and also wrote a book about simple entertaining. Then she decided to try out an art career, and what better way to start than by hanging donuts on a wall? She created “Old-Fashioned” using nothing other than, you guessed it, Old-Fashioned donuts from Dunkin Donuts. The treats were hung from nails exactly six inches from each other. Viewers were allowed to grab a piece of the art and nosh away.
The unnecessary fun facts: Rubell has also created
sculptures of her head with expensive cheese, hung them from the ceiling and blasted them with a heat gun. Below the cheese heads lied piles of crackers onto which the melting cheese would drip and create finger food for gallery goers. She’s also made a padded cell out of pink cotton candy. Yum!
A Day In The Life
Throughout the fall months, politicians have been releasing new
publications,
both left and right.
Which politicians have the edge? Inside Beat’s staff casts its vote on these bestselling political memoirs.
Presidential Debate Of Thee I Sing
Decision Points
Barack Obama | B
George W. Bush | B
BY ASHLEY PARK
BY NIDHI SARAIYA
ONLINE EDITOR
BOOKS EDITOR
If President Barack Obama wants to lead by example, he is certainly doing his part to teach the lessons of charity and generosity to the nation’s children. Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters was written in 2008, prior to his presidency, and is Obama’s first children’s book. All of the proceeds will go toward a scholarship fund for children of fallen or disabled soldiers. Each page of the book pays homage to famous Americans, such as Georgia O’Keefe and Neil Armstrong, with each historical figure representing an American virtue like creativity and patriotism. The writing is poetic and perhaps a little overly sentimental. However, the lovely, soft illustrations by Loren Long will blow you away. She fills the book with color, warmth and a painterly gracefulness apparent in everything from the noble profile of Jackie Robinson to George Washington’s billowing cape. As a children’s book, Of Thee I Sing lacks whimsy and fun, but it is a worthy bedtime selection for its inspirational and beautifully portrayed message of what it means to be an American.
In his new memoir, Decision Points, former president George W. Bush takes a frank look at his tumultuous eight years in office and the events that shaped them. Bush had his share of political missteps and public blunders. Yet it was undoubtedly tough for one man to be scrutinized for every decision he made. He was criticized for acting too rashly in the search for weapons of mass destruction and heckled for acting too slowly in aiding victims of Hurricane Katrina. While in the White House, Bush often resisted accepting responsibility for these events, but in the book, Bush breaks away that stubborn “I’m always right” assertiveness. While he stops short of accepting the blame for any serious wrongdoings, he admits to making some unsound choices and discusses how he would have acted differently in some circumstances. For readers with strong opinions about the former president, Decision Points is not likely to change them. But those willing to look beyond the black and white portrayal of George W. Bush in the media, this retrospective will show some shades of gray.
It’s a tie! Obama loses points for not actually writing a memoir, and Bush gains the sympathy vote.
Global Impact Conversations with Myself
A Journey: My Political Life
Nelson Mandela | A-
Tony Blair | B+
BY NIDHI SARAIYA
BY SHAMA HUQ
BOOKS EDITOR
STAFF WRITER
Nelson Mandela is a man who has become a living legend due to his distinction as an anti-apartheid activist, the first democratically elected president of South Africa and a Nobel Peace Prize winner. But in Conversations with Myself, readers get to see a unique viewpoint of this glorified man, one uncolored with the perceptions of others or himself. Unlike most autobiographical accounts, this book tells the stor y of Mandela almost completely through personal letters, recollections and transcribed conversations. Except for the editorial notes at the beginning of each chapter, there is no outside analysis presented. Readers must become historians and take these individual artifacts to string together a linear narrative. It is clear from the first few pages that Mandela is a man of many words. From the numerous letters and lengthy conversations with family and friends to the copious notes written on his desk calendars, he always had something to say. But the depth of his introspection is equally impressive. With stories about his first wife, race relations and his experiences as a lawyer, Mandela ponders with a philosopher’s astuteness and discusses his analyses in detail. Conversations with Myself is an informative and enlightening read, but don’t be fooled by its approachable title. For casual fans of Mandela, this book will generate more questions than answers. However for history buffs, this scholarly compilation will elucidate the details left out by the history books.
As a progressive Labour Par ty member who helped change the atmosphere of British politics, and as a prime minister through tumultuous new times, Tony Blair has overseen many crucial events in British histor y. His memoir A Journey: My Political Life ser ves as an attempt to reveal the underlying relationships and decisions that were present beneath the surface. While the book covers the entirety of Blair’s political career, the most notable sections discuss the choices he made following 9/11. Blair stands out as the only British prime minister in history to send troops out five times, standing in solidarity with America and our foreign policy. But this was not an easy task for him and he goes through the struggle that he encountered within Britain and within himself during this time. Blair carefully fills in the blanks with a friendly voice, using first names in a manner that allows the reader to feel as though they were witnesses to these behind-the-scenes moments. He also displays a dexterity of language throughout that should be unsurprising, given the way with words that politicians seem to possess, but it is still pleasant all the same. The singular flaw is something that Blair admits at the very end, stating, “It has never been entirely clear whether the journey I have taken is one of triumph of the person over the politics, or of the politics over the person.” Indeed at times, the tone of memoir feels as if Blair is questioning rather than reflecting. But, it is still an enjoyable read thanks to Blair’s dry humor and impeccable British wit.
Both have cool accents, but Mandela sneaks away with the victory.
Femme Phenoms America By Heart
Extraordinary, Ordinary People
Sarah Palin | C-
Condoleeza Rice | B
BY AUBREY SHERMAN
BY NINA MACAPINLAC
STAFF WRITER
STAFF WRITER
Following her bestselling debut Going Rogue, former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin returns to bookstores with her follow-up, America By Heart: Reflections on Family, Faith and Flag. Inspired by her belief that our current government is threatening America’s founding principles, the book reads as a love letter to the Constitution and the founding fathers, as well as a rallying call for the public to stand up against big government. Avoiding in-depth discussion of any issues at the heart of today’s politics, she instead focuses on broader themes: appreciating our veterans, the importance of family and the role religion has had in shaping our country’s morals. Her writing style is simple and breezy, making the book easy to finish — and that’s a good thing because, after a while, her almost religious faith in the infallibility of the Constitution and her extreme optimistic tone become grating. There are occasionally uncomfortable moments as well, such as when she argues that victims of Hurricane Katrina would have coped better if they had had stronger family units, and when she criticizes her daughter Bristol’s adolescent pregnancy. But despite all its faults, the book may be a worthwhile read for its insight into the motivations behind the tea party movement. Just don’t expect any surprises. In America By Heart, Palin proves her worth as a true politician who knows how to hit the emotional chords in her audience while sidestepping any substantial response to her critics.
When Condoleezza Rice is mentioned, most people do not picture a young girl with Mickey Mouse ears sitting on a couch eagerly awaiting a new episode of The Mickey Mouse Club. As the first black woman to serve as U.S. Secretary of State, Rice is often associated with images of power, intellect and strength. But in her memoir Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family, Rice brings to light the little girl in the Mickey Mouse ears as well as the supportive parents who always sat on the couch beside her. Raised in the deeply segregated environment of 1950s Birmingham, Ala., Rice recalls her childhood with an appreciative and humble voice. She avoids the over-sentimentality found in most memoirs, and yet it is hard not to feel a surge of emotion for her parents. She sings their praises through the entirety of the book and is obviously grateful for their emphasis on education and their dignity as people. Rice likens their protective upbringing to a “buffer” that shielded her from discrimination and she credits them for paving the road to the success she has achieved. While most political autobiographies focus on politics and individual deeds, Extraordinary, Ordinary People tells the story of family. Her consistently positive angle on her parents and home life does lead the reader to ponder the existence of any sugarcoating, but ultimately the book is very insightful and enjoyable.
Rice wins the majority vote with creativity and inspiration.
Page 6 • Inside Beat
Morning Glory Roger Michell | C
BY ALEX NATANZON STAFF WRITER
Roger Michell’s Morning Glory starts off as a promising romantic comedy but manages to lose flavor throughout the film’s progression. The cast of popular and acclaimed veteran actors give the movie much potential, but ultimately Morning Glory falls in to the vast pool of unoriginal, “We’ve seen it before” romantic comedies and is anything but glorious. Becky Fuller (Rachel McAdams, Sherlock Holmes) is a sweet, workaholic news producer for a local morning show. After being fired she fervently searches for jobs and is eventually hired by Jerry Barnes (Jeff Goldblum, The Fly) the head of a struggling, bigtime morning news show called DayBreak. She settles in quickly and almost immediately wins the
COURTESY OF PARAMOUNT PICTURES
admiration of her co-workers, including weary, long-time veteran anchor Colleen Peck (Diane Keaton). In hopes of boosting the show’s ratings, Becky fires the cocky head anchor, and replaces him with legendary reporter Mike Pomeroy (Harrison Ford). Pomeroy unwillingly takes the job because of a clause in his contract. All hell ensues after that, as Becky must handle her bickering anchors and manage a resentful Pomeroy, all while balancing her budding romance with co-worker Adam Bennett (Patrick Wilson, Watchmen). One would expect a film starring Ford and Keaton to immediately have a certain level of depth, regardless of the genre. Unfortunately, Morning Glory fails to captivate, despite having the makings of a good movie. It tries to be clever, by having a witty back and forth between the main characters, but it is evident that there is
no essence behind it, and the interactions are dry to say the least. The humor is cute in certain scenes, but, for the most part, only brings about a few weak chuckles. Because of the poor character development, the ending was unsatisfying and quite underwhelming. Morning Glory doesn’t completely fail as a film due to strong acting on the part of McAdams and Ford. McAdams’ ability to decompose her character’s personality is praiseworthy, and she acts as the glue keeping the film together. She gives her character a very likeable charm, allowing the audience to relate with her. Ford’s performance as the esteemed Pomeroy was notable because he was able to transform himself into the persona of Mike Pomeroy, while still staying within his acting scope. Still, one would have hoped for more from Keaton. Her enactment felt plastic, and, aside from a few exchanged insults, there wasn’t much communication between her and Ford’s character. Don’t see Morning Glory if you are expecting a heartwarming comedy at the level of When Harry Met Sally or My Big Fat Greek Wedding. This film unenthusiastically fails to live up to its prospective. Morning Glory is the sort of picture that you watch after a long day of work, when there is nothing better on television, and you just need something light to fall asleep to.
Skyline Brothers Strause | F COURTESY OF UNIVERSAL STUDIOS
BY JASON PEARL STAFF WRITER
Skyline is a lot like the illegitimate child of Cloverfield and Independence Day. The producers of Skyline decided to throw almost the entirety of its meager budget toward some second-rate special effects, leaving only the scraps for everything else. Basically, Skyline follows the story of several unlikeable and uninteresting 20-somethings during some sort of alien abduction event. After crashing in his friend’s penthouse following a night of drinking and arguments, Jarrod (Eric Balfour, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) and his girlfriend Elaine (Scottie Thompson, NCIS), are awakened by a strange blue light. The alien invaders have invented what amounts to a human bug zapper that lures their hypnotized prey into tractor beams. Jarrod initially becomes entranced by the enig-
December 2, 2010
Film • Video Games
matic glow but is snapped out of it by his friend Terry (Donald Faison, Scrubs). Witnessing the incredible power of the extraterrestrials and knowing full well the effects of the light, Jarrod and Terry decide that the best course of action is to go up to the roof and stare at the spaceships. When that brilliant idea doesn’t work out, they regroup with a few others in the apartment and try to figure out a way to avoid a horrific amount of probing. Everyone involved in the production of Skyline should be ashamed to have their names attached to the project. To start with, the actors are barely even acting. They seem to be simply reading their lines and adding some inflection every once in a while. Honestly, I’ve seen better performances in Hamburger Helper commercials. The direction is unsurprisingly no better, as Greg and Colin Strause have directed only one other feature, the
critically panned Alien vs. Predator: Requiem. Many of the scenes are awkwardly framed or canted and are often not-so-cleverly broken up by shots of the LA skyline. Clearly the pair of visual effects designers has no grasp of direction, and, after the cinematic tragedy that is Skyline, should give up on their newfound hobby. As for the screenplay, it frankly doesn’t make any sense. It’s not just that the plot is ridiculous even in the context of the movie, but parts of conversations seem to be completely left out. If a lack of cohesion and transition in dialogues makes sense to you, you’ve got a job waiting for you in Hollywood. To put it simply, nothing is done well in Skyline. Even things that would normally go unnoticed in a film, such as sound mixing, are done poorly. Anything would be preferable to sitting through this abysmal travesty.
Unstoppable Tony Scott | A
COURTESY OF TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
BY CIARA COPELL STAFF WRITER
Denzel Washington has done it again. His newest film, Unstoppable, is the perfect action adventure movie. The film is action-packed, as it follows two train workers trying to stop a runaway train filled with toxic chemicals. What makes the film even more incredible is that it is based on a true story. Washington plays Frank Barnes, a veteran train engineer who quickly becomes the unlikely hero in a horrible situation. Washington plays the party flawlessly, bringing much needed comedy every so often, giving the audience a break from the constant adrenaline rush that comes with watching a train chase for two hours. Even more impressive than Washington’s performance, however, was Chris Pine, who plays Will Colson, the new kid on the job who is stuck with Frank on his first day after training. Though they initially butt heads, the two come together to save the people in the town where the train is going to derail. Many would agree that Washington is an amazing actor, and the idea of starring side-by-side with him would be daunting. But, surprisingly, Pine holds his own against Washington and really shines throughout the movie. Rosario Dawson (Rent) is also impressive in her role as Connie, the yardmaster who helps Frank and Will stop the train from headquarters. She executes her role as a strong heroine and stands out in her arguments with the naïve vice president of operations trying to call the shots from an office in an unspecified location. Unstoppable leaves the audience satisfied and keeps the adrenaline pumping throughout. The film starts off a little bit slow, and many are left wondering where it is going, but after about 20 minutes, the wait pays off. The mere notion of a solid hour and a half of watching a train chase would make any audience member wary of potential exhaustion and boredom, but comedic elements as well as subplots were placed strategically so the audience got a break here and there. A particularly funny aside was revealing that Frank’s two daughters were waitresses at Hooters. Though the movie starts off a little slow, the audience becomes so engulfed in the chase, that it is hard to even remember the slow start by the end. Unstoppable leaves the audience emotionally invested in the characters and on the edge of their seat throughout the entire film. Clapping occasionally broke out in the theater after especially intense moments. Unstoppable is truly an amazing action adventure that is great for anyone, as long as you’re ready for a wild ride.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood BY RYAN SURUJNATH STAFF WRITER
The final notable release of what has become the year of the sequel is Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood — the direct successor to one of the best games of 2009, Assassin’s Creed 2. Brotherhood takes place almost immediately after the events of the previous game, rather than entering a new era and introducing new characters. The single player follows two storylines. In the present day, Desmond Miles, a descendant of the ancient order of the Assassins, uses a device called the Animus to relive the memories of his Renaissance-era ancestor Ezio Auditore
da Firenze in order to find the location of an artifact known as the Apple of Eden. The player primarily takes on the role of Ezio during memory blocks and follows his story as he releases Rome from the corrupt hands of the Borgia family and the Templars. Like its predecessors, Brotherhood remains a third-person action game. Mechanics work similarly to the previous games, implementing a system of low profile (stealthy) and high profile (aggressive) actions. The game tries to emphasize stealth, but the player can (and sometimes must) engage in upfront, open combat. Unfortunately, while the stealth elements can provide an interesting challenge, the open combat is made much too easy.
Players can tear through large groups of enemies with relative ease through counter-kills and the new execution streak feature. While it looks nice and fluid, this is a problem because in a game in which the player is called an assassin, it is too easy for stealthy assassinations to turn into complete bloodbaths. This should not diminish from the overall experience. Brotherhood is a beautiful looking game. The city of Rome is spectacular, character models look nice, and the combat animations are some of the best I’ve seen. Most know what to expect from the single player, but multiplayer was uncharted territor y for the Assassin’s Creed franchise. Though it is a first for the series, Brotherhood provides an
amazing multiplayer that offers a refreshing deviation from the usual online MMO, shooter or spor ts game. The level up system that the game utilizes is typical: players unlock new equipment, weapons and perks as they earn experience. Players are thrown into a map full of NPCs. Each player takes on the appearance of a certain NPC character model. The object is to assassinate the given target without killing an NPC lookalike. Players are given radars to find their target, but in more advanced game modes the radar only gives a broad general area in which the target could be. In these cases, players must use observation to determine where the human player is hiding. The multiplayer rewards players not nec-
Ubisoft | Aessarily based on the number of kills but rather how stealthily said kills were obtained. Brotherhood provides the great campaign experience that many remember from Assassin’s Creed 2. Ubisoft did not have to include a multiplayer for people to buy this game, but they did so and it is implemented beautifully. Be sure to put Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood on your holiday wish list, as it is a legitimate Game of the Year candidate.
COURTESY OF UBISOFT
Music • Theater
December 2, 2010 COURTESY OF THE GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE
Inside Beat • Page 7
[title of show]
Spotlight on RU Theater
George Street Playhouse | B+
“An Original Musical” comes to New Brunswick. BY NATALIA TAMZOKE ASSOCIATE/THEATER EDITOR
Last appearing on Broadway in 2008, [title of show] was based on its writers, Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell, who also appeared as the two leads during the initial run from a festival. While Bowen and Bell are absent from the production at the George Street Playhouse, the show successfully tells their story with its talented cast. [title of show] follows two friends, Jeff and Hunter, who decide to create a new show within three weeks for the New York Musical Theatre Festival. After some thought, they decide to write a musical about writing a musical. And so the show continues, taking the audience through their journey, assisted by their two actress friends, Heidi and Susan. Seth Rudetsky, best known in the Broadway sphere for his work as a conductor and pianist, columnist for Playbill.com, and host of “Seth’s Big Fat Broadway” on Sir-
ius XM Broadway, tones down his lively real-life persona for the role of Jeff. While anticipating lines every now and then, he pulls through and builds a committed and likeable character. Tyler Maynard (Altar Boyz, The Little Mermaid) beams as Hunter, his million-dollar smile and lovable charisma easily winning over the audience. Despite his vibrant nature, his performance never once seems hammy as he maintains his sincerity. His sugary vocals add to his character and create a sparkling presence on stage. The other performers on stage effectively add to Jeff and Hunter’s journey. Lauren Kennedy (Spamalot, Sunset Boulevard) plays a down-to-earth Heidi. She is a ver y natural performer and sings beautifully and with ease (despite occasionally stumbling on some higher notes). Susan Mosher (Hairspray) takes on the role of Susan with a mature eccentricity. Her widened facial expressions and
perfectly timed deliver y of lines builds toward a hilarious performance of “Die Vampire, Die!” Finally, musical director Jesse Vargas deserves a commendation for his portrayal of the pianist Larry. The music throughout the show is beautifully played, and his occasional delivery of lines is adds to the humor. Many of the lines include musical theater or pop culture references that might not be recognizable to everyone. Some lines flew over the heads of audience members, and the lack of laughter added gaps to the flow. However, the actors do a good job of keeping the text moving. The creative process behind writing a musical isn’t easy. Yet, [title of show] allows the humor and hardship to roll out effortlessly. The truth behind chasing a dream is all too real, especially since the fourth wall is broken. Lovers of musical theater will especially enjoy this, yet anyone who’s ever had a dream will walk away feeling refreshed.
COURTESY OF MYCHEMICALROMANCE.COM
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Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys is undoubtedly MCR’s most ambitious effort to date. Set in 2019, the band members take on new personas for the concept album. The sound is refreshing, yet familiar. Classic MCR alternative rock is infused with an array of electric synth to create an album that should have more than just the usual MCR fans excited. The album begins with an announcer over a rising guitar riff
that brings the album from zero to 60 at an adrenaline pumping speed. “This one’s for all of you rock’n’rollers/All you crash queens and motor babies/Listen up!/The future is bulletproof!/The aftermath is secondary!/It’s time to do it now and do it loud!/Killjoys, make some noise!” The 30-second intro blends right into the first single “Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na).” The title provides a not so subtle clue about the repetitive nature of the song. However, if you can put up with the countless “Na’s,” the remainder of the song is fast paced, energetic and infectious. The first song hints at changes in MCR’s sound, but the next string of
Loud | B-
STAFF WRITER
For anyone who disliked the dark and depressing route Rihanna took with her last album, no need to worry, the bright and popdriven Rihanna is back. Her fifth studio album entitled Loud is a completely different kind of album, full of a wide variety of songs ranging from mid-tempo ballads to upbeat pop songs. The album can be described as confident, fun, flir ty and downright naughty. Songs like “What’s My Name (feat. Drake)” and “Raining Men (feat. Nicki Minaj)” show a fun side to Rihanna’s style. On the other
Founded in 2004, A 4 Effort is a student group dedicated to short-form improvisational comedy. Credits: Most recently, the group opened for Ben Bailey, the host of Discovery Channel’s Cash Cab. They also opened for such comedians as Nick Thune as well as comedy groups such as the Upright Citizens Brigade Touring Company, and the world-famous sketch group Derrick Comedy. Members: The A 4 Effort troupe includes University students John Bender, Emily Lowinger, Jordan Gochman, Bryton McGrath, Alex Puhalla and Dan Conroy. Style: Their improv is based on games with predetermined structures similar to the ones played on the TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? Because all the parts of A 4 Effort’s show are unscripted, the games start with a suggestion from the audience. Each joke, pun and pratfall is made up by the group members on the spot. The group attributes its ability to create hilarious and cohesive scenes to cooperation, practice and a strong group bond. A 4 Effort will be holding its end-of-semester show on Thursday, Dec. 2 at 9:30 p.m. in Scott Hall, Room 123. Tickets are $2 for students with RUID and $5 for regular admission.
BY EMILY GABRIELE MUSIC EDITOR
songs shows them experimenting with synthesized beats and sounds on tracks that still seem natural to the band. “Bulletproof Heart” is a slower ballad that provides a nice contrast to the rest of the album. On “Planetary (GO!),” MCR almost completely ditches their traditional electric guitars and use synth sounds to propel the song. “Party Poison” is a catchy fast-paced ride that is bound to be a hit live. Danger Days is MCR simply having fun exploring new areas musically and thematically. It may not be groundbreaking, but it is definitely worth a listen for more than those that are just hardcore MCR fans.
Rihanna BY INAYAH BRISTOL
STAFF WRITER
Hip Hop Edition
Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys | B+
STAFF WRITER
BY GWENDOLYN BREITSTEIN
Listen Up!
My Chemical Romance BY STEVE SMOKE
A 4 Effort
Recently, hip-hop artists have been releasing new material to share with the world. These are songs that should definitely make it onto your playlist.
“All of The Lights” “Moment 4 Life” feat. Rihanna feat. Drake Kanye West
Nicki Minaj
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Pink Friday
West yet again proves his musical genius with his release of My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. Having released tracks every Friday to give fans insight to the potential of the album, its release fell nothing short of magnificent. “All of The Lights” features parts by Rihanna, Kid Cudi, Alicia Keys, Fergie and Elton John. With so many artists appearing on top of West’s hard-hitting beats, there’s no way this song can be ignored.
Hip-hop’s hottest female emcee has finally released her debut album, Pink Friday. The album has many tracks featuring other artists such as Eminem, the Black Eyed Peas Will.I.Am, Kanye West and Drake. “Moment 4 Life” is a melodic song that contains clever lyrics from both Minaj and Drake. Make sure to pay close attention to the lyrics, the whole album is jam-packed with quick-witted punch lines.
“Home for “Where I’m At” the Holidays” feat. Eminem hand, songs like “Skin” and “S&M” take a more adult approach, with ver y sexually charged lyrics like “The mood is set, so you already know what’s next/TV on blast, turn it down, turn it down/Don’t want it to clash, with my body screaming now/I know you hearin’ it, you got me moaning now.” Then, of course, there are songs perfect for the club atmosphere such as “Cheers (Drink to That)” and Only Girl (In the World)” which add to the star’s diversity. One of the best songs on the album would have to be “Man Down.” The reggae-influenced track gives listeners a feel that hasn’t been present on a Rihanna album since her debut album, Music of the Sun. With powerful
lyrics, the song gives off an island feel and a nice flow. While some of the ballads are lyrically impressive, they are not the highlight of the album. Her ballads seem melodramatic, even though they are vocally better than most that the artist has done. “Love the Way You Lie Pt. II” is a fitting continuation to the original version of the song that resides on Eminem’s album. Part II has Rihanna singing the woman’s point of view, and Eminem adds a good balance to the song’s entirety. As good as it is, though, the dramatic background sounds seem unnecessary. While the vocals of Loud can be a bit overbearing at times, the album is fun and filled with well-produced songs. Rihanna definitely has another hit album on her hands.
J. Cole
Lloyd Banks
Friday Night Lights
Hunger For More 2
J. Cole released his mix tape to build anticipation for his debut album, Cole World. The compilation of songs raised the bar for this hip-hop star as he continues to break through to the rankings of current emcees. “Home for the Holidays” seems like a perfect fit for the upcoming holiday season. Let Friday Night Lights hold your appetite until he decides to takeover with Cole World.
G-Unit member Lloyd Banks released his third solo album, titled Hunger for More 2. While the regular album is worth listening to, the song “Where I’m At” is an iTunes exclusive track, and it is a fantastic bonus to the album. With heartfelt storytelling lyrics from both Eminem and Banks, the song is sure to impress fans as Banks re-enters the rap game.