01-17-2013

volume 99, issue 56

thursday, january 17, 2013

Cover art by: victor escoto, art director damian luna, asst. director

2 | News

Volume 99, issue 56 | Thursday, january 17, 2013

Brown reinvests on last year’s cut

campus

Hannah Beausang Senior Staff Writer

Gov. Jerry Brown plans to add approximately $125 million into state funding for the California State University system. In conjunction with Proposition 30, the proposed budget will also reinvest the $125 million cut from last year’s budget into this fiscal year.

After the proposed budget increase, CSU state funding will provide $2.2 billion for operational costs and establishment of programs.

The governor’s proposed budget for higher education acknowledges the dwindling funding for California’s public colleges and addresses the subsequent financial burden placed on students.

The CSU system has 23 campuses and an approximately 410,300 students, making it the largest and most diverse university system in the U.S. CSU schools produce more than half of the state’s bachelor’s degrees and one-third of the state’s master’s degrees.

According to the governor’s Budget Summary for 2013-14, the $125 million increase for the CSU system will be added to the general fund for “core instruc-

Obama speaks about gun control national

Ana Ceballos Assistant News Editor

mct campus

Gov. Jerry Brown points at a graph with the future plans for the budget reinvestments in education during a presentation. Recently, he added $125 million into state funding for the California State University system.

tional costs” and the extra funding should eliminate the need for further tuition hikes.

The funding will include $10 million intended to increase the number of courses available

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to undergraduates through enhanced courses. These resources will be allotted to required lowerdivision general education courses, major prerequisites and highdemand classes.

Media Relations Specialist Erik Fallis said in a press release that the funds will allow for a new approach for mass student suc-

With finances more stable in the near term now that Proposition 30 has passed, we are cautiously optimistic that the CSU’s budget will turn around. timothy p. white

CSU Chancellor

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cess by including increased use of technology for learning, student advising and course restructuring.

The additional $125 million increase will be added to the General Fund because the CSU system did not increase tuition in the 2012-13 budget year.

The proposed budget states the importance of reinvestment in education in order to ensure “access to high-quality, post-secondary instruction; improve educa-

tional attainment; and support civic engagement and critical thinking.”

Additional funding is an attempt to increase the quality of higher education in California, reduce tuition costs, expedite time for graduation, increase transfer rates from community colleges to four-year institutions and utilize teaching resources more effectively. The funding is also meant to make classes more accessible to students.

In a press release, CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White spoke about the funding.

“The CSU has certainly been challenged over the past several years with the drop in state support due to the state’s lingering recession,” White said.

“However, with finances more stable in the near term now that Proposition 30 has passed, we are cautiously optimistic that the CSU’s budget will turn around.”

Increased funding for California’s higher education systems could ensure a more accessible college career for students.

Yesterday, President Barack Obama proposed a new plan to protect children and communities from mass shootings, such as those that occurred last year in Newton, Oak Creek, Aurora and Tucson.

The plan includes closing background check loopholes and banning military-style assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, in addition to increasing access to mental health services and more security at schools. This plan could be the biggest push for gun control in decades.

Throughout the past few months, Obama has received a lot of backlash from the National Rifle Association, which has approximately 4 million members, accusing him of being “just barack obama another elitist U.S. President hypocrite” for not supporting armed guards in schools.

“More than 900 of our fellow Americans have reportedly died at the end of a gun, 900 in the past month,” Obama said during a speech in the South Court Auditorium. “Every day we wait, that number will keep growing.”

Obama said statistics show 40 percent of all gun purchases are conducted without a background check. One of his immediate plans is to urge Congress to require universal background checks for anyone trying to buy a gun; more than 70 percent of the NRA’s members and a majority of Americans agree, according to a White House press release.

“When it comes to protecting the most vulnerable among us, we must act now,” Obama said. “For the 25 other innocent children and devoted educators who had so much left to give. Let’s do the right thing.”

Every day we wait, that number will keep growing.

News | 3

Thursday, january 17, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 56

CSU launches full online degrees

campus

The California State University system now offers students the opportunity to complete a degree online this semester.

Stephanie Saccente Senor Staff Writer

In a step toward a more digital age, California State University schools are offering students the opportunity to receive a degree through a new online program called Cal State Online.

Cal State Fullerton was the first school to launch their online degree program through the Cal State Online service on Jan. 14.

Prospective students wishing to obtain a bachelor’s degree in business administration can complete the online program taught by faculty and staff from Cal State Fullerton. Nine other online degree programs from other CSU schools will begin in Fall 2013.

Cal State Online offers students an innovative college education accessible from any location. While this program may be the best choice for some people, others prefer a more traditional college experience.

Business marketing sophomore Stephanie Johnson says attending school on a college campus was the best choice for her because it allowed her, the

opportunity to move to a different city and meet new people.

“I think that it helps so much to interact with all the professors and students so you are more prepared for when you graduate, and you could make so many connections

It’s hard to sit there and listen to an online lecture ... Overall I don’t feel it’s nearly as good of a learning experience. emily peterson

Kinesiology senior

just by going to class,” Johnson said.

While San Diego State is currently not part of the Cal State Online program, SDSU offers a variety of online programs through the College of Extended Studies. According to Media Relations Specialist for the College of Extended Studies Steve Dolan, there are three programs students can take

through the College of Extended Studies to obtain a degree online.

The three online degrees offered are for a Master of Arts in Educational Technology, a Master of Science in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a Master of Science in Regulatory Affairs.

Apart from the three online degrees, SDSU also gives students the option to take some undergraduate classes online.

Individualized online classes are offered for many majors at SDSU, including science, mathematics and philosophy classes.

After taking an online course in a previous semester, Kinesiology senior Emily Peterson said she prefers a classroom rather than an online course. She said that while it was convenient to be able to complete the work at any given time and location, she was less focused and motivated.

“It’s hard to sit there and listen to an online lecture,” Peterson said. “I got behind on many of the lectures and, overall, I just don’t feel it’s nearly as good of a learning experience. Also, you don’t study as hard for an online test as you would if it was an in class test.”

Prospective students can apply for admission to the Cal State Online program on the website www.calstateonline.com

Crime Beat SDSUPD gets a jump on crime San Diego State has been a ghost town for the past month as students and faculty left for winter break. Now, as life trickles back into school and students and faculty prepare for the upcoming semester, the SDSU Police Department is making preparations to keep the campus as safe and crime-free as possible.

“Unfortunately, the criminals know our school schedule as well as we do,” SDSUPD Captain Lamine Secka said.

“As you see an increase in population, you’re going to see an increase in some of the crimes.”

Secka said SDSUPD’s goal is to stay “ahead of the curve” based on the crime trends it has seen in the past.

He said the two most common trends from last semester were bike-related crimes and “apple-picking”—a term coined for iPhones being snatched right out of people’s hands as they walked down the street.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in the number of bikes on campus,” Secka said. “Facility services has been installing more bike racks over the break … because the bike parking is so limited, and that’s a problem we’ve never seen before. So, along with that, we’ve seen an increase in bike thefts.”

Secka emphasized the need for awareness on students’ behalf in an effort to prevent “crimes of opportunity,” such as iPhone snatching.

“I can’t tell you how many times I walk around campus and people are just buried in their phones, texting or whatever it is that they’re doing,” Secka said. “That just makes you an easier target.”

SDSUPD will host a bike lock event at the beginning of spring semester when free U-locks will be distributed to students who register their bikes. The police department will also be releasing a bulletin regarding “apple-picking,” a nationwide issue for all iPhone users.

—COMPILED BY MICHELE PLUSS

Like The Daily Aztec on Facebook and get instant updates!

sports | 4

Thursday, january 17, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 56

SDSU staying in MW Ryan Schuler Sports Editor

It’s official.

San Diego State will be rejoining the Mountain West Conference in all sports next year.

SDSU was reinstated after the Mountain West’s board of directors voted to allow the Aztecs to return to the MWC this fall. SDSU was scheduled to join the Big East in football and the Big West in all sports on July 1. The decision comes after Boise State University decided not to join the Big East as a football-only member on Dec. 31.

“With today’s announce-

ment, SDSU’s membership continues uninterrupted and helps the Mountain West maintain a solid foundation going forward,” MWC commissioner Craig Thompson said in a statement.

SDSU must pay the Big West Conference a $1.5 million exit fee, but will not have to pay the Big East Conference an exit fee because of a clause in SDSU’s contract that states SDSU may leave if there is no other Big East team located west of the Rocky Mountains.

“We have the deepest respect for our colleagues in the Mountain West, Big

East and Big West conferences with whom we have worked collaboratively during the period of conference realignment,” SDSU President Elliot Hirshman and SDSU Director of Athletics Jim Sterk said in a joint statement. “We are optimistic about the future of San Diego State University’s athletic programs and the prospect of building on our university’s rich tradition of intercollegiate athletics.”

With SDSU and Boise State returning, the MWC will have 12 football members this fall, along with the additions of Utah State and San Jose State.

Rebels take round one Ryan Schuler Sports Editor

It felt more like a heavyweight-boxing match than a college basketball game.

With No. 15/14 San Diego State and the No. 23 University of Nevada, Las Vegas trading jabs early on, the Runnin’ Rebels landed a left hook by jumping out to a 16-8 lead early in the first half.

But the Aztecs responded

with a punch of their own, going on a 10-2 run to tie the score at 18, capped by a three-pointer by junior guard Jamaal Franklin.

The Rebels again jumped out to a sizeable lead, going on a 6-0 run, but the Aztecs were able to close the gap and tie the game once again at 31 with a little more than seven minutes left in the half.

Less than a minute later, the Aztecs grabbed the lead 3534 when freshman forward

Winston Shepard connected on two free throws with 6:25 left in the first half.

The Rebels regained the lead and led the Aztecs 4842 at halftime.

The second half began much like the first, with both teams trading baskets until the Rebels scored consecutively, extending their lead to 10, their largest of the game, less than four minutes AZTECS continued on page 5

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5 | Sports

Volume 99, issue 56 | Thursday, january 17, 2013

Junior guard Jamaal Franklin drives to the basket against UNLV’s Khem Birch.

Franklin led the Aztecs with 27 points and seven rebounds in the 82-75 loss to UNLV. from AZTECS page 4

into the game.

SDSU was able to eventually cut the deficit to three with 12:28 left in the game, thanks to a 6-0 run.

The Aztecs scored the next six points of the game to take a 63-60 lead with 9:52 left. The teams continued to trade slim leads until the Rebels were able to distance themselves, grabbing a four-point lead with 5:39 left in the game.

The Aztecs kept it close and tied the score at 73 with 3:43 left in the game, when Franklin made a layup while being fouled and subsequently made the free throw for a three-point play.

But UNLV went on to take the three-point lead with one minute remaining, before sophomore forward Khem Birch grabbed the offensive rebound off a miss and put it in to give the Rebels the 80-75.

The Aztecs never recovered, falling to UNLV 82-75 to drop to 14-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play.

Turning Point Trailing 60-51 with 15:02 left in the game, the Aztecs went on a 12-0 run to take the lead 63-60 with 9:52 left. Shepard and freshman forward Skylar Spencer were instrumental during the run, scoring six of the team’s 12 points.

It was over when…

UNLV senior guard Anthony Marshall tried a fadeaway jumper outside the key, which missed, but was rebounded by Birch, who put it in to give the Rebels the 80-75 lead with 26 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Franklin lost the ball while driving to the hoop.

The Rebels recovered the ball and went on to win the game.

Play of the game A UNLV player had possession of the ball on the ground, but his pass to a teammate was immediately stolen by senior guard Chase Tapley, who made a bounce pass in transition between two defenders to Franklin, who dunked it with two hands to give SDSU the 2-0 lead early in the game.

Player of the game Shepard had his finest game as an Aztec, pouring in a career-high 18 points, along with five rebounds and five assists. It is the second time in his career he has scored in double digits.

Statistic of the game Despite winning the turnover battle 12-5, the Aztecs were outrebounded by the Rebels 43-31 in the game.

Notes - Franklin scored SDSU’s first five points of the game.

- Shepard and UNLV freshman forward Anthony Bennett were former teammates at Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev. - Washington Nationals starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg and San Diego Padres manager Bud Black, both former SDSU pitchers, were in attendance.

- Franklin led at scorers at half with 17 points.

- UNLV outscored SDSU 26-14 in the paint after one half.

- Both benches scored 23 points in the game.

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6 | FEATURES

Volume 99, issue 56 | Thursday, january 17, 2013

Local archers find solace in Rube Powell Range travel

& adventure

Local pipe fitter Bret Danielson (above) has enjoyed using the Rube Powell Archery Range for the past year, while Sir Gordon (below) has been coming to the range for more than 50 years. The range and its accompanying target range, Morley Field, are the last remaining public archery ranges in southern California.

Ethan Bailey Assistant Features Editor

The forest is thick and many different sights, sounds and smells overwhelm your senses. You move quietly to avoid giving away your position. Suddenly, a branch cracks from a distance. Your eyes are quick to react and you see a deer. Your next move determines whether or not you eat tonight.

Your hands begin to sweat and your heart rate skyrockets. But this is the moment you’ve been waiting for. You take an arrow from your quiver and ready your bow, pulling back on the tense string that will send the arrow with deadly silence and precision to its target.

You slowly exhale, and fire.

While the Rube Powell Archery Range in Balboa Park isn’t quite as dramatic, it’s a great place to spend a sunny San Diego day. This 28acre archery haven is located right off the Alcazar Garden parking

lot, which is accessible by taking Highway 163 to the park area and crossing the Cabrillo Bridge. Both this range and the accompanying target range, Morley Field, are the only remaining public archery ranges in southern California.

It’s a mental game with yourself ... You’re the one you’re trying to beat. Even when you’re shooting competitively ... it’s still you. sir gordon

archer

Before embarking to Balboa, I had never shot a bow, nor had I seen someone shoot one. I also didn’t know where I was going, so I enlisted a couple of companions who had been to the range before to join me.

Upon entering the range, it’s easy to see why people love coming here. The first target shooting area overlooks the rest of the range, which is shrouded in a forest of palms and eucalyptus trees. We put our $2 fee in a little red drop box and sat down to watch other archers practice their form.

Then, someone entered the range who immediately drew our attention. The man approaching us appeared to be from another era. He looked like he could have been a demon slayer or a werewolf hunter from “Van Helsing.” The tall, skinny figure wore black leather boots, jeans and a black leather jacket. His long handlebar mustache began brown and faded to gray as it stretched well below his chin. His eyes hid behind goldrimmed John Lennon sunglasses and he wore a brown fedora with a feather sticking up from the hat’s black band. He sported a leather banded, gold-rimmed wristwatch.

A small gold earring hung from his left earlobe. A black leather quiver was slung around his right shoulder, which held his homemade aluminum arrows and an old combat knife. He stood behind his recurve bow, which lay on a table. A cigarette burned in his right hand. Before us stood a man simply named Sir Gordon.

Gordon, 67, has been a regular at the Rube Powell range for more than 50 years. Archery has been a part of his entire life.

“I’ve got hillbilly beginnings,” Gordon said. “I used to take the lids off tin cans and bend them back to make broadheads (a type of arrowhead) and fashion them to a piece of wood to make arrows.”

But Gordon’s hillbilly beginnings evolved into something much more. This is a man who puts “Sir” before his name because he was once the victor of the annual King Arthur Tournament held at the Rube Powell range (see bottom

all photos by caitlin johnson , staff writer

left photo on page 11). He even hosts the Sir Gordon’s Traditional Shoot, where only longbows and other traditional-style bows are allowed. Years of practice have given him the ability to know if a shot was good just by the feel of his release and the sound of the string on his bow. He equates this feeling to using a typewriter.

“It’s like when you’re typing without looking at the keys,” Gordon said, “and you hit a wrong one, and you just know it by the feel.”

He demonstrated shortly thereafter. He lifted his bow—a gorgeous, laminated combination of ebony, Indian rose and ash woods made in 1964—and notched one of his silver arrows in the string.

The motion that began with pulling from the quiver and ended by releasing the shot happened with unexpected rhythm and grace. His first two shots down-range sailed slightly to the left. His body language suggested he wasn’t thrilled

FEATURES | 7

Thursday, january 17, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 56 with the result. But his third shot hit the target’s bulls-eye with a resounding thud.

“There it is,” he said confidently.

He only shot through one quiver full of arrows that day because he was testing his new tab, which is yet another piece of leather equipment. It protects the finger that pulls back on the string of the bow.

“It’s needed because pulling on these things can be like plucking piano strings,” Gordon said. “It hurts.”

Gordon is what archers call a traditionalist. Nowadays, he uses only recurve and longbows, the kind of equipment one might expect an ar-

cher to carry. He has given up using high-tech compound bows—in fact, he gave his collection of at least seven compounds to his son.

“He brought up the will one day over the phone and I knew he was hinting at something,” Gordon said. “So, he says that he’s had his eye on one of my compound bows and I told him if he came and visited me, he could have them all.”

Gordon lives by, at least in part, two acronyms. The first is K.I.S.S.: “Keep it simple, stupid.” This explains his equipment, but what of his overall style? He calls it the S.W.A.G. style. But you won’t find Gordon using the term in the same way you’ll hear it used on cam-

pus.

“It stands for ‘scientific wild-ass guess’,” Gordon said. “You have to know your equipment and what it can do, but the rest is getting your body to accommodate.”

He has shot competitively and even hunted. But what makes Gordon seemingly addicted to the sport of archery is what goes on behind the bow.

“It’s a mental game with yourself,” Gordon said. “You’re the only one you’re trying to beat.

Even when you’re shooting competitively—sure there’s another guy you’re trying to outscore—but it’s still you.”

As Gordon walked back up the

hill after retrieving his arrows, he pulled the combat knife from his quiver and handed it to one of my friends to examine. It’s called an M6, a knife issued to him and his fellow marines during the Vietnam War. As he looked down at the knife, he thought back to a time when being a soldier meant fighting overseas and returning home to a similarly hostile battle with your own people.

“The way people treat our boys today, I tip my hat to them,” Gordon said, “because when I came back from Vietnam, people treated us with hostility. That was not cool.”

But what is cool is that Gordon is extremely involved with the San

Diego Archers and the rest of the archery community that loves the Rube Powell range. He has a true passion for archery and is quick to say hello to fellow archers and ask about their bows. What is cool is that he had a photo of himself being knighted at the King Arthur Tournament, which he proudly shared with us.

So next time you’re bored and want to try something different or want to relieve some stress built up from classes, head to the Rube Powell Archery Range in Balboa Park. You’ll be glad you did and, if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll get to talk with Sir Gordon.

opinion | 9

Thursday, january 17, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 56

We watched (the news) while you slept C Leo Castaneda

hristmas presents have been opened, (too much) eggnog has been drunk and the New Years Day hangover has been survived. This means winter break is finished and it’s time to get back to the real world. To ease you back, we’ve compiled the top stories we think will continue to have a large impact in the months ahead.

Opinion Editor

This is a good sign for medical marijuana advocates who were dismayed by continued pushback from the city during former Republican Mayor Jerry Sanders’ administration. During his tenure more than 100 dispensaries were closed and new zoning laws were proposed which would virtually drive dispensaries out of the city and out of reach of elderly or ill patients with limited mobility.

Light at the end of California’s fiscal tunnel

mct campus

San Diego ending its war on medical marijuana Incoming San Diego Mayor Bob Filner announced he would end the city’s battle with medical marijuana dispensaries, which are legal in California although they continue to face criminal prosecution by the federal government. City Attorney Jan Goldsmith will end all ongoing cases against dispensaries.

Filner seems determined to pass new zoning laws to create clear, comprehensive and reasonable regulations about where dispensaries can be located.

After years of belt-tightening and seemingly insurmountable budget deficits, California Gov. Jerry Brown released a deficit-free 2013-2014 budget proposal. The proposal, which totals slightly less than $98 billion, won’t be finalized until May when tax receipts are received and provide a clearer picture of state finances.

Still, this is a very encouraging sign. The balance was brought on in large part thanks to higher taxes, including the recent voterapproved Proposition 30, as well as the end of redevelopment agencies and other statewide cost-cutting measures.

The proposed budget also includes something most San Diego State students have never even heard of during their time in college: a $125.1 million increase in state funding for the California State University system. If this

doesn’t put administrators in a cheerful mood for the beginning of Spring semester, nothing will.

Putting a small damper on the celebration is news that San

After years of belttightening and seemingly insurmountable budget deficits, California Gov. Jerry Brown released a deficit-free 2013-2014 budget proposal.

Diego will face a $40 million budget deficit this year, rather than the surplus Filner had originally hoped for. The change is a result in part of large upfront costs for a voter-approved pension-restructuring plan which is intended to save millions during the coming years. San Diego’s economy continues to improve, with housing prices reaching their highest levels in 4 1/2 years.

Unemployment in November was at 8.3 percent, slightly higher than the national average but down from 10.9 percent in January 2010.

The revival of the gun violence debate No one could have missed the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where an armed assailant killed 27 people, including 20 kindergarteners and himself. The shooting—at the heels of the Aurora

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movie theater shooting where a gunman killed 12 people and injured 58 others—reignited a national debate regarding gun violence that had long been dormant. It isn’t clear what, if any, gun-control legislation can pass in a Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Still, President Barack Obama remains a vocal supporter of gun control and yesterday signed an executive order creating a $500

million fund to research and prevent gun violence. He also called for congressional action to mandate background checks for all gun purchases, as well as a new ban on military-style assault weapons. California Sen. Dianne Feinstein already promised to introduce a ban, which would likely mirror the one signed by former President Bill Clinton in 1994, which expired in 2004.

10 | ENTERTAINMENT

Volume 99, issue 56 | Thursday, january 17, 2013

In Defense of Something Awful: Jackie Chan J. Hutton Marshall Managing Editor

Dictionary.com describes awful (adj.) as “extremely bad; unpleasant; ugly.� This column is here in its defense.

There are some people for whom fame is inevitable. Some attribute it to hard work; others to having a magnetic personality—whatever that means—and many thank their unbridled willingness to sleep their way to the top. Whatever “it� is that makes a celebrity celebrated, Jackie Chan, despite his awfulness, has undeniably got plenty of it. “Now wait a minute, Hutton,� some of you may be thinking. “Jackie Chan’s Wikipedia page says he’s an actor, action choreographer, comedian, director, producer, martial artist, screenwriter, entrepreneur, singer and stunt performer. He does so many things, how could you possibly say he’s awful?�

Because he is awful, that’s why.

Now, he’s not totally, 100 percent awful, but awful enough so that I don’t feel guilty labeling him as such. Jackie Chan is awful in a polarized way. The guy is a great martial artist—he even has the courage to do all his own stunts, which is commendable in this age of pampered celebrities—but there are areas where he is most certainly lacking.

For example, Jackie Chan refuses to play a villain. He even refused to play the bad guy, Wah Sing Ku, in “Lethal Weapon 4,� which would have been nothing less than

trill. But sadly, this wasn’t an option for ol’ Jackie. He’s such a role model to kids, who knows what impact his portrayal of fictional characters could have on the youth of China and the U.S.? If there was an award for most narcissistic (this debatably already exists; it’s called the Golden Globes) then he would clean up. Going out on a limb here: I think kids are more likely to take what he actually does seriously rather than what he pretends to do in movies. The guy filmed nude sex scenes in his 20s (if you don’t believe me, check out the 1975 comedic adult film, “All in the Family�), he blew off school, became famous for martial arts and became a Hollywood actor. If I tried to go down this road as a kid, my parents would have judo chopped me all the way to science camp.

I’m not a film expert, and I don’t have any kind of theatrical background, but I think I can state with some confidence that Jackie Chan is not a good actor in the classical sense. I don’t think he’ll ever win an Oscar, and I don’t get the impression that he sweats a whole lot about the scripts and overall direction of his movies. I mean, seriously, when he writes movies, he could at least stop naming his character “Jackie.�

However, there is one thing which eats at me when writing about his undeniable cinematic awfulness; he’s a genuinely nice guy. His slapstick humor is so cheap, it makes me gag. But it’s unpretentious and lighthearted. The dialogue he writes is practically

nonsense at times, but what comes through is genuine and says exactly what Jackie Chan means, without reservation. He’s a huge show-off, but hey, most of what he does is entertaining. Sure, there’s a lot of awful in his cinematic endeavors, but why pay attention to the awful when it’s so much fun to just sit back and watch him do kung-fu and be goofy?

It’s tempting to analyze every movie we watch these days and compare them to the standout films that greatly impacted society, but I think that’s a big waste sometimes.

I think a lot of movie producers out there have no interest in being artistically critiqued and analyzed.

Rather, their movies are meant for pure, dumb, visceral joy without snobbery or carefully crafted subplots. Chan’s films aren’t meant to stand next to “There Will Be Blood� or “2001: A Space Odyssey.� No, his movies are at the best to watch at 2 a.m. with a bag of Cheetos Puffs in hand, when all you want to do is watch a little bit of kung-fu and not worry too much about thinking.

-J. Hutton Marshall is a green belt with a blue stripe in taekwondo. He recommends anyone interested in an awfully awesome Jackie Chan movie should watch “Armour of God II: Operation Condor,� starring, written and directed by Jackie Chan. He also recommends not sweating about missing “Armour of God 1,� because it was never released in English.

mct campus

Jackie Chan throwing the first pitch during a Cubs / Dodgers game in 2010. Not since the opening of “Space Jam� has someone looked so out of place playing baseball.

start out on top.

Start raiSing the bar.

Start commanding attention.

Start higher.

start one step ahead.

Start moving up.

start leading from day one.

start strong. sm

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ENTERTAINMENT | 11

Thursday, january 17, 2013 | Volume 99, issue 56

Soda Bar

Weekend Concert Calendar

SD House of Blues

The Tower Bar

The Casbah

1/17 Lexington Field

1/17 Hoodoo Blues

1/18 Ska & Reggae

1/17 He’s my Brother,

1/18 The Flowerthief

1/18 DSB

1/19 The Magnificent

1/18

1/19 The Atom Age

1/19 Marcel Woods

1/21 DJ Tony the Tyger

1/19

1/20 Glossary

1/20 Ruslan

1/22 Pyrate Punx

1/20 Roots Factory 3

She’s my Sister The Burning of Rome Cadillac Tramps

Year Anniversary

Fuel yourself with bacon.

Above is a screenshot from “NRA: Practice Range,” a new free iPhone app from the NRA itself. The app was released Sunday, only one month after the Sandy Hook shooting and only several weeks after the NRA depicted the video game industry as a “callous, corrupt and corrupting shadow industry that sells and sows violence against its own people through vicious, violent video games.” Not only are they venturing into the very medium they’re denouncing, it’s not the first time they’ve done it (see: NRA Gun Club, 2006).

To be fair, the game doesn’t involve shooting others, although the app is targeted at people ages 4 and older. Really though, did no one think releasing a video game after completely denouncing the industry and blaming them for recent tragic events is a bad idea? Even beyond all of that, IGN clearly stated if you’re a gun enthusiast, this is “not the game you’ve been waiting for.” Bummer, dudes.

*Please drink responsibly.

TM

Featuring bacon burgers, bacon cocktails and bacon brownies, plus a huge selection of craft and local beers on tap.

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ROOMS 4 RENT

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12 | BACKPAGE

Volume 99, issue 56 | Thursday, january 17, 2013

‘Cabin In The Woods’ fever

humor

Hayley Rafner Staff Writer

The second someone asks me what my favorite movie is, I fall into an earth-shattering panic attack. How could anyone possibly expect me to catalogue every movie I’ve ever seen and pick one winner out of, literally, the thousands I’ve seen? I’ve got my top three and they’re classics. The No. 1 spot goes to “Almost Famous.” Not only is it my dream to one day be William Miller and/or Penny Lane (preferably at different times), but also because I am not-so-secretly in love with Russell Hammond and I can’t believe “Fever Dog” isn’t a real song. In a close second would be “The Big Lebowski”—not just because my father worked on the film or even because there is a cameo made by yours truly as a Little Lebowski Urban Achiever, but because it’s one of the funniest and most easily quoted movies I’ve ever seen. Spot three goes to a movie called “Wet Hot American Summer” and all you really need to know is that it’s about the last day at a Jewish summer camp in 1981 and if that’s not enough to catch your attention and immediately go home and stream it on your Xbox then, well, you’re doing it wrong. Once I get past the third spot, however, things get a little weird.

Most of the time when this conversation takes place, if people list off a movie made in the last few years, I scoff. I don’t really understand how a film that hasn’t been seen 1,000 times can even be categorized as a

“favorite” and most people can’t watch a movie so recently made that many times, right? Wrong.

I never thought it would be possible, but a movie that came out just last year took the No. 4 spot on my list.

The first time I saw “The Cabin In The Woods,” I was on a really bad date. It was our second date, so it was partly my fault for not catching the fact that there was no connection sooner, but we’re not here to point out the flaws in my dating strategies, alright?

Anyways, he took me to see this movie because I had heard through the grapevine that it was really worth seeing, despite its trailer presenting it as a carbon copy of just about every horror movie ever made.

The first great thing I noticed about the movie was the stunning bromantic connection between Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins’ characters. Their banter is beyond perfect throughout the entire movie and every scene with the two of them in it is my favorite scene in its own right.

The next best thing I noticed, besides the stunning presence of Chris Hemsworth and Jesse Williams (swoon), is the absolute perfection that is Fran Kanz. I had no idea who this dude was, although one night, when I was watching it at home, my roommate came in, saw him on the screen and yelled “Dollhouse!”

But after the movie ended, he slowly became my favorite person in the world. He plays the atypical stoner dude with his stoner musings and references and his squinty eyes. But, refreshingly enough, the stoner act isn’t any

less annoying than it is absolutely endearing. He’s perfect.

End of story.

Besides insanely witty dialogue, absolutely gut wrenchingly hilarious banter and the mind-blowing plot, the movie kept me on the edge of my seat, and it wasn’t just because I was enveloped by the stench of my date’s terribly awful cologne.

I left the theater and basically had to scoop my brains and jaw off the floor because I couldn’t believe how flabbergasted I was at how it all came together. Brilliant was the only word that came to mind.

I loved it so much I saw it twice in theaters, then went out and bought it the day it came out. Who even buys movies anymore? If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll know I exaggerate at least 6,000 times a day, but I have literally watched it once a week (sometimes more) since the DVD came out in September.

Williams himself even called me out on Twitter for it. Sorry, I’m not sorry!

I’m obsessed. I can’t help myself. And I won’t help myself. I do everything I can to make sure every single person I meet sees it, whether they borrow my copy or I watch it with them. I’m sure you can guess which one happens more often.

And the No. 5 spot on my list goes to “Country Strong.”

I know it doesn’t really make sense, but that’s just the kind of person I am.

HOROSCOPE

by Nancy Black, Tribune Media Services

Today’s Birthday (1/17/13) - Career advancement gets easier for the first half of 2013, keeping you extra busy. Revise and review for anywhere to simplify and delegate.

Devote special time for yourself. New players enter early in the summer, including teachers and friends as well as new partnerships. Love grows through changes.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 9 Confirm travel arrangements to avoid delays.

Push ahead to the next level, and expand your network. A commitment made now will last.

Discover unexpected treasure in the process.

Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Today is a 6 - You may discover unusual social responsibilities, and change views around group membership. Keep finances private, even as you pay an old debt and resist a temptation. It’s positive.

Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is an 8 A surprise event causes a change in direction.

It could get outrageous. Too much! Let the situation calm down as the full story comes out. Keep it cool.

Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is an 8 - Partnership reaps extra dividends, like a welcome assignment or unexpected bonus. You’re pretty cute, too. Enjoy a social diversion. Barter with favors, trades and coupons ... save the cash.

Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is an 8 - A dream captures your imagination. Make a list of necessary improvements and handle obligations. A thrifty decision surprises even you. Old can be better than new. Love grows

luck.

Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is a 6 - Postpone long journeys. Give up control; a wild scheme won’t work. Slow down for a shaky situation. Uncover curious resources at home that revitalize your heart.

Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 Expand a space and fill it with creative spark.

Convince others to participate. A startling development or educational breakthrough develops. Save pennies and pool resources.

Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 7 - Press for more data, and graph progress.

Review who needs to know what. A friend helps you make a long-distance connection. A child is full of surprises.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is a 9 - Good planning leads to abundance.

Do you need new equipment? Postpone a shopping trip and make a private arrangement. Try something exotic. See if anyone else agrees with you.

Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 9 - The more you complete, the more you’ll know. Immerse yourself in an enterprise.

Don’t tell everything yet. You find a gem in the process. Watch for angels, too.

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is an 8 - Be cool, you’re attracting attention. You may get unexpected assistance. An argument sends you looking for facts. Don’t overlook a partner’s needs. You connect behind the scenes.

Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is a 7 - Have faith in your own imagination, despite an awkward moment with a naturally critical person. Gently persuade others to your view.

Ride out changes at the top gracefully. ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

SUDOKU

by The Mepham Group, Tribune Media Services

Difficulty Level: 4 out of 4 Instructions: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9.

LOOKING THROUGH OUR LENS

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com ©2012, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.

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Across 1 Vintner’s vessel 4 Avis rival 9 Amazon.com nos.

14 Bearer of bear cubs, in Madrid 15 Cheri who impersonated Judge Judy on “Saturday Night Live” 16 Gardener’s transplant 17 Sales pro 18 Double trouble ... for a hydrophobic teetotaler?

20 Pueblo brick 22 Stone unit 23 Dance that tells a story 24 Skyline haze 26 Id controller 29 ... for an arachnophobic hermit?

32 Chest-maker’s wood 34 Pharmaceutical oil 35 Arduous 36 ... for an acrophobic wallflower?

39 Make a meal of 40 Apportion 41 Clubs: Abbr.

42 ... for a xenophobic couch potato?

46 Shtick 47 Long to be with 48 This time only 49 Smithy’s tool 52 Harp (on) 53 ... for an agoraphobic soldier?

58 AAA freebie 59 Rockers Van __ 60 Not just odd 61 Online qualifier 62 Steel plow pioneer 63 Creeps up on 64 Fitting Down 1 Some ark contents 2 Depleted 3 Port near Vesuvio 4 “Battle Hymn of the Republic” lyricist 5 SFO posting

by Rich Norris & Joyce Lewis, Tribune Media Services

Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 6 On Soc. Sec. 7 3-Down trio 8 December stone 9 Yaroslavna’s spouse, in a Borodin opera 10 Span. title 11 Driven home 12 Gp. for Jets, but not Sharks 13 __-Foy, Quebec 19 Purse 21 It’s not a good sign 24 Tom Lehrer song 25 Mice and men 27 Sharks or Jets 28 Nonprofit’s URL ending 30 “__ World”: “Sesame Street” feature 31 Hold back 32 Williams title starter

33 Seating offering more space 35 Graph heading?

36 Assent to a capitán 37 Shaky 38 Yale Bowl cheerers 39 Dollop 42 Quinn of “Annie” 43 Weak state 44 Workshop device 45 Sniggler’s tool 47 Stereo jack label 50 Buc or Met 51 Kudzu, for one 52 Sources of some highlights 53 Advanced deg.

54 OPEC member 55 Family tree word 56 Chunk of history 57 Fallen space station