MOVE - ISSUE 14 by The Maneater Student Newspaper

12.07.12 VOLUME 11 ISSUE 14

THE MANEATER &

MOVE THE KEY TO YOUR ENTERTAINMENT

2012 holiday

gift guide

MOVE Holiday gift guide 30+ gifts for your posse

Food for (lots of) thought Eat healthy, then study on

Survive your last night Dedicate this final party to the Mayans

Apocalystening Session Here’s your soundtrack for humanity’s reckoning

Letter from the Editor

Can you feel the MOVEment?

move.themaneater.com

delia cai | MOVE editor So don’t tell any professors I told you this, but I think that a semester of working with MOVE has taught me some pretty valuable life lessons that I couldn’t have learned anywhere else: Take, for example, the value of enunciation. No one warns you that if you get a little lazy with your consonants, PR contacts will return your calls by asking for MOO Magazine. As if a bunch of bovine journalists would be interested in an interview. You also learn things like the importance of planning ahead while also figuring out how to scrap an issue plan at an email’s notice (especially if said email offers a Q&A opportunity with Top 40 artists). You learn to embrace the future, whether in the form of cutting edge social media ticket giveaways or, uh, Instagram. You learn to be as anal as Zooey Deschanel in “(500) Days of Summer” when it comes to spelling and no longer feel shame in checking for the millionth time to see if it’s “Mumford and Sons” or “Mumford & Sons” (apparently all the cool kids use ampersands now). And you learn a lot about yourself, too. Like how it _is_ humanly possible to sit in the same office for 12 hours on a production night, as long as you take breaks to do laps around the newsroom and watch Animal Planet’s “Too Cute” special at 2 a.m. (Hours-long footage of kittens. That’s all I need to say.) And you learn that it’s OK to laugh at the irony of wrangling an entire issue around a band … that never actually ends up coming to Columbia. I’m sure next semester will bring with it its own slew of lessons, stories and kittens, but for now, I’m just silly thankful for a fall like this. Most importantly, none of it would have been possible without you — our readers — nor without our killer staff of columnists, reporters, photographers, designers and one very talented production assistant. It’s been wonderful to meet and work with every single one of you. And if you, budding journalist, still think that MOVE is out of your league and that it’s too late too get involved, you’re dead wrong. And I will probably sniff out your talent before the spring semester begins and find you.

2 MOV E • 12.07.12

table of contents

3 4 5 6 7

From Bieber to Babel Jackson Farley recounts the music of 2012. It's beginning to look a lot like Drunkmas The secret to enduring your grandparents' holiday soirees Fit for success Abbie Wenthe talks healthy living MOVE's Holiday gift guide, part I Tokens for l'artiste and the old sport Killin' It Josh Sipp gives fair warning on who'll actually like "Killing Them Softly" MOVE's Holiday gift guide, part II What to buy for you socialite pal & outdoors adventurer Hobbits, dwarves and a dragon—oh my! Jennifer Bennett preps you for "The Hobbit" Put on your game face Brendan Wray assures that winter break is no time to rest your thumbs Hello and goodbye A look at the old and new in pop culture 'Girl Talk' ahead Singer/songwriter Amanda Mae to release first EP

/cover design/Cassie Kibens, brendan wray and Crystal Thomas interns/William Schmitt and Rexly Penaflorida II EDITOR/DELIA CAI

Party 'til the world ends In mere weeks, the end of the world will be upon us — at least according to the Mayans. What better way to celebrate Dec. 21, 2012, than with a great party? We’ve got the top ways you can throw the perfect apocalypse party. Because if the world really is ending, you might as well go out with a bang. GET UNDERGROUND The first step in planning your party will be to pick the location. Go for something underground, because who wants to experience the apocalypse while it’s in plain sight? If a bomb shelter isn’t available, go for a basement or cellar with no windows. BUCKET LIST INVITES Make your invitations fit the theme by designing them to resemble little bucket lists. The world may be ending, but that doesn’t mean there still isn’t a list of things you have been dying to do. Your invitations will be a friendly reminder for your guests. DRESS TO SURVIVE Have attendees wear their best survival gear. Load up on comfy clothes, flashlights and a thermos of their favorite drink. (Bonus: you save money on drinks.) Want to make it super mysterious and fun? Keep the lights off so the flashlights are the only light source. DISASTROUS DECORATIONS The best part about the Mayan predictions about the end of time is that no one has made it quite clear, well, how it’ll happen. This gives you the ability to come up with a number of decoration themes for your party. Think natural disasters, like “Avalanche Ice Station” with fire balls hanging from the ceiling, or have a tsunami Slip ‘N Slide area outside. SNACK ATTACK All of the snacks served should be spicy or somewhat extreme. Try a bowl of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos or super spicy homemade salsa to liven up everyone’s taste buds. FLOATING ISLAND PUNCH What’s a party without a signature beverage? All you need is water, sugar, frozen juices, fresh fruit and ginger ale. The name says it all. IT’S NEVER TOO LATE FOR DESSERT Four words: chocolate molten lava cakes. They play into the whole natural disaster theme and well, they’re DELICIOUS. MAKE IT CUTE As the party winds down, play some slow songs for couple

CLAUDIA SINGLETON | PHOTOGRAPHER

dancing. Also, pop in a cute flick like “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.” After all, no one wants to be alone when the world ends. WISH EVERYONE LUCK At the end of the night, pass out little survival kit party favors to all of your guests. Include a mini first-aid kit, a water bottle and a nonperishable canned good. If, for some strange reason, the world is still intact on Dec. 22, it never hurts to have them on hand for next time. morgan young | reporter

I sought a better holiday beverage. My quest had me scouring across the web, from the Chicago Tribune’s recipes to the horrible, horrible place that is Yahoo! Answers. Readers, feel free to thank me for the experimenting I have undertaken for your sake. During this search, nothing grabbed me by the sleigh bells and impressed me with alcoholic nirvana. So, I did the next best thing: threw a bunch of my favorite stuff in a drink and called it a day.

» PIERCE COURCHAINE | PHOTOGRAPHER

JACKSON FARLEY on the top 10 albums of the year

A heartfelt farewell to 2012

Drink your holiday cheer

December can bring a lot of holiday jeer. After the significant hit to your pocket book, you’ve got to put up with distant relatives buzzing around all day and night. If you’re 21 (attention: University of Missouri, I said if you’re 21), you can use a stiff drink to loosen up around these most trying of times. There are a wide variety of Christmastime poisons to choose from, too. The classic Brandy Alexander is always a good option. Hell, even a dash of Jack in your peppermint latte when grandma turns around isn’t a bad way to kick back either.

feedback

Forget Irish coffee and have some Kentucky coffee

WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Decaf black coffee 0.75 oz of brandy 1.5 oz of Evan Williams Egg Nog whipped cream 1 tsp of cinnamon

HOW TO DO IT: Brew your favorite decaf (mixing caffeine with alcohol is bad news, people). Mix in a half shot of brandy and a full shot of the Evan Williams Egg Nog. Stir vigorously, and let the drink settle for a minute. Finish with a Leslie Knope-sized helping of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Warning: this drink has a kick to it. It might look like a harmless latte, but you’ll be feeling it before you can say, “Season’s greetings.” Grandma will suspect something is up when you are asleep on the couch from your Kentucky Coffee at 10 in the morning. pierce courchaine | senior staff writer

As we prepare to wave goodbye to the year we have come to love so dearly, it’s important to look back and reflect on all of the wonderful albums that have been released in 2012. While it’s sad to see this year go, there have been some awesome highlights in the music world that we can’t skip over. So without any further ado, let’s present the top ten albums of 2012. 10. JUSTIN BIEBER’S BELIEVE Yeah, so Justin Bieber made the top 10 list (sue me). But honestly, Believe is pretty notable as far as pop music goes. Bieber’s new album is more mature, more diverse and less of a guilty pleasure than it maybe should be. (YOLO?!?!?!?) 9. MUMFORD & SONS’ BABEL Following their hugely successful album, Sigh No More, many Mumford & Sons fans wondered if the band could make a release with the same caliber as their debut album. While Babel did by no means blow Sigh No More out of the water, it was an album that stayed true to Mumford & Sons’ musical style and in the end, came out a winner. 8. THE LUMINEERS’ THE LUMINEERS The Lumineers’ smooth, carefree vibes are medicine for the soul. With unique vocals and witty lyrics, The Lumineers is a debut album not to be forgotten. It’s bands like this that we can only hope will stomp on the term “one hit wonder.” 7. MARINA AND THE DIAMONDS’ ELECTRA HEART Back with her sophomore release, Electra Heart, Marina and the Diamonds is sassier than ever. Electra Heart is a beautiful piece of pop music and scores high when it comes to catchiness. 6. ANDREW BIRD’S BREAK IT YOURSELF Break It Yourself, Andrew Bird’s sixth solo studio album, may be one of his best yet. Bird is in a class of his own when it comes to musicians; the immense array of instruments he uses is the huge factor that sets him apart in the music scene. 5. TAYLOR SWIFT’S RED Ah, Taylor Swift: a name people either abhor or love. All bias aside, though, Red is a huge step in the right direction from her previous albums; Swift has clearly matured since her last album, both personally and musically, and that change was definitely for the better. 4. FUN.’S SOME NIGHTS Some nights I stay up just listening to Some Nights over and over again (clever, I know). But really, fun. sure does know how to make a killer album. Some Nights is the perfect sophomore release and rocks all around. 3. LANA DEL REY’S BORN TO DIE Born to Die is definitely an acquired taste. But, Lana Del Rey’s eccentric personality and sometimes shocking lyrics all make up her persona and who she is as an artist. Her music is truly a masterpiece, despite her somewhat strange tastes. 2. THE XX’S COEXIST The xx really outdid themselves this time. Coexist is one of the most lucid, ethereal albums on this list by far and is the perfect music for going to sleep, relaxing, taking a walk… you name it. Coexist is a giant improvement from their debut album and deserves every second of praise it has received. And drum roll please, ladies and gentlemen. Our #1 album of 2012 goes to … 1. OF MONSTERS AND MEN’S MY HEAD IS AN ANIMAL Of Monsters and Men’s My Head Is An Animal is just one big “wow” moment. After releasing this album, Of Monsters and Men stole the record for best chart performance out of any Icelandic artist in U.S. history. Its originality and star-quality earns itself the top spot on 2012’s top 10 albums list. And that concludes 2012’s top 10 albums. While there were countless contenders that had merit, only the best of the best could earn a spot on the top 10 list. After a blowout year of awesome music, we can only hope that 2013 will treat us just as well. So farewell, 2012. Thanks for the memories — you’ll live on forever in our hearts … ooooooor just our iTunes libraries. In all seriousness, thanks to everyone who read this music column over the course of this semester. You all rule. Keep rockin’ on, friends.

Seeking a song for the end of the world julia bush | senior staff writer

Hopefully you’ve got stacks of peanut butter and cans of SpaghettiOs stored away in your cellar. Your flashlight, candles, extra batteries and nunchakus (for the zombies) should be easily accessible and packed in a kit in a cupboard. If you’re not ready on these fronts, we can’t help you. But we can provide the most important thing — the soundtrack to your inevitable demise. “DIE YOUNG” - KE$HA Invite a few friends to keep you company in your storm shelter! Death is hardly as fun with just one. Ke$ha’s a great kickoff track – from this one to “Blow,” she’s got the end times covered. "2012 (IT AIN’T THE END)” - JAY SEAN Reflect on the year with this explosive (sorry, I can’t help it) track by

otherwise unheard-of Jay Sean. I’d say maybe this will be his big debut, but… "APOCALYPSE PLEASE” - MUSE After all that bad Top 40, you’ll probably want the apocalypse to hurry the eff up. "AND WE DANCED (FEAT. ZIGGY STARDUST)” MACKLEMORE By the time you get to the end of this one, you’ll be over the dancing. "(I’VE HAD) THE TIME OF MY LIFE” - BILL MEDLEY AND JENIFER WARNES Grab the love of your life for one last dance to this “Dirty Dancing” classic. Because as soon as heads are blown off, no one’s going to be nearly as cute.

"RADIOACTIVE” - IMAGINE DRAGONS Wait until buildings are imploding and fires are blazing in the background before you blare this one. “This is it, the apocalypse.” "TOTALLY FUCKED” - SPRING AWAKENING Yeah, it’s an understatement. "HEADS WILL ROLL” - YEAH YEAH YEAHS This is one occasion when the Glee “Thriller” mashup is also appropriate. BONUS TRACK "NEARER MY GOD TO THEE” - LOWELL MASON This is the song that was playing as the Titanic sank. Add some slowmo, and you’ve got an ending you’ll never forget. Or maybe you will. ‘Cause you’ll be dead. 12.07.12 • MOV E

one step at a time ABBIE WENTHE on fitness for life

True health

At the beginning of 2012, I was a bitter ex-swimmer who needed a new outlook on fitness and living a healthy life. All the working out and eating healthy were somewhat of a struggle with living in a residence hall. The constant call for pizza, wings or cookies made making any type of progress impossible. My classes were hard and required copious amounts of effort and work, leaving hardly any time for a decent workout. Most of the time, I settled for a couple miles around the track at the rec late at night, messing with my sleep schedule as well. Needless to say, summer was a much-welcomed break and return to normalcy. Over the summer, I was a lifeguard, so I was outside swimming more and working out most days. It was a return to my normal summer routines. Luckily when I moved back to Columbia at the end of the summer, I had a roommate waiting to jump into a healthy eating and workout routine with me. Throughout this fall I have learned that having a workout buddy is one of the best things; whenever I have no desire to work out, she pushes me to get off the couch, and I do the same for her. Our first endeavor of the semester was the Insanity program, something we had both wanted to try. We gathered a bunch of girls in our sorority and worked diligently at the program, but we soon dreaded the evenings when it was time to face Shaun T and his workouts. We didn’t make it through the entire 60-day program, and even now the mere thought of Insanity makes me want to cry, throw up and run away all at the same time. Out of this situation, I learned that extreme programs are not always the way to go and do not fit everyone’s lifestyle. Instead of diving right into an extreme cardio program that promises results, it worked best for me to take advice from my nutrition and fitness classes and incorporate both weight training and cardio into a fitness program. Around the time I was figuring all this out, one of my roommates came back from a trip home armed with two Jillian Michaels DVDs, one weight training and one cardio. I literally jumped for joy and started the workouts with my workout buddies, feeling the pain and soreness of weight training the next day. However, I welcomed this pain because it reminded me of swimming and the constant soreness in my arms and shoulders after a hard practice or day in the weight room. I’m sure most of us had those sports that our entire high school being revolved around and are now lost without that in college. Working out and eating healthy has come as a shock after all those sports practices, but I have found that being fit is possible without these sports. The hardest part for me is not being in “swim shape, ” but I can be in shape even if it isn’t for swimming. By making a conscious effort to workout consistently and incorporate strength and cardio to my routines, I am feeling better and more confident in my appearance. And instead of stressing out over calories and not eating anything “unhealthy,” I treat my sweet tooth once a week instead of completely limiting myself. Living a healthy life is not easy, especially in college, but the benefits greatly outweigh the extra work it demands. After this semester, I have become happier, healthier and have been able to manage my stress and classwork much better than last year. My dream is to be the good influence on the people around me and encourage people to choose water over pop or an apple instead of chips. By developing these habits now, we won’t have such a struggle with weight or health issues as we age. It is much easier to take advantage of living to the fullest when your body is in peak condition, so let’s try to keep it that way.

MOVE’s 2012

Holiday Gift Gu THE Artist

INCENSE CONE, $3.50, PEACE NOOK / IPHONE CASE, $17.99, COLUMBIA PHOTO / FRINGE PURSE, $34.00, GLIKS / JEWLERY BOX, $14.15, PEACE NOOK / LACE FEDORA, $15.00, BRITCHES / TREE SCARF, $12.00, GLIKS

THE OUTdoors-LOVER

ANON HAWKEYE GOGGLE, $104.95, ALPINE SHOP | MAZE SNOW HELMET, $100, ALPINE SHOP | BURTON MB HACKETT JACKET, $219.95, ALPINE SHOP | BURTON MB CARGO PANTS, $164.95, ALPINE SHOP / CAMELBAK LOBO 100 OZ HYDRATION PACK, $84.99, CYCLEXTREME, OUTDOORS / DAGGER ALCHEMY 14.0L KAYAK, $1299.00, ALPINE SHOP / DEUTER FUTURE PRO 42 BACKPACK, $159.00, ALPINE SHOP / GARNEAU LG SUPERSHIELD GLOVES, $64.99, CYCLEXTREME, OUTDOORS / MARMOT WOMAN’S LINDSEY JACKET, $325.00, ALPINE SHOP / NALGENE TRITAN 32 OZ BOTTLE, $6.95, ALPINE SHOP / NORTH FACE VAULT BACKPACK, $55.00, A.S | PATAGONIA FUEGO BACKPACK, $89.00, A.S | MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR ENTERPRISE BACKPACK, $110.00, A.S / OSPREY TALON 4 WAISTPACK, $49.00, ALPINE SHOP / PATAGONIA CANVAS TOTE, $15.00, ALPINE SHOP

4 MOV E • 12.07.12

uide

reel reviews

Find the perfect gift downtown for each personality in your crew. TIM NWACHUKWU | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER MELISSA FOGARTY | STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

The Socialite

BLACK AND GOLD DRESS - $32.00, BRITCHES / ELF SMOKEY EYES, $7.00, ENVY / GREEN AND GOLD NECKLACE, / $25.00, BREEZE / LEAF EARRINGS, $6.98, ENVY / RED HEELS, $49.00, BREEZE / RED SHOES, $49.00, BREEZE / SEQUINS DRESS, $29.98, ENVY / SEQUINS SHORTS, $27.98, ENVY / TEAL AND GOLD BRACELETS, $16.98, ENVY / WHITE DRESS, $125.00, BREEZE

THE Sports Fanatic

JOSH SIPP

on Brad Pitt’s new movie

Reviewing them softly As this will be the last column of mine, I should probably spend a paragraph or so explaining how it has been an honor to have the opportunity to write for MOVE about a topic I genuinely enjoy. I should probably thank whoever signs my paychecks for actually paying me to go see movies I’d be seeing anyway. I should probably thank everyone who’s followed this humble little column (OK, maybe a little less than humble on occasion, but who’s counting?). So thank you, everyone, for making this semester a special one. All right, now that the sentimental crap is out of the way, it’s time to review a movie that is essentially what would come out about nine months after “Pulp Fiction” took “Fight Club” out on a date. I’m talking about “Killing Them Softly,” an interesting film that provides a new perspective on the intricacies of contract killing and illegal gambling operations. I should start out by saying this movie will appeal to a very small group of people and movie critics (who aren’t real people). For anyone familiar with Quentin Tarantino, this movie completely mimics his trademark tone. For anyone who isn’t familiar with him, I’ll try to explain it, but you should really just go rent “Pulp Fiction” or “Reservoir Dogs,” because I’m about to butcher this. Basically, the movie is more centered on the interactions between characters than the plot of the movie itself. It develops slowly over time as you wade through several seemingly mundane conversations between characters, which are occasionally interrupted by violence. Some of these conversations will last several minutes and lend almost nothing to the plot, but will be chock-full of incredibly dark humor you will either laugh at or hate. If you hate it, well, you’re going to have a rough time watching the movie. Not to say that the plot isn’t important though, because it is, but it’s relatively simplistic and takes a backseat to dialogue on many occasions. Which brings up the movie’s biggest strength: the dialogue. As I’ve said, you’ll either find the entire concept hilarious and absolutely fall in love with most of it, or you’ll wonder why you’re being presented with a seemingly unimportant conversation and want to leave. It’s very hit-or-miss, thus the Tarantino comparison. Each character seemed to be both very well-written and acted, including Brad Pitt’s supporting role. There were a few other strong points to “Killing Them Softly.” The humor is well done, especially if you are a fan of subtle dark humor, and seems to carry throughout the film. The production value is great, which is basically my way of saying that the film looked really pretty. For the negative points, I’ll go ahead and dive right into the “Fight Club” comparison. The movie beats you over the head with an “everything in life is just business, people themselves are meaningless” message. For those of you who haven’t seen “Fight Club,” it centers on the idea that basically nothing matters. And by “centers on,” I mean it breaks open your skull and pounds it into you. You get the same skull-bashing toward the end of “Killing Them Softly.” The only other real complaint would be a few of the directorial decisions made during a few scenes. Whenever a character is on drugs (which doesn’t happen often enough to be annoying) there’s a weird switch from the omniscient, third-person point of view to this weird inside-their-head-and-showing-weird-lights-and-cloudyimages first-person thing, and then back and forth. It’s mildly distracting and adds almost nothing to the film, but that’s barely a real complaint. A more superficial complaint, however, would be that there wasn’t enough Pitt, but I would advocate that there isn’t a single movie with enough Pitt. So I might just be biased. Overall, though, “Killing Them Softly” is worthy of 3.5 quietly killed stars out of 5, and is definitely a movie that any major Tarantino fans looking for a quick fix before “Django Unchained” is released might want to go check out. I would recommend people check it out at some point, but probably not in theaters. If you have a friend who regularly forgets you owe them money, have them rent it or something when it comes out. For the record, everyone needs a friend like that, especially if you can make them your roommate and convince them to keep ordering pizza for you.

MIZZOU STADIUM CHAIR, $44.99, JOCK’S NITCH / MIZZOU TODDLER CHAIR, $14.99, JOCK’S NITCH / BLACK AND GOLD BIB OVERALLS, $49.99, JOCK’S NITCH / MIZZOU PRIDE PLATES, $26.99 AND $39.99, TIGER SPIRIT / MIZZOU SPIRIT BEADS, $6.99, JOCK’S NITCH / MIZZOU KRAZY NET, $28.99, JOCK’S NITCH / MIZZOU SNOWMAN STOCKING, $26.99, JOCK’S NITCH / NCAA SOCK MONKEYS, $19.99, JOCK’S NITCH / MIZZOU STAINLESS STEEL MINI MUG, $24.99, JOCK’S NITCH / NCAA TALKING SMASHER FOOTBALL, $10.99 / TOP OF THE WORLD 86-FITTED MISSOURI SNAPBACK, $24.99, TIGER SPIRIT / ZEPHYR MISSOURI TIGERS ORIGINAL SNAPBACK, $24.99, TIGER SPIRIT

12.07.12 • MOV E

bits and bytes BRENDAN WRAY

on his favorite games of the year

2012's greatest games This year has been one to remember. Between coming to Mizzou all the way from Texas and finding out that I’m colorblind during my journalism class last week, to say that 2012 has been boring would be a huge mistake. But enough about me — this year has been an exciting one for gaming as well. With the holidays and new year approaching, here’s a list of the five games that have defined the year for me. If any of these games haven’t found their way inside your consoles, then get ready to add them to your personal gaming backlog. 1. “MASS EFFECT 3” The Mass Effect series holds a special place in my heart, mainly because I’ve spent an ungodly amount of time playing the trilogy on my Xbox. So, when the final part of Commander Shepard’s story came out in March, I was ecstatic. While the game arguably has a unsatisfying ending, the journey is something that I can’t help but recommend. Even better is the game’s way of incorporating the choices I made in the past games — for example, a somewhat minor decision I make in the first game can become important in the third. The entire trilogy was just recently released in a wonderful boxed set. If you haven’t been exposed to the world created by the team at BioWare, be prepared for an artfully crafted science fiction experience with some genuinely well-thought out characters that tugged at my heartstrings on more than one occasion. 2. “JOURNEY” With this column, I’ve been trying to bring indie games to light that aren’t the typical “bro-shooters” or annualized sports games. Basically, I want gamers to expand their gaming interests. “Journey” is the perfect game to do just that. This game came out of left field for me. Journey is a game that gives evidence to the argument that video games are art. Centered in a desert landscape with only an ominous mountaintop in the distance, players can expect to slowly become enthralled in the landscape and environment. “Journey” is a game that had me in states of happiness, shock and utter awe by the end. For any serious PlayStation gamer, this is one to make sure to play. 3. “SOUND SHAPES” “Sound Shapes” was the first review I ever did for MOVE, so that alone means it’s worth picking up. For those that missed my review (although I’m sure my readership is in the thousands, right?) “Sound Shapes” is the ultimate interactive DJ-set. Going through levels and listening the the music you create by picking up little orbs is wonderful. I still find myself going back and playing through the levels with original songs from Beck that cannot be found anywhere else. Even more so, the added level creator only expands the experience. The developer, Queasy Games, has been having theme weeks for level creators, and the results have been truly beautiful to listen and look at from the community. Any PlayStation 3 or PS Vita owner should download this immediately. It’s worth every penny. 4. “PLAYSTATION ALL-STARS BATTLE ROYALE” Having just come out a few weeks ago, “Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale,” or for the sake of space, “All-Stars,” has proven itself to be more than the PlayStation version of Nintendo’s wildly popular Super Smash Bros. series. What it lacks in popular characters, it gains in its unique gameplay style. Instead of flinging characters off screen a la Smash Bros., “All-Stars” relies on characters’ supers, essentially a killing move with three levels of damage. With some really great online multiplayer and rankings, I can easily see “All-Stars” becoming the go-to party game for people that aren’t pretentious enough to own a Wii U. 5. “ASSASSIN’S CREED 3” Okay, hear me out on this. “Assassin’s Creed” was a letdown in my own mind, but I have friends who’ve told me that it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was. So it deserves a place on this list just for the fact that swinging a tomahawk at Redcoats is great. It’s the biggest ‘merica feeling of the year.

Food for thought (and studying!) hailey yeakle | reporter

Put that 15th energy drink bottle down, and take care of yourself for finals week with this eating schedule.

9 a.m.

11 a.m.

Chow down on hard-boiled

Snack time! Instead of

eggs and whole-grain toast to

cruising down to the vending

perk up before a long day of

machine, give your body what

studying. Eggs will give you

it really needs: yogurt with a

the protein you need to really focus and feel full while the

sprinkling of nuts! The creamy yogurt is packed full of

complex carbohydrates in toast will give you energy to fly

healthy probiotics which will keep your immune system going

through the day. And pour a hearty cup of coffee. You’ll

strong during these stressful times. The nuts aren’t just a

need it.

crunchy topping but also rather another blast of protein to help you power through the mid-morning study drag.

12 P.m.

3 P.m.

Lunchtime is fun time! Well,

You’ve been studying forever,

probably not on study days,

and I bet you’re a tiny bit

but you can change all that by

hungry. Eat a light salad with

making a yummy wrap to

green tea. Leafy greens help

munch on while memorizing. Try out some whole-grain

keep the brain healthy and ready to go while green tea may

flatbread to keep energized and load that baby up with

increase memory and your level of awareness, says

veggies and lean meats.

Melinda Smith of Helpguide.org. And who wouldn’t want to have better memory right now?

6 p.m.

8 p.m.

You’re in the home stretch!

You did it! Now it’s time for a

Make yourself some

yummy reward for all your

whole-grain pasta with a

efforts. Melt down some dark

tomato-based sauce. The

chocolate for a tasty dipping

pasta will give you the last little push you need to finish the

sauce for pretzels or nuts. Need another reason to dig in?

job while the tomatoes are filled with carotenoids which Dr.

Research conducted at the University of Nottingham

Drew Ramsey of psychologytoday.com says help protect

suggests that eating chocolate can help you with short-term

the brain from damage. Your brain is your only weapon

memorization. Go on, eat up, you’ve earned it!

during finals. Keep it sharp and ready to go!

CAIT CAMPBELL | GRAPHICS ASSISTANT

Bookeater JENNIFER BENNETT on J. R. R. Tolkien

December 14 cannot get here fast enough. Not because it’s the end of finals — that’s great, but mine are actually over the day before — but because it’s the day that “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” the first of Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” movie series, comes out. It’s the day that I’ve unknowingly been waiting for my entire life. One of the first movies I remember watching was the 1977 animated version of “The Hobbit.” After several years of repeated viewings, my dad decided my siblings and I were old enough to have the actual book read to us. I got my first copy of my very own when I was 10. Every time I re-read it, I get sucked back into the magical world of J. R. R. Tolkien’s masterpiece. Even though I know everything that happens in the book by heart, I still find myself properly frightened when Bilbo Baggins (the titular hobbit) and his companions have a run-in with some trolls. I still ponder the meaning of each of Gollum’s riddles. I still get ecstatic when they finally find their way through the Misty Mountains.

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There and back again And I still can’t help but stay up until 4 a.m. to see the end of Bilbo’s trek through Middle Earth, even though I know exactly how it ends. I love the way Tolkien begins “The Hobbit.” I’ve had the first paragraph memorized for years. It’s just so matter-of-fact while at the same time providing so much detail — “not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat … It was a hobbit hole, and that means comfort.” Tolkien also does an excellent job of making his world seem completely plausible; he tells the reader what hobbits are, but he explains that he’s doing so not because he invented them, but because they stopped interacting with mankind long, long ago. Bilbo’s journey through Middle Earth to defeat the evil dragon Smaug is also filled with Tolkien’s aphorisms and moral platitudes. There are all these pithy little sayings in “The Hobbit” that I always remember, no matter how long it has been since I last read the book. Bilbo’s creation of the proverb “escaping goblins to be caught by wolves!” (a Middle Earth version of “out of the frying pan, into the fire”) is one of them. Another favorite: “It does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations, if you live near him.” We obviously don’t have real dragons to contend with in our world, but it’s a nice reminder to not become overly confident. Tolkien’s other books are just as enchanting. The three books that

make up “The Lord of the Rings” let you see what happens to Bilbo and the others after their there-and-back-again journey in “The Hobbit” is completed. They’re the kind of books that you always hope will be part of your favorite series — the kind that let you in on what happens to the characters after they finish their first big adventure and go on with the rest of their lives. Special shout-out to Mizzou’s online English 2150 class for giving me the chance to visit Middle Earth again and get credit for doing so. Tolkien also wrote several books that aren’t set in the hobbits’ homeland of Middle Earth. My favorite of these is “Roverandom,” a story about a little dog’s big adventures that he originally wrote for one of his sons. Little dog Rover goes from being a real puppy to a toy after a run-in with the proto-Gandalf wizard Artaxerxes. Rover gets sent to live on the moon by another wizard, goes searching for Artaxerxes’ sea-floor home and finally ends up back with his original owners. It’s a short, cute story that seems like it would be as much fun for a child to read as it was for me. After my lifelong love affair with Tolkien’s novels, I can’t wait until I finally get to see “The Hobbit” in theaters next week.

Hellos and goodbyes for the end of the year Goodbye…

GOSSIP GIRL Admit it, you sometimes lie awake at night worrying you’re more of a Blair than a Serena. Or you’ve at least dreamt of a world where your father is a hotel magnate. “Gossip Girl,” the show that’s been teen girls’ favorite bad influence for seven seasons comes to an end this year. xoxo R.I.P. ZOMBIES Critical successes like AMC’s “The Walking Dead” proved that you could make zombie gore into an intense drama. Humans vs. Zombies showed us that wearing a bandana means you’re likely to be attacked by nerds with Nerf guns. Maybe we should put this trend away for a bit and let it crawl back from the dead in a few years. DUBSTEP The days of sweatily thrashing to the sound of machines malfunctioning seem to have come to an end. Dubstep had a good run, from the dank basements of tech-crazed teenagers to gracing the tracks of the Top 40 set. It’s time to stop listening to music that some might describe as “auto-tuned flatulence.” TWILIGHT After this year, the Twilight franchise is as dead as most of its supporting cast. The vampires fighting wolves fighting hordes of obsessed tween girls had a good run, but it had to end eventually. It’s time to let go and let Kristen Stewart brood in some other blockbuster. ELMO With the premiere of “Being Elmo,” it seemed that 2012 was going to be this furry puppet’s year. But with Elmo’s puppeteer Kevin Clash resigning due to a sex scandal, it seems that our favorite furry red monster is going to ride out the storm in “Elmo’s World.” This is no time for tickles.

Hello...

The pop culture shows, franchises and trends we should throw out before the end of 2012 or welcome in 2013.

"GIRLS” If you haven’t heard of “Girls” or its star/creator Lena Dunham, you probably haven’t spent enough quality time on the Internet (manically scrolling Pinterest doesn’t count.) Imagine “Sex and the City” for the recession generation; replace designer shoes and cosmos with job applications and self-deprecating tweets. The second season of “Girls” premieres on HBO and HBO GO in January. ACTUAL ZOMBIES No one can be sure that the world is going to end before 2013. And no one can be sure that the possible oncoming apocalypse won’t include armies of flesh-hungry corpses. Just to be proactive, it might be best to add canned goods and a sturdy ax to your holiday wish list. FOLK MUSIC It’s still a shock to turn on a Top 40 radio station to be met with the sound of a banjo. With bands like Mumford & Sons and The Lumineers reaching mainstream success, it seems that folk-inspired music is giving techno-saturated pop music a run for its money. "THE HUNGER GAMES” Teenagers fighting to the death for fame and wealth sounds like an average day in an American high school, but when you add in Jennifer Lawrence and a hyper-futuristic setting, it’s hard not to pay attention. The world obsessed over the first “Hunger Games” movie last year, and “Catching Fire” will surely not disappoint in November 2013. BIG BIRD It’s never been better to be a giant, yellow, flightless, imaginary bird. Big Bird is starting off the new year as the poster boy of the 2012 presidential debates. Even though Sesame Street tried to keep Big Bird out of the media during the election, it’s doubtful that our favorite yellow politically radical bird will stay quiet for long. zack nolan | reporter

Get ready for some ‘girl talk’ lauren rutherford | staff writer Jan. 31 is going to be a big day for Amanda Mae. Between an EP release, merchandise line launch and jumpstarting STEREO, independent singer and songwriter Amanda Mae Wells has never been busier. And, to top it all off, her new single “Love Again” hits iTunes this weekend. “Everything’s been going really great,” she says. “I’ve had a lot of success with my new song. I’ve also just got through booking some new shows. I have a really big show that I booked on Dec. 14 opening for Kirko Bangz. That’s the biggest thing that’s happened.” The pinnacle of Wells’ hard work thus far will be her concert/ EP release in January at The Bridge. Four other local acts will each play a short set leading up to Wells’ live debut of her first EP, Girl Talk. Amanda says she hopes to pack the venue. Girl Talk features five new songs from Wells, including her radio single “Love Again”. “The songs on (Girl Talk) are mostly dance songs,” says Wells. “They’re really fun. They just kind of embody what girls talk about when we’re together.” Wells’ EP release will also be the launch of her merchandise and sunglasses line, and a percentage of profits from the event will help jumpstart her charity program for Columbia kids, STEREO. Even though STEREO is still just a concept, Amanda has a unique vision for the program. STEREO will be an after-school program for kids interested in music. The nonprofit hopes to get local musicians and producers involved by allowing them to volunteer their time to work with the kids on music skills. Whether it be writing rap or playing the guitar, each child will have a mentor to cater to the area they like best. They’ll be able to record in a real recording studio and perform live, Wells says. “The show on Jan. 31 is going to really help start STEREO and get this thing going for the kids,” Wells says. “The next concert that I have will showcase the kids and what they’ve accomplished.” Post-January, Wells has tons of exciting things planned. Her next big move is to tour the Midwest with her new songs. She also wants to film a music video for “Love Again” (she’s holding auditions for backup dancers). So watch out music world, Amanda Mae might just be the next big thing in 2013.

Style Files CLAIRE BOSTON

on which trends should stay and which should go in 2013

Year in review: fashion edition I tend to have gut reactions to clothing trends. I’m rarely ambivalent to what comes down the runway, which explains why I’m such a fan of the best and worst lists that come out at the end of each year. To celebrate the last issue of MOVE for the semester, I’ve decided to compile my own version of a year in review — keep reading to find out what to keep in your closet and what might not stick around for 2013. Fall fashion saw a number of great rustic colors to wear. A lot of them were the perennial fall options, but one new color from fall has serious staying power: oxblood. The beautiful dark red color is universally flattering and super easy to match to anything. Even better, the hue holds over well for the holiday season. You’ll probably have to ditch the color come spring, but definitely stick those sweaters in the back of your closet for next fall. Leather jackets seemed to pop up everywhere in 2012, and I do hope they stick around next year (maybe only because I have yet to find the perfect one for myself). Jokes aside, the dozens of different cuts and colors mean there’s a jacket style for nearly everyone. Once you find your perfect fit, the outfit possibilities are virtually endless. The jackets look equally good with your favorite jeans, floral spring dress or going-out outfit. Peplum dresses and skirts have been around for the past couple of seasons, but 2012 may have been the breakout year for the style. Although the ruffles aren’t universally flattering, I have serious outfit lust for anyone who can pull off the style. Peplum is the perfect way to keep vintage silhouettes modern and fun, and as a huge fan of everything Christina Hendricks wears on “Mad Men,” I’m looking forward to seeing more of this in 2013. For all the good in the fashion world, there’s also plenty of bad. The number one offender of 2012 wasn’t an article of clothing per se, but rather a material. Ladies, I hate to say it, but I’m sick of sequins. They’re slowly taking over the world — I see them on your UGGs, Sperrys, purses and PINK hoodies. And I must say, I’m simply not a fan. Don’t get me wrong, sequins are perfect (read: required) for New Year’s Eve or that Ke$ha concert, but on the other 363 days of the year, think twice before you don anything with excessive sparkles. Your peers will thank you when they’re not blinded by reflections. I was never a huge fan of ‘90s fashion, but I’ve tolerated a lot of the revival gear that has come down the runway in the past couple of seasons. But there’s one look I’m seriously sick of: crop tops. I have yet to see the abrupt boxy cutoff look flattering on anyone, and they kind of remind me of Britney Spears circa 2001. Let’s face it — that’s not really a look anyone wants to remember. Sheer is a much more modern look that has been around every spring for the last couple of years, and I’m almost reluctant to put it on my “not” list. I’ve seen sheer tops work well on a bunch of people, but after several seasons in the spotlight, I think it’s simply time to move on to some new fabrics and a wider repertoire of colors (nothing against pastels, of course). Next spring, ditch the bandeau and that gauzy shirt and opt for some tops with a little more substance. To end on a cheesy note, I’ve had a great time writing this column this semester, but I’m also super excited to pass the job along to the incredibly fashionable Madi Feller. I know she’ll do a great job, and I’m looking forward to reading her recommendations for spring. In the meantime, Tigers, enjoy your break and stay stylish!

Congratulations to MOVE’s spring 2013 columnists: music | WILLIAM SCHMITT movies | HANNAH BEDENKOP

fashion | MADISON FELLER pop culture | JOYCE PENG

study abroad | MOLLIE BARNES tv | JACK HOWLAND

Thanks to all who applied — now go have some HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 12.07.12 • MOV E

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