lifestyle SUNDAY, JANUARY 31 , 2016

Film Review: ‘Jane Got a Gun’ here are movies that can make fire bullets into bad guys just as effi- you feel nostalgic for a more inno- ciently as she can take them out of her This image released by Thekla Inc shows a scene from “The Witness,” a video game set in a mysterious island with hundreds of puzzles. — AP Tcent time-ie, the pre-Internet era- husband. Granted, she may not be the when audiences (and critics) could world’s surest shot when it comes to approach each new release unbur- hitting a long-range target. But when dened by detailed knowledge of its pro- she’s facing a foe in close quarters-par- Clever, infuriating puzzles lead ‘The Witness’ duction history. “Jane Got a Gun,” a ticularly during the applause-worthy solidly made and conventionally satisfy- finale-she shoots and she scores. ndependent video-game designers have hit “The Witness” is set on a lush tropical island will be reminded of the 1990s classic “Myst” ing Western, is one of those movies. For Portman handles the rough stuff quite upon a fascinating way to create buzz: Don’t dotted with the ruins of a vanished civilization. (indeed, one of the designers is a “Myst” veter- those who have perused the countless convincingly throughout “Jane Got a Igive players all the answers. That opens up a Scattered across the island are hundreds of elec- an), although the mythology here isn’t quite as accounts of last-minute cast changes, Gun.” She’s at her best, though, in game beyond the game, with players flocking at trified panels, each of which contains a small, elaborate. musical directors’ chairs and repeatedly scenes where Jane demonstrates that online message boards to debate the deeper two-dimensional puzzle. The vast majority are As a die-hard puzzle addict, I initially found delayed release dates, it may be difficult maternal rage can be every bit as lethal meanings of what they’ve just experienced. I’d mazes, and the first few simply ask you to draw a “The Witness” disappointing. The puzzles are to objectively judge what actually as a quick draw. guess that many of the people who have bought line from start to finish. But they quickly grow generally well-designed, but they’re almost all appears on screen here without being Gavin O’Connor, a filmmaker whose recent indie hits like “Her Story,” ‘’Soma” and more complex: You may need to separate col- mazes, and I would have liked a bit more variety. distracted by thoughts of what could intriguing resume runs the gamut from “Journey” have spent more time arguing about ored boxes, or draw the line so it creates certain But it has grown on me, and I’ve found it’s better have been, or should have been. the warmly femme-centric them than playing them. shapes in the grid. appreciated in short sessions. Tinker with a few To be sure, a hefty percentage of the (“Tumbleweeds”) to the aggressively One of the pioneers of this trend is Jonathan The devilish gimmick here is that the design- panels until you get stuck, and then play some- folks most likely to enjoy an old-fash- macho (“Warrior”), maintains a deliber- Blow, whose time-warping puzzle game “Braid” ers never explain the rules, so when triangles thing less nerve-racking, like “Call of Duty.” ioned oater such as this normally won’t ate pace, less a gallop than a canter, baffled millions in 2008. The story in “Braid” was and stars pop up in the mazes you have no idea Websites have already started posting solu- devote massive quantities of time to during what basically amounts to a unapologetically ambiguous, and interpreta- what they mean. The only way to interpret them tions to some of the most vexing puzzles, so consuming showbiz blogs and trade readying-to-rumble narrative inter- tions ranged from a tale of love gone sour to a is by experimenting - and once you figure out there’s nothing to stop you from seeking help. papers. But those unplugged genre afi- spersed with backstory-abundant flash- retelling of the creation of the atomic bomb. one symbol, Blow has another in his pocket. And I’m looking forward to finding out what cionados may not know “Jane Got a backs. After the measured build-up, he =Blow has taken his time crafting a follow-up, Rewards vary. Most of the time your prize for players think of the broader mystery embedded Gun” exists, since the Weinstein effectively amps the excitement (with but has finally re-emerged with “The Witness” solving a puzzle is ... another puzzle. Some pan- in the island. “The Witness” demands intense lev- Company opted to open it with only the invaluable assistance of editor Alan (Thekla, for the PlayStation 4, PC, $39.99). It’s els unlock doors or create bridges to new areas. els of patience and concentration - and I still slightly more advance notice than is Cody) during the climactic shootout, even more bewildering than “Braid” - and while If you solve enough mazes, you’ll activate lasers don’t know if the payoff is worth the effort. normally afforded a traffic accident. By then tops it off with a coda that slyly some Blow fans will adore it, many will find it that converge at a mountaintop, where you’ll Three stars out of four. — AP the time word reaches most interested suggests what Clint Eastwood’s Man infuriating. find - well, let’s not spoil too much. Older gamers parties, this luckless sagebrush saga will With No Name might have done a few have vamoosed from the megaplexes. hours after the ending of “For a Few When it reaches home-screen plat- Dollars More.” forms, however, “Jane Got a Gun” almost There are more than a few tips of the certainly will find a receptive audience Stetson to other classic Westerns, rang- for its revisionist yet respectful spin on ing from visual quotes (a gaze-through- For anonymity-loving Sia, new genre conventions. Indeed, the only the-doorway shot that recalls the thing about it that might rankle tradi- beginning and end of “The Searchers”) tionalists is the sporadic use of four- to plot developments (the “Magnificent and five-letter words. (Yes, there still are Seven”-style approach to rigging boo- album ‘acting’ for other stars people who get upset by the sort of by-traps around the Hammond home- thing. And many of those people feel stead). And there is a classical look and under-served because Hollywood sel- feel to the movie overall, with hand- NEW YORK: For her first album since her break- album’s first single, “Alive,” was meant for Adele The album’s hit “Chandelier,” an electropop bal- dom gives them this sort of movie.) some widescreen lensing by Mandy through hit “Chandelier,” Sia is facing off on the as part of her blockbuster album “25.” lad of a party girl’s alcohol-fueled self-destruc- Natalie Portman is persuasive and Walker and aptly evocative music by charts against superstars Adele and Rihanna. “Alive” matches the mood of “25,” as Sia-play- tion, was nominated for Grammys for Song of compelling in the lead role of Jane Lisa Gerrard and Marcello de Francisci. And they are likely familiar with some of the ing the role of Adele-reminisces of her child- the Year and Record of the Year. Sia returns to Hammond, a slightly built but formida- Edgerton hits the right balance of songs-they were written for them. hood and her survival into adulthood to a tune dark territory on the latest album by exploring bly resourceful pioneer woman who’s sullen gruffness and soulful sincerity “This Is Acting,” the seventh album by the that opens with richly dark piano chords before abusive relationships. greatly upset when John (Noah as Dan, while McGregor artfully Australian singer known both for her distinctive- a rapid climax. “I’m still breathing / I’m alive,” In “House on Fire,” armed with one of the Emmerich), her husband, returns one entwines amusement and menace as ly soaring voice and her face-covering black- sings Sia in one of her strongest performances, album’s most powerful musical hooks despite a day to their New Mexico Territory farm he serves generous slices of ham as and-white wig, consists of tunes that she wrote, her voice gliding from soulful to roaring with a conventional synthesizer arrangement, Sia uses with several bullets in his innards. Mind John Bishop. Emmerich has little to do offered to other artists and, after deals fell touch of rasp. Sia, speaking to Apple Music’s the title as a metaphor for personal chaos. The you, John’s ambush is not a complete but lie in bed and indicate that being through, salvaged. Beats 1 radio, said she was surprised that Adele similarly bleak “Bird Set Free” was written for surprise to Jane, since he is an outlaw shot multiple times can really take a For Sia, the album is a multidimensional para- did not want “Alive.” Adele, who did not find it suitable. with a price on his head, and both of lot out of you. But what he does, he dox. She is interpreting her own songs, ones that “I thought this one was such a smash but she Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, Sia said them have long been hunted by John does well. —Reuters are often highly personal. But they were intend- just wasn’t feeling it,” Sia told the station, whose she thought most of her songs for pop stars Bishop (Ewan McGregor), a grandilo- ed to come from the hearts of others. The host Zane Lowe described the album’s concept were “terribly, terribly cheesy.” But Sia acknowl- quent villain with an old score to settle as playing “fantasy football with the world’s pop edged that she knew a successful tune when she with the couple. But with her husband stars.” Sia similarly appears to channel Beyonce wrote one. “It really seems like the general pub- temporarily indisposed while he recov- on the more inspirational “Footprints,” a string- lic responds well to songs about salvation or ers from his wounds, Jane realizes she backed, mid-tempo pop song that uses subtle overcoming something, or that everything’s must even the odds as she prepares for spiritual imagery to describe salvation either by going to be okay, or that things are fun,” she said. the worst. a partner or God. A more conventional pop bal- “I think that my skill is more upbeat curating, as And so, after placing her young lad, “Reaper,” was co-produced by rap star Kanye in choosing the right tracks and then sort of try- daughter out of harm’s way, Jane rides West. Sia wrote “Reaper” and the uptempo ing to understand the will or nature of popular over to the tumbledown home of Dan “Cheap Thrills” for Rihanna, who released her culture.” — AFP Frost (Joel Edgerton), a hard-drinking long-awaited “Anti” album on Wednesday. But gunslinger with whom she shared a the R&B superstar, whose new album focuses on relationship-and more, it’s gradually inward-looking ballads, rejected them. Even revealed-years earlier. At first, Dan giddier is “Move Your Body,” a club-style dance rejects Jane’s plea for help with a surly track that Sia wrote for Shakira. display of alcohol-fueled resentment. But when push comes to shove, well, a What the public wants man’s got to do what a man’s got to do- The 40-year-old singer, whose real name is Sia especially when it looks like a woman Furler, had her start in the jazz scene of Adelaide will dang well try to do it alone if he and remains more at least in the indie world doesn’t. than with pop celebrity. But she has become a Not surprisingly, considering the major writer for pop stars, notably composing movie’s title, there is a perceptible femi- Rihanna’s 2012 worldwide hit “Diamonds.” Sia, nist undercurrent to the screenplay This file photo taken on December 6, 2014 who keeps her face hidden to preserve her credited to Edgerton, Brian Duffield and shows singer-songwriter Sia as she attends anonymity, has struggled with addiction, a bat- Anthony Tambakis. Jane is not your the “Annie” World Premiere at Ziegfeld tle that figured prominently on her last album, grandfather’s Western heroine: She can Theater on December 7, 2014 in New York “1000 Forms of Fear,” which came out in 2014. City. —AFP

Max celebrates Spring 2016 collection launch and fashion for real campaign #bereal AX, the largest value fashion brand ognizes true comfortable fashion, not solely under a sports influenced umbrella directs a in the region showcased its well- dictated by glamour pages or catwalks, but strong nautical message this spring season. Mreceived Spring 2016 collection at a fashion that allows our customers unique Nautical colors with bright highlights in spectacular fashion show that took place on individuality in the style choices they make. quirky conversational prints and oversized January 25th, 2016 at the Westin Hotel. The In essence, the campaign recognizes individ- polka dots transforms a more modern take event included a fashion show, and several uality in fashion that makes one feel comfort- on this evergreen trend. Key shapes such as activations, including an accessories booth, able. culottes, tubular maxi’s, roll-up chinos & live LED screens capturing the audiences, live In our latest campaign our consumers are resort polo t-shirts play a big role in updating event footage to the Middle East region for families, young adults, boys and girls who this classic look. Max customers, media, partners, a photo wall shop at Max because it feels real to them. We Black and white tailoring with proportion with customized polaroid and a caricaturist thus wanted to let our shoppers know that play, and typography stay a key trend from who drew attendees. we appreciate and respect their sense of indi- the past for Spring 2016. Stencil florals, linear In attendance of the event was viduality. At the heart of the Be Real cam- markings, and simple horizontal stripes Mohammad Assaf, who has collaborated with paign is a call for authenticity, an encourag- update the classic monochrome trend with Max for the Fashion for Real People cam- ing platform that will allow people to key shapes like long lined cardigans, slim leg paign launched in November. The 360 cam- embrace their own unique style by treating pants, wrap front jumpsuit boxy shift dress, paign highlights human authenticity and fashion as an extension of their personality.” kimono’s & slim leg with kick flare trousers. encourages people to embrace their own Mohammed Assaf added: “It is an absolute For the men’s collection, preppy resort unique style, by treating fashion as an exten- honor for me to collaborate on such a cam- wear is the new nautical for Spring 2016. This sion of one’s personality. It aims to inspire paign with Max. The campaign’s ethos res- trend focuses on resort styling with sailor consumers to embrace their individuality and onates with my personal values and beliefs.” stripes and color pop updating this classic motivates them to dress for their comfort. The Spring Collection was carefully designed trend. Simple typography, yacht referencing Since its launch in November last year, the to reflect this sense of individuality. Trends anchor motifs as well seaside conversational campaign has received tremendous success. woven into the collection blend understated prints bring that fun modern edge. Core clas- hemlines and Bauhaus typography. campaign by using the hashtag #BeReal It began with a social experiment that was elegance with a touch of modernized style. A sic shapes such as; the single button blazer, Simplified graphics with easy slogans contin- across social media platforms. Max Fashion is featured across all Max Social Media plat- minimalist 70’s approach pervades this sea- tipped polo shirt, cricket sweater the 5-pock- ue in monochromatic shades. These are part of Landmark Group, one of the largest forms followed by a TVC featuring son, brushed with modernism for a neo-nos- et chino & tailored shorts are updated with found in shapes such as; slim fit joggers, retail and hospitality conglomerates in the Mohammed Assaf. The total investment in talgic look that is dreamy and pensive. modern resort styling. active inspired t-shirts longer length shirts, Middle East and India. It currently operates in the brand campaign is AED 8.1million. For the female collection, classic maritime Monochrome sportswear continues to cut and sew polo’s slouchy crew neck tops to 16 countries across MENA and India. Ramanathan Hariharan, CEO of MAX says, with revamped classics, evolved spots and have the biggest influence on the season name but a few. “The ‘Fashion For Real People’ campaign rec- stripes combined with simplified styling with proportion play, oversized fits, longer Max Fashion loyalists can support the new