Entertainment Eric Momou, Entertainment Editor Sierra Gillespie, Production Assistant De Niro’s new movie a disappointment Sierra Gillespie Throughout his entire life he spends minimal time with each the emotions of the audience, depicts perfectly how De Niro’s Production Assistant has never formed a close bond of his children; all of them seem do not succeed whatsoever. character still thinks of his with his children--something to have excuses to cut the visit The most laughter the audience children as adolescents instead that he regrets deeply. short. He keeps an open mind, will experience is a forced of adults and how he needs to REVIEW2.5 out of 5 stars At the start of the film, all however, and continues with his chuckle, and the most sadness let them grow up. Frank wants to do is get his journey. they will have is the sniffling of “Everybody’s Fine” is a Robert De Niro’s performance family into the same room. They their noses. mediocre film. It has its points in “Everybody’s Fine” is have not been together since “Everybody’s Fine” is not of greatness, but the majority impressive. It is absolutely not his late wife’s funeral, and, with a holiday film. Although it of it is just decent. De Niro’s his best work, but he is playing Frank’s recent retirement, he is concludes with a Christmas children, played by Drew a character with which he and lonelier than ever before. scene, the entire film does Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale audiences are not familiar to Frank prepares for his not surround the holidays and Sam Rockwell, have either seeing him play. children to visit, only to have as implied by the trailer. It good or bad performances. Among De Niro’s countless them cancel within the first ten is a movie about family. It is B a r r y m o r e p l a y s h e r accolades, he has been minutes of the movie. Crushed, about how everyone claims character the same as every nominated for six Academy Frank decides to visit each to be fine but, is truthfully other character she has had Awards, winning two of them. of his children personally, in suffering in silence. since she was seven, a girl Unquestionably he is a quality hopes of convincing them to Kirk Jones, the writer and with issues and a whiny voice. actor. However, his newest come together for a visit. director of the film, is a relatively Beckinsale ups the ante a bit character, Frank Goode, shows Frank travels from New Because of his deathly fear of new director whose past few from Barrymore’s performance, De Niro in a different light, York to Chicago to Denver to flying, Frank takes the long way movies differ incredibly from but Rockwell’s rendition is one that shies away from his Las Vegas to visit each of his from city to city. He travels by “Everybody’s Fine.” Jones clearly the best of the film, normal role. His two Oscars children individually. During trains and buses mostly, though takes an unusual direction aside De Niro’s. were for playing characters this time he meets each of his at one point of the film he is with the viewpoint of De Niro’s De Niro is very convincing as completely opposite to his children except one, David. desperate enough to receive a character. his delicate character, lending current one. De Niro’s newest Throughout the entire film, ride from a trucker. When Frank first sees each the audience to empathize with character is a pushover in Frank’s children shy away Besides the conflicts with of his adult children, actual him greatly. His performance comparison. from the topic of David when each of his children, Frank children portray them. Toward brings the film to the level that Still, Frank Goode is an Frank is present, though their faces challenge after challenge the end of the film, Frank it is at, which sadly is nothing admirable man. He has worked conversations between each through the duration of his confronts each adolescent child to rave about. hard his entire life to provide other allude to the audience impromptu vacation. This about their adult problems. for his four children and that something is wrong with provides mild humor and mild This scene is rather unusual, their very broad aspirations. David’s well-being. Frank heartbreak. Attempts to pull at but interesting as well. It Worthwhile wait for Left 4 Dead 2 I would like to return my friendship, please. stand outside for around a season. But, standing around Josh Heath half-hour, buy our games, go drinking chocolate milk in Production Assistant home, play a round and then chilly temperatures was not get ready for A.P. Econ in the exactly the most fun thing to It was down to the four of morning. It was going well. do. I remembered, though, us. We had to combine our But this was still during that I had two balls in my car. resources, wits and talents. the One Act season. And for And we had the bright idea to That was the only way we some of us in the One Act, it start playing dodge ball in the were going to survive the is very exhausting. We were parking lot. There were other madness that was thrust upon still rehearsing until 6 p.m. people—a few cars had people us. It was the only way. “Left 4 that night, and I was more sitting in them—but they just Dead 2” (L4D2) was released tired than usual. As soon as I sat and watched as we played November 17. That was the returned home, I fell asleep on dodge ball for a half-hour, day that I joined forces with my couch, setting an alarm for at least. We finally called it seniors Joe Meeker, Douglas about 10 p.m., so I could watch quits after Will, Joe and Doug Cole and alumnus Will Button television for an hour before I had each won a round. Joe to go to the midnight release left to pick up the other three. commented on Will after his of the game. And yes, I did sleep until 10 win, “Will Button is the worst We had been planning to get p.m., but in doing so I had dodge ball player of all time.” “L4D2” as soon as we possibly skipped dinner. Douglas had There was a lot of running and could. Douglas and I had to too, apparently, so he and I a lot of laughs from the people wait for a paycheck or two hit up Burger King. Then, we in the cars. to have the proper funds to just hung out at my residence Finally, at exactly midnight, buy it, while Will did not even until the clock struck 10:45 the doors opened and the now- want it. He wanted “Assassin’s p.m. at which point we went formed line went inside. To my Creed II,” which was released to retrieve the others. delight, there was a lot of swag the same day. Then Joe had Will had the brilliant idea for “Assassin’s Creed,” “Star mentioned that preordering of getting snacks at Kwik Trek” and “L4D2”: sweatbands, the game could save $10 on Trip before we headed in, pins and posters. We got our the actual purchase, with the for something to do while games, I got handfuls of swag preorder costing $5. standing in line, apparently. and we headed home to play I volunteered to drive And I needed gas anyway, so the Dark Carnival campaign the group in my beast of a we went into Kwik Trip and until around 2 a.m. car, which had been freshly bought six dollars of gasoline, In Econ the next day, Mr. painted in celebration of the 18 glazers, a half-gallon of Laubmeier caught me falling One Act making it to the state chocolate milk, cups and a Dr. asleep a few times, but, really, competition. Having this all Pepper. And with that, we were it was worth it. We had banded planned out, we were going off to Best Buy. together, pooled our resources to leave town around 11 p.m., We arrived at around 11:20 and emerged triumphant. anticipating lines waiting for p.m. There was no line, so we Killing zombies had never the items being released at started one. First in line for the been so much fun. Comic by Luke Thering midnight. We were going to first big game of the Christmas Page 10 The Purple Sage December 23, 2009 Entertainment Harris’ Almanac AFI an unfortunate letdown Laura Meeker which was full of strange Graphic Artist but mostly true tips, such Meghan Caulfield Between the 2006 release of of “I die, if you only met my as, “Fish and visitors stink Columnist Decemberunderground and eyes before you pass by/will after three days.” Harris’ the release of Crash Love you pause to break my heart?” REVIEW2.5 out of 5 stars Farmer’s Almanac does this year, AFI produced a live This track achieves the goal 2.5 out of 5 stars Since reading the 2010 have its share of interesting REVIEW album and an EP that was of keeping AFI’s listening Farmer’s Almanac, I have articles, however. It has a AFI has recently released never released. audience entertained. The become disappointed that I page on the astrological their eighth studio album, The much anticipated single, “Veronica Sawyer am not fearing for my life. significance of each month Crash Love. AFI is best known album, Crash Love, is mainly Smokes,” tells a story of I suppose I should have and articles on Mark Twain for their songs “Silver and a disappointment. The tracks having preconceived thoughts expected that the long- and the cherry trees in Cold” and “Miss Murder.” are bland and repetitive. of someone who does not range weather predictions Washington, but nothing AFI was first founded in Listening to each song you get live up to their expectations, for the great Midwest would that has not been done a 1991. The original members the feeling that you have heard someone who is not who you be the regular cold, wet hundred times before. were still in high school when it before--just by a different thought they were. A tiresome and generally gray the rest A final note on the book they created the rock band name. The meaning and continuation, the same lines of winter, and unpleasant would be that it is more “A Fire Inside.” The members thought behind the repeat for far too long. until some time in Spring than 40 percent ads and of AFI include lead vocalist songs are hard to A track that is moving and when you can expect the that is a lot, seeing as it is Davey Havok, backup vocalist decipher. attention-grabbing is still able End of Days. I am kidding. a centimeter-thick booklet. and drummer Adam Carson, T h e to be found on this album. Wisconsin will never be that What intrigues me more is guitarist Jade Puget and opening “Okay, I Feel Better Now” interesting. that most of the ads seem bassist Hunter Burgan. Puget t r a c k , accomplishes this goal. Benjamin Harris’ Almanac geared towards homeowners and Burgan also double as “Torch “Medicate,” the seventh single is what you would expect and farmers. The writer of keyboardists and backup Song,” on the album, is an exception. from the demographic: the introduction claims a lot vocalists. i s It is catchy and reminiscent of “ f a r m e r s , p l a n t e r s , of writers for the almanac Their first album, nothing former AFI material. merchants, laborers and are losing their shirts, and I Answer That and Stay special. While there are tracks that gentle country folk.” can see why. I think it is time Fashionable, was I t d o e s are an exception to the dull It really is useful if you they put their skills towards released a few years not build sound of the album’s songs plan to pursue a career a specialized monthly later in 1995. Within like “Darling, I Want to Destroy as a farmer or laborer; it publication rather than a the next year, AFI excitement You” and “Medicate,” it does provides helpful tips on yearly guide that costs $6, was already releasing or an eager not fulfill the expectations planting tables, animal care which I found at a grocery their next full-length feeling to that were set for AFI. Songs and other subjects, but store bookshelf. album, Very Proud of hear the rest that are amusing, intriguing does not quite live up to the In short, the almanac Ya. After the release of the album. and unique are the definition expectation of having crazy was perfect in the time it of this album, the T h e of AFI. Sadly, most songs on astrological predictions. began, where books were band went through following this album did not achieve I a m n o t a l e a r n e d much rarer, more expensive, a few lineup changes. s o n g , this goal. person on the subjects of and annual publications Burgan and Puget were added “Beautiful Thieves,” tells The entire album has a farming or astrology, of or periodicals of any type to replace former members. of people who benefit from mysterious tone and does not course. The only Almanac at all were scarce if not The band produced five their social status, but a large stray far from the same overall I have ever read before nonexistent. This is not more albums in the span majority of the song is just sound. Listening to former Harris’ Farmer’s Almanac as true in the age of the of 10 years, including the the repetition of the weak albums like Sing the Sorrow was Benjamin Franklin’s internet, magazines and hit albums Sing the Sorrow chorus. The track “Too Shy to makes one nostalgic for the “Poor Richard’s Almanack,” weekly newsletters. and Decemberunderground. Scream” has a catchy chorus old, glorified AFI. Bandung: Indonesian cuisine on Williamson Street note that in the time interval from the oppression of the to wet a diverse appetite. in Bebek Bakar, half duck Eric Momou between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. the mundane. Airs of panpipes The menu dialect might accompanied with steamed Entertainment Editor restaurant remains closed. play from the bar which serves well come as foreign to the veggies and garlic sauce. I learned this early through specialized wines and spirits. average customer. Yet the $16.95 for dinner. REVIEW2.5 out of 5 stars experience, having ventured It is important to note options are numerous, and you For vegans or those with a at 4 p.m. and coming back however, that there is may find yourself in the dire restraint on caloric options, Perhaps, if one were to at a later time–schedule a difference between situation of indecision. Of the opt for the vegetarian menu as appease their culturally accordingly. However, my conventional Asian and appetizers that the restaurant this has fried alternatives. Try impartial taste buds, they discouragement was swiftly Indonesian. For one not well offers, are Lumpia–two veggie- Longtong Tahu, tofu à la vapor might well consider Bandung assuaged. acquainted with the impregnated egg rolls with with bean sprouts and peanut Restaurant, located in Upon entrance, one is greeted carrot, bamboo shoots and sauce layered on rice cakes. downtown Madison--a red w i t h o v e r w h e l m i n g green onion. There is Otak- Gado Gado offers a plethora brick edifice at 600 Williamson ethnicity: masks Otak, an ethnic fish of greens: carrot, cabbage, Street off South Blair Street. and mural-like cake, enveloped in broccoli, bean sprouts with Adjacent to a compacted paintings plastered banana leaf and served egg and tofu beneath a topping collection of businesses, the lavishly upon the with garlic peanut sauce. of peanut sauce. scrunched Bandung seems walls of orange. There The restaurant also offers Z e s t y S a m b a l G o re n g a tad bit shabby as it stands is an atmosphere of an Indonesian improvisation Tempe, a sweet and sour alongside the Monkey Bar Gym. tranquility and serenity, of chicken wings served with choice including lemon grass, The potential customer may not too different from tangy peanut sauce. soybean cake and palm sugar, understandably be amongst Africana – another respectable cuisine, it is reminiscent of A recommended house nets you $7.95 lunch or a the average passersby. Aside restaurant on the UW-Madison Chinese in look. An abundance dinner favorite is Krakatau, $12.95 dinner. Vegetable Curry, from its emboldened label, campus. By little more than of vegetables and fried tempe (cultured soybean a cheaper dinner buy for $9.95 the structure is by no means candlelight, occupants enjoy delicacies are commonplace, cake) with chicken on a platter comes with carrot, cauliflower, ostentatious–rather it caresses their feasts, the ambrosia of yet the Indian-like savor of onion, mushroom and other green bean and spicy curry. a quaint, reclusive quality. which is sharp and hunger presents itself alarming in greens. Demonstrated showily Having been inquisitive It is important to consider inducing. The studio lights terms of spice. Astoundingly, in front of the customer is a about an Indonesian change that unlike the 24-hour fast instigate solemn reflection the servings are filling, despite steaming garlic sauce, poured in cuisine, I was skeptical. food restaurant, Bandung and mystery in the mind of the appearing relatively small before serving. The total: Yet, by no means did it fail opens solely for lunch and food enthusiast. Here, even a in portion. Curry, a prime $15.95. In the realm of avian in the customer service, the dinner. Although you may person in solidarity can feel component in westerner delicacies, the restaurant eye-awing décor, time and select delivery as an option, special amidst a haven free cooking delivers a salivary kick does not fall short. Indulge money. December 23, 2009 The Purple Sage Page 11 Entertainment Top 5 guaranteed, best of the worst media sensations 2. John Daker student. Two British students, Sophie movie scream of all time. “Troll 2” is Joe Meeker Opinion Editor Peoria, Illinois is home of John and Richard, stay with host families in an absolute mess, a hodgepodge of Daker, a YouTube sensation whose Getxo, Spain to improve their Spanish bad acting and writing–but everyone Luke Thering Copy Editor voice is as full as his expressive, agile skills and have a good time. Sophie is so obviously unattached from the eyebrows. He serenades the camera is an obnoxiously dedicated student, project that it all sort of works. They We have compiled a list of web video, with a stream of emotive consonants while Richard has trouble asking his do not care, and neither should you, movies and music sensations worthy and vowels, which supposedly create host grandmother for a towel and at so just revel in the muck. “Troll 2” is of being called the best of the worst. two songs, “Christ the Lord Is Risen other times slips into daydreams. The pretty uniformly terrible, but also a 1. “The Room” Today” and “That’s Amore.” In the clip, students are entertaining on their own, joyous thing to behold. “The Room” is a terrible, terrible music teacher Maria Cooper Unsicker but when other colorful characters are 5. The Poops movie. All of it is terrible: the editing, features the sub-par musical talents added, the movie really takes off. The If you try to treat “The Poops” as a writing, acting, plot, cinematography, of her students--John Daker being the character that truly steals the show band you are going to be disappointed, sound and set design. And it would be most entertaining. His performance is the deeply troubled Joseba, who if not disgusted. None of the members just that–irredeemably terrible and is preceded by a less than eloquent pawns off spoons which he steals from know how to play their instruments. thus not worth our attention–were it introduction by Unsicker, in which she his own house, uses that money to Their vocalist never learned how to not for one Tommy Wiseau. Mr. Wiseau, substitutes the more common “um” make bets and undergoes a miraculous sing, much less how to talk. What the writer, director, producer and star or “er” with “BUURHHH” sentence- change of heart to bring the story to can you expect from songs named of “The Room,” is mysterious. He hails jumping, rendering each thought a close. So, brush up on your Spanish “Glooberdy Booger” and “Zoop Zoop from somewhere in eastern Europe and incomprehensible. The shot then cuts and watch this informational and Kazoo?” They would be silly, avandt has a very poor grasp of the English to a blank, wistful and balding John touching movie. It will change your life garde children’s musicians did their language, but has been notoriously Daker center stage, followed by a for the better. works not make the listener, palpably coy about his origins and especially short piano introduction to their first 4. “Troll 2” uncomfortable. Unlike bad movies or how he raised six million dollars of his selection--upon which he misses his What happens when a director with television, bad music is often harder own money to finance his masterpiece. very first cue. He goes on to murder a shoestring budget, amateur actors to find funny. There is less inherent Wiseau’s hilariously mangled all but a few lines of lyrics while still and a tenuous grasp of the English humor in it, and so, listening to “The line readings, frequently maintaining musical integrity by use language goes to rural America to Poops,” for many, will remain a painful poorly dubbed voices, of powerful eyebrow positions and a make a horror flick? “Troll 2”–which, experience. But view “The Poops” not numerous dropped plot commanding stage presence. It is sad surprisingly enough, is completely as a band, but as an art piece–some threads and the main and painfully comical. unrelated to “Troll”–may not be the grand commentary on the human characters’ propensity for 3. “Aventuras Vascas” worst movie of all time, but it comes condition and the nature of man–and football all contribute For those not in Spanish V, this close. Highlights include a male lead suddenly “Glooberdy Booger” is not to a rich, mangled movie gem is probably unfamiliar. played by a local dentist, a group of only tolerable but hilarious. With a and hilarious piece of “Aventuras Vascas” is a made- goblins wearing burlap sacks, some of lyric like “Snakes snakes snakes...get work. Thank you, Mr. for-classroom mini drama filled the worst special effects and editing, me away from these snakes snakes Wiseau, for creating with love, danger and practical choice bits of dialogue like, “You don’t snakes” how could their album not be the best worst thing. lessons for the common Spanish piss on hospitality!” and the best funny? ‘Modern Warfare 2’ an awing improvement complementing augmentation. Brian Lenz IW has remained in its wheelhouse to functionality is poor. Failing to join Killstreaks have also evolved Web Page Manager continue outputting the same game parties is an annoyance that can tremendously. Stepping away from that simply looks nicer with a few new be frustrating. Clans are fairly non- the simple presets, you now have the enhancements to previous features. existent. Players are allowed to input 2.5 out of 5 stars capability to select your own personal REVIEW Matches max out at nine-player a clan tag, however this clan tag does killstreaks. Starting a mere three kills teams. Coming in January, MAG is virtually nothing, nullifying the use of “Modern Warfare 2” (MW2) smashed without dying you can be awarded a boasting an unheard of 256 players the word “clan.” There are no leaders, records on numerous fronts. Across simple Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV in a single match. MAG has shifted no member list, no ranking of members three platforms $4.7 million copies or radar) stretching to an impressive the scope of the traditional First for the clan system--just four abstract were sold worldwide. 25 successive kills resulting in a game Person Shooter from a solo operation characters that hold no meaning. Second, Infinity Ward (IW) claimed ending tactical nuke to wreak havoc to eight-player squads. Four squads “Modern Warfare 2” is a simple eight million active players within the on your enemies (and your own team), make up a platoon and four platoons game with the complexities of a first five days after MW2’s release, killing everyone in the match. make up a company, creating an traditional role-playing game. constituting the largest army in the Titles and emblems are the sole brand unbelievable 128-player team led Customizability, gaining levels and world. Most importantly, MW2 has its new addition to MW2. Titles are just by the highest ranking player in earning achievements all pull players main focus once again centered around another way to individualize yourself. the match. Already on the market, toward a truly aesthetically pleasing the diverse multiplayer that keeps the Titles range from ‘Team Player’ to “Resistance 2” for Playstation 3, boasts game. However, seeing it as more than game playable and replayable. ‘Dishes are Done’ to ‘Accident Prone’ 60-player matches. just something to look at, MW2 lacks Weaponry: the most important and literally anything in between. Friends are usually a predominant the limit-pushing breakthroughs that equipment for any infantry. Fifty-one Emblems are essentially the same force for online gaming. While MW2 make the gaming industry such an unique weapons spread the styles as titles but are simply small memes does offer friend capabilities, their incredible industry. of play far beyond the normal range to go along with your title. Emblems of traditional warfare games. Each consist of anything from dog tags to a weapon can be customized further biohazard symbol. with eight attachments and eight The multiplayer mode brings all skins. Attachments increase accuracy, of these enhancements together to firepower or even allow for wielding make an incredible experience that two weapons for double the power but keeps you playing even after clocking at the cost of half the accuracy. more than three days of gameplay. Perks have come a long way from The longevity is truly what makes their introduction in “Call of Duty MW2 such an impressive game–pulling 3” where players acquired certain together millions of players and pitting abilities based on their preset class. them violently against each other while Even more abilities are now augmented still making an amazingly enjoyable by perks ranging from quicker reload environment. times to remaining invisible under Now, take a bigger look at the industry. enemy radar. Each of the 16 perks IW has not changed anything. The vital have a corresponding ‘pro’ category gameplay remains unchanged and enhancing the ability or adding reserved. Taking no leaps or bounds, Comic by Shay Corless Page 12 The Purple Sage December 23, 2009