[email protected] Technique Entertainment Editor: Jennifer Aldoretta 13 Friday, Assistant Entertainment Editor: February 5, 2010 Entertainment Zheng Zheng MASS EFFECT 2: BioWare’s RPG perfection worth the cash

VIDEO GAMES By Chris Harless Mass Effect 2 Contributing Writer CONSOLES: Xbox360, PC BioWare released Mass Efect 2, the long GENRE: Action, RPG awaited sequel to 2007’s original action role- DEVELOPER: BioWare playing game (RPG) by the same name on Jan. 26 for consoles and PC. RELEASED: Jan. 26, 2010 he story of Mass Efect 2 is a continua- tion from the irst game. It follows Com- OUR TAKE: ««««« mander Shepard on his journey to save hu- manity from an enemy that is abducting human colonies in the far reaches of space. Sure, the plot sounds simple at irst, but there are many side plots and twists that make this story an incredible cinematic experience. he irst cutscene of the game proves the game’s complexity and it really has the potential to catch people of guard. Players have the option of importing their saved character from the irst game or they can start with a new character. hey have the choice between six diferent character classes, which all have their strengths. hese classes include the Soldier, the Engineer, and the Adept as well as any combination of these three main classes. he Soldier and the Engineer are pretty self-explanatory, but the Adept is basically the equiva- lent of a Jedi. For those who haven’t played the original Mass Ef- fect, it was honestly one of the best RPG on the next- generation consoles and deinitely worth the play- ing times. It brought something entirely diferent to the table than most people would expect from a typical RPG. Mass Efect had a streamlined story that took roughly 25 hours to complete. Yes, some people prefer their games to be longer, but after 50 or 60 hours of playing any single game, the story generally becomes boring and the gameplay becomes repetitive. Besides, Mass Efect had a great replay value because the story would change severely based on the player’s in-game decisions. he original had one of the most revolutionary dialogue systems to ever appear in a game, which surely makes the other game companies wonder why they didn’t think of it irst. More importantly, because of that, certain in-game choices actually became diicult to make at times. BioWare has a history of revolutionizing and improving the RPG genre. For those who aren’t familiar with this company, some of the more famous games they have produced include Baldur’s Gate, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and many other classic titles. Mass Efect 2 is no exception. It improves on the original Mass Efect in nearly every single way. Mass Efect used to be the best RPG on the next- generation consoles. Mass Efect 2 should claim that title now. Image courtesy of BioWare See Efect, page 14 Rome-antic comedy follows typical storyline FILM the nice, handsome boy, played by After drinking from the fountain, Josh Duhamel. Unfortunately, in Beth ends up drunkenly stealing Edge of Darkness the case of this ilm, the equation ive coins from it before being GENRE: Romantic Comedy just doesn’t work. chased out by police. he owners Bell’s character Beth, an ex- of these coins all end up magically STARRING: Kristen Bell, Josh treme workaholic, focuses on her falling in love with Beth, and they Duhamel burgeoning career as the young- begin to follow her around ob- DIRECTORS: Mark Steven est art curator at the Guggenheim sessively in the hopes of winning Johnson Museum in New York City. She her heart. his premise is cheesy has had terrible luck with boys in enough, but to make matters RATING: PG-13 the past and has given up on love worse, every one of the four hope- RELEASED: Jan. 29, 2010 as a result. ful suitors (the ifth coin is never After being humiliated by even accounted for) are very one- OUR TAKE: ««««« an ex-boyfriend at one of her art dimensional and unfunny. shows, Beth goes home to ind Will Arnett plays an unin- By Patricia Uceda that her sister Joan (played by spired tortured artist with a fake Contributing Writer Alexis Dziena) is getting mar- Italian accent that gets really an- ried in Rome, Italy to an Italian noying throughout the ilm. he When in Rome tries its best to guy she has only known for two character also fails to deliver any be the type of romantic comedy weeks. Beth agrees to go to the whimsical lines whatsoever. Jon that utilizes charm and humor wedding, where she meets the best Heder plays a street magician, to make its way into the hearts man Nick, Duhamel’s character, who is, without a doubt, the weak- of teenage girls everywhere. Un- and they instantly hit it of. est link among the four suitors. fortunately, it fails. he ilm is Unfortunately, when she tries Heder’s character is so awkward about as predictable and unfunny to make a move on the best man, and dull it is painful to watch. as humanly possible. It has all the she sees him kissing another girl. Dax Shepard plays an egotisti- variables necessary for a romantic Beth becomes disheartened and cal male model who is so full of comedy; the workaholic, jaded turns to the Fountain of Love out- girl, played by Kristen Bell, meets side the wedding chapel for help. See Rome, page 15 Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures 14 • February 5, 2010 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT

CITY SCENE Photo by Chris Gooley/ Student Publications By Roshan Kalghatgi Contributing Writer Atlanta’s Best at the Mason Murer Fine Art From Friday, Feb. 12th, the Mason Murer Fine Art gallery will be hosting he Drawing Show. his exhibit will feature the drawings and other works on paper from the best artists in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Artwork from a large array of wonderful artists such as James Yarborough, Robert Marx and Benny Andrews will be displayed for all to see. If you have never heard of these guys and would like to learn more, please visit www.masonmurer. com/artists.htm to sample their work. A few minutes of browsing and you will ind that their work is modern, fascinating and well worth your time to visit the show. What makes Image courtesy of BioWare this show even better is the fact that the show is open to the public and entrance is absolutely Efect from page 13 he story and the characters free. So if you’re short on cash and looking for an interesting show, then this is perfect for are most deinitely the best parts you because all that you would be spending on this event is your own time. Calling Mass Efect 2 an RPG of this series. BioWare has done may not be the most accurate de- such a great job of creating char- Michael Feinstein brings Sinatra to Atlanta scription of its genre. he game re- acters that are interesting and ally feels more like a story-driven unique. he voice acting in Mass Attention Sinatra fans! When was the last time you heard a Sinatra song performed live? action game in the same vein as Efect 2 is also superb. he cast If it has been a while, then this weekend you will have a chance to hear classic Sinatra songs Uncharted 2: Drake’s Fortune. of voice actors even includes big performed live by the great Michael Feinstein at the Atlanta Symphony Hall. Feinstein is a Nearly all of the annoying or names like Seth Green and Mar- Grammy award winning singer and music archivist, known for preserving and celebrating boring aspects of Mass Efect have tin Sheen. classic American music. His past albums include tributes to the Gershwin brothers, Irving been removed. For instance, side he graphics of Mass Efect 2 Berlin and American and European music during the First World War. his phenomenal missions are no longer incred- are also worth noting. his game’s ibly repetitive. Instead of driving designs can compete with even singer will be performing songs from his most recent album, he Sinatra Project, a tribute to the Mako, a land war-vehicle, the best-looking games. he char- Frank Sinatra himself. Ticket prices range from $20-$53, a reasonable price to see a singer around deserted and barren plan- acters and scenery are all inspired such as Feinstein perform works of another fabulous artist from another era. For more infor- ets in search of the same things, and creative. he graphics really mation, please visit www.atlantasymphony.org. the side quests are now all more make these things come alive. or less unique and there are fewer Mass Efect 2 is better than the Friday Improv at Whole World Improv heatre of them. irst game in nearly every way and Mass Efect 2 also did away it’s deinitely worth paying $60 Come and enjoy a night of improvise comedy at the Whole World Improv heatre. Since with the somewhat hard to man- for it. BioWare has created an- 1993, Whole World Improv heatre has entertained people from all over Atlanta and earned age inventory system from the other incredible game that will numerous accolades for their hilarious shows. For the past few years Whole World Improv irst game. In this sequel, players be remembered as one of the best heatre has been consistently voted Best Local Improv Group by organizations such as he now choose equipment for their games of the current generation of Sunday Paper and Creative Loaing. All this weekend, the main cast of the Whole World team before the start of each mis- video game consoles. Improv heatre will be showcasing their amazing talents for $21 - $24 a ticket. So if Sinatra sion. his allows the game to feel here are few bad things about much more like an action game the game and, honestly, none of isn’t for you, then come down to the Whole World Improv heatre for a night of live, un- with RPG elements to it. them are worth mentioning. scripted fun. For more information, please visit www.wholeworldtheatre.com. ENTERTAINMENT Technique • February 5, 2010 • 15 Beach’s Dream fun, unoriginal

he bells add to the cheerful, carefree atmosphere of the song raising it from the realm of mel- ancholy. “Lover of Mine” is an eerie gem. With an ‘80s-esque heavy beat in the background, the song has a whistling harmony that re- minds one of ‘70s music. Add to that the ‘60s Beatles-type vocals, and one has a song that has ele- ments from all the decades. he song is deinitely the highlight of the album with its eclectic mix of these styles. “Better Times,” like every other song in this album, starts of with a repeating piano rif and Image courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Image courtesy of Sub Pop light percussion sound. he piano Rome from page 13 Unfortunately, these moments MUSIC with a nice organ and slow drums is pleasing to the ears, but the vo- are often dragged out until they that reminds one of Pink Floyd, is cals reiterate what’s been heard himself it’s irritating. Last but not become exhausted, such as when Beach House the next song. Even the lyrics car- throughout the album. “10 Mile least there’s Danny Devito who Beth has to break the vase at her Teen Dream ry the ethereal, cosmic feel found Stereo” is identical to the other plays a sausage mogul. All four sister’s wedding. he irst few sec- LABEL: Sub Pop in the Beatles and other psyche- songs in every respect with one of these characters have no depth onds of it are humorous, but then delic bands. he echoing sounds key change: a mandolin opener to them and are simply unfunny it gets old really quick. GENRE: Indie Rock, Pop and transcendent feel, as though instead of a piano one. caricatures. here are also a lot of whimsi- TRACK PICKS: “Silver Soul,” one is traveling through the world While an interesting change, As unbelievable as the fact that cal moments that seem random “Walk in the Park” and “Lover of dreams, is an all-around surreal the song again feels more of the Bell’s character cannot ind a guy and sloppy, such as Nick con- of Mine” experience. same. “Real Love” is, again, much to date, the lack of a girlfriend in stantly walking into trees or a Next up is “Norway.” A huge of the same, but “Take Care” fea- the life of Duhamel’s character is random trip to a restaurant where RELEASED: Jan. 26, 2010 shift in energy, the tune features tures some nice synthesizers if even more surreal. you dine in the dark. It could have OUR TAKE: ««« «« a guitar rif and choral ostinato nothing else. Furthermore, the chemistry turned out funny, but it ends up that repeats throughout the song. Overall, this album seems to between the two is barely there. pretty random and awkward as Cosmic vocals are found in this be a one-trick pony albeit a very Although, to be fair, they have they clumsily bump into tables By Yameen Huq song as well, quickly becoming a pretty pony. he ethereal sounds very few scenes to develop any and deal with an extremely creepy Staf Writer recurring motif within the album. and minimalist instrumentals real feelings from due to constant- waitress. “Strawberry Fields Forever,” he are certainly pleasing, but buy- ly being ripped apart by unfunny While a lot about this movie It seems like the season of the Beatles’ song, seems to be a huge ing a whole album worth of it circumstances. fails, Bell at least tries earnestly to indie bands. Teen Dream, the lat- inspiration for the album, because doesn’t seem quite worthwhile. Beth tries to avoid the other make it work. It’s not her fault the est album from indie pop duo the singings of all the vocals seem An album should really be a col- four suitors and develops a rela- script is so terribly lackluster. Beach House, released on Jan. 26 to descend straight from it. lection of diferent songs, not the tionship with Nick, but that all Duhamel is not quite so suc- is a collection of all around feel “Walk in the Park” is another same thing reiterated over and falls apart when she realizes that cessful on the other hand. His good indie songs. trip through the surreal. he basic over. he eclectic mix of sounds Nick may be afected by the same timings are generally a bit of and he album opens with “Ze- piano rhythms and eerie, echoing from throughout the decades is spell, forcing her to igure out he has few original lines. It was bra,” a down tempo song deined vocals of this song are more or less nice, but it is hammered to death whether his love is real or not. hard to ind him believable as by its repeating guitar rhythm and a continuation of the same. in every song, especially the ‘60s While the script is just not very such a nice and wholesome guy. a soft, echoing chorus. he song he vocals, fortunately, seem a nostalgia. inspiring, director Mark Steven Overall, this movie is deinitely seems more like a lullaby than little more down to earth in “Used Every song here is great, but, Johnson tries his best to make it not worth seeing in theatres. Rent anything else and, while certainly to Be.” A very bare song with light unfortunately, every song here is work. he movie progresses at a it if you’re bored one night. It has enjoyable, is better suited for put- vocals and a recurring piano tune, also the same. he group found steady pace and there are notably a a few laughs, but you have to dig ting one to sleep. it’s well complimented by jingle what they are good at and really few small moments of charm and through all the unfunny and awk- “Silver Soul,” which opened bells. stuck with it, for good or bad. humor. ward moments to ind them. 16 • February 5, 2010 • Technique ENTERTAINMENT Darkness style showcases Gibson, still seems forced

FILM While such a conspiracy may scenes between Gibson and Win- have worked in the original BBC stone are the very best in the ilm, Edge of Darkness miniseries over the course of many as both men place a cautious trust GENRE: Drama, Thriller hours, the escalation of stakes in one another. To say more would quickly becomes ludicrous in Edge be criminal and rob one of the few STARRING: Mel Gibson of Darkness, the ilm. here is sim- pleasures the ilm easily afords. DIRECTOR: Martin Campbell ply not a single moment of the he rest of the blame can fall plot that is believable. at the feet of the ilm’s produc- RATING: R Now, one may wonder why this ers, who decided after the initial RELEASED: Jan. 29, 2010 is a problem. Don’t we go to the cut of the ilm to reshape it more movies for increasingly ludicrous into the action movie mold. his OUR TAKE: ««««« plots that bend the very ibers of explains much of the ilm’s ran- our imagination? Of course we domly accelerated pace which do. Yet, this approach fails in a lurches like a 15-year-old learn- By Robert Solomon ilm that hinges so closely on a fa- ing to drive a stick shift. Casting Contributing Writer ther’s grief for his departed daugh- a drama type to an action movie ter. Examples include long scenes type is only a successful opera- Most movies that are released where Craven scatters his daugh- tion when you can be sure you’ve in Jan. fall into one of two cat- ter’s ashes on a beloved childhood got an action movie somewhere egories: the Oscar hopefuls going beach. Mel Gibson isn’t in his typ- in there. In this case, the action wider from their limited release, ical big action movie mode here pickings were slim, even if Gibson and the failed blockbusters that and neither are the vast majority chews on lines such as “You’ve got studios quietly drop to die a quick of his co-stars, who largely seem a decision to make…to be the one death. Edge of Darkness certainly to be plucked from the Boston hanging up the cross or banging doesn’t belong to the former and area where the movie was shot. in the nails.” skirts dangerously close to falling Some of the blame for this his is all rather a shame, be- into the latter. incongruous nature must fall to cause Gibson is quite excellent in In his irst lead acting role in director Martin Campbell, whose the ilm, as far as ilms of this type eight years, Mel Gibson plays recent works include a part in the go. Even as the events of the ilm homas Craven, a Boston detec- Bond franchise, Casino Royale. spiral out of control, Gibson’s rage tive whose emotional reunion hat was certainly one of the grit- mixed with sorrow becomes the with his only daughter is cut tier of Bond ilms, but it remained most believable aspect of the ilm, quickly short by an assassin’s bul- polished as beitting its subject. the anchor to which the whole let. While the Boston Police is When this polish is applied to enterprise perilously clings. It is a looking at criminals with ties to scenes of Craven washing his reminder of Gibson’s star power, the case, Craven uncovers evi- daughter’s blood of of his hands, even as details of his personal life dence that point to his daughter it ultimately rings false. cast him in a less than lattering being the intended target. he here is only one aspect of the light. While Edge of Darkness can rabbit hole goes deep here, which ilm where this polish works, and hardly be recommended in its involves big government conspira- it is all in the scenes that feature current form, one hopes that there cies mixed with the standard re- the mysterious operative played by is a better Director’s Cut out there Image courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures venge plot. British actor Ray Winstone. he somewhere for posterity. ENTERTAINMENT Technique • February 5, 2010 • 17

THEME CROSSWORD: APPEAL TO IGNORANCE By Robert Zimmerman United Features Syndicate 46. Ending for journal 78. Reversing or legal 82. Razor brand ACROSS 47. - laureate 83. Drink served at 1. Light-rail vehicle 48. he middle class Christmas 5. Coalition 51. - -dieu 84. Skilled 9. Goalie’s place 52. Overhead railways 85. Spinks or Uris 13. - Edna Everage 53. hrows 86. Old Testament book 17. Flora and fauna 54. Valley 88. Part 4 of quip: 5 wds. 18. Fate, in Greek myth 55. Delivered from sin 92. Liq. measures 19. Rise 56. Demoralize 93. Hopper 20. “- go bragh!” 58. Tender 94. Classic cookies 21. Braids 60. Relatives of 95. Old Italian coin 23. Start of a quip by badgers 98. Vapor Douglas Adams: 3 wds. 61. Sublet 101. Asian garment 25. Gamble 62. Part 3 of quip 103. LPs’ successors 26. Cofee beverage 63. Horse’s gait 106. End of the quip: 2 wds. 27. Intelligence 64. Unruled 108. Unbalanced 29. Snoots 67. Ofspring of 111. “- Misbehavin’” 30. Behave theatrically Aphrodite 112. Princess 32. Compliant answer 68. Racing vehicles 113. Musical sounds 33. Fitting 72. Errands 114. “he Gold-Bug” author 34. Part 2 of quip: 4 wds. 73. Son of Isaac 115. Repetition 43. Chanteuse 75. Coil of yarn 116. Declines (with “out”) 44. Smallest animal 76. Greek letter 117. Paradise 45. Purloined 77. Samovars 118. Gypsy gents

DOWN 1. Prong 16. Baseball’s Slaughter 39. Integument 2. Corruption 17. Napkin of a kind 40. Efrontery 3. Broke a fast 18. Measuring device 41. Dogwood tree 22. Aloat 42. Requirements 4. Fictional detective 63. Lighter- - -air 78. Concern of bet makers 97. Time of fasting 24. Loosen, in a way 43. Drove recklessly 5. Sloop 64. Smarted 79. Last 98. Switch 28. Masc. title 49. Newspaper item, 6. Dwell 65. Gafe 80. Means of control 99. Pavilion 31. Mil. oicer for short 7. Output from a mine 66. 1960s rock star 81. “Wynken, Blynken and -” 100. Discord personiied 32. Yin and - 50. Fiends 8. Part of VCR 67. Dry land 82. - - time (never) 101. New Year’s Eve 33. To - - (precisely) 51. LuPone or LaBelle 9. Talk idly 68. Coarse cotton fabric 84. Chekhov word 34. Mayo with garlic 53. Legal claims 10. Afected manners 69. Ophthalmologist’s instru- 87. Biting insect: slang 102. - Corner 35. Faith 55. Wading bird 11. Merriment ment 89. News ofering 104. Twosomes 36. “Ben -” 57. Readies 12. Tolkien creature 70. Cast 90. Arab garment 105. Compass heading 37. Serviceable 58. Structural brace 13. Spanish explorer 71. Fly 91. Standards 107. Marquee notice 38. Freedom from 59. Cry of surprise 14. One of the Olympians 73. Holiday times 95. Headliner 109. Turf diiculty 60. Plant in an orchard: 2 wds. 15. Speck 74. Clan 96. he Buckeye State 110. Devilish 18 • February 5, 2010 • Technique COMICS

PILED HIGHER & DEEPER BY JORGE CHAM NON SEQUITUR BY WILEY

CROSSWORD SOLUTION FROM PAGE 17 COMICS Technique • February 5, 2010 • 19

NON SEQUITUR BY WILEY DILBERT ® BY SCOTT ADAMS