AROUNDTOWN pageten AROUNDTOWN House Rules sets scene for amusing suspense

include flashbacks to other events of the-point thoughts about things that may seem w Sofiya Pershteyn the person’s life. These flashbacks give irrational to other people such as why the color w Staff Writer the story another dimension, showing orange is frightful. a time before the trial. This technique Similar to The Curious Incident of the Dog The much-anticipated new Jodi Picoult novel, affords Picoult the opportunity to fully in the Night-Time, the famous work of British House Rules (Atria, 544 pages), centers on develop the drives and dreams of her writer Mark Haddon, Picoult yearns to take Jacob Hunt, an eighteen year old student living characters, making them more real and her reader where few people have been: inside with Asperger’s syndrome, and the struggles of more interesting to the audience. the mind of a person suffering from autism. his family to accept and support him. However, compared to Picoult’s more Although this bold attempt should be applauded, Asperger’s syndrome, which places Jacob on famous works such as My Sister’s Keeper it also noticeably brings down the quality of the higher end of the autism spectrum, causes and The Pact, the flashbacks are very Picoult’s plot, which is usually more elaborate. him to lack normal social interaction skills, to be brief and arise only from the character’s Unlike her other works, the ending is prone to violence and to manifest uncontrollable memories, not as stories of their own. predictable and the story lacks the details of tantrums and irrational fears (such as that of the This made the novel more plain and less each character’s pasts. One can only assume color orange and crumpled paper). memorable than what Picoult’s readers that Picoult tried to save her drab characters Although possessing a high IQ, Jacob is are used to reading. by throwing in an unlikely romance, but even unable to understand or express emotions, and Each chapter is separated by a this did not produce more of a dramatic effect. he lives in a world of black and white, a world seemingly unrelated, gruesome yet Instead, the romance seemed irrelevant at best in which even one fluctuation of the rules or fascinating murder case. Although and cheesy and uncomfortable at worst. schedules can and does lead to chaos. Jacob’s these segments usually describe a Overall, House Rules provides for an inability to fit in with other people is even vicious murder, their tones are light and interesting read even though it lacks the luster visible through his ability to process only the sarcastic. They serve as a reminder to the of Picoult’s previous works. Though it is not exact meaning of sayings, to the point of nearly reader of Jacob’s obsession with murder an intense page-turner, the book provides fainting when his teacher tells the class to “not cases and his lack of any sadness toward fascinating and clearly well-researched insights move, not even breathe.” death. The reader is further immersed into the mind of a person with Asperger’s Jacob’s disorder not only isolates him from into Jacob’s world of obsession and Syndrome. society, but also takes a big toll on his family. It order when it is his turn to narrate the is revealed that his father left the family shortly story. after Jacob’s diagnosis to start a new life with a Picoult masterfully sculpts the tone House Rules new family across the country. Emma, Jacob’s of Jacob’s thoughts to be unique from mother, must bear the struggles of raising an plot developments and not be lost in a tangle of others to draw attention his Asperger’s autistic child alone – a job that she places above events. The minds of the characters are open not Syndrome. She does this by providing lists of Jodi Picoult all else. only to the current events of the trial, but also rules, math sequences and clear, straight-to- Her total attention to Jacob’s condition makes her a driving force for Jacob’s schools’ new accommodations for autistic and other Final Fantasy XIII delivers above expectations special-needs children, but it also drives her younger son, Theo, resentfully away from her. sections in their bar compared to two sections the game look superb as well. Most of the Accustomed to never getting as much attention w Rexly Penaflorida II which are the given at the beginning of the game’s cut scenes are shot using the graphics or care as his older brother, Theo takes his w Editor in Chief game. For those who prefer the old method of from the game, but sometimes the cut scenes frustrations out on different neighborhoods combat from previous FF games do not worry, use computer generated imagery. It is in these where he begins to break into people’s houses. players will still be able to choose their attacks scenes that the graphics really become great His brother’s monopoly over his mother’s in place of the ATB, however, in order to keep because each facial expression and movement care and his father’s absence makes Theo feel In the latest installment of its most famous up with the fast pace of every battle, players of a character becomes so life-like. deprived of a loving family. He also holds Jacob franchise, Final Fantasy XIII (FFXIII) is will have to get acquainted with the ATB sooner This reviewer cannot stress enough how responsible for ruining his social life because everything that gamers expect from Square or later. The ATB is a great addition to the game much FFXIII is a must-have in every gamer’s he feels embarrassed to invite his friends over Enix. FFXIII features stunning graphics, fast- because it helps players do optimal damage on collection. Its predecessors, Final Fantasy VII to his house and blames his lack of friends on paced game play and a vast world that stretches their opponent. This reviewer tried to choose the and Final Fantasy X, which debuted on the Jacob’s socially unacceptable behavior. By from an underground city to the great plains. attacks, but it did not have an effect in terms of PlayStation and PlayStation 2, respectively, breaking into other people’s homes, Theo gets The game was expected to make a huge impact dealing great damage to the opponent. Learning were considered the landmark games of the a chance to imagine what a “normal” life would on both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 since it the ATB system is easy and it makes game play series. Since FFXIII is the first game on the next be like. is the firstFinal Fantasy game on both consoles, much easier. Although he frequently fantasizes about and it delivers. Another component of battle is his life without Jacob around, an unexpected The game takes place between two worlds: Paradigm Shifts. These are various change of events makes him regret his thoughts Cocoon and Pulse. In the world of Pulse, there classes that change the party’s priorities because there is a possibility that they will is an all-powerful being known as the fal’Cie in battle. For example, the Paradigm become a reality. which gives people the power of magic. These Shift, called Relentless Assault, makes True to Picoult’s recognizable style, the book people are called l’Cie. The l’Cie are seen as a all three party members (as in every FF centers on a controversial trial and its impact threat to the citizens of Cocoon and are exiled game, there are only three characters on all the people involved with it. After an to the dangerous world of Pulse. The main allowed in a battle) constantly attack the introduction to Jacob’s school and family life, character of the game, Lightning, has a sister target, while the Paradigm Shift called the reader is also introduced to Jess Ogilvy, named Serah, who is a l’Cie. Early on in the Diversity creates a group in which two Jacob’s private social skills tutor. Although game, players find out that the fal’Cie gives a of the strongest characters in the party a very important factor in Jacob’s life, Jess task to Serah. After completing her task, Serah continue their attack while the third suddenly disappears without a warning. then tells Lightning and her comrades that they character continually heals the two other As Jess’s frantic boyfriend involves the must save Cocoon. From this point, Lightning characters. The main emphasis of battle police in his girlfriend’s disappearance, Jacob and her friends become l’Cie and travel around in FFXIII is strategy, and the Paradigm quickly becomes one of the suspects because of the planet in an effort to save Cocoon, the world Shifts play a monumental part in this. For his recent argument with her and because he saw that has banished them from its haven. some, the Paradigm Shifts might seem her last. When Jess’s corpse covered neatly with The story line of the game is simple, yet like something that would make the game Jacob’s quilt appears in the forest by the house many players, including this reviewer, become much easier and provide no challenges. she resided in, Jacob is arrested for murder. His immediately hooked on the story. Also, the However, in order to survive battle, obsession with forensic science, inability to characters are very memorable. Each character especially later on in the game, Paradigm understand or express proper emotion and his brings out a certain emotion that players are Shifts are constantly factors in battle. It past violent behavior seems to point only to a comfortable with, and their actions help drive changes the strategy on the battlefield in a guilty verdict. the story. While the story may be impressive, way that the player is continually on the edge of generation of gaming consoles, it would be no It does not help his case that his hired there should have been more of a specific goal his or her seat in order to defeat the enemy. surprise if FFXIII were mentioned in the same attorney, Oliver Bond, is a rookie at practicing for the group, and not just the stereotypical The story is superb, and the battles are intense, breath as the two previously mentioned games. law and has never dealt with such a complicated save-the-world plot. but the graphics are one-of-a-kind. The majority If one has never played the Final Fantasy series case. As the case proceedings continue, the The staple of the game is the game play. of the levels are in a big landscape and the scale at all, FFXIII is a great starting point. For fans of reader begins to piece together exactly what Unlike previous FF titles, FFXIII features a of each level is amazing. For example, there is a the series, prepare to be astounded and amazed happened to Jess and who is to blame. Just like new battle system called the Active Time Battle level that is entirely frozen in ice. Each stalactite at what Final Fantasy XIII has to offer. Emma, the reader is forced to ask him/herself (ATB). It works in a way that the system picks that hangs from the ceiling of the cavern looks whether or not Jacob is capable of murder and if the attacks that work best towards a certain unique. The player can really take in the fear special circumstances should be made to allow enemy, and all the player has to do is choose a that the character is feeling due to the numerous Final Fantasy XIII for his condition. target. The meter that charges up the character’s shipwrecks and plane crashes that are spread Although Picoult’s story integrates various attack is split into sections, and depending throughout the level. Also, the ice on the ground first-person narratives, her clear storytelling on how strong the character is at any point in looks very realistic. However, it is not only the ability makes it simple to understand different the game, the characters could have multiple levels that look great. The cut scenes throughout Multiple Systems pageeleven

WestWord Alice delivers perfect blend of humor and visual effects

begging for more. Bonham Carter, with her (Helena Bonham Carter) who has wrongfully w Uzma Ahmad and doubt that she is the real Alice. hilarious loquacity, also proves an astounding taken control of Wonderland from her sister, the w News/Wire Editor As she explores the magical world below, hit. Hathaway also delivers a great performance magnificent White Queen (Anne Hathaway). Alice soon discovers that she is prophesized in her interpretation of the curious yet elegant The celebrated duo, director Tim Burton When the Knave of Hearts (the always White Queen. and actor Johnny Depp—legendary for their entertainingly bizarre Crispin Glover)—the However, despite the delightful acting, delightfully eccentric movie productions— Red Queen’s closest spawn—discovers this reviewer was disappointed by the movie’s team up once again to create a pseudo-sequel Alice’s arrival, he attempts to track her down. unsatisfactory script. Most of the lines were to Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland. As she flees from him, Alice encounters the cliché and uninspiring, and only took away from Delightful twists in the story line and screenplay evaporating Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry) and the mystical experience. Furthermore, many of (written by Linda Woolverton) combined with the peculiar Mad Hatter (Depp). the lines—especially those spoken by the Mad the bold and dynamic animation render this film The movie features jaw-dropping Hatter—were muffled and incoherent, leaving an instant favorite. animation that brings the rich and magical the audience constantly questioning what had Burton’s adaptation of the classic Lewis scenery to life. Each detail from the vibrant been spoken. Carroll story begins with a misunderstood 19- colors of the mystical creatures to the The only other major misstep in the movie year-old Alice Kingsleigh (Mia Wasikowska), brilliant landscapes is displayed with such occurs as the closing credits begin to roll, when a rebellious towards uptight, aristocratic social visual eminence as that of the recent Avatar. song called “Alice” performed by Avril Lavigne norms. At a high society garden party, Hamish, Costumes are also ingeniously designed. (Really?) begins to play. Although the song was the son of a wealthy businessman asks for The Mad Hatter’s raggedy clothes and created specifically for the movie, it sounds like her hand in marriage. Although Alice has no bright, attention-grabbing orange hair add most of her previous generic hits. intention of marrying Hamish, she feels trapped to his unconventional persona. The Red All in all, however, the visual aspects and by the “proper” etiquette of society. As Alice Queen’s infatuation with all things red acting performances make Burton’s Alice in slips away to make her decision, she finds and heart-themed—which she trademarks Wonderland a must-watch that is sure to keep herself chasing a familiar rabbit—dressed in a on everything from her wardrobe to her audiences of all ages entertained. petticoat—and tumbles down a hole into a place kingdom—gives insight into her obsessive she has seen only in her dreams. personality. Once in Wonderland, she is greeted by her Complementing the superb visual effects, Alice in Wonderland old friends including the white rabbit (Michael to slay the Jabberwocky—a giant dragon-like are the delightful acting performances. As the Sheen), the dormouse (Barbara Windsor), the creature feared by all of Wonderland. She is the Mad Hatter, Depp is sensational and portrays his dodo bird (Michael Gough) and the Tweedles only one who can do this in order to free the character with a perfect mixture of whimsical Tim Burton (Matt Lucas). Her friends barely recognize her people from the wrath of the evil Red Queen humor and eccentricity that leaves the audience Taqueria serves up bland array of meals for less than rockin’ experience forward to the rest of the meal. (marinated pork), to-fu (marinated wwHira Malik Next in line was the rockin’ dog ($2). While tofu) and humilde (fajita veggies) all Around Town Editor this patron was confused as to why a taqueria ranging $1.75-4.25. would serve hot dogs, she was drawn in by the This reviewer ordered a taco filled Walking into Lakeview’s newly opened rockin’ dog’s description. The rockin’ dog is with chipotle garlic chicken ($1.75), Rockin’ Taco taqueria, this patron was covered with cheddar cheese, jalapeno sauce, a California burrito filled with immediately drawn in by the décor. Rockin’ onions, sriracha and mustard all on a poppy fajita veggies ($5.50) and a cheese Taco is the complete opposite from the usual seed bun. Although hot dogs are not considered quesadilla ($3.75). sit down, formal restaurants. It has a fun and a Mexican dish, this taqueria’s offering comes The taco was very bland. The hip environment designed for the younger as close as it can by spicing up the hot dog. chicken had no garlic flavor at all. generation. Although the rockin’ dog was definitely the best The taco did not cater to this patron’s Rockin’ Taco is not like most restaurants tasting food this patron tried at the taqueria, expectations of a Mexican dinner. where the patron has a waiter. Once a customer it was a tad bit too spicy due to the jalapeno While the taco was not up to Rockin’ Taco sports urban, hip decor. walks in, (s)he may look at the menu and order sauce. par, the cheese quesadilla was a Photo by Hira Malik at the desk. Rockin’ Taco does not only serve only one relief. Filled with Chihuahua cheese, It is very welcoming, and one can see why it is a This taqueria does not have any appetizers, style of hot dogs, but it also serves a simple dog peppers, onions with a side of sour cream, this younger generation “hang-out” place. but does have a moderate variety of sides ($1.75) and an “everything” dog ($2.50) served reviewer thoroughly enjoyed the quesadilla. It Rockin’ Taco is located on 1467 W. Irving ranging $1.50-3.75 from which the chips and with relish, onions, tomato, pickle, pepper and was well cooked and delectable. Park Road in Chicago. For more information, salsa combination ($2.50) was chosen. mustard. This reviewer also tried the California please contact (773) 975- 8226. Chips and salsa obviously are typical fare that As for more traditional fare, the restaurant burrito filled with fajita veggies, rice, beans, any Mexican restaurant would offer; however, features a variety of Mexican food such as cheese, and a choice between sour cream the side has its drawbacks. The chips were tacos, California burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, and guacamole ($5). The burrito had no taste very hard, almost stale, which made them quite “Baby Huey” burritos and crunchy flautas. whatsoever, and the rice tasted like it was re- Rockin’ Taco difficult to consume. The salsa was completely From all of these choices, each patron may heated rather than fresh. watered-down. Because this unpalatable duo choose the filling from asada (papya marinated Although the food at Rockin’ Taco was not as was served first, this patron was not looking steak), pollo (chipotle garlic chicken), al pastor delectable as expected, the service was fantastic. 1467 W. Irving Park Road Smoke and Mirrors uses comforting melodies and catchy lyrics for memorable album available as a Deluxe Edition with five bonus his/her head to the beat. Perhaps the most radio- obscurity during it absence, the band has proven wwKathryn Booker tracks, shows the band’s maturity over the viable song is “Falling In,” a soft rock love song its relevance in today’s music scene with a Staff Writer decade they have been active. While the style successful compilation of diverse songs. of the disc is similar to their other offerings, a This reviewer has enjoyed Lifehouse’s music The soft-rocking alternative band combination of high-tempo ballads with more since “Hanging by a Moment,” but others who Lifehouse released its fifth album, Smoke & upbeat rock and while critics may claim that have never heard of this band would get an Mirrors, on Tuesday, March 2, after a three-year Lifehouse is not offering anything new to its excellent feel for its style through Smoke & hiatus since their last album. Most remember audience in their new album, this reviewer feels Mirrors. Lifehouse from their 2001 hit single “Hanging that the band’s continuation with its previous, For the uninitiated, Lifehouse is comparable by a Moment” from the debut album No Name successful sound enhances its likeability. Most to other soft rock groups Three Doors Down Face. The song won the Billboard Music Award tracks contain a mixture of slow and fast beats, and Switchfoot, although each band has its own for remaining the #1 single of 2001. usually the verses slower than the choruses, unique flavor. Lifehouse followed with a several more hits which makes the songs easier to sing and allows In the case of Lifehouse, the comforting, over the next few years, including a few top-40 for easier memorization of lyrics. motivational and catchy lyrics of each song hits “You and Me,” “First Time” and “Whatever Fans of the band will be pleased to find that make Smoke & Mirrors stand out from the It Takes.” They released three more albums, several songs on the album are potential hits. crowd. The music is just the right mixture of including Stanley Climbfall, Lifehouse, and The second track, “Nerve Damage,” combines emotion, power, and memorable songs that just Who We Are before going on their self-imposed soft, powerful verses with an upbeat and may put Lifehouse back on the charts. sabbatical. dynamic chorus, including a new move for Now, 10 years since their first hit single Lifehouse: a guitar solo. Lifehouse Final Fantasy XIII and after over a year of touring, Lifehouse has Chris Daughtry aficionados will appreciate returned with a collection of songs that chart the his featured appearance in “Had Enough,” which whose lyrics and melody are simple and light- band’s evolution. is the most rhythmically interesting, sing-a-long hearted. Multiple Systems The twelve-track album, which is also song on the album that will cause anyone to bob Although Lifehouse may have fallen into Smoke and Mirrors pagetwelve AROUNDTOWN MST3K’s humor is out of this world Tenth in a series

movie theater, as Nelson and the robots make at times. ww Hillary Lindwall jokes and snide remarks about the movies as a Although the quality Managing Editor form of entertainment. of the show’s technology The premise of the show is simple, making would not seem adequate Beginning in 1988 when television technology fun of the films. The program is not serialized nowadays, when MST3K was becoming more advanced than in previous and each episode contains a different movie, so was made, the special decades, a television show called Mystery MST3K does not feel like a television series, effects and technological Science Theater 3000 (MST3K) began to air on but rather, the show provides a different viewing aspects would have seemed a small UHF station in Minneapolis. experience for each episode. avant garde. The robots This show would remain on the air until 1999 Most of the movies are old were puppets obviously (eventually picked up by Comedy Central, then movies, and most are extremely laughable. In made of plastic, but their by the Sci-Fi Channel), and its small but rabid The Creeping Terror, a movie that follows a differing appearances from a following made MST3K a true cult classic. large alien who lands on earth and then wanders stereotypical robot save them MST3K centers on an astronaut named around very slowly eating people, it is obvious from absurdity. (played by show creator Joel that the creeping terror is actually a large tarp Also, they make funny Hodgson, who stepped down in 1993 and was with tubes attached to it and people walking jokes throughout the films as replaced by ), who is sent into underneath the tarp in order to make it walk. well as the comedy sketches, space by an evil scientist named Dr. Clayton Also, the people who are attacked by the making one look past the Forrester () and his assistant, terror never run away; they simply stand there now-outdated technology of TV’s Frank (). as the giant mollusk-resembling alien moves 1988 and focus on what they Forrester and Frank forcecult Robinson/Nelson classics extremely slowly toward them. The MST3K are saying, whether it be an and his robot friends (the voice gang has plenty to say about this film, asking obvious joke or an obscure of ), Crow T. Robot (voiced questions such as “did people in the 1950s not reference. by Trace Beaulieu) and Gypsy (the know how to run?” Overall, MST3K is a voice of ) to watch The jokes told during both highly entertaining show. Its old movies (according to the the films and the host sketches seemingly random premise, theme song, “the worst that are funny and full of incomprehensible to [they] could find”). references to other everyone except its creators, The show consists of media. makes each episode more host sketches as well as Just as many people’s interesting than the last. long movie segments, friends would make The jokes that are told in which an awful, old, snide remarks about a are actually entertaining and usually black and white movie, the robots and most are rather intellectual, movie is projected Robinson/Nelson put unlike much of the slapstick onto the screen, with lines in for actors before humor that is present in the the outlines of Robinson/ they speak, finish dialogue television of today. All of Nelson, Servo and Crow with their own verbiage, these factors combined make MST3K a special MST3K superimposed onto the screen and make general comments television show – one that only comes along as well. about the films that they view once in a while, which makes it a true cult The effect looks and sounds like a that made this reviewer laugh out loud classic. DVD Science Fiction is Cirque du Soleil treat for imagination Sims). Julia, the oldest, emerges as the leader of is outstanding. The teen ensemble includes: w Naomi Prale the group through the aggressiveness she takes Gabrielle Aiden, Lucy Brennan, Sarah w Sports Editor in controlling scenes. Buonaiuto, Lander Ellis, Meaghan Falvey, Griffin is her assistant, while Asher is the Emily Fishkin, Eleanor Goerss, Jackie Jarvis, patient. Jude and Sadie are too young to help Rachel Karn, Leah Rose Orleans and Alison For anyone who has ever dreamed of being out, but they act as annoying yet cute and Tye. a space explorer, a rocket scientist, an inventor, provide comic relief between acts. Adult cast members include Jill Heyser, Will a magician or a trapeze artist, Science Fiction: After these childish interludes, the audience Howard, Kacin Menendez, Nicole Pellegrino an Experiment in Circus is the play to see. thrills to a dramatic entrance by three women and Matt Roben This is not a story with conventional who swing around on high ropes for a Another interesting act is a giant, life-sized characters or story line, but with creativity combination of acrobatics and gymnastics. The Slinky™. The use of this giant, rainbow colored and stunts that are imaginative. Presented by actors do a spectacular job with the routine, Slinky™ illustrates the director/creator’s the Actors Gymnasium and directed by Larry evoking oohs and ahhs from the audience. imagination and recalls the antics of Blue Man DiStasi, Science Fiction: an Experiment in After each circus performance, the children Group. Circus is a wonder to behold in the tradition of come back on the stage and provide clues as The short plot continues when Griffin and Cirque du Soleil. to the nature of the next act. This is one of the Asher send themselves into the future and meet The show begins with five small children shakier parts of the performance. The transitions their older versions of themselves. Some things who pretend to be doctors and plan to perform are not as smooth as they could be. However, about themselves have not changed, as Sadie an operation on one of their peers. They make part of this is to be expected as a result of still pines for an older version of Asher. Older jokes and pretend to slice open the patient. The employing preadolescent performers. Sadie even goes so far as to use a robot of Asher cast of children, soon revealed as the masters of Other performances include teenagers in a dance/acrobatic scene. ceremony of the show, include Griffin (Griffin performing on unicycles and other gymnastics Older Griffin spends his time in the lab and DiStasi), Asher (Asher White), Julia (Julia routines. has his own act in which he mixes different White), Jude (Jude Sims) and Sadie (Sadie The creativity of the acts in the entire show chemicals to create cool science experiments. For example, he sticks a sword down his throat, frightening but interesting at the same time. The play is fun and entertaining, full of “How did he do that?” moments and astonishment when cast members perform amazing acrobatic tricks. Aside from the unpolished and contrived intrusion of the child actors, the show does an excellent job of entertaining adults and children of all ages. To order tickets, call (800) 838-3006. The Actors Gymnasium is located at 927 Noyes St in Evanston. The web site is www. actorsgymnasium.org.

Science Fiction

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