Entertainment
Russian Ballet Performs Cinderella
The Center for the Arts is a great place to catch breathtaking artistic presentations, like Friday's Russian Ballet performance of Cinderella. Student Media photographer Randy Urick captured shots from the ballet that will make you feel as though you were in the front row.
Laughs Abound in I Love You, Man
By Connect2Mason Blogger Josh Hylton
I Love You, Man is a perfect example of why you should never leave a film early. You never know when it might pick up and surprise you. What started as a film that I was sure I was going to hate ended up being a funny, clever little comedy that eventually won me over.
The movie follows Peter (Paul Rudd), who has just been engaged to Zooey (Rashida Jones). While preparing for the big day, Peter realizes that he doesn't actually have any real friends. Who will be his best man? So Zooey, along with his brother, hook him up on a series of man-dates hoping he will create a meaningful friendship. Along the way, Peter meets Sydney (Jason Segel) and they instantly bond. Although Peter is a shy, private person, Sydney brings the "man" out of him, helps him open up and becomes his first true pal.
Resident Evil 5 Continues Strong Series
By Student Media Copy Editor Keith Wick
Resident Evil 5, Capcom’s newest release in the “survival horror” series, bundles intense action with horrific monsters and addicting cooperative game play to make for an extremely entertaining and challenging experience.
Immediately, players will notice the gorgeously rendered cinematics and character models, which, when combined with the tension-building soundtrack, make this game extremely aesthetically pleasing.
Jazz Trio Rocks Out
By Connect2Mason Reporter Lauren Jost
When one thinks of jazz music, rock acts such as Yes, Blondie, Nirvana, and Iron Maiden do not normally come to mind. This is not the case for jazz trio The Bad Plus. The alternative jazz group from Minneapolis, Minnesota has been blending jazz and classic rock hits for nearly a decade.
Composed of Reid Anderson (bassist), Ethan Iverson (pianist), and Dave King (drummer), the trio has been playing together since 1989 but officially established The Bad Plus in 2000. After two concept studio albums The Bad Plus released their first EP These Are Vistas in 2003. The album boasts original jazz numbers as well as a revolutionary covers of Nirvana’s “Smells like Teen Spirit” and Blondie’s “Heart of Glass.”
Spider-Man, the Musical
By Connect2Mason Columnist Greg Pelkofski
Does anyone remember the old Spider-Man theme song from the 60’s? You know, the one that goes “Spider-Man, Spider-Man does whatever a spider can.” Can you imagine it as the main theme to a Broadway musical?
Yes George Mason, there is a Spider-Man Broadway musical underway. “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,” to be precise, is set to come out one year from now. The show will feature lyrics and music by Bono and The Edge from U2. I’m not sure if the old theme song will be a part of the show, but how can it not?
A New Comic Book Column
By Connect2Mason Columnist Greg Pelkofski
I have been a comic book fan for as long as I can remember. Back in middle school I started reading the words of comics (as opposed to just looking at the pictures like I did in elementary school) and found them to be amazing stories of heroes and villains. I consider myself an expert on Marvel comic books and I know a bit about DC comics as well. I currently own 2,476 comic books (yes, I keep track of how many comics I own) and 161 graphic novels. I like to think of myself as a comic book connoisseur. That's why I decided to put my knowledge to good use and to write this column.
There is a New Deli in Town
By Connect2Mason Reporter Lauren Jost
On a snowy March day, most of Fairfax County is coping with the gripes of winter: shoveling sidewalks, de-icing cars, and salting roads. But a small delicatessen on the corner of School St. and Chain Bridge Road is busy making bacon, fresh French bread and corned beef. This is Bernie’s Delicatessen.
Once a run-down convenience store, this renovated deli is the baby of proud new owners Bernie and Leah Socha. Delicatessens have been in Bernie’s life for some time; he co-owned Wagshal’s Deli next to American University in Washington, D.C.
Fortune Cookie? Try Nutella Wonton
By Connect2Mason Blogger Lauren Jost. Photo by flickr user Kali Meadows.
- What is the perfect end note to a Chinese food meal?
If you're old school and ordering take-out, its usually fortune cookies (that may or may not be stale).
But, with some simple steps you can have a nice twist on a Chinese favorite: the wonton.
My favorite treat from delivery places like China Garden or Eastern Cafe is a crab wonton (sometimes call rangoon) which is essentially a deep fried concoction of crab meat and cream cheese. This is NOT a low-fat dish, but it's well worth the calories and the hour you'll spend at the gym the next day.
The dessert version is the same concept: Nutella Wontons
Ranked: Girl Scout Cookies
By Connect2Mason Blogger Emily Morrell. Photo by flickr user kalleboo.
- I come from a family of sweet-tooths (sweet-teeth?). If there's one thing my family cares about, it's how to get a quick fixin' for our cravings. And there is one season, one time of year, that we look forward to more than Christmas and Thanksgiving combined as far as sweets go...
Girl scout cookie season.
That is why I have decided, for your reading pleasure, to discuss and rate these treats, to help people of all kinds and to live by the girl scout law.
The Last House on the Left is Well Made Trash
- By Connect2Mason Blogger Josh Hylton
This is probably one of the hardest reviews I've ever had to write. Not because I don't know what to say or don't have a strong opinion one way or another. I'm just so torn between my admiration for what is technically a well made thriller and my hatred for the way it shamelessly subjected me to brutal rapes, stabbings, tortures, and murders all for the sake of "entertainment." This is not a horror movie. This is a snuff film. The Last House on the Left is a disgusting, vile piece of cinematic filth with a pessimistic bend that no human being anywhere should ever see.
If you've seen the 1972 original Wes Craven horror movie like I have, I suspect your reaction to the remake will largely be the same. If you enjoyed it, you will probably enjoy this one (and you're a sick person), but if you felt like you needed a shower and vowed to never ever watch it again, you should steer clear. As for me, I'm with the latter group.