The story takes place in sunny California where parents Sonia and Miguel Ramirez (Mencia and Riva) struggle to keep their relationship romantic on Valentine’s Day.  When their precious daughter Lucia (Ferrera) returns home, they are in for the biggest surprise of their lives.  She tells them that she dropped out of law school and that she is getting married!  Her parents have no idea who their future son-in-law is until they all meet up for dinner at a restaurant.  That is where the fun begins.  Lucia’s fiancé, Marcus, happens to be black (Lance Gross)!  While Sonia is extremely glad for her daughter’s engagement, Miguel is totally against the marriage because of the racial differences.  Marcus’ father, Brad (Whitaker) also feels the same way about the engagement.  After a few rounds of insults, both of the fathers try to put differences aside as they try to plan their children’s wedding…big mistake.  The rest of the story entails how both fathers battle it out to see who can give the biggest wedding.  Both of the fathers go to the extremes to incorporate their own culture into the wedding (to a point where a goat is brought as a sacrifice)!  After all the arguments and racial one-liners, both of the fathers realize that they never asked their children what type of wedding they desired.  By the end of the movie, the fathers realize that Lucia and Marcus truly love each other and that is what truly matters.  Miguel and Brad finally make amends during the wedding and sit back and watch their children present their vows of love to each other.

          I must say Whitaker and Mencia played the perfect “stereotypes” with their humor and hatred of each other at the beginning of the movie.  This movie is definitely a one-of a kind wedding movie that really makes the saying, “Our marriage, their wedding,” come to life.  This outstanding cast of stars put their best foot (or should I say performance) forward for this hilarious disaster-of-a-wedding comedy.

Brooklyn’s Finest- Two Stars

By: Jordan Fox 

          Director Antoine Fuqua has directed similar “good cop-bad-cop” films in the past, including Training Day. Fuqua was concerned about taking on another cop movie but, regardless, he decided to pursue this one. He says that he doesn’t view Brooklyn’s Finest as a “police” movie, but more of a human drama.  “It’s about men and women under tremendous societal pressure, and they happen to be our protectors.”  In spite of his hopes, Brooklyn’s Finest didn’t stray too far off that beaten path. The movie is about police officers in, you guessed it, Brooklyn. Three cops, all of which are in various stages of mental breakdowns, will gradually fall to pieces before your eyes.

          Tango (Don Cheadle) is an undercover cop who is deeply involved in the rising drug empire of his friend Caz (Wesley Snipes). Ethan Hawke’s character, Sal, is a dirty narcotics cop who is looking to secretly score some drug money so he can move his pregnant and asthmatic wife (Lili Taylor) and their six kids out of their black mold-infested house.  Richard Gere plays a burnt out cop trying his hardest to make no impact during his last week on the force. As fate (or Fuqua) would have it, these three crosscutting stories all collide in the end.

          At a lengthy 125 minutes, the movie was extremely slow paced. Though it became more interesting as the film progressed, distraction felt almost forced upon us. Besides the three leads (Ethan Hawk, Richard Gere, and Don Cheadle), a lot of other good actors, such as Vincent D’Onofrio, Brian F. O’Byrne and Ellen Barkin, appeared in the movie. The actors were all better than the screenplay deserved. Christopher Smith commented on this disaster of a movie by saying, “For such a potentially great concept to result in such a thoroughly mediocre product is baffling, especially given the talent involved.”  If ever there was an anti-recruit movie for police work, this would be it. This film is rated “R”, for extremely graphic and bloody violence, strong sexuality (being that one of the police officer’s girlfriends is a prostitute), nudity, drug content, and pervasive language. I thought that Brooklyn’s Finest was a tremendously bleak and overrated film. I do not recommend this movie to people who don’t have the patience to watch long and sometimes overwhelming movies. We give Brooklyn’s Finest 2 stars.

Shutter Island-Five Stars
By:Lauren Gourley

          Martin Scorsese has done it once again! Well known for his other movies such as The Departed and Gangs of New York, he combines an unpredictable plot for the epitome of heart stopping suspense. Set in 1954, Leonardo DiCaprio plays U.S. marshal Teddy Daniels who is investigating a disappearance at Shutter Island, a land mass solely dedicated to housing criminally insane convicts. During his stay he begins to realize there is something awry with three asylums on the island. The first two are divided by gender, but the third is a mysterious Civil War building that holds the most dangerous patients that just so happens to be restricted to the marshal and his partner. Daniels (DiCaprio) interviews all employees and discovers that his stay on the island might just be longer than he intended.

            Personally, I absolutely loved Shutter Island. Scorsese had a great plot that keeps audience on the edge of their seats the whole duration of the movie. Originally, I was under the impression that the movie would be another terrifying “pop out” film where there were surprises around every corner; however, Scorsese used a different type of approach and kept his surprises in the suspense of the plot. At first I thought the story line was mildly predictable until the very last fifteen minutes where everything I predicted went into a completely different and unfathomable direction. Another enjoyment was the music selection of the movie. If the plot didn’t produce an eerie feeling, the loud burst of symphony music and the low yet spooky drown of strings certainly would. Though the whole movie was filled with suspense, there were a few moments of comic relief that quelled the anticipation for another major twist. All in all, I highly recommend Shutter Island for those of you who can appreciate an extreme tension film.

Extraordinary Measures-1 star

By:Jordan Fox

           Inspired by an incredible true story, the CBS Films’ docudrama Extraordinary Measures portrays one father’s desperate quest to save his children from dying of a rare genetic disorder. Working-class father John Crowley (Fraser) finally catches a break and is on his way to corporate success when his two young children, Megan and Patrick, are diagnosed with Pompe disease, a condition that prevents the body from breaking down sugar. In time, it disables the heart and the muscles, ultimately resulting in death. With the apprehensive yet unconditional support of his wife, Aileen, John ditches his career and teams with specialist Dr. Robert Stonehill (Ford) to found a bio-tech company and develop a cure in time to save the lives of his children. Though the movie had a good base, Extraordinary Measures was nothing more than a waste of potential. Brendan Fraser and Harrison Ford, two reputable actors, were cast as the lead characters. While they played well off of each other, the script was far too predictable. From the bulgy-eyed stares to the slight twitches, Fraser’s performance was distracting and awkward. Going in with high expectations definitely led me to an enormous let down. Rotten Tomatoes commented on the flop by saying, “Despite a timely topic and a pair of heavyweight leads, Extraordinary Measures never feels like more than a made-for-TV tear-jerker.” We give Extraordinary Measures 1 star.

Alice in Wonderland-4 stars

By: Jordan Fox

        With much anticipation, a few friends and I ventured over to the ever-so-convenient NCG to see the premiere of Alice in Wonderland. The 3D movie kept everyone entertained to say the least. In the film, Alice is 19 years old and accidentally returns to Underland, a place she last visited when she was only six years old. While she’s tries to remember her past, Alice is told that she is the only one that can slay the Jabberwocky, a dragon controlled by the dreaded Red Queen of Hearts.

I’m not going to give too much of the storyline away, but you should keep in mind that this is not a re-creation of the original Alice in Wonderland; it is more of a sequel. It is an “extension” of Lewis Carroll’s novels Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. Director, Tim Burton, said the original Wonderland story was just about a girl wandering around from one weird character to the next; he never felt an emotional connection to the plot, he wanted to make it feel more like a story rather than a series of events. Burton, however, does not see this as a sequel to previous films because of the major differences in the basic storyline. With a stacked cast including Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, and Mia Wasikowska-the characters are truly enticing. Rotten Tomatoes commented on Burton’s piece by saying “The movie’s strengths are the costumes, the makeup, the production design, the special effects, the vocal work and a terrific musical score by Danny Elfman that has a quality of magic and wonderment missing from the screenplay”. We give Alice in Wonderland 4 stars. So, grab a “dwink”, as the evil queen would say, and your 3D glasses and get ready for a surreal movie experience.

            One of the most widely spread trends of the year is an “urban nomadic” influence that includes bold and dramatic shapes, patterns, and colors. This trend is one of the more electric of the season with a wide range of styles from space-age modern to tribal. With this look, let your imagination run wild because almost anything goes and layering is key. Look for pieces with fringe, beaded embellishment, neon or bold colors, sequins, zigzag, oriental or animal prints. (Mixing prints is perfectly legal as long as the colors within the patterns are the same or neutrals i.e. brown, brown, gray, and navy.) Pull your look together with graphic leggings, chunky electric jewelry, and dramatic shoes. Where to find this look: Urban outfitters, Anthropology, Express, forever 21.

            The next major trend for spring is nautical or military inspired. Channel your inner sailor in horizontally striped boat-neck t-shirts and dresses with braided or studded, shoes, bags, and jewelry. Anything with navy and red, knots, chains, or anchors will also give a sailor inspired look. However, keep in mind that this trend is more “preppy” or “Cape Cod” rather than “pirate” so that means ruffly blouses and eye patches are still a no go, sorry! Where to Find: Ralph Lauren Blue Label, J.Crew, Abercrombie & Fitch, Top Shop.

            For all you girly-girls and romantics out there, this spring let you heart lead the way to sweet heart necklines, oversized bows, lace, and flower embellishment galore. This look is extremely classic feminine, but with a young flirty edge that makes it fun for girls of all ages. For this trend look for ruffled skirts and baby-doll dresses, pieces in rosy pink, cream, white, or black, lace or silky fabrics, and any accessories with glitter, bows, or flowers. Where to find: Charlotte Russe, H & M, American Eagle.

            The most popular colors for the season as listed by Pantone are turquoise, indigo blue, coral, bright reds, violet, sunshine yellow, and neutral colors such as sage green, nude, and heather brown. There are also a variety of different patterns such as polka dots, horizontal or “zigzag” stripes, animal prints, digital patterns, and floral. Common themes throughout the popular styles of the season are bold colors and patterns, chunky jewelry, statement shoes and bags. Whatever your style, remember to have fun and take advantage of the variety of trends this spring!

          John Tyree is a rebellious, independent young man looking for a purpose in life.  After breaking away from his coin-obsessed and socially awkward father, John spends much of his time drinking at bars or going on pointless dates with countless girlfriends, with not much else on his agenda. In an attempt to occupy his time and find a way to grow up a little bit, he decides to join the army. However, when he comes home for his first leave, John’s life is changed forever when he meets the lovely Savannah Lynn Curtis, a college student working with Habitat for Humanity that has come to Wilmington, North Carolina to build houses for local needy families.  Both feel a powerful attraction for the other, one that only grows the more time they spend together.  Despite the fact that John must return to the army, they both have high hopes of a future together. But neither one could have imagined the day that 9/11 hit, a day that will change their lives forever and challenge the love that they both share. 

          It turns out that all of the raving and praise for the book was well-deserved. Sparks created a fantastic, emotional story that begs the question of what it means to truly love someone, and how that love transforms people forever. His cast of characters becomes more than just words in the book, finding a place in your heart and feeling more and more real the further you read. You find yourself truly feeling for each character through every one of their struggles and joys. John, though much of his character is up-tight and slightly intimidating, has a comical and sarcastic quality that makes him an enjoyable character. Savannah balances out John’s gruffness by being a tender and gentle spirit with a strong faith and heavy values. Their friendship and devotion to each other is inspiring, and it’s a joy to read how they fight for their relationship despite the fact that it leaves wounds on their own hearts. 

          The only weaknesses in the story are that at times it tends to be a tad slow and the ending of the book is more or less predictable. However, overall it was extremely worth it to read. Novels that have as much depth as this one does are hard to come by, and it is truly a masterpiece of literature.

          You can purchase either a hardback or paperback copy of Dear John from your local bookstore such as Books-A-Million and Barnes and Noble, and look out for the movie that premieres February 5^th.

          It has been years since Earth was taken over by an unseen enemy. Parasitic aliens known as “Souls” are inserted into human hosts, suppressing their minds and taking over their bodies. The human all but disappears while the Soul continues on life normally and seemingly unchanged.

          When Wanderer, an experienced and some-what legendary Soul, receives the opportunity to spend another life term on Earth, she is warned of the complex, powerful emotions and vivid memories that come along with being a human. She is placed inside the body of a human known as Melanie Stryder, and feels confident that she can control the body and live out her term normally. However, Wanderer soon realizes that Melanie refuses to relinquish possession of her mind. As Wanderer explores the remnants of Melanie’s memories in search of information of remaining human resistance, she begins to find herself longing for the ones that she sees: Melanie’s brother and the love her life, Jared. When difficult circumstances force Melanie and Wanderer to work together, they set off on a journey that changes both of their lives forever.

          This is a science fiction novel for people that don’t read science fiction. Much like in her infamous Twilight series, Stephenie Meyer focuses more on the relationships between characters rather than the terror and chaos of a post-apocalyptic world. The characters of Melanie and Wanderer, although complete opposites mentally and emotionally, compliment each other beautifully, and their relationship is one that is inspiring. Other characters, such as Jeb, Melanie’s eccentric uncle, provide plenty of comic relief that would make any reader smile.

          The themes of the novel are also evident as the plot unfolds including what it means to be human. Wanderer’s perspective on the human race allows the reader to sit back and question who we are as human beings and think about the ideas and values that we hold to be true. In addition, the idea that beauty is more important than just what is on the outside also appears, and Meyer argues her point through Wanderer and the bond that she forms with humans and another significant character.

          Overall, this novel is a wonderful insight into the mind of the human race and has beautiful themes that make it worth while to read.

            Copies of The Host can be found at virtually every local bookstore, including Barnes and Noble and Books-A-Million. You can also purchase it via Amazon.com. The average price of the book in stores is $25.99, while purchasing it online ranges from $14-16.00.

Product Description from Amazon.com – The classic original Beatles studio albums have been re-mastered by a dedicated team of engineers at Abbey Road Studios in London over a four year period utilizing state of the art recording technology alongside vintage studio equipment, carefully maintaining the authenticity and integrity of the original analogue recordings. The result of this painstaking process is the highest fidelity the Beatles catalogue has seen since its original release.

Within each CD’s new packaging, booklets include detailed historical notes along with informative recording notes. For a limited period, each CD will also be embedded with a brief documentary film about the album. The newly produced mini-documentaries on the making of each album, directed by Bob Smeaton, are included as QuickTime files on each album. The documentaries contain archival footage, rare photographs and never-before-heard studio chat from The Beatles, offering a unique and very personal insight into the studio atmosphere.

The Lost Symbol begins with an ancient ritual, a shadowy enclave, and of course, a secret. Readers know they are in Dan Brown territory when, by the end of the first chapter, a secret within a secret is revealed. To tell too much would ruin the fun of reading this delicious thriller, so you will find no spoilers here. Suffice it to say that as with many series featuring a recurring character, there is a bit of a formula at work (one that fans will love). Again, brilliant Harvard professor Robert Langdon finds himself in a predicament that requires his vast knowledge of symbology and superior problem-solving skills to save the day. The setting, unlike other Robert Langdon novels, is stateside, and in Brown’s hands Washington D.C. is as fascinating as Paris or Vatican City (note to the D.C. tourism board: get your “Lost Symbol” tour in order). And, as with other Dan Brown books, the pace is relentless, the revelations many, and there is an endless parade of intriguing factoids that will make you feel like you are spending the afternoon with Robert Langdon and the guys from Mythbusters.

Nothing is as it seems in a Robert Langdon novel, and The Lost Symbol itself is no exception–a page-turner to be sure, but Brown also challenges his fans to open their minds to new information. Skeptical? Imagine how many other thrillers would spawn millions of Google searches for noetic science, superstring theory, and Apotheosis of Washington. The Lost Symbol is brain candy of the best sort–just make sure to set aside time to enjoy your meal. –Daphne Durham