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Arts and Entertainment Page 5 March 9, 2012 'Act of Valor', explosive film about Navy Seals Eddie Spidle A&E Editor On February 24, 2012 a film was released that showed the struggles of the United States Armed forces. It gave us an in- side look on the lives of Navy Seal operatives and one of their missions to keep us, the people, safe from terrorist attacks. This film is 'Act of Valor' and it features active duty Navy Seals, the men who star in it are not actors they are real life or- dinary people who are trying to make a living. When the trailer for this movie was first released in Oc- tober of 2011, I knew then that I would be going to see it. As I sat in the theatre and waited for the film to begin, I looked around to see other people reac- tions before the film, everyone was just anticipating the "Act of Valor" film. As I would see at the end of opinion was about 'Act of Valor he stated, "I think it was sick and it made me want to play 'Call of Duty: Black Ops." As the film concludes, you reach one of the most suspense- ful parts as bullets are flying and grenades are being thrown. Although the end is suspense- ful, it also is one of the best but also the saddest times, with the deaths of many of the navy seal team members. I recommend that everyone see this movie as it will change the way you see the armed forc- es. If you get the chance, go and see this movie if you can't then get it on DVD. It is that great. www.observer.com ʻAct of Valorʼ squad leader Lt. Rorke looks for terrorist leader Abu Shabal (Jason Cottle). the film, they had received more than expected. All of our faces were in shock for what we had just witnessed would show us that no matter what we do, ter- rorist threats will not stop. As the film starts, you see an explosion take place at a school in Thailand that kills an American ambassador and multiple children. This suicide attack makes headlines in the news and causes wide spread mayhem throughout the film. When I asked a fellow stu- dent, Matt Culver, what his 'Act of Valor' an intense film that will change your opinion on armed forces. 'Echoes' author Melinda Metz writes a gripping trilogy with a perfect ending HTC Rezound new iPhone New phone comes with $100 'Beats by Dre' Ashlan Brunello Features Editor The Fingerprints series, written by Melinda Metz, has three separate books. These include, "Echoes", "Haunted", and "Trust Me". "Echoes", is the gripping story of a teenage girl named Rae. When Rae was young, her mother went through a hard time and basically was labeled as "crazy". Now, Rae is starting to experience strange things occurring around her. At first she thinks she is going to end up like her mother and she freaks herself out. She is sent to a hospital meant for people that have "mental" issues and then is sent to group sessions. She thinks she is hearing other people's thoughts, but later discovers that she has the talent of reading other's fingerprints. Along with this realization, came the nerve calming fact that she is not actually crazy. Although, Rae could take this gift and do great things with it. It reveals the chilling truth to her that someone out there wants her dead. Anthony, (a friend from group therapy), is behind her all the way to help find the person http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com never found who it was) behind them and they focus on finding their friend Jesse who randomly disappeared. They don't have very much luck in the beginning, but using Rae's gift, they are determined to continue the search. "Trust Me" is the perfect book to end a perfect series. that is responsible for the evil thoughts. The story line will keep anyone reading on the edge of his or her seat. "Haunted" follows immediately where "Echoes" left off. Rae and Anthony put the fact that someone wants to kill Rae (even though they In this part of the series Rae focuses on finding Anthony's father. What she finds causes Anthony to go in a downward spiral. Anthony is upset with Rae and does reckless things that could possibly not ever be fixed. All three stories grab the readers' interest and pull's them into the story line. Metz does a great job of describing Rae's ability as well as describing how she can use it. At first I thought this series would be a confusing read but Metz does a fantastic job of keeping everything explained in great detail. The way that she had Rae find out her powers was fantastic and the secrecy of it all kept me reading and in suspense of someone else finding out that Rae is "special". I will definitely be reading more of Metz's books. She is a great writer and her stories will most likely never leave a reader bored. Eddie Spidle A&E Editor Verizon and HTC have brought forth a new cell phone much like that of the competing iPhone 4 and 4S by Apple. As both phones compete to be the top in the musical device and smartphone world, there is no doubt that each phone will have items the other will not. As the end of 2011 came fast, the craze over the iPhone slowed after the anticipated re- lease of the iPhone 4S, and as Apples business fell with the Death of a technological icon and the CEO of Apple, Steve Jobs. His legacy was bestowed onto others to continue what he had started Apple share sales slowed and fell as people pulled their stocks, in fear of losing it all. The fall in Apple also shed a shining light onto Apple's com- petitors, one being HTC. With Apple out of the pic- Metz' trilogy keeps readers coming back for more. ture, at least for the time being, they were quick to release news about their newest product: The HTC Rezound. This new phone, in a way, is as close to an iPhone one could get without actually buying an iPhone. It is also the newest era of a personal music device. The Rezound was one of the most anticipated phones to be released in 2011-2012 and the reason being that ev- ery Rezound is installed with Dr. Dres' Beats Audio along with the included 'Beats by Dre' in-ear headphones. Al- though HTC does not have the App Store and Music store that fer entirely, while the iPhone 4S has a screen size of 3.5 inches the HTC Rezound has a larger screen at 4.3 inches. This might just give the Rezound a better look, but it's not all about looks. A photo of the HTC Rezound with included ʻBeats by Dreʼ Apple has, it does pretty well on its own with the Android Market. To me there seems to be fewer differences between the Android Market and the App store other than the lack of games you would like to play when you get bored. As both phones are basi- cally equal in the software area that focus on music, their screens and outer software dif- The iPhone still has the bet- ter camera quality and was the original Music Phone. Although these phones are closely related, I would still have to say that iPhones have the title, but HTC is not far behind. They had a great idea of includ- ing 'Beats by Dre' audio. I rec- ommend getting this phone if you're willing to spend $199.99 with a 2 year contract. One Stop All Red Bluff High School students receive a FREE 24oz Fountain Beverage with a purchase of a freshly made deli sandwich. 714 Walnut St. Red Bluff Come visit our deli: freshly made sandwiches made to order. We also carry a variety of items in our hot food case. Artists put together an album to commemorate 'Act of Valor' Contemporary country honors action movie Four-time Carson Dunbar Staff Writer Last month the multi-artist sound track to the new box office smash, "Act of Valor", was released to stores. The album included the work of artists such as Keith Urban, Sugarland, Lady Antebellum, Trace Adkins, and Montgomery Gentry, just to name a few. While I myself have never been a fan of sound tracks that lack an original score, the album was well worth every cent. This compilation of contemporary country stars takes the movie to its cinematic gold. Bone chilling vocals, overly enticing instrumentals and an uncanny sense reflection, this album is sure to tug your heart strings. Also the album includes, for the first time in many years, the return of the Country Star Hall of Fame winner and two time Female Artist of the year Wynona Judd. She sings an original song titled "Whatever Brings You Back" which strikes home in the hearts of any person who has had a friend or family member serve abroad. Grammy winner Keith Urban makes his appearance in the album performing a song titled "For You". The song opens with the lyrics "All I saw was smoke and fire; I didn't feel a thing, but suddenly I was rising higher." you are instantaneously transported, feeling the wiz of the bullets, the unrelenting blasts of the explosions, and the fear and bravery that courses through the song. The song, while poetic in a sense, proves to subconsciously display a story-like sequence of events that tear you up inside. Newer to the contemporary country music scene, Lori McKenna provides the sound track with her ensemble "Two Soldiers Coming Home". The song tells the hopeful and heart wrenching story of two soldiers returning on a plane but halfway through the lyrics you realize they are returning in two different states of being. While her lyrics are simple and mostly to the point they are not lacking in emotion and print a vivid picture of what it would be like to be in the shoes 'Act of Valor' soundtrack brings together amazing artists of the family they're coming home to. Over all, this sound track took the best and the up-and- coming of contemporary country and compiled them all into one patriotic view through the eyes of a soldier. The album complimented the movie with an uncanny ability to provide perhaps unrealized emotion to the scenes and to the ears. A must buy for any country lover, and even for most contemporaries out there. http://img.ibtimes.com