The Bluffer - Red Bluff, CA
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/59339
Arts & Rebecca Blanchard Staff Writer "John Carter" stars Taylor Kitsch as John Carter, an adventurer who by the end of the movie transports you to the edge of your seat. Despite the fact that the beginning of the film is a tad bit confusing and hard to follow, all questions are answered by the end of the movie and the plot is both captivating and consistent. A large risk was taken when two major themes were combined as well as a third one. Western and sci-fi were combined for most of the film while the beginning and end had remnants of a Sherlock Holmes film. It seemed very likely that it would be too chaotic and disorderly when, in fact, it was executed so perfectly it draws in three different audiences and causes them to enjoy a newfound love of a different genre. Throughout the film the audience is captivated, the audience being a broad variety form children, to the elderly and teens. Not only does "John http://www.hollywoodchicago.com John Carter tries to escape from two "great white apes" in the Thark arena. Carter" combine genres and age groups it also combines romance, tragedy, action and comedy. The trailers for John Carter do not do its intricate plot justice. The film starts out with a clip from the later mentioned sci-fi setting, then briefly moves to the "Sherlock Holmes" adjacent scene which only becomes brilliant, clever and simply genius during the last scene of the movie. From then on the 'Fleetwood Mac' inspires listeners with unique vocals Carson Dunbar Staff Writer If there's one great thing about Pandora, it is its ability to take the sound and attributes of a new band or song and compare them to the sound of a band from as far back as the 1950's. For example, I'm listening to the band "Fun", you may know them for their recent hit "We Are Young", but the song "Never Going Back Again" by Fleetwood Mac comes on. This served as my inspiration for this review. "Fleetwood Mac" is making a comeback much to the equivalent of "Journey" and its multi-million throwback "Don't Stop Believing." Their album, "Rumours", is making its way back up the iTunes charts again. This album packs in many of the sounds and styles that have made today's college indie so successful. Iconic songs such as "Go Your Own Way" and "You Make Lovin' Fun" have found their place back on the charts, and most recently climbing the play counts on Pandora, the song "Never Going Back Again" is gaining increasing popularity. I have always been one to long for discovering bands in their infantile stages of discovery, but every now and then I stumble across main stream gold, or at least in my mind main stream gold. "Fleetwood Mac" takes unique vocals and clever couplings of bluegrass style with a dash of 70's rock band inspiration and creates a harmonious melodic sound sure to enchant your eardrums for hours. While this band is far from its prime and on its way to bands of the past college students and high school students are on a "landslide" to get these tunes on their iPods. While this album sounds great in the digital era streaming on Pandora or downloading off iTunes, a quick trip to any antique store could warrant you a vinyl copy of the original album with the crackle of days gone by included. So, bottom line if you're an indie lover or just a blue grass hearted, born in the wrong era hippie, this album is sure to entice your inner Lennon or King and keep you peacefully indulged for as long as that repeat button clicks or the arm on your record player still sways. Don't believe me? Hit them up on Grooveshark, Spotify, or Pandora and find out for yourself! film shifts to western and then changes to sci-fi for most of the remaining movie, despite the fact that Carter is continually wearing cowboy boots. John Carter ends up being captured by a race of creatures while a princess of mars, Lynn Collins, attempts to find a way to save her city. This is the point where the movie becomes cliché in a way that every movie fanatic sees from a mile away. John A movie you could watch again and again!!! 'Mass Effect 3' brings the trilogy to an epic ending Josiah Vasey Staff Writer "Mass Effect 3" is the last entry in the Mass effect series, a popular line of role playing games created by Bioware that put you in control of Commander Shepard, an all around boss that goes around killing aliens and blowing stuff up. This entry is a great addition to the series that anyone can enjoy. They have made few changes Unique vocals take you back to more relaxed days. Fact of the Issue In a very early draft of Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones carried brass knuckles instead of a bullwhip. to the combat, but the changes that were made were excellent. New power attacks make you more deadly at a close range, while simultaneously looking awesome. New powers include Nova, which launches an explosion of energy centered on the player. Another is Sentry turret, which spawns a robotic turret that shoots any enemies within range. Another great change is the items. There are a lot more items in this game than its predecessors. Before, you would find a new gun usually about once for every two levels. Now you find at least two per level. Mods are new collectible items that you can attach to your weapons to make them even more deadly. Finally, armor has been expanded in this game. There are lots of armor pieces scattered about the levels, and more can be bought at stores. The story in "Mass Effect 3" was great. It kept me enthralled. The voice acting was good and the animations weren't too shabby. At the beginning, I was asked how I wanted to play the game: 'Action', where you don't have any boring cut scenes; 'Standard', which is just like previous games; and 'Role Playing', which focuses less on combat and more on the story. I thought this was very cool and innovative. It lets players play the way they want to. The last thing I liked about the story was that your decisions had more impact than ever before. At one point I made a decision that made an entire species extinct. "Mass Effect 3" will not disappoint players of the previous games. It is a great game that you should definitely get. It has lots of fun new features that will keep you occupied for hours on end. So, don't miss out on this unforgettable conclusion to an unforgettable series. Do Entertainment Page 4 March 23, 2012 'John Carter' transports you to the edge of your seat The latest Disney movie provides audiences with everything they expected Carter and the Princess join up, fight, and they get separated and it seems like the villains will actually win when the protagonist rises above all and rescues the heroine. However, the film has a sudden twist which ties the beginning, middle and end all together in a nicely packaged present complete with a ribbon. Inside the present is a quality movie which had many risks from a plot prospective and was executed perfectly. Overall, the movie was far better than anticipated; the only flaw being a confusing beginning which is cleared up by the end of the film. John Carter is completely worth spending your money to go watch in the movie theaters right away. Mass Effect is an unforgettable end to an amazing trilogy.