‘Blade mode is amazing’

Nevin P. Jones | writer “Metal Gear Rising: Revegeance” should have been called “Violent Cyborg: Mature Fruit Ninja.” Kojima Production fans, you are forewarned; the “Metal Gear” you know has vanished. This is a product of Platinum Games, so action heavily overrides the stealth associated with the series. What you get with “Revengeance” is a crazy, action-filled romp, which entertains throughout, but ultimately feels imperfect. Like most action games, the plot features absurd scenarios present only for awesome gameplay. You play as Raiden after he becomes a full cyborg, working for a private military company (PMC) called Maverick Security. Raiden’s employers might need to re-evaluate their company following the prologue because they fail to protect…

Inside True West

Carl J. Bachus | culture editor PSU Theater is wrapping up production on its spring performance of Sam Shepard’s “True West.” It is the story of two estranged brothers reuniting while their mother is out of town. The drama opens at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in the Grubbs Studio Theater. “True West” is the tale of the sibling rivalry between Austin and Lee, two brothers reconnecting after five years. Austin is a married Hollywood screenwriter house-sitting for his mother while she is on vacation in Alaska. His world is turned upside down when Lee, his drifter of a brother, knocks on his door. “The play has a strong theme of understanding what real life…

Pitt’s hottest music scene

Local bar showcases home-grown talent Nevin Jones | reporter Former firefighter Bobby Gardullo’s adoration of live music and entertainment has culminated in Pittsburg’s newest popular hangouts, JST Bobby G’s. “I was brought up with music,” said Gardullo. “I play keyboard, guitar and a little bass. I’ve always had music in my blood. My in-laws own Kutz Music, so everywhere we go there is music.” Gardullo has bartended for over 30 years and his love of music is something he has made sure to hold onto over the years. Now that he owns his own bar, this lifelong romance still very much alive. “I always said when I own a bar there are two things it…

The Collegio reviews the latest in film, music, and gaming

‘Sure to steal laughs’ Logan Qualls | reporter If forced to use only one word to describe this film, that word would be outrageous. Flying from one crazy situation to the next, “Identity Thief” takes the audience for quite a ride. Sandy Bigelow Patterson (Jason Bateman, “Arrested Development”) is a loving husband and father of two girls. He has recently received a promotion, his wife is pregnant and all seems well. That changes one fateful morning when Diana (Melissa McCarthy, “Mike and Molly”) steals his identity. Only after Sandy is arrested for a crime that he did not commit does he realize what has happened. With his job on the line, he follows a lead…

D.C. dance company brings tradition to PSU

Carl J. Bachus | culture editor PSU students are in for a rhythmic treat this week with Step Afrika, a dance company founded on the tradition of stepping, being held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 19, in Memorial Auditorium. Presented by Pitt State’s Performing Arts and Lecture Series, the showcase is co-sponsored the Campus Activities Center (CAC), Black Student Association (BSA) and the Office of Student Diversity. “Stepping is an art form created by African-American fraternities and sororities,” said Step Afrika founder C. Brian Williams in an ABC News interview. “In stepping, we use our hands and our feet and our bodies to make music.” Founded in 1994, Step Afrika has used its stage to…

McGraw’s latest a ‘fun, brassy,’ country ride

Carl J. Bachus | culture editor OK, bold statement time: Tim McGraw’s “Two Lanes of Freedom” is possibly the best country crossover album to pop up within the last few years (Looking at you, Swift). In the country staple’s first album since giving up alcohol five years ago, McGraw has put forth possibly the most sonically dense set of country hits of his career. The songs each have a signature sound and evoke a wide range of emotions, which all result in a country ride that’s brassy, hook-heavy and fun as hell. The title track serves up a more familiar sound to ease the core fan base into McGraw’s newer, pop-rock-oriented sound. Arena-ready guitar riffs…

‘Warm Bodies’ warm hearts

Todd Miller | writer With Valentine’s Day around the corner, it’s time for theaters to get hit with a wave of romantic films to entertain couples. At the tip of this wave is “Warm Bodies,” an average romantic comedy with a new twist. Based on the 2011 novel by Issac Marion, R (Nicholas Hoult) is your typical young man who has fallen in love with Julie (Teresa Palmer). R is trying to be a better person and show his feelings to Julie. There’s a catch: R is a zombie who craves the flesh and brains of living people, like Julie’s boyfriend Perry (Dave Franco). But Julie is special and sparks a change within R, making…

55th Grammy awards

Carl J. Bachus Students weigh in on musics biggest night Any avid pop culture geek knows that every February two things are reliably constant: terrible romance movies and award season, the only time of year when people celebrate music that’s been overplayed and movies that no one’s ever heard of. Kicking off the 2013 season is the 55th Annual Grammy Awards, airing at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10. Nominees include Taylor Swift, The Black Keys, Fun., Frank Ocean, Gotye and Kelly Clarkson; all of whom are vying for the coveted Record of the Year award. Ocean and Fun. are also nominated in the Best New Artist category.grammy “I am excited for the Grammys,” said Micah…

Pitt wide Pub Crawl

Jay Benedict | editor-in-chief Pittsburg’s nightlife landscape offers bar-goers anything from upscale cocktails to shots from a dildo. While newcomers to the scene, like Danny Bell’s Wild West, are trying to make names for themselves, mainstays like McCarthy’s and Mooreman’s do their best to welcome old fans and accommodate the younger college crowds. The last year has also seen a lot of change. Student favorites, The Jungle and Fat Daddy’s closed their doors recently and the 5th Street Bar and Grill changed hands in the last month. Others, like Chatter’s and Faces Saloon, are getting facelifts to keep their atmosphere fresh. The newly-instituted Gus Bus makes it easier to safely journey from home to the…

Hansel & Gretel’s Witch Hunters (2013)

Epic fail of a fairytale; ‘Witch Hunters’ proves mediocre Todd Miller | writer After the success of “Snow White and the Huntsman,” Hollywood seems to be going out of its way to revamp classic fairy tales. This trend includes films like the upcoming “Jack the Giant Slayer” and the recently released “Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters.” However, unlike “Hunstman,” the latter takes the novelty out of the idea and doesn’t offer anything new. In fact, it makes the whole idea of retelling fairy tales seem like an entirely bad idea. The movie’s plot essentially asks, “What ever happened to Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) after they burned the witch in the candy cottage?”…