’42′ much moe than a baseball movie

Logan Qualls | writer On April 15, 1947, the game of baseball was forever changed when Jackie Robinson started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers. By breaking through the color barrier in the major leagues, Robinson spurred monumental changes in both baseball and civil rights. The film “42” provides audiences a glimpse into the past of this American hero. Focusing mainly on Robinson’s 1946 and 1947 seasons, the film begins with Branch Rickey (Harrison Ford) discussing with his advisers his plan to bring up an African American to the major leagues. After narrowing down a list of candidates, he decides on Jackie Robinson. Robinson at the time is playing ball in the Negro Leagues,…

Evil Dead full of bloody goodness

Logan Qualls Trading laughs for overwhelming amounts of blood and gore, “Evil Dead” proves to be a terrifying addition to “The Evil Dead” franchise. This reboot of the 1981 cult classic, “The Evil Dead,” is not directly a sequel, but more of a loose continuation of the series. Much like its predecessor, “Evil Dead” begins with five friends who find their way to an old cabin, deep in the woods. Mia (Jane Levy, TV series “Suburgatory”) is in the process of battling an opiate addiction with the help of her friends, Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci) and Olivia (Jessica Lucas). Also there to lend support are Mia’s brother, David (Shiloh Fernandez) and his girlfriend, Natalie (Elizabeth…

‘Host’ leaves bitter taste in your mouth

Logan Qualls | writer Imagine you’re at the top of a roller coaster, adrenaline coursing through your veins, anticipation forming a pit in your stomach. All thoughts are forgotten as the car drops suddenly, only to stop jarringly a few feet later. The car stops again and again and keeps doing so until the end of the ride. What could have been a thrilling, enjoyable ride now only leaves a bitter taste in your mouth. This is the ride audiences can expect from “The Host.” The story begins with Melanie Stryder (Saoirse Ronan, “Hanna,” “The Lovely Bones”) attempting to escape from mysterious pursuers, who audiences later discover to be a species of extraterrestrial psychic parasites…

‘Bioshock’ sets bar high

Nevin Jones | writer Creating a sequel to one of the highest rated first person shooters of all time would be a daunting task for most studios, but Irrational Games is not most studios. They have once again created something phenomenal. “Bioshock Infinite” is a game that, like the fictional setting of Columbia, raises itself above the rest in order to achieve newfound greatness. You are Booker DeWitt, a former member of the Pinkerton Detective Agency with a haunted past. After partaking in horrible events at The Battle of Wounded Knee, he picks up a life of drinking and gambling to wash away the guilt of his past. Now indebted to the worst kind of…

3-D ‘Oz’ good, not ‘Great’

Logan Qualls | writer Travelers to the magical Land of Oz can expect stunning landscapes, enjoyable if static characters, and a convoluted story with more twists and turns than the yellow brick road. Despite spectacular visuals, “Oz the Great and Powerful” leaves too many wires exposed. Much like the 1939 MGM film, “The Wizard of Oz,” the journey begins in Kansas. Oscar “Oz” Diggs is a small-time magician and con man in a traveling circus. Following a particularly rough performance, Oz is pegged a fake and a cheat. Dissatisfied with his life, Oz desperately wishes for greatness. Thoughts of grandeur are quickly forgotten as a massive tornado rapidly approaches the carnival grounds. Oz makes his…

Gorilla gamers anticipate ‘Bioshock’ among other hot titles

Nevin Jones | reporter The spring gaming season is on the horizon and with it comes a batch of new releases that should excite all gamers worth their achievement points. Throughout the rest of the semester, there are several noticeable contenders that gamers should keep their eyes on. With big releases coming so soon, some PSU students sounded off on what they look for in a good game. “I’m very interested in games as a storytelling device,” said Jeff Linville, senior in international business. “A video game should always tell a good story. Almost like a book, but better.” Similar feelings were shared by junior in psychology Chandra Morris, who said, “I look for a…

‘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…

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…