Saw V Review

By Kim Keener

In this sequel to the sequel to the sequel to the sequel (or the fifth in the sequence) Jigsaw has finally died.  So does that mean the notorious Jigsaw murders are over?  Amanda Young who was Jigsaw’s previous accomplice, is now dead, so is there no one to carry out his work?  The detective, who has been working on the Jigsaw case from the start, is certainly a suspect.  Along with special agent Strahm, whose been sneaking around FBI offices when on an ‘alleged’ medical leave. 
Saw V starts out with a man named Seth being chained to a table that is underneath a pendulum blade.  He is instructed by a video that tells him in order to survive he must crush his hands by placing them into two presses and pushing the buttons inside them.  Seth does so and thus should be able to survive, however the pendulum kills him anyways. There is a jigsaw piece of skin missing from the dead body, so it must be jigsaw, right?  Seth coincidentally is the ex-boyfriend of the detective Hoffman’s sister.  Additionally, Seth was convicted for killing the detective’s sister, the only family the detective has.  However, through some flaw in the legal system Seth was released after only serving five years in prison, instead of twenty five years which was originally sentenced.  Leaving the detective angry, but angry enough to take revenge on his sister’s killer?  Jill Tuck, Jigsaw’s ex-wife, also receives a box through John’s lawyer that was to be given to her in the event of John’s death.  She is told that what is in the box is very important and that she will know what to do with what is inside the box. Once she opens the box, she leaves immediately ignoring his lawyer’s request to see it’s contents.  
Later on in the movie, five people (Charles, Luba, Mallick, Brit and Ashley) are placed in a cellar wearing collars that are all attached to their necks connected to each other by two guillotine blades collar and retractable ropes that are also connected to each collar.  There are five keys in glass jars which open the collars around their necks located across the room, one key in front of each person.  Mallick gets agitated after the persistent questions of Charles and finally propels the sixty second clock to begin.  Everyone gets out but one who was not quick enough to make it to the key on time.  Next, the four remaining enter a room with keys in glass jars which are hanging above.  The storyline gets vicious as they start killing each other.  Later, Strahm’s cell phone is found by FBI officials, which leads them to suspect Strahm…but who really is responsible?
Saw V is a really climactic movie because of the suspense, thrill, violence, and blood.  The eighty-eight minute film felt much longer because of how much this movie draws the audience in.  This movie is really great for those loyal Saw viewers, or anyone who likes a good horror film.  To watch Saw V viewers also do not necessarily have to have seen Saw IV before or any of the other Saw films.  Although, I definitely recommend seeing the previous Saws for the movie often flashes back to previous films and leaves off from the fourth movie.  Happy scary movie watching! 

Jack's Mannequin: New Album

By Lena Hedayat

On September 30, a notable band with the name Jack’s Mannequin released their second CD titled The Glass Passenger. Becoming increasingly popular, the band has been making their rounds in the KROQ hosted tour called Hammers and Strings. The impressive CD consists of 14 tracks, each telling their own story. Jack’s Mannequin is made up of four members: Andrew McMahon (lead vocalist, songwriter, and pianist), Bobby Anderson (guitarist and backup vocalist), Jonathan Sullivan (bass), and Jay McMillan (drummer). The band’s first CD, Everything In Transit, was the beginning of an extremely inspiring journey for both the band and every dedicated listener. Jack’s Mannequin originally started as a small side project to McMahon and Anderson’s first band, Something Corporate. However, the music was eventually recorded and developed into a distinctive sound that was embraced by a rejuvenated audience.
Every track on the new CD is unique, yet McMahon did not stray from his original sound. His creation of this new compilation gave every admirer something new and yet something familiar. This combination created a comfortable reverberation that once again brought forth cosmic and eager viewers. Many of the Jack’s Mannequin songs convey McMahon’s struggles through his leukemia diagnosis, but others express emotions almost anyone can relate to. Part of what makes his music so compelling is McMahon’s ability to speak through his lyrics to a very diverse crowd of people experiencing especially similar situations. To those who have never heard of Jack’s Mannequin, they are an extremely talented group who well deserve of your time. Stop and give yourself the opportunity to listen to a spectacular group of musicians, you will most likely be pleasantly surprised and rewarded.  

The Haunting of Molly Hartley

By Emma Smith

As is customary, a host of new “thriller” movies hit theaters on October 31, including The Haunting of Molly Hartley.  The premise of the film centered around the concept of a PG-13 “horror-thriller” combination designed to appeal to those teens prohibited from viewing the other seasonable films on the big screen- namely, R-rated movies such as Saw V and Changeling.
           
            In the beginning of the film Mrs. Hartley basically suffers a psychotic breakdown and attacks Molly (Haley Bennett) with the intent to stab and kill her. Although she does not succeed, Molly is deeply traumatized. Mr. Hartley (Jake Weber) then moves the 17 year old Molly into a new school, hoping to help his daughter recover and start a new life. On the surface, this change seems to be for the better as Molly begins to “fit in.” She draws the attention of the popular and amazingly rich Joseph (Chace Crawford) and becomes close friends with two girls by the names of Alexis (Shanna Collins) and Leah (Shannon Marie Woodward). Despite conflict with Joseph’s ex-girlfriend Suzy (Annalynne McCord), life at the new school appears to be going well. But appearances are deceiving and this optimistic outlook does not last. Molly seems to be suffering symptoms of the same psychosis that claimed her mother, including hearing voices and experiencing strange visions. She is terrified that insanity is coming to claim her even as those around her try to help Molly find a new lease on life, including the school psychologist (Nina Siemaszko).  The truth, however, is far more complex. In actuality, Molly’s mother and several others want to kill her in order to save her from a preordained life as a servant of evil. When she was a baby Molly’s parents sold her soul to the devil, a deal which will come to full fruition when she turns 18. As the day approaches, Molly must deal with betrayals, another maternal appearance and the knowledge that if she does not find a way out soon she will belong to Hell.
 
            All in all, The Haunting of Molly Hartley was a disappointment. While the acting was relatively decent, the plotline had several large gaps. One of these could be found at the end of the film; as the action reaches its climax the scene abruptly shifts, leaving the audience with a confusing, dissatisfactory conclusion (if it can even be called that). The “scare tactics” of the 86 minute production were also severely lacking in quality and originality. In the eyes of the critics and general public, The Haunting of Molly Hartley remained basically boring and a general waste of money. Described as a both a flop and a lifeless attempt at horror, this is one movie better left unseen.

Sonic Syndicate

By Michael Munch

On March 16th, 2008 the band Sonic Syndicate began the recording process of their third release, Love and other Disasters, which was released on September 19th. First, some background on this upcoming band. Originally named Fallen Angels, the band recorded a few demos, but not a full length album. After renaming the band to Sonic Syndicate, the group of youngsters from Sweden recorded their first full-length album, “Eden Fire.” In the summer of 2006, the record label Nuclear Blast held a competition in which nearly 1,500 bands performed. Sonic Syndicate was one of the bands chosen to be signed by the company. Shortly after, the band released “Only Inhuman,” and made a name for itself in the melodic death metal world. The release of “Love and other Disasters” marked the band’s third studio release, and although it was nothing groundbreaking or new, it was a great success.
The album starts off strong with “Encaged,” with the song gaining much of its strength and momentum from the switching off between clean and rough vocals by Roland Johansson and Richard Sjunnesson respectively.
            Another memorable song, “Jack of Diamonds” was released before the album as a single, as well as being included in the released production. With a catchy melody, and lyrics, this song proves to be one of the best on the album. Quite possibly the most memorable line of any song in the album, “living in a house of cards” will be stuck in listener’s head’s all day.
“Damage Control,” another title from the album has the most usage of the dark growl of Richard Sjunnesson, and happens to be quite catchy, as most songs by this upcoming young band.
Love And Other Disasters is not much of a leap ahead for Sonic Syndicate, but they've written some pretty catchy songs. There's not a lot of originality here in terms of an evolution in the band itself, but there are plenty of memorable melodies and Sonic Syndicate did not fail to deliver what was promised and expected out of them from previous albums. Overall, this was a great album, although with no new groundbreaking material, but rather keeping with the same old thing. Because hey, “if it aint broke, why fix it?” 

Guess Who This Teacher Is

Five Clues: - Enjoys working with her students - Fan of the Cleveland Browns - From Cleveland, Ohio - Received her Masters from Cal Long Beach - Ran the Los Angeles Marathon