The Force is Strong at the Discovery Cube

By: Sabina Ibarra

Forget going to theaters to see The Phantom Menace in 3-D, and head over to the Discovery Science Center to immerse yourself in real-life Star Wars history. At “Star Wars: Where Science Meets Imagination,” you can explore over 9,000 square ft. of original models and costumes from the series. Experience an interactive exhibit that ties together the technology dreamed up in the film, and current technology’s advancement toward making those dreams a reality.

Presented by Bose with the support of the National Science Foundation, the exhibit is the first national touring program at the Discovery Cube, welcoming Rebels, Jedi’s, Sith Lords and Wookies alike. Guests can explore two major theme areas: “Getting Around” and “Robots and People.” The exhibits are connected to video interviews with filmmakers, as well as scientists and engineers. These videos highlight the process of how our past technology inspired the fictional universe in Star Wars, which has in turn globally impacted ideas for real future advancement.

The “Getting Around” portion compares the spacecrafts in the film to the aircrafts they were inspired by, and to future modes of transportation. WWII fighter jets were the basis of inspiration for X-wings, which in turn have laid the groundwork for cutting-edge vehicles such as Virgin Galactic’s spacecraft for sub-orbital tourism.

In the same area, adorned with actual models of X-wings, Tie-fighters, Star Destroyers and the Millennium Falcon, guests can build their own mini-vehicle at a station using magnets and LEGOs to see the future of hovering transportation on a smaller scale. And next to Luke Skywalker’s Landspeeder from A New Hope, you can ride a real-life hovercraft!

Interspersed between the transportation exhibit and the robotics exhibit are the “Worlds of Star Wars” displays. Iconic costumes from each of the Star Wars worlds demonstrate how the environment in which the characters lived in shaped the look of the characters. Coming face-to-face with Han Solo’s outfit, Princess Leia’s dress and the Darth Vader suit is sure to elicit some fanboy/girl squeals.

From the metropolitan look of Coruscant to the furry wookies of Kashyyyk, the characters of the Star Wars worlds are not unlike us, and adapt according to their surroundings. A centerpiece to correlate Earth’s condition is Coruscant, a planet that is an entire cityscape. It can be see as a blueprint for possible ways for cities to expand by being built around modes of public transportation. Most major cities rely on public transit to support urban form, and with a booming population it is pressing to find alternative ways to expand and control negative externalities to allow humanity to continue to thrive. Hopefully unlike Coruscant, we will be able to salvage our ecology with a little help from droids like R2.

2012 OSCAR predictions.

The Amazing Spider-Man Ensnares L.A. Audience in its Web

On February 6, long lines of fans waited outside the AMC Century City movie theater, forming a sea of red and blue with their spider-adorned T-shirts and action figure dolls and toys. It was a cloudy day – not exactly the sunny, blue skies that California natives are used to, but regardless, it was easy to see that spirits were as high as ever with this crowd. They were here for one thing and one thing only:The Amazing Spider-Man.

For the last week, Spider-Man symbols have been projected all across the world. The mysterious projections had pedestrians stopping to gawk in major cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Paris. Reaction videos were then posted online as a viral advertising campaign. This, plus an equally enigmatic countdown on Twitter all led up to an “event” that would be simulcast around the world.

Upon entering the theater in which this “event” was being held, the first thing one might notice are the copious amounts of security that were watching over the crowd that slowly trickled in to take their seats. Phones were strictly prohibited, and any person that was seen using one was quickly reprimanded.

A camera was set up in the front of the theater, and a man with a microphone announced that the “event” would begin in five minutes. As the last of the fans made their way to their seats, it was revealed that we would be treated to a Q & A with the director of the film, Marc Webb. The audience cheered as Webb stepped into view and asked the viewers to put on their 3-D glasses. With that, the lights dimmed and a new trailer for The Amazing Spider-Man began to play.

The 3-D was incredibly impressive, as expected, and fans were given their first glimpse of Dr. Connor’s villainous alter ego, The Lizard. The action was intense and the crowd remained in silent awe until the two-minute trailer ended. An uproar of applause soon followed, and Webb was all smiles.
  
The trailer was followed by some pre-designated questions for the cast, who were projected on the big screen. The questions were simple, and did not provide much insight into the film, its production, or its characters. The Amazing Spider-Man crew apparently still wanted the film’s plot under wraps.

When asked why he wanted to play Spider-Man, Andrew Garfield simply replied, “Because I’m not an idiot.” Fans cheered triumphantly as he announced that the role didn’t just belong to him, but to everyone who loves Spider-Man. It was obvious that he couldn’t help but smile as the crowd applauded him.

The Los Angeles crowd looked on with bated breath as the interviews ended. Just when it seemed the event was coming to an end, Webb announced that we would be shown a sneak peak at footage from the movie. However, he said, the footage was unfinished and it would be screened in 2-D.

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My Most Anticipated Movies of 2012:

Come at me Hollywood If I am going to die this year, I better see something good.

By: Sabina Ibarra

JANUARY
The Iron Lady (Jan.13): Two words: Meryl Streep. She is the main reason I will inevitably end up seeing this movie. There is definitely appeal there for Margaret Thatcher’s journey as a woman having to climb to the top in a man’s world. However, I’ve seen a good amount of great films about European political figures in the past few years, notably The Kings Speech and Young Victoria so I’m ready to see something different. 

Beauty and the Beast 3D (Jan.13): Apparently Disney is going the Lucas route (more on that later), and re-releasing their films in 3D. I’m not the biggest fan of after-release conversion to make more money, but I’m a huge Disney Fangirl. Last year their re-release of the Lion King was a major success, and their bet on Beauty and the Beast should prove to be another good investment. Being one of their most successful films, as far as the Disney Princess franchise goes, Beauty and the beast appeals to the women who grew up on the tale and introduces it to a new generation on the big screen. I was a toddler when what proved to be my favorite Disney Princess movie came out so I am beyond excited to see this and sing along with everyone else who knows every line by heart.

Underworld: Awakening (Jan.20): I hear that collective groan. Yes, vampires have been turned into a neutered genre by that teen franchise that will not be named and have left a good amount of audience sick of the word. Growing up, I have always loved vampires with FANGS. You know, the classic monsters that they are meant to be. From Buffy to Blade, vampire films and shows always maintained a balance between violence and thematic ideas. The Underworld franchise has deep roots in action and supernatural lore that sets it apart from what has been churned out. It’s worth giving a watch if you’ve been a fan of the films or of Kate Beckinsale in that leather jumpsuit and corset. 

Check out our free ticket giveaway on our website: http://www.campuscircle.com/sweeps/Underworld_Awakening/


Corolianus (Jan.20): Shakespeare thrives still because so many of his plays have universal themes that resonate to this day. Ralph Fiennes’ adaptation of Corolianus, starring Gerard Butler, is relevant to today’s social and political environment. At the core of the story is the battle of contrasts between the high society and the proletariats as well as liberals and the conservatives. The amazing thing about Shakespeare is that you can use any background or time period as the setting, and it will work. So I’m very much looking forward to seeing this spin on the Bard’s work.

FEBRUARY
The Woman in Black (Feb.3): Daniel Radcliffe’s first cinematic move after Harry Potter is the tale of a vengeful ghost that terrorizes a village. I’m really excited to see Radcliffe in a thriller, and from the looks of the trailer, the cinematography sets a visually stunning, spooky tone. Hopefully he doesn’t suffer from the Sarah Michelle Gellar effect, who after Buffy starred in The Grudge as a woman haunted by a ghost that I kept wanting her to go all Buffy on. There may be moments where I will shout at Daniel to pull out a wand and Avada Kedavra the woman in black or set her up on a date with Nearly-headless Nick. She might just be lonely. 

The Inkeepers (Feb.3): I hear a lot of great things about Sara Paxton’s performance in this film about a hotel whose old guests return for a stay. From big names to my horror fanboy friends, Paxton is getting a lot of praise for a film I know little about. I am intrigued.

STAR WARS: Episode 1-The Phantom Menace (Feb.10)
Forgot to mention its in 3D, and it’s not really something I’m anticipating. Just needed to mention how ridiculous this all is. Re-releasing all six from episode one? Geez! Yes, I am a disgruntled Star Wars Fangirl who hates all the CG changes and doesn’t love the prequels. But as much as I will complain about this till it comes out, just like the blu-rays, I will probably end up seeing it. 
To quote Ackbar, “It’s a trap!”

MARCH
The Hunger Games (Mar.23)
I had been hesitant to get into these books because they seemed like a young adult, watered down version of Battle Royale. Like what Twilight did to vampires, I didn’t like the idea of a love story using a dystopia as mere background to the point where the focus on the leads would detract from thematic intent.  Distopian tales have balanced finely for generations. You read 1984, see The Matrix - there are love stories in them, but you also get so much more out of those masterpieces. I had heard about the Hunger Game book before it was adapted, but it was all about Katniss and the two guys she liked.  It took some of my guy friends to convince me to give it a chance and claimed the concept would really appeal to me. Currently reading the book and plan to see the movie. 

Pirates! Band of Misfits (Mar.20)
From the creators of Wallace and Gromit-
Stop. Just stop there! I’m sold. I will be there opening day. If you don’t know what Wallace and Gromit is, go and Netflix it right now!  Just go!

APRIL
Titanic 3D Re-release (Apr.6): Cameron can pull off visually stunning for sure with this favorite and his brand of re-release 3D conversion…I hope. 

Cabin in the Woods (Apr.13)
Joss Whedon is the man this year. (Avengers and an indie adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing? Please and thank you, universe!) Little is known about this film other than it’s “cabin in the woods” horror-fare born out of a collaboration between Whedon and his best writer from the Buffy and Angel era. 

MAY
The Avengers (May.4)
This Marvel super hero ensemble piece is one of the most anticipated films of the year. Whedon at the helm of it has added more excitement. It will be interesting to see the dynamic between the heroes. For me, particularly between Captain America and Iron Man. I’m curious to find out what happened to Peggy Carter and whether Mark Ruffalo will be able to pull The Hulk off. A lot is riding on this movie since it’s the first to not focus on just one hero. With any luck, it will be a huge success and Whedon can buy back the rights to Buffy before the remake happens. 

Dark Shadows (May.11)
Burton goes back to his element. While others are weary due to his re-imaginings of Alice in Wonderland and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, they forget his excellent adaptation of Sweeney Todd. I have faith that with a script penned by Seth Grahame-Smith and a great ensemble including Michelle Pfeiffer and Chloe-Grace Moretz, Dark Shadows will be a return to the Burton-esque world we love. And it is also Johnny Depp’s first vampire role.  He more than any other actor was made for a part like Collins. 

Stay tuned for part 1 ½ (the summer blockbuster edition) of my most anticipated movies list! 

It couldn’t be further from the conventional period drama with the nipped-waist bodices and ostentatious accessories that frequently garner award-show attention for costuming. Nonetheless, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, the American film based on the first book of Stieg Larsson’s popular Millennium trilogy, is likely to attract some attention with its hard-hitting looks that reflect a darker side of contemporary street fashion.

The producers of the film, which opens Dec. 20, put together a style dream team to transform actress Rooney Mara into Lisbeth Salander, a waifish, goth-punk heroine who becomes an unlikely ally for a journalist involved in a twisted mystery.

Trish Summerville, the veteran stylist and costume designer (former clients include Christina Aguilera and Pink) created the costumes. Pat McGrath, recognized in fashion and cosmetic circles as one of today’s most influential makeup artists, designed Salander’s hollow-cheeked, kohl-eyed look. And Danilo (longtime hairstylist to Gwen Stefani) envisioned the blunt bowl cut that frames Mara’s pale and delicate features.

“The thing that stood out was how tiny she was, but she also has this ferocious velocity about her even though she’s so slight,” Summerville says about the Salander character. The designer worked to make Mara look as thin and asexual as possible, pairing pieces so the character’s silhouette is tight at top and loose at the bottom. (Salander walks the streets in fitted leather biker jackets, drop-crotch cargo pants and plenty of piercings.) “I wanted her to have this external shell like a protection around her,” Summerville adds.

Mara portrayed a college student who looks like the girl next door in the 2010 film, The Social Network, and Summerville says the strawberry-blond actress was open to a dramatic transformation for “Girl.” “Her face has such a striking bone structure,” Summerville says. “She has a long thin neck and intense eyes. You can do anything to that face.

“Her look (as Salander) is very animalistic,” Summerville says. “Her strength is unexpected.”