See Felicia Day in SyFy channel’s new movie: “Red: Werewolf Hunter”

By Michelle Beard

I love Felicia Day. I love “Dr. Horrible’s Sing-along Blog.” I love “The Guild.” I love “The Legend of Neil.” I loved her role as Vi in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and I love her guest appearances on my favorite TV shows. Now there’s a new Felicia Day role for me to love: “Red: Werewolf Hunter.”

“Red: Werewolf Hunter” is SyFy channel’s adaptation of the classic tale “Little Red Riding Hood,” but with their own twist. Virginia “Red” Sullivan (Day) comes from a long line of werewolf hunters. The Sullivan’s had a truce with the local werewolves, but when Red returns home with her fiancé, Nathan (Kaven Smith), she and her two brothers are forced to take out the wolves.

I generally enjoy SyFy original movies, but they are rarely favorites. “Red” wasn’t any different. The primary draw to it is Felicia Day being a complete badass. The special effects are almost laughable and it feels a lot like a “Buffy” spin-off, but if you are a sci-fi fan, it’s still worth a watch.

Beer and Baseball: National pasttimes

by Mat Camp, Alestle Copy Editor

Last weekend marked the opening weekend for everyone’s favorite local baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals.

I decided to start the season off right with all-inclusive seats to Friday’s game, which included all the beer you can drink starting 30 minutes before the game until midway through the eighth and a two-hour buffet of nachos, hotdogs and barbecue beef briquette. Granted the tickets were pretty pricey: $120 each due to opening weekend, and I couldn’t find any discounts.

Still I ended up saving money in the long run on not having to pay ballpark prices for beer and food like I usually do. I also had to go through the St. Louis Cardinals website since StubHub (which is the go-to site for cheap tickets) didn’t have the seats I was looking for.

I started the evening off by having a few beers up at Mike Shannon’s right across the street from the ballpark, which has a great atmosphere to get you pumped up for baseball. The outdoor patio has a full bar and another smaller station that just serves beer, so there is virtually no waiting in line no matter how crowded it gets, and it does pretty packed. Not to mention the bartenders are gorgeous.

The whole patio was a sea of red and white, and everyone was excited to see the redbirds play. It is easy to see that with our city’s enthusiasm for the Cardinals how people consider St. Louis’ fans the best in baseball. I kind of felt bad for the only four people in the bar sporting Mets blue as they huddled in their corner, isolated from everyone else.

The luxury of the all-inclusive tickets was meant we had to have them checked at several points after the front gates, as well as get a wristband before we finally arrived at our party suite. The suite itself was awesome with our own climate controlled room for around 20 people with a window view of the field, tables to eat and, my personal favorite, our own private bartender. He was very friendly and served soft drinks and beer, which made it so easy and fast to grab a refill between innings. It also had a private section of our own with outdoor seating under an overhang of cheap seats that kept out the light rain.

Overall, it was a great opening weekend experience and the perfect way to start baseball season off this year. If you have never tried the all-inclusive seating, I highly recommend you do sometime in the season. If you don’t want to spring for the $100+ price you can get E-SAVER deals through the Cardinals website, which offers half-price all-inclusive seats throughout the year. I will reiterate that if you do, make sure you bring that designated driver because it is very easy to get beyond tipsy with “free” beer just a few steps away.

Changing American, one reality show at a time

Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

by Derrick Hawkins, Alestle Photographer

VH1 seems to be cashing in on minority groups this year.  First it was VH1 making show that supported the LGBT community. Now VH1’s spring line up seems to cashing in on the black community.

I notice this past week that VH1 has come out with three reality shows where the whole cast is black. “Basketball Wives” is a show that follows the wives and ex-wives of basketball players. It shows their “troubles” of being married to basketball players. The show is a little boring, it just a bunch of rich women talking about how hard they have it. I like to think about it as if was VH1 is trying to copy the successful Bravo networks Real House wives series.

The next show follows the C of the hip-hop group, TLC.  Chilli’s  looking for love of her own called “What Chilli Wants.” She hired a love guru to help her find love. The guru holds nothing back with Chilli and tells her the reasons she has no man. I don’t know about this show yet. It was entertaining to the two of them scope out men for Chilli to meet. I would have to check out the next episode to get the full effect of the show.

The last show is about the R&B brother and sister duo Brandy and Ray-J called “A Family Business.” This is one show that I thank may be picked up for a second season. The show is about Brandy and Ray J’s family business and the problems that follows people in the music industry. They are becoming music moguls while their mom watches over them like a hawk.

VH1is giving BET a run for their money by employing big names for their series of reality shoes. It’s interesting to see the change in television in America when we elect our first black president. Things are changing in America, one reality show at a time.

What not to do on your camping trip

Liz Spihlman, Alestle Copy Editor

by Liz Spihlman, Alestle Copy Editor

I went camping Friday, and it was a good time. The weather was fantastic, and life is good. If and when you decide to make your first camping expedition of the summer, please do everyone a favor and follow some simple rules of camping success. It’s not a difficult thing to do, so I’m going to tell you all the things you shouldn’t do rather than give you a gigantic list of things you should do.

1. Don’t pack everything except the kitchen sink. It’s just going to cause you problems. Pack enough food for your meals, and some snacks and drinks. You’re not going to go hungry, I promise. As long as you remember the sticks to roast marshmallows on, you’ll be just fine.
2. However, don’t forget the s’mores. You’ll regret that.
3. Don’t forget a swimsuit, even if you think you won’t need one.
4. Don’t leave your trash out all night, even if it’s tied up. I witnessed this first-hand last year, and it’s not fun. The raccoons will get into your trash, and you will have to pick it all up again in the morning.
5. This is a reminder from my last post. Don’t let your tarp stick out from under your tent. Chances are it’s going to rain and you don’t want to get wet.
6. Don’t skimp on the bug spray and sunscreen. The last thing you want is a tick sucking on your sunburned skin. I’d rather be forced to sing the K9 Advantix “There ain’t no bugs on me…” song than deal with the critters.
7. Don’t forget good walking shoes or hiking boots. You’re going to get bored and want to go walking. I’ve done it in flip-flops, and came back sans one shoe. What happened to it? I was walking around a steep bluff and the shoe broke and floated away into Carlyle Lake. Yeah. Don’t do it.
8. Don’t forget to bring an extra tarp to cover up your firewood, and anything else that might be damaged by rain. All wet firewood is going to do is smoke you out of tent and campsite.
9. Don’t plan too much. Just go and be spontaneous. Enjoy the weather, take a hike, go fishing, take pictures, sit by the campfire. Just have a good time.
10. Last but not least, don’t forget your fishing license. You might need that.

I don’t know about you, but I’m planning on having many more fantastic weekends in the great outdoors. Won’t you join me?

CD Review: Coheed and Cambria’s ‘Year of the Black Rainbow’

Lindsey Oyler, Alestle A&E Editor

by Lindsey Oyler, Alestle A&E Editor

I’ve always had respect for Coheed and Cambria. They seem a genre of their own with their comic books dialogue turned lyrics and eerie rock sound. Their new album release “Year of the Black Rainbow” is no exception to their reputation.

“One” is merely an introductory song, fully instrumental. However, with the selected sounds, it gives you the feeling of an apocolpytic vibe. It bleeds into the second song, “The Broken,” which has a fantastic sound. However, one thing I did notice is that if you took out singer Claudio Sanchez’s voice and replaced it with Jared Leto’s, I’d feel like it was a 30 Seconds to Mars song all along. The guitar riffs and the vocals seem to be the only thing setting it apart. Oh, and the breakdown isn’t their best.

Next is “Guns of Summer,” starting with a freaky techno beat and vocals. I didn’t care for it, but it still held its own. I wouldn’t call it terrible, but I would be embarrassed if I were in a car with the windows rolled down playing this song. It’s too heavy for my tastes, but I’m sure it would suit someone else. Listening to it a second time, the vocals almost sound like Incubus.

The fourth track is “Here We Are Juggernaut.” The title of the song itself stresses the intensity of the song. I do like the instruments in this song and the vocals do not disappoint. They play with the synthesizers in the song as well, especially in the verses.

“Far” is track five, and the delay effect on the guitar rings out in such an eerie way that I can’t help but fall in love with the song. The technicality of the overall instrumental background is very low, but it’s still rhythmic.

“Far” is followed by “This Shattered Symphony” and then “World of Lines.” Both almost blend together, both equally skillful and sounding as if they’re meant to be listened together as part I and II. I don’t have a problem with that, but Coheed is already notorious for having longer songs. If I’m going to listen to these songs, I’ll have to sit down and listen to them all together.

Track eight has to be my favorite out of the album. It’s intense, has the right amount of effects and the lyrics are emotional and passionate. Claudio has that same classic sound that he’s always had and that’s what Coheed fans have grown to appreciate. It’s almost an anthem and I could see myself singing this song along with them at a concert. This track is called “Made Out of Nothing (All that I Am).”

“Pearl of the Stars” follows up this track with the weirdest vocals and an attempt at a slow song. However, I found that the background effects sounded more like a cheap 90s R&B song than a hard rock song. It works, but not well enough. The vocals are fine though.

“In the Flame of Error” has a good sound and it’s one of the catchier songs on the album. However, they take advantage of the fact that they found a good rhythm because it’s overly repetitive.

Next is track 11,  “When Skeletons Live.” The vocals aren’t very strong, but the guitar is. I would’ve liked a little more balance though.

And then there’s “The Black Rainbow,” the last track on the album. The intro is full of effects and delay with haunting lyrics and building up into a great guitar riff. Classic Coheed. Once again, the vocals sound a LOT like Incubus but in a great way. The song was meant to hold the album’s title. It’s one of the better ones, and it wraps up all of the good elements of the album into one song. Well worth listening through eleven other tracks.

Overall the album is great to listen to all together. However, if I’m driving in the car I’ll leave it only for long road trips. It’s artistic and passionate. But none of the songs stick out like past songs, such as “Blood Red Summer” and “Welcome Home.” I have the feeling some of them might grow on me though.