Vision 8-4-11

Vision

A tribute & farewell to the Harry Potter franchise

Vision Roswell Daily Record

MERLE HAGGARD

Friday, Aug. 5, 2011 — Volume 17, Issue 14

Magazine

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Entertainment Calendar .......................................................................................3-4 Carrizozo music in the parks is August 14

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The Silver Screen ......................................................................................................5 The (almost) perfect swan song

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For tickets visit InnoftheMountainGods.com or call 575-464-7508 Mescalero, NM MINORS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT.

Opinion.......................................................................................................................6 The Top 10 Harry Potter characters

Opinion.......................................................................................................................7 The Top 10 spells from Harry Potter

Opinion.......................................................................................................................8 Ranking the eight Harry Potter films

History.........................................................................................................................9 Roswell’s unique auto mail route

UFOlogy/Video Games..........................................................................................11 UFOlogy when done right is science, not mysticism/�Catherine� review

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V I S I O N M A G A Z I N E S TA F F

Lawrence Foster Editor

Sandra Martinez Ad Designer

Charles Fischer Publisher

For advertising information, call 622-7710.

Correspondence: Vision Magazine welcomes correspondence, constructive criticism and suggestions for future topics. Mail correspondence to Vision Magazine, P.O. Drawer 1897, Roswell, N.M. 88202-1897 or vision@roswell-record.com. Submissions: Call 622-7710, ext. 60, for writers’ guidelines. Vision Magazine is not responsible for loss or damage to unsolicited materials.

Vision Magazine is published twice a month at 2301 N. Main St., Roswell, N.M. The contents of the publication are Copyright 2011 by the Roswell Daily Record and may not be reprinted in whole or part without written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. One copy of each edition is provided to 15,500 weekday subscribers to the Roswell Daily Record in the first and third Friday newspaper of each month. An additional 3,000 to 5,000 copies are made available free of charge to county residents and visitors and select site newsstands, and direct mailed to non-subscribers in the retail trade zone. Subscriptions are available by mail for $2 a month or free through subscription to the Roswell Daily Record. The Roswell Daily Record and Vision Magazine are represented nationally by Paper Companies Inc.

e-mail: vision@roswell-record.com visit: www.roswell-record.com/vision_magazine.php

Carrizozo

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

August 14

Carrizozo Music in the Parks Carrizozo Music in the Parks presents a free concert of classic rock and jazz as part of its Sunday evening summer series. On Aug. 14, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m., Fred Kinnan and Tim Rice, guitar duo, will play in McDonald Park in Carrizozo. The guitar duo is strictly instrumental with a focus on a variety of styles including rock, jazz, classical and pop.

The duo has played in events at the Spencer Theater, at openings in Ruidoso and Santa Fe, and have played several concerts for Music in the Parks. Kinnan, lead electric guitarist, is retired military and has been a volunteer head usher at the Spencer Theater since its inaugural concert. Kinnan, who lives in Alto and Rice, the group's rhythm guitarist and a Capitan resident, both played with the Alto String Ensemble. Each Music in the Parks concert is matched with a local nonprofit that sells food to benefit a special project. Woman's Club will host the food for the August 14 concert with grilled burgers with all the fixings, hotdogs, their famous baked goods, cookies and drinks. Music in the Parks is committed to offering a series of free community concerts of a variety of genres including classical, jazz, pop, bluegrass, brass and folk. Music in the Parks has evolved into a year-round series that includes concerts for the Carrizozo School System by internationally known classical musicians, the series of summer evening concerts in the park and occasional holiday events. Funded entirely by donations and grants and run by volunteers, Music in the Parks endeavors to bring quality programs to Carrizozo and the surrounding communities.

Pack a picnic or help a local non-profit by buying dinner and a soda at the park. Bring a lawn chair and join us for a delightful evening! In case of inclement weather, summer concerts will be moved to the Woman's Club on 11th at D Ave. For more information and updates, check out the website at www.carrizozomusic.org or call Elaine Brannen at 648-2757.

Fort Sumner September 3

Concert Under the Stars with Country Music Star, Michael Martin Murphey The Friends of the Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner State Monument will host Under the Stars of New Mexico with country music legend, Michael Martin Murphey. An inductee of the Western Music Hall of Fame, Murpheyʼs song “Wildfire” is one of the most played songs in radio history. The event will begin at 3:30 pm with an auction of more than 130 Native American and Western collectibles led by auctioneer Bruce Burnham of the R.B. Burnham & Co. Trading Post. Germantown rugs, a NavajoFRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011

Artesia High School Auditorium

Superchick

Bossa-Nova, Afro-Latino) To stay updated on any new developments or changes in the Summer Concerts in the Park series, check out future issues of Vision.

August 9

Ovarian Cancer Eastern New Mexico Medical Centerʼs August seminar is on Ovarian Cancer. The seminar is on Tuesday, Aug. 9, from 6 p.m. 7 p.m. at the Roswell Museum &Art Centerʼs Bassett Auditorium. The seminar is free and will be presented by Scott Snyder. If you have any questions or want more information, call 624-8759.

August 11

Roswell Business Showcase The 11th annual Business Showcase will be held on Thursday, Aug. 11, from 3 p.m. - 8 p.m. (the later time is to accommodate for after hour traffic); at the Roswell Convention and Civic Center.

August 12

Friday Aug. 5

Superchick, 7 p.m., Artesia High School Auditorium Superchick will be performing on Friday, Aug. 5, at 7 p.m. at the Artesia High School Auditorium. The concert is free. Superchick is definitely one of the biggest names in Christian rock and this promises to be a great show for sure!

This concert is brought to you free of charge by Total Productions (who does all our shows), Faith Baptist Church and Q Systems.

style of rug that originated during the 1860sʼ Navajo and MescaleroApache internment at Bosque Redondo Reservation, will be among the items auctioned, along with a grand selection of other collectible pieces.

Auction items will be available for private preview at the Memorial prior to the auction.

The auction will be followed by a chuck wagon-style dinner hosted by Cattle Call from Amarillo, Texas, at 5 p.m. The concert will begin at 7:30 pm. This event is for the entire family, so bring out your lawn chairs and picnic blankets and enjoy this exciting event. Proceeds from the concert and auction will help fund a new exhibition at the Bosque Redondo Memorial that tells the story of the Navajo and Mescalero Apache internment at the site during the 1860s.

Concert tickets are $50 for adults and $25 for

children. Tickets include dinner and admission to the auction. For ticket sales, please visit www.bosqueredondomemorial.com or 355-7575. The event is being sponsored by Farm Credit Bank of Texas. Proceeds will benefit the Bosque Redondo Memorial.

Roswell

Summer Concerts in the Park Look out music buffs, the Summer Concerts in the Park will be returning this summer!

From 6:30 p.m. to 7:40 p.m. most every Friday through Aug. 12, a different artist and genre. The concerts will take place at Cahoon Park, by the pool.The schedule is as follows: • August 5 — Roswell Jazz Orchestra (Jazz) • August 12 — Ritmo Latino (Cumbia,

VISION MAGAZINE

Opening Reception: 2011 Invitational: Natural Beauty The opening reception for the 2011 Invitational: Natural Beauty exhibit is Friday, Aug.12, from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. The 2011 Invitational Exhibition, Natural Beauty, explores peopleʼs relationship to nature through the contemporary works of regional artists Julia Barello, Susan Beiner, Suzi Davidoff, and Ana Maria Hernando. Join us at the reception to celebrate the opening of the exhibition and to honor the work of these notable artists. Additional program offerings will be offered over the weekend and during the course of the exhibition which runs through Dec. 4.

August 13

Luncheon and Poetry Reading with Ana Maria Hernando On Saturday, Aug. 13, from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the Roswell Museum and Art Center, there will be a luncheon and poetry reading with Ana Maria Hernando. The cost of the luncheon is $15 and checks can be made out to the RMAC Foundation. Artist and poet Ana Maria Hernando will read from a selection of her poems in Spanish and English at a luncheon in celebration of the exhibition opening of Natural Beauty. Hernandosʼ extensive body of work includes colorful paintings, drawings, prints, and installations that draw inspiration from nature to reflect on beauty and womanhood. Ana Maria Hernando was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and is currently residing in Boulder, Colo. Hernando has shown in Argentina and the United States at locations See CALENDAR, Page 4 PAGE 3

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including the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art, MCA Denver, the Museo de las Americas in Denver, and recently at the Kemper at the Crossroads in Kansas City, Mo.

August 13, 14

Ceramics Workshop with Susan Beiner A ceramis workshop with Susan Beiner will be offered on Saturday, Aug. 13, from 9 a.m.

- 4 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 14, from 10 a.m. 3 p.m. at the Roswell Museum and Art Center. The cost of the workshop is $85 and the cost includes the material fee. For $5 more, participants can attend a luncheon and poetry reading. Checks can be made out to the RMAC Foundation. Join Susan Beiner as she leads a two-day, hands-on workshop for constructing playful sculptural forms. Susanʼs highly decorative ceramic works reference a hybridization of nature and society, and have been described as high drama, illusion and grotesque floridity.

This wide-ranging workshop will allow participants to experiment with a variety of techniques for creating sculptural compositions through altering and assembling slip-cast forms. Materials will be provided, and participants are encouraged to bring their own slipcasting molds if available. Techniques for firing and using underglaze and overglaze decals will also be discussed. This workshop is open to all levels.

August 16

Eastern New Mexico Job Fair The New Mexico Workforce Connection Chaves County, Roswell Chamber of Commerce, Chaves County Economic Development, Hispano Chamber of Commerce and Eastern New Mexico Univeristy Roswell will be presenting the 2011 Eastern New Mexico Job Fair on Aug. 16, from 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Roswell Convention and Civic Center

October 1

ENMU-R Foundation Scholarship Golf Tournament Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell, is hosting a four person scramble on Saturday, Oct. 1, at Spring River Golf Course. The cost of the scramble is $75 per player and each team has to have a minimum handicap of 40. Awards willl be given for the Top three teams, the longest drive and closest to the pin. Teams will be entered on a first-com, first-serve basis. For more information, call 624-7071 or 624-7304.

Ruidoso August 6 PAGE 4

ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR

Ronnie Milsap Ronnie Milsap will be performing at the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 6, tickets start at $76. There will also be a pre-performance barbeque brisket supper in the lobby at 6 p.m. The cost for the supper is $20.

August 6

“The Tarahumara/Mogollon Connection” The Hubbard Museum is pleased to announce that a special program for the public entitled, “The Tarahumara/Mogollon Connection” at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 6th, withAnthropologist Larry Baron providing the multi-media presentation. The presentation will be held in the Johnny & Marty Cope Learning Center. There is no additional charge other than regular admission fee to attend the program. Members of the Museum will receive free entry to the program and to the museum as well. The Tarahumara Indians are an indigenous people of northern Mexico, living in Copper Canyon since the 16th century, when they retreated from the arrival of Spanish explorers. They remain a primitive people, living in isolation and preserving their way of life with very little change for centuries until recently.

Baron will present a brief history of human culture in the Southwest and discuss the connection of the ancient Mogollon culture of southern New Mexico to the culture and lifestyle of the modern-day Tarahumara in Copper Canyon. He will also discuss his travels to China to study cultural biospheres created there to protect indigenous populations and his efforts to create a cultural biosphere for the Tarahumara in Mexico. Larry Baronʼs passion for anthropology began when he was an exchange student at the University of theAmericas in Cholula Puebla, Mexico. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and a masterʼs degree in anthropology from Steven F. Austin University. He has traveled across the world, creating a vast personal collection of artifacts from the Zulu, Zapotec, Tarahumara, Yanomomo and other isolated, indigenous cultures, some of which he will share for a hands-on experience with the audience during his presentation.

References and examples will emphasize the Tarahumara lifestyles as he shares stories of his visits with them in Copper Canyon and how they have endured hardships through their belief in korima, which means sharing. The Hubbard Museum of the American West is located at 26301 Highway 70, and is open daily from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Admission to the museum is $6 for adults, and reduced admission is available for senior citizens, military personnel, and youth.

Visit the Hubbard Museum web page at www.hubbardmuseum.org or call 378-4142 for information about other events, exhibits, and activities at the museum. The Hubbard Museum of theAmerican West is owned and

operated by the City of Ruidoso Downs.

August 13

Butterfly release The Ruidoso Home Care & Hospice Foundation will be hosting a butterfly release on Aug. 13.

September 24

Tour de Ruidoso Tour de Ruidoso is a very challenging 100 mile century beginning at an elevation of 6,900 feet and touring through one of the most scenic and challenging cycling routes in New Mexico. Several climbs of eight percent are on the route. This is a mountainous route for intermediate to advanced cyclists.

There is also a 100k option, as well as a “nearly flat 20 miler.” Proceeds will benefit Ruidoso Hospice Foundation. Special lodging rates and after-party will be at The Lodge at Sierra Blanca. You can register online at www.active.com.

Santa Fe

August 16

At the artistʼs table dinner The next “At the artistʼs table dinner” will feature southwestern art and cuisine with artist Ramona Sakiestewa and chef Michelle Roetzer. These two dynamic women will showcase ancient foods from the American and Mexican Southwest, paired with the famous Van Duzer Pinot Noir.

Taos

August 20-21

3rd annual Taos Mountain Music Festival The 3rd annual Taos Mountain Music Festival has been announced and will be from Aug. 20-21 in Taos Ski Valley. Singleday tickets for the Festival are on sale now.

Northern New Mexicoʼs music event of the summer features headliners: Matisyahu, Railroad Earth, Ozomatli, and Leftover Salmon. Additional festival performances include Donna The Buffalo, Jackie Greene Duo, Afroman, Orgone, Dangermuffin, Langhorne Slim, Shannon McNally and Hot Sauce, Ryan McGarvey and Mariachi Luz de Luna. The Taos Mountain Music Festival is a two-day outdoor festival situated at the base of Taos Ski Valley, surrounded by a national forest with the beautiful backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. This twoday celebration in the mountains hosts an amazing weekend of music, entertainment, and family fun activities for all ages to enjoy.

Festival attendees can enjoy two days of music, and the festivalʼs marketplace, where they can shop for crafts from local artisans, sample food from top area vendors and restaurants, and kids can enter the “Kidzone,” to go wild in the jumpy castle, get their faces painted, and play games all week-

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end long. There will be late-night music featured after the main stage both in Taos Ski Valley and in the campgrounds. Late-night shows featured in the campgrounds are free to the campers when a camping pass is purchased. Camping passes are only $25 per person! Two-day passes, VIP two-day passes, single day Saturday and Sunday tickets, camping and RV passes are on sale now.

Children 11 years old and younger are free and must be accompanied by an adult. The entire festival line-up is complete. For additional Festival information or to purchase tickets visit taosmountainmusicfestival.com or call 866-515-6166.

July 15- September 11

Art of Taos Pueblo Taos Pueblo has been continually inhabited for more than 1,000 years and in that time, generations of Pueblo artists have endowed those that followed with invaluable works of art reflecting Taos Pueblo culture. Many of these pieces will be on display at the Millicent Rogers Museum for the “Art of Taos Pueblo” multi-media exhibit, July 15 through Sept. 11.

The Art of Taos Pueblo will solely highlight locally produced artwork from the Taos Pueblo that has become a part of the permanent collection at the museum. The art will include: watercolors, pen and ink, woodblock prints, pencil drawings, silver and turquoise jewelry, textiles, and oil on canvas paintings. On Sunday, Aug. 28, at 1 p.m., a panel of distinguished guests will discuss the artwork, background of the artists, and field any pertinent questions about the exhibit.

The tentative list of panel guests includes: Rick Romancito (Taos News), Marie Reyna (Taos Pueblo Childrenʼs Art Center), who is an art historian familiar with Dorothy Dunn, and other local Pueblo artists. The Millicent Rogers Museum serves as a repository for the culture and art of Northern New Mexico.

The museum preserves traditional artwork from this region and presents it to the public through generic exhibitions or thematic showcases such as the Art of Taos Pueblo.

Taos Pueblo is located at a unique geographic location, and has been influenced by a myriad of cultures, creating its own unique melting pot in the Southwest. There are elements of Plains Indian and Hispanic cultures mixed with the Pueblo base of Taos. The artwork produced here serves as a creative outlet and record of the intermingling and mixing of these three diverse cultures. For more information, call 758-2462.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011

The (almost) perfect swan song THE SILVER SCREEN

Foster’s rating — 4.5 out of 5 UFOs On paper, it is just another Friday on the calendar.

To movie fans and Harry Potter followers the day was bittersweet, as the final installment in the film franchise made its way to the big screen.

A decade after the “Sorcerer’s Stone” brought the wizarding world to the silver screen, the second half of the finale “The Deathly Hallows,” brings the cash-cow franchise to a close, but does it do the series justice?

I am happy to say indeed it does.

“The Deathly Hallows FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011

Part 2” (DH2) has everything a Potter fan could want and is the epitome of what a summer blockbuster should be. But, as I said above, it is bittersweet. The sweet is the sheer awesomeness of DH2. The bitter is from the gaping hole the film leaves in the movie world.

For 10 years I have always been able to look forward to the next Harry Potter film. Now, there is no series that will come close to filling that void, but that is another story entirely.

The focus should be on the epic sendoff that is

DH2, which picks up right where Part 1 left off and rarely slows down. In fact, the only real slow part came right at the beginning when Harry convinces Griphook to help break him, Hermione and Ron into Gringots, and he talks to Olivander.

Really when I thought about it, the previous seven movies were the climb up the highest mountain on a roller coaster. The climb is fun, but the closer you get to the top, the more anticipation builds for the inevitable climax of the drop. The DH2 is the proverbial drop and once Hermione drinks the polyjuice potion to become Bellatrix, the rest of the movie is one continuous “drop.”

That “drop” quickly moves to Gringots and after a magical and breathtaking escape, to Hogwarts. That’s when the magic really happens.

In case you are just a Harry Potter movie fan and haven’t read the final book, I won’t spoil anything; but know that the battle scenes at Hogwarts is on an epic scale.

As is the case with any real war, casualties are inevitable and even though many of the deaths happen off screen, when we see our favorite characters lying on the ground lifeless, it is very emotional. In fact, that is what solidifies the greatness of this movie and the series as a whole: The ability to draw emotion from the death of characters from a fictitious world, which is no small feat. The film can accom-

plish that because all of the actors from the big names of Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Dan Radcliffe to the smaller names like Devon Murray to James and Oliver Phelps, have devoted the past decade of their lives to making the wizarding world as real as possible.

That type of dedication is nearly unheard of, but is what sets the Harry Potter series apart from other series.

The most emotional part of the movie is Severus Snape’s final scene. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t read the book, but let’s just say Alan Rickman does a masterful job of showing

the audience the real Snape.

The infamous epilogue appears in the film as well, and, as a huge fan of that, I was stunned by the quality of it. I don’t want to spoil it for those who don’t know about it, but the aging work done is astonishing.

With all this praise I am heaping on DH2 it would seem as if it would be receiving the highest score possible. As a huge Harry Potter fan, I wish I could, but the film isn’t without its faults.

The biggest problem is the running time, because that would have fixed a lot of other problems. For one, the battle between

Harry and Voldemort seems very rushed. After 10 years, I would have liked to see a longer battle between the two enemies.

The battle between Molly Weasley and Bellatrix could have used a bit more screen time.

Another thing a longer running time would have fixed is explaining the relationship between Dumbledore and his brother Aberforth. That is one of the best parts of the final book and didn’t get fleshed out enough in the film.

Other than those small gripes, the film was amazing and served as a perfect swan song to the Harry Potter franchise.

AP Photo

In this film publicity image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, from left, Josh Herdman portrays Gregory Goyle, Tom Felton portrays Draco Malfoy and Louis Cordice portrays Blaise Zabini in a scene from “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.”

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The true final battle: Harry or Voldemort?

OPINION

LAWRENCE FOSTER VISION EDITOR

As you have undoubtedly heard, the Harry Potter film franchise is a pretty big deal. By the time the eighth and final film released nearly a decade after the release of the first film, Potter maniacs will have seen thousands of actors on the screen making the wizarding world come to life.

This version of the Top 10 list narrows the huge list of actors down to the Top 10 of all eight Potter films. Enjoy.

No. 10: Neville Longbottom. If you have only watched the first few Potter films, you are probably thinking I am nuts. But as the series evolved, so did Longbottom. As he started to prove in Dumbledore’s Army, Longbottom is a formidable foe, which becomes evident in the final film. He is a leader in his own right.

Tie for 8: Fred and George Weasley. You can’t separate the twins. I can’t even tell them apart anyway, so they will share the eighth spot on this list. Fred and George may be best known for their sense of humor, jokes and their exit from school, but don’t forget that they are loyal friends. They helped free Harry from the Dursley’s in the “Chamber of S e c r e t s . ” They were there in “The Deathly Hallows: Part I” when everyone became Harry Potter. And as you will find out in the final film …. I won’t ruin it.

No. 7: Mad Eye. Surprised? While Mad Eye isn’t in many of the seven Potter films, when he does appear he steals the show.

PAGE 6

I thought that his all business demeanor in “The Deathly Hallows: Part I” was hilarious as everyone was trying to catch up.

Even though the one film where he is featured isn’t the “true” Mad Eye, it’s still played by the same actor and ME is one of the biggest stars of “The Goblet of Fire.” So roll that eye any way you want, but Mad Eye is sticking at No. 7 on this list.

No. 6: Snape. I am cheating a bit here. From the books alone, Snape is one of my favorite characters and I can’t just forget what we find out Snape has done the entire series.

I won’t spoil it for anybody who hasn’t read the final book, but when you watch the final movie, you will probably wonder why I didn’t have him ranked higher on the list. Quite simply, I think the film version of Snape wasn’t fleshed out enough to warrant a higher spot on this list. I will say this, Snape’s limited but powerful performance in the “Deathly Hallows: Part 2” nearly bumped him up a few slots on this list.

No. 5: Ron Weasley.

Harry’s best friend rounds out the Top 5. Ron has been with Harry through thick and thin and although the two have had their spats, they always make up. Really when you think about it, being the best friend of Harry Potter has to be tough, but Ron handles it better than most. Ron’s loyalty to Harry and even Hermione isn’t the only reason he made the Top 5. Ron also serves as great comedic relief at times. So fans, let’s give Ron the applause he rightfully deserves.

AP Photo

In this film publicity image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, from left, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Daniel Radcliffe are shown in a scene from “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.”

No. 4: Dumbledore.

Arguably the greatest wizard of all time (an argument could be made for Voldemort), Dumbledore may have been played by two different actors in the film franchise, but when you have an actor like Michael Gambon taking over with film three, the transition was seamless.

What makes Dumbledore a great character is how he is always there for the dynamic trio, but instead of doing things for them, he points them in the right direction, gives them suggestions and lets them work things out for themselves. That is what great leaders do.

No. 3: Hermione Granger. The first shocker of the list. I know most people would rank Dumbledore and possibly Snape higher than Miss Granger, but for my money, she is

one of the most important characters in the series. I am a man, but I am comfortable in saying that men make rash decisions without thinking things through and could you imagine Ron and Harry on their own without the level-headedness of Hermione? Hermione is the glue to the dynamic trio and just look at the “Deathly Hallows: Part I.” Hermione had the presence of mind to have all of the essentials packed for everyone in case they had to leave in a hurry. When Ron leaves in a hissy fit, Hermione sticks with Harry so he is not by himself. Hermione figured out what was in the “Chamber of Secrets.” Hermione led the time travel to set things right in the “Prisoner of Azkaban.” She has more than earned her spot at No. 3 on my list of best

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characters.

No. 2: Voldemort/Tom Riddle. Without evil, there can’t be good. So without Voldemort, there isn’t a Harry Potter. When it comes to bad guys, Voldemort ranks right up there with the “best” of them.

Really, it takes a special type of evil to want to split your soul up seven times.

That right there is dedication to your craft. That alone wouldn’t have made Voldemort my No. 2 character. What enables his high spot on this list is the backstory we learn throughout the series. The audience gets to see Tom Riddle at various points in his life and his movement towards Lord Voldemort.

No. 1: Harry Potter.

Was there ever really a question that the Chosen One would be at the top of this list? Harry is one of the most relatable heroes

in the history of cinema, aside from the magic part.

Of course he saves the day time and time again like a hero should, but really it’s his flaws, emotions and setbacks that forges that relationship with the audience. When Sirius dies, the pain Harry is going through is obvious not only in that film, but in the next installment as well. Unlike other cinematic heroes, deaths don’t get just forgotten during the next adventure: It has a tangible effect on the Chosen One. Through all the ups and downs, Harry Potter is unquestionably the best character in the Harry Potter franchise.

Agree? Disagree? Either way, send me your Top 10 list at vision@roswellrecord.com. I will post a consensus Top 10 list based on your responses in the August 19 Vision.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011

Can the killing curse top the competition?

OPINION

LAWRENCE FOSTER VISION EDITOR

We all know that magic isn’t real (at least we pretend we know so as to not be locked up in a loony bin). But imagine if wizards did live among us; wouldn’t you want to learn some spells?

While we can’t learn to flick and swish and make feathers float, we can at least watch the magic happen on screen. That being said, these are my top 10 spells from the Harry Potter franchise.

No. 10: Silencio. Really who wouldn’t love to know a way to make people shut up? Silencio would be wonderful during the holidays when the in-laws are trying to tell your wife about an extremely successful ex-boyfriend. This one is on the list because it is one of the first spells I would learn if I were the Chosen One. No. 9: Revelio. This is another spell that is on the list for selfish reasons.

Quite simply, who wouldn’t want a spell that reveals hidden things?

Hello buried treasures, lost artifacts and the like.

No. 8: Reparo. This spell really introduced the bigscreen Potter fans to the brilliance of one Hermione Granger. In Harry Potter and the “Sorcerer’s Stone,” Granger is introduced as Ron attempts to turn his rat yellow (humorous because later on we find out that Peter Pettigrew is really “yellow.”). After the failed attempt, Granger notices Potter’s broken glasses and instantly fixes them. It is a simple spell that is easily forgotten, but it lets audience members know that Miss Granger is FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011

In this film publicity image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Daniel Radcliffe is shown in a scene from “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.”

wise beyond her years.

No. 7: Wingardium Leviosa. Another one of those seemingly childish spells, but this one is really important to the story of Harry Potter. What is forgotten is that this spell leads to Ron making fun of Hermione and the frizzlehaired-one hears. As a result, she ends up retreating to the girls bathroom to cry. While in there, the students and faculty of Hogwarts find out a troll is in the castle.

Harry and Ron go to rescue her and as a result the three become the trio we all now know and love. So while Levi-OH-sah (not Levi-oh-SAH) is a simple

hovering spell, without it who knows if Hermione, Ron and Harry ever become best friends.

Tie for 5th: Stupefy and Expelliarmus. Normally I really loathe lists that have ties. I usually think, “Grow a pair and decide already!” But, seeing as this is my list and it isn’t the top spot, I can’t decide between the bread and butter spells of Dumbledore’s Army. Undoubtedly you have heard some form of the phrase “bringing a knife to a gun fight,” and on paper that seems like what DA do. While the Death Eaters and Voldemort are using more powerful curses, DA proves

that a knife can more than hold its own. If it couldn’t, there wouldn’t have been even close to eight movies.

No. 4: Expecto Patronum. The reason I chose this one is similar to the reason why I chose Reparo: It establishes the power of the wizard who uses it. In this case, Harry is able to drive away an army’s worth of dementors near the end of “Prisoner of Azkaban.” Through the first two and a half films it is obvious that Harry is an above average wizard, but his ability to use his patronus to save his life and that of his Godfather, pushes him into elite territory. Expecto Patronum

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was really Harry Potter’s coming out party.

No. 3: Crucio. Neville Longbottom knows more than he should have to about this unforgivable curse. When you really stop and think about it, Crucio can be a far worse curse than the killing curse. One spell can bring so much pain and drive people insane and to me, that is far worse than an instant death.

No. 2: Sectumsempra.

Can you think of a more shocking curse than this one? When Harry uses this curse against Draco Malfoy in their wash closet battle, the Chosen One isn’t sure what it does and

AP Photo

unless you have read the book, audiences didn’t know either. When the camera panned with Harry as he found Draco, the result of Sectumsempra was ghastly. This spell had, by far the biggest shock factor and just ask Malfoy, it earned its spot at No. 2.

No. 1: Avada Kedavra.

Is this really a surprise?

The ability to kill someone with just the flick of a wand? That is about as badass as you can get.

Lord Voldemort’s curse of choice is quite simple and when Cedric Digory is killed in the graveyard, the sheer power and finality of the curse is on full display.

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Take your pick: Ranking the 8 Harry Potter films OPINION

LAWRENCE FOSTER VISION EDITOR

If you couldn’t tell by the previous three pages, the Harry Potter film series has come to an end.

While the newest installment continues to chug along in the box office, I figured that it was time to rank all eight Potter films from worst to best. Out of all the Top 10 lists I have done, this one was the hardest. Out of the eight films, the lowest score I gave one was a three, so I use “worst” in a figurative sense because all the films are a joy to watch. While I don’t have kids, I have plenty of younger cousins who look up to me and ranking the Potter movies was like asking me to rank my cousins: They all hold a special place in my heart, but if I was forced to rank them it would be difficult, but not impossible.

So I hope you enjoy the rankings and remember, I love them all but only one can “live.”

No. 8: “Harry Potter and the HalfBlood Prince.” (HBP). Ranking HBP this low is painful because the book was my favorite out of the seven. Unfortunately, the magic from the pages didn’t equal that on the reel. Out of all the films, HBP did the poorest job of figuring out the integral parts of the book and putting it on screen.

The biggest disappointment was not including the showdown between the death eaters and students. That was the best part of the novel and served as the climax. After seeing “The Deathly Hallows: Part 2” and how amazing the war was, I feel even more disappointed that the battle wasn’t included in HBP. There were other aspects of the book (Dumbledore’s funeral, Dumbledore confronting the Dursley’s, etc.) that deserved some screen time, but not including the battle was the biggest flaw of HBP and is the reason it ranks as the “worst” Potter flick.

No. 7: “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” (SS). Believe it or not, until I watched SS, I had never heard of Harry Potter, and yes that rock I was living under was quite spacious.

When I finally entered the world of magic and Hogwarts a few years after its 2001 release, I realized I had been missing out.

At that point, only “Lord of the Rings” had a more vivid and realized world than Harry Potter and I loved both series.

If I loved the film so much, why did I PAGE 8

rank it so low and not marry it? Because the memory of the movie was much better than the actual thing. Before the release of “The Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” I went back and watched all seven Potter films to make sure I had everything fresh in my mind.

Watching SS for the first time in years, I noticed the warts on a face I remember being un-blemished. Chris Columbus stuck to the source-material a bit too much. Despite the re-watch ruining my memory of the film, I can’t rank it any lower than No. 7 because it introduced me to the magic of Harry Potter.

No. 6: “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.” (CS). This is when the rankings really became tough. I could see any of the remaining movies being ranked in any order and I wouldn’t have a problem with it.

The reason CS ranks No. 6 is because of its run time. Clocking in at 162 minutes, CS really dragged at times. With Columbus at the helm, he was once again too reliant on the novel and while fan boys probably enjoyed the filler and slower aspects of the novel being translated to the big-screen, the average audience member did not.

In my opinion once Columbus left the series after CS, the film franchise really took off.

No. 5: “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” (OP). The only reason that OP is No. 5 is because I enjoyed the other films more than this one. Released in 2007, OP really didn’t do anything wrong and even introduced the film world to Dolores Umbridge (fantastically portrayed

by Imelda Staunton). In all eight films there wasn’t a single character that forced me to loathe them more than Umbridge.

Considering that Voldemort is who he is and Umbridge still wins the “hate” war, that is saying something.

The highlight of this film is the battle in the Department of Mysteries and the battle between Dumbledore and Voldemort was breath-taking. The only thing wrong with OP is that there are four better films in the series.

No. 4: “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.” (PA). “Prisoner of Azkaban” was the first film not directed by Columbus and it was the better for it. As usual, there is humor and plenty of magic, but where the film really shines is when Harry and Hermione travel back through time to set things right. I hadn’t read the book before this movie and it had the potential to be confusing, but director Alfonso

AP Photo

In this film publicity image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Alan Rickman portrays Professor Severus Snape in a scene from "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2."

Cuarón did a fantastic job of tying the entire time travel idea together.

No. 3: “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” (GF). This was the first Potter movie I watched in theaters and it failed to disappoint. Where this film really shined was its ability to blend what it is like to be a teenager, with the rise of Voldemort (evil).

While the Triwizard Tournament is even better on the film than it was in the book, the highlight of this film is the ball and the scenes leading up to it when Harry and Ron desperately try to find dates. As any guy can attest, asking those first girls out and to go to a dance is a nerve-racking experience and Dan Radcliffe and Rupert Grint handle the scenes perfectly.

No. 2: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1.” (DH1). Out of all of my rankings, this one may get me the most grief. So many of my friends and people I have talked to about Harry Potter said they really didn’t like DH1. The main complaint: Not enough action. While I can see where people who think like that come from, they should focus on what DH1 does right instead.

Everybody knew that this was just one part of an epic final and with that knowledge, DH1 stands out as a great set-up to the grand finale. DH1’s role is to set up the

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final film and it does this by putting the main trio into emotionally charged situations. While DH1 is short on action it is more than long enough on drama and after watching “The Deathly Hallows: Part 2” I think that people can appreciate DH1 even more, because it allows DH2 to focus on the action and climax of the final battle at Hogwarts.

No. 1: “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2.” (DH2). As you could tell by my review, I thoroughly enjoyed DH2 and if I had a scoring system that went by 3 / 4 instead of 1 / 2 I would have given it a 4.75.

As I am writing this on July 30, I have watched DH2 three times and by the time you are reading it the number will be even higher.

Director David Yates did exactly what he should have and that is focus a majority of the movie on the battle for Hogwarts. The visual effects and epic scale of the battle provide numerous goose-flesh moments and the way the film ends really drives home that the series is done and will be missed.

When the only complaint I can find is that it needed to be longer, you know it is a great film and DH2 more than earns its place atop my list.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011

Roswell’s unique auto mail route HISTORY

STU PRITCHARD ROSWELL HISTORIAN

The first government institution in Roswell was the post office named after the father of early resident Von C. Smith.

Established in 1874, the service was termed a second-class office in 1903 and a free delivery service in March 1905.

The movement of mail in and out of the small community proved to be most difficult and necessitated an unusual method of transportation. The vast distances previously covered by horseback or wagon, was a severe handicap for any type of mail service for Pecos Valley patrons.

The village of Roswell was quite isolated, often for extended periods and mail, especially from the North, was carried to and from Roswell with great difficulty.

A solution was attempted with an autoroute in 1906, the first in the nation. The route angled off across the plains for some 100 miles in a northwest direction. It crossed creeks, arroyos and stretches of prairie and ended at Torrence, a Rock Island railroad terminal that had recently been completed.

Jim Stockard, a Roswell resident, is credited with being the first contractor and originator of the unique mail route. A research recorded in “The Scientific American” periodical authenticated and confirmed Stockard’s claim.

The automobile used by Stockard was a home-built utilitarian vehicle, which was designed for mail transport and certainly not for passenger comfort.

The “Yellow Devil” as it was colorfully called, was constructed in a Roswell blacksmith shop using parts salvaged from worn

out vehicles rusting in a local wrecking yard. The car had no shock absorbers or windshield.

The odd rig seldom had passengers as it pursued the winding mail route across the prairie. Occupants were forced to endure severe bumps and jostling, swirling dust and the treacherous weather, as well as a lack of bridges.

These obstacles were traversed by use of a contraption devised by Stockard made from a rude combination of planks and logs.

Although Stockard initiated the route, he soon let others do the driving. D.M. Auld of Roswell, was one of the earliest drivers with H.B. Smyrl, manager of the Roswell Trading Company also listed as one of the first three drivers.

At times, the hardships encountered by passengers were partially alleviated by hunting the antelope that were numerous along the route.

The strange vehicle invading their domain did not seem to frighten them.

Such hunts were generally fruitful. Roswell resident and former Governor J.F. Hinkle recalled his success as a hunter, which he recorded in his memoirs.

A halfway stop was soon built between Roswell and Torrence, located five miles west of the present highway 285.

At first it was just a huddle of tents and shelters; however, in 1907, a station house was created for the comfort of the increasingly frequent star route mail car passengers.

Toden’s Star Route’s feature speed and efficiency, but old-timers can still remember the days of the nation’s first auto mail route when every trip was an adventure.

Courtesy Photo

PLAINS PARK MERCHANTS

Service - Free Parking - Quality Products At The Following Merchants: DFN Computers & Internet Farmer’s Country Market Lopez Insurance Agency Just Cuts Beauty Shop

La Familia Care Center

Bank of the Southwest Postal Annex (Located in Just Cuts)

Plains Park Beauty Shop

Future Merchants:

Roswell Little Theatre

Located on West Hobbs at Union and Washington.

Serving Roswell for over 40 years.

Your friendly neighborhood center

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011

VISION MAGAZINE

PAGE 9

ON THE MENU ASIAN

Beijing Express 1800 S. Main St. 627-0144 Chew’s West Restaurant 2509 W. Second St. 622-6484 China King Super Buffet 2810 N. Main St. 625-9888 Hunan Restaurant 2609 1/2 N. Main St. 623-8630 Kwan Den Chinese Restaurant 1000 W. Second St. 622-4192 Ooy’s Express Thai Restaurant 1000 W. Hobbs 624-2040 Zen Asian Diner 107 E. Country Club Road 624-7800

BARBECUE

Rib Crib 4495 N. Main St. 625-1200 The Snazzy Pig 901 S. Main St. 622-2200

BREAKFAST/ BAKERIES

Daylight Donuts 2101 S. Main St. 623-8656 El Metate 105 E. McGaffey 627-3667 El Toro Bravo Bakery 102 S. Main St. 625-5258 Mama Tucker’s Donut Shop 3109 N. Main St. 625-1475 Pan Dulce Bakery 912 E. Second St. 622-5970

COFFEE/DELIS

Deli Corner 1000 W. Second St. 622-5245 Not of this World 209 N. Main St. 627-0077 Schlotzsky’s Deli 401 N. Richardson Ave. 623-4840 Starbucks 1307 N. Main St. & Albertsons Subway of Roswell 2901 N. Main St.

Roswell’s Dining Guide

622-0094 1307 S. Main St. 622-0095 1701 W. Second St. 622-2767 Tinnie Mercantile Store & Deli 412 W. Second St. 622-2031

FAST FOOD

Arby’s Restaurant 1013 N. Main S. 622-8710 Classics Frozen Custard 3009 N. Main St. 623-3110 Church’s Fried Chicken 1141 S. Main St. 623-1640 2828 N. Main St. 623-1640 Corndog Plus Roswell Mall 4501 N. Main St. 623-0693 Dairy Queen Brazier 701 W. Second St. 622-4136 Dairy Queen North 1900 N. Main St. 622-0002 Kentucky Fried Chicken 2423 N. Main St. 622-4013 110 W. Hobbs St. 622-5498 Long John Silver’s 1802 S. Main St. 623-6033 McDonald’s 1804 S. Main St. 625-8799 720 N. Main St.

622-4752 4500 N. Main St. 622-2322 Sonic Drive-In 808 N. Main St. 623-5800 1300 W. Second St. 622-7400 1718 S. Main St. 623-9129 3308 N. Main St. 625-8600 Taco Bell 3007 N. Main St. 623-5252 110 W. Hobbs 622-5498 Wally Burger 625 E Second St. 622-7844 Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers 1101 N. Main St. 623-7950 Weinerschnitzel 2407 N. Main St. 622-1822 Whataburger 2110 N. Main St. 625-1633

ITALIAN

Pasta Café-Italian Bistro 1208 N. Main St. 624-1111 Portofino Italian Restaurant 701 S. Main St. 622-2311

MEXICAN

Burritos and More 127 S. Richardson 622-4447 Burrito Express 211 E. College 627-3863 Burrito Express South 1622 S. Main St. 347-2919 Chuy’s Burritos 510 E. Second St. 623-0720 El Toro Bravo 102 S. Main St. 622-9280 Fat’s Burritos 704 N. Virginia Ave. 623-8979 La Hacienda 201 W. McGaffey St. 625-2930 La Posta Downtown 210 W. Second St. 625-6726 La Posta 109 N. Delaware Ave.

625-6726 La Salsa 4501 N. Main St. 624-7810 Los Amigos Restaurant 1300 N. Main St. 623-8352 Los Cerritos 2103 N. Main St. Los Novillos Restaurant & Meat Store 202 W. Hobbs 622-8479 Margaritas 409 E. Second St. 623-9603 Martin’s Capitol Cafe 110 W. Fourth St. 624-2111 Mi Cabaña S. Main St. and Hobbs St. 623-8314 Popo’s Mexican Food 222 E. McGaffey St. 627-6436 Red Onion Restaurant 1400 W. Second St. 622-3232 Rosarios Restaurant 1701 S.E. Main St. 627-3408 Tia Juana’s Grille and Cantina 3601 N. Main St. 627-6113

MIXED MENU

Applebee’s 2212 N. Main St. 627-9606 Billy Rays 118 E. Third 627-0997 Chili’s Grill & Bar 4502 N. Main St. 623-8880 Cowboy Cafe 1120 E. Second St. 622-6363 Denny’s Restaurant 2200 N. Main St. 622-9960 Farley’s Food Fun & Pub 1315 N. Main St. 627-1100 Frappucino Grill 1 Jerry Circle Roswell International Airport 623-0693 Golden Corral 2624 N. Main St. 622-5102 Hungry American 3012 N. Main St. 627-3908

International House of Pancakes 2304 N. Main St. 625-6767 JD’s Patio & Grille 2000 N. Main St. 622-6430 Julie’s Place 1704 S. Union Av. 625-8776 Peppers Grill & Bar Main and Sixth St. 623-1700 Steve’s Fish & More 4242 S. Main St. 623-1125 The Sale Barn Cafe 900 N. Garden Ave. 622-1279 Gizmo’s 505 N. Main St. 623-3445

PIZZA

Pizza Hut 3013 N. Main St. (w/ Wing Street) 623-7392 1623 S. Main St. (w/ Wing Street) 623-1250 CiCi’s Pizza 2800 A N. Main St. 625-2424 Domino’s Pizza 1124 S. Union Ave. 622-3030 2417 N. Main St. 623-3030 Little Caesar’s Pizza 1300 S. Main St. 625-9026 Munchies Pizza & Subs 100 S. Richardson Ave. 627-0776 Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N’ Bake 1100 S. Main St. 622-9300 Peter Piper Pizza 2601 N. Main St. 622-3474

SEAFOOD

Red Lobster 2625 N. Main St. 622-4818

STEAKS

Cattle Baron Steak and Seafood Restaurant 1113 N. Main St. 622-2465 Cattleman’s Steak House 2010 S. Main St. 623-3500

UFOlogy when done right is science, not mysticism UFOLOGY/VIDEO GAMES

Go into just about any bookstore and look for books on UFOs. Nowadays you will usually find quite a few, because popular interest in the subject runs very high. But in most cases you will find the UFO books shelved alongside witchcraft, Tarot card reading, astrology, and similar nonsense. There seems to be an unfortunate but widespread perception that there is something inherently mystical about UFOs. Actually some authors themselves do make unscientific and undemonstrable claims about UFOs, such as claiming to know that they come from some particular star system like Zeta Reticulae. The extravagance of such purported “knowledge” tends to paint the whole field of UFO studies with the proverbial broad brush, making the very topic sound silly to discerning readers.

But there are scientifically sound writings on UFOs as well, by authors and researchers who are genuine scientists.

For some of us, the subject is unquestionably a proper object of study by way of applications of the methods and resources of science. Well-known UFO researcher Stanton Friedman is a physicist by training and a scientific investiga-

tor by inclination. As a professional mathematician I myself have likewise found the subject to be something that invites serious inquiry. I have, for example, done a mathematical trajectory feasibility study on the crash of the Roswell object. The methods of physics, mathematics, and other sciences must be brought to bear upon a phenomenon that has long been so constant a source of puzzlement and challenge to humankind.

An excellent example of the scientific spirit in this field can be seen in the work of fellow scientist Frank Kimbler, who has found metal fragments at the debris field and subjected them to laboratory analysis, hoping to determine

whether they are truly anomalous.

Among other things, it is necessary to discover whether the metal’s magnesium isotope ratios (the relative presence of magnesium 24, 25, and 26) are essentially 79%, 10%, and 11% respectively, or are significantly different as one might expect of metals originating outside the solar system.

Frank Kimbler makes no preconceived judgments about this. He properly considers a single lab result (suggesting that the ratios may indeed be unusual) not sufficient for rigorous scientific proof without corroboration from other, independent, analyses. No firm conclusions can be drawn until the data support

them with evidence that can be replicated and unambiguously evaluated in the light of the principles of chemistry.

It is immensely refreshing to see the subject treated in this manner. Science, let’s face it, is the only reliable way one can claim to know anything. UFOlogy is not fortunetelling. It is not witchcraft. It is not mysticism. It is not New Age eyecandy. When done right, it is science, and we must keep it that way if we are to understand what UFOs tell us about our universe. They have long been with us and (I suspect) will always be with us.

We must confront the problem with the best tool we have at our disposal. Our minds.

Video game review: ‘Catherine’ combines romance, puzzles

Video-game genres have their purist fans. I know gamers who play nothing but shooters, or role-playing adventures, or racing games. But most players prefer a more varied diet, and developers have been eager to erase the boundaries. Shooting games, for example, keep incorporating elements from other categories: "Ratchet & Clank" is a platform shooter, "Mass Effect" is a roleplaying shooter, "Child of Eden" is a musical shooter.

All those combinations worked, but genre-bending can get weird. Take "Catherine" (Atlus, for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, $59.99), which mixes a sort of dating simulation FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011

and a puzzle game with a splash of survival horror. It doesn't fully succeed, but it's completely original.

Let's start with the story.

You control Vincent, a 31year-old slacker who's muddling through a relationship with his longtime girlfriend, Katherine (with a K). She's beautiful, smart and ambitious, but she's getting a little impatient waiting for Vincent to grow up.

Along comes Catherine (with a C), a bubbly girlygirl who's wearing little more than lingerie when she wanders into the bar where Vincent and his friends hang out. Vincent and Catherine end up in bed together, and the

drama unfolds from there.

Will Vincent confess his infidelity? Will he tell Katherine to beat it and shack up with the more vivacious Catherine? And what's the story behind an epidemic of young men dying in their sleep?

That's where the puzzles come in. Every night, Vincent has a dream in which he's forced to climb a towering wall while being pursued by a monster from his subconscious: a furious Katherine, perhaps, or a ravenous, caterwauling baby. The objective is to keep moving up, so you have to pull bricks from the wall to create staircases that Vincent can climb.

If you dawdle, whatever

platform he's standing on will eventually collapse.

Even on the easiest setting, the wall puzzles are uncommonly challenging.

There are usually several approaches you can take, but it can be difficult to choose a strategy when the clock is ticking. I would have enjoyed "Catherine" more without the added time pressure, and there's only one level, late in the game, that I thought was truly clever.

In between the nightmare levels, you learn more about Vincent's relationships with Katherine and Catherine through long, noninteractive animated sequences. You also spend time at the bar, the Stray

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Sheep, where you can chat with your pals, other patrons or the mysterious bartender. Turns out some of the other guys are having the same dream — and they have the same voices as the talking sheep you meet in the dream world.

It's an absorbing story, although your own actions, whether awake or asleep, seem to have little effect on its outcome. Instead, much depends on how you respond to text messages from the two women, or to questions asked in the nightmare world's confessional. The options aren't the usual good vs. evil; they lean more toward order vs. chaos, stability vs. excitement.

I wish the two elements of "Catherine," the drama and the puzzles, were better integrated. The anime sequences sometimes drag on so long that you forget about the puzzles — and then the puzzle levels become so wearying that you just want to get back to the story.

Still, I was intrigued enough by Vincent's torment that I was driven to plow my way through to the end. And I admire Atlus for developing and publishing such a risky game. It's a bumpy ride, but "Catherine" takes you on a journey unlike any you've ever experienced.

Rating: Two-and-a-half stars out of four.

PAGE 11

‘Crazy Stupid Love’ not so crazy or stupid

For a movie that intends to be rooted in a recognizable and insightful reality, "Crazy Stupid Love" features an awful lot of moments that clang in a contrived, feelgood manner. Because you see, it's simultaneously trying to charm us. Sometimes, it achieves that goal.

At the same time, it also has its share of moments that hit just the perfect, poignant note, with some laughs that arise from a place of honesty. When you assemble a cast that includes Steve Carell, Julianne Moore, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, you're already on the right track. Because "Crazy Stupid Love" also aims to be a romantic comedy of substance and intelligence. Sometimes, it achieves that goal, too.

That's what's frustrating here — the unevenness of it all. The relationship between Carell and Jonah Bobo as his 13year-old son has a pleasing openness, for example, but eventually the two are at the center of a cringe-inducing climax: the kind of painfully public, cathartic monologue that only happens in movies in general and in this genre specifically.

PAGE 12

Then there's the romance between Gosling and Stone, which has both terrific, flirty sparks and some sweet, quiet moments as they reveal themselves to each other. But then a trip to meet her family results in a knock-down, drag-out brawl — a scene of immature rage and physicality that comes out of nowhere and doesn't fit with the rest of the movie.

The break-up that kicks off "Crazy Stupid Love" also comes out of nowhere, at least from the perspective of Carell's character, Cal. A nebbishy 40-something, Cal thought he was enjoying a nice life with his high school sweetheart, Emily (Moore), and their two kids. But at the film's start, Emily announces over dinner that she wants a divorce, then proceeds to inform Cal that she's slept with someone else: a smarmy co-worker played briefly and rather unconvincingly by Kevin Bacon.

Cal moves out, then goes to a local bar night after night to drown his sorrows and bore fellow patrons with his tale of woe; the place is stylish, trendy and filled with gorgeous young women, who wouldn't seem to be Cal's speed, but whatever. A

fellow regular who does have a way with the ladies, Gosling's Jacob Palmer, spots Cal, feels sorry for him and offers to take him under his wing.

Gosling is charismatic as hell in the role — and gets a rare chance to show his comic abilities — as an expensively dressed trust-fund kid whose entire raison d'etre is picking up chicks. A sequence in which he and Carell go to the mall provides an amusing twist on the obligatory trying-on-clothes montage. But it's hard to believe Jacob would ever give Cal the time of day, much less go out of his way to give this middle-aged nerd an extreme makeover; Carell, who's also a producer here, does bring his everyman pathos to the role, and it's good to see him do some rare dramatic work.

Jacob is thrown off his game by the one woman at the bar who won't give in so easily to his cheesy one-liners: Stone's Hannah, an aspiring lawyer. They have such different vibes but they're so great together, they almost make you wish the whole thing was about them. Stone is just vibrant — every emotion flashes across

VISION MAGAZINE

her face so vividly.

Moore, meanwhile, is also capable of expressiveness and depth, but she can't do much with a character who's barely developed on the page. You don't have a sense of who Emily is or what her marriage to Cal was like so it's hard to gauge the depth of their loss. One strong scene at their son's parent-teacher conference begins to hint at it, and makes you long for more.

"Crazy Stupid Love" comes from directors Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, who wrote "Bad Santa" and wrote and directed "I Love You, Phillip Morris." It never has the daring or liveliness that marked either of those earlier films; it feels too calculated and safe. (The script is from Dan Fogelman, whose previous films include the animated "Cars" and "Tangled.") It never gets crazy or stupid enough to make you truly fall in love with it.

"Crazy Stupid Love," a Warner Bros. release, is rated PG13 for coarse humor, sexual content and language. Running time: 118 minutes. Rating: Two stars out of four.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011