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Technology
December 8, 2014
www.aggiecentral.com
The Collegian tech and gaming gift guide Tribune News Service
Jacob Jardel and Jereme Cobb Collegian Staff
With the holiday season coming up and stores stocking up their best wares, it can be tough to determine what to get for your friends and family – or even for yourself. For gamers, the decision can be a bit tougher because of the influx of titles, both new and old, from which to choose. For tech lovers, deciding what gadgets are worth the time and money
is nowhere near as easy as finding them. While this buying guide is not the comprehensive endall-be-all list of things to buy, it can help alleviate some of the stressors when buying for this holiday season. All listed prices are before tax. •PNY Metal USB drive ($10-$30). This small-yetsturdy little drive is the perfect size for key chains. •Google Chromecast ($25-$35). Google’s content streaming device gives users fast content loading speeds at a lower price, but it requires a mobile devices or laptop to play content.
•Kingston Digital MobileLite Wireless Flash Reader ($35-$59). The reader allows users to plug in USB drives and SD cards to access content using the Kingston app on your Android or iOS device. Plus, it can recharge devices on the go. •The Jabra Clipper and Jabra Play ($30-$60). These Bluetooth audio receivers allow users to listen to music or take calls. Users can use their own headphones and can take calls using the builtin mic. •Roku 3 ($99). This version of the streaming device has the best reviews and content out of all other contenders on the market. It has the widest selection of channels in its price range and includes a headphone jack on the remote. •Kindle Fire HD 6 Tablet ($99). The six-inch tablet runs Amazon’s Fire OS 4 and has the Amazon app store. This well-priced tablet offers solid performance and access to the Kindle Lending Library •Jawbone JamBox ($100-$150). These highend speakers offer sturdy construction and great size, combined with solid audio quality in a portable design. •The Pebble and the Pebble Steel Watch ($99-$199). These watches offer users a good introduction into smart watches. With battery lives of up to seven days on one charge and waterproof capabilities up to 50 meter, both items do a lot for a small
price. For gamers who need something on which to play games, there are various consoles. •Sony PlayStation 4 ($399.99) aims to expand the gaming community with the inclusion of apps, a builtin “Share” button on the DualShock 4, the numerous capabilities of PlayStation Plus and Remote Play from Sony’s handheld console, the PS Vita ($199.99). •Sony PlayStation TV ($99.99) can work as a second console that streams games and acts as a remote play so that the whole family can join in on the gaming experience. •Xbox One (standalone console ($349.99), with Kinect Device ($449.99). While Kinect gives players a chance to use their bodies as controllers, gamers do not need it to experience the system, marketed as an all-in-one media device with game capabilities. Like the PlayStation, the Xbox One comes in a variety of bundle packs for the holiday season. •Nintendo Wii U (Deluxe Console, $299.99), 3DS ($169.99 - $199.99) and 2DS ($129.99). The trio of Nintendo consoles feature remote play and a robust variety of games that can keep gamers of all ages looking at screens large and small. For those who have the consoles they want, this season offers numerous games ($59.99 on console, $39.99 on handheld).
Tribune News Service
•Grand Theft Auto V. The newest iteration of the open-world sandbox games made its way onto the current generation consoles, offering a great story and a great accompanying soundtrack. •Far Cry 4. This firstperson action game continues the legacy of the highly acclaimed and established series across the consoles. The island backdrop to the great story makes this game one to watch for. •Dragon Age Inquisition. The fantasy role playing game adds new depth to the already-deep world of Dragon Age. From gameplay to orchestration, the game gives fans hours of entertainment.
•Destiny. One of the most acclaimed shooters of the year, this game puts RPG twists into the shooter world, giving the genre’s heavy hitters a run for their money. •Super Smash Bros. The fourth iteration of Nintendo’s flagship brawler comes complete with features old and new and a unique experience for both the Wii U and the 3DS. •Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby. The Pokémon series continues with a modernization of Generation III for the 3DS, packed with new features that provide a unique experience for the new system. Tribune News Service
‘Mockingjay’ well done on screen and on page The movie-goer’s view
and the revolution provides an ebb and flow that viewers feel on a cerebral level. When Katniss makes one move, Snow either anticipates and counters it or trips up from Jacob Jardel the rug pulled out from under him. Assistant Managing Editor Yet, there are also moments @JJardel_Writing in which the back and forth is more visceral. Viewers and Even for those who haven’t read the books, “The Hunger on-screen revolutionaries Games: Mockingjay, Part 1” is a great movie. rally around Mockingjay Surely, there is an extra level of depth that accompanies the movie experience if a viewer previously read the book. However, symbols to attempt to dismantle the regime. there is a lot through which to dig with the movie as is. When the Capitol To avoid heavy spoilers, Katniss’ actions throughout the book and movie series gain her adoration from the non-entitled responds, viewers – on screen and off – feel the masses and a spot at the head of potential revolution. pit in their stomachs. Fair warning – what follows may contain spoilers both This tug of war between minor and major. Read with caution. the revolt and the regime “Mockingjay, Part 1” picks up after Katniss and her crew provides for a number of intense wreak havoc during the 75th Hunger Games depicted in moments throughout the film, though “Catching Fire.” Katniss wakes up in what remains of District it takes a bit of build to get there. 13, the former site of the quelled revolution that started the The beginning of the film features games. numerous scenes of Katniss debating She meets with former game maker Plutarch Heavensbee with Coin and Heavensbee, as she explores the aftermath of and District President Alma Coin and, after heated discussion violence in her home district and slowly gets the feel of being the and much cajoling, agrees to be the symbol of the new revolution Mockingjay. The scenes are not only emotional exposition, but – the Mockingjay. Meanwhile, in the Capitol, President Coriolanus Snow holds they are also slowly paced in comparison. Regardless, Jennifer Lawrence does a fantastic job of capturing other tributes hostage – particularly Peeta Mellark, joint winner the essence of Katniss’ fire against the regime. She shines as a of the 74th games and Katniss’ perceived love interest. Snow has reluctant lead that finds her fuel in the injustices against fellow used Peeta as the face of his efforts to quell any revolution. humans, and her emotions shine through in a number of scenes Throughout the movie, the chess match between Snow
The reader’s view Casey Brown
Student Life Editor
@CaseyBrown_CU This review contains film and book spoilers. Overall, the film is a success. As far as book adaptations go, the film is successful because it focuses on the main conflict of the growing rebellion throughout the entire two hours. Additionally, the performances from the cast are impressive. Jenifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Sam Clafin, Julianne Moore and Philip Seymour Hoffman all nail it. One of the most memorable and interesting aspects of the film is Katniss Everdeen’s evolution into the
Mockingjay. The scenes in which she interacts with citizens and decides to do her part in the rebellion are poignant and touching. Audiences around the world likely shed many tears when she walks into the hospital and sees the wounded and dying citizens of District 8. The scene in which Katniss commits to being the Mockingjay, speaking out over the ashes of the hospital after the Capitol bombed it, is chill educing. Many people have argued that in the first and second films, Peeta stole the show. In this film, Finnick, played by Sam Claflin, is a background character with quite a bit of screen time and a beautiful performance during his main scene. Perhaps this time it was
Finnick who steals the show. That isn’t to say that Jennifer Lawrence’s performance as Katniss Everdeen is anything less than great, but there is only so much Lawrence can do with a character as poorly written as Katniss. She is not the most likely choice for the protagonist in the books, which translates to some degree to the films. However, Lawrence improves on the inconsistencies and pointless hesitations of the Katniss Everdeen in print. Peeta’s and Finnick’s stories are much more compelling than Katniss’, in the books and the films. Despite the film’s length, it is faced-paced and does not drag on. In fact, an audience rarely has time to catch their breath, between all the fighting, violence and tension. The most remarkable aspect of the film is the number of breathtaking shots. Toward
the end of the film, a crew goes to rescue Peeta from the Capitol. As they descend into the building, a beautiful, wideangle shot shows five people suspended from the ceiling as they climb down. The camera stays with them for a few extra seconds, which really highlights the amount of danger they are in. That one shot paired with the extra seconds of film time ramp up the tension. Speaking of tension, “Mockingjay, Part One” does a great job of setting up the tension that will come in Part Two. Book readers know how the story concludes and can only guess that fourth and final film will bring as an adequate finale. For example, the many shots of the citizens of District 13 who listen to President Coin speak set up the juxtaposition of her leadership versus President Snow’s leadership.
in which her loved ones are in jeopardy. The supporting cast also steps up their game throughout the movie. Julianne Moore is a near perfect cast for Coin, while Donald Sutherland evokes everyone’s ire as Snow. Natalie Dormer also did well in the debut of “The Hunger Games” as Cressida, the revolution’s propaganda film director. Elizabeth Banks, Liam Hemsworth, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Woody Harrelson and Josh Hutcherson all reprise their roles well. Hutcherson’s performance of a torn and tortured Peeta stands out in a way that hits viewers in the gut. Visually, the movie is stunning – even in standard movie definitions. The cinematographers excellently capture the ethos of the movie, from Katniss’ first shots as reluctant revolutionary leader to the intense, final scenes with Peeta. Though the use of shaky-cam can be a bit overwhelming to those not expecting it, the technique works in context of the scenes. The only other complaint involves dizzying shots and overtly dark lighting in a stairwell scene; however, again, the choices work well in context. The one aspect of the movie that grips the most is the music – particularly the film score. James Newton Howard’s score does a fantastic job of evoking the emotions of scenes both jovial and tragic. Overall, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1,” may not be a perfect movie or a perfect adaptation of a novel. However, with gripping music, excellent cinematography and fantastic acting from marquee names, the movie is well worth a watch or two.
The books effectively send the message that the Capitol might not be the only enemy of peace. When the District 13 citizens listen attentively to President Coin addressing them, they often look like lemmings or robots. They infrequently become animated, but when they do, they resemble the hungry crowds of the Capitol during the first two films. The citizens of the Capitol watch as children are put into the arena of the Hunger Games, while the citizens of District 13 watch as President Coin manipulates Katniss, also a child. This mirroring of images
gives viewers the clue that some of the major themes of the novel will translate onto the screen during Part Two. Overall, as far as adaptations go, the first three films of “The Hunger Games” have done something that adaptations rarely can: improve the books.