When I see Mark Wahlberg I hear “Good Vibrations” in my head and immediately want to start dancing. I snap back to reality for a second and realize that he has come a long way from his Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch days. With roles in such movies as The Departed, he has proven that he has acting skills. These skills are on display in his latest role as Chris Farraday in Contraband. Chris is a former smuggler who decides to leave his old ways behind. Since leaving that life behind him he has started a family. His wife, Kate, is played by Kate Beckinsale.

Chris and Kate have two boys. Kate and the boys become a prime target in the film when her brother makes a decision that affects the entire family. Kate’s brother, Andy, is played by Caleb Landry Jones. It is revealed in the beginning of the film that Andy is smuggling. Andy’s life is in danger as a result of the decision he makes. Chris has an obligation to his brother-in-law and to his family.

This ultimately thrusts Chris back into the world of smuggling. Along the way the audience is introduced to key characters in Chris’s life. There are many people that knew Chris when he was involved in smuggling. They help him to accomplish his mission of obtaining a large amount of counterfeit money. He has a close friend named Sebastian.  Ben Foster takes on the role of Sebastian. Giovanni Ribisi plays the character of Tim in the film. Tim is constantly threatening Chris and his family. As Chris attempts to clean up the mess that Andy has created, there are plenty of obstacles in the way. This offers many moments of suspense. There is a sense of wanting to know what will happen next.  Just when you think that good guys and bad guys are clearly defined, the lines become blurred.

The audience cannot help but pull for Mark’s character. We watch as he uses his knowledge to get himself out of some scary situations. All the while his wife is doing her best to stay strong while he is away. She does a pretty good job because she gets frequent visits from Giovanni Ribisi’s character. The film’s structure is that of a reformed bad boy who through some extraneous circumstances must return to a life of crime. There is an antagonist in the story and a chance that the good guys may not be so good. Will Chris reach his final goal? You have to watch to find out. Also I’ll add that though I enjoyed the film, I did think the ending was a bit of a stretch.

This movie is full of familiar faces. The cast includes actors that have credits in such movies as Juno, X-Men: First Class, Inception, 3:10 to Yuma, and many more. Kate Beckinsale has been keeping busy. In addition to her role in Contraband she is starring in Underworld: Awakening, which opens on January 20^th. I had almost forgotten just how good of a character actor that Ben Foster can be. While I’m on the subject of character actors, I should mention Giovanni Ribisi. I think that he defines a great character actor. Whether he is a greedy developer in a huge James Cameron movie (Avatar), or a wino who rarely takes baths (The Rum Diary) he brings those characters to life and makes them believable. I give Contraband a solid B. It was a good story, even if it may have felt a bit familiar. I was pleasantly surprised.

 Truthfully speaking, exorcism movies aren’t exactly my favorite kind of movie. I kind of feel that if you’ve seen one then you have seen them all. Despite that feeling I decided to give The Devil Inside a fair chance. I went into the movie without any great expectations. If you have seen any of the trailers, those are some of the most intense parts. That isn’t saying much.

The story goes that Isabella Rossi, played by Fernanda Andrade, was a child when her mother killed three people. Her mother was arrested but found innocent by reason of insanity. She was sent to an insane asylum in Italy. The movie begins with the 9-1-1 call that Isabella’s mother made after she killed the three people and a police video of the crime scene. Isabella decides she will investigate her mother’s crime and take a visit to Italy to see her. She is accompanied by her friend and filmmaker, Michael. They take the footage from her journey and use it to create a documentary. Michael is played by Ionut Grama.

Along the way Isabella meets David and Ben. The two men are attending classes to become ordained priests. Isabella is introduced to their world and soon she is taking part in exorcisms. She is told that this is the best way for her to gain better understanding of her mother’s case.  The story unfolds and from what I got from the movie, the slightest touch can pass along possession. Mystery and secrets are a running theme in the movie. There are plenty of unanswered questions. The ending is abrupt. From the sound of the angry crowd in the theatre, the ending was disappointing.

I found some problems with this movie. The acting was not the problem. It was the lackluster story, the loose ends that the movie leaves you with, the fact that Ben was so attractive but no woman will have a chance once he joins the priesthood. There aren’t any moments that evoke fear. Even if you scare easily, I can promise you that there is nothing to worry about.

Maybe I’m being too hard on the movie. If you have some extra time to kill and you don’t mind spending cash on a movie, by all means watch it. I would love to know what you think. The movie is relatively short. Just over about an hour and fifteen minutes. I give The Devil Inside a C for effort. Good job at building up anticipation in the hearts of my fellow Clayton County residents only to disappoint them.

What did you think? Seen any good movies lately?  Tweet me!

CSiR had a nice turn out during the last Open Mic Night of the semester. Students from the Clayton State community as well as other local artists lent their talents that night. Here are photos from the night.

LaDonna Williams  – General Manager

Laticia Lewis  – Programming Director

Jennifer Louis – Marketing Director

Craig Dewar – Technical Director

Levial Arnold – Music Director

Aisha White – Digital Media Director

Darren Sturgess, aka DJsoTRILLA is one of the newest DJ’s to join the CSiR family. Starting his show in June of 2011, Keeping It Trilla is CSU’s premier show for the latest Hip-Hop and R&B music. DJ soTRILLA is a senior at CSU majoring in Communication and Media Studies, with aspirations of a career in radio. “I decided my junior year in high school that radio was what I wanted to do. I’ve always had a deep passion for music and was constantly surrounded by it. My dad was a DJ, and I remember sneaking into the room and playing with his DJ equipment and mixing and scratching. I learned the passion and emotion of music through my mother. When I was a kid she would stand in the middle of our living room and sing Anita Baker and Babyface songs and cry every Saturday. On Saturday nights I would listen to my grandmother sing gospel songs as she prepared Sunday dinner. With all of those musical influences, I feel like I was destined to have a career that correlated with music.”
I named my show ‘Keeping It Trilla’ because that’s what I always do, and that’s what I want my listeners to do. The world is filled with so many lies; it’s rare for someone to keep it completely honest. But keeping it trilla isn’t something you say, it’s how you live. My show is nothing but real topics-topics that will make you laugh and make you think.
When I’m not doing my show or attending classes at CSU, I’m running my business, Get Fresh Clothing Co., buying sneakers and spending time with those in my inner circle. I work hard so I can reach the top. My life only goes in one direction and that’s forward.

The Spotlight provides the campus and local community with news, information and events.  TS will focus on campus leadership, community leaders, education, politics, and health topics. TS’s mission is to provide CSU with an opportunity to hear from the leaders of the university, and local community. TS will consist of a variety of music from old school to new school, jazz, rock, gospel and reggae to name a few.  The main format is music and  interviews.  As host of TS, I will reach out to CSU leadership, aspiring artists and leaders of the local community.

My show will also focus on CSU student organization events, as well as announcements and updates from the office of public relations. The show includes live interviews from the office of the president, office of public relations, CSU students, faculty and staff, campus special events, community leaders, ministersand artists. I have had the opportunity of interviewing staff and faculty members of CSU. I will continue to reach out and interview aspiring artists/actors and authors in the Atlanta metro area.

I am Julia Thomas-Jones, aka DJ Jazz’ Jai, a CSU alumni.  I began working in the radio broadcasting environment at the age of eight as assistant to my uncle.  I am from the city of Albany, located in the southwest region of Georgia.  I served in the US Navy and worked for the federal government.  I am a dedicated individual, with a passion to inspire individuals through music and HOT topics that are relevant to the campus and local community. For more information on how to contact DJ Jazz’ Jai – check out “Jazz Thomas-Jones,” on face book.

Members of CSU’s Student Media held an Open House in the Student Activities Center Monday night from 6-8 p.m. It was a chance for new students, as well as returning students, to become familiar with the forms of media available on campus. These include The Bent Tree, Clayton State Internet Radio, and CSTV. Students were encouraged to sign up for more information and possibly become a part of the CSU Student Media family.

It was just another day at the airport for CSTV’s and CSiRadio’s Tweeter LaDonna Williams @dondon27.  As she board her plane leaving Atlanta she saw rapper Yung Joc from afar. Already she knew this would be a special trip. After leaving ATL she had an hour layover in Detroit.  As she awaited her flight she spotted recently established D.C. rapper Wale. After her request, Wale continued to shout out Clayton State University. Pertaining to being in Student Media LaDonna stated that,  “You never know who you might meet so you must always be prepared. You never know who you might pass.”

Watch The Video:

http://a.yfrog.com/img705/9981/49hy.mp4

A-Town Day is a health care festival, concert, and day of awareness benefiting the Diabetes Association of Atlanta and the B-Aware Foundation.

Location: LAKEWOOD- 1936 Pryor Rd. SW Atlanta, GA 30315

Price: $5 Parking, $5 Admission; Children 6 and under are free.

So bring your family to this safe, fun, and friendly atmosphere as we celebrate the 5th Annual A-Town Day!

For more information contact Atownday@gmail.com or visit www.ATownDay.com .