The Wright Times

Issue date: 2/1/10 Section: Arts & Culture

If readers are searching for the next big hit in pop culture, they need not look anywhere else than this list, which highlights the best in movies, television, music, and literature.

MUSIC
British virtual band Gorillaz set the bar for every pop group each time they release an album. Releasing in March, "Plastic Beach" is no exception, with guest appearances from well-known artists including Lou Reed, Snoop Dogg, De La Soul, and Mos Def.
Formed in 1998 by Blur lead singer Damon Albarnm Gorillaz gained a worldwide fanbase with their catchy infectious songs such as, "Dare," "Clint Eastwood" and Feel Good, Inc." The band incorporates a certain blend of hip-hop and rock, creating something nostalgic and fresh. Many heads will turn with "Plastic Beach" as fans foresee another top notch effort from Gorillaz.


TV
With a grand backdrop highlighting fate and destiny, Lost premières its final season in February. For five years, the show chronicled the troubled lives of the Oceanic Flight 815 crash survivors living on a mysterious and treacherous island filled with mystical properties and murderous dwellers. Now in its final sixth season, fans can expect answers and resolutions to much of the series' long-running mysteries such as the origins of the cursed numbers, The Others, and the smoke monster.
Series creator J.J. Abrams guarantees viewers, new and old that the plot and characters will have closure by the series finale in May, and that no one will be lost anymore.

GRAPHIC NOVEL
"The Walking Dead: Book 5," written by Robert Kirkman, chronicles the survivors of an America full of mindless zombie hordes.
Drawn in bleak, grim black and white, Charles Adlard vividly illustrates the characters' physical features and varying emotions, highlighting how people can survive and adapt against overwhelming odds. Insanity, attempted rape and suicide, murder, fatigue, and starvation ravage the exhausted survivors physically and emotionally. Yet no matter what hurdles they face, they survive and live on in a world where death looms around every corner. This expresses the triumph of humanity in a dying wasteland.
Coming out January 30, readers may end up walking dead from the high price of $34.99. However, Book 5 will captivate any fan of zombie tales with exceptional character development.



FILM
The remarkable adventures of Disney's prominent toys continue as "Toy Story 3" comes releases in June. After major success with the first two installments, this highly anticipated childhood classic hits theaters again after a decade off the big screen.
With new director Lee Unkrich, the story unfolds as Andy departs for college, with the gang facing uncertainty after being accidentally brought to a daycare where tiny tots revolt in frenzy to play with them. As the group attempts to escape, cowboy Woody (Tom Hanks) and spaceman Buss Lightyear (Tim Allen) make sure "no toy gets left behind."
This humorous movie will be featured in 3-D, allowing audiences to experience the film up close and personal. With its outstanding visuals and compelling story, "Toy Story 3" can surely capture the minds of those young at heart.


EVENT
Celebrating its thirtieth year of stuffing stomachs, The Taste of Chicago grandly returns this Summer, 10 days before the Independence Day. Recognized as the world's largest food festival, more 3.5 million local and international customers invade Grant Park to dig in the food and entertainment the event offers. Petrillo Music Shell stages various music acts that keeps patrons delighted and lively during the celebration. Fireworks display also highlights the popular festival.
Admission is free, and delicious meals from popular restaurants all over Chicago can be bought with no more than 12 tickets. Guests can buy tickets in different locations for $8 (12 tickets).


VEHICLE
The high-performance Cadillac CTS-V defeats three of the top European cars of 2010 with its superior velocity and enhanced luxury. Tested against the swift 556 horsepower of Jaguar XFR, BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG, Cadillac CTS-V outdid these European vehicles for the first time in recent years.
The CTS-V uses a 6.2L V8 supercharged motor, a detuned type Corvette ZR-1's motor. Through this supercharged motor, the sedan can reach up to 60 MPH in 3.9 seconds.
The CTS-V has a fuel economy of 16 mpg. Drivers say the car's braking, handling, and steering is nothing but smooth. The interior is comfortable, and luxurious, and spacious enough for a six-foot, 190-pound driver, along with notable head and leg room.
With a booming price of $62,020.00, the CTS-V can be seen at the 2010 Chicago auto show in February at McCormick Place.


NEW VENUE
New York's Beauty Bar opens (BB) its newest nightclub chain on Chicago Ave., replacing the popular bar, Sonotheque. The bar's retro interior design transformed into an innovative, aesthetic environment wherein cocktail drinks and blow dryers fill the shelves and tables. BB owner Paul Devitt took the first step to success when he bought an old beauty salon in NYC's East Village and turned it into a bar. Reusing tools and services, customers enjoy martinis while having a pedicure or manicure. BB hosts DJ nights, combining of indie, rock 'n' roll, and electro music. The grand launch in March expects patrons to flock the
bar that serves it all.


TECH
Apple finally unveiled the touch screen tablet computer iPad - a mobile device described as something between the smartphone and a notebook. It looks like a larger iPhone, and starts at $499. A half-inch thick, it weighs about 1.5 pounds and features a 9.7 inch LED-backlit display. delivering images at a 178 degree viewing angle. It comes in two versions, Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi with 3G speeds of up to 7.2mbps.
The new iPad browses the web, allows reading and sending email, video watching, listening to music, game playing and e-book viewing. It syncs with iTunes letting users upload contacts, photos, music, movies and apps from Mac or PC.


VIDEO GAME
Created for the Playstation 3, God Of War III marks the final, vicious chapter of Kratos' legend. In this real-time action/adventure game, players become the former God of War and Zeus' son.
Picking up where God Of War II ended, Kratos continues his unstoppable excursion of vengeance to finally kill the Greek gods. Players eviscerate even more undead minions as the number of onscreen opponents increased from 15 to 50. The game's astounding visuals shake with every tackle and punch. As Kratos scales Mount Olympus, players can expect the same chaotic violence from previous installments, along with a few surprises.
If gamers feel the need to disembowel and pummel this March, that's just something they'll have to take up with the gods.

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