After its close in 1963, Alcatraz’s prisoners disappeared before they could be transferred to other prisons around the country. Abrams uses this history to begin the show with a crime being committed in the exact same way as a previous convicted prisoner from Alcatraz. Although it begins very confusingly, Abrams’s prestige in the Entertainment industry warrants a chance to be taken on the show. With FOX’s sci-fi thriller Fringe coming to an end this year, Alcatraz will be taking its place.

Alcatraz stars Sarah Jones as Detective Madsen and Jonny Crove as Wardin James and airs Mondays at 9 p.m. If you’re interested in this new show, check out its pilot on FOX.com.

Down With Webster is a unique six piece rap-rock group from Toronto Ontario. They’ve climbed the charts in Canada and have received numerous awards including Fave New Artist and Pop Video of the Year. The band is currently on their 2012 WinTour with FreeSol, so be sure to check them out when they stop in VA! On Tuesday January 31st, Down With Webster will play at Vienna’s Jammin Java. Buy tickets here!

Go check out the band on Facebook, and follow them on Twitter, if you like what you hear go to their show and buy their music!

ALSO: Check back in February for an exclusive video interview with the band. Leave any questions you have for them in the comments and let us know what you think!

A: My name is Brian Morgenthaler and I play lead guitar in Bandits & Beggars

Q: When did you attend AHS?

A: I was there for my sophomore year in 2003.

Q: Who was your favorite teacher/class?

A: Hands down, Mrs. Edwards! She and her husband had a child so she left half-way through my year but I always looked forward to biology despite the fact I hate biology!

Q: What bands would you compare your sound to?

A: Thrice, Manchester Orchestra, the Dear Hunter, (hopefully a little) Muse, As Cities Burn, Deas Vail, but I’ve hear people say The Killers and The Fray too.

Q: How would you describe your music to somebody?

A: We are an “indie” rock band. Although we are influenced by these bands above and others, I would say we have a unique sound.  Our music varies from high energy tone to smooth vocal and guitar melodies. We try not to stick to the generic four-chord, pop/rock formula.

Q: How do you feel Bandits & Beggars is different than other bands today?

A: Our music carries a stronger message. We naturally write about our faith in Christ as opposed to writing about simple complaints in life (i.e. girls, family life, our dogs…).

Q: What do you consider the biggest problem in the music industry today?

A: There are a lot, but the biggest would have to be the fact that labels tend to wine, dine, then take advantage of amazing musicians. It’s sad to know my friends have bitter tastes in their mouths from labels.  But the music industry is starting to level out as a whole, becoming a more horizontal model as opposed to a vertical model; with all of the social network possibilities, bands no longer have to climb to the top to be heard.

Q: Living in such a strong music scene like Virginia, do you think it helps or hurts you as a band?

A: I feel it helps! It pushes us musically and personally to not be in the scene and fade into the background.

Q: What advice could you give to a high school musician trying to make it in the music industry today?

A: Don’t for a minute believe that signing is the end all. I have found that hard work, as cliché as it is, will always pay off more in the end. Also, never limit yourself! Everything from studio gigs, to writing for movies and video, to co-writes with others; it will never get old. It can’t ever get old!

Q: Where can people listen to your music? Where can they buy it?

A: They can listen to us on most of the major social media sites like Facebook, Reverb Nation, MySpace and Pure Volume. Our first EP came out Jan. 7 at Jammin’ Java, and it is now for sale at any of our shows and will be available on iTunes soon! We’ll be sure to get the word out on that as soon as we know.

Q: Any last words? Anything you’d like to add?

A: It took me almost a year to convince our lead singer, Josh Dodd, to start a band with me after my farewell to another local band and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of guys to make music with!

Many theaters had anticipated lines of people waiting to watch the premiere at midnight on January 6th and although the lines didn’t disappoint, the film did. Despite making $34.5 million on its opening weekend, viewers had no positive words for the film.

Based off of the 1989 case of Maria Rossi and her homicide spree of three people during the process of her exorcism, she was released as not guilty due to the fact that she was diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder and sent to an institution in Rome. About 20 years later, her daughter Isabella Rossi makes a documentary based on her mother’s case determined to figure out what really happened to her in 1989.

The movie begins and upon arriving to Italy, Isabella takes a class in Vatican City to learn more about exorcisms and ends up meeting two priests who perform unlicensed exorcisms to those who were turned down by the church. After having talked to the priests, Isabella decides to go visit her mother the next day at the Centrino Mental Hospital. Unsure of what her mother’s recollection of events and the validity of them, Isabella tries to get any type of information out of her.

During the visit, Maria asks Isabella to leave and when she doesn’t Maria begins act up revealing hauntingly true facts of her daughter’s life despite no previous knowledge of the events.

The following day, Isabella meets up with the two priests trying to find out if her mother is insane or demonically possessed. The priests work through the exorcisms, which to them is not only a part of their religion but a science as well.

Going forth with a different exorcism, Isabella and her cameraman prepare the setting as the priests prepare for the exorcism. The scary effect begins to pick up as the women’s body is shown as one of the priests lifts the covers off of her, the sight of her tangled body brings out a few shrieks from the audience as they cant help but stare at her disturbing contorted body.

The fear is palpatable in the theater as the women says Isabella’s name even though it was never said and breaks free from her bed crawling onto the walls. Eventually, they grab hold of her and things settle down. Convinced that her mother may be possessed Isabella takes a chance and its agreed that her mother will be exorcised one more time.

All hell breaks loose in the same fashion as the previous woman and the mother appears to be “exorcised” afterwards. Time passes and it’s obvious to viewers that the spirit once within Maria has traveled to one of the priests.

As if the film couldn’t be more predictable, during the baptism of a baby the priest shows “signs of possession” as Isabella and her cameramen try to stop the priest from harming the baby.

Suddenly, the police come and before you know it, the priest has killed himself and Isabella’s wounded rushed to the hospital. The other priest realizes the demonic spirit travels from person to person and he rushes to the hospital unsure of who is possessed.

Already too late, Isabella has gone mad attacking everyone she can get her hands on. The spirit seems to multiply and everyone is becoming ‘infected with the demon’ until the priest is the only one left.

At the conclusion of the movie where viewers expect to have a small explanation, we are left only with a website telling the audience to look into for more information of the Rossi case there.

Don’t buy into the hype; The Devil Inside is a waste of time and money. The ending only added to the frustration and confusion viewers felt. Its lack of a solid plot and ending the scary effects of the movie alone still don’t make the movie worth watching or waiting for it on DVD.

It’s hard to believe it’s only been a matter of a few years since I first personally caught onto Lee. Now with the release of her album’s EP finally out for all to hear, it’s clear why Lee has the full package to make it in the music industry. Besides from the amount of soulfulness and clarity Lee’s voice rings out every time she so beautifully hits a wide range of notes, the music on Lee’s new record holds it’s own as both catchy and meaningful. Atlantic Records had sent the young talent to London to write some of the album with Grammy-winning producer, Martin Terefe. He has been known for producing such artists as Train and Jason Mraz.

One of the most exciting and eager parts to Lee’s new album is her pairing up with Jason Reeves, a well-renowned singer/songwriter most notably known for writing with artists such as Colbie Caillat and Kara DioGuardi. Their songs “All I’m Looking For” and “Perfectly” on Lee’s EP create a perfect combination of beauty, clarity and meaningful songwriting that keeps me going back to the replay button time and time again once the songs have finished.

I recently had the pleasure of hearing Lee live for the first time at Jammin’ Java, where her voice so captivated me as much as the beautiful lyrics of her songs did. Lee hardly needed to even move from her one part of the stage to keep this captivation, as it’s just her mature stage presence, her voice, a microphone and her guitarist accompanying her by her side.

It was only near the end of her set that Lee played one of her most recognizable songs, “18 and Alive,” which just happens to be the name of her new album. I found myself singing along in my head to the words, even before the song had begun and Lee confessed, “This is my favorite song in the whole world.”

Mine too, Chelsea.

In the ending of Eclipse, the third movie in the Twilight Saga, Bella marks her decision in wanting to become a vampire even though Edward disagrees with that decision he comes up with a compromise with the hope of her changing her mind. If Bella agrees to marry him then he would further consider making her a vampire.

Beginning the movie is Alice, Edward’s sister and Bella’s best friend, helping to prepare them for the wedding. Once the day of their wedding has arrived, it is easy to notice that Bella, played by the awkward Kristin Stewart, is uncomfortable. Arriving at the altar viewers can see all hesitation disappear. For an early wedding present, Edward gives Bella a chance to talk to him since she hadn’t seen Jacob in quite a while.

Unfortunately, things get a little tense between them and an argument ensues regarding her decision in wanting to become a vampire. Edward immediately comes back to end the fight and take her away. The party ends and the newlyweds say their goodbyes to head off to their extravagant honeymoon.

After traveling through a car, plane, and boat, they finally arrive at Isle Esme, a private island owned by Carlyle, Edward’s father,  located near Brazil in South America. After their awkward first night together, they finally look like normal newlyweds, expect for the damaged bedroom of course. One morning Bella wakes up sick to her stomach and runs to the bathroom to throw up.

When Edward comes in to help her out, she asks him to get her something from her bag and when she sees her feminine products, she realizes she’s about a week overdue for her period. Connecting the dots, with horror and shock written all over his face, Edward realizes she might be pregnant. Who knew a vampire and a human could have a baby?

They return to Carlyle immediately to have him figure out exactly what is growing inside of her. The suspense quickly rises when it’s known that she is indeed pregnant and is willing to keep it even as the child tears her apart from the inside.

Jacob is called in for assistance in hopes of convincing her to give it up but neither he nor Edward can get through her head. Bella believes that at the time of her baby’s birth, if she is on the verge of dying then Carlyle can save her but it’s only a matter of faith that can really determine whether she lives or not.

Even though the movies will never top the novels, this movie deserves an A for creating the ultimate suspense for those who have not read the novel. With the ending of part one the awakening of Bella as a vampire, viewers can only begin to anticipate and speculate what will happen to their favorite vampire family in the upcoming conclusion due out November 16, 2012.

With a cast full of the brightest star, many viewers would think twice before seeing the film finding it difficult to follow along with each character as the movie progresses. While this proved to be true for previously star-studded romantic comedy’s like He’s Just Not That Into You and Valentine’s Day, it was not the case for New Year’s Eve.

Director Gary Marshall did a great job of giving each character enough screen time for the audience to retain the events and follow along. Of course viewers chose their favorites, whether it was the quirky girl from Glee, Lea Michelle, who of course had a singing role, or High School Musical sweetheart, Zac Efron who thankfully did not sing.

Opening with Efron who plays Paul, a dead beat mail courier and a narration by Josh Duhamel who portrays Sam, they set the scene as Paul (Efron) rides through New York City on his motorcycle and Sam (Duhamel) narrates, speaking about how everyone’s life intertwines on this one special night.

As the film goes on and everyone’s story slowly begins to connect, our screens are filled by the faces of Saturday Night Live star, Seth Meyers. Modern Family star Sophia Vergara and countless others, including some more commonly know in the music industry, Jon Bon Jovi and Ludacris.

Despite it’s setting in New York City, arguably the liveliest city in the world, the film fails to capture it as most of the film occurs indoors. Finally, we arrive at the awaited dropping of the ball in Times Square. With a cliché speech here and a touching romance scene there the film stalls, as does the ball does. With the career of Claire (portrayed by Hilary Swank) depending on the falling of the ball filled with 3,000 lights and the hopes and dreams of people everywhere, it is fixed ending the film with the connecting of the characters.

A good effort by the director, the film made more sense and was filled with more entertainment in comparison to previous star-studded romantic comedies. But, looking at the film singularly, it did not posses the quality to maintain its top position in the box office. Predicting its fall this upcoming weekend, viewers are more likely to watch the film for the quantity of stars rather than the quality the film may posses.

I rate this film a C- only for being the best of its kind, but not possessing the quality for a second viewing in theaters or out. If you haven’t seen movies similar to this, I would suggest you view this over any other. For movie show times near Annandale, VA click here.

The show is centered on Jess (Zooey Deschanel), who after a bad break up with her longtime boyfriend, moves in with three guys, Schmidt (Max Greenfield), Nick (Jake Johnson) and Winston (Lamorne Morris). Each male roommate has contrasting personas making for a humorous show. The guys, unsure how to deal with their new female roommate integrate her in their lives and quickly become a happy yet dysfunctional family.

Don’t let the title fool you; it is not a romantic comedy show or even a show exclusive for females or teenagers. “I thought it was going to be a girl show, but it is incredibly funny and is my new favorite show,” sophomore Dominic Maier said. It’s humor appeals to all ages and genders, specifically ages 18-49, which is what the show’s target age range is.

Even with the majority of the cast being up and coming actors the show is still very successful, in fact it contributes to the show’s uniqueness. “The guys are funny, nice and supportive of Jess (Deschanel) despite her extreme awkwardness,” said senior Sarah Knenlein. With all the praise it is receiving, the writers have high expectations for the rest of the season,

With striking similarities to TBS’ My Boys, viewers appreciate the differences between the main female characters, especially Jess’ (Deschanel) overtly awkward characteristics. “It’s classic concept; guy/girl roommates going about their lives, has a funny, modern twist making it very entertaining,” said Laelle Mekkonen.

With the arrival of the holiday season, New Girl already has a stellar guest star lined up. True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten was officially cast for the Valentine’s Day episode. This episode will feature Jess unsure of how to spend her Valentine’s Day single. The guys eager to help, espically Schmidt (Greenfield), known as a womanizer, the roomates will surely get into some trouble.

If you haven’t had the chance to watch New Girl, you can go to iTunes and download the pilot episode for free, or if you missed any episodes, Hulu makes full episodes one week after it airs.

Spiderman, which may have gone through enough remakes, is being redone once again with an all-new cast. Set to be released on July 3, 2012 Peter Parker will be played by The Social Network’s Andrew Garfield and his romantic interest Gwen Stacy will be portrayed by Easy A’s Emma Stone.

“Emma Stone is one of my favorite actresses. But the cast in a movie, especially in a remake does not determine the quality of the movie;” said junior Omar Abdularahim. Many can agree that an all-star cast does not equal an all-star movie.

With quality and cost put into consideration, Spiderman, which will also be made in 3D, raises concerns for AHS’ frequent moviegoers. “They’re just going to kill the classics. 3D might be fun to watch, but it just makes movies more expensive, and we’re broke people,” senior Anna Dinh said

With the current economy, many people may not be inclined to spend on average of $15 for a 3D movie ticket. “I really don’t see any remake, especially a superhero action film like Spiderman breaking any records,” Dinh said.

Big time studio MGM is taking remakes to a whole new level. They recently took on four new movies to be remade. For the purpose of the remakes, MGM has secured a deal with Paramount Pictures to co-finance Hansel And Gretel: Witch Hunters, Robocop, Mr. Mom and The Idolmaker. David Aronofsky who also produced The Wrestler and The Fighter, and directed Black Swan will produce Robocop.

It seems like today we may not want remakes but other films such as Batman, Iron Man, Friday the 13th and Clash of the Titans were all successes in box office. The Joker played by Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight of 2008 replaced Cesar Romero of the 1966’s Batman. Ledger’s performance earned him countless nominations too. “A lot of these remade movies have been really good and people obviously like them. As long as they stay true to the original story, it’s fine,” freshman Hiwot Daniel said.

Some prefer the concept of remastered movies over remakes. James Cameron, director of Titanic and other Blockbuster hits, such as Avatar, The Terminator and Aliens, recently confirmed that the iconic film is in the process of being re-mastered to be viewed in 3D.

Still students debate the purpose of the release, “I hate when they re-release movies, I don’t see why anyone would go watch it in theaters when they have probably seen it already,” said senior Brandon Marwah.

With a tentative release date in April of 2012, close to the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the movie’s namesake ship, some are still excited at the news of it’s re-release. “Titanic is my all-time favorite movie and I don’t care the cost, I want to see it again in 3D!” said senior Alice Jones. Though the movie made over a billion dollars worldwide, can it top its already monumental record?

As the worth of the ticket and the quality of the remake being considered and the influx of movies being remade, the decision remains up to the viewers whether or not it’s worth the hassle to reinvent the classics.