Photo by Davis DeLoach

By Tanner McCord
Staff Writer

Tonight at the American Airline Center here in Dallas the Rock and Worship Road show was held for the fourth year in a row. For just ten dollars, you could enjoy the likes of Christian rapper LaCrae and big names like Tenth Avenue North and Mercy Me.

Today one of the most anticipated movies was released: The Vow. As if that didn’t get all the teenage girls hyped up Breaking Dawn Part 1 was released on DVD today as well.

The Vow starts two of the biggest stars of today: Channing Tatum (Step Up, She’s the Man, G.I. Joe, Dear John) and Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls, The Notebook). Tatum (Leo)  and McAdams (Paige) star as a young newlywed couple. The couple gets in a car accident that leaves Paige with memory loss. She forgets all about their marriage and her husband. Leo dedicates himself to winning Paige back and helping her remember and get back everything they had. The Vow is based on the true story of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter. It is rated PG-13.

For movie times and theaters click here.

Madonna performs during the halftime show for Super Bowl XLVI on Sunday, February 5, 2012, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Giants defeated the Patriots, 21-17. (Lionel Hahn/Abaca Press/MCT)

Michael Jackson’s Super Bowl performance in 1993 revolutionized halftime shows at the Super Bowl. Before this, it was much more like a college game halftime with marching bands in many of the previous Super Bowls. After Madonna’s dazzling performance at Sunday’s Super Bowl, I began compiling a list of the game’s all-time great productions. Without further ado, here are the top-10 halftime performances of the “Big Game.”

10. Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake – Super Bowl XXXVIII, 2004, Reliant Stadium in Houston

Who will ever be able to forget the infamous “wardrobe malfunction”? Janet made her presence on stage a powerful one, with her wide array of dancers as well as her stage design at Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004. Her entrance set the tone for the entire performance, singing the opening line of “All for You” behind a ringed curtain before it dropped to the stage, revealing Jackson in her full glory.

After she finished her second number, “Rhythm Nation,” Timberlake popped up and started right into “Rock Your Body.” Right as he finished with the words “Bet I’ll have you naked by the end of this song,” he “accidentally” ripped part of Jackson’s costume off, exposing her right breast. CBS was fined a hefty $550,000 for airing the mishap.

9. Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band – Super Bowl XLIII, 2009, Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay

When “The Boss” told you to step away from the chips and guacamole, turn up the TV and let the E Street Band into your home, you didn’t have to think twice.

Springsteen with the late Clarence Clemons on the saxophone made an inseparable pair. The group’s renditions of hits like “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out” (which included Springsteen’s signature slide along the stage on his knees), “Working on a Dream,” and his most known track, “Glory Days,” worked his magic on the audience.

8. KISS – Super Bowl XXXIII, 1999, Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens

Although they only performed one song during the pregame show, Gene Simmons and his band of rabble-rousers provided plenty of entertainment for the thousands of fans on hand. “The Demon” and his gang rocked the stage with a roaring rendition of “Rock and Roll All Nite.”

The ever-present pyrotechnics added flare to the performance as well. This is probably the blandest show on this list, but, since KISS was an integral part of the music industry, it would be hard not to include them.

7. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers – Super Bowl XLII, 2008, University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale

Petty and the Heartbreakers are one of the best bands to hear live in concert. When he and his band stepped on stage, the crowd went wild.

Petty launched the band into “American Girl,” and then transitioned into a classic, “Won’t Back Down.” Petty and the band then revisited their original pace with “Runnin’ Down a Dream.” The show culminated with “Free Fallin’,” which had the fans hold up pre-given flashlights and wave them to the beat.

6. Rolling Stones – Super Bowl XL, 2006, Ford Field in Detroit

The Stones’ hit “Start Me Up” did just that, firing up the crowd attending the game. As they moved into their other two numbers, “Rough Justice” and “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” the band seemed to gain energy to build into their climax at the end of their show.

Being one of the most iconic rock legends of the 20^th Century, the Stones are undoubtedly one of the best shows that the Super Bowl has ever seen.

5. The Who – Super Bowl XLIV, 2010, Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens

Who are they? Their performance said it all. Lead vocalist Pete Townshend proved he still had it at age 64, and the entire band shook the stadium. Playing a medley of songs that included “Pinball Wizard,” “Who Are You,” and “Baba O’Riley,” the Who demonstrated that the English do, sometimes, do it better than their neighbors from “across the pond.” The show ended perfectly, with a spectacular light show from the band’s well-known track, “Won’t Get Fooled Again.”

4. Paul McCartney – Super Bowl XXXIX, 2005, ALLTEL Stadium in Jacksonville

McCartney’s mash-up of the Beatles and his own music was the perfect tribute to the band that made him a big-time musician. The classic James Bond song “Live and Let Die,” McCartney’s hits “Drive My Car” and “Get Back,” and his serenade to John Lennon’s son, Julian, “Hey Jude” were included in the set list.

3. Prince – Super Bowl XLI, 2007, Dolphins Stadium in Miami Gardens

You can put Prince against any of the music industry’s hottest stars today and there would be no question about who had more talent. All the vocal and musical talent of one of music’s most influential artists was put in the national spotlight.

The “Purple Rain” was coming down hard as Prince jammed to “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Baby I’m A Star,” “Proud Mary,” “All Along the Watchtower,” and “Best of You.”

2. Michael Jackson – Super Bowl XXVII, 1993, Rose Bowl in Pasedena

It is utterly disheartening that the entire world can’t witness performances like this anymore. The King of Pop was his usual self, belting out a small number of his large list of hits, including “Jam,” “Billie Jean,” “Black or White,” and “Heal the World.” The fact that Jackson is no longer with us makes this performance a whole lot more special in the hearts of his fans.

1. U2 – Super Bowl XXXVI, 2002, Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans

The Irish band is responsible for one of the most heartfelt performances of the 2000s. The nation was struggling during the short time after the terrorist attack on September 11^th. Bono and the other band members were clearly making a strong effort to show the entire United States that there was hope. That was Bono’s main message.

After the opening song, “Beautiful Day,” a sheet dropped down from the rafters, and the names of every victim of the attacks was projected while the Irishman belted out “MLK,” and ended with “Where the Streets Have No Name.”  As the performance wound down, Bono lifted his jacket to reveal an American flag lining, symbolizing unity.

Unity is what the Big Game is supposed to be about, bringing your friends and family together to have a good time. All in all, the Super Bowl halftime show represents a fundamental link to pop culture, which helps broaden the interests of viewers all over the nation and the world.

This year’s Super Bowl between the Giants and Patriots was a nail biter down to the last few seconds, but there is is debate about whether the commercials for this year’s game had that same effect. From  dancing M&Ms to exercising dogs and John Stamos, the commercials continued to impress.

One thing that was definitely evident this time around was movie trailers. While some seemed to enjoy this new add-in, others found it to be distracting and complained that it took away from the number of commercials T.V. producers decided to air. Although this may have been true, I personally think it was the perfect opportunity for movie producers to advertise and allow viewers to get a sneak peak at what’s coming to theaters.

From the music and featured celebrities to the overall commercial idea, students at Coppell High School have mixed reviews as well. The abundance of purely Super Bowl commercials was missed and some say the creativity was lacking, but as for me, I think creativity is only continuing to expand.

Big Miracle, an inspirational story based off of true events, hits theaters today. Starring Drew Barrymore and John Krasinski, the story of three whales trapped under the Arctic ice is sure to be great movie for the whole family.

When Adam Carlson (Krasinski) reports for a local news station about the trapped whales, an immense amount of support comes to help save the whales including Carlson’s ex girlfriend (Barrymore). Soon the American military, oil companies and other locals are all helping to save the whales.

The film is rated PG for language and runs just over two hours.

On Tuesday of this week I was able to do something really cool: I got to go to an early preview of the new Daniel Radcliffe movie The Woman in Black (Thanks Wren!). The movie will be released to the public tomorrow, Friday February 3.

In the film, Daniel Radcliffe plays the role of Arthur Kipps, a struggling lawyer with a young son to raise. He is offered one last chance to prove himself to his law firm and he is sent to settle the legal affairs of a woman who just recently passed away, Alice Drablow. He goes to her house to sort through all her paper work and he discovers that there is more to the little village than what meets the eye. Kipps learns of the town’s haunted past and present and when his own son is placed in danger he is forced to take drastic measures to save what is nearest and dearest to him.

The film stars Daniel Radcliffe, Ciaran Hinds, Janet McTeer, Sophie Stuckey, Liz White, and Alisa Khansanova and is rated PG-13. It is a Horror/Thriller/Sci-fi film and is an adaption of a novel of the same name by Susan Hill.

A review of the film will be up soon. To find movie times and theaters click here.

This Friday at 9 p.m., the Palladium Ballroom in Dallas will be showcasing two big names in the electronic music scene, Steve Aoki and Datsik.

The all ages event is $30 for general admission and doors will open an hour before the show.

Steve Aoki, an electro house DJ, will be the lead act for tonight and is expected to put on quite a show. The 2012 North American tour, deemed, “The Deadmeat Tour,” will help support Aoki’s latest release, “Wonderland.”

Dim Mak, Aoki’s own record label will be presenting the tour as they travel through America this winter season.

Alongside Aoki, dubstep pioneers Datsik, will also be making an appearance in the concert. If you’re into heart throbbing bass-lines and soulful electronic melodies, then this is the concert for you. In addition, Aoki and Datsik will be working on a new live visual production in sync with the music for the audience to enjoy.

Be sure to check out The Deadmeat Tour Official Trailer.

This past weekend, I took my first trip to the Angelika theater in Plano, and the entire experience was nothing short of enchanting. However, amid the grand chandeliers and florescent floorboards, the most memorable part of the affair was what was playing in Theater 3.

My Week with Marilyn, which has been quite well-received by critics, remains rather obscure among the general population. Quite a shame, really, seeing as it is the best film I’ve seen in a long time (rivaled closely by The Muppet Movie).

This movie tells the story of a young man, Colin Clark, who goes to work on a movie set with one of his father’s close friends. Through this project, he becomes quite close to the star, Marilyn Monroe. The plot of the movie revolves around the development of their relationship and Monroe’s personal struggle with fame.

While this isn’t an action-packed first-explosion-within-first-thirty-seconds type movie, and there is no ax murderer lurking around every corner (spoiler alert), this movie keeps its audiences captivated by its true artistry rather than by filling its plot with sick twists or over-the-top characters.

Beautifully acted. Beautifully done. Worth the trip to your nearest indie theater.

Opinions Editor

High school students gain superpowers after making a shocking discovery in the new movie Chronicle.

In theatres this Friday, Chronicle tells the story of three high school students who gain supernatural abilities – flying, telekinesis and invulnerability. At first, they use their powers to play pranks on unsuspecting people, but then their morals and their friendship is tested when one of the friends begins to embrace the dark side.

Rated PG-13, Chronicle is directed by Josh Trank and written by Max Landis. Prior to the movie’s release, the film company staged a ‘flying people’ stunt to gain attention for the movie.