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The Gleaner goes subscription box crazy: Flicker Box candle subscriptions

     Flicker Box is a monthly box that samples artisan candles. I love candles, and the whole idea of Flicker Box is to connect candle lovers to candle makers. Flicker Boxes start at $25 for the first month, 32 after that, and can be purchased for longer periods of time. The candles that came in this box were picked out for the autumn months, so there was a lot of spices and berry scents. I would love to see what the spring or winter month boxes would have in them, and wonder if the time of year is well represented all year round. This box is one of a kind, and acts as an introduction to several different companies that make products you may enjoy.

     Flicker Box sent the Gleaner a sample of their November box which included four candle samples from different companies. The first was a soy candle in Harvest Berry from Plain J Body and Home. The smell was a little spicy with slight fruity undertones.

     The next was a smaller 100% beeswax candle from Big Dipper Wax Works in Rejuvenation which is a clove and orange scent. They specialize in aromatherapy so it is safe to say this is the most fragrant candle in the box. This candle fills the room with its scent instantly, and like the title states, promotes rejuvenation. I think this scent is meant to keep you stimulated, and while warm, it is not soothing like a lavender would be. Big Dipper Wax Works has several different aromas, that I suggest you look into. The scents are strong, and this candle definitely smells like autumn. 

     Next were the Candles By Nature t-lites in Plumberry. These were my favorite out of all the samples. They smell like sweet berries, but in a deeper scent that wouldn't get confused with a summer strawberry scent. I think I have come to find that sweet scents are more to my liking than cinnamon, cloves, or pumpkin spice, and these t-lites are a perfect example of an alternative autumn scent. 

    Lastly, we have a wood wick candle from Woodfire Candle Company in Sugar and Fig. This candle is very subtle in scent, so subtle that I think it barely smells like anything. This is not the highlight of the candle however, as the wood wick shines forth giving you a soothing crackling fire sound while it burns. I think the scent may be lacking, but I am not always looking to make my room smell like something. 

     The last things included in our Flicker box were cards with all the companies information on them so if you would like to find out more about something, or purchase more, you were able to find them. They then included a pack of Flicker Box matches, that I thought was a very nice touch.

     As far as samples go, getting full size candles is amazing. You’d normally get a t-lite just to try out the scent, but with Flicker Box you really get to enjoy the candles. Unfortunately Flicker Box is unable to be gifted. You have to sign the person up and pay for it. It doesn't have the same charm as getting a surprise gift in the mail, but for the candle lover, I’m sure they’d appreciate it either way.  

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The Gleaner goes subscription box crazy: Starbox from Starlooks

    For those of us who horde makeup products Starlooks offers a box of three to four full size makeup items from their brand every month for $15. This isn’t a bad price for three makeup products when a high end lipstick could cost you $18, but you don’t know what you are going to get. I think the people this box is perfect for falls into three categories: people who wish to sample Starlooks products, people who love makeup and getting a random assortment of anything in the mail is like having your birthday every month, and people who would like to change up their makeup routine but don’t have anything in mind.

     Starlooks is a professional makeup brand, and while you aren't sure what is coming in the mail, give you at least 3 full size products every month. Many other subscription beauty boxes only give you sample sizes each month, so if you are trying to really sample something, you have the ability to use these products over and over again.

     Starlooks sent the Gleaner two sample boxes for us to review totaling 6 beauty products, plus two coupons from partnering companies. First the September box came with a clear lip gloss called Pearl Necklace, white cream eyeliner called Milky Way, and a pair of dramatic Starlooks false eyelashes. The coupon was for 5 requests from OOBERLUXE, a service that does what you ask them to do. If you need to call all of the fabric stores in Manhattan to see if they have black piping, they can do that for you. Like a personal assistant. The second box was from October, and it featured a Tendergloss lipstick in Puzzy, a 3 Shade Eye Blush Palette, and silver Gem Eye Pencil in Mirage. The coupon for this week was from Rivet and Sway an online glasses company. 

     Each box is picked out keeping fashion trends and time of year in mind. The boxes we were given specifically were for fall time looks, but I think the lightness of the lip products, while beautiful, didn't represent the fall as well as a dark red or plum color might. Additionally, if I were a subscriber, I might not be too excited to get two light eyeliner colors in a row. I do have to say, the quality of the products is high, and the blush compact has a great selection of colors and a huge mirror. 

     When looking at the items included, it is a good deal. Within a Starbox you get at least three things plus a coupon for only $15. Starlooks also has a referral program where if you send your friends over to subscribe, you get special deals. Just recently they started their student ambassador program, where you receive free makeup for referring your friends. You get a Starbox every month and points for people you refer to use as online voucher for purchasing their products. If that is something you are interested in, I urge you to try out a Starbox first so you know if you want to support them, and then email Robyn at info@starlooks.com for details. 

    I think Starlooks has a great collection of products, and one of the nicest customer service teams I have worked with. I think the Starbox is a really great way to sample their stuff and for people like me that can’t get enough, it is a great gift for yourself.

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The Rutgers-Camden Gleaner is having a give away sponsored by Haute Legs! One lucky winner will win their deluxe box of runway style tights and leggings. Pick up a copy of the Gleaner to hear what we thought about their service, and check them out on Hautelegs.com.  TO ENTER: Make sure you are friends with The Gleaner on Facebook and message us with your email. The winner will be picked randomly on November 23th. You only have to enter once.

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The Gleaner goes subscription box crazy: Flicker Box candle subscriptions

    Panty by Post is the most luxurious underwear service to date. Each pair comes in a small envelope and wrapped in pretty tissue paper. To fully understand the experience of opening a Panty by Post parcel, I have to walk you through it: When you first get it in the mail, it looks like it could be a newsletter or junk mail since it is just a small envelope, but when I opened it, my jaw dropped. It is the fanciest piece of underwear I have ever touched. It’s delicate and strappy. It has beautiful embroidery and lace detailing with a bedazzled buckled bow on the front. I feel like I need some event or somewhere important to go to wear this. I wish it wasn’t considered weird to brag about what underwear you are wearing so I could share the extreme luxury I experienced opening these up.

     Panty by Post was created in Paris, France and is currently located in Vancouver, Canada. The idea is to send French lingerie to everyone. They have several styles and options so if you would rather not get a thong in the mail, you can make that clear in your preferences. If you were to give this as a gift you could send messages with each package. That option could either go sweet or saucy if you catch my drift. There is a line for men, as well as a bridal line. They are on the more expensive side at $25 a pair, but if you subscribe for more months at a time, the price is lower for each month. I don’t think the price is too high for the product they are sending out; may I reiterate they were the fanciest pair of underwear I had ever seen. 

     This company also offers plus sizes as well, and has a satisfaction guarantee where if the panties don’t fit, you can send them back for your correct size. Customers of Panty by Post love that they arrive quickly and are comfortable. I think that if you are looking for something nice to send to a certain special someone, I must warn you, this is sex mail. Not saying that it is going to get you laid, but I am saying this should not be sent to anyone you are not having sex with.

     For all the information on Panty by Post check out their website at pantybypost.com.

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The Gleaner goes subscription box crazy: Unmentionably Cheeky

     Unmentionably Cheeky sends you two cute pairs of underwear in the mail for only six dollars. Just think you’d never have to search through those bins at Target again, since all you’d have to do is wait each month for something new. This company, the brainchild of husband and wife team Richard and Melody, does the shopping for you. They make sure the underwear is comfy and attractive, and that you don’t have to leave the house to get it.

     Unmentionably Cheeky sent the Gleaner two pairs of underwear to sample, after Richard sent us a wonderful email explaining he has friends who went to Rutgers, both New Brunswick and Camden. Shout out to our alumnus who knows Rich! The package came quickly and was simple; undies in an envelope.

     Both pairs were soft, wearable, and pretty. The first was a pink brief with lace detail on the front, and the second was a black lace. The pink brief was like any cotton brief that you could pick up from the store. It was a thin material that was soft and ready to wear. The lace surprised me as it was so soft and not itchy or irritating at all. I have very sensitive skin, and previously when wearing lace, it would bother me especially from the cheaper underwear. This was not the case. The lace cheekys were very wearable.

     The difference between this service and others like it, is that the product comes from their own brand. Each pair is adorned with the UmCheeky logo. I would suggest going a size larger just because they run a little small, but other than that, they are comfortable and stylish. If you were mistaken and received underwear that is not your size, you are easily able to change your settings.

     This isn’t about trying new things out, it is about getting something each month that is affordable, convenient, and that you’d want to wear. When you are looking at how much underwear goes for in stores, especially ones that are on the same page stylistically, UmCheeky is so much cheaper, and you don’t have to go anywhere.

    To make sure you receive your 2 for $6, use the coupon code Fall13 when going through checkout. I love the idea, the product, and the people at UmCheeky. This is a gift for yourself each month, and if you are interested check them out on their website at panties.umcheeky.com.

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The Gleaner goes subscription box crazy: Sock Panda

     Sock Panda is a monthly subscription service that sends you fun and interesting designs for the most overlooked piece in our wardrobes, our socks. You see novelty socks everywhere in stores, for a range of prices, but Sock Panda takes the deciding part out of it. Let the panda decide for you. Sock Panda asks for your style and sends you socks each month for $11 a pair.

     The people at Sock Panda were nice enough to send over two pairs of socks for the Gleaner to check out, and we couldn’t be happier with them. Firstly, the packaging is adorable. On the front there is a panda, and on the back there is a pattern of colorful socks. It will brighten up any mailbox. They sent over lime green and black knee highs with skulls and crossbones on them, and Mondrian inspired socks by the Sock Panda brand. Not only did the Panda deliver on style, but since we received these near Halloween, the skulls and crossbones were received with open arms.

     Quality wise, the striped socks are thick, but not very stretchy, which could be hard for some people considering they are knee highs. The Mondrian socks are my favorite of the two. They are completely functional. The material is very soft and stretchy, plus they are a fairly thin sock. Not too thin or flimsy, mind you, just thin enough to go well with some oxfords or your favorite sneakers.

     To accompany the Sock Panda brand socks, a postcard with some information and a cute illustration of Mondrian, a Dutch painter who used primary colors and different sizes of rectangles and lines in his pieces, was also included. We are glad that not only do the people at Sock Panda have style, but they also have a sense of humor.

     This seems like a silly thing, but if you really like socks, why not purchase this? For only $11 a pair you get a mystery sock package every month. Furthermore, if you know someone who really likes socks, this is a perfect gift for them. Sign them up for 3, 6, or 12 month subscriptions, so it can be the gift that keeps on giving. These socks will never go unnoticed so if you are tired of your feet going without swirls, stripes, checks, and pandas; I highly recommend Sock Panda. 

Interested in Sock Panda? Use the promo code “Gleaner” for a dollar off your first month!

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Setting Sail with Captain Tom Hanks

Brooke Donegan| Staff Writer 

     In the cinematic adventure Captain Phillips, two time academy award winner Tom Hanks plays Captain Richard Phillips, captain of the U.S container ship Maersk Alabama, whose crew are at work commuting food and commercial items off the coast of Somali, Africa. Somali waters are well known for pirates and buccaneers, subsequently the ship inevitably gets hijacked by four Somali pirates.  The thriller is based on the true story of Captain Richard Phillips who was really hijacked on his container ship in 2009 and off of his book “A Captain’s Duty: Somali Pirates, Navy Seals, and dangerous days at Sea,” by Stephan Talty and Richard Phillips.  The movie hit theatres on October 11, 2013 and produced the second highest amount in box offices, coming in under “Gravity,” making 27.5 million.  The drama was a critical success and was asked to open the London film festival and also won the opening night slot at the New York film festival on September 28th, 2013.

     In the critically lauded 2000 film Castaway, Tom Hanks gave a dramatic performance that left audiences everywhere crying over volleyball.  His performance as Captain Phillips is definitely just as theatrical and moving. Tom Hanks does his best work playing traumatic roles.  It is definitely a fast paced thriller that keeps audience members on the edges of their seats the entire time.  It is a good film to analyze and ask questions about because there are a lot of recurring themes.  “It’s gonna be alright,” is a phrase used in different situations all throughout the story.  The writers of Captain Phillips did a sensational job for the entertainment aspect of a Hollywood movie.  Since the movie premiere, controversy has swirled as there have been rumors that many of the details portrayed in the movie do not actually illustrate the true story correctly. The real life Captain Richard Phillips appeared on the front covers of magazines and various press/media releases with Tom Hanks, posing as a real life hero. However, according to many of Phillips’s crew, he was not a hero at all and rather was responsible for putting their lives in danger in the first place.  After reading the controversial articles that were printed discussing law suits and specific details, all of the information can seem very misleading.  Movies based on true stories are often held at higher standards then regular non-fiction movies.  The movie loses its value and its intrigue if the most of it is false. But nonetheless, Captain Phillips was a great movie and definitely worth the trip to the movies. 

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Bone Chilling Literature

SEAN QUINN | EDITOR IN CHIEF

     My senior year of high school I took a trip with some of my classmates to England. While we were there, we saw a play that had been playing in the West End for several years, The Woman in Black. When they told me it was going to be scary, I was intrigued, but I had no idea that I would spend the evening clinging to my classmates in fear.

     The Woman in Black by Susan Hill is a typical Gothic Novel that was adapted into a television series, play, and a film. The play I saw still haunts me till this day, and I hope to be able to see it again. The book is just as chilling, if not more, as you do not have a friend to hold when reading in bed. The story is about a man who travels to the house of a deceased recluse to handle her final affairs. When he is there, he finds more in her house than papers and old photographs. Without giving too much away, I suggest anyone looking for an excellent ghost story to read this book.

     I enjoyed the movie, but the story is not exactly the same. This book gives you nightmares in the best way.

     Agatha Christie is the queen of the quick read murder mystery, but And Then There Were None sticks out to me. While it is not jump out of your bones scary, And Then There Were None pulls the rug out from under you more than once. Christie knows how to execute a twist and this is some of her best work.

     Several people are sent to a house where they are alone except for each other and a few servants. In each of their rooms is an old nursery rhyme called Ten Little Indians which describes the ten Indian’s demise in sing song form. You find out soon that the rhyme is not only room decoration, but it perfectly defines the mysterious murders of the house guests. They realize they are the Ten Little Indians and they need to find who is knocking them off, and why.

     The book was originally titled Ten Little Indians, but then changed to And Then There Were None which is the last line in the poem. This mystery will have you constantly looking over your shoulder.

     If you were like me when I was in grade school, you were always trying to check this book out of the library. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a collection of the scariest, bone chilling, fever inducing, goose bump giving stories that any kid could ask for.

     The stories Room for One More and Maybe you will Remember are my favorites and still now as I am writing about them I am getting spooked. If there is any part of you that wants to have a quick scare that will follow you for the rest of your life, pick up this book, and its sequels, now. In fact, get the whole box set.

     This is one of the American Library Association’s reported most challenged books because of the subject matter. This book has been challenged several times due to the illustrations by Stephen Gammell, so much so that it was recently reprinted with illustrations by Brett Helquist. While Helquist is excellent, nothing is quite as terrifying as Gammell’s interpretation of your worst nightmare.

     The Lottery by Shirley Jackson is a short story about a small village and its tradition. While many have read this, I will not spoil it for those that haven’t since the real genius of this work is the ending.

     What I will say though, this is not what one would think of when they say Horror. I like to describe this story as a scary look at society in a similar way of George Orwell’s 1984 with a gut wrenching twist like Ambrose Bierce’s short story An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge.

     I highly recommend this to everyone. It is short and after you finish the final sentence, you are left wanting more. There are questions left unanswered and terrible realizations you wish were explained. It is horrible, and I hope everyone takes the five minutes to read it. The Lottery was originally published in the New Yorker, and caused several subscribers to cancel their subscriptions. What whimps.

     World War Z by Max Brooks is without a doubt one of my favorite books. When I first grabbed this, I couldn’t put it down. I devoured it, every story, every line, and every page. This book is not just for the zombiephiles or those well versed in nerd culture, and it is nothing like the movie. While I agree that some books should be read before the movie, this book in particular should be read with no mention of the subpar long haired Brad Pitt movie.

     World War Z is a collection of interviews with all different people about their experiences of the zombie apocalypse. This differs from typical zombie stories that are about the outbreak. This happens after the war, and really highlights humanity.

     The political and societal commentary is excellent, but beyond that, some of the stories told are heart wrenching and dark. It makes you think how you would fare if you were in their place.

     Edgar Allen Poe is the grandfather to all that is creepy. A somber fellow himself (which, who could blame him? So many of his love ones died of Tuberculosis) Poe taps into everything haunting and horrible.

     While he is well known for his poem the Raven, Poe’s short stories allow Poe to use every element as an important feature. The Fall of the House of Usher is an excellent example where the paintings, stories, sickness, and even the walls of the house are used to take you further into the story. Poe is a staple for anyone during this time of the year, but if you put on your analytical hats, you can delve farther into Poe’s words finding that what you thought was scary before, was only the surface.

     While I suggest reading any Poe any chance you get, I believe that The Fall of the House of Usher has the ‘bump that goes in the night’ element that Halloween Haunts seekers are looking for.

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AHS Coven is Bewitching and Entrancing; The Walkers Walk Again

SEAN QUINN | EDITOR IN CHIEF

     American Horror Story, the critically acclaimed series based television show, is back for its third season entitled Coven. American Horror Story Coven follows four girls at a boarding school in New Orleans who are learning about their very special talents, witchcraft.

     American Horror Story changes each season with recurring cast members but different characters and plots. Three episodes into this season, and we can already tell that nothing is too offensive or obscene for American Horror Story.

     Instantly, we know that there will be a power play between Jessica Lange’s character and everyone else. Lange is a power house in every season. I will go so far as to say it would not be American Horror Story if she was not playing a major role.

     The reason I think the recurring cast is a great idea is because they are like a theatre company, and they will find the role that best suits the person, and just because you played a certain person a season ago, everything shifts from season to season.

     I am very excited about this season because of the subject matter, but I don’t think that it is as scary as the previous seasons. American Horror Story Asylum used psychological tactics to scare you, but this season I feel more intrigued than frightened.

     Something else about American Horror Story that I love is their attention to detail, not just in the design and technical aspect, it is very apparent that the writers are able to tie in actual lore. This season they explained the relationship between Salem witches and Voodoo queens, and one of the major plot lines has to do with a character based off of Marie Laveau.

    This season has a whole new feeling to it which is different from both previous seasons. I think that this is one of the best shows on television right now, and I highly recommend it, even if you never watched it before. The seasons are not linear, and all the characters are different meaning it could be picked up season three no problem.

     American Horror Story Coven is already proving to be as edgy and provocative as previous seasons, but the whole mood has changed for the witches. It feels more like a regular drama with supernatural entities than the scary story it was before, but maybe it is for the better.

     Every Sunday at 9pm you can find me glued to the television for my favorite zombie killing hour. The Walking Dead is now back on and in full swing. The Walking Dead is based on Graphic Novels by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard

     This season they are back in the prison but they have a few guests from Woodbury with them. This time our protagonist Rick is less inclined to kill and more inclined to Farm. This could be influenced by his son’s quick trigger reaction to an innocent man at the end of season three, but it is short lived as the prison is overcome by walkers from the inside.

     This season they have introduced the idea that walkers are not the deadliest thing they have to worry about. This time, sickness is spreading quickly, and even the strongest are being taken down by the common cold.

     Only three episodes in and already we see several plot lines forming. Sweet and lovable Carol has hardened and goes her own way to make sure the younger people in the group are well equipped. Loosing Sophia in the second season has left her with a passion for making sure children know how to handle a weapon, while small encounters with Michonne hint at a bigger and darker backstory that isn’t fully realized yet. More so, Rick, after the attack of the flu ridden zombies, gives Carl back his gun and takes his own again. The reign of farmer Rick has fallen.

     The Walking Dead is already one of the best shows this fall, and it is only three episodes in.

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Who will be Philadelphia’s Next Poet Laureate?

Sean Lynch | Copy Editor 

     Sonia Sanchez has been remarkable in her tenure as Philadelphia’s inaugural poet laureate, which began in 2012, and ends in two months due to the mandated two year term limit. Sanchez, who just turned 79 in September, is an internationally renowned and influential poet whose poetry is often categorized under the Black Arts Movement, which is often called the sister to the Black Power Movement. Sanchez, in spite of her frail health, has propagated poetry in Philadelphia during her tenure, and her most tangible accomplishment was the “Peace is a Haiku Song” mural on Christian street, a beautiful painting featuring children, poetry, and origami swans; the mural was “inspired by Sanchez’s belief that the haiku form is inherently non-violent in its intent and structure and engenders beauty, serenity, and brief reflection.”

     While Sanchez’s legacy will surely be solidified by her exceptional work as Philadelphia’s inaugural laureate, the looming question is who will replace her? The first poet that comes to mind is Lamont B. Steptoe, a Pittsburgh born, but decades-long Philadelphia resident and Vietnam War veteran who has recently returned from headlining an international poetry festival in Lithuania.

     Thom Nickels wrote an article for The Huffington Post on Philadelphia’s upcoming selection of a new poet laureate, in which he questions whether “a Steptoe-Sanchez succession [would] interfere with the city’s racial diversity goals”. What racial diversity goals? The city’s population is majority Black, but why should race matter in this situation anyway, unless someone has a pre-conceived notion that two Black poets are too similar? Nickels claims that Steptoe has the same kind of voice as Sanchez, but if he had actually read or listened to their respective poetry, he would know that Steptoe and Sanchez’s voices couldn’t be any more different from one another. Sanchez advocates peace and justice through a passive voice that focuses on natural beauty and the interactions of people through intimate relationships. Steptoe is a raw, no holds barred truth-seeker, a spiritual warrior, and certified Reiki master who has converted Rimbaud’s abstract idea of the poet as shaman into an everyday practice of poetic prophesy.

     The Huffington Post article at times borders on conjecture, with labels that arbitrarily question the nomination of fictional poets, such as: “a safe mom poet”, “a vegetarian, Asian, female poet”, “a gay feminist poet”, or “a waspish W.H. Auden or Robert Lowell type”. In doing this, as well as introducing the article with an again, label-ridden description of Moonstone Arts annual Poetry Ink, and repeatedly and mistakenly calling the event “Poetry Link”, Nickels sounds slightly disparaging of what he calls “Poetdelphia”.

     There’s no doubt that Thom Nickels had good intentions in his attempt to illuminate the status of poetry in Philadelphia for the usual HuffPo reader. His article would be informative if it wasn’t for his incessant “Poetry Link” misnomer. Nickels speaks favorably of a few poets that he actually mentions by name, including Jack Veasey, Daisy Fried, and CAConrad. Nickels praises Veasey’s poetry, and gives him props for being raised in pre-gentrified Fishtown, but then laments that Veasey is now a Harrisburg resident and therefore is not eligible to be poet laureate. Nickels concludes his article by declaring that Fried should be the next laureate and defends his decision by quoting Joyce Carol Oates on why Fried has “an original voice”. Yet Fried’s poetry consists largely of confessional narrative free verse, which is fine, but it does little to represent the city of Philadelphia as a community.

     However, this does not mean that all hope is lost in the pursuit of an adequate poet laureate. As mentioned before, Nickels speaks highly of CAConrad, but then dismisses him because Conrad’s bizarre yet captivating poetry might not go over well “at a City Hall business luncheon”. Although that question should be irrelevant, considering that the laureate’s job is not to give readings in City Hall, but to go out on the streets and advocate poetry to the people. Nickels brings up a valid point, does politics matter in the selection process? Considering that Mayor Nutter will not be making the decision himself, but rather will sign off on a recommendation by a committee of eight poets and academics, politics may not matter as much as Nickels suggests.

     So CAConrad, who is currently in residence at the famous MacDowell Colony, where Thornton Wilder wrote “Our Town”, should not be looked over in comparison to a conventional poet like Daisy Fried. Conrad was just published in October’s issue of POETRY, the foremost poetry magazine in America, and so it would be interesting for the panel to select an out-of-the-ordinary, nationally-on-the-rise poet to represent the city. Yet Steptoe has the advantage of decades of experience, and he also has explicitly represented Philadelphia in his poetry without ever having been given the task by someone else. Race and politics aside, Lamont Steptoe deserves to be the next poet laureate, and two years after that, CAConrad.

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Kingdom Hearts Returns not a Moment too Soon

Mitch Larson | A&E Editor

     It’s very hard to believe that it’s been so years since the original Kingdom Hearts first captivated an entire generation of gamers when it debut on the PlayStation 2 in 2002. But now 11 years later, the game has spawned a sequel and an abundance of handheld gaming spinoffs. Kingdom Hearts is one of the most popular video games ever. However despite all its popularity and financial success the last time a Kingdom Hearts game appeared on a console was in 2006 when Disney and Square Enix released Kingdom Hearts II. In the 7 years since Kingdom Hearts II rumors of a Kingdom Hearts III would pop up periodically and get fans everywhere excited only to be let down when told that a Kingdom Hearts III just wasn’t in the plans at the time. Periodically Square Enix would release another handheld game but other than the franchise laid moistly dormant.  Unless you still had a working PS2 or a backwards compatible PS3, there was no way to go back and play Kingdom Hearts I or II because the game was not made  for download from the PlayStation store or made available by way of an updated HD collection as many PS2 classic series were. Earlier in the year it was announced that Japan would be getting an HD collection of Kingdom Hearts called Kingdom Hearts 1.5, it included: Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts re: Chain of Memories, and Kingdom Hearts 358 days/2, with the latter being available simply in the form of HD cut scenes. It wasn’t long before the American version of the game finally arrived this fall. So how is the updated Kingdom Hearts? How does it stack up now versus in 2002 when it was first released? And what does Kingdom Hearts 1.5 mean for the future of the series?

    First off let’s give a little background on Kingdom Hearts. Kingdom Hearts is a game that blends together your favorite Disney characters and worlds and meshes it together with your favorite Final Fantasy worlds and characters. But don’t worry just because you aren’t a fan of one doesn’t mean you aren’t going to like this game. Personally I am not the biggest fan of Final Fantasy; however it didn’t impact my enjoyment of the game one way or the other in 2002 or now. The primary characters that the game focuses on (aside from Donald and Goofy) are all original. While the game is so much more in depth than this, the spark noted version is that the game follows a young man named Sora as well as his friends Riku and Kiri who all live on an island, longing to get away anyway that they can; finally they decide to build a raft on sail away. On the night before they are set to leave the island it is attacked by the “heartless” a mysterious enemy that, as the name entails have no heart. Sora soon learns that he is the “one who will open the door” and can save his world and others from being taken by the heartless and that he is the “chosen key-blade wielder”, meanwhile Riku and Kiri disappear into the darkness. At the same time Mickey Mouse has disappeared from his Castle because, “worlds have been disappearing.” Donald and Goofy are his right hand men and are told to find the key-blade wielder. Eventually they meet up and must travel from world to world before they are taken by the heartless, sealing “keyholes” and looking for King Mickey as well as both Riku and Kiri.

     The first Kingdom Hearts still holds up better than ever today. It’s really enjoyable and a great way to spend an afternoon with a fun, engaging story with terrific characters and unique plot it still feels as fresh as ever today. The HD touch ups really show and the game looks better than ever. The worlds are still breathtaking and a ton of fun to play through. The voiceovers are crisp and done perfectly. Although graphically it can be annoying when the characters mouths continue to move when they aren’t saying anything and its 2013, but other than that the game still looks as gorgeous as ever. It’s truly a nostalgia trip playing Kingdom Hearts again as I was once again transported back to 2nd grade the first time I played the game. Combat isn’t too deep but that isn’t a problem, if you hate button mashing or having to deal with a command board the combat system can be frustrating, but once you learn the hotkeys for certain items it becomes a breeze.

[rucgleaner]

The Gleaner’s Top 5 Scariest Horror Games

Mitch Larson| A&E Editor

     5.) Dead Space (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)- If you love sci-fi than Dead Space is right up your ally. You play as Isaac, a space engineer whose ship has been called for some “routine maintenance” out in a secluded part of space. When he gets there a group of aliens called the necromorphs attack and leave Isaac as one of only a couple survivors. As one of the other survivors slowly guide him through the spacecraft that he’s on to what will hopefully be safety necromorphs pop out of every possible nook and cranny of the ship. What’s even more interesting is that you can’t just do a headshot to one of them and be done with them; you need to go for the limbs with precise calculated shots in what always feel like high pressure intense situations. The sequels are great too, but the original is by far the best and scariest.

     4.) Half-Life 2 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Xbox)- Besides the fact that Half-Life 2 is just one of the best games ever created and still holds up even today, I have one word for why you should play it this Halloween that anyone who has ever played Half-Life 2 can attest too. Ravenholm. Easily the most terrifying and frightening level of a video game ever, words can just simply not do it justice. What lies in Ravenholm is the stuff your nightmares have nightmares about. It’s hard to go too in to depth into the story without spoiling it, just know that it’s a continuation of Half-Life and you play as scientist Gordon Freeman once again. It’s scary and just all around incredible.

     3.) Bioshock (PC, PS3, Xbox 360)- Bioshock has never been short on praise, it’s one of the most critically lauded, and like others on this list greatest games ever created. You play as Jack a man whose pilot crashes mysteriously over the Atlantic Ocean and find himself in Rapture, an underwater dystopia. Basically Ayn Rand’s wet dream, Rapture is a world built on libertarian promise and ideals only to have collapsed and been corrupt. The world of Rapture is awe-inspiring and what sets the tone and makes this game so incredible and scary. The story is just breathtaking, and the enemies just terrifying. Big Daddies and splicers have become extremely iconic over the years and for good reason. They are terrifying.  Bioshock may be the greatest game ever and it’s worth a play through no matter what, especially if you’re looking for a great tightly woven and horrific tale of terror, mayhem and corruption.

     2.) Amnesia: The Dark Descent (PC)- Like Bioshock, the atmosphere is really what makes Amnesia: The Dark Descent, arguably the most terrifying game that I have ever played. There are not Big Daddies or splicers lurking around the corner. No, instead you have no idea what the hell it is chasing you, all you know is that is freaking scary and coming after you. Unlike other games Amnesia isn’t about combat, in fact there isn’t any combat in the game at all. The game begins with the main character is trapped inside of a castle, passed out on the floor with, you guessed it, amnesia. He can’t remember anything other than that his name is Daniel and he must kill a man named the Baron. Amnesia is a fantastic example of how environments and mystery can really set the tone for a horrifying and exhilarating game. The plot may not sound like much but if you’re looking for a real good original scare this Halloween than turn off the lights, turn up the volume and play Amnesia

    1.) Resident Evil 4 (PS2, GameCube, Playstation Store, X-Box Live Arcade, PC, Wii, iOS) - Shinji Mikami is the father of the survival horror genre. You may not know his name but you definitely are familiar with him. Back in 1996 Mikami released a title from developer Capcom that you may have heard of called Resident Evil. In RE4 you play as Leon, a secret service agent who travels to the east to investigate the disappearance of the president’s daughter, only to see the town overrun with infected zombielike people. RE4 may have a shallow story, but it more than makes up for it with revolutionary gameplay, terrific sounds and an immersive and terrifying environment that truly suck the gamer into it. And some of the boss battles are by far the best and creepiest every presented in games. RE4 isn’t just one of the best survival; horror games, it’s one of the greatest games ever as well too.

[rucgleaner]

Twin Peaks-A Damn Fine Television Show

Mitch Larson| A&E Editor 

     Whether or not you realize it; Twin Peaks is one of the most influential television shows in the history of modern television drama. It’s been 23 years since Twin Peaks first debut on TV and while it only lasted for 2 seasons, it still left a large imprint on the television. Now with the 25th anniversary, hot on the heels of surprisingly strong DVD sales for the 20th annivsary, strong interest to the Blu-ray collection that will be released this winter, and numerous hints from creators David Lynch and Mark Frost it seems all but certain that Twin Peaks will be either rebooted for a new network (like so many other classic shows and films) or continued as a third season. As such, there seems like no better of a time to travel back to Twin Peaks and relive the mystery and the adventure of Special Agent Dale Cooper and who killed Laura Palmer than now.

     When Twin Peaks first debuted in 1990 it was a huge hit and pop culture sensation that launched the careers of several successful actors and actresses today. Spawning novelizations, magazine covers, a job hosting SNL for Kyle MacLauchlan, and even got actress Sherilyn Fenn, who played Audrey Horne on the cover of playboy. As wildly popular as the first season was, it lost a ton of steam at the end of the season 2 due to the studio forcing Lynch and Frost to reveal the killer way earlier than they had intended too. As such viewership dropped off significantly and despite leaving the show on a massive cliffhanger, the show was cancelled due to low ratings at the end of season 2.

     Twin Peaks was, and in many ways still is, a very odd and quirky television show. The show revolves around the fictional town of Twin Peaks, Washington. A town where, as cliché as it sounds, everyone knows everyone and everybody has something to hide.  In the show the mysterious murder of teenage prom queen Laura Palmer shocks the small town. However this isn’t just your average murder as the idiosyncratic Special Agent Dale Cooper of the FBI, one of the greatest characters in TV history is sent in to help Sheriff Harry Truman break the code. With help from Laura’s best friend Donna Heyward and her boyfriend James Hurley. The rest of the cast are composed up of various members of the police force and town’s people from Twin Peaks, with each one serving a vital purpose on the journey to find Laura’s killer. Take the trip back to Twin Peaks, I promise you won’t be disappointed. There’s something for everyone in Twin Peaks, and it’s well worth your time. I guarantee it.

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Top 10 Horror Movies to watch this Halloween

Mitch Larson | A&E Editor Alexandria Morris| Contributor

    It’s almost the October 31st, and you all know what that means….Halloween! It’s the horror movie industry’s happiest time of the year. If you are about ready to get out the comfy PJ’s and popcorn for a movie this Halloween make it a horror movie to celebrate the season and the spirit of the creepiest day of the year. These are The Glea++ners top ten horror flicks to watch this Halloween:

10.) Joy Ride

     This is the perfect nail-biting thriller to dip your toes into the pool of horror movies. If you are new to horror or just enjoy a good thriller, this is your kind of movie. The plot starts with two brothers playing a stupid prank on a trucker, who winds up being a psychopath seeking revenge, eventually following them on the road for night of suspense, twists, turns, thrills and fun for the viewer. Joy Ride leaves viewers on the edge of their seats until a shocking ending.

     Scare Factor: Nail Biter

9.) Friday the 13th (1-4)

     In 1980 when the original Friday the 13th came out it took off where Halloween left off and became a classic film in the genre of slasher flicks. The series feature an unknown killer in the original (a surprise to viewers who don’t know the twist at the end) and Jason Voorhees, the hockey mask wearing machete wielding psycho in the rest of the series. The movies are great and even when they aren’t very good like in 3 and 4 there’s still that same tone and atmosphere that made the originals so much fun.  They are all classics and shouldn’t be missed. (You can skip the rest after the originals…although the remake is fun and Jason X just hysterically bad.)

     Scare Factor: Blood and Guts

8.) Nightmare on Elm Street and Wes Craven’s New Nightmare

                Insomnia is never a good thing, unless you are in Wes Craven’s popular horror flick with Freddy Krueger popping up in your dreams. When Freddy is tracking down teenagers in their dreams and murdering them in their sleep, the goal for the characters is to stay awake. With a serial killer coming from the imagination, Craven creates a very unique plot that leaves viewers afraid to fall asleep themselves after watching it. It’s definitely an original idea (or at least was back when it was released in 1984.) Its spawned a ton of sequels, most of which sucked with the notable exception of Wes Craven’s New Nightmare which saw him return to the franchise that made him a horror god. If you are going to watch any of the Nightmare on Elm Street Movies make sure you watch the original and New Nightmare!

     Scare Factor: Psychological Slasher

7.) Saw

     Everyone knows the Saw movies for their gore, but some people do not remember the psychological aspects of the first Saw. With two men waking up in a locked room, chained to the floor and the choice to hurt each other and themselves in order to live, the viewers begin to imagine themselves in that situation. If you had to cut your arm or foot off to survive, would you? The scariness of the movie lies not only in the mental processing of what lengths the characters go to in order to stay alive. Oddly enough there isn’t a ton of gore or violence in the original saw, while the little that is in it is shocking and graphic. Saw is a great psychosocial horror movie that really makes the viewer think and has one of the best twist endings ever.

    Scare Factor: Psychological AND Gore

6.) The Silence of the Lambs

If you enjoy a psychological thriller, then this movie is for you. Anthony Hopkins’ performance of a brilliant psychopath creates the perfect eeriness that a good horror flick needs. The chemistry between the murderer and Jodie Foster’s character creates a tension that leaves viewers on edge the entire movie. Hopkins plays Hannibal Lector the murderous cannibal who is helping an FBI agent catch a horrifying new serial killer…Buffalo Bill. Silence of the Lambs is one of the movies ever made a sit won 5 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress and Screenplay. Are the lambs still screaming?

     Scare Factor: Psychological

5.) Insidious

     Insidious wipes out every ghost movie with its unique plot and unexpected scares. They all start the same way; a family is experiencing strange happenings in their house, and the children and wife seem to be going crazy when in actuality there really is a ghost problem. Insidious keeps viewers chewing on their fingers waiting for the next ghost to pop up any minute. This combined with the imaginative ending create one of the best ghost stories told yet in the horror genre.

     Scare Factor: Eerie Ghost Thriller

4.) Halloween-

     Considering it’s the title of the movie, this is the perfect horror movie to watch on Halloween. Jamie Lee Curtis truly earns her reputation as the scream queen in of the original slasher flicks that has left its imprint on the genre ever since. However, oddly enough most of the horror lies in the creepiness of the killer Michael Myers. Who, in the first movies is just a man with a mask rampaging around for town for no reason whatsoever but the viewer gets the feeling there really is more to him but his pure anonymity is what makes him so creepy in the original.  

     Scare Factor: Blood and Guts

3.) Cabin in the Woods

                If you are looking for a unique horror movie this Halloween, Cabin in the Woods is it. This movie combines every factor of any horror movie that has ever been made, and comically combines the horror clichés into one movie. You have the stoner, the jock, the hottie, the cute one, and the smart one, all staying at an isolated cabin in the woods. We’ve seen that before yes, but not in this way. Cabin in the Woods intelligently creates an imaginative horror aspect of the film while maintaining a comical attitude toward the stupidity of every cliché. This is one of the best modern day horror flicks yet.

     Scare Factor: Psychological

2.) The Ring

     The Ring is a classic horror movie with a unique plot. With seven days to live after watching an eerie videotape left at a cabin, a reporter quickly tries to figure out the mysterious death of a teenager before her own time is up. The thought of death is common in horror movies, but putting a deadline on life adds to the creepiness. The Ring’s unique cinematography and unsettling scares really make it a great movie to watch around Halloween. There may not be too many moments that make you jump, but there is definitely an uneasy feeling viewers get while watching this horror movie.

      Scare Factor: Psychologically Creepy

1.)Scream

Scream is the first modern satire of horror movies. It manages to knowledgably poke fun at the clichés of horror movies, while still maintaining a scare factor. This is the best written, most well paced slasher flick there is today. Fans of the horror genre can enjoy the playful parody and commentary it makes on the genre, while the rest can sit on the edge of their seat. The movie builds up to a shocking finale, and keeps you guessing until the end. This is highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a good horror flick or just movie in general. In a world where everything seems to be remade, rebooted or rebranded, Wes Craven has made scream and even its sequels to be some of the best and more original material out there.

    Scare Factor: Psychological and Slasher

[rucgleaner]

Pumpkin Cupcakes

KRISTINA MARTORANO l LIFESTYLES EDITOR

     Nothing screams fall more than pumpkin and cinnamon. I came across this recipe on Pinterest (which, by the way, I don’t recommend surfing when you are hungry), and I simply had to try it out. These cupcakes were interesting, but in a good way. The pumpkin made the batter heavy so it did not rise much when baked. The consistency of the finished cupcake was a cross between a pie and a cake. It wasn’t heavy and creamy enough to be a pie, but it wasn’t light and squishy enough to be a cake. I would recommend giving it a try however, because it was a crowd pleaser. My family really enjoyed them and said it reminded them of a pumpkin pie in cupcake form amd that the icing is delicious, of course. My suggestion however is to skimp on the four cups of powdered sugar. I did about three and a half and that was certainly sweet enough. Four cups would have been nothing short of an overload. So the next time you are in a fall mood, give these cupcakes a try, you’ll love the pumpkin and cinnamon combination.

Cupcakes:

Cupcakes:

1/4 Cup Butter, Softened

3/4 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce

1 Cup Granulated Sugar

3/4 Cup Brown Sugar, Packed Firmly

2 Large Eggs

3/4 Cup Fat Free Milk

1 Tablespoon Lemon Juice

1 (15 Ounce) Can Pumpkin Puree

2 1/3 Cups All Purpose Flour

1 Tablespoon Pumpkin Pie Spice

1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1 Teaspoon Baking Powder

3/4 Teaspoon Salt

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Ground Ginger

  Icing:

1 (8 Ounce) Package

Reduced Fat Cream Cheese (Not Fat Free!)

1/4 Cup Butter, Softened

4 Cups Confectioners Sugar

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

2 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1.         Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.         In a large mixing bowl, add in butter, applesauce, sugars, and eggs and beat over medium speed until combined.

3.         Add in pumpkin and continuing beating until thoroughly incorporated. In a liquid measuring cup, combine milk and lemon juice and set aside. I

4.         In a medium bowl, combine remaining dry ingredients. Slowly, over medium speed, add the dry ingredients to the pumpkin mixture, alternating with the milk mixture, beating well after each addition.

5.         Line cupcakes trays with paper liners and then spray lightly with a non-stick cooking spray. Fill cupcake liners 3/4 of the way full and bake for 22 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

6.         To make frosting, combine all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and beat over medium speed until ingredients begin to combine, slowly increase speed and continue beating until a frosting is formed.

7.         Once cupcakes cool completely, frost as desired and enjoy!

[rucgleaner]

Rutgers Students on Fall Fashion Trends

Darragh Nolan | Staff Writer

     Every year, Mother Nature rewards our suffering through humidity and the unsophisticated summer styling of shorts and flip-flops with Thanksgiving, pumpkin-flavored everything, and the revival of our autumn wardrobes.  After rummaging through attic storage, we rediscover the greatest accomplishments known to humans are back in fashion: the jean jacket, the leather jacket and the military jacket.  For some, jackets have retained their utility, but now masquerade as yet another opportunity to accessorize with.  As plants decay in the damp cold, the red, orange and yellows of the leaves seem to warm up our fashions like a cozy bon fire.  Sweaters, hats, bags and backpacks in colors that reflect the tumbling foliage simply complement closet staples, like the practical t-shirt and jeans combination.  From there, layering operates as an exchange program: a plain black shirt can stay simple by itself or warmer with a knitted pull over; instead of jeans, wear a skirt with tights and knee socks.  The simplicity of fall fashion makes students across campus comfortable, cozy and polished.  The style on the Rutgers Camden campus mixes urban minimalism with contemporary trends, but so much personal style and inspiration shines through.  In interviews with students, each shared their spark of sartorial insight adapted for the chilly months ahead.

     Ryan, an undeclared sophomore, announces himself a hybrid between prep and hipster.  “I love preppy brands like Calvin Klein and J. Crew but I also like to mix it up a lot of the time with casual wear,” he said. Combining formal refinery of tailored pieces with casual street style, he gets to wear the best his closet has to offer, all at once.  He exclaims, “I love the cold and the weather gives me the opportunity to wear more items.”  The highlights of his fall ensembles are his Ronnie Fieg x Sebago boots and easy pullover sweaters.  When I meet up with Ryan to talk about fashion, he’s wearing a grey Henley and blue jeans, consistent to his style philosophy.  He’s faithful to what feels easy and flattering, but will pay attention to trends, “to an extent.” 

     Kathryn, an Art History major and super senior, aims have the comfort and sleek efficiency of a science-fiction character.  “I like tight jackets with sweatshirts or sweaters and tall boots because I like to feel covered, prepared and lean.”  As a seamstress herself, she pays attention to trends for the climate they set within the fashion industry, but the clothes she wears stay true to her streamlined aesthetic. “Personally,” she said, “I wear what I feel comfortable in and what works for me.”  Her wardrobe consists of things she has collected over the years, whether she got them from friends’ hand-me-downs or thrift stores, and she has since developed the confidence to show off her unique pieces. She explains, “I work with what I’ve got, but I’m inspired by movies, especially period pieces and British comedies.  They are so good at layering.”  The blogs that she checks out provide inspirational confidence in personal style, more than a means of fail-safe imitation.  Kathryn is almost always wearing the coolest black, halter-style crop top that matches everything from destructed denim to peasant skirts perfectly.  Her familiarity with construction and fabric gives her the tailored intuition.

     Ange is a junior studying Art.  She and I share a nearly identical everyday style with a firm allegiance to basically black everything punctuated by neutral accessories or an isolated pop of color in trend.  “I am most excited for leather ankle boots and chunky knit cardigans.  I’m also excited for stores to start selling a lot of earthy-toned clothing because those are my favorite colors to wear year round,” she said. She considers the trendsetters, Lua P. a admired presence on street style website, Lookbook,nu and Jenn Im, who writes a blog called Clothes Encounters, as her biggest inspirations when buying clothes.  “I do pay attention to trends and bloggers but try to stay away from them so I can develop a unique, personal uniform for myself,”she explained.  Her best fall accessory is her bright red hair that warms up her daily uniform and punctuates her more experimental evening looks.

     Grace, a senior Psych major, likes to incorporate some trends into her fall wardrobe but also keeps in mind budgetary restrictions.  She picks a lot of her clothes based on what she needs, Emma Robert’s Instagram account and what she can trade at Plato’s Closet and Buffalo Exchange for newer trends at a cheaper price.  She polishes off her staple fall outfit with a scarf from a place she’s traveled to, her favorite one being a plum-hued alpaca fleece from Peru. 

     Kristie, a senior Art major, focuses on dressing the way that asserts her own creativity, avoiding the drain on style that repetition creates.  “I like to step outside of the box when creating my outfit for the day and urban fashion is about setting trends and making sure people take you seriously for your individuality,” she said.  Fall is a time to be bold, original, and creative, not tired and typical.  She lists green parka jackets, brown and black military boots, sweaters, infinity scarves and vintage accessories to complete her looks.  For her, layers are necessary but not for the sake to cover up; the temperatures are cool enough to be secure in pieces that let her personality speak through her style.

     Rutgers students are a diverse group.  Our classmates are a great source of inspiration themselves, so take a look around, borrow what you like, and leave the rest up to the colors and cooling of autumn.

[rucgleaner]

Restaurant of the Week: British chip Shop

  KRISTINA MARTARANO l LYFESTYLES EDITOR

Atmosphere 6/10

Food 7/10

Service 7/10

Price Range $ ($9-$11)

     The British are coming! Actually the British have arrived and they have made a name for themselves at the British Chip Shop in Haddonfield, NJ. If you’ve never experienced British cuisine, don’t wait any longer, because a meal at the British Chip Shop is always worth trying. If you have had British cuisine, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the quality and authenticity of the food the Chip Shop offers.

     Located in historic Haddonfield NJ, the British Chip Shop serves up all of the culinary traditions of the British Isles. They offer everything from fish and chips to homemade pastries. They are open seven days a week for lunch and dinner. On Sundays, a traditional Sunday brunch is served, as well as the many other events the Chip Shop has to offer. Some events include last week on October 21st was Apple day where tons of apple dishes and desserts were on the menu and this week on October 30th is Harry Potter night, where food, trivia, contests, and Harry Potter fun will be had. I know I’ll be there! The Chip Shop is always offering specials and events so be sure to check out their website before you visit.

     The food at the Chip Shop is well made and delicious. The fish and chips should not be missed; also the Irish stew is definitely worth trying. Other entrees such as the bangers and mash, and the cottage pie are hearty and a nice warm treat as the weather starts to turn cold. The Chip Shop also offers menu items that are vegan as well as gluten free options. They can be identified by the symbol next to the dish on the menu. Other than the entrées I feel that the beverages are incredibly unique and worth mentioning. Haddonfield is a dry town, so no alcoholic beverages are offered, but many authentic sodas imported from England adorn the menu. I tried the Irish apple soda and it was really tasty. Besides sodas there is also a vast selection of tea. The desserts at the Chip Shop are reasonably priced and very good as well. The fresh baked pastries such as the shortbread are always a good choice, but the fried Mars bars make the perfect ending to a good meal. They are so gooey and crispy.

     The atmosphere at the Chip Shop is nice. It is very small however, so reservations are necessary on the weekends. The service is also excellent, and the servers are always apt to answer any questions you may have. So try something different this weekend and embrace our friends over England with a visit to the British Chip Shop. Cheers!