The answer, as one could have predicted from the trailers, includes lots of explosions, twisting metal and numerous complicated, yet somewhat shallow storylines.

While the first installment of the Iron Man series focused mostly on the character of Tony Stark and the trials and tribulations he had to endure to create the man-made superhero, the sequel concentrates on how he uses his newfound alter-ego.  However, the movie features so many problems and plotlines it is a bit of a challenge for the viewer to wrap his head around.

Rival weapons expert Justin Hammer, (Sam Rockwell, Everybody’s Fine) has teamed up with Russian outlaw Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler) to try and destroy Iron Man.  To bolster their defense, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson, Lakeview Terrace) and Natalie Rushman (Scarlett Johansson, He’s Just Not That Into You) attempt to persuade Stark to join S.H.I.E.L.D., a secret superhero alliance.  Also, further adding to the complication of the film, Stark’s promotion of Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow, Two Lovers) to CEO of his company has caused dissention among stockholders.  The U.S. government tries to seize the Iron Man suits and make them property of the Defense Department.  And, to make matters worse, the element used in Starks’ battery-powered heart is slowly intoxicating his blood and killing him.

It almost seems as though director Jon Favreau decided to take the quantity over quality approach when it comes to the challenges Stark faces in Iron Man 2.  Instead of allowing a few compelling storylines to grip the viewer throughout the entire movie, as was the case in the first Iron Man, the sequel is a series of convoluted storylines that lack substance.  The movie keeps the viewers interest more through the flashy explosions and exciting battle scenes than great acting or a gripping plot.

Despite the great number of celebrity actors in Iron Man 2, the viewer should not go to the movie expecting to see superior acting or a deep storyline, which were factors that put the first Iron Man in such elite company.  Instead, it is similar to most superhero movies sequels today, comprised of a mediocre plot, below-average acting, but is somewhat saved by impressive special effects and intense battle scenes.

Overall, compared to the first one, Iron Man 2 is a bit of a disappointment.  Then again, Iron Man set the bar very high and duplicating it would have been a tough task.  Compared to other superhero sequels—for example Spider-Man 3 or Fantastic 4: Rise of the Silver Surfer—it could do a lot worse, and it still should be worth the price of admission as long as the viewer’s expectations are in the right spot.

Six CHS bands got to showcase their talent in front of the surrounding community. The Diesels Pigeons, a pop-punk group consisting of sophomore Zac Vogel and Class of 2009 alumni Evan Vogel, Jonah Weinreich and Eric Taft, left with the victory.

Ever Since Beginnings, Noise, Sheeza Commando, Hot Broccoli and Churchill’s Got Talent winner J.A.W.A.N.J.A all had their turn on the stage. Their genres ranged from pop-punk to jazz and every type of rock in between.

“Our class officers had shown some interest in doing a school event so Scott Selman, our SGA advisor, figured out that we could be in charge of Battle of the Bands this year,” freshman vice president Hana Quirós said.

Battle of the Bands was a solution to help funding for the class of 2013.

“My idea was to create an event that could kick-start the fundraising for the [freshmen] class early,” Selman said.

Auditions were held by the freshmen SGA officers and Executive Board members April 20 and 21. Bands were primarily judged on preparedness, talent and stage presence.

The Diesel Pigeons performed at After-Prom and received a recording studio microphone package donated from Guitar Center as their prize.

After the past two years’ turnout, Battle of the Bands will probably become a CHS tradition once again. While it is a way to help support the freshmen class, Vogel also cites Battle of the Bands as a valuable opportunity for local bands.

“I really hope that events like this will encourage CHS students to respect and support local music,” Vogel said. “I’ve seen kids who appreciate it in other areas, but the support is nowhere to be found here.”

Junior Samantha Cola

Photography 1

Where  It All Started: “My parents got me an SLR camera in the eighth grade and ever since then I’ve liked [photography].”

Inspiration: “I get inspired by everyday things, [and I get some of my ideas] from places I’ve gone; for example, Wintergreen Resort, Colorado and Pittsburgh. I think anything can inspire you if you let it.”

Goal: “I wanted to express myself through these pictures, but another part of it are the memories the pictures have. I think I’ll keep these pictures for a while, even when I’m older.”

Sophomore Anastasia Emmanuelidis

Photography 2

How I Made it: “I took a picture I took in Baltimore and cropped two pictures of Maggie Pelta-Pauls and put a rabbit and a deer head on those two pictures.”

Inspiration: “I have a T-shirt with the rabbit kind of thing, and I just went from there.”

Goal: “The objective was to create a surreal picture.”

Theme: “I can see it representing Darwinism because it is survival of the fittest. The two horses are dead, and it looks like the picture is from the prospective of something watching them; maybe the rabbit and deer people are next.”

Future Goals: “Mr. Foo wants me to do a series of this type of picture and maybe a few t-shirts with his silk screen.”

Senior Gryphon Drake

AP 3D Studio

How It All Started: “I drew all of my childhood, and I started ceramics sophomore year, and I was good at it, so I went from there.”

Theme: “A lot of my art focuses on the human form and on things people make [like] how technology and our environment defines who we are.”

Future Goals: “I wouldn’t do sculpture unless I was taking ceramics, but I would definitely continue art. I was doing art before [AP 3D Studio] and will continue to after this class. I’m going to Carnegie Mellon University and will be taking art classes there.”

Senior Elissa Morse

AP Drawing

Happiness With Artwork: “When we submitted the AP portfolio I was really happy that I was able to submit that much work in so little time, [but] I’m not sure how I did because art is really subjective.”

Theme: “Sometimes I want to draw a specific thing, but sometimes I just want to express myself. I do pieces that I plan ahead of time what to paint and other times I just pick up a paintbrush and see what happens.”

Future Goal: “I’m going to MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) [for college].”

Senior Max Kalicka

Ceramics 1

How It All Started: “My girlfriend inspired me to take ceramics.”

Inspiration: “I make whatever comes to mind and make it, it’s all kind of random.”

Happiness With Artwork: “I am happy with my results, I think for the amount of time I put into my work it comes out well.”

Why I Like Ceramics and Art: “I like ceramics because it’s a good way to express yourself.”

It’s an understatement to say that Lady Gaga is a superstar. This woman is not a star, but a cosmic explosion, and she has certainly exploded into the world of pop music.

The platinum blond songstress has won two Grammy Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, and been nominated for nine others. She also became the first artist in history to have her music videos reach one billion views online.

What accounts for her success? She is openly bisexual and her song lyrics do not inspire confidence in her sanity. She has sported headdresses with bedazzled lobsters and performed songs while blood spurts and soaks her chest. She turns heads.

This craziness has become a fad for some of the biggest names in music. Names we hold dear to our heart have broken out of their sugar-coated shells. Rihanna’s latest album, Rated R, not only speaks of her pain in gut-busting lyrics, but also in her shredded wardrobe choice and good-girl-gone-bad music videos. Christina Aguilera, once a respected singer who belted hits like “Beautiful,” has recently released a startling new music video for her song “Not Myself Tonight.” When searched, YouTube bears a warning that the material is inappropriate for underage audiences.

Lately, it seems as though this statement could apply to much of the music that is arriving on the scene.

We used to love flirty, bashful confessions but now we thrive off women who bare their raw testimonies for all to listen. We crave drama and madness that these trailblazing women bring to us by the bucketful. This is a revolution to rival Madonna.

Is this a ploy to sell tickets or an expression of femininity and independence? These women are some of the biggest and most successful names in music. This may be an act—an incredible one at that—to attract fans. If it is, it’s working.

Or is it us? Are we, to quote Rihanna, “good girl[s] gone bad?” Do we crave unconventional behavior because we too wish to be different? These women are our role models and when they change, we blindly follow them into a world that we do not even understand or perhaps even like. This revolution is likely to last as long as we’re still gaga for glitz, and restless for Rihanna—which will be until the good girl reigns supreme once again. Not so likely.

Located in Old Georgetown, this quaint restaurant serves just three purposes: to offer a place where one can relax, drink some coffee and eat crêpes. Recently opened in February, Crêpe Amour gives off a café vibe, with just a few small tables where customers can read the paper or use their laptop. It’s essentially a less generic Starbucks with a French twist.

According to chef and owner Surag Gopi, the idea for a restaurant solely devoted to crêpes came from the city of Paris. He wanted to recreate the coffee-place vibe, and Georgetown seemed the perfect location to do so.

Crêpe Amour offers a variety of dishes and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. With over 20 choices of crêpes, the customer can choose between savory ones such as macaroni and cheese crêpes, chicken crêpes, ham crêpes, turkey and bacon crêpes, or sweet ones such as the classic hazelnut chocolate and strawberries crêpe served with ice cream and whipped cream.

“Our only interest is selling good crêpes,” Gopi said. “[We have] original, great recipes.”

Each crêpe is made with organic flour and natural ingredients, right in front of the customer. The toppings range from cheese to chocolate chips, all for 50 cents, and each crêpe is made as quick as possible with a wait no longer than five to ten minutes depending on the crêpe. There is also an espresso bar next to the counter with enough coffee, both hot and cold, to send any addict into extreme euphoria.

According to Gopi, the most popular savory crêpe is the DaVinci, made of shredded chicken, basil pesto, tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. The most popular sweet crêpe is the Carnivále, made of hazelnut chocolate, strawberries, bananas and whipped cream.

At first glance, some of the savory crêpes may not seem appetizing. A crêpe with spiced potatoes, green peas and cranberry sauce does not exactly sound as good as a crêpe with Reese’s crumbles, peanut butter and chocolate syrup does. But after tasting them, it is hard to decide which is more delicious. The variety of the crêpes makes the idea of a crêpe restaurant much more appealing, and it’s also what will keep the restaurant in business.

Crêpe Amour will soon expand their menu beyond just crêpes.

“[We have plans to] open a sports bar upstairs [and to] sell chicken wings,” Gopi said. “We’ll also sell vegetarian dishes.”

While the food of Crêpe Amour is very presentable and tasty, the setting of the restaurant is not quite as enticing. The entrance is small, inconspicuous and easily passable. Inside, there are only a couple of tables, which is uncomfortable because Crêpe Amour receives a lot of business, resulting in a tiring and slightly irritating line. There is an upstairs, however, which is more open and relaxed where one can sit and enjoy the food. Complete with a sofa, a bar and several flat screens showing MTV, the place is a magnet for young college students.

The décor is a little drab and the lighting is not so great, but Crêpe Amour is ultimately a more than decent place to eat. What it lacks in setting it definitely makes up for in the taste of the food. While it may seem heavy at first, customers will definitely be craving it again in a few hours.

The prices at Crêpe Amour are reasonable, ranging from $4–8. For the quantity and quality of the food served, it is a pretty great deal.

Crêpe Amour is located at 3291 M Street NW in Georgetown, and is open from 9 a.m. to midnight daily.

In the case of Modern Family, the mother, Claire, has a gay brother who has a partner and a Vietnamese adopted baby. Claire’s mother and father are divorced, and her father married a Colombian bombshell who is Claire’s age and has a 10-year-old son. Not to mention, they all live within 15 minutes of each other. Despite all this madness, the Dunphys are the most lovable family on television.

Modern Family boasts a gorgeous and hilarious cast including Ty Burrell (Leaves of Grass) and Julie Bowen (Kids in America) as the show’s protagonists Phil and Claire Dunphy.

Although the family is unordinary to say the least, the dynamics are relatable to anyone who has a passion for his or her own family. The show does a surprisingly good job of blending comedy with important messages ranging from family to acceptance. The comic mask makes the show’s entertainment value incomparable to any other contemporary family sitcoms.

After considering every possible negative quality of the show, I came up with one; the theme song is boring. Otherwise, the show is flawless.

In addition to its depth and comedy, a great tool that Modern Family uses is the aside. The show seems almost like a fake reality show in that the characters are aware of the camera and often make faces at it for whatever reason. Also, each character is interviewed on camera during the show and the answers are played between the show’s subplots, making it easier to watch, understand and enjoy.

After the show’s first full season, the ratings have not missed a step, because everyone who watches even one episode of the show cannot wait until the next Wednesday at 9 p.m. to sit down and enjoy a simple, yet incredible piece of entertainment.

Any one episode of the show has more memorable quotes than Wedding Crashers and Superbad combined. On top of that, the actors are greatly talented, which is a rare occurence in start-up sitcoms.

Modern Family could easily soar to the top of the ratings by the third or fourth season, and mark my words; this show could be our generation’s Cosby Show. Phil Dunphy is stupid. Other than that, he is as much of a Bill Huxtable as anyone I have seen on recent television. The similarities between the two characters are obvious, but unlike Huxtable who teaches by example, Dunphy is funnier because he inadvertently uses reverse psychology by showing the children exactly how not to act.

The upbeat nature and electronically-produced and synthesized melodies of hit singles “Time to Pretend,” “Electric Feel” and Grammy-nominated “Kids,” have been replaced with long, winding songs with mostly deep and mysterious lyrics.  It seems as though the band has lost some of its spunk and liveliness that made the first album so popular.

Almost every track on Congratulations sounds like random keyboard parts and guitar riffs mashed into one rambling, multi-part song.  Various songs on the album feature influences ranging from ‘50s doo-wop music in “It’s Working” to David Bowie in “Someone’s Missing.”

Front men Ben Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden express their uneasiness with success through the eerie makeup and introspective lyrics of songs like “Congratulations” or the 12-minute long “Siberian Breaks,” which takes the listener on an extended ride into the minds of the somewhat troubled songwriters who are clearly bothered by the side effects that come with being famous.

The band’s lyrics have taken a notable change from chronicling their aspirations to live rich and gaudy lifestyles on Oracular Spectacular, to shying away from fame, money and attention.  In the long, rambling songs of Congratulations, MGMT appears to be trying to decrease their fan base, not expand it.

Whereas the band once boasted their “decision to live fast and die young” in “Time to Pretend,” the duo now claims to “rather die before I get sold” in “Siberian Breaks.”

The song that best exemplifies the new, uneasy sound would be “Lady Dada’s Nightmare.”  The title pokes fun at a certain oddly-dressed superstar, and the song starts off as a soft, melodious keyboard part, and then morphs into an intense collection of shrieks and moans before softening out again towards the end.

Naturally, the band’s plunge into a deeper and darker sound will split the fan base.  On one hand, many will be disappointed that MGMT is unable to reproduce the catchy, award-winning beats on Oracular Spectacular.  On the other hand, many people will recognize that playing popular music should never be a concern and that Congratulations just further demonstrates the band’s ambition—which is most likely what made them so popular in the first place.  These people will understand that whether they like it or not, it is not in MGMT’s nature to just play the same old stuff.

Even though Congratulations beautifully illustrates MGMT’s musical talent with intricate melodies and harmonies along with deep lyrics, it is somewhat hard to embrace the new strange sound and the album is a bit disappointing compared to the fun and cheeriness Oracular Spectacular.

Treme is a drama that, much like The Wire, captures the spirit of a city in its portrayal of everyday citizens making their way through life’s struggles. While The Wire’s primary focus was the impact of drugs on the Baltimore community, Treme takes a look at New Orleans residents who are trying to return to normal life in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. From festive jazz music to spicy Cajun cuisine, Treme, which is named after one of the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans, delves deeply into the culture of the city as it weaves a story of people trying to piece their disjointed lives back together.

In the pilot episode, the show’s wide range of unique and dynamic characters reveals their emotional baggage as they adjust to life three months after Katrina. There are musicians who pour their hearts into their music while they remain mired in poverty; a bar owner searching for her missing brother; and a Mardi Gras Indian Chief who will do anything he can to return home from his retreat to Houston before the storm. These characters, along with a host of many others, struggle to make do, but the spirit of New Orleans enables them to hold on to hope. When musicians in the Second Line, a traditional New Orleans jazz parade, take to the streets to perform for the first time since the hurricane, the entire city is swept off its feet as its residents unite in celebration.

 Each of these characters has his own story to tell, and the stellar acting by the main characters breathes life into the show. Wire veteran Wendell Pierce plays trombonist Antoine Batista, an upbeat, likeable musician who does not have enough money to pay the cab fare to his music gigs. He is joined by former Wire co-star Clarke Peters, who plays Albert Lambreaux, the Mardi Gras Indian Chief who has an unbreakable bond to his city and such a burning desire to return home that his children are losing patience with him. Film stars Steve Zahn (Daddy Day Care) and John Goodman (Monsters, Inc.) also play characters with an edge as foul-mouthed disc jockey Davis McAlary and passionate New Orleans lover Creighton Bernette, respectively.

Simon has a knack for developing intricately detailed storylines among his characters, and if the first episode is any sign, he will likely be able to expose the lives of these characters and show how they intertwine.

What also separates Treme from other television shows on the air is its striking level of authenticity. Watching an episode of Treme is almost like being transported to New Orleans, and the viewer never doubts that the show’s writers have made painstaking efforts to fully learn about the culture and lifestyle of the people of New Orleans. With the show’s connection of jazz music to the heart of the city and its understanding look at the plights faced by New Orleans residents, Treme is a realistic and engaging story of the city’s people.

Although Treme is a highly engrossing new series that I would recommend all viewers to watch at least once, it should be noted that it is not for those with short attention spans. Like Simon’s other series, Treme is a show that is filled with details and nuances, and while this may come across as overwhelming to some viewers, it is ultimately rewarding. As the viewer pays attention to all the details and watches the story unfold, he or she will realize Simon’s talents as a storyteller and will only become more engrossed in this world that he has created for his audience.

The Cereal Bowl opened March 27 in Cleveland Park and offers an array of cereal and toppings. Customers can choose from pre-made combinations or create their own. They can also choose from “hot bowls,” which are mixtures made with oatmeal, or “cold bowls,” which are mixtures made with cereal.  The diner’s creation is served in bowl that is a perfect size for breakfast or a snack.

 The Cereal Bowl serves items other than cereal including Oaties, which are oatmeal smoothies, and Freeze-and-Flakes, which is frozen yogurt with cereal. Their menu also boasts baked goods such as Rice Krispie treats and parfaits made with vanilla yogurt and granola. The Cereal Bowl also serves coffee in various flavors, including s’mores mocha and raspberry white mocha.

The cereal itself is nothing special. While they have a huge selection of cereal from Raisin Bran to Cocoa Puffs it is essentially the same cereal available at any grocery store. The toppings and atmosphere are what make The Cereal Bowl stand out.

With almost 30 toppings to choose from, ranging from strawberries to apple pie filling, it is easy to transform everyday cereal into a fun meal. Adding cereal to the frozen yogurt creates a new twist to an old favorite.

When ordering at the counter, the many options can be overwhelming, but it is almost guaranteed that any possible mixture will be scrumptious. For a fun way to dress cereal, try the Dirt Bowl, a mixture comprised of Cookie Crisp cereal, Oreo cookies, chocolate syrup and gummy worms. For a healthier option, try Ruby’s Nuts About You featuring Honey Nut Cheerios, Grape Nuts, almonds, pecans, and cinnamon.

The Cereal Bowl atmosphere makes it seem as if the diner is lounging at home with a high-tech twist. The flashy menus are displayed on flat-screen TVs. Meanwhile, cartoons play by the tables. Free Wi-Fi is another perk of The Cereal Bowl.

While dining in is definitely a better option, The Cereal Bowl also offers take-out options. Customers in a hurry opt to take their cereal home in an environmentally friendly take-out bowl. They also have the option to purchase a Create-a-Box, where you can create your own cereal mixture and take it home in a regular sized cereal box.

Prices vary depending on the amount of cereals and toppings purchased, but most bowls are under $5. The Cereal Bowl also offers a 20 percent student discount on weekdays from 3 to 5 p.m.

With endless options, foodies can’t go wrong at this unique new restaurant.

The nearly three-hour show offers audiences a wide variety of music from two distinct genres, ensuring there is something in it for everyone. The cast and crew, both of which have new members this year have worked hard for months to create the spring spectacular.

“Even though the excitement is the same, it’s different this year because we have different casts and each cast contributes something special that makes that year more unique than the rest,” Blast director Carlos Barillo said.

According to Barillo, this year’s songs are a tribute to American music. The show features current popular musical numbers such as “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga, and “Down” by Jay Sean.

“ ‘Down’ is a really popular song, it’s a really fun song,” junior Michael Mainwaring said. “It’s definitely that song that everybody recognizes and enjoys.”

Many audience members were won over by the Mariah Carey tribute, which showcased popular student vocalist senior Shelby Sykes, among others, and earned her a standing ovation from the audience.

“When I hear Shelby sing “Visions of Love” by Mariah Carey I get the chills,” senior Jen Fink said.

However, this year’s Blast performance did not come without its fair share of drama. The February snow storm posed a possible threat because, with school days cancelled, there were no official practices, though the cast understood the golden phrase: “the show must go on,” and cast members held emergency practices of their own.

“I’m most proud of my students for picking up the slack for the lost days,” Barillo said. “Everybody gathering together made it possible for us to be where we are.”

The cast is not alone in putting in long hours towards making Blast a success.

“The band leaders had to individually rescore each song so they could play them on their instruments, and tech stayed until 11 at night so they are pretty much the backbone of this show,” Sykes said.

In the week leading up to opening night, the entire cast and crew was busy every single day after school, and many ended up rehearsing until 8 p.m.

“Blast season is extremely hectic but I do it because the performances are a lot of fun,” student band director senior Amin Stephenson said.

For the talented senior performers, “Rock ‘N’ Broadway” is a bittersweet performance. Many have been involved in Blast for all four years, and are sad to leave it behind.

“When you are with a show for so long, you get really attached, and it’s just a great experience for a performer,” senior Josh Simon said. “That’s what I’ll miss the most: the experience.”