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issue 125

CONTENTS

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DEVINE INSPIRATIONWaterloo-native-turned-all-Hol-lywood-comedian Adam Devine will deliver a belly full of laughs at Cedar Falls’ Gallagher-Blue-dorn Performing Arts Center.

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Sheila Kerns319.291.1448

sheila.kerns@wcfcourier.com

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EDITORIAL STAFF

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Alan SimmerAssociate Editor

319.291.1487alan.simmer@ wcfcourier.com

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FLUFFY FUNBecause you can never have enough funny, “Fluffy” comedian Gabriel Iglesias is bringing his wacky laughs to the Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids.

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And find out what’s going on and catch up on entertainment news 24/7 at

GOLDEN BOYSGet ready for Hollywood’s big-gest night before the Academy Awards are handed out Sunday, Feb. 22. Oscar makes the best after-party date.

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MASKS AND MONSTERSThis month brings the Majora’s Mask remake, the delayed The Order: 1886 and a new Kirby title. Check out reviews of Citizens of Earth and Funk of Titans.

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4 PULSE

JOHN MOLSEED | PULSE WRITER

Smoothoperator

W aterloo R&B singer Jon-tay Damar doesn’t have a lot of competition when

booking shows. He also doesn’t have a lot of company in his genre where he lives.

“It’s only a handful of us,” he said.Damar looks online and to the past

to get most of his inspiration and ideas.“I listen to a lot of that old-school

R&B to keep me motivated,” he said. “I grew up listening Michael Jackson and Luther Vandross.”

Damar released an EP last year, Tak-ing Over Me. It has gotten radio play and shout-outs from DJs across the U.S. With the album, Damar is getting no-ticed in a genre and in a place he doesn’t have many contemporaries.

That’s not to say Waterloo isn’t known for producing R&B artists. Wa-terloo native Tracie Spencer was the youngest American performer to sign with a major label when she signed to Capitol Records. Her single, This House reached number three on the Billboard 100 list. Spencer’s father, Marvin Spen-cer, was an inductee in the Iowa Rock and Roll Music Association’s Hall of

Fame. But Tracie has left the area and Marvin passed away last year at age 75.

Frank Spencer, Tracie’s brother, col-laborated with Damar on the album, co-writing Realize.

Damar got his start singing gospel music at age 8. He grew up listening to R&B and found the two types of music require similar emotional expression. Damar says he uses that passion to try to distinguish himself as an R&B artist.

“A lot of people say what makes me different is I have my own style,” he said, adding he occasionally embellish-es songs with bits of hip-hop.

“I’m trying not to just limit myself to singing,” he said.

Damar is working on a video to I Like, a track on his new EP. He plans to re-lease that on Valentine’s Day. He has a show at a comedy and music showcase at the Teamsters Hall, 5000 J St. SW in Cedar Rapids.

Valentine’s Day Comedy ShowJontay Damar Saturday, Feb. 14@6PM Teamsters Hall, Cedar Rapids $20 in advance, $25 at the door

PULSE 5

Photos by MI3RDEYE PHOTOGRAPHY

6 PULSE

Adam Devine has become one of the most sought after young comedians and actors in the comedy world.

The Gallagher-Bluedorn Perform-ing Arts Center in Cedar Falls apparently knew just where to look, landing the fun-ny guy on its February calendar.

Devine is best known as a co-creator, writer and star of the hit Comedy Central show “Workaholics.” He can also be seen on Comedy Central’s “Adam Devine’s House Party.” You might also know him

from the big screen comedy “Pitch Per-fect,” or as a scene-stealing reoccurring guest star role as a nanny on “Modern Family.” He’s also got a few other films, including a “Pitch Perfect” sequel, in the works.

But his finest credit, as far as we’re con-cerned, is that he’s one of the Cedar Val-ley’s own.

Devine grew up on Waterloo’s Grant Avenue and has fond memories of the neighborhood.

“It was awesome, just a lot of children, so we liked to get into mischief and throw rocks at cars. For most of my childhood, I mostly remember throwing rocks and/or water balloons,” he said in a 2012 Pulse sto-ry after he landed the “Workaholics” gig.

He was bitten by the comedy bug in el-ementary school.

“There was this super babe, as far as you can be in the fourth grade, in my class,” he said. “We did some play, and I made everybody laugh in the play, and then af-

terwards she said, ‘Oh, that was so funny. I can’t believe how funny you were.’ Then all these kindergarten kids came over and asked for my autograph. I thought, this is a job.”

Adam Devine Saturday, Feb. 28 @ 8 PM Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center Cedar Falls $23-29 | unitix.edu

COURTESY PHOTO

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Bush’s de-but album, and they want to celebrate with concert-goers in Cedar Rapids on Feb. 8.

The multi-platinum rock band will stop at the Para-mount Theatre as part of its headlining North Amer-ican Tour, in supports of the release of the group’s new album, Man on the Run. Over two decades, Bush has sold close to 20 million records in the U.S. and Canada and compiled an amazing string of 18 con-secutive Top 40 hit singles on the Modern Rock and Mainstream Rock charts. Six of those hits have shot to No. 1 — Comedown, Glycerine, Machinehead, Swallowed, The Chemicals Between Us and The Sound of Winter.

Bush is fronted by none other than vocalist/guitar-ist Gavin Rossdale — yes, THE Gavin Rossdale — and features Chris Traynor on guitar, Corey Britz on bass and Robin Goodridge on drums.

Opening for Bush will be Theory of a Deadman and Stars in Stereo.

Bush with Theory of a Deadman and Stars in Stereo Sunday, Feb. 8 @ 7:30 PM Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids $39.50-$225.00 | paramounttheatrecr.com

He’s a lot less fluffy than when he first appeared on the comedy scene, but he’s no less funny.

Gabriel Iglesias, aka “Fluffy,” is bringing his stand-up routine to the Paramount Theatre in February. He’s one of Ameri-ca’s most successful stand-up comedians, performing in sold-out concerts across the globe. His bit features a mix of story-telling, parodies, characters and sound ef-fects that bring his personal experiences to life.

Last year, his comedy film “The Fluffy

Movie” saw a strong box office showing. Following that release, Iglesias appeared in the animated film “The Book of Life” alongside Zoe Saldana and Channing Ta-tum. This summer, he’ll reprise his role as Tobias in the highly anticipated “Magic Mike” sequel, “Magic Mike XXL.”

Gabriel IglesiasSaturday, Feb. 21 @ 7:30 PM Paramount Theatre, Cedar Rapids $47-$282 paramounttheatrecr.com

COURTESY PHOTOS

BUSH

THEORY OF A DEADMAN

8 PULSE

Austin Taft’s new solo album, The Human Condition, is a departure his usual

harder, heavy rock sound from the Austin Taft Soundtrack.

Almost entirely acoustic, the album showcases Taft’s technical proficiency on guitar. The strings ring bright and repeated refrains riffs and picking ring clearly.

Taft’s distinct, emotional voice is recognizable for those familiar with his other hard work projects. He pours his art into his lyrics both in penning them and belting them out.

His inflections range from thin and reedy to roaring. The music is equally full of dynamic

changes to emphasize the emotional punch Taft works to deliver.

Touches of keys add to the record to pull it back from being too moody. In Moving Day, keys add a light playful riff. In Ultimatum, they add an orchestral swell and in Superheroes, the layered keys and drums briefly depart from the guitar-riff driven songs that make up most of the rest of the album.

Taft, of Cedar Falls, embraces a vintage 1990s sound. His lyrics are weighty, full of dichotomy and metaphors that aren’t always easy to understand.

What is clear is his heart is in this work.

HEARD THATHaving come together in late 2013,

then crisscrossed the country on continuous tours and played

various festivals, the Lowest Pair somehow managed to record a second full-length album.

Made up of songwriters Palmer Lee of Minneapolis and Kendl Winter of Olympia, Wash., the duo splits songwriting and banjo-picking duties.

The Sacred Heart Sessions is the Lowest Pair’s haunting, powerful follow-up to their debut album, 36¢. It was recorded at the Sacred Heart Music Center in Duluth, Minn. A historic cathedral, the space created a huge amount of natural reverb on the tracks.

Lee and Winter have tight harmony vocals, and their tickling banjo licks weave seamlessly without stepping on each other.

This new album features their impeccable harmonies, but only a couple of the tracks feature both playing the five-string banjo. Instead, most of the songs feature one on guitar and the other on banjo. In the bleak and beautiful track Scavenger Hunt neither pick banjo.

What this album showcases is their songwriting. Much of their debut album featured songs they had written and performed solo. The Sacred Heart Sessions features the two crafting songs together with beautiful results.

In Howl, Winter and Lee croon in perfect harmony with a ringing reverb that works great from the beginning to the last note. In Minnesota Mend Me, Lee sings about his home state with a yearning punctuated by the echoing reverb that reflects the windswept, driftless plains of the North country he sings about.

Breaking up some of the mesmerizing and moving tracks are toe tappers Ruben’s Fortune and Fourth Time’s a Charm.

For plaintive, soulful songs like Howl, Minnesota Mend Me and Scavenger Hunt, the album’s saturation of reverb fits perfectly. For others, like Winter’s Rosie, the echoing reverb doesn’t quite fit the tone of the

song and is almost a distraction. However, nothing can distract from the fact that these talented musicians have produced another moving piece of work.

THE LOWEST PAIRTHE SACRED HEART SESSIONS

No Good Deed’s Looking for a Mantra sounds like a greatest hits or anthology

collection put out by a band that has accumulated years of experience and material. The versatility of the album probably comes from the years of experience each musician brings to the Des Moines band.

The album features 13 tracks of high-energy rock with post-punk and hard rock flavors. In that variety, there are sounds of 1980s and 1990s hard rock to pop-sounding tracks like If I Confess and Frank Sinatra.

No Good Deed are what some people

might call old-timers who have stayed true to loud, fast rock ’n’ roll while resisting grunge and other dreary trends from the ’90s. Feeling Better epitomizes this with layered, fuzzy guitars and harmony vocals, while Back in Time almost sounds like it could be from a quasi-metal phase.

The album was produced on the cheap and recorded in the group’s practice space. However, the sound holds its own when compared to expensive productions. Looking for a Mantra shows exactly how good, energetic musicians with decent amplifiers do more to create a solid rock album than post-production ever does.

NO GOOD DEEDLOOKING FOR A MANTRA

AUSTIN TAFTTHE HUMAN CONDITION

— John Molseed, Pulse

— John Molseed, Pulse

Much of Sleater-Kinney’s new album — the first since the trio called it

quits in 2006 — seems dedicated to the question: How did this happen?

Maybe it’s because of the successes they found in their time apart, but Sleater-Kinney sounds more confident and accomplished than ever — a real feat considering their riot grrl roots.

There’s a grandeur on Hey Darling, an early song-of-the-year candidate that covers Carrie Brownstein’s anxieties about being onstage, showing the trio hasn’t been standing still over the past nine years.

And that’s good because way more people are watching now — something very clear in the star-studded video for the title track of No Cities to Love, which includes everyone from Fred Armisen and Andy Samberg to Norman Reedus of The Walking Dead singing along with the song. Luckily, Sleater-Kinney is more than ready.

SLEATER-KINNEYNO CITIES TO LOVE

— Glenn Gamboa, Newsday

JOHN MOLSEED | PULSE WRITER

PULSE 9

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HELLYEAH 2.21PUDDLE OFMUDD 2.27

GIN BLOSSOMS2.28

I Want to See the States by HellogoodbyeA modern This Land Is Your Land, the group’s latest single is a delight-fully folksy departure from their usual electro-tinged pop.

— Alan S.

Turtles All the Way Down by SturgillHave you ever wondered what Waylon Jennings would sound like on an acid trip? Wonder no more.

— Wes T.

Taking Over Me by Jontay DamarAux cord. Volume. And an irresistible urge to dance in the driver’s seat to this brilliant track by this Waterloo talent. (See his story on page 4.)

— Meta H.

Glamorous Glue by MorrisseyThis track, from Your Arsenal, is a Bowie-like rocker from the often sul-len singer.

— Doug H.

Coming Home by Leon BridgesLove his smooth voice and total ’50s vibe.

— Holly H.

Tall Tall Shadow by Basia BulatWhen you are your own worst enemy, at least you can commiserate with this Canadian songstress. Bonus: the song’s totally danceable.

— Christinia C.

True by Spandau BalletThis deliciously drippy early ’80s song makes me long for a Molly Ring-wald movie marathon. And check out that sax solo.

— David H.

Goshen ’97 by Strand of OaksCrunchy guitars a la Dinosaur Jr. drive this slightly-more-bitter-than-sweet nostalgia piece about adolescent music making.

— Wes T.

Sugar by Maroon 5Hate on them all you want; this catchy slow jam with an electronic edge makes me happy, and that’s enough for me.

— Alan S.

Morning Song by Avett BrothersThe ache in the vocals belies ostensible hope in the lyrics.

— Doug H.

Ana Ng by They Might Be GiantsThe Johns combine irresistibly catchy music with slightly off-kilter lyrics to make this 1988 classic ode to an unmet woman across the globe.

— Christinia C.

I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing by AerosmithThere’s a meteor on a path to destroy Earth, so what do you do? Grab a silk scarf and belt out this power ballad, that’s what.

— David H.

OUR PICKS, YOUR CLICKS

FOLLOW US ON SPOTIFY AT CVPULSE

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THE NOMINEESBEST PICTURE American Sniper Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) Boyhood The Grand Budapest Hotel The Imitation Game Selma The Theory of Everything Whiplash

ACTOR Steve Carell, Foxcatcher Bradley Cooper, American Sniper Benedict Cumberbatch, The Imitation Game Michael Keaton, Birdman Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything

ACTRESS Marion Cotillard, Two Days, One Night Felicity Jones, The Theory of Everything Julianne Moore, Still Alice Rosamund Pike, Gone Girl Reese Witherspoon, Wild

SUPPORTING ACTOR Robert Duvall, The Judge Ethan Hawke, Boyhood Edward Norton, Birdman Mark Ruffalo, Foxcatcher J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

SUPPORTING ACTRESS Patricia Arquette, Boyhood Laura Dern, Wild Keira Knightley, The Imitation Game Emma Stone, Birdman Meryl Streep, Into the Woods

MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING Foxcatcher The Grand Budapest Hotel Guardians of the Galaxy

DIRECTING Alejandro G. Inarritu, Birdman Richard Linklater, Boyhood Bennett Miller, Foxcatcher Wes Anderson, The Grand Budapest Hotel Morten Tyldum, The Imitation Game

FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM Ida Leviathan Tangerines Timbuktu Wild Tales

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY Jason Hall, American Sniper Graham Moore, The Imitation Game Paul Thomas Anderson, Inherent Vice Anthony McCarten, The Theory of Everything Damien Chazelle, Whiplash

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY Alejandro G. Inarritu et al., Birdman Richard Linklater, Boyhood E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman, Foxcatcher Wes Anderson and Hugo Guinness, The Grand Budapest Hotel Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM Big Hero 6 The Boxtrolls How to Train Your Dragon 2 Song of the Sea The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

PRODUCTION DESIGN The Grand Budapest Hotel The Imitation Game Interstellar Into the Woods Mr. Turner

CINEMATOGRAPHY Birdman The Grand Budapest Hotel Ida Mr. Turner Unbroken

SOUND MIXING American Sniper Birdman Interstellar Unbroken Whiplash

SOUND EDITING American Sniper Birdman The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Interstellar Unbroken

ORIGINAL SCORE The Grand Budapest Hotel The Imitation Game Interstellar Mr. Turner The Theory of Everything

ORIGINAL SONG Everything Is Awesome from The Lego Movie Glory from Selma Grateful from Beyond the Lights I’m Not Gonna Miss You from Glen Campbell … I’ll Be Me Lost Stars from Begin Again

COSTUME DESIGN The Grand Budapest Hotel Inherent Vice Into the Woods Maleficent Mr. Turner

FILM EDITING American Sniper Boyhood The Grand Budapest Hotel The Imitation Game Whiplash

VISUAL EFFECTS Captain America: The Winter Soldier Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Guardians of the Galaxy Interstellar X-Men: Days of Future Past

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE CitizenFour Finding Vivian Maier Last Days in Vietnam The Salt of the Earth Virunga

DOCUMENTARY SHORT Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1 Joanna Our Curse The Reaper (La Parka) White Earth

ANIMATED SHORT FILM The Bigger Picture The Dam Keeper Feast Me and My Moulton A Single Life

LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM Aya Boogaloo and Graham Butter Lamp (La Lampe Au Beurre De Yak) Parvaneh The Phone Call

TRIPLE THREAT: Bradley Cooper’s nomination for his leading role in American Sniper is his third consecutive acting nod, following American Hustle in 2014 and Silver Linings Playbook in 2013. The previous performers to three-peat were Renee Zellweger (Bridget Jones’ Diary, Chicago, Cold Mountain) and Russell Crowe (The Insider, Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind).

EIGHT IS ENOUGH: For the first time since the academy expanded possible best-picture nominees to 10 contenders in 2009, just eight films are up for the top prize. There were

10 contenders in 2009, 2010 and 2011, while nine films vied for the trophy in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The academy tweaked the rule in 2011 that films must receive a certain amount of first-place votes to receive best-picture consideration.

GOING FOR GOLD: Into the Woods costume designer Colleen Atwood and Unbroken cinematographer Roger Deakins have the most nods in their respective categories for living folks. Atwood is at 11, while Deakins has 12. However, both have a few ceremonies to go before topping late costume designer

Edith Head (35 nominations) or cinematographers Charles B. Lang Jr. and Leon Shamroy (18 nods).

FIRST TIMERS: In the acting categories, almost half of the nominees are up for their very first Academy Award, including Steve Carell (Foxcatcher), Benedict Cumberbatch (The Imitation Game), Michael Keaton and Emma Stone (Birdman), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones (The Theory of Everything), Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) and Patricia Arquette (Boyhood).

THE FACTS

FOX SEARCHLIGHT, WEINSTEIN, PARAMOUNT, WARNER BROS., FOCUS FEATURES, SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGES TEXT BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SUNDAY, FEB. 22 @

6 PM, ABC

PULSE 11

12 PULSE

FEBRUARY 13

STARRING: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Marcia Gay Harden

It is getting hot in here, or is it just all the bondage set to Beyonce songs? Cool down with a glass of white zin, because you know there will be bottles of that smuggled into every theater in the country. Wouldn’t it be a hoot if this was actually hot and good?

STARRING: SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Squidward Tentacles, Mr. Krabs, Sandy Cheeks, Plankton

SpongeBob is trading the pineapple under the sea for superpowers to chase down Puss in Boots for an autograph. Just kidding, they’re trying to stop Burger-Beard, a evil pirate played by Antonio Banderas, who is controlling the world with a magic book.

FEBRUARY 6

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PULSE 13

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FEBRUARY FILMS

Jupiter Ascending Mila Kunis is humanity’s last hope, so keep your fingers crossed she can save us all by having Ashton Kutcher’s baby. We know she’s good at that.

Seventh Son Prince Caspian takes a break from Narnia to play the titular warrior. His first assignment? Take down Julianne Moore. Good luck!

Ballet 422 A backstage look at the New York City Ballet as a new production comes together.

FEBRUARY 6

ALAN SIMMER | PULSE

Hot Tub Time Machine 2 Lou gets shot! So the most obvious way to save him is to get in a hot tub that is also a time machine. The bubbles still only stay on for 30 minutes, though.

The DUFF If you’re not hep to the jive, DUFF means Designated Ugly Fat Friend, which is incredibly cruel. I like to think I’m at least a DUFFF, with the extra F standing for funny. *twirls hair*

McFarland, USA It’s Chariots of Fire, but with Americans instead of Brits and a cross-country team instead of Olympians. This will probably not win Best Picture, though.

Wild Tales I watched two clips from this. One was at a wedding and the other was on an airplane, and I have no idea what the movie is about.

Gloria A biopic about “controversial Mexican pop/rock icon Gloria Trevi.” Sorry, but who now?

FEBRUARY 20

Focus Will Smith is an old hand at grifting, but adding an attractive woman to the mix leads to complications. Whose family will they go to on Christmas?

Little Boy A 7-year-old boy will do whatever it takes to end World War II and bring his father home. Not to be a dream crusher, but unless you’re a brilliant theoretical physicist, move on, kid.

Maps to the Stars Hey, more Moore! Also some Cusack (male) and that sparkly vampire guy. Julianne gets stalked by someone who may be the reincarnation of her dead actress mother.

’71 A young British soldier gets left behind after a riot in Belfast. Hints for survival: Stop waving the Union Jack and singing God Save the Queen.

Everly Salma Hayek defends her apartment from her ex, a mob boss, with a machine gun. I think that’s enough to make this worthwhile, don’t you?

My Life Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn A film about a guy you’ve never heard of who made a movie you’ve never heard of (Only God Forgives). Ryan Gosling is in it, at least.

FEBRUARY 27

Kingsman: The Secret Service Colin Firth (at right) and Michael Caine show a bunch of chavs how to wield a pistol, throw grenades and execute a karate chop like proper gentlemen.

The Last Five Years This is based on a musical I’ve never heard of, apparently, but Anna Kendrick is in it, so it has that going for it.

What We Do in the Shadows My least favorite half of the Flight of the Conchords team runs around with his fellow vampires.

FEBRUARY 13

14 PULSE

The creepiest of the Zelda games is back, looking better than ever. Seriously, if you never played Majora’s Mask, get on it. Live the same three days over and over, helping the people of Termina as the end of the world draws nigh. And what better way to play than on a New 3DS XL, with face-tracking 3-D and a new C-stick? (Good luck trying to find a limited edition Majora’s model like this one, though. It ain’t happening, chum.)

Criminal Girls: Invite OnlyThis game includes “one-on-one motivational sessions” with your team of heroines, so, uh, pretty sure this is a pervy kind of game. Consider yourself warned!

Vita; Feb. 3.

EvolveThe next generation of multiplayer shooter!!!!!! Gee, I’ve never heard that before, but I guess setting four hunters against one big scary monster in a five-player match sounds kinda fun.

PC, PS4, XB1; Feb. 10.

Dead or Alive 5: Last RoundIt’s the biggest roster for a Dead or Alive game to date, and you can dress them up in unlockable costumes, accessories and hairstyles! Wait, am I talking about a new Style Savvy or a fighting game?

PS4, XB1; Feb. 17.

Hyperdevotion Noire: Goddess Black HeartThis one’s a pervy game for sure, no ifs, ands or buts. Well, probably butts. OK, definitely butts, but SRPG butts, which is a change for the series.

Vita; Feb. 24.

Rugby 15Hey, rugby! The sport everyone in the world considers better than football! Also soccer, everyone thinks soccer is better than football too. America is weird.

PS3, PS4, XB1; Feb. 24.

ALAN SIMMER | PULSE WRITER

FEBRUARY 13FOR: 3DS

Welcome to Neo-Victorian London, old chap! Now pick

up your thermite rifle and let’s blast the heck out of

some half-breed scum so we can make these pavements safe to walk again — aside

from the poles that pop out of the fog, that is.

FEBRUARY 20

FOR: PS4

FEBRUARY 20

FOR: Wii U

Draw Kirby a path to tumble along in this spiritual sequel to Kirby: Canvas Curse. (It’s sort of weird that eating is the puffball’s main trick but he won’t be using it here.)

Goku, Vegeta, Frieza, Cell — all the big names from the Dragon Ball universe are here, ready to fight each other. After standing around and talking for 14 episodes, of course.

FOR: PS3, PS4, X360, XB1

FEBRUARY 17

PULSE 15

making plans?we’ll point the way

ReaD. WATCH. sURFCVPulse.com

T he present day is not a particularly popular setting for RPGs. You’ve got your Personas, your The World

Ends With Yous, but most of the genre involves magic and dragons and swords, oh my.

Citizens of Earth says no to a knight in the starring role, eschewing the fantasy life for something a little closer to home. You play as the Vice President of the World, recruiting loyal citizens to your cause — like a cop, a barista, a teacher, a handyman, a street musician, a beekeeper, a cat lady, a … well, you get the picture.

Naturally, the VP doesn’t deign to get his own hands dirty, so the people you recruit form your team to take down angry protestors and unruly wildlife.

Each citizen has their own battle techniques, and they all have a talent for use outside of battle. Your mom gives advice, your brother orders items from “FedUPS” and the school’s mascot changes the difficulty setting, for instance.

Recruitment often involves completing a side quest, and winning everyone over to your side is a little dose of “gotta catch ’em all.”

Citizens also owes a loving debt to EarthBound, the RPG from which it draws the most inspiration. There are little homages to the SNES classic scattered throughout the game, which never failed to delight me.

The unfortunate part is that characters can’t be hot-swapped during battle, though I see the difficulty of structuring fights if your back bench has 30 fully healed fighters on it.

The practical consequence: Your roster will change fairly infrequently. The moves and elemental strengths of each character are useful in different situations, but it’s hard to keep everyone leveled up to the point of usefulness — or maybe I’m just too stingy with my money to pay for tutoring for everyone.

But hey, it’s not like you were going to get super attached to that many characters anyway. (Sorry, plumber guy.) Citizens of Earth is a cheeky, charming game regardless of who

ends up doing your bidding.

ALAN SIMMER | PULSE WRITER

Citizens, unite!

F unk of Titans is a 2-D sidescroller with a lot of soul and the moves to match. In

this case, I say “soul” as in “music” or, perhaps more accurately, “funk.” The game is a downloadable indie for the Xbox One that takes a classic type of gameplay and coats it in a celebratory coat of hip African-American funk culture with a liberal dusting of Greco-Roman imagery.

The gameplay consists of Perseus, the son of Zeus, sporting an impressive afro and running through multiple levels to defeat the titans of pop, rap and rock, genres that offend the funk-loving Zeus’ good sensibilities. Perseus runs automatically, leaving the player to control his jumping and melee attacks. Through the levels, you are tasked with collecting gold vinyl records (analogous to coins in the Mario games), finding a Pegasus statue and doing so with as little damage as possible.

Not that much damage is possible, as Perseus can take exactly two hits before succumbing to death. This isn’t as much of a handicap as

it might sound, as Funk of Titans presents us with levels that are readily beatable despite the blistering pace of movement and low tolerance for error. They involve a lot of enemies, jumping on platforms, catapulting around the map through spring-

loaded traps and various other features that keep the action fast and fun.

Upgrades can be purchased to customize Perseus’ appearance and weaponry in irreverent ways, such as equipping him with a Friday the 13th-style hockey mask or a vintage boom box in place of his trusty sword. These items make few modifications to gameplay but heighten the fun absurdity of the atmosphere, spicing up the playtime for those into its simple, breezy gameplay and deliberate silliness.

The design often transcends the technical horsepower, such as during a level where Perseus continues his musical crusade cut against a setting golden sun. The 39 levels don’t make for an especially long experience; without any particular talent for platformers, I burned through the game in a handful of hours.

But it’s something that Funk of Titans is enjoyable enough that you’ll actually feel compelled to play through it that quickly.

JAMES FRAZIER | PULSE WRITER

Play that funky music, Greek boy

For: 3DS, PC, PS4, Vita, Wii U Price: $14.99 | Rated: Everyone 10+

PROS: C.

CONS: Lines of text are weirdly close together vertically; no auto-scroll.

A CROWD OF MONSTERS, ATLUS, SONY, NINTENDO, NAMCO BANDAI, SHUTTERSTOCK IMAGES

For: XB1 | Price: $8.99 | Rated: Teen

PROS: Classic gameplay, fun design, irreverent humor.

CONS: Perhaps too easy at times, graphics underpowered.

16 PULSE

Tuesday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm | 500Westfield Avenue,Waterloo, IA | 319-292-6126 | WaterlooTractor&EngineMuseum@JohnDeere.com

Heavenly entertainmentSister Act, Broadway’s feel-amazing musical

comedy smash, tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a sur-prising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would look – a convent.

Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superi-or, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voic-es as she rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the power of friendship, Sister Act, based on the award-winning movie starring Whoopi Gold-berg, is a reason to rejoice.

Sister ActSunday, Feb. 8 @ 2 & 7:30 PM Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center Cedar Falls $33-$53 | gbpac.com

COURTESY PHOTO

PULSE 17

Cedar Falls Downtown ~ Explore Discover Indulge

CALENDAR OF EVENTSFriday, February 20, 7pm - Oster Regent Theatre - Boeing, Boeing

Saturday, February 21, 7pm - Oster Regent Theatre - Boeing, Boeing

Sunday, February 22, 2pm - Oster Regent Theatre - Boeing, Boeing

Friday, February 27, 7pm - Oster Regent Theatre - Boeing, Boeing

Saturday, February 28, 7pm - Oster Regent Theatre - Boeing, Boeing

Sunday, March 1, 2pm - Oster Regent Theatre - Boeing, Boeing

Check our website for 2015 Events atwww.cedarfallsdowntown.com

Getthe Look“Fashion For Less”

321Main St.

Cedar Fal

ls

319-266-

6497

Mon.-fri. 10

aM - 6pM

Sat. 10aM - 5pM

Locally Ow

ned

and Operat

ed

Feb 20 Open MicFeb 20 Open MicFeb 20 Open Mic

PastriesPPaasstriestriestries

Feb 14 Dave MalaMFeb 1Feb 14 D4 Daave Malave MalaMMM

Feb 21 Zoot & NewtFeb 21 ZooFeb 21 Zoott & Newtt & Newt

Feb 28 Rick VandeRwallFeb 28 Rick Feb 28 Rick VVandeandeRRwwallall

Live Jazz by Hands of TimeEvery Thursday 8-9:30pm

!!!

102 Main ST. Cedar Falls | 319.277.1596

8PM-10PM8PM-18PM-10PM0PM

18 PULSE

CED

ARFA

LLS

PRICING GUIDE (per entrée) | $10 $20 $30 $40+

Beck’s Sports Grill |American, Sports Bar2210 College St., Cedar Falls319-277-2646Hours:Open daily at 11 amwww.barmuda.com

Featuring Beck's homemademicrobrews, voted best burger,locally owned restaurant, sports barand place to play pool in the CedarValley.

Bourbon Street |American, Cajunand Creole314 Main St.,Cedar Falls319-266-5285Hours:Monday – Saturday4 - 10 pmwww.barmuda.com

Bourbon Street is a step off ofMain Street into the French Quarterfeaturing Certified Black Angus steaksand delicious seafood complimentedby an extensivemenu and great wines.

Ferrari’s Ristorante |American and Italian1521 Technology Pkwy.,Cedar Falls319-277-1385Hours:Monday – Friday11 am - 10 pm,Saturday 4 - 10 pmwww.barmuda.com

Ferrari’s features only the fineststeaks, freshest seafood andauthentic Italian fare. Offering light,quick lunch options along with anextensive dinner menu and wine.

Soho Sushi Bar & DeliThe Stuffed Olive |Deli, Sushi, Tapas,Martinis119 Main St.,Cedar Falls319-266-9995Hours:Monday – Friday at 6:30 am;Saturday – Sunday at 7:00 amwww.barmuda.com

Fresh made sushi and delisandwiches, salads and paniniscombined with globally inspiredtapas dishes and over 100 differentmartinis. Also serving homemadebreakfast selections and cookiesmade from scratch.

Beck’s SportsBrewery SportsBar |American,Microbrewery3295 University Ave.,Waterloo319-234-4333Hours:Open daily at 11 amwww.barmuda.com

Featuring Beck’s homemademicrobrews and famousburgers, wings and pizza. Votedbest burger (10 years running),best happy hour, best locally ownedrestaurant and sports bar in theCedar Valley.

Guerilla Brewing/LavaLounge/Beer Hall |Microbrewery and Bar2401 Falls Ave.,Waterloo319-234-5686Hours:Monday – Thursday5 pm - Midnight;Friday & Saturday4 pm - Midnight

Artisanal Nano Brewery is releasinglimited run beer, producing 10 gallonsof each new recipe.We produced 50different beers in 2013. Brand new brew.

Hilton Garden InnGarden Grille Restaurant |Conference Center7213 Nordic Dr.,Cedar Falls319-266-6611

New Hilton opened in 2012, elegantdining and entertaining of Hiltonstandards. Full service hotel withBallroom seating up to 350 people.Garden Grille Restaurant and Baropen to the public for breakfast, lunchand dinner as well as large exteriorpatios with firepits. Full service diningon site, Chefs with banquet menusand banquet bars available. Depositsand minimums required, full paymentrequired prior to event. Guest roomblocks available.

The Lone Wolf |Bar, Restaurant777 Isle of Capri Blvd.,Waterloo319-833-2157Hours:Monday – Friday Breakfast7:00 am - 10:30 pmSunday – Thursday11:30 am - 1:00 amFriday & Saturday11:30 am - 2:00 amKaraoke – Wednesday8:00 pm - 11:00 pmHowl Hour 3:00 pm - 6:00 pmMonday – ThursdayGlass of Wine $1.50Retro Beers $1.50$2.00 off appetizerswww.waterloo.isleofcapricasinos.com

Whether you feel like getting food togo or plan to stay a while, The LoneWolf is sure to please.

Otis & Henry’sBar and Grill. |Bar and Grill777 Isle of Capri Blvd.,Waterloo319-833-2241Hours:Tuesday – Saturday open at 5 pmClosed Sunday and Mondaywww.waterloo.isleofcapricasinos.com

Combines the comfort of aneighborhood bar and grill with thefavorites of a steakhouse. Choosefrom the delicious pastas, sandwiches,salads, steaks, fish and desserts.

Rudy’s Tacos |Mexican2401 Falls Ave.,Waterloo319-234-5686Hours:Monday – Saturday11:00 am - 9:00 pmwww.rudystacos.com

Rudy’s uses local ingredients throughthe Northern Iowa Food and FarmPartnership’s Buy Fresh/Buy Localprogram.

Hurricane Grill andWingsAmerican Restaurant and Bar2027 Crossroads, Blvd.,Waterloo319-833-9464Hours:Open daily at 11:00amwww.hurricanewingsia.com

Hurricane Grill and Wings is a funfamily restaurant with a tropicalfeel, specializing in wings that are“LIVE WITH FLAVOR” with over 30sauces to choose from. Offering anoutdoor patio with a super menu andspecialty drinks.

in good

WATERLO

OChef on the edge

SSince opening in 2012, The GardenGrille and Bar at the Hilton Garden Innhas become one of the Cedar Valley’spremier culinary hotspots, a must-visit

dining location for visitors and local residentsalike. Although already renowned for stellarcuisine and an inviting atmosphere worthy of theHilton name, The Garden Grille & Bar has a newaddition that’s already taking the restaurant tonew heights of excellence.Executive Chef Sean Donohue was recently

welcomed to the staff of The Garden Grille & Bar,bringing with him more than three decades ofexperience and the expertise to match.Raised in Dublin, Ireland, Chef Donohue’s

culinary career began as a dishwasher, but hequickly advanced, soon finding himself studyingat culinary school under the tutelage of CertifiedMaster Chef Graham Bieur. Since coming tothe United States in 1986, Chef Donohue hasmanaged and owned a variety of top-tierrestaurants in places such as Florida, Georgia,Oklahoma, New Jersey, South Carolina andVermont.Mary Carlson, the hotel’s General Manager, first

met Chef Donohue when he came to The GardenGrille & Bar to work some important functions.Carlson was so impressed with his talent that shepersonally appealed to Chef Donohue to be TheGarden Grille & Bar’s new executive Chef. Shewas thrilled when he agreed.

“We had so many talented young Chefs,” Carlsonsaid. “We also wanted a talented, experiencedChef to organize everyone and move us in theright direction. And that was definitely Sean.”One of Chef Donohue’s first tasks was to create

a brand new menu for every aspect of The GardenGrille & Bar, from tasty bar food to elegantdinners. “My philosophy is to do things out ofthe ordinary, always take things one step above,”Donohue said.He’s done that with a number of his irresistible

new menu items such a duck sliders and miniaturebrioche buns with real lobster. “I’ve seen what’sin the area and I’m doing exciting stuff you won’tfind anywhere else around here,” he said.While Chef Donohue is committed to pushing

the envelope and bringing amazing new flavorsto the Cedar Valley, he recognizes and celebratesthe value of time-tested favorites. “Some peoplejust want a great steak, others love pasta,” hesaid. “You’ve got to have a little bit of everythingand appeal to everybody.”With that in mind, his menu includes such staples

as succulent steaks, fresh seafood, delectablesandwiches and colorful salads. One of ChefDonohue’s personal favorites is a special calledChicken Sinatra, a fabulous Italian dish featuringmushrooms, onions, olive, and tomato Alfredosauce with angel hair pasta.

JAMES FRAZIER | PulseWriter

the dish

The Garden Grille & Bar7213 Nordic DriveCedar Falls, IA 50613319.266.6611www.hiltongardenincedarfalls.com

MondAy- FRIdAy HouRS:Breakfast: 6AM-10 AMLunch: 11 AM-2 PMDinner: 5 PM-10 PM

SAtuRdAy & SundAy HouRS:Breakfast: 7 AM-11 AMLunch: CLOSEDDinner: 5 PM-10 PM

ExpEriEncE thE cuisinEandcrEativity of hilton GardEn

inn’s nEw ExEcutivE chEf

MAttHEWPutnEy | Pulse Photographer

tHE GARdEnGRIllE & BAR

PULSE 19

Chef on the edge

SSince opening in 2012, The GardenGrille and Bar at the Hilton Garden Innhas become one of the Cedar Valley’spremier culinary hotspots, a must-visit

dining location for visitors and local residentsalike. Although already renowned for stellarcuisine and an inviting atmosphere worthy of theHilton name, The Garden Grille & Bar has a newaddition that’s already taking the restaurant tonew heights of excellence.Executive Chef Sean Donohue was recently

welcomed to the staff of The Garden Grille & Bar,bringing with him more than three decades ofexperience and the expertise to match.Raised in Dublin, Ireland, Chef Donohue’s

culinary career began as a dishwasher, but hequickly advanced, soon finding himself studyingat culinary school under the tutelage of CertifiedMaster Chef Graham Bieur. Since coming tothe United States in 1986, Chef Donohue hasmanaged and owned a variety of top-tierrestaurants in places such as Florida, Georgia,Oklahoma, New Jersey, South Carolina andVermont.Mary Carlson, the hotel’s General Manager, first

met Chef Donohue when he came to The GardenGrille & Bar to work some important functions.Carlson was so impressed with his talent that shepersonally appealed to Chef Donohue to be TheGarden Grille & Bar’s new executive Chef. Shewas thrilled when he agreed.

“We had so many talented young Chefs,” Carlsonsaid. “We also wanted a talented, experiencedChef to organize everyone and move us in theright direction. And that was definitely Sean.”One of Chef Donohue’s first tasks was to create

a brand new menu for every aspect of The GardenGrille & Bar, from tasty bar food to elegantdinners. “My philosophy is to do things out ofthe ordinary, always take things one step above,”Donohue said.He’s done that with a number of his irresistible

new menu items such a duck sliders and miniaturebrioche buns with real lobster. “I’ve seen what’sin the area and I’m doing exciting stuff you won’tfind anywhere else around here,” he said.While Chef Donohue is committed to pushing

the envelope and bringing amazing new flavorsto the Cedar Valley, he recognizes and celebratesthe value of time-tested favorites. “Some peoplejust want a great steak, others love pasta,” hesaid. “You’ve got to have a little bit of everythingand appeal to everybody.”With that in mind, his menu includes such staples

as succulent steaks, fresh seafood, delectablesandwiches and colorful salads. One of ChefDonohue’s personal favorites is a special calledChicken Sinatra, a fabulous Italian dish featuringmushrooms, onions, olive, and tomato Alfredosauce with angel hair pasta.

JAMES FRAZIER | PulseWriter

the dish

The Garden Grille & Bar7213 Nordic DriveCedar Falls, IA 50613319.266.6611www.hiltongardenincedarfalls.com

MondAy- FRIdAy HouRS:Breakfast: 6AM-10 AMLunch: 11 AM-2 PMDinner: 5 PM-10 PM

SAtuRdAy & SundAy HouRS:Breakfast: 7 AM-11 AMLunch: CLOSEDDinner: 5 PM-10 PM

ExpEriEncE thE cuisinEandcrEativity of hilton GardEn

inn’s nEw ExEcutivE chEf

MAttHEWPutnEy | Pulse Photographer

tHE GARdEnGRIllE & BAR

20 PULSE

NRODEULB REHGALLAG82 YRAURBEF ,YADRUTAS

9647.945.778 TA ENOHP YB EGRAHC RO MOC.CAPBG ,ECIFFO XOB EHT TA STEKCIT ESAHCRUP