First a reboot of Spider-Man, then the return of Star Wars in theatres (in 3-D) and now a new prequel series to Watchmen; in a nutshell, the nerds are pissed. As of DC Comics' official announcement on Feb. 1, Watchmen will join the endless stream of reboots, revivals and redo's.

On Feb. 14, one can safely assume that chocolate and wine are two of the most popular food and beverage choices. But, often overlooked are the health benefits of both of these things. Valentine's Day isn't just a day to give away your heart, but to care for the one that you have too.

You are never too old to have a wild imagination. When thoughts become unruly, some find an outlet to express them either socially or even artistically. Connor Smith is one of those minds who has put a great deal of effort into fine tuning his creativity when it comes to his art work.

For the past few months, Brock University's Department of Dramatic Arts has been tirelessly working on the production of Lion in the Streets, written by one of the country's most respected playwrights, Judith Thompson. "I teach acting at Brock, and when the opportunity came up to direct, this play jumped out at me," said Director Danielle Wilson.

Every morning, when Dave Pennetta arrives at work, he opens up The Daily Grind that he owns and operates at Brock University, prepares for the day ahead and greets the parade of familiar faces who stop by for their morning Starbucks fix. Pennetta, who you have surely seen before as you were passing through Plaza or occupying a seat in The Daily Grind, opened up the coffee hub within Brock alongside his brother Robert Pennetta in 2004, and purposely designed it to make customers feel as though they are at home.

"Well my friends are all gone, and my hair is grey/I ache in the places I used to play," sang Leonard Cohen in 1988 on the I'm Your Man album – the eighth release from Canadian singer-songwriter, poet and author. "Tower of Song" would proceed to be covered by numerous other artists, including fellow Canadian, Martha Wainwright, on the sound track that accompanied the 2005 documentary Leonard Cohen: I'm Your Man.

Valentine's Day is fast approaching and hard to ignore. Whether you are in a relationship, overwhelmed with the amount of public displays of affection, or content with spending your time cuddling your cats, you still have an opinion on V-Day. While at a local bar on a Friday evening, people expressed their thoughts on the subject.

Knowledge can be empowering, especially in the concentrated realm of University. Students' brains are immersed in fact and theory every day, while they are able to find outlets for their applied skills to develop and relate what they learn to their everyday lives.

As post-secondary students, we spend a significant portion of our time furthering our education and contemplating our futures. Each day we become more and more aware that a world of opportunities awaits us, and that we are the ones who will be able to make differences and leave our mark with the skills that we have acquired.

After his old band, The Constantines — perhaps one of the most influential Ontario indie/alternative rock of the last decade — called it quits, singer and guitarist Bry Webb decided to move into both parenthood and adulthood.   The tolls of the road and the upcoming expectation of a child, among other things, took him out of the music scene, but his brief stint away from music didn't last very long.

Difficult challenges in our information age are often about the inability to share knowledge from different perspectives. Different perspectives are helpful when identifying one's own role in relation to the World and learning how to be sympathetic to the ranges in point of view.

VANCOUVER (CUP) — In the call for submissions to his latest project back in October, award-winning writer, director and activist Matt Pizzolo wrote, "I think Occupy Wall Street needs art more than it needs a list of demands […] I think artists and writers of comic books have a unique ability to evoke broad ideas and ideals in captivating, dramatic ways".

At Brock University there is a small literary community known as BUCWC. The Brock University Creative Writers Club (BUCWC) is a student-run initiative that recognizes, supports and exposes the writing talent and passion within the school, and is led this year by President and fourth-year English major, Ed Edmonds.

Sometimes it takes 24 hours, no sleep and non-stop caffeine to make movie magic. Brock University's 24-hour Film Festival kicked off on Jan. 27 at 7:00 p.m. sharp, where many experienced and inexperienced film buffs were eager to assemble a final cut that would be due within 24 hours.

Most people would agree that musicals are an important aspect to performance art history. There are countless productions that are forever lost in the musical history vault, never to come back on the contemporary stage. There are, however, a few productions that will always be relevant and able to stand the test of time, and RENT is one of them.

Since Sept. 2011, Delta, a young Niagara-based band has been working hard to get their footing. Finally their hard work has paid off, as their progress shows with an upcoming EP release and excitement for the upcoming year. The band was originally formed to compliment Americano-country sounds, when Cody Smith and Caleb Regier started playing together after Smith returned to Niagara from Glasgow, Scotland.

For many queer people, finding friends and a social support system can be alienating and stressful. Brock Pride is the official group for LGBTQ youth on campus and offers a safe environment for all genders and sexual identities. "We are primarily a social organization, however one of our goals for the year is to increase our presence on campus," said Brandon Vrysen, Vice President of Administration at Brock Pride.

With nearly 20 years of experience in radio, television and stage, triple threat comedian Adam Growe will be returning to Brock University's Centre for the Arts this March with his latest hit, The Adam Growe Comedy and Quiz Showe, combining two areas that he specializes in, stand-up and trivia.

Whether you're a Thrush Hermit enthusiast, recognize his work with The Emergency, or are a die-hard fan of his solo endeavours, including 2009's ambitious triple album release, Three, Canadian indie rock musician Joel Plaskett is a name that speaks volumes and soon his new record Scrappy Happiness will too.

The Brock University CPCF society will be holding an information session on Jan. 17, 2012 from 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. about the annual 24 hour Film Festival. The meeting will be held in Academic South, Rm 215 for all Brock students who are interested in getting tips and ideas for their films, learning of the rules and guidelines and viewing clips of past winners.

It is a story many people know, sometimes best remembered for haunting high school classrooms. Boy sees ghost; ghost convinces boy that his uncle killed his father; boy finds the most convoluted way to get revenge. But in the spirit of re-imaginings,  let's go back to the drawing board, where good and evil aren't so clear-cut, where characters are the last thing you'd expect them to be, where the line between sanity and insanity isn't quite so clear.

Many local campaigns this winter have been addressing the citizen's ability to step up and participate in relieving poverty. Hockey Helps the Homeless in Niagara has already raised $6,000 by individuals and Hockey teams who will play in a public tournament.

St. Catharines has had its share of memorable musical performances, whether it is at the smaller venues where the underground thrives or bigger venues catering to popular artists. Over the years, this has been the landscape in which most people are keen to support.

For the past few months, Dave O'Connor, TJ Charlton, Nathan Burger and Justis Krar who make up the Hamilton-based punk band TV Freaks, have been playing shows and working on the release of their new LP that they began recording in the summer of 2011.

Many photographers have a vision in mind prior to taking a photo. Guided by their artistic eye, these photographers create specific types of ambience to compliment their desired ideas, and are able to produce beautiful images as a result. What sets fourth-year Brock University student Jamie Duncan apart from these photographers is that he has no premeditated ideas or poses in mind prior to taking a photo, because for him, the beauty of photographs lie in the candid: what is natural and informally shot.

Album Review

Jenny Owen Youngs, 30-year-old singer-song writer from New Jersey has just released her third full-length album entitled Unwavering Band of Light. The very indie sound that Youngs has been known for is endearing and harmonic, especially so for Light, being carefully produced, arranged, engineered and mixed by Dan Romer.

Album Review

Philadelphian rockers Dr. Dog recently released their sixth album, Be the Void. The band continues to capture that ‘60s lo-fi sound that many fans have come to appreciate. Like on past albums, guitarist Scott McMicken and bassist Toby Leaman share singing and songwriting duties equally.

Book Review

John Green's, The Fault in Our Stars can be placed under a number of genres. It is a humorous piece of young adult fiction about falling in love, and what are referred to as "the side effects of death". Though directed at young adults, I heavily recommend it to individuals of any age and from any walk of life.

Classic Album Review

The year is 1970, and with just three notes, English pioneer heavy metal band Black Sabbath are able to fundamentally change the genre of rock and roll – forever. These three notes construct what is known as the tritone. Referred to in the past as "diabolus in musica", literally, "the devil in music" – people believed it had a Satanic quality and even banned its use.

Album Review

Completely reflective of the mood throughout the album, ScHoolboy Q has struck gold again with his sophomore release. Q's appropriately titled Habits and Contradictions, is an advancement and illustration of his growth as artist. His dark, convincing style repeatedly connects the listener to every track while keeping the mood of the title.

Album Review

First Aid Kit's newest release, The Lion's Roar commands to be listened to if you enjoy a mix of folk, country, indie-rock tunes. The two sisters from Stolkholm, Sweden — Johanna and Klara Soderberg — spent 2011 touring with Bright Eyes and Lykke Li, playing shows in Europe and the US.

Album Review

Attack on Memory, the second proper release from Cloud Nothings shows the growth and maturity of lead singer Dylan Baldi thanks to the help of famed album producer Steve Albini (the man behind the boards for Nirvana's In Utero and The Pixies' Surfer Rosa).

Album Review

On Jan. 24, alternative trio, Nada Surf released their seventh full-length album entitled, The Stars Are Indifferent To Astronomy. The band, which consists of Matthew Caws on guitar and vocals, Ira Elliot on drums and back up vocals and Daniel Lorca on bass and back up vocals, have been playing together since 1992.

Album Review

Resolution, Lamb of God's seventh studio album, is a very solid effort from the Richmond, Virginia natives. I'm going to say this up front: fans of Lamb of God, if you have not heard this album, get it immediately; and for fans of metal music in general, also get this album immediately.

Album Review

American Weekend is the newest release from one of many projects of Katie Crutchfield. Waxahatchee is the unpronounceable name given to her solo project, used to modestly separate herself from earlier bands such as P.S. Eliot and Bad Banana. Although P.

Album Review

John K. Samson first entered the Canadian music scene as the bassist for Manitoba punk band Propagandhi in the mid 90s. Almost 15 years and two bands later, Samson is finally releasing his first full-length solo disc, Provincial. Over that time he has managed to establish himself as a songwriter with undeniable talent.

Film Review

Move over, Sister Act, Joyful Noise is full of fun, laughs and music that will have you grinning from ear to ear. The film brings gospel and country together by uniting singer-actresses Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton, who fit together just as delightfully as peanut butter and jelly.

Soundtrack Review

The We Bought a Zoo soundtrack, composed by Sigur Ros' front man, Jon Thor Birgisson, other wise known as Jonsi, was released last month. Sigur Ros' is a post rock band from Iceland, experimenting with many different instrumental mixes and use of vocals.

Album Review

The Submarines released their most recent EP on Dec. 20 entitled Shoelaces. This six track wonder contains two covers from well known bands of the past, such as New Order, as well as two "bare-boned" versions of songs from their already popular full-length albums.

Album Review

In December, The Black Keys released their sixth album, El Camino. This 11 track album contains some of the band's most upbeat tunes to date that are jam-packed with energy. The Black Keys are a two piece band consisting of lead singer and guitarist, Dan Auerbach and drummer and producer Patrick Carney.

Album Review

Memorable and strong female fronted bands are rare in the music industry. Influential alternative female artists such as Bjork, Emily Haines, Kathleen Hanna, Regina Spektor and Laura Stevenson come to mind as the few we recognize. Elena Tonra, a.k.a.

Album Review

Cursed Arrows is a two-piece garage/post-punk band that was formed in the Guelph/Waterloo area in 2006. The co-songwriters are a married couple by the names of Jackie Stanley, who plays the drums, and Ryan Stanley who plays the guitar. Both musicians share vocal duties.

Album Review

If you aren't familiar with the indie acoustic act, Owen, Mike Kinsella's newest solo album called Ghost Town may convince you to listen carefully to the five previous studio albums and six EPs and split EPs that constitute his modest discography. Fans of Owen usually note the importance of the short-lived, Chicago based band, American Football.

Album Review

At the tender age of 19-years-old, and already twice on the cover of one of hip-hop's most established magazines, XXL, Pennsylvania rapper Mac Miller released his debut album entitled Blue Slide Park.   This release makes Miller the first independent artist since Snoop Dogg to reach number one on Billboard charts.

Album Review

Megadeth return with their 13th studio album, appropriately (yet perhaps lazily) titled TH1RT3EN. The album marks the return of founding bass player Dave Ellefson after he left the band following their 2001 release, The World Needs a Hero. TH1RT3EN is also the second studio album to feature lead guitar player Chris Broderick, who is by far the band's best lead player since Marty Friedman, and is arguably better than Friedman.

Book Review

Chuck Klosterman may be known for his non-fiction cultural ramblings that were found in Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs and Eating the Dinosaur, but his recent offerings have been the fictional Downtown Owl and most recently, The Visible Man. While Downtown Owl centers around a football team in Texas, and similarly acts as a tribute to Friday Night Lights, The Visible Man focuses on a story that is clearly derived from H.

Album Review

If you are familiar with the indie folk rock group The Decemberists, hailing from Portland, Oregon, then you probably are no stranger to their sixth studio album entitled The King is Dead, released in January of 2011. If you are still following at this point, you may or may not be surprised to find out that the band has just recently released an EP called Long Live the King, which is composed of outtakes from The King is Dead.

Album Review

When Lungs was released in 2009, most of us music fell in love with English musician Florence Welch's mighty voice, striking red hair and overall glamorous persona. The songs that composed Lungs such as "Dog Days Are Over",  "You've Got the Love", "Drumming" and "My Boy Builds Coffins" set the bar and took us by surprise.

The Brock University Department of Dramatic Arts chose to mark the 100th anniversary of American playwright Tennessee Williams' birth by selecting Orpheus Descending as this semester's main stage production. Although one of Williams more obscure works, Orpheus Descending proves its value by offering themes which are deeply relevant to audiences over 50 years after its creation.