P04P11P12

forth valley college STUDENT MAGAZINE ISSUE 19MAY ‘12

GAMES PAGEBEAUTY TIPS

SPORTS BLOGP14/15 CINEMA REVIEWS/PREVIEWS

GOLDAWARDWINNER

SCOTLANDMAY 2012

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland are looking for FVC students to volunteer in their local area - helping with fundraising, campaigning and promoting activities.Lisa Sta�ord BHF Scotland’s Fundraising Volunteer Manager, said: “We value your time, your skills and your knowledge. We want to help by giving you the opportunity to gain valuable experience, enhancing existing skills and obtaining new ones. We want volunteering with us to be fun, �exible and a great addition to your CV or further education application form.”BHF Scotland have numerous ways that you can help out from collecting to organising fundraising events. There are a variety of time commit-ments, some for only one or two hours every couple of months. For more information or to have a chat about what you can do please contact Lisa on 01259 220451, 07920 088318 or sta�ordl@bhf.org.uk .

Champs Elysees, Arc De Triomphe, Notre Dame, Louvre, and Sacre Couer.The class also developed team working skills by raising the money for the trip themselves through various fundraising activities including bag packing in Asda over the Christmas holiday.

Practical skills

Fiona Clelland, Lecturer in the Department of Business who accompanied the students on the trip, said: “The trip allowed the learners to apply all the theory they had learned in other modules and put their practical skills to the test. It put learning into context for them – and as a plus it was also fun!”

Emma Shearer (20) from Stirling said: ““It was great how everyone in the class worked togetheto make the trip a success. I had a brilliant time and really learnt a lot about the tourism industry.”

Jessica Jansson (29) from Sweden said: “It was great going to all these world famous visitor attractions like the Ei�el Tower - the trip really enabled me to learn in a fun way.”

Susanne Hamilton (28) from Falkirk said: “I learnt how tourist attractions actually work, instead of just learning the theory in a classroom.”

Fiona Sim (19) from Denny said: “I really enjoyed the challenge of planning the itinerary and �nding suitable accommodation. I am now 100% con�dent this is what I want to do as a career.”

A group of travel and tourism students from Forth Valley College made a ‘learning journey’ recently as they enjoyed a whirlwind excur-sion to Paris.

Fifteen students currently studying the HND Travel and Tourism programme at the College’s Falkirk Campus arranged the trip as part of a module, which requires them to put their learning into practice.The group were able to organise the transport, accommodation and itinerary for the �ve day trip with only some support from their lecturers. Whilst in Paris they had the opportunity to speak to several travel and tourism professionals and visited famous sights including the Ei�el Tour,

FVC NEWS

FVC NEWS

Our new beauty columnist on foot care

Featuring a Comic Book review

Ideas for what to do during the holidays

A photo update

Three of the latest releases

Dark Shadows

Graham Ruthven’s latest sports blogDavid Harley talks games

A farewell from Kathleen Underhill

More FVC News

MAY 2012

Contact Fusion at: fusion@forthvalley.ac.ukFusion Designed by Paul McDonald

BOOK/MUSIC REVIEWS

HEALTHY BODY, HEALTHY MIND

Some messages from our Fusion correspondentsTHE END OF AN ERA

PRESIDENT’S GOODBYE

FILM REVIEWS

Nicholas previews a selection of new releasesFILM PREVIEWS

CINEWORLD COMPETITION

10

GAMES PAGE

11

13

15

16

14

08/09

06

07

BEAUTY TIPS

David and Mellissa talk HolidaysFOR AND AGAINST

WHAT’S ON

This time last year I was at home writing my �rst ever President’s Hello in preparation for the August edition, where I o�cially became your �rst ever full-time Sabbatical Student Union President!

Upon taking over from David Connell, I had no idea where to start, but I knew I had huge shoes to �ll. However I (and the Student Union as a whole) have been privileged to become involved in many amazing projects. Everything from starting up the biggest Learner Engagement Initiative (LEI) Forth Valley College has ever seen, to GOATs (Go Out And Talk), Class Rep Training in my pyjamas for a week, Battle of the Bands, the opening of the new Alloa Campus and delivering a speech in front of First Minister Alex Salmond. Involvement in the Healthy Body, Healthy Mind Campaign and helping to ensure we keep our Fairtrade status has also meant an awful lot to me!This year there have been so many cross curricular experiences, with Creative Industries playing a huge part of our �rst Celebration of Fairtrade event. They worked professionally with the Student Union, the Department of Business and the Communications and Marketing Department,

interviewing students, sta� and visitors at the conference. This has been put into our evidence evaluation report and I am more than happy to announce we have had our Fairtrade status renewed. Also our sound production students, who ensured everyone could be heard and seen throughout the event, were brilliant. They were all very professional, using this experience as a real life situation, which went towards their course grading.We also had Creative Industries working with Hospitality and Salon Services in lots of ways this year. From working to transform one of our lectur-ers into Fagin from Oliver and this year’s highlight – the Crecó Fashion, Costume and Hair Show at our Raploch Campus. This event was put together using our students’ very own creations and I must say there were a few looking to buy some of the dresses which were made and enquiring about the hair and makeup by the Raploch students.

A big well done to all our sta� and students for putting on a fantastic show!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for helping me this year and giving me the push in the right direction that I needed at the

beginning. The support I was given by our Senior Management was brilliant, but most of all thanks go to you guys! If it wasn’t for our Vice Presidents, Andrew, Blair and Laura and our O�cers, Kelly-Anne, Ina and Emma, I don’t think it would have been possible to achieve the amount we did this year. We have made sure the Student Union is visible in every campus and I know that this hard work will continue long after I am gone. I would also like to say good luck to the new President and Vice President (counting takes place after Fusion goes to print). Look online to see all the pictures from the candidates.In keeping with tradition, I thought it best to leave you with a quote from a man who is very contro-versial, but in my eyes very interesting; "We are so made, that we can only derive intense enjoyment from a contrast and only very little from a state of things." Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)

As the big man said, change is good and only through change can we make a di�erence!Stay awesome everyone!!!

Kathleen UnderhillStudent Union President 2011/12

The fabled wheel of morality has become more and more prevalent in games in recent years. It is a staple of the choose your story scenario where you, the player, must become a paragon of righteous-ness or a renegade of destruction. An interesting feature, but it is one I’ve become bored with recently, as I plunge into the never grey waters of gaming morality.

Morality system

The underlying message of the morality system in games is how the world reacts to you. How your party members react to you, how willing they are to go with you and who you get to romance, as well as the occasional cosmetic changes. What it is meant to do is give us a wider choice of how to play the game, and test the limits of what the developers think we will do morally and ethically. What it ends up doing is giving you one of two choices. One is to be the hero, save the world, get the boy/girl and feel all warm and tingly. The other is to waste many hours react-ing to the norm and going through with the evil plan that we were meant to stop.Call me old-fashioned, but surely the point of playing the hero is to…well, not blow up half the world? Occasionally games, such as the Mass E�ect series, show how the morality system can work. They have a protagonist who is unlovable and more abrasive than acid - but they still save you, your family and the world. These are the characters who are more or less lawful and good and would never spill the blood of an innocent. The story feels wasted if, for all our e�ort in preventing the calamity, we end up egging it on with a foam �nger and some popcorn. The fun of doing evil and cruel

things is non-existent when the game doesn’t seem to care that you’re doing it.

Impress

The story pushes you to do more, like a big kid you want to impress. But after you impress, you wonder what the whole point of it all was. The glee that comes from riding around in a tank and shoot-ing random people in Grand Theft Auto and Saints Row is that the game shows you there are consequences if you decide to cause havoc. This makes it feel much sweeter when you escape and �ght your way out and makes the bitterness that much more signi�cant when you lose against the bravest police forces in gaming. Some games take it a stage further, and punish you unfairly – like Oblivion, and to a lesser extent, Skyrim – by throwing magnetised guards on you when you do something as simple as stabbing a chicken!

There is never the chance to play an anti-hero – like in Deadpool – you are either the orphan saving protagonist, or a puppy kicking evil person. It’s a nice feature that needs revamped to prevent the collective groans of the blue/red meter that keep track of your actions. Would a better way not be to have set pieces during the game that dramatically change the story and landscape depend-ing on what you do? Games such as Fable and Mass E�ect – games that allow you to shape a truly original character some-times let it gel. However some games – such as all of GTA4’s choices, barring the last one, and Oblivion’s Ninja Guards – make you question its purpose. Grey is a lovely colour! Stories do not need to be in black and white.

MAY 2012

NUS Scotland have been very busy reacting to several issues since the last edition of Fusion.Recently NUS Scotland have successfully campaigned against a proposal by Glasgow Caledonian University to introduce charges for students to re-sit exams, they have also joined with the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) to call for UK and Scottish Governments to work together to allow 16 and 17 year-olds living in Scotland to vote in the forthcoming Scottish independence referendum and future elections and they have called for action on widening access and drop-out rates in Scotland.Based at 29 Forth Street in Edinburgh the NUS have been at the forefront of protecting and campaigning for the rights of students for many years. They are always ready to discuss issues and problems students may have and can o�er support and advice on a wide range of issues. They would also be delighted to hear from students wishing to get involved with their campaigning.So if you are interested in �nding out more about the NUS Scotland and recent issues being raised, then why not visit the NUS website on www.nus.org.uk.

MAY 2012 5

Forth Valley College has recently announced their latest in a long list of good news stories with their newly updated mobile website, writes Melissa Russell.The update has expanded cross-platform acces-sibility allowing users access to the website the way it was intended using a wide range of popular smartphones such as those on Android, iOS and BlackBerry operating systems.This latest update comes on the back of the launch of the Forth Valley College ‘App’ release

earlier this year. Both mark signi�cant develop-ments in making information readily available and accessible to students on the go. Increasing the access to information across a variety of platforms has been part of the digital strategy for the Communications and Marketing Depart-ment. Further to this, Forth Valley College now �nds itself in an elite group of colleges able to say that it has a mobile website.Lyndsay Condie, FVC Communications and Marketing Department Manager, said: “We’re

delighted to be one of the �rst colleges in Scotland to launch a mobile website – it shows once again our commitment to delivering new developments which have a positive impact on the overall learner experience.”With many students �nding their phones to be an indispensible item in their everyday life the increased compatibility and ease of access, through the mobile website, is sure to be as well received as the already popular smartphone ‘App’.Melissa said: “Having tried the website out on my mobile phone (Samsung Galaxy S2) both pre-update and post-update, I can personally vouch for the vast improvement in the accessi-bility. The navigation is painless and easy to comprehend which previously was not the case. “Further to this, on a phone that is big enough or with the inclination to do so, there is an option to switch back to the desktop version in the form of a hyperlink at the bottom of the application. The ambition and desire by the Communications and Marketing Department is to be commended as this latest update has vastly improved the ease at which students can access the information we require.”For more news on Forth Valley College, visit the web page on: http://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/news

Competition was �erce in the Forth Valley College kitchen recently, but it was the Blue Team who eventually triumphed in their annual Devil’s Kitchen charity event.

Now in its �fth year the competition - based on the popular TV show ‘Hells Kitchen’ and organised by the College’s Hospitality team - took place in the Training Restaurant at the College’s Middle�eld Building in Falkirk on the evening of Friday 9 March.This year’s event proved very successful with diners in the Forth Valley area and a total of 105 diners enjoyed a complimentary refreshment on arrival, a three course meal, co�ee and the chance to win some superb ra�e prizes.

The Blue and the Red Teams – were tasked with preparing and serving a three-course meal. Teams were comprised of 16 students in total – several from the Falkirk/ Stirling/ Clackmannan-shire area - with eight in the kitchen and eight serving in the restaurant. Aiveen McAllister, FVC Hospitality Department Curriculum Quality Leader (CQL), said: “This year’s event was very exciting and very well attended. Everyone had a a great time, but lecturer Scott Dougall’s Blue Team just edged it over colleague Mandy Fraser’s Red Team. We still don’t have a �nal tally for the money raised, but it is close to £4,000 raised and we look forward to presenting CHAS and Strathcarron Hospice their donations soon.”

MAY 20126

Walk of the Earth – Band ReviewBy Ross McGregor

Gotye found success recently in the UK music charts with ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’.It reached the number one spot twice, the second time it remained in �rst place for a further four weeks in the Big Top 40 chart. This was no surprise really, given the catchy nature of the song, which in all honesty is a bit uncon-ventional to the normal ‘in the club’ music that the UK has become accustomed to.What is surprising however, is the lack of cover age that the Canadian indie-rock group Walk of the Earth have had in the UK, despite receiving rave reviews on YouTube and recently appear-ing on US TV. On Jan 5 2012 the band produced a cover of ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ and released it on YouTube. It consists of �ve band members playing one guitar simultaneously whilst covering the song.

Historically most covers of original songs have been somewhat lacking in that “special something”, however this band certainly lacked nothing with their spectacular cover. It is very hard to describe the style in any way other than sensational. It really is something that you have to view in order to fully understand.Further to their Gotye cover, they have several other spectacularly unique covers – including one of the LMFAO hit ‘Party Rock Anthem’. I appear to be running out of superlatives for this band, so all that remains is for me to leave you with the means to make up your own mind.You can search ‘Walk of the Earth’ on YouTube or alternatively simply enter their link at http://www.youtube.com/user/walko�theearth if you wanted to browse all of their videos.

The Big Yin Jonathan Margolis

You would think that a biography on the life of the legendary Billy Connolly, the Scottish comedian with facial hair as crazy as he is, would be hilarious and completely engaging… wouldn’t you?Sadly though, The Big Yin feels more like the wee yin and leaves very little to engage with. Undoubtedly the story of his neglected upbringing is a touching tale, but then that is only 10% of the book. Margolis’ writing lacks the passion and humour you would expect from a biography of a man who went from folk musician to comedy star. The best things about this book are the pictures in the middle (probably to break up the periods of boredom before the second half ). There are pictures from his childhood, his wedding day and moments from his glowing career as Scotland’s funny man. It’s just a shame it didn’t work for me.

By Melissa Russell

All Fun and Games Until Somebody Loses an Eye Christopher Brookmyre

For starters, this book was nothing like what I expected. I was captivated after turning the �rst page. Lots of shocks and surprises, so I don't want to reveal too much as it will ruin the experience of reading this book! You could be forgiven for thinking from the �rst couple of chapters that this is going to be the usual 'housewife tale' about a grandmother named Jane Fleming. But that is just where the story begins. There are nail biting, eye watering and laugh out loud moments throughout the book and the story will de�nitely keep you on your toes.Once you get started, you will �nd it di�cult to tear yourself away from this one. Christopher Brookmyre certainly gets inside a character’s head. You get to truly see how a mother/wife/grandmother would react in incredible situations. This book isn't just for the girls, there's an incredible amount of action going on too (another wee surprise!). So if you enjoy surprise, suspense, action, romance, drama and a level of wit good enough to make you cry, give it a read!

By Sheryn Morrison

Deception PointDan Brown (2001)

Deception Point is another typically enthralling Dan Brown novel that encapsulates controversy with conspiracy theories that the author has become famous for. The plot centres on a NASA discovery of a meteorite found buried deep within the Arctic Circle.The main protagonist in this tale is Rachel Sexton, an intelligence analyst at the NRO and daughter to a US presidential candidate. Her father launches an o�ensive on NASA to highlight his presidential campaign which brings the agency under crippling scrutiny and the current president’s ratings crash. Of course the timely arrival of an all important NASA discovery could change everything.This book was everything that I’ve come to expect of a Dan Brown novel. There is the use of feasible conspiracy theories to capture the imagination and a writing style that engages with the reader. It is easy to become engulfed by the goings on, and he makes the reader feel as if they are in the thick of the action. Of course, no Dan Brown novel would be complete without an unexpected twist and this novel o�ers all of the above.The plot is easy to follow and is utterly compel-ling. Also, with each page as enthralling as the last, it will most certainly be an enjoyable read for those interested in conspiracy theories.

By Ross McGregor

Justice League: OriginsWritten by Geoff Johns; Drawn by Jim Lee

One of the biggest complaints for people who want to start reading comic books is that they don’t know where to start. Last September DC Comics rebooted all of their titles, starting again from issue #1 to o�er new readers an easy entry point. Justice League: Origins, is the collection of the �rst storyline of DC’s �agship title. The book follows the formation of the Justice League as the team, consisting of fan favourites: Super-man, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Cyborg and Batman, come together to battle a foe they couldn’t handle alone.While the story in this book is fairly straight forward, this comic book is enjoyable as we get to see these super powered beings meet and interact for the �rst time, with writer Geo� Johns keeping things interesting and funny. Jim Lee’s art here is top quality. His drawing style suits superhero comics perfectly, with intricately drawn, exciting action sequences leaping from the page. This book o�ers a nice exciting introduction to DC’s comic book universe, and comics in general. The great art, interesting character interactions and simple story makes this book fantastic for new readers. Older comic fans on the other hand might �nd the book a little too basic for their tastes.

By Sean Pritchard

By Iona Bellingham Baird

7

Summer is almost upon us, so

here are some events in your

area throughout the holidays to

keep you going until college

starts again... because we all

know how much you are going

to miss exams.

Elton John — This June Falkirk plays host to

one of the most legendary singer/songwriters

of all time - Elton John. He is playing a series of

smaller gigs this year and Falkirk Stadium is

one of them. Despite the fact the only tickets

left are those available by competition entry,

Elton even said: “I’ve never played Falkirk until

now and it’s high time I did.” This night is sure

to be one to remember. Sunday 10 June,

Falkirk Stadium.

10th Anniversary of the Falkirk Wheel —

Found this wee interesting gem of an event on

the web. Takes place between 6- 8 June and

could be a lot of fun.

Wildlife Photography for everyone — Bring

a camera if you can, but not essential as there

are a few spare to capture the local wildlife on

�lm. Saturday 16 June. Cost £2. meet at the

Jupiter Urban Wildlife Centre, Grangemouth.

Contact Stephen Owen on 01324 486475,

jupiterranger@swt.org

Bo’ness Pipe Band Championship and

Highland Dancing — Saturday 9 June and

Sunday 10 June. Does exactly what it says on

the tin from 10am-6pm. Kinneil Estate, Bo’ness.

Childrens’ Festival – Friday 20 July Zetland

Park, Grangemouth, between 1pm-5pm, fun,

games and art for kids with an Olympic theme.

Airth Highland Games - 28 July — Looking

for a more traditional day out? Featuring pipe

bands, family friendly highland games and

much, much more. Head to Airth for a great

day for all the family. The Wilderness, Airth,

Falkirk, FK2 8LN www.airthgames.co.uk

The 156th Alva Games (Johnston Park) —

The last surviving Highland Games in

Clackmannanshire, always held on the second

Saturday of July (14 July this year) it features a

full range of competitions and events, and

even a fun-fair. A great day out for all to enjoy.

Find out more at: http://alva.ukctest.co.uk

Ochils Festival – Saturday 9 June - Saturday

23 June – For more info on this programme of

events which hopes to increase the access to

the Ochils Hills and Glens please contact Kirsty

McAlister by telephone on 01259 452675.

www.clacksweb.org.uk/environment/olp/

Summer Snowsports – Firpark Ski Centre,

Tillicoultry, Monday 2 July- Thursday 9 August.

www.clacksweb.org.uk/culture/�rpark

summeractivities

Meet & Make Market — Stirling’s newest

vintage craft fair held in the historic Cowane

Hospital. Check out the beautiful, quirky

things you won’t �nd every day. Held twice a

month – 2 June , 23 June, 7 July, 4 August, 18

August. (The Cowane Hospital, 49 St John’s

Street, Stirling, FK8 1EU).

The Scribbler‘s Picnic — Head on down to

Stirling Rugby Club on 17 June to enjoy an

afternoon of music and raise money for �ve

cancer charities at the same time! Stirling

locals Two Stripe will take the stage as will

Hooks n’ Crooks and End of Neil to name but a

few. (Stirling Rugby Club, Bridgehaugh, Cause-

wayhead Road, Stirling, FK9 5AP).

Forth Valley Open Studios 2012, Showcase

Exhibition — Across the Valley exhibition

preview, 2 June, 7pm at The Changing Room,

Tolbooth, Jail Wynd, Stirling, FK8 1DE. Just one

of the few exhibitions open in June. Why not

immerse yourself in all the creativity Forth

Valley has to o�er? Visit the website:

www.forthvalleyopenstudios.com

MAY 2012

Highland Dancing

Sunday 10 June. Does exactly what it says on

Summer Snowsports –

Tillicoultry, Monday 2 July- Thursday 9 August.

www.clacksweb.org.uk/culture/�rpark

summeractivities

Fusion readers looking for a laugh over the summer holidays, will be able to exercise their funny bones at the annual Funny In Falkirk comedy festival which returns this July.The festival kicks o� on Friday 20 July and runs until Tuesday 31 July, with more than 50 shows taking place in venues across Falkirk, Grangemouth, Stenhouse-muir, Bo’ness, Bonnybridge and Denny. The full programme of events will be published later this month and features top stand-up and sketch comedy from international stars and home-grown Scottish talent. There will also be children’s shows and a special selection of comedy �lms at the Hippodrome cinema in Bo’ness and Falkirk Cineworld.

For loads more information please visit www.funnyinfalkirk.com (if going on website, insert hyperlink http://www.funnyinfalkirk.com/) and sign up for e-news updates.

Forth Valley College international art student Shakir Mughal showed o� his best work recently as he completed his two year HND in Contempo-rary Art Practice six months ahead of schedule.Stirling based Shakir (37) – who also has a Masters in History from the University of The Punjab – now can’t wait to return to the College to study for his BA Degree in Art and Design. Originally from Islamabad in Pakistan, Shakir had always had a love of art. In his end of course exhibition, ‘My Journey – Tradition to Contempo-rary’, he turned his traditional family photos into fascinating collages and installations and titled this work ‘Environment of Memories’. In his graduation exhibition Shakir put a total of eight pieces of work on display from abstract paintings and photographs to sculptures and large installations, highlighting various issues including ‘Economic Migration’.

MAY 2012 8

If you require support with anxiety, stress or a crisis that is a�ecting you currently, then you can contact the Learning Advisory Team by e-mail at adviceshop@forthvalley.ac.uk or via

telephone on (01324) 403001.

If you wish to read further on the subject of mental health illness then the following

websites may be of some interest:

http://www.nus.org.uk/thinkpositivehttp://www.seemescotland.org.uk/

http://www.samh.org.uk/

The Healthy Body Healthy Mind (HBHM) Campaign has been at the focus of the Student Union over the past few months and we have been driving home the message across all campuses – writes Kathleen Underhill outgoing SU President.Kathleen said: “FVC SU have now submitted a report to the National Union for Students (NUS) and we are waiting to hear if we have been successful in the award scheme.“This is not our only reason for promoting HBHM, we want our students and sta� to be physically and mentally �t or at least have the knowledge of where to go for help within Forth Valley College.”Senior members of the Student Union, along with �ve Falkirk NC Business students and various sta� members have all participated in di�erent activities throughout the year.Promotional activities included free badminton on Wednesday nights in the Falkirk Campus, the big awareness event in all four campuses, where sta� and students walked more than 30 miles using the step machines, and had our big �t walk at Alloa and Falkirk campuses!Kathleen added: “These events wouldn’t have taken place if it wasn’t for everyone coming together and showing that they care about mental health and stamp-ing out the stigma that unfortunately is attached to it. Look out next year for more events such as walking groups and more!“I would like to take the opportunity to thank Aliasha Ali, Jordan Riley, Jamie-Lea Lemon and Rhys Mason for helping to organise and run our two big events. You were instrumental in the running of these events and without your support they may never have been so successful”.“I would also like to thank Erasmus student Gwenaelle Weber for the fantastic design of our Healthy Body Healthy Mind posters. These were so eye-catching and informative that you couldn’t help but stop and read about the events – thank you!”

Cycling is becoming increasingly popular with students and with summer just around the corner there’s never been a better time to get on your bike.Cycling can be a cost e�ective travel option meaning you can save your cash for days out and holidays. It’s also a great way to get �t and healthy keeping you looking your best for your summer wardrobe. Plus you can also feel good about yourself knowing you’re doing your bit to help the environment or charity if you participate in one of the many fundraising events across the country.

Most importantly, it can be fun! Whether you choose to cycle alone or with friends it can be great to get outdoors, explore and set yourself challenges. So why not consider it? Here are just a couple of the things you could get involved with:

National Bike Week - 16 to 24 June 2012

An annual awareness raising week with events across the UK. Visit www.bikeweek.org.uk for more info.

Pedal for Scotland – 9 September 2012

Join around 9000 cyclists for Scotland’s biggest bike ride. Choose the classic 51 mile route or challenge yourself with the 100 mile option. For more information you can visit this website: www.pedalforscotland.org/ Discover more events at www.bikeeventsscotland.com

Need a bike? Get one for less…visit www.recyke-a-bike-co.uk

Its End of Term…Get On Your Bike!

STEP TOGETHER: Kathleen leads the way during one of the promotional events.RAISING AWARENESS: Associate Principal for HR and Student Services Andy Lawson (centre) was happy to back the campaign.

WALKING THE WALK: Sta� and students walked in step with each other to promote Healthy Body Healthy Mind.

By Kathleen Underhill

MAY 2012 9

Three Belgian Erasmus students who have just completed a four month work place-ment at Forth Valley College – went up a gear while they were here. Aline Arrotin (21), Gwenaelle Weber (21) and Laura Bantuaelle (21) - who study at the HELHa University in Mons near the French Border and were based in FVC’s Communications and Marketing Department – secured the use of three mountain bikes to allow them to cycle to and from their Grangemouth accommodation to the Falkirk Campus.The bikes were donated back to the college for the entirety of the students’ placement by Forth Valley NHS Adult Mental Health Pedal4th project. Waimun Lee FVC’s Leisure Facility Co-ordinator had, only a year before, run a successful campaign to get the public to donate unused bikes for the project’s members to service, maintain and use.Wai, said: “A big thank you goes to Pedal4th who were good enough to lend three bikes back to us, so Aline, Gwenaelle and Laura could cycle to college from their digs in Grangemouth every day.”Aline (pictured centre), said: “I would like to thank everyone who has helped us with the use of bikes while we are here. It is really great riding a bike in Scotland and the beautiful parks and landscape gave me real pleasure.”

Laura (pictured right), said: “I was used to driving my car to Univesity back home, so it was a big change for me to use a bike here! It’s awesome that we can borrow these bikes. Without Wai's help all of this would never have happened.”

Gwenaelle (pictured left), who was the least experienced cyclist of the three, said: “Even if it was hard to get used to riding a bike every day, I really did enjoy it! After some wee scratches and a big helping hand from Wai, it helped me to keep �t and to save money by avoiding the bus.”

BELGIAN BIKE CHAIN GANG

FVC learner David Hardie is looking to net some supporters for the brand new Falkirk Juniors Football Club. David (33, Larbert), who is currently studying the NC Measurement and Control Engineering programme, joined the team in January as goalkeeper. He had previously played with Sauchie Juniors and was part of the team who won the South Division in 2010/11. However David was worried he wouldn’t get a game after Sauchie secured a goal keeper who had previously played with Partick Thistle and he made the decision to move to Falkirk Juniors.The team had been set up in June 2011 by a former team-mate and after a short wait David was o�ered the chance to join them.He now trains every Tuesday and Thursday and plays every Saturday either at Grangemouth Stadium, the team’s home ground, or at other venues across Central Scotland. His e�orts are paying o� as the team are already making their mark in the league.

David said: “I’ve loved football ever since I could kick a ball and I’ve always played for teams. It can be a big commitment especially as I have a lot on at the moment with studying but it’s important you attend the training and all the games. The league has really high standards and you have to keep your �tness levels up. “We all really push each other within the team as we want to end up at the top of the junior game. We’re also trying to build our fan base at the moment as we’re a new team. A strong support is always good for motivation so we’d really appreciate people coming along. It’s important to support local youth football and the high standards of play ensure the games are always exciting to watch. The matches can also make good family days out – my wife Ruth and kids Holly (5) and Colin (3) often come along to cheer me and the team on!”

Visit Falkirk Junior Football Club’s website for details of upcoming games – visit www.�fc.co.uk

NEW TEAM LOOKING FOR ‘HARDIE’ FANS

David Hardie in his goalkeeping gear

Right what can I say about holiday tour operators? In my opinion they appear to group together some desperate, party going, IQ smaller than their shoe size fools that seem to think teenage to late 20s group holidays are a good idea. Well, that sentence helps get things going.I will never understand the need that people have to go do some bump and grind with

strangers, get tattoos from questionable practi-tioners and get so drunk they can’t even remember what they did thirty seconds before. These holidays give people an excuse to paint our age group with the same brush as drunken louts. The hospitals on the holiday islands are �lled with naive people, who decide to prove they are invincible for whatever reason. Many even get deafened by dub-step and drum &

bass everywhere they go. Call me old fashioned, but going on holiday means having a good time, right? Relaxing with friends, enjoy-ing nice weather, not throwing up the contents of your stomach and having a pounding headache that sounds like a thousand drum-mers doing a drum roll.Holidays are meant to be relaxing, not shorten your life expectancy.

Speaking as someone who has been on an all-girls ‘party’ holiday every year for the past four years (not to mention heading to Ibiza for the second time this June), I think it’s fair to say that my side of this argument will be far more informed than that of David’s and that of the young people’s holiday myths portrayed on TV.

The typical holiday hot spots for young people- Ibiza, Ayia Napa, Tenerife, Kavos, Magaluf, etc, are all renowned for being the homelands of sunshine, bars and more clubs than you can shake a glow stick at, and most importantly FUN. What is so terrible about heading o� to Spain for a week with all your friends to experience the nightlife somewhere else, instead of the same pubs and clubs in Falkirk, Stirling and Alloa that you always go to? What is so wrong with young people wanting a cheap holiday to get away from home stresses such as work or college for a week or two? Well what makes it so

terrible are the myths perpetuated by a small majority of young party goers. There is always someone that takes it too far, but that doesn’t mean that everyone who goes to Faliraki on a young persons’ holiday is going to drink themselves into hospital or be so careless as to come home in need of a trip to the GUM clinic.OK, in my opinion, maybe stay away from Benidorm because the bar touts are sleazier than the average booze hound, and of course I wouldn’t recommend going with one of the well known organised companies o�ering holidays for the young, if you don’t have a lot of money. But wherever you go there are just a few simple rules you need to follow that will guarantee you are safe and still come back with some of the greatest and most hilarious memories you will ever have.1. Just because there are drinks promotions everywhere, that does not mean you have to drink them all. The last thing you want is to end up in A&E getting your stomach pumped.

2. Always stay with your friends, even if you split up at least stay in twos and threes. Not everyone is out to mug you or worse, but it’s better to be safe than sorry even at home you should do the same.3. Wear a decent amount of sun tan lotion please! Getting lobstered on holiday will not only ruin your enjoyment levels, but it will also increase your risk of skin cancer, so just be careful!4. Always be carefull near verandas and balco-nies. Recent tragic events have show how dangerous a fall can be.

There is nothing wrong with having fun whilst you’re young, just don’t make us all look like idiots in the process.Other than that you are good to go! So let’s get our suitcases packed, stock up our iPods with the latest chart toppers, make sure you’ve got insurance and your �ight times right and I will see you on the beach if any of you are heading to San Antonio, Ibiza this June!

MAY 201210

PARTY HOLIDAYS: UNCOVERED

Both the For and Against articles on this page are the opinions (often tongue in cheek) of the writers alone and not in any way representative of the views of Fusion, FVC SU or the college itself.

If you feel strongly about any articles raised in Fusion magazine and would like to comment on them for our letters page, please feel free to e-mail fusion@forthvalley.ac.uk .

11MAY 2012

Wash your feet daily. Dry your feet thoroughly and wear clean socks every day. This is the key to keep-ing bacterial and fungal infections at bay. Seriously, this is the most basic and essential advice there is, so hopefully in future this is a tip I won’t need to give!

The nail base is very important. Always use a base coat to prevent the colour staining your nails. This also makes the polish last longer.

Nail trends for this summer are reverse French, metallic, glittery and intricate designs like lace and polka dots. The intricate designs can be achieved by using the foil nail wraps like 'minx'. There are hundreds of designs to choose from so you will definitely be spoiled for choice!

You can always attain unique nail finishes by using 'crackle' or magnetic nail polish. Almost every brand has their own version and essentially they all do the same job, so I don't see the point in forking out for a more expensive one when a £2 version does the same job.

Cut your nails straight across. If you don’t do this it can lead to nasty and unsightly ingrown toenails. File the edges slightly so they're not sharp and you're sorted!

If you just want colourful toenails that will only last a day or so, then save your money and go for the cheapest of the cheap.

Top coat is important if you want your polish to last for more than a day, especially if you’re using the cheaper brands. Using a good quality top coat will make a big difference to the overall finish.

To get rid of all that hard skin that has been building up, use products such as a skin softener, foot scrubs, pumice stones and foot files. Using these regularly will make all the difference.

Keep your feet moisturised by using foot masks and specially formulated foot creams. Also try cuticle creams/oils for dry cuticles.

Don't forget to put sun cream on your feet too! They are prone to getting burned in the sun as they don't get out much!

BEAUTY BASICS

STAY SAFE IN THE SUNWhether you’re jetting off to sunnier shores or lounging in your back garden this summer, here’s some top tips for protecting your skin from the sun’s damaging rays.

Sun screen is vital to keeping your skin safe in the sun and it’s recommended you use a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) 15. Apply liberally ensuring you cover all areas of your body which are exposed to the sun. Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before you go out and then every two hours – and always after swimming.

You should apply sunscreen even when it’s cloudy!

Stay covered up whenever possible – wear a wide brimmed hat and cool, loose clothing to ensure your skin doesn’t get irritated

Always wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from harmful UV rays

UV rays are the strongest between 10am and 4pm so try and stay in the shade during these times if possible

Get a summer glow the safe way and use a self-tanning product…or pamper yourself with a tanning treatment at your beauty salon

See your doctor immediately if you are concerned about any moles

Finally, stay hydrated…ensure you drink lots of water when out in the sun

Here we are back again for the summer issue! Soon we'll be away sunning ourselves abroad or at home, en

joying a couple of

months leave from college and for some of you, a couple of weeks off work.

No doubt you will be dusting off those flip-flops and sandals so your feet can feel the summer sun. Those

twinkle toes of

yours probably haven't seen the light of day since last year, so here's some tips and advice on how to keep

your plates of

meat and tootsies as fresh as daisies!

Having regular pedicures will keep your little piggies in tip top shape! They prevent ingrown toenails, rid you

of hard skin,

hydrate poor feet and ensure your toes are suitable for the public eye! You're recommended to have one ev

ery month. If

you're not keen on pedicures then there's a few things you can do at home.

Have a great summer!

MAY 201212

Fusion are delighted to bring to you one of the most exciting young sports journalists working in Scotland today … and he’s a student at Forth Valley College! Despite continuing his quest for a BA Degree in Media and Communications, Graham Ruthven is also the freelance Sports Editor of Clyde and Forth free-sheets the Allan Water Herald, Eastside Advertiser, The Stirling News and the Strathallan Times. He is also the on-line football correspondent for the New York Times and writes his own sports blog which attracts hundreds of followers on www.grahamruthven.com/

Fusion are delighted to bring to you one of the most exciting young sports journalists working in Scotland today … and he’s a Fusion are delighted to bring to you one of the most exciting young sports journalists working in Scotland today … and he’s a

by Graham Ruthven

As Roy Hodgson faced the media for the �rst time as the England manager-elect, a common theme of questioning transpired: “why are you not Harry Redknapp?”

Indeed, the man sat in between the Chair-man of The FA, David Bernstein and Director of Football Development, was not Redknapp. He was not the man who’d prompted one bookmaker to suspend betting on the likelihood of him succeeding Fabio Capello at Wembley. He wasn’t ‘the chosen one.’ He was Roy Hodgson.The subject was never directly addressed as such. Instead there were questions posed to Bernstein on whether he approached anyone else for the job, fundamentally “did you want Harry?” There were questions on what it was that attracted them to the West Brom manager, essentially “what was wrong with Harry?”

Political

There was even a bizarre probing of Hodgson’s time playing in South Africa during the 1970s and whether he was aware of the apartheid and the political situation there at the time. Were the English press really trying to pin the 64 year-old as a racist within �fteen minutes of his unveiling, perhaps trying to rea�rm that it should’ve been Redknapp sat before them?Admittedly it wasn’t a terribly con�dent �rst public appearance from Hodgson and his new employers. As he entered the room and sat at the table at the front, he shifted awkwardly in his seat. He may struggle to get comfortable in that seat for a while yet. Few have since the zenith of English soccer…1966.

Only a performance from the school of Jose Mourinho - self-assured arrogance - or Joe Kinnear obscenity packed rants, would’ve prevented a public belittlement of the former Inter Milan and Liverpool coach. Neither approach was adopted and Hodg-son became The Sun’s subject for ridicule, with their front-page running the headline “Bwing on the Euwos: We’ll see you in Ukwaine and Fwance” the following morn-ing.Mocking Hodgson for his linguistic aptitude seems bizarre considering he holds a conver-sational grasp of ten foreign languages, �ve of which he speaks �uently.

Admission The insistence on ridiculing Hodgson for anything and everything but his capacity as a soccer manager, how he sounds, how he appears and even how he spends his spare time, prompts wonder as to whether Redknapp would’ve su�ered the same humiliation for being, by his own admission, almost illiterate. The issue for any prospective or hypothetical England manager is that it is no longer the biggest job in football. That accolade belongs to the seats occupied by managers of the European club elite. However, it does make you the biggest celebrity in football. It’s a tired cliché often used to champion the prestige of English soccer as a whole, but it is a role like no other. Stories concerning scandal and disgrace are more likely to be an England manager’s staple agenda than tactics and formations, demonstrated by the line of questioning put to Hodgson during his unveiling. Not once was he asked what tactical system he planned to implement in the upcoming

European Championships. Nor was he asked what he saw as his role in the construction of the St. George’s Park National Football Centre at Burton-upon-Trent.Instead he was quizzed on whether disgraced former captain John Terry, would be a part of the 23-man squad travelling to Ukraine and Poland. In the conference embargoed for print media, he was even asked if he would hold a grudge against Steven Gerrard for his alleged role in the sacking of Hodgson by Liverpool.

Tabloid

As the Telegraph’s Henry Winter asserts, Hodgson is “a broadsheet man in a tabloid world.”But that’s exactly what England needs right now, someone to bring the job back to just being a soccer manager who manages a soccer team, and not part of the tabloid press’ daily diet.Capello’s tactical rigidness was widely identi-�ed to have been a major factor in England’s failure in South Africa two years ago. But going by Hodgson’s formational �exibility since he joined West Brom last season, that won’t be an issue this summer.Whether Redknapp would’ve been as capable as Hodgson in these pivotal �elds is doubtful, but Hodgson will su�er from his inability to match up to the Spurs manager in terms of charisma or press compatibility until he has some results to support his appointment.

But if those results do come, will the celebrity obsessed tabloid press be willing to accept that Hodgson is the manager England needs, not the manager it thinks it needs?

IS ROY THE BOY FOR ENGLAND JOY?

Are you one of those people who need to do something positive and not just sit around all through the summer holidays?

Are you looking for an amazing volunteering project which will not only help a well-known charity, but also give you the industry experience that you’ll need once you �nish college? Then you need to join the Oxjam Falkirk Takeover Team!Fusion’s very own Melissa Russell is Oxjam’s Takeover Manager. She said: “Oxjam is Oxfam's month-long music festival that takes place in October, and a takeover is the highlight of this festival. A takeover is multi-venue, one day event where people buy a wristband that gets them in to every venue. They are the highlight of the Oxjam festival and provide a real focus for artists, the public and media. It is the culmination of months of planning, promoting and fundraising

that the Oxjam Falkirk Takeover team have all been involved in.“The secret to a really great Takeover event is the team that makes it happen. The core team is made up of a Takeover Manager and then at least three co-ordinators, who look after fundraising, marketing and production respectively. If you don’t fancy one of the main roles then you can always just apply to be a volunteer at one or more of the fundraising events over the summer and the Takeover evening itself.“Raising several thousand pounds is no mean feat, and is not something that the Takeover Manager can do on their own so we need recruits to join this amazing team for Falkirk’s �rst ever Takeover!”Volunteers should bare in mind that these are voluntary positions and no one is paid for taking part, though what you will be paid in is valuable experience and fun! Also all volunteers must be

over 18 years of age and be very enthusiastic and hardworking! Melissa added: “These roles may seem daunting to some, but this is not a full time job and the Takeover Manager and the Oxjam team will always be on hand to help. There will also be meetings and one to one time on a regular basis. There is no ‘I’ in team!”

If you are interested in any of these roles then please send your CV to: oxjam.falkirk2012@gmail.com and in the title of the e-mail mention which position(s) you are applying for!For more information on the Falkirk Takeover, please visit: www.facebook.com/OxjamTakeoverFalkirk and for more information about Oxjam please visit: www.oxfam.org.uk/Oxjam/whatis/oxjam

13

Volunteer to Spread The Love at

A vibrant college magazine is an important part of student life. It keeps you up to date on happenings in and around the college, as well as providing you with a brief, entertaining, free-of-charge respite from the pressures of coursework. Over the past three years, Fusion has been run largely by the same editorial team, with help from a countless number of contributors along the way. With the occasional bit of hard work, and with the support - and almost-scarily-intense enthusiasm - of College Press O�cer Stuart Hall, we turned a brief, news release �lled pamphlet into a magazine that earlier this year was voted best in Scotland for College Literature at Scotland’s Colleges Marketing Awards. However, come the start of next term, the bulk of the editorial sta� will be moving on. Our courses �nished, we are destined for university, part-time work, or post-education boredom. Which is why we are advertising for people to take over from us.If you have an interest in something which you think would also be of interest to your fellow students, and can string a coherent sentence together, then you are perfect for Fusion magazine.Over the years we have covered everything from �lms, mental health issues and books to gaming, make-up tips and comedy, as well the news which a�ects every one of you. So whether you are interested in Scorsese or sautéing, Hemingway or hair highlights, we have a space for you!Whether you are an aspiring writer looking for some experience, you’ve got a message to get out, or you just want your name in print so you can impress people in the pub*, we want to hear from you. If nothing else, you might get to see a free �lm, which, in the event of you having to pay for dates, would cut down on the price. *We cannot guarantee this will work. Feel free to give it a go, though. You can write about it in the next issue.

“I am really going to miss writing for this amazing magazine. Working with Kat, Nick, Sean and dare I say it even David, has been an absolute pleasure. I also want to thank the newest members of Fusion, who I know when we leave will do their very best to get more people on board and keep the student spirit alive.”

Melissa Russell – Student Editor “Glad to have been a part of the team that has accomplished so much and sparked my passion for writing once more.”

David Harley – Games Correspondent

“The best thing about writing for Fusion is probably getting to meet and work with great new people and it’s a great opportunity to get involved with college life.” Sheryn Morrison – Beauty Correspondent

“It's been great fun to work on the magazine. I'm very proud of what we've achieved.”

Nicholas Reid – Film Correspondent

Anyone interested can contact: Stuart Hall – stuart.hall@forthvalley.ac.uk or Melissa Russell – melissa_russell91@hotmail.com.

By Nicholas Reid

MAY 2012

14 MAY 2012

American Pie: The Reunion (15)

Director: Jon Hurwitz and Hayden SchlossbergStarring: Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Sean William Scott, Chris Klein, Thomas Ian Nicholas, Tara Reid, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Eugene Levy

Plot: Ten years after graduating from high school the obligatory reunion at East Great Falls in Michigan brings Jim, Oz, Kevin, Finch, Sti�er, Michelle, Vicky and Heather back together. Obviously we see how their lives have developed since high school as they try to relive old times and create new memories. Verdict: I know a lot of people, mostly male, that were extremely excited about the return of Jim and his mis�t bunch of friends. All those questions that were left unanswered like: Did Jim and Michelle stay together? Did Finch and Sti�er’s mum ride o� into the inappropri-ate sunset together? And most importantly – Did they all stay friends? Although �nding out the answers to all of these ‘vital’ questions does seem exciting, the movie falls �at for one simple reason: THEY ARE NOT TEENAGERS ANYMORE! Things such as unorthodox behaviour with a pie were humorous back in high school, but who wants to see a grown man trying to hide his private parts behind a see through pot lid or a grown man ogling borderline legal, perky, tanned, toned girls? Well men do obviously, which makes it a shame that I was left to review this as I am clearly not their target market. The �lm is not believable in its quest to portray adult life problems with childish humour. The two tend to struggle together in movies and this is no exception. Though even I can’t deny there are some funny parts, the overall storyline brings the �lm down. Once again a production company is making a sequel to make money, not a quality �lm.

By Melissa Russell

Dark Shadows (12A)

Director: Tim BurtonStarring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Eva Green, Michelle Pfei�er

Plot: Tim Burton pairs up with Johnny Depp for the eighth time to revive the sixties TV show Dark Shadows. Depp takes on the lead role of Barnabas Collins, who he plays (with typical dedication and camp) like a dandyish version of Max Schreck’s Nosferatu. Barnabas, the son of a mega-rich family who was cursed by a spurned lover of his (Green) to live as a vampire for all eternity, �nds himself awoken in 1972. He then has to contend with the death of his family’s business, a descend-ant who claims to see ghosts, and the small problem of him being a vampire.

Verdict: Being huge fans of the original series, Burton and Depp have clearly tried to shoehorn as much of their fond memories into it as possible. But distilling the �ve hundred-plus episodes that Barnabas appeared in, into a movie less than two hours long has left a lot of loose ends. Most of the supporting characters, while played well by the cast, are likely unknown to most of the audience who have never seen the original. They sometimes seem like pointless additions, especially given that Depp’s scene-stealing nature is in full �ow here. The further you get into the �lm, the more it plays like a vanity project - Burton and Depp’s tribute to a show they watched as kids.

But the upside of Tim Burton’s unique auteur style means that his �lms, unless you openly hate them, are all at least worth watching. Like Tarantino – another modern director with his own, love-or-hate style – he might not always make great �lms, but he never makes boring �lms. Dark Shadows is a perfect example of this hypothesis – far from the heights of Burton’s Batman or Ed Wood, it still remains a worth-while trip to the cinema.

By Nicholas Reid

Silent House

Director: Chris Kentis and Laura LauStarring: Elizabeth Olsen, Adam Trese, Eric She�er Stevens

Plot: Silent House is a horror �lm set in a big, desolate home in the American countryside. Sarah (Elisabeth Olsen) is visiting her childhood home with her father and uncle in order to make essential repairs to the rundown building, before a big sale and soon she begins hearing unusual noises in the house. The �lm follows Sarah as she attempts to get to the bottom of the mysterious goings on in the house, while trying to stay hidden from who, or what, is intruding in the building.

Verdict: The most interesting aspect of the �lm is the way it has been shot, with the entire �lm being presented in one unbroken scene. This gives the impression of the events on screen unfolding in real-time. While the technique is interesting it does make the �lm di�cult to watch at times. Elisabeth Olsen is very good and the fear she expresses as she is stalked throughout the house feels incredibly real, never conveying anything less than true terror. In terms of plot the �lm does not o�er much. As good as Olsen's acting is, her hiding in a house and reacting to noises, does not make for a very enjoyable experience. The events that unfold during the �ick all hint towards a big reveal near the end, which is handled terribly. The potentially interesting plot twist comes so unexpectedly out of the blue that the viewer is left puzzled by what is happening on screen and how it relates to the 80 minutes that came before. The best aspect of this �lm is Olsen in the lead role, but it is not enough to keep this movie from being completely and utterly disappointing.

By Sean Pritchard

15

-

Paranormal Activity21st OctoberNICHOLAS REID

The Dictator – 16 May

Prometheus – 1 June

Red Tails – 6 June

The Amazing Spider-Man – 4 July

The Dark Knight Rises – 20 July

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter – 2 August

MAY - JULY

MAY 2012

Can the world really handle another Sacha Baron Cohen movie? You still see people wearing those hideous, lime green ‘Mankinis’ and pretending to be Eastern European for a joke - and Borat came out in 2006. Hopefully Cohen’s latest �lm, about �ctional dictator Admiral General Aladeen, won’t prompt people to adopt a Middle Eastern accent ‘for the bantz’. The �lm will be good either way, but I don’t know if society could handle several more years of people copying satire they didn’t understand.

This prequel to the Alien Quadrilogy is shaping up to be one of the key players in what is prob-ably the best summer blockbuster schedule in years. It might explain the origins of the iconic Xenomorph character. It might even explain the origins of the human race. Prometheus’ market-ing campaign so far has been one of secrecy and subtle hints, so it’s di�cult to tell exactly what the �lm is about. The stellar cast, which includes Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, and Idris Elba, as well as the heavy involvement of original Alien director Ridley Scott, ensure it should be a must-see.

He has experienced some amount of internet vitriol over the years, but it is undeniable that George Lucas changed the �lm industry landscape forever, and was responsible for some of the most loved and iconic �lms ever made. Red Tails is his last mainstream �lm before he retires to make 8mm �lms in his shed with Francis Ford Coppola – or whatever it is that directors do when they retire. Before that however, he oversees this release of a fact-based war drama about a largely-forgotten squadron of African American �ghter pilots who fought in World War Two.

The Spider-Man series has been rebooted already, so soon after Sam Raimi’s trilogy. But the new version, by (500) Days of Summer director Marc Webb still looks good. After all – it’s Spider-Man! Andrew Gar�eld plays the social outcast turned witty vigilante, trying to defeat Rhys Ifans’ Lizard villain and win the heart of his high school crush Gwen Stacy. It’s already been noted that this series of Spider-Man �lms will be much darker and grittier than Raimi’s version, likely taking inspiration from another highly antici-pated comic book adaption, due out next month.

I’m so excited about The Dark Knight Rises that I often climb to the roof of my house at night, shining a homemade Bat Signal (combination of cardboard and an old lamp) into the sky in the hope that the premier will arrive sooner. It hasn’t worked yet, but the stream of viral marketing and trailers released so far are promising an end to Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy that will be worth the wait. Gotham has made a pariah of Batman, which is bad news, because Bane (Tom Hardy) has arrived, masked-up and with little concern for the wellbeing of those around him.

The US has a lot to thank Abraham Lincoln for. He ended slavery, pioneered the values of liberty, equal rights and republicanism, and publicised the ‘chin curtain’ style of beard-wearing. He also saved the country from a vampire invasion, if this �lm is to be believed. It isn’t, but how anyone could pass up the chance to see Lincoln and Edgar Allen Poe killing vampires with axes is beyond me. The �lm has been adapted from the novel of the same name by Seth Grahame-Smith, and stars Benjamin Walker as Abe. In other news, Daniel Day-Lewis is currently spending three years living in a log cabin to prepare for his factu-ally accurate depiction of the president, which will likely be overshadowed because he doesn’t behead a vampire.

£14.99 *

a month

See as many movies as you like, from just

* Minimum subscription of 12 months .**For a limited time only. See cineworld.com/unlimited/terms

for full terms & conditions. £17.99 per month includes Cineworld Fulham Road, Haymarket, Shaftesbury Avenue & Chelsea.

AND GET 13 MONTHS FOR THE PRICE OF 12!**Apply at Cineworld.com/Unlimited or ask a member of sta� for details. Input promotional code FALKIRK2012 at Cineworld.com/Unlimited to receive the discount.

you like, from just

A6 Falkirk Unlimited Ad CW79.indd 1 14/09/2011 16:14

MAY 201216

Dark Shadows may have provided another great opportunity for Johnny Depp to literally get his teeth into, but Fusion also has a mouth-watering role to o�er up a competition with a bit of bite.The �lm itself is a remake of the American 60s TV series of the same name. Depp plays vampire Barnabas Collins, who has returned to his ancestral home in the year 1972, where he comes to the aid of his strange descendants.We have teamed up with Cineworld in Falkirk to o�er a great prize which includes Dark Shadows t-shirts, bag, and notepad all for the winner who can answer the question below correctly.All you have to do to win is send your answer via e-mail to fusion@forthvalley.ac.uk by Tuesday 12 June.

The question is:Johnny Depp was a big fan of what popular British TV sketch show? Was it:A: The Slow ShowB: The Medium Paced ShowC: The Fast Show

WINNER: Media and Communications student Craig Watson recieves John Carter Competition Prize from Cineworld Falkirk Manager Graeme Murray recently.