By: M. Antonio Silas
—
Since its introduction in 1996, the Soul series has enjoyed a successful run as one of Namco’s flagship fighting game series, alongside Tekken. A successor to Namco’s Soul Blade series, SoulCalibur is known for its impressive soundtrack, breath-taking visuals, and a weapons-based fighting system that focuses less on combos and more on precision. One of the series’ traits is definitely consistency; this can be a good or a bad thing depending on who you ask.

With the latest incarnation of the series, SoulCalibur V, Namco sticks with what made the series memorable: a wide variety of unique fighting styles, colorful characters, and flashy special moves. The games all have a production quality similar to that of a movie, and SCV is no different.

As with the other games of the series, SCV focuses on the Soul Blade, a soul-stealing sword that most of the characters in the game are after. The possession of this possessed blade sets the stage for all of the fights that take place during the game’s campaign. Since SCV takes place 17 years after the events of SCIV, several characters that are well-known in the series are nowhere to be found; they have been replaced by new characters with similar move sets. Many favorites are still present, however.

So how does SoulCalibur V measure up? Here is our evaluation of  Gameplay, Controls, Graphics, Sound and Replay Value. Let us know if you agree or disagree with these scores!

Gameplay  - Score: 6.5 out of 7

SCV does not disappoint when it comes to gameplay. The game is flexible enough to appease both newbies and hardened veterans alike. Each of the characters has their own unique back story that immerses you further into the game.

While Namco didn’t touch the fighting engine too much, there are a few new changes. For instance, the fighters now have super moves, similar to those found in the Street Fighter series. The thing that previously separated the SoulCalibur series was actually the lack of elements like this. While super moves may make some fans weary, they do not hinder the game. With enough skill, you can set up and combo into these moves, taking away a large amount of your opponent’s health if done properly.

In terms of game modes, SCV takes a different approach to the typical Arcade Mode found in most fighting games. The “Story” campaign found in this game has expanded substantially on the Story mode found in SCIV. It’s a refreshing alternative to the typical ladder progression you find in most fighting games.

SCV also includes other fighting modes, including Online Play, Arcade Battle, and Character Creation.

Controls – Score: 7 out of 7

The controls haven’t changed at all, and that definitely is not a bad thing. By alternating and combining the horizontal slash, vertical slash, kick, and block buttons, players have a wide variety of moves at their disposal. Since the game is in 3-D, players have an “8-way run” at their disposal, allowing characters to strategically position themselves for special moves or sidestep incoming attacks.

As always, the controls are tight and responsive. While many of the moves can be performed fairly easily, many of them require precise inputs. Luckily, the learning curve for the majority of the characters’ moves is not too steep.

Graphics – Score: 7 out of 7

The combat flows smoothly at 60 frames per second. Namco always ensures that the characters have the highest quality of detail. For example, when armor is broken, you can see shrapnel flying from the characters’ body. The start-up animations of super moves are accented with colorful graphics. You can see the characters wincing as they are struck with a blow and a bright animation when weapons clash with one another.

The various arenas you will fight in also tell their own stories, including a battered pirate ship that falls apart as you do battle, and villagers doing battle with a giant ogre. It was difficult to believe that Namco could surpass the graphics that were present in SCIV, but once again they outdid themselves.

Sound – Score: 6 out of 7

The sound for SCV is high quality, sporting Dolby Digital Audio. The game allows you to set your sound preferences according to the abilities of your sound system. Even on a flatscreen television with default speakers, the game sounds superb. The voice acting is spot-on for the most part, but sometimes the characters sound somewhat generic or uninspired in their dialogue.

If you would like a more genuine feel to the characters, you have the option of changing all of the dialogue from English to each of the character’s respective languages.

Replay Value – Score: 5.5 out of 7

This is one of the only areas that the game even remotely struggles in. Aside from the things you would expect to be in a fighting game, there isn’t much else. There’s no Team Battle Mode, no Tag Team Mode, no Endless Fight Mode. These modes aren’t required, but variety is always a plus.

The modes that the game does have are being done extremely well, however. The “Character Creation” mode is likely one of the most robust ever featured in a fighting game. By fighting in various modes, you earn additional garments and accessories that your custom character can sport. If you don’t have the creative genius to design your own fighter, you can select one of the game’s various fighters and change the color scheme however you see fit. There are endless possibilities within this mode, and unlocking everything for the characters will likely take you quite a while.

“Online Mode” is where the action is. Putting your skills to the test against another player online has never been more fun! You can set your preferences to find an opponent and then go to war. The lobbies are well-crafted, allowing you to watch other players battle while you wait for your turn. There are too many positives about the nearly-lagless online mode to list; it’d be in your best interest to experience it yourself.

The Bottom Line

Soul Calibur V is worth your money if you are a fighting game fan or if you just want to try something new. With a robust fighting system, gorgeous graphics, an ease of accessibility, and a modest amount of well-done game modes, SCV is a worthy entrant to a great series.

Total Score: 32 out of 35
UrbLife.com Rating: 91.4%

For updates on Soulcalibur V, go to SoulCalibur.com

By: Isha “Ice” Cole
—
Are you ready for the sequel!? Yes, it’s that time of the year when football fanatics everywhere are anticipating the big game. After a great regular season and an exciting playoff, the stage is set for Super Bowl XLVI. On February 5, 2012, the NFC Champions the New York Giants will go up against the AFC Champions the New England Patriots at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Who will reign supreme this Sunday? Sure, we could have asked all our man friends about who they’re betting on, but to shake it up a bit, UrbLife.com gathered up some football-loving Gen-X women for straight pigskin talk!

Who can forget the last big match-up between the Giants and Patriots four years ago in Super Bowl XLII, which ended in a thrilling victory for the boys in blue! But this is a new year! The Giants are on fire and have the momentum, while the Patriots have their superstar quarterback Tom Brady at the helm of a great offense.

In the post-season the Patriots and the Giants are ranked number three and four in passing yards, respectively. Defensively the Giants have the upper-hand in rushing with 120.3 yards per game compared to the Patriots 130.0. The Giants have been on a revenge streak during their playoff run. They lost to both the Green Bay Packers and the San Francisco 49ers during the regular season, but these are the two teams they beat leading them to the Super Bowl.

Most would agree that the Patriots are out for Giants blood this time around. Of course the previous Super Bowl loss is still vivid in their minds, but they took an L to the Giants earlier this season as well.

Let’s meet the ladies we brought in for this chat! Read on as they discuss who they think will win the Super Bowl XVLI, final scores, and more, then let us know your thoughts!

– Trina Smith – Amusement Games Licensing Supervisor, New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs

– Anne Torres – Director of Communications, City of Newark

– Diana Cotoroi – Personal Chef and Event Coordinator

– Terri Bloomer – DIMACS Workshop Coordinator, Rutgers University

– Eb the Celeb – Digital Content Producer and Marketer

– Spantaneeus – Entertainer, Model, and CEO of Pleasure Life Music Publishing, Inc.

– Dawn Jackson – Medical Records, University Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

– Liris Crosse – Model, Actress and Event Host

Who will win Super Bowl 46, and what is your prediction for the final score?

Trina Smith:  31-28 – New York Giants

Anne Torres: 28-21 – Do you have to ask? Big Blue of course!!

Diana Cotoroi: 17-7 – Giants, of course!

Terri Bloomer: 14-10 – New England Patriots – revenge!

Eb the Celeb: 28-10 – I really really hate both teams, but being a Cowboys fan, the disgust for the Giants is more then my disgust for the Patriots. The Patriots will win solely because they are coming for blood. This will not be a repeat from the Super Bowl in 2007 where a fluke play with seconds left in the game ended in a Giants win. Because of that, the Patriots aren’t even going to let it be a close game. They are going to blow the Giants out!

Spantaneeus: 34-24 – I think New England Patriots.

Dawn Jackson: 31-28 – Really?! Is that a legit question to ask one of the biggest Giants fans?!

Liris Crosse: 28-22 – My NY Giants of course! We’re ready to give Tom Brady more Super Bowl lost nightmares!

What does the team that you chose have to do in order to win?

Trina Smith: [Giants] Put pressure on Brady, with his favorite tight-end Gronkowski probable (high ankle sprain) it will be interesting to see who he will throw to.

Anne Torres: [Giants] Giants defense will have to put the pressure on Brady fast to shut down the passing game. Keep the running game strong and let our “big 3″ – Cruz, Manningham, and Nicks do their thing.

Diana Cotoroi: [Giants] I would think stay focused.

Terri Bloomer: [Patriots] Protect Brady– he can’t take the sacks!

Eb the Celeb: [Patriots] They just have to have Tom Brady on point. Every time the offense is on the field they have to score either a touchdown or a field goal. Their defense has a lot of loop holes in it so the key to winning this game is going to be the offense just making it so extremely hard for the Giants to match.

Spantaneeus: [Patriots] Both quarterbacks need to focus under pressure especially if it’s a close game going into the 4th quarter.

Dawn Jackson: [Giants] The Giants have to do the following in order to win the game: a) Block your quarterback!  I can’t say that enough!  b) No interceptions c) No fumbles d) Run the ball into the end-zone!

Liris Crosse: [Giants] We have to get our running game going from the start!

What is one thing that each quarterback should or should not do the night before the Super Bowl?

Trina Smith: Both quarterbacks should talk to the offensive lines those guys are key to keeping you off the ground! Look at highlight reels and see where you can expose the defensive coverages.

Anne Torres: Avoid hanging with Cundiff and Williams the night before.

Diana Cotoroi: Don’t drink alcohol, but drink lots of water!

Terri Bloomer: No partying! Stretch, warm up and relax.

Eb the Celeb: Well, players have a curfew so they won’t be able to do anything anyway.

Spantaneeus: They should not listen to the media!

Dawn Jackson: Eli needs to attend all practices, relax, have a clear head during the game, and don’t party. Save that for after we win the game!

Liris Crosse: They should get a good night’s rest, pray, and they shouldn’t stay up late on Twitter or on their phones! They need to block all friends, family and media out and focus. Get your eyes on the prize!

Any more comments or trash talking you want to add?

Trina Smith: I’m proud to be a New York Giants fan, been one since ’84! By any means necessary Big Blue bring the Lombardi trophy back home!

Anne Torres: I said the Giants would make grilled cheese in Green Bay, Rice-a-Roni in San Francisco, and now we’ll be making clam chowder out of New England. I mean, really, would you trust a quarterback who posed in Uggs ads?

Diana Cotoroi: Devin Thomas is gorgeous, the Patriots will lose, and I am baking 300 delicious blue cupcakes for the game.

Terri Bloomer: Looking forward to the game, but I would have liked to see some other teams in it.

Eb the Celeb: Win, lose, or tie, Cowboys fan till I die! I have a bet on this game where if the Giants win I have to buy and wear Giants gear head to toe, and take a picture – so go Patriots!

Spantaneeus: Let’s go Eagles! Make my birthday gift a reality and be in the Super Bowl for 2013!

Dawn Jackson: I just want to say congrats to the New York Giants!! I am extremely ecstatic that you’re in the big game! I have won six bets on your games this season, and I must say that I’ve had a lot of people delete me from their Facebook friends list! Go Giants!

Liris Crosse: My Giants will once again show why we’re number one, and send the Patriots back with the same empty feeling from our last Super Bowl meeting! They can come party in New York with us next week, drinks on the champions! If your team isn’t in the Super Bowl, don’t fret! Come join us next season and cheer your favorite team on at Football Le Femme:  For the women who love football and the men who love both!

The ladies have spoken! So who do you think will win Super Bowl XLVI?

By: Terrence Nelson
—
It’s that time of year when the grass is frozen, the wind is blistering and most people’s TVs get more of a work out than they do. Now, escape with me to the smell of freshly cut grass, deeply inhale the 75-degree air and walk carefully so you don’t spill your favorite over priced draft beer of choice! It will soon be Spring in the gaming universe with the March 6, 2012 release of MLB 12 The Show for Playstation 3 and Sony Vita.

MLB The Show has been the flagship baseball gaming franchise the last 12 years. The Sony Computer Entertainment team has continued to innovate both the animation and game play each year without skipping a beat, and 2012 is no different as several new features have been added to an already ridiculously detailed gaming platform.

MLB 12 will feature the primary source of MLB bloopers and near-bloopers in player collisions all over the field. Each player will have a new rating attribute called “collision awareness” that will dictate their aversion ability in regards to on field collisions.

For example, in terms of defense, collision awareness will dictate whether Derek Jeter and Robinson Cano will collide when fielding a fly ball over 2nd base. Offensively, it will enable savvy base runners such as Jose Reyes to avoid collisions by sliding around tags and even spiking (a.k.a. taking people out). Having a low collision awareness rating will have its down sides, such as players dropping fly balls, runners missing bases and fielders missing tags.

Developers have re-worked the “ball physics” in order to make gameplay more realistic. This enhancement will result in increased ball speed off the bat, more topspin on groundballs, and more movement in high motion pitches. Yeah, that’s a lot to swallow, but it seems as though the new ball physics will not favor offense or defense, so all things will remain even. You may have to become more instinctive and quicker to react as a result, so the jury is still out on how it will affect your gameplay.

For the mobile gamer, Sony has also added one of the greatest enhancements in sports gaming history. Gamers will be able to share all games, seasons and stats on their Sony Cloud, which means gamers will be able to share games between their home-based PS3 and Vita. You will be able to play seasons or online games from any location without using different profiles for each platform. Vita users can sign into their profile from any Wi-Fi connection and pick up games where they left off on their home PS3.

Check out the MLB 12: The Show reveal trailer and gameplay action below!

For updates on the MLB 12 The Show, go to TheShowNation.com and follow them on Twitter @Playstation

By: Dove
—
On February 11, 2012, the multi-talented Kevin Smith will unleash his latest stand-up special Burn In Hell exclusively on EpixHD, with access for Epix On Demand and Xbox 360 and Roku Epix app users. Filmed in Austin, Texas, Burn In Hell is flooded with the type of candor Smith’s fans expect from the quick-witted Jersey Gen-Xer.

Smith’s first comedy special with Epix, Too Fat for 40, was actually a Q&A with fans released in October 2011. Smith often does daily Q&A with fans via his twitter page (@ThatKevinSmith), and had a lot to talk about last year after his beef with Southwest airlines, so taking it all to the stage made perfect sense.

You can get updates on Burn In Hell before the premiere at Facebook.com/EpixHD or on Twitter @EpixHD. Take a look at the uncensored clips below for a sneak peek!

By: Dove
—

From sub-conscious reasons behind fear of failure (or success), to piles of excuses for lack of follow-through, there is no doubt that we often sell ourselves short when it comes to realizing our goals. In fact, in recent studies researchers found that 88% of people fail to keep any of their New Year’s resolutions. So what is the secret behind making this “your” year?

As founder of the RADICAL Success Institute and Get RADICAL Women’s Conference, Doreen Rainey has made it her life to help others overcome their personal and professional obstacles. Her career as a “RADICAL Success Coach” has been built on helping others pull themselves together.

A graduate of Spelman, Rainey received a Masters of Science in Conflict Negotiation and Conflict Management from the University of Baltimore, then went on to obtain certification from the world renowned Coaches Training Institute. Through her work, Doreen has been able to bring formidably successful women to Washington, DC each year to inspire women from around the country at the Get RADICAL Women’s Conference.

At the conference, over 500 attendees are encouraged to face their fears and expectations (or lack thereof) in order to move forward with new ideas and ideals. There is always an impressive line-up of talent to draw inspiration from, and for March 2012 presentations include health and wellness expert Jillian Michaels, financial guru Suze Orman, motivational speaker Lisa Nichols, entrepreneur Ali Brown, and author/editor Monique Greenwood, to name a few.

To get our goals On Point, UrbLife.com asked Doreen Rainey for some advice on how we can make the most of our 2012 resolutions, and found out some good reasons why participating in a motivational conference like Get RADICAL may help us with goals far beyond this year. Read on!

What are some key pointers to keep your New Year’s resolutions moving positively forward for the rest of the year?

Doreen Rainey: 1. Take responsibility. ”Fresh start” means that you need to be ready to take responsibility. That means responsibility for the outcome, responsibility for the actions, and responsibility for making the plan. Just have within yourself that your success and your ability to achieve what you want is your responsibility. Not to depend on, blame, or look for others to do for you for what is, in fact, your responsibility.

2. Set an intention. So many people talk about their goals or milestones, but before you can do any of that you have to set an intention. What I mean by that is the “why” of your goals. Maybe your intention for the new year is to actually be joyful. Maybe your intention is to find happiness, or to have some peace or clean up messy relationships once and for all. Maybe your intention is to be more of a giver and a sharer.

Before you set any goal, I always tell people to set an intention.

3. Attack some goals with those intentions. Obviously you have more than one intention and more than one goal. Think about where you want your life to be at the end of 2012. It’s very easy to make a long list or to think about career, finance, relationships, and all of those different areas, but I would only choose like two or three major goals for the next year. That way, you won’t get overwhelmed.

Also, when people have a long list, they tend to jump around. When things get hard with one goal, they say, “Let me go over to this.” When it gets hard with that one, they go over to this. They’re giving themselves an ‘out’. Keep it to one or two, and then you’re focused.

4. Write down your plan. Once you have those two goals, you actually need to write down the plan. Many people will have a plan in their head, or they’ll think about, “Every week I’m going to do this” or “Every month I’m going to do this.” The reality is that you have to take out a piece of paper or take out your laptop and actually document those action steps. Then put those where you can actually see them on a daily basis.

5. Take action. The best way I feel to take action is to find an accountability partner. Someone who you can trust to support you through implementing your plans. Going back to number one, be willing to take responsibility when that relationship goes south. You have to be responsible enough to get it back on track, or find another responsibility partner.

6. Manage setbacks, disappointments, and obstacles. The best way is to pre-manage. Most of us already know what our obstacles will be before they show up. For example, if one of your goals is going back to school and if you are a single parent, you have a child and all of these things to do, and then you not only need a plan, but a contingency plan. So when things don’t work out, you know how to handle it.

If your goal is around weight, and you know that all of your friends like to go out and drink and happy hour and things like that, then you need to already know what you’re going to say. If you’re in debt, there is no extra money, so when people want to go out to dinner, you know you can’t go because you don’t have any extra money. I don’t care how much you have available on your credit card or whether you just got paid today. If it’s one of your goals to get out of debt, then you don’t have any money.

You shouldn’t be caught off guard when someone wants you to go out to dinner, or you see it’s a great sale going on at the store. You should already know what you’re going to do in those situations. There will be some things that you can’t predict, but if you can manage the ones that you can predict, when the ones come up that will blindside you, you have more clarity on how to handle it.

7. Celebrate small successes. Sometimes you get so caught up on the big goals that we forget to enjoy the journey. The first time that you actually run a 5K without stopping, that’s a celebration. The first time you do tell someone, “No, going out to eat is not fiscally responsible and I can’t go,” you should celebrate that. You should be excited about that!

If you’re trying to finish your degree and you complete the first class, don’t think about that you have two more years to go. Think about, “Oh my God, I just completed my first class, how exciting!” Every small step is a reason to celebrate. It keeps you excited and motivated about the next step and it gives you something to look back on and remember when times get hard or when you want to give up.

What inspired you to create a conference around your work?

DR: That interesting thing is most people at the top of the pyramid have some sort of “lack” and that’s why they come to coaching. A lack of confidence, a lack of success in their career, a lack of clarity in their relationship – and I come in to help them fill that gap, build them up, and plug those leaks that create that lack in whatever area that is.

When I do that with coaching, my reach is one-to-one. When I do it in group coaching, my reach is one-to-twelve. To have an entire conference where the main objective is to help you overcome that lack, then my reach goes to one-to-hundreds and hundreds and hundreds.

All of the people that I bring in have a contribution to helping the attendees really be able to say, “This part of my life, I need help.” This environment not only gives the information, you also get actual belief that, “I can leave this room and actually make it happen.”

You have everything within that when those holes are plugged up, that confidence is there, the right information is there, and the right accountability is there, then you go out and give to the world what you were created to give. The conference allows to me to do that to a much bigger audience than my coaching practice does.

What are some key things that you have done or the attendees have done to help it grow?

DR: I think that number one, there is an excitement that I try to convey when I talk about the conference, that people experience when they come to the conference. A lot of the feedback that I have gotten is that, “This is not what I expected!” Not knowing what they expected, but I know that you have to be fully engaged in every aspect of your life and you get all of that from the conference and that just resonates with people.

Yes, we have celebrity speakers, like Jillian Michaels and Suze Orman, but the environment itself generates excitement and generates growth. We have a large percentage of repeat attendees because of the learning that they get. I’ve had people say that they come every year and “Everything is better in my life – my finances, my relationship, my business, my health, everything is better because the content is so good and the information is so good.” I think the idea of excitement and there’s a lot going on, but also the content.

How do you, as a person that helps other people out, find the mental and emotional fortitude to stay on top of your game every day? Do you ever get sad or stressed?

DR: Oh my God every month I’m like, “I’m just going to get a job. I’m going to check out the wanted ads and send out resumes!” Absolutely. The beauty of what I do is that I can use it on myself as well because there are times when I feel like this isn’t working, I’m tired, all of those things that we all go through. Then I have to remember, if I was a client what would I tell myself? That’s one way.

Another way is finding help, so I’m a strong believer that everybody needs a coach periodically in their life. I don’t just talk my talk, I walk my walk as well. I have coaches that I have the opportunity to say, This is what’s working for me, this isn’t working for me, what’s going on with me, why am I feeling this way, what steps can I take to get back on track?” The same thing that every other person goes through, I go through as well. The same suggestions that I give it people, that’s the same thing I got through.

Also, you have to take time for some yourself. Sometimes that’s very hard if you have children, if you’re taking care of an older parent, you have a job that you work 50-60 hours a week. All of those things crunch into your time, but you have to find time for self-care. I mean literal time, not multi-tasking time. Some people say, “When I’m driving I listen to my favorite motivational CDs” – that’s multi-tasking not self-care.

Self-care means even if it has to be at 4:00am and whatever you do… for some people it’s working out, meditation, a massage, a spiritual experience, reading their Bible or something meaningful to them. Whatever it is, it has to be a priority. So many times we’ll let that be the first thing to go. We’ll skip a workout because, “Oh my gosh, I have to take a child to school early today” or we’ll cancel a massage because, “I’ve got to go and do something for a family member.”

The reality is that you’re only as good to other people as you’re good to yourself. That may come across as selfish to the other person, but then that’s their problem not yours.

What do you feel are some good justifications for someone to say, “I’m going to travel to Washington, DC and I’m going to spend what may be an exorbitant amount of money to some people on a conference?”

DR: I always say there are five reasons that women should come to this conference. The first is you’re in transition, you are stuck, you are literally wondering, “What is next for me?” It can be in your career or your relationship, you could just be feeling unsettled, your finances could be a mess, you could be thinking, “If I don’t do something about my health soon it can come back and bite me on the butt.”

A conference like this sparks the creation in your imagination. Not just from the people on the stage, but from other attendees. You’ll start think, “Ok, I know what direction I need to take next” or “I see what I want to do next” or “I see what that next move will be.” If you’re feeling stuck, then that’s the type of woman that should attend the conference.

Secondly, it’s those women that actually know what they want. They can roll their goals off in a heartbeat, but they don’t know how to do it. They tried to do it on their own and they haven’t figured it out, whether it’s get out of debt or try to start a business or take control of their health.

I mean weight loss, it’s simple, calories in calories out. Getting out of debt, the formula is simple, stop spending. So it can be the formula. Even though you have a goal and think you know what to do, there’s a piece missing. The speakers and experts that we have can fill in the missing pieces for you.

The third type of person, someone looking for your people. You’re looking for people that are doing something and are about something, who are on the move. You want to connect with people who can become resources for you, that can become your network, even can become ultimately your friend, because you are like the people that you hang around. The people who attend this conference are people who want to do more, be more, have more, and give more. If that’s you, then you want to be able to surround yourself with people who align with those same values and philosophies.

Number four is, you need to be educated. This is a content-rich conference. We’re going to have fun, we’re going to laugh, we’re going to have the whole production, it’s going to high for networking and getting to know people, but the reality is that you actually need to know what to do.

Your finances or relationships may be a mess, you may be scared to death, you may not trust your instincts or intuition. How do you trust yourself again, how do you make tough decisions? How do you get the guts to go back home and do the things that you know you need to do to make the life you say you want? You actually need step one of this, step two of this, and step three of this.

This year we have expanded it, we have “breakout sessions,” so there are two different tracks. If you’re a business owner or entrepreneur who wants to start a business or grow their business, you have specific sessions for that. If you’re someone that needs to focus on their relationships, life balance, and self-worth, then we have specific sessions for that. I tell people that you need education, you need to know what to do.

The last reason I tell people that they should come is plain and simple: we have fun. You’re going to have a good time! Sometimes we just need to have a good time. We need to leave that man, significant other, those kids… “I’m out!” You don’t care about who’s speaking, about learning anything, about networking, I’m going to go and enjoy myself. I’m going to order room service, enjoy the speakers, make some friends, and just have a good time.

For most people, it’s a little bit of all of those. There is not a conference like this, especially not on the east coast. There are business conferences, entrepreneur conferences, and industry events, but this is for the woman and creating the life and lifestyle that you want. We give you all of those tools to do that.

CLICK HERE to find out more about Doreen Rainey on her official site DoreenRainey.com

Follow Doreen on Twitter @DoreenRainey and click here to like her on Facebook

CLICK HERE to find out more about the Get RADICAL Women’s Conference, March 30-April 1, 2012

The Game of Thrones Season 2 sneak peeks have been good for a tease thus far, but we finally have a bit more of a trailer – with just over a minute of thrills! Will you be tuning in to HBO on April 1, 2012 for the season premiere?

CLICK HERE for more info on Game of Thrones Season 2 at HBO.com

Resident Evil has historically been defined by the various frightening enemies you encounter during a play-through of the game, ranging from zombies to giant creatures with claws known as hunters. With the more recent entries, notably Resident Evil 4 and Resident Evil 5, the series has progressively departed from being a genre-defining survival horror title to more of a hybrid between an action and puzzle–solving , which has met both praise and criticism.

To start 2012 with a bang, Capcom whets salivating RE fans’ appetites with a brand-new trailer for the newest entrant to the series, Resident Evil 6. The trailer starts out by showing flashbacks of Leon Kennedy, the protagonist of RE2 and RE4, pointing a gun at an unknown assailant. He then begins having flashbacks of conversations with an old friend that seems to be a government official.

The conversations quickly take a turn for the worst when it’s revealed that Leon’s old friend has mutated into a zombie. Leon tells his former friend several times to stop walking towards him, but the zombie then lunges and the screen goes black. We then hear a gunshot and Leon screaming, “Mr. President!”

It can be gathered from the trailer that the T-virus, a virus developed by the Umbrella Corporation that is responsible for the mutation of humans, has spread outside of the United States. Chris Redfield, the protagonist from RE1 and RE5, is shown battling various monsters in China.

It seems that Resident Evil 6 will also have new gameplay mechanics, including using various items for melee combat and a duck-and-cover system similar to the one made popular by the Gears of War series. Parts of the trailer also suggest that the series may go back to its terrifying survival horror roots, at least for some part of the game.

A recent statement from producer Hiroyuki Kobayashi offers some insight:

“From the outset the team’s intention was to create an experience that delivers a gripping storyline, tense single-player and co-op action all set against a constant theme of horror. We are calling this fusion ‘dramatic horror’ and are confident it will resonate with both existing fans of the series as well as newcomers.”

While the trailer is exciting, it seems that fans will have to wait a while until they are actually able to get their hands on the final product. Resident Evil 6 is due out November 30, 2012 for Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC.

For more information on the game, go to ResidentEvil.com and follow updates on Twitter @RE_Games

This time around, the mother-daughter team have decided to keep their reality show more in the “real”, following every aspect of their daily lives from home to work. Thankfully, as intense as these strong-minded women can be at times, they are equally as hilarious and fun to watch. The debut episode is full of laughs, but also offers up some truly touching moments that we hope will continue throughout the season!

Check out the Season 2 trailer below:

CLICK HERE to watch more clips, and find out how you can win a trip to Los Angeles and $1,000 on the Joan & Melissa: Joan Knows Best page at WeTV.com!

To help keep your mane flowing beautifully in these cold days, just follow these simple tips!

1. Trim it up! No matter what hairstyle you wear, be sure to get your hair trimmed more often in the colder winter months. Dryness starts at the ends of the strands, the portion of hair that spends the most time exposed to the elements.

2. Moisturize and condition. Whether your hair is curly, straight, short, long, fried or dyed, deep conditioning becomes an extreme necessity in the colder months. It gives your hair the extra strength and elasticity it needs to prevent breakage. The infusion of protein which can be found in eggs and mayonnaise, and essential oils, like jojoba, sunflower, avocado and lavender is vital for healthy hair.

We suggest you try out Dr. Miracle’s Deep Conditioner, (6 oz., $4.99) which is blended with Vitamins A and E, and jojoba oil. Weekly use will keep hair moisturized and conditioned, while preventing breakage and a dry scalp.

3. Drink lots of water! Water is just as important in the cold weather as it is in the warm weather. Be sure to drink lots of water to hydrate your hair from the inside out.

4. Shower sensibly. Hot showers can be tempting when there’s a chill in the air, but the hot water and steam can actually dry out your hair and scalp. Shampoo hair using warm to cool water as hot water can damage the hair shaft.

5. Prepare for heat! Avoid using heat-styling tools excessively as they can exacerbate the dryness that your tresses are already experiencing. If you have to heat style, apply a heat protector like Dr. Miracle’s Acai Berry Thermal Styler, (6 oz., $5.99) to shield hair from the effects of intense heat while adding shine.

6. Hats matter. Make sure that your cute winter hats are lined with silk or satin. Otherwise the friction of the wool will cause breakage and rob hair of needed moisture.

7. Protect all day! Apply an additional spritz of lightweight sheen to coat your strands before fairing any extreme temperatures. Try out Dr. Miracle’s Oil Sheen Spray, (15 oz., $4.99) which is blended with shea butter and aloe for conditioning.

Enjoy the rest of your winter looking good! Go to DrMiracles.com for more information on hair repair products, moisturizers and conditioners for everyone!

By: Dove
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Actor/writer Ron Eldard is one of those rare talents who can play to the most delicate aspects of any character he takes on. Whether he’s appearing in action films like Deep Impact, Black Hawk Down and Super 8; or taking on more uncomfortable themes like Bastard Out of Carolina or House of Sand and Fog, there is no doubt that Eldard is a master of his craft.

In his latest film Roadie, Ron Eldard takes on the life of down-and-out Gen-Xer Jimmy Testagross – a guy who has spent the past two decades on tour with Blue Oyster Cult, only to find himself suddenly out of a job. As he returns home, Jimmy is forced to face the challenged relationship with his mother (played by Lois Smith), and his former high-school flame Nikki (Jill Hennessy) who is now married to his nemesis Randy (Bobby Cannavale).

UrbLife.com recently spoke with Ron Eldard about his work on Roadie, which was directed by Showtime’s Homeland writer/director Michael Cuesta, who also co-wrote the film with his brother Gerald. In this exclusive interview, Ron discusses his ability to bring compassion to difficult roles, and how he’s avoided being stereotyped in Hollywood.

What would you say are some of Jimmy Testagross’s flaws, like the inability to accept the reality of his life?

Ron Eldard: I think, without sounding too douche-y actor-y, I play really bad characters that do horrible things, but you just can’t play them that way. You have to always find the good in them, you have to find at least a flash of humanity in people otherwise people write you off, and they can dismiss you as not human.

I don’t think that he’s so different, most people that I know are this way. There are some people that are quite a bit older and part of another generation, they had to grow up and they don’t do any of that shit. There’s less and less of that now in the world period. His flaws, I actually kind of went the other way. I was very adamant [with the Cuesta brothers] and they complied very quickly, that you had to play his dignity.

You can be a roadie, there’s nothing wrong with being a roadie and having that life, but he doesn’t have a life outside of being a roadie. He’s not being honest with himself and he’s spinning out of control. I just wanted him to have dignity, I didn’t want the joke to be on him.

The script is written so well that his come-up is going to happen. He has to come clean in this at some point, to some degree. He’s going to get slapped in the face and he’s going to eat some shit. For me it was about a guy trying to keep his dignity. Yeah he’s lying and sucking up, but he’s not killing anyone. Who hasn’t done that themselves to varying degrees? I think this one is you catch him at a 24-hour period, his heightened moment. Mostly it was about keeping him dignified.

Why didn’t Jimmy see his mom for 20 years?

RE: First of all let me say, there are some redeeming qualities, he’s very good at his job. They totally screwed him over. It’s like having a girlfriend for 20 years and she leaves you a [break-up] post-it note. In the original script, he knocks on all of the doors of the hotel. He goes down and orders them their breakfast and waits for them in the restaurant and they don’t show up. Then the waitress finally says, “Oh no they left an hour ago.” He doesn’t do anything intrinsically shitty.

I think the reason that he hasn’t been home in all of those years, one reason is he had a rough relationship with his father. He’s a guy, like many people, that has problems that come from your childhood in one way or another. Whether your parents are great or awful, everyone fucks up. At a certain point you have to decide to take responsibility for your own stuff, he hasn’t quite done that yet. He didn’t have great friends back at home. He wasn’t the popular guy, he wasn’t the least popular but he struggled.

If he doesn’t come back a champion, for him, he comes back a total failure, and he hasn’t been completely honest about who he is. Because he’s coming back with no job, it’s a sore situation. He’s just backpedaling. I don’t think he’s so awful. Bobby [Cannavale] has a completely rough character. [Randy] is great at being really charming and really an asshole.

Do you feel that Jimmy just got so stuck, and that’s why he didn’t pursue music like he really wanted to?

RE: He did play and the story that he tells his mom is absolutely true. His father absolutely took his guitar and smashed it and broke it. You’re just a kid who saves up your money for this guitar and your dad just smashes it. In the movie you see some stuff that we shot on the road, where you see me as a roadie.

As we were shooting, we found out that Blue Oyster Cult was playing in Long Island, and I asked Michael [Cuesta] to contact their people and ask [if I could] come load in their show and treat me like a roadie; we would just shoot it with two cameras. So that’s really me loading in the Blue Oyster Cult show. The guy who’s next to me is the real roadie, he is my character. The guy that was the roadie, he plays sometimes. He would play backup, he would sometimes have to do the cowbell. There was always this idea, he plays guitar really well, he does sound checks for all of the guitars, he’s a real musician. I think Jimmy is a musician.

I went to school with an actress, the best actress I’ve ever seen and pound for pound, that only got one professional job in her entire life. I don’t know what she does now. Having talent is very little – it’s what you do with it, and you have to be willing to take a beating. I don’t know if [Jimmy] was built for that beating. I think he holds on to being beat down, at a certain point you have to grow up. Then you get inside this life – it must have been really great for this long stretch. Traveling the world, meeting interesting people and sexy women, whoever the band doesn’t want you get, parties, first class hotels… for a guy from Queens, that’s not a bad life.

You’ve expressed that you’re “really good at playing really bad guys.” Do you feel that you have been typecasted for playing the bad guy, or do you just feel that it’s a challenge that you enjoy taking on?

RE: I think I have not been typecast in a way that has been good, and not so good, because much of show business works on hiring people to do the same thing over and over again. That’s how you get an audience and blah, all that show business stuff. That would be a very boring life for me. It’s weird, whatever scene that I’m performing, that’s what [the audience] usually thinks I am, which in a way is a complement.

When I first started studying acting, I did lots of comedies, stand up. I thought everyone was going to think that I’m the funny, comic actor. Then I thought that I had to do something else, I was just a kid, and I also thought that you couldn’t be blonde and taken seriously. I remember thinking, “Who’s a great actor that’s blonde?” I thought as a kid they only let actors with dark hair be serious actors. I thought that I had to dye my hair and play serious.

I’m very proud of what I did. I did a sitcom and a couple of other shows, single camera comedies. I feel blessed. Also because I grew up in New York and also Utah, I can be a country boy, I can be a very serious city boy.

I almost don’t look at them as bad guys. I played a character [Glen in Bastard Out of Carolina] where I’m raping and beating my 11-year-old stepdaughter, and I think of him as a really troubled guy, but when you watch this piece and the feedback, you can’t write this guy off as just a monster. He really is human, which makes him more of a monster. He’s awful, don’t get me wrong, that’s an awful thing to do, but you just can’t write him off.

I think that when you get really good characters that have darkness in them, they’re definitely more interesting to play. I played an astronaut that saved the world [in Deep Impact], that toothy strong jaw guy, but that director and it was with a bunch of great actors. None of them are going to do the stereotype thing, then I could do something close to that. I definitely don’t fit into one box too easily. In the long run, that would be better.

If you could go back in time and redo any movie and put yourself as the lead, what movie would that be?

RE: Back to douche-y actor talk, I’m not a fan of redoing movies, it bothers me. I met a director that was redoing a foreign film that I loved. I’m a pretty honest guy, so the first question I asked was, “Why are you redoing this movie?” He was like, “What do you mean?” I was like, “Why are you making it – is this for money? The original was just so great.” Of course, I did not get that job.

I did a Broadway version of On the Waterfront, and to redo that movie might be really great. Or like Raging Bull, how great would that be?

Where can we find you next?

RE: Right now I am writing something. You’ll find me in my backyard writing.

Find out more about Roadie at MagPictures.com/Roadie