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« TTTF MTY ^ Friday, March 24, 2006 _B_ —I 1 B ^ -X_ f J 1 A Page 5 Tim McManus / THE GAMECOCK . COFFEE WITH A KICK, Say ‘aloha’ to Bad Ass Coffee, java with Hawaiian flava Tun Manus Staff Writer Columbia’s coffee scene is about to get a swift kick to the rear end as Bad Ass Coffee is set to open its newest franchise on April 7. Bad Ass Coffee is a Hawaiian owned chain of coffee shops, each featuring a unique Hawaiian themed experience. ^F The shop in Medford, Ore., has a sculpture of a surfer on a wave, and the shop in Tuscaloosa, Ala., has an overhead “lost jungle” as well as many tiki masks. J. Todd Wrenn, the owner of the local Bad Ass franchise, said the chain “offers a more unique atmosphere within the coffee industry.” “That’s why I wanted to bring Bad Ass Coffee to Columbia,” he said. “Within the store, the interior walls are painted like sunsets.” The store will also feature palm trees, sand, surfboards and a Hawaiian waterfall. The beverages will be Hawaiian-themed. “Most all the coffees have Hawaiian blends,” he said. Bad Ass specializes in Kona coffee, which is native to Hawaii. Kona was primarily transported up and down the mountains by donkeys, or asses. According to company legend, locals called these donkeys “bad ass ones,” and the donkeys could be heard echoing throughout the mountains. “The Bad Ass Coffee Company named its company in honor of these hard-working donkeys,” said Amber Hawkins, publicist for the coffee chain. In 2003, there was controversy before Bad Ass opened its Tuscaloosa, Ala., store. A community leader called the company’s name “shocking,” but he could do nothing to stop the store from opening. Wrenn said he doesn’t anticipate any controversy over the Columbia store. He said the only people who will have a problem are those who don’t understand the background of the name company’s name. Aside from coffee, Bad Ass will serve espresso, frozen drinks and blended drinks. They will also serve breakfast items such as pastries, bagels and muffins, as well as sandwiches and desserts. Wrenn is particularly enthusiastic about Bad Ass’ homemade ice cream. “We churn all the ice cream in the store,” he said. Wrenn plans for the flavors to change throughout the year and has an idea for a “flavor of the week” policy. His favorite flavor of Bad Ass ice cream is Cinnamon Walnut. The Columbia Bass Ass Coffee shop will have wireless Internet access, a flat screen TV and comfortable couches. His store will be “a good place to hang out in and taste any coffee you can’t get anywhere else,” he said. . Wrenn purchased the rights to five stores — one in Charleston, one in Charlotte and two in Myrtle Beach, in addition to the one in Columbia. He plans to open them all within the next three years. Bad Ass Coffee’s two-day opening ceremony April 7-8 will feature hula dancers, free coffee sampling and a chance, to get your picture taken with the Bad Ass Coffee Donkey, which Wrenn said will be a guy in a donkey suit. “I don’t know if we’ll have a live donkey,” he said. Bad Ass Coffee will be located on 819 Harden St. in Five Points, right beside Quiznos. Comments on this story? E-mail gamecockfeatures@gwm. sc. edu ‘Vendetta paints grim political picture Natalie Portman shines in complex futuristic thriller “V for Vendetta” ★★★★ out of ☆☆☆☆☆ IDarjone Riddle STAFF WRITER Natalie Portman shines in “V for Vendetta,” which packs a political punch with its down with-the-government plot and burning-Parliament fireworks show. The film fast-forwards to 2015 and suggests the United States is in civil war while Britain lives by totalitarian rule. Britain s aDrasive government holds townspeople to early curfews. Violent police raid the streets. The local British Television Network all but brainwashes its citizens to unquestionably follow Chancellor Adam Sutler’s rule. One 'evening @l< 51 r ' if Special to THE GAMECOCK Hugo Weaving strikes an ominous pose as V, the caped vigilante who threatens the government in "Vendetta." Evey, played by Portman, leaves her apartment past curfew to visit a friend and is stopped by a rough group of officers. A masked man known as V rescues Evey. He spouts quirkily about being a vigilante. V takes Evey to a nearby rooftop to watch a fireworks show. Suddenly at the stroke of midnight, a government building blows up with an enormous fireworks show and music playing in the street’s loudspeakers. V amusingly says, “Remember, remember the fifth of November.” The next day at the British Television Network’s building where Evey is employed, V invades the studio and makes a public announcement. If people want to regain control of their government, they need to be ready for takeover one year later on Nov. 5. In his haste to evade the authorities and leave the building, V is almost shot by an officer. Evey rescues him but is knocked unconscious in the scuffle. Evey wakes up in V’s underground house. V tells her it’s not safe for her to leave since she aided in his escape. Eventually Evey is able to get away and seeks refuge with her boss, Deitrich. As a controversial humoristic talk show host, Deitrich pushes the wrong buttons after a comical but offensive appearance by Chancellor Sutler. He is brutally arrested. Evey tries to escape and is captured. Evey is put in a cell and tortured for days. On the day of her execution, she is freed. Evey must decide what she truly believes in and who she wants to be. She also must determine who V is and what he means to her. 1 he plot successfully and effortlessly twists and turns until the ending, which was slightly disappointing. Part of the ending is hokey, but the conclusion fits the film well. Portman exhibits her usual gutsy performance. While it is still very early, if uenoeuB • 6 Special to THE GAMECOCK DHEC will take applications for new body art shops today. Body Rites has been piercing Columbia since 1997. Five Points piercing shop hankering to tattoo you Carolina DeSanctis THE GAMECOCK Not surprisingly, Body Rites is now the most well known body piercing studio in the Columbia area, standing out for its reputation for upholding high standards of cleanliness and customer service. Originally opened in August 1997, Body Rites was first owned by brothers Scott and Kevin Brewer, whose vision for the shop is now maintained and upheld by its current owners, Shannon and Franklin McKenzie, who took over in 2002. The shop is ran by two otljer McKenzies; Sarah, an experienced body piercer; and Martin, who runs the front desk. The interior setup of Body Rites is artistic and unique, as the walls are adorned with industrial metal paneling, various paintings, drawings PIERCII1GS • £ 4