Local players of the new phone-based game, Pokémon GO, have insights worth sharing

There is a motto in this fast-paced and impatient digital age that flashes on every smartphone screen— it’s not Disney Frozen’s “Let it Go,” but rather, “Let’s Go!”

Pokémon Go made record-breaking history in the mobile app world, currently beating Twitter and even pornographic apps in terms of use. However, if you aren’t a millennial or a Generation X parent, you probably aren’t an expert of the Japanese franchise “Pocket-Monsters,” known as Pokémon in America. It has its own anime cartoon show, trading card game, merchandise, and video games.

Now it’s in your backyard … literally — OK, maybe not actually in the real world, but in “augmented reality,” thanks to the app’s use of your smartphone’s GPS, camera, and Google Maps.

But what happens when you can’t Go play Pokémon Go because of technical difficulties? On July 17, local players experienced this first-hand when they were stopped from having a large group-journey through town because of the threat of rain and overloaded game servers.

The few players who did show up met at one of the game’s many “Pokémon Gyms,” which have real-life counterpoints like Gallup Christian Church. Several church members, including the pastor, are avid players.

“It’s a good way to get off your couch and be active,” Nathan Hilderman, a volunteer with the church’s technology ministry said. Later, he added that the game’s a “great way to practice social skills.”

Go gets users out of their homes by walking and exploring their cities to hatch Pokémon eggs. The app uses GPS tracking to see if someone is actively moving, but cuts off at 15 mph to make sure no one is cheating by using a vehicle.

The four players who stuck around to see if the servers would get back online shared tips. One local said he found a way to trick the game by strapping his phone to a ceiling fan and letting it spin on a low setting.

“When it says be aware, be aware!” Go player Riley Etcitty said from the beginning.

The others agreed, admitting that some of them have tripped and are concerned that local traffic accidents may soon follow from carelessness.

Etcitty also shared an app for users who have dogs they would like to take for a walk while they play. It’s called “WoofTrax” at wooftrax.com, and every time you walk your pet, it accumulates real-world dollars toward the animal charity of your choice. Another dog owner said Pokémon Go was the best thing to happen to his dog since he was rescued from the local animal shelter three years ago because of all the walking the game has inspired.

“If anything, I believe Pokémon Go will attract a crowd of people who are new to the Pokémon franchise into making a purchase,” Devin Richards, store manager of Gallup’s Gamestop video game store, said. “It’s no coincidence that a new Pokémon title, and possibly a Pokémon themed [Nintendo] 3DS, is releasing this same year.”

So far, the game has had favorable reviews among Gallup players, aside from the frustrations of frozen servers.

“I think the community has become the very thing Pokémon was meant to be. A friendly rivalry, a challenge.” Richards, a player himself, said. “To put it in the perspective of the [Pokemon TV Show] theme song, “You teach me and I’ll teach you.’”

Story and photos by Andy Gibbons III
Sun Correspondent

New Mexico State Police seized 204 pounds of Marijuana from a Commercial Motor Vehicle at the Gallup Port of Entry west of Gallup, N.M. Nov. 19.

During a safety cab inspection conducted by State Police officers on the trailer of the CMV, officers observed six large cardboard boxes inside of the trailer with no markings. The six cardboard boxes located were not listed on the cargo. Officers could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the area of the carboard boxes. After a search, State Police officers found 204 pounds of Marijuana inside of the boxes.

The driver Arthur Ziretsyan, 25, of Van Nuys, CA was arrested without incident and booked into the Gallup-McKinley County Detention Center.

Arthur Ziretsyan was charged with following:

• Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute (Felony)
• Possession of Marijuana (Over 8 Ounces) (Felony)

««« out of five stars

The Hollywood Hills echo the sound of regurgitation. A collective yack heard round the world as they recycle every plot idea they can buy the rights to.

I have screamed, moaned and complained about this for years but there is no end in sight. I suppose my Klout score holds little to no leverage with the powers that greenlight. So I’ve resigned to the fact that do-overs are going to happen but we don’t have to like them. Unless, of course, they are entertaining.

Fortunately the new version of Vacation delivers plenty of self-aware laughs, embracing the fact that this is a retread the same way that the hilarious 21 Jump Street did. I blame the cast for this giddy trip down the holiday road. Ed Helms and Cristina Applegate are perfectly cast as Rusty and Debbie Griswold with Helms playing the oblivious buffoon just as good as Chevy Chase did in the originals.

There is also plenty to love regarding the supporting cast. Skyler Gisondo and Steele Stebbins as the Griswold kids are wonderful little morons that provide many of the film’s laugh out loud moments. Chris Hemsworth chews up the scenery as the cowboy brother-in-law, Stone Crandall and Charlie Day shows up for a suicidal trip down the rapids of the Colorado River.

The plot does not provide many speaking points but it really doesn’t have to. It’s a Vacation movie, so, you know, they go on vacation and funny stuff happens. That’s the pitch. Rusty and his family are in a rut so it is off to Wally World, the destination from the 1983 classic. They visit family and landmarks along the way with funny bits at each stopping point.

There are some similarities with the Chase movies but this movie provides enough fresh ideas to stand on its own. There’s even a bit in the film speaking to the fact that you don’t have to see the original to enjoy this film. It’s funny and true.

Speaking of Chase, he is the weakest part of the movie. Luckily he has very little screen time but every second is awkward and unfunny. We do not need his blessing. He is not needed here at all.

Fans of Freaks and Geeks and Bones will find it interesting to know that the film is co-written and co-directed by John Francis Daley and his writing partner, Jonathan M. Goldstein.

The pair also wrote the first Horrible Bosses film and you will notice a distinct similarity in the crudeness of the humor. This is a hard- R film that pushes the border of obscene with a couple of scenes. Doesn’t bother me though, just be aware.

Simply put, Vacation is a comedy and it is funny so it succeeds. I could take the highfalutin critic’s stance that we need fresh ideas and that we shouldn’t support the remakes.

But I won’t. I liked it. I am not ashamed.

Ok. I’m a little ashamed.

Rating: «« out of 4 Stars

Running Time: 106 min.

Truthfully, the idea of characters from arcade games of the 80s waging war against the Earth is appealing. Pixels features a super concept, but something goes a little wonky in the execution. While the movie should have given star Adam Sandler a chance at something different, the production doesn’t stray from the actor’s slapstick formula. Yes, it’s better than most of his recent output, but it’s still a disappointingly generic film that ultimately comes across a little uninspired.

Back in the 80s, a time capsule probe is sent into outer space. When an alien force receives it and interprets the contents as aggressive, they send warriors based on famous arcade games. President Cooper (Kevin James) calls upon his childhood friend/video game authority Brenner (Sandler) for advice. As extraterrestrial attacks begin, Brenner recruits unstable childhood pal Ludlow (Josh Gad) and ex-con/arch gaming nemesis Eddie (Peter Dinklage) to help. This motley crew raises the eyebrows of Colonel Violet van Patten (Michelle Monaghan), but their archaic knowledge helps humanity fight back.

And that’s about all the character development viewers will get. They play games against the alien force and begin to feel validated in their childhood pursuits, but that’s about as big of an arc as each actor is given. There’s not much of a plot either and the script does nothing to explain the motivations for the extraterrestrials (other than a brief comment from a character that their planet was once a happy place before they received Earth’s violent communications).

Admittedly, the exaggerated versions of the arcade games are wonderful to look at. It’s fun to see the enormous digitized attackers chase the heroes and rampage through the real world. This includes an impressive Centipede and Pac-Man stand-offs through the streets of London and New York City. Yet, while there’s great potential in the sweet-looking arcade creations taking out people and buildings in a hilariously malevolent way, the movie shies away from depicting any significant chaos.

The supporting characters have a few funny moments. Dinklage is amusing as the arrogant Eddie, who makes outrageous demands of the government before he agrees to help save the world. And it’s entertaining to see alien-dubbed clips from the 80s used to relay messages. It allows Earthlings worldwide to receive death threats from the likes of a New Wave-era Hall & Oats.

Still, it’s sad that for every amusing idea or comment, there are so many stale jokes and juvenile gags. Against all odds, the screenwriters even manage to inflict some pointless scatological humor upon the audience (it involves one of the arcade characters wetting itself). Much of these half-baked attempts at laughs are directly aimed at very young children. This is particularly strange, given that the subject matter’s primary appeal is to 40-somethings who remember playing these games. It’s difficult to imagine why one would cast so many talented performers and comics (including not only leads like Sandler, Dinklage, Gad and Monaghan, but also Jane Krakowski, Brian Cox and Sean Bean) and then give them little to do other than scream and fall over themselves.

Perhaps the producers were hedging their bets and trying to squeeze material in for every demographic, but the approach leaves Pixels in a comedy no man’s land. Most viewers will feel that they aren’t the target audience. And while the movie may contain a couple of fun scenes, the subject matter never quite gels with the obvious and occasionally infantile humor. It could have been a darkly funny apocalyptic comedy, but the version viewers will see contains too many design flaws.

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