Jordan Ecarma Opinions Editor Ally Condie’s dystopian love story Matched may become a modern classic. Her clear, vivid prose flows like water, effortlessly pulling the reader along, and the book is nearly impossible to put down. Its style is simple but resonant, and Condie’s futuristic tale comes across in a surprisingly believable, relatable way. Matched [...]
Lawrence Fowler Staff Writer Gnomeo & Juliet is the latest take on William Shakespeare’s classic play Romeo and Juliet. Using CG-animation, Touchstone Pictures sets this timeless story in the world of garden gnomes. Gnomeo & Juliet follows the feud between the Capulet and Montague households. Very much like Toy Story, the gnomes are inanimate objects [...]
Jordan Ecarma Opinions Editor The Oscars seem to have settled well into the new practice of nominating 10 films for Best Picture. Last year’s Academy Awards was the first time in 60 years that 10 slots were available, and the change sparked new life into an old movie tradition. This year’s mix of films shows [...]
Elizabeth Pirkle Staff Writer Based on the novel The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff, The Eagle is a compelling story that is almost overshadowed by unnecessary violence. Directed by Kevin Macdonald, The Eagle tells the story of Marcus Aquila (Channing Tatum, Dear John), a Roman soldier driven by the search for restoration and [...]
Jordan Ecarma Opinions Editor Romantic comedy is a favorite movie genre for Valentine’s Day, but finding a worthwhile “rom com” to watch is not always easy. It seems like a simple enough tale: attractive boy meets attractive girl, they fall in love and live happily ever after. But the well-made rom com is actually an [...]
Erin Chandler Staff Writer “You must pay for everything in this world—there is nothing free but the grace of God.” With these words, the story True Grit makes its dramatic return to the big screen. Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and newcomer Hailee Steinfeld make up the cast of this Best Picture-nominated remake of a classic [...]
Ryan Atkins Guest Writer As anyone who has ever been caught in a hurricane knows, it is quite a singular experience. From the tell-tale drips of rain and the first gusts of wind, you’re in for a wild ride. This is the same feeling invoked by the opening sounds of Floridian sextet Underoath’s latest offering, [...]
Taylor Edwards Staff Writer As alternative Christian bands have begun blending together in recent months and years, it has become increasingly rare to find bands in that genre that are good enough to stand out above the rest of the crowd. Most of these bands concentrate too heavily on gathering their fan base by making [...]
James Chip Moore Staff Writer When the 2009 federal deficit is estimated at more than $1.5 trillion and the deficit projections are no less than half a trillion dollars annually over the next 10 years, some people take it as a call to action. One person that answered the call to fight back with knowledge [...]
Alyson Queen Staff Writer You Again is one of those quotable, family-oriented, almost “chick-flicky” movies worthy of “Redboxing” for a dollar. Even though You Again was well directed with little foul language and slim to no sexual references, the all-star cast, including acting legend Betty White, Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis and Victor Garber, couldn’t [...]
Taylor Edwards Staff Writer Concerts and other musical shows are events that people of all ages have enjoyed for years. The reasons for that enjoyment vary, depending on the person attending the concert and the type of concert that is being attended. Some people only enjoy quiet concerts, preferring to bask in the beauty of [...]
Kyra Alexander Staff Writer The summer hit, Killers, lined store shelves on Sept. 7 with its DVD release. Spencer Aimes, played by Ashton Kutcher (Valentine’s Day, What Happens in Vegas, The Guardian), is just your average, undercover, government-hired super-assassin accustomed to a life of exotic European locales, flashy sports cars and even flashier women. But [...]
Emily Bain Staff Writer New York Times bestseller and controversial novel Eat, Pray, Love follows the true events in Elizabeth Gilbert’s struggle to find identity and ultimately self-forgiveness. Unhappily married and living in the suburbs of New York City, Gilbert ends up crying in the bathroom night after night because she is not ready to [...]
Taylor Edwards Staff Writer August 27, the release date of the first full-length CD (Dust & the Dirt) from The Lilies and Sparrows, was an important day for several reasons. Obviously, it was amazing to see how a band that had started out as a side project has come this far. Along with this, it [...]
Kyra Alexander Ad Manager “Let yourself go this August,” was the tag line for the spiritually controversial movie Eat, Pray, Love. Based on the best-selling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert (Pilgrims and Committed), Eat, Pray, Love takes viewers on an emotional journey of the heart. Liz Gilbert, played by Julia Roberts (Valentine’s Day and Mona Lisa [...]
Jordan Ecarma News & Features Editor The films of summer 2010 varied in story and style, but they all carried a similar theme: escapism. Films like Toy Story 3 and Eclipse, featuring talking toys and sparkling vampires respectively, ruled the box office. For the most part, fantasy was the preferred summer fare, including some delightful [...]
Jordan Ecarma News & Features Editor The films of summer 2010 varied in story and style, but they all carried a similar theme: escapism. Films like Toy Story 3 and Eclipse, featuring talking toys and sparkling vampires respectively, ruled the box office. For the most part, fantasy was the preferred summer fare, including some delightful [...]
Taylor Edwards Staff Writer The beautiful chaos of The Devil Wears Prada’s new Zombie EP hit the shelves on August 24, receiving great reviews from AbsolutePunk.net, Audio Opinions, Dead Press!, Blare Magazine and more. The five-track Zombie EP is a prime example of the maturity that the band has gained since its three previous albums. [...]
Taylor Edwards Staff Writer There are few bands in the world today like Copeland. The alternative rock group boasts four full-length albums that each showcase a different side of the band. Beneath Medicine Tree, In Motion, Eat, Sleep, Repeat and You Are My Sunshine are all equally amazing albums, not one of them surpassing another. [...]
Rachel Ham Staff Writer Summer of 2010’s movies will give students a welcome break from the drudgery of exams and term papers. From superheroes to vampires to toy cowboys, moviegoers will enjoy this summer’s lineup. Iron Man 2 Summer will just have started when Oscar nominee Robert Downey, Jr. returns to the screen as Tony [...]