by Cory Woodroof | May 30, 2013 | Opinion
In 2010, director M. Night Shyamalan released a film called The Last Airbener, adapted from a popular Nickelodeon cartoon. The film was supposed to kick off a series, but, instead, got kicked flat in the face by the movie-going public.I mean, critics were savage with this movie the way the raptors dined upon that poor cow in Jurassic Park. Now, don’t get me wrong. I made it 30 minutes into the film before I decided that I had better things to do with my time (homework, flossing, laundry, reading the instruction manual of the DVD player, etc.). Truth be told, it wasn’t exactly enjoyable. And, for M. Night, it was strike three. The movie-loving community was all but ready to give up on the former Oscar-nom, who, a little over a decade ago, had helmed one of the great twisty films of all time with The Sixth Sense. His follow-ups, Unbreakable, a personal favorite, and Signs, were also highly respected for their signature Shyamalan suspense and surprises. Unfortunately for M. Night, the streak ended. The Village (The Village…bangs head on wall) M. Night’s 2004 tense journey into a village with a deep, dark secret, pushed the envelope too far with one of the most eye-rolling ‘gotcha’ moments in cinematic history. It chose to throw away an otherwise fair outing with a chalkboard screech of an ending. For film critics, it was blood in the water. I’ve never been a fan of the early Aughts effort, and it’s a big reason I avoided Shyamalan’s next two outings, The Lady in the Water and The Happening. As it goes, critics weren’t too...
by Cory Woodroof | May 23, 2013 | News Slider
It’s been another light week around campus, but there are still a few graduations set to take place over the weekend, which will alter the parking situation, specifically at the West Garage and the Ezell Center. Dates/Times of Graduations (Courtesy of Mary Bouldin) Friday, 7:00 p.m. – Allen Arena Harpeth Graduation Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – Allen Arena Franklin Graduation Saturday, 2:30 p.m. – Allen Arena Brentwood...
by Cory Woodroof | May 21, 2013 | News Slider
The Churches of Christ got involved in helping the tornado victims in Moore, Okla., immediately after the horror. In fact, the Nashville-based Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort began sending help Sunday, when the storms first began ravaging that section of the country. The most deadly of the storms came Monday, when an around 200 mph EF-5 tornado ripped through the Oklahoma City suburb of Moore and also hit elsewhere in the area. According to CNN, 24 people lost their lives, including nine children. More than 230 people were reported to be injured. Tuesday afternoon, rescue workers continued to comb through the rubble to find survivors and bodies. Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin described the tornado as one of the “most horrific storms and disasters that this state has ever faced.” Joe Dudney, the executive director of the Church of Christ-sponsored relief organization — whose warehouse is on Allied Drive in Nashville — says that trucks have been sent to Oklahoma with supplies, with more being planned to depart in the coming week. One truck, for example, went to aid the Lakeview Church of Christ in Shawnee, Oklahoma. Although the devastation in Moore, Okla., is the most horrific, there was plenty of damage the day before in Texas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. Dudney’s group has also sent help to those who were affected by the storms in Texas. Dudney recommends those who wish to assist the organization’s efforts donate through the group’s website due to the group’s ability to purchase goods at a large discount. If you are available, the organization will be packing boxes at 10 a.m. Wednesday morning to be sent to those in need....
by Cory Woodroof | May 21, 2013 | News Slider
The following is a press release issued by the University: Lipscomb University announces the creation of a Master of Arts in Film and Creative Media, the university’s first academic major in film and a graduate program unlike any other film program in Nashville. Currently, plans are to deliver the new 36-hour curriculum in a 17-month time frame beginning this fall semester. The inaugural enrollees will receive 20 percent off the cost of the program. Applications for the inaugural cohort are due by Aug. 2. “The master’s degree in film and creative media prepares graduate students to operate within all digital media, making their skills more marketable in today’s multi-platform world,” said Mike Fernandez, chair of the Lipscomb University Department of Theatre and acting director of the new program. “These students will be able to do so much more than just feature films. They will be prepared to film commercials, music videos, training and education videos as well as content for social media,” he said. The program takes a unique entrepreneurial and experiential approach to learning. Students will be expected to create digital content each semester. Additionally, they will be encouraged to find creative ways to make business connections and digital content for local companies and organizations or for university departments on campus that need it. As part of that approach, the program requires a one-year internship with a production company. AFFIRM Films/Sony Pictures Entertainment, Veritas Entertainment, Cartoon Pizza and Klausner Creative have signed on as Lipscomb’s first internship partners for the program. “I’m encouraged by the methodic and careful planning by Lipscomb University in launching the new master’s degree...
by Cory Woodroof | May 19, 2013 | News Slider, Sports
Lipscomb formally introduced Casey Alexander to the community as the new coach of the men’s basketball team Sunday afternoon at the Ezell Center. The university officially confirmed Alexander’s hire Saturday evening. Alexander was a former Belmont Bruin player and coach who has spent the past two seasons coaching at Stetson. Lipscomb Athletic Director Philip Hutcheson kicked off the event, talking about the process of hiring a coach. Hutcheson said that when looking for a coach, “what we care about here is excellence, and what we care about are people who are connected and committed to what the mission of Lipscomb is about.” The selection committee, consisting of Hutcheson, Vice President for Student Development and Dean of Student Life Scott McDowell and women’s basketball coach Greg Brown, interviewed a number of candidates who were interested in the vacant position. Former coach Scott Sanderson resigned in April. Hutcheson praised the quality of the candidate that applied for the job, but said that the committee decided that Alexander was the best for the program. “There was one guy whose name rose to the top, and he contacted me very early on about the job and said he was interested,” Hutcheson said. Hutcheson said he had conversations with people close to both Lipscomb and Alexander who reassured him of what a good coach and person Alexander was. In an early conversation with Alexander, Hutcheson said he was impressed with the candidate’s vision for the school after being asked why he was interested in the coaching position. “[Alexander] said ‘I want to be at a place that still values the Christian mission that Lipscomb...
