by Cory Woodroof | Nov 17, 2012 | Opinion
Soon after Adele powerhouses through one of the better James Bond theme songs in recent memory during one of the signature opening credit sequences, we see Dame Judi Dench’s M sitting at a computer, typing out the obituary of a Mr. James Bond. “What do you say about a man like that,” M wonders as she puts word to screen. Indeed, what do you say about this version of James Bond? Ever since 2006’s mightily superb Casino Royale, we’ve been given the definite 21st century Bond. Daniel Craig’s 007 now outlines the idea of the character, adapting a sense of Bourne-esque grittiness that makes the spy relevant in today’s landscape. You know what they say – adapt or die. 2008’s Quantum of Solace might have been the biggest departure from a typical Bond movie, putting the hero in dire straits – both mentally and physically. For once, one of the “Bond girls” from Casino Royale left a mark that scarred – badly. Quantum was a good movie that served as a solid second entry in the Craig series – but it wasn’t particularly fun. I don’t think people were as receptive to watching their favorite secret agent mope around. I wasn’t as vehemently against the movie as others, but sure, it was no Casino Royale. People like a happy Bond – they like the suave smile. They like their Bond to be awesome. Skyfall shows the secret agent being exactly that – awesome. Beautifully shot by Roger Deakins and wonderfully scored by Thomas Newman (both deserve Oscar nods), Skyfall is a thunderous example of how even after 50 years, Bond can still wow. ...
by Cory Woodroof | Nov 15, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
A day after receiving the National League’s Cy Young Award, New York Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey returned to his hometown of Nashville to serve as the guest speaker in a chapel sponsored by the College of Business. Dickey was presented with the College of Business’s “Heroes of Business” award by Dean Turney Stevens. “Could it be any better than that?” Stevens said, asking the audience about the timing of Dickey’s arrival to Nashville. After being greeted by a standing ovation, Dickey spoke to a full crowd about his faith and life’s adversities. Dickey shared his story in front of a mixed group of students, faculty and fans, often referencing his new autobiography Wherever I Wind Up: My Quest for Truth, Authenticity and the Perfect Knuckleball that was released earlier this year. Dickey said his life has been met with much adversity, but the Mets pitcher reaffirmed that through his struggles, he kept his faith in God, which Dickey credits to his success. “Don’t give up hope,” Dickey said. Dickey said part of his road to recovery involved mending his relationship with his wife, affirming his belief that “God has really designed us for relationship.” Dickey told the crowd he believes his walk of faith is a process. “God wants me to live the next five minutes well.” Just yesterday, Dickey was awarded the Cy Young Award, an honor bestowed to a pitcher from both leagues in the MLB each season. Dickey said he believes the award he was given is one “that’s meant to be shared” with those around him. When asked who his idols were growing up, Dickey cited...
by Cory Woodroof | Nov 13, 2012 | News Slider
Phil, Kay and Si Robertson, best known for their work on A&E’s hit reality series Duck Dynasty, will headline the 2013 Don Meyer Evening of Excellence on April 27, 2013. The news was officially announced at last Friday’s Battle of the Boulevard. Urging attendees to bring their duck calls and Bibles, the Robertson family will serve as the main speakers for the event, an honor past shared by Butler coach Brad Stevens, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski and New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow. Tickets are now on-sale through BeHerdLu.com. You can also email tickets@lipscomb.edu or call 615-966-HERD (4373). Adult tickets are $20, while tickets for those 12 and under are $10. More information will be available as the event grows...
by Cory Woodroof | Nov 12, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
The men’s basketball team secured their first win of the season after last Friday’s Belmont loss in a 73-55 victory over the Maryville Saints, making their overall record 1-1. The Bisons gained early momentum, going on an 8-2 run with 17:03 remaining. The Saints kept things close for a good deal of the half, but the Bisons went into the locker room with a 43-24 lead. Freshman J.C. Hampton sank three 3-point baskets in first half, adding into his 13 point total. From 15:35-7:19 in the second half, the Bisons went on a 14-0 run, ended by a jump shot from Maryville’s Adam Whitlock. Hampton said he felt that the team’s early efforts and rebounding helped tremendously. “We came out to a great start,” Hampton said. “Coach [Sanderson] really challenged us on the board to see if we could out-rebound by +15. I think we did a great job, especially Khion [Sankey], of accepting that challenge. I felt good coming out with a great start.” Sankey, a junior, led the Bisons in rebounds with 12, while senior Deonte Alexander led in scoring with 16. On top of leading the team in assists with 4, sophomore Martin Smith scored 13 points. After tonight’s win, the team will travel to Boiling Springs, N.C., to play Gardner-Webb on Wednesday. After their Nov. 23 away game against Ole Miss, the Bisons will return to Allen Arena on Nov. 26 to take on Murray...
by Cory Woodroof | Nov 11, 2012 | Opinion
Hats off, Disney, hats off. The mouse house can’t call 2012 an off year simply because of their job in producing this summer’s mega-hit The Avengers. One of their two animation companies, perennial powerhouse Pixar, also scored big with Brave, even though the Scottish fairy tale can’t necessarily be called an instant classic. Even though two of the studio’s less audience-friendly offerings, March’s John Carter and last month’s Frankenweenie, failed to ignite the box office, the craft and imagination put into both well made up for poor returns (in the creative sense). Those two films showed Disney taking risks. The studio has always been able to get by with Pirates and talking cars, but films like John Carter and Frankenweenie show a side of Disney that is still willing to occasionally surprise. The praise for Carter‘s pulp and Frankenweenie‘s charm might not leave the circle of critics, but it shows the studio still has a few surprises up its sleeve. For years now, Walt Disney Animation Studios has served as Buena Vista’s animation B-team. Much like a decent-enough backup quarterback, the former pioneer of animated films has been relegated to bench-warming for the superstar studio Pixar. Disney’s in-house animation department hasn’t exactly been putting out garbage (recent efforts Bolt, The Princess and The Frog and Tangled are strong cases for the studio’s growth, with the animation division now being stewarded by Pixar vet John Lasseter), but in comparison to the folks at Pixar, their films lack the heft and public recognition (and Oscars). In 2011, Pixar finally produced a goose egg with the disappointing Cars 2. A month later, Disney Animation released the pleasant-enough Winnie the Pooh...
