by Logan Butts | Jun 23, 2014 | Opinion
Logan’s Home Video Update is back! With summer movie season in full swing, I have decided to revamp the series with movies to watch alongside this summer’s biggest hits. How to Train Your Dragon (PG, 98 minutes- starring the voices of Jay Baruchel and Gerard Butler) One of the best (non-Pixar) animated films of the past decade, this smash hit was loved by children, adults and critics. The sequel, How to Train Your Dragon 2, is out in theaters right now, so you can make it a day with an afternoon viewing of the first movie at home and a nighttime showing of the sequel in theaters. Sleeping Beauty (G, 75 minutes- starring the voices of Mary Costa and Eleanor Audley) With the alternate take on Sleeping Beauty’s chief antagonist (Maleficent) currently in theaters, now is the perfect time to go back and visit one of Disney’s most beloved classic animated films. Transformers (PG-13, 144 minutes- starring Shia LaBeouf) Before the rebooted phase of this lucrative franchise kicks off this weekend with Transformers: Age of Extinction, go back and watch the movie that started it all. Say what you will about the sequels (I think the third movie is worth defending), but the first film filled audience members with wonder thanks to unbelievable visual effects and robot fighting action. The X-Men Film Series (X-Men, X2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, The Wolverine) X-Men: Days of Future Past has been the biggest hit and one of the best reviewed films of the summer season so far. Before seeing it, make sure to catch up on...
by Logan Butts | Jun 20, 2014 | News Slider, Opinion, Sports
With the first week of the 2014 World Cup in the books, it is time for a quick recap of the biggest storylines, the best games, the breakout stars and, of course, John Brooks’ goal. After what was one of the most entertaining first weeks in World Cup history, there is no shortage of topics to be discussed. Best moment, United States: John Brooks Of all the players in the 2014 World Cup, John Brooks may have been the least likely to score at all, much less score a game winner. But in the United States’ first game against their nemesis Ghana (the team that knocked them out of the last two World Cups) Brooks came through will a game-winning header off of a corner kick in the final minute of the game. Clint Dempsey’s opening goal was more technically impressive, but Brooks’ will be the one everyone remembers. Best moment, rest of the world: The Brazilian national anthem There were countless memorable moments in this first week, from Switzerland’s last second goal against Ecuador to Pablo Armero and Colombia dancing their way into our hearts, but I have to go with the singing of the Brazilian national anthem before the opening game. The emotion on the faces of the Brazilian players combined with the sheer joy of the Brazilian fans made for a special moment. Biggest upset: The demise of Spain After one of the most dominant runs in international soccer history, which included the 2010 World Cup title and two European championships, the reign of “La Roja” has finally come to an abrupt, painful ending. The players...
by Logan Butts | Jun 16, 2014 | News Slider, Sports
Madi Talbert and Gemikal Prude took their talents to Eugene, Oregon, to compete in the NCAA Nationals for track and field. Talbert hit the track on Wednesday in the 3000-meter steeplechase. She finished with a time of 10:13.70, placing her seventh in her heat. Talbert was also named a Second Team All-American. Despite the success, Talbert’s time was not good enough to for the Finals. This was Talbert’s second consecutive appearance at Nationals. She improved on her 2013 time of 10:41.98. Prude, also competing at Nationals for the second straight year, ended his season on Friday attempting to clear a height of 2.05 meters. Despite leaping 2.14 meters in the Eastern Preliminaries, Prude was not able to clear the 2.05 meter bar. Even though Prude did not advance on Friday, he was named an honorable mention All-American. In March, Prude finished ninth overall in the high jump at NCAA Indoor Nationals with a mark of 2.15 meters. Photo courtesy of Lipscomb...
by Logan Butts | Jun 16, 2014 | Sports
Following a successful 2013-14 on-field campaign, Lipscomb has also come out on top in the classroom by being named the 2013-14 Atlantic Sun Academic Champions. During the 2013-14 school year, 78.83 percent of Lipscomb’s student-athletes finished with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, giving the Bisons the best percentage in the Atlantic Sun Conference. The percentage was not only the top in the conference, but it was the highest Lipscomb has posted during its time in the A-Sun. 211 Bisons were named academic honorees for the school year, which was also the best number in the Atlantic Sun. Not only was the mark good enough to lead the conference, it also raised Lipscomb’s all-time total to 1,285 honorees, the most of any school in the history of the A-Sun. In addition to the team awards, Lipscomb senior cross country runner Tessa Hoefle was named the 2013-14 Atlantic Sun Female Student-Athlete of the Year. She became the third Lady Bison to receive the distinguished honor. Hoefle also won her third consecutive A-Sun Women’s Cross Country Scholar Athlete of the Year. Hoefle, along with Joshua Kolbo and Claire Peterson, were named Presidential Scholars for finishing their careers with a GPA of 3.8 or higher. Fellow seniors Geoff Musick, Melissa Dowd and Caitlin Dotson received Commissioner Scholar awards for finishing with a GPA between 3.6 and 3.79. To view the full list of all 211 scholar athletes visit the Lipscomb Athletics website Photo courtesy of Lispcomb...
by Logan Butts | Jun 11, 2014 | Opinion, Sports
After four long years of waiting, the 2014 FIFA World Cup will finally be kicking off Thursday afternoon, and soccer fans everywhere are rejoicing. With the hopes of an entire nation on their back, 32 teams will be travelling to Brazil with their 23 best players in tow. All will be in pursuit of the most prestigious championship trophy in all of sports. I will be highlighting some key players and teams to watch whether you are a die-hard soccer fan or a relative newcomer to the sport. I will also be making my prediction for who will come out on top. Players to watch: Leo Messi, Argentina: The winner of four FIFA Ballon d’Or awards in a row from 2009-2012 (soccer’s equivalent to an MVP award) is considered one of the greatest players in the history of the game, despite only being 26 years old. Although he has dominated for his professional team FC Barcelona, he has struggled in international competitions. This may be his best shot at the elusive World Cup trophy. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal: The reigning FIFA player of the year, like his rival Messi, has seen success in international competitions fall just short of his grasp. Can the two-time Ballon d’Or winner put Portugal on his back and carry the team deep into the tournament or will we see a flame out in the group stage? Gianluigi Buffon, Italy: Heading into his fourth and likely final World Cup, many consider Buffon the greatest goalkeeper of his generation. Buffon and teammate Andrea Pirlo are the only two remaining members of Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning squad. The two will...
