by Lorena Coleman | Jan 9, 2018 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Uncategorized
On Sunday evening, the 75th Golden Globes kicked off awards show season. The show was presented live on NBC and hosted by late night talk show host and Saturday Night Live alum Seth Meyers. This year’s show was not only historical for the milestone 75th year it has been in existence, but also held historical significance for the statements made. The red carpet looked a little more monochromatic this year, with many of the actors and actresses donning black and wearing “Time’s Up” pins to support victims of sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace, as well as woman’s equality. There was much to be talked about throughout the evening, including who the Hollywood Foreign Press Association chose to honor for their contributions to film and TV. Oprah Winfrey was the recipient of the Cecil B. DeMille Award for lifetime achievement. The actress and TV personality made history as the first black woman to win the prestigious award. In her acceptance speech, she shared personal stories and, addressing the night’s theme, statements of female empowerment. Winfrey capped off her speech with a stirring sentiment for women that “a new day is on the horizon.” That speech kicked off speculation that Winfrey was considering a presidential bid in 2020. Another highlight of the evening was 101-year-old actor Kirk Douglas returning to the stage to present a Golden Globe. The screen giant presented Best Motion Picture Screenplay with daughter-in-law Catherine Zeta-Jones and received a standing ovation from the audience. For the major awards bestowed for film, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri received lots of acclaim, winning “Best Picture Drama.” Cast members Frances McDormand...
by Jade Spilka | Dec 22, 2017 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
The Barden Bellas have officially graduated college and are off working various jobs apart from each other. However, an opportunity soon arises for them to sing on a tour back together again and compete for a spot to open for DJ Khaled. Like the other Pitch Perfect films, there are many twists and turns on the Bellas’ road to stardom. They are met with fierce competition and the unexpected arrival of Fat Amy’s criminal father. Fat Amy’s father knows of a bank account set aside for her and tries to gain her trust in order to gain access to that account. When Fat Amy realizes his intentions, she cuts off all communication with him, but he then captures the Bellas as hostages on his yacht. Fat Amy and Beca are the only two Bellas not captured, so it is then up to them to save their friends and get back to the tour. As expected for a Pitch Perfect film, the story featured a lot of great vocals and songs. Unexpectedly, however, the storyline was much darker than audiences might anticipate with its unique storyline. The film was enjoyable but did not live up to the last two Pitch Perfect films. None of the Treble Makers were featured, which is a disappointment, and the new cast of male characters was not as entertaining or charming as in the previous two movies. Nevertheless, the film is worthwhile to see in theaters over the holidays. It is fun and has some hilarious quotes, but viewers shouldn’t go in expecting the same level of entertainment that they received from watching the original Pitch Perfect. This film definitely did not follow a typical Pitch Perfect storyline and certainly...
by Jade Spilka | Dec 9, 2017 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
“A McCrary Kind of Christmas” returns to Lipscomb tonight at 7 p.m. and will feature musical performances by the McCrary Sisters and some of their musical friends. The four gospel singers — Alfreda, Ann, Deborah, and Regina — make up the famous sister quartet. Their father, Reverand Samuel H. “Sam” McCrary, was one of the founding members of the Fairfield Four. The annual benefit concert will take place in Shamblin Theatre and will have a $10 suggested donation for entry. The McCrary Sisters arranged the event as a means to raise funds for needy Nashville families. These funds will be used to buy gifts and other items for the selected families. Audience members are also encouraged to bring canned goods and unwrapped gifts that can be used as donations. “We just wanted to give back,” Ann McCary told the Tennessean. She and her sisters are all Nashville natives and have a heart for the Nashville community. The National Museum of African-American Music will sponsor the event. The museum is set to open in 2019 in Nashville but is already working to make a change. This concert is one of their many endeavors to support the Nashville...
by Jade Spilka | Dec 1, 2017 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Jacob Tremblay stuns audiences with his amazing portrayal of August “Auggie” Pullman in Wonder, the heart-wrenching fictional story of a young boy who was born with Treacher Collins syndrome. The popular film has already grossed over 70 million dollars worldwide and has garnered media attention due to its universal themes of kindness and acceptance. The audience is first introduced to Auggie when his parents decide he should attend a private school near their home in Manhattan. He had previously been homeschooled since kindergarten, but his mother (Julia Roberts) decided the first year of junior high school would be the perfect time to begin his education at a regular school. The principal enlists three students to give Auggie a tour of the school so that he feels at home. The students are nervous to meet him at first, but Jack Will (Noah Jupe), one of the children asked to help, soon begins to build a friendship with Auggie. The film focuses on Auggie’s struggles and his triumphs. It shows how Auggie affects those around him, both the stresses he puts on them due to his condition and the positive impact he has on their lives as well. The film explores not only Auggie’s life but also the lives of his mother, father (Owen Wilson), sister (Izabela Vidovic) and friends he makes at his new school. Wonder is a beautiful story that highlights the beauty that is on the inside. It is an excellent example to adults and children alike to never judge a book by its cover, to always give someone a chance and to accept people as they are. This story is...
by Anna Rogers | Nov 29, 2017 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Friends, family, students and alumni gathered in front of Lipscomb’s bell tower to usher in the Christmas spirit at this year’s Lighting of the Green Tuesday night. Spectators traveled from near and far to witness the annual festivities. Some students simply left their dorms; other families drove across the state. Former Bison Riley Adkisson’s family traveled from St. Louis, Missouri, to come watch Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith perform alongside Lipscomb’s choirs. “My family drove for five hours for this,” Adkisson said while looking for them through the crowd. Upon arrival, guests were greeted with twinkling lights and free hot chocolate. On the upper level of the Allen Arena parking garage, clips from family-favorite Christmas movies played in the background while visitors “ice skated.” The holiday concert kicked off at 5:30 p.m. with a performance from Lipscomb Academy’s elementary choir, followed by Grant and Smith, who sang both original and traditional Christmas carols. One of Grant’s originals included, “To Be Together,” a song she wrote about the presence of loved ones during the winter season. “It’s a song about being together, which is what matters most,” Grant said. “As I get older, I realize that’s what it’s all about.” Grant and Smith stopped in Nashville mid-tour. “We’re going to 19 different cities,” Grant said, “but now we’re at Lipscomb!” Other performances took place from winner of season nine of The Voice, Jordan Smith to Lipscomb University’s student choir. The audience sang “Silent Night” as the final song of the evening. President Lowry concluded the event with the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree, thus officially kicking off the Christmas season on...
by Erin Franklin | Nov 22, 2017 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Over the years, Pixar has brought life to a number of things — toys, cars, monsters and robots, to name a few. With Coco, Pixar manages to bring light and color to death, a theme ordinarily off-limits or glossed over in children’s movies. Coco centers on Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), a boy in love with music despite his family’s strict abhorrence of any musical note whatsoever. This hatred is due to an unwelcome story in the family’s past regarding Miguel’s great-great grandfather who abandoned his wife and daughter (Miguel’s great-grandma Coco) for music. Despite his family’s uncompromising ban on music, Miguel idolizes famed musician Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), who tragically died after being crushed by a giant bell during his last performance. After Miguel attempts to “borrow” his idol’s guitar in the altar the town has built to remember him, he is suddenly transported to walking with skeletons as a live boy on the Day of the Dead — the one day of the year where one’s ancestors can come back and visit with family if they are remembered by having their picture set up by relatives left on earth. After finding his ancestors in skeleton form, it’s a race to get Miguel home before sundown unless he wants to stay in the Land of the Dead forever. The Land of the Dead is a bright, intriguing spectacle filled with striking visuals and vivacious color more elaborate than Pixar has every achieved. In typical Pixar fashion, the film manages to bring emotionalism, depth and realism to animated characters, and in this case, even manages to bring these attributes to walking skeletons. Coco’s finale is packed with warmth and emotion, but viewers are...
