by Erin Franklin | Aug 14, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
Kendall Austin is focused on bringing the young perspective to today’s political world. The 18-year-old incoming Lipscomb freshman recently attended the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The experience was a memorable one for Austin; athough he had attended the DNC once before, this year was his first time attending as a delegate — in fact, one of the youngest delegates at the convention. “Hearing the speeches was so surreal,”Austin said, adding that “being able to vote on the nominees, whether it was Bernie or whether it was Hillary” was a favorite responsibility. “Being able to represent my state was such an amazing experience.” While Austin said he didn’t meet any major speakers at the convention like President Obama or Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton, he was able to meet many fellow delegates and made some great contacts. “I made a ton of connections,” Austin said. Most people involved with politics are attorneys or people that own law firms, so I met a lot of attorneys and was able to get a bunch of cards from them. I met Congressmen; I met Chelsea Clinton; I met Jimmy Carter and his grandson, Hank Johnson — a bunch of different, great connections.” Austin said he got involved in politics through his grandmother, who is also heavily involved in the Democratic Party in Decatur, Georgia, where Austin is from. When he first ran for delegate, Austin had to give a speech and fill out paperwork to get the position, all tasks he was happy to do to receive the opportunity to be the youngest delegate from his state. “I’m pretty good at public...
by Erin Franklin | Aug 11, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
In a summer filled with movie remakes, sequels and superhero installments, Pete’s Dragon ranks as one of the best remakes in a summer composed of so-so flicks. The film is an adaptation of Disney’s 1977 live-action/animated musical that didn’t go down in the Disney hall of fame with the likes of Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins or 101 Dalmatians. 2016’s Pete’s Dragon thankfully wanders with poetic beauty from the slightly odd and unsteady original. The new Pete’s Dragon begins harmlessly with a much younger Pete going on an “adventure” with his parents. What seems to be a joyful road trip for the young family soon changes to a terrible tale as the car is flipped over, horrifically killing both of Pete’s parents. The frightened new orphan, clutching the book — “Elliot Gets Lost” — with which he was learning how to read, ventures into the woods alone. That’s where he finds Elliot, a giant, furry green dragon. This moment in the woods marks the beginning of a truly remarkable friendship between the two. Six years later, Pete (Oakes Fegley) is a rambunctious boy, bounding though the woods with his best friend Elliot, the dragon, who doesn’t appear terrifying in the least. The story is really a simple boy-and-his-dog tale; however the dog in this tale just happens to be a big, sometimes invisible and very lovable dragon. Pete’s seemingly idyllic life is interrupted when he sees Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Natalie (Oona Lawrence) from a distance. Grace, a park ranger, is taken aback by the fact that this young boy has been living in the woods, which she...
by Erin Franklin | Aug 10, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider
The 47th Annual GMA Dove Awards nominees were announced by artists CeCe Winans and Jason Roy on Wednesday morning in Shamblin Theater, with Jason Ingram leading with seven nominations and Lauren Daigle securing six. At last year’s Dove Awards, Daigle won big, receiving New Artist of the Year. Her “How Can It Be” clinched two awards (including Song of the Year) for writers Jason Ingram, Jeff Johnson and Paul Mabury. “While it’s great to see these artists at the top of their game, it’s even greater to see that they have chosen to use their creative gifts to serve mankind and the greatest Creator,” Mike Fernandez, Lipscomb’s Dean of Entertainment and the Arts, stated, as he opened the event with a word of prayer. GMA executive director Jackie Patillo, along with radio personalities Wally from Way-FM, Lady Shaunte’ from 760 the Gospel and Doug from the “Family Friendly Morning Show,” also announced a new social media campaign, which is designed to bring awareness to the individuals who are “amplifying love” in their communities. Love Amplified is the theme for this year’s Dove Awards. The Dove Awards will take place on Tuesday, October 11, 2016, returning to Lipscomb’s campus at Allen Arena for the fourth consecutive year. The show will air on Trinity Broadcasting Network on Sunday, October 16. Artist of the Year for King and Country, Word Entertainment Hillsong United, Hillsong Music Australia/Sparrow Records Lauren Daigle, Centricity Music Lecrae, Reach Records Toby Mac, ForeFront records New Artist of the Year Hollyn, Gotee Records Jordan Feliz, Centricity Music Stars Go Dim, Word Entertainment Travis Greene, RCA Inspiration We...
by Patrick Carpenter | Aug 5, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
After a brooding Superman, a brutal Batman and a Woman of wonder, DC’s brand new cinematic universe brings us a a squadron of highly dangerous, misfit criminals, aptly named Suicide Squad and chosen by A.R.G.U.S Director Amanda Waller. After the death of Superman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, the United States government is looking for a contingency plan in case the next Superman is not on their side. With a new threat now facing national security, Waller finally convinces the Secretary of Defense to enlist the Suicide Squad, which is designated as “Task Force X.” With an interchangeable line up of the Suicide Squad in the comic books over the years, the film chooses many of the foes Gotham’s Bat has locked up in Belle Reve prison. Led by Colonel Rick Flagg (Joel Kinnaman), the team is highlighted by Floyd Lawton (Will Smith), a.k.a Deadshot, former Arkham Asylum psychiatrist Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Gotham sewer-dweller, Killer Croc (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje) and The Flash’s villain-from-down-under, Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney). Audiences had yet to be introduced to magic in the DC universe, until the Squad found its true enemy, the Enchantress. Suicide Squad is the first film in the DCCU not to be directed by Zack Snyder (Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice). Instead, heralded director David Ayer (End of Watch, Fury) leads DC’s gang of misfits into the most fun and colorful DC film to date. It hasn’t been a secret that many critics panned DC films for not having humor and being too dark (even for Batman), but Ayer constructs his characters differently then we’ve seen...
by Erin Franklin | Aug 2, 2016 | News Slider
As the terror threat rises, many people question whether it is safe to travel during the current unpredictable times, due to the recent terrorist incidents in Europe. Despite these red-flags, the university study-abroad program is still flourishing and seeing increased numbers, likely due to the university’s dedication to safety and students’ desire to have a global perspective through travel. At Lipscomb, the semester-long global learning options are Florence, Italy; London, England; Santiago, Chile; and Vienna, Austria, three of four being European destinations. The vehicular attack in Nice, France, the suicide bombing in Ansbach, Germany, and the hostage-taking and murder of the priest in Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, France, are some of the most recent terrorist-related attacks in Europe. Even though these incidents are cause for concern, the director of global learning, Michael Winegeart, said he does not expect to see a tapering off of global learning at all over the years. “Three years ago, Lipscomb joined Generation Study Abroad, which is an Institute of International Education (IIE) initiative to mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade,” Winegeart stated. “With President Lowry’s vision and backing, we have quadrupled the number of students studying abroad in just four years. “Although terrorism is on the rise, the leading cause of death for Americans traveling abroad is not terrorism, or murder . . . or even crime of any type — it’s car crashes,” Winegeart noted. “Even though the headlines are troubling, our students understand what a career differentiator studying abroad is; as a result, student enrollment has not dropped in...
by Jade Spilka | Jul 28, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Modern-day technology comes to life in Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman’s thriller Nerve. High school senior Vee Delmonico (Emma Roberts) is tired of living in the shadow of her best friend Sydney (Emily Meade). However, this all changes when Sydney introduces Vee to Nerve, an online reality game similar to truth or dare. Nerve is divided into two categories: watchers and players. Players are dared by the watchers to perform and film embarrassing or dangerous tasks. The only way out for the players is to succeed, bail or fail. Vee decides to try Nerve and is immediately dared to kiss a stranger. This dare leads her into an exciting partnership with fearless veteran player Ian (Dave Franco). Vee and Ian’s partnership quickly becomes popular among the watchers, but as their popularity increases, their dares only become harder. Soon, Vee and Ian find themselves in the top 10 of all Nerve players, thanks to a series of difficult dares, but it all quickly becomes too much for Vee. Freaked out by the intensity of the game, she reports the game to a police officer — going against the only rule Nerve enforces. Vee is now seen as a “snitch” to the watchers, and she is deemed a prisoner while all the money is taken out of her family’s bank account. The only way to win back her money and freedom is to win the entire game. Once she learns that Ian, too, is a prisoner, Vee sets out to win Nerve, but it may not be in the way the watchers expect. I am usually not a fan of thrillers...
