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 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 LeBron Hill | Nov 30, 2017 | News Slider, Opinion
The much-anticipated Justice League captures the essence of what it means to be a hero. The world is in disarray after the death of Superman (Henry Cavill) and is in need of heroes. With an alien invasion imminent, headed by the conquerer Steppenwolf, the Caped Crusader (Ben Affleck) with help from Wonder Woman, (Gal Gadot) set out to recruit others to defend earth. After Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and The Flash (Ezra Miller) join the fight, they are immediately tasked with protecting the last Mother Box. There are three Mother Boxes and when combined, they become the Unity and changes the world into Steppenwolf’s home world of Apokolips. Realizing what they are up against, the team must come together to stop this threat. The significance of Superman is shown throughout the movie. His absence helps with the development of other characters. While Superman was alive, he was the shining light that others could look to. Wonder Woman let that light shine so she didn’t have to shine hers, still dealing with the loss of her love, Steve Trevor. Batman feels that Superman’s death was his fault and bringing him back to life will undo his wrong. Newcomers, Cyborg and The Flash, both deal with what a hero means to them. The Flash is trying to get his father out of prison. His focus is proving his dad’s innocence rather than becoming a hero. Cyborg, not wanting his newly attained powers, feels that he is losing what is making him human. His struggles come from his relationship with his father and deciding if he is man or machine. Aquaman...
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...
by Jade Spilka | Nov 17, 2017 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Les Miserables brought in a large crowd to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, for its opening night. The award-winning show made its way to Nashville as a part of the national tour. The musical follows the fictional Jean Valjean on his journey from a prisoner to a successful businessman. The show tracks his sorrows, his moral triumphs and his place in the French Revolution. Valjean’s life is a portrayal of redemption and growth through God and the kindness of God’s people. He exhibits the traits of a forgiven man who is secure in his relationship with God. Les Miserables is an informative production that displays the terrible climate of France during its revolution. It highlights the suffering and injustice of the time and applauds the citizens’ thirst for equality and justice throughout the country. The raw emotion of each scene is touching and has the audience contemplating what is most important in life. There are Christian themes throughout as well as themes of integrity and true love. The messages portrayed throughout the entire show are timeless and can touch any heart no matter the circumstance. The show was creative and elaborate for a traveling production. The actors’ voices were amazing but the acting itself was underwhelming. Many of the songs were vocally astounding but were unequally accompanied by tired acting. Though the acting was dull, the well-designed set was the opposite. The elaborate, French set was dynamic and eye-catching. The war scenes were beautifully crafted and the smooth transitions between scenes kept the audience’s attention. The production was well received by the audience. Most scenes were met with cheering and laughing. The cast was given a standing ovation at the end of the night. It was clear that the show was a...
by LeBron Hill | Nov 14, 2017 | News Slider, Opinion
The recent shooting of the First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, has brought the conversation of gun control back to the forefront. The gunman, Devin Kelley, was able to purchase firearms after being dishonorably discharged from the Air Force for domestic violence in 2014. To purchase a gun, an individual cannot be dishonorably discharged or convicted of domestic violence. An article from the New York Times reports that the Air Force did not enter Kelley’s court martial in a federal database used for background checks. If that had been put in the database, it would have prevented him from purchasing the guns. The background check system should be stricter than what we have now. A 2012 study showed that three-quarters of the guns that were used in the shootings were purchased legally. It also revealed that the most purchased weapons were semiautomatic handguns and assault rifles. Background checks are necessary, but they are not extensive enough to filter out those who will not cause harm from those will. Certain weapons that are offered in gun stores, such as assault rifles, should not be allowed to be purchased at these stores. This regulation would reduce the legal purchasing of these weapons and would heighten the price of the weapons, therefore making them harder to purchase. There are places like gun shows where background checks are not required to purchase guns. That can be seen as careless to assume that because you are at a gun show, you don’t have a negative reason for buying guns. An assumption that is usually made when talking about gun violence is that the shooter suffered from mental illness....
