by Charissa Ricker | Nov 10, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
The holiday season is full of fun, food and for most American families, drama. “Almost Christmas” tells the story of the Meyers family as they gather for Christmas in Alabama for the first time since the death of their matriarch. The two-hour film stars Danny Glover (“Lethal Weapon”), Gabrielle Union (“10 Things I Hate About You”), Jesse T. Usher (“Independence Day”) and several other top-billed cast members who make the movie a highly-anticipated film. The first few scenes show the montage backstory of Walter (Glover) and Grace as they grow old together raising their four kids and three grandchildren. As time goes on, the opening tastefully shows the sudden death of Grace 10 months before Christmas. Despite the family’s great loss, Walter tires to honor his wife’s legacy by visiting the town’s homeless shelter, where Grace spent most of her time, and he helps serve the single mothers and their children. He attempts also to recreate his wife’s famous recipes, especially her signature sweet potato pie, as the family starts arriving for the holidays. First to arrive is Grace’s sister, Aunt May (Mo’Nique) with her colorful personality. Soon after, Walter’s son Christian (Romany Malco), his wife Sonya (Nicole Ari Parker) and their son and daughter arrive. Though eager to spend time with family, Christian is pulled away throughout the movie due to his progressing Congress campaign that may jeopardize the town shelter that his mother loved. Walter’s two daughters, Cheryl (Kimberly Elise) and Rachel (Union), arrive next, bringing their long-lived sisterly feud making the following scenes amusingly awkward. Rachel, a strong-willed, single mother, and her quick-witted daughter show up ready for family time amidst...
by Brooke Dorris and Erin Franklin | Nov 4, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
It would seem that Marvel can’t make a bad movie. The Marvel cinematic universe is one of the most popular film franchises in history, and its newest addition, Doctor Strange, is sure to delight and entertain comic-book lovers and moviegoers of all ages as well. For a comic-book film, Doctor Strange contains some deep messages. The film will likely prompt some serious conversations after the credits roll (and after the two typical, bonus Marvel scenes at the end) among moviegoers because of its inherent themes. However, also typical of Marvel, the film has some delightful surprises, and, while not classified as a comedy by any means, will have viewers laughing nearly throughout its entirety. Therefore, fellow Lumination staff member Brooke Dorris and I have decided to do a co-review to hopefully give a glimpse of the conversational tone the film invokes. As alluded to before, Doctor Strange is a “strange film,” even for a Marvel movie. In fact, in some ways, it doesn’t even seem like a Marvel movie — perhaps it’s Benedict Cumberbatch’s stellar performance as Dr. Strange, or maybe it’s the simplicity of its story design. Nevertheless, it is a superhero film, but Strange isn’t your average superhero. He’s quite cocky and arrogant, and that gets him into trouble sometimes. His character is slightly reminiscent of Tony Stark, but Cumberbatch does an excellent job of making the character his own. The film begins with neurosurgeon, Dr. Stephen Strange, saving people’s lives (in the hospital). He’s confident in his ability, and this talent is where he seemingly derives his self worth. When he is careless while driving his Lamborghini...
by Jade Spilka | Nov 4, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Mel Gibson’s Hacksaw Ridge is a must-see film. Hacksaw Ridge, the incredible, true story of US Army medic Desmond Doss, is inspiring and thrills audiences. The World War II biographical stars Andrew Garfield. It received a 10-minute standing ovation at the 73rd annual Venice Film Festival where it premiered. Hacksaw Ridge portrays Doss’ commitment to his Seventh-day Adventist faith as a US Army medic who does not believe in touching a gun, killing another person or working on Saturday, the Sabbath. Doss is belittled, mocked and abused for his beliefs by fellow army men. He is even faced with a possible heavy prison sentence for disobeying orders after refusing to participate in rifle training for these reasons. Many of his commanders and peers considered Doss a coward because of his beliefs. Ironically, Doss ends up being the man who singlehandedly saves 75 of his comrades without a weapon while he is under constant enemy fire. Hacksaw Ridge is a phenomenal film. Garfield’s constant, genuine and kind performance is award-winning. The message of the movie is to be faithful to your beliefs, no matter the cost and live courageously. Though there was a lot of gore and conflict, you will leave the theater feeling happy and inspired. It is a must-see film! Photo courtesy of...
by Eric Ansett | Oct 28, 2016 | News Slider, Opinion, Sports
The Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians have split the first two games in one of the most intriguing World Series match-ups in recent memory. The student body at Lipscomb has a range of differing predictions about the outcome, some coming from a hometown influence. Lee Solomon, a junior outfielder on the baseball team, is from Columbus, Ohio, and he has cheered for the Indians for most of his life. Solomon said that the Cleveland Cavaliers championship earlier this year gave fans new hope. “Everyone back home is super excited right now, especially with the Cavs starting their season back up,” Solomon said. “People have been super optimistic this whole year. Since the Cavs won their Championship, people don’t think there’s any way the Indians will lose.” Junior Erin Telfer is from the Chicago area and saw the celebrations of many friends through social media. “The night they (the Cubs) made it to the World Series, my Facebook feed was literally full of dads crying because they finally did it,” Telfer said. “I’m not really a baseball fan, but I’m definitely happy for the Cubs.” An unofficial poll of Lipscomb students as to which team would be victorious was virtually split, but some students were more confident in their picks than others. Sophomore Sy Taylor is a Nashville native but picked Chicago to win without hesitation. “I can just feel it,” Taylor said. “They haven’t won one in a while; it’s just their time.” The story-lines surrounding this year’s Fall Classic are endless, but here are a few to keep an eye on in the next week: 1. Cubs’ bats...
by Becca Risley | Oct 27, 2016 | News Slider, Opinion
Disclaimer: I love haunted houses, and Halloween is my favorite holiday. Enter each haunted attraction at your own risk. I assume zero responsibility for your fate. Scream Creek Haunted Woods 1765 Martins Chapel Church Road, Springfield honeysucklehillfarm.com Price: $19.95 Scare-O-Meter: ? ? ? ? One sentence summary: I got chased through the woods by a man carrying a chainsaw, and I have never run away from something so fast IN MY LIFE. Now, I don’t run. No one looks at me and thinks “Man, what a track star” because I’m not. I am, however, really good at anticipating jump scares in haunted houses. But this is one that I just didn’t see coming. It was right after I fought my way through tree branches and a correctly timed fog machine when I heard the loudest clap of an engine revving behind me. I didn’t have time to think; I just took off in the direction I assumed was correct and hoped for the best. What makes Scream Creek my top haunt of the season is how realistic the atmosphere is. If you’ve ever wanted to experience what it’s like to be the group of friends running for their lives through the woods in a scary movie, this is the place to go. The weak are separated from the brave right off the bat, and I’m proud to say that I would probably last longer than 10 minutes if I were cast in a horror film. Momma didn’t raise a quitter. Nashville Nightmare 1016 Madison Square, Madison nashvillenightmare.com Price: $30 for entry to all four attractions Scare-O-Meter: ? ?...
by Tyler Harvey | Oct 3, 2016 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Tim Burton seems to love making books into movies (Alice in Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, etc.); he does this one more with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, as he successfully produces another odd, yet satisfying film. The movie starts out playing creepy, eerie music while showing maps, old time pictures of villains, and images of children with peculiar talents and powers. Moviegoers’ first glimpse is of a “Welcome to Florida sign;” this is where we meet Jake, a lonely kid with seemingly no friends. The movie effectively utilizes flashbacks to show when Jake was young and when his grandfather would tell him stories of a house in another part of the world . . . where children with peculiar talents and powers live. His grandfather shows him old-time photographs of the children — pictures of a girl who can float, a boy who is invisible and a boy with bees living inside him, among others. Originally, young Jake believes these tales, but once bullies tell him the stories are make-believe, he thinks his grandpa lied to him. His grandpa tries to explain that all the stories are true, but it’s no use; even Jake’s dad thinks Grandpa is making up the stories and going crazy. When Jake turns 18, he decides to go where his grandpa said the house was and find out for himself. This movie has everything any viewer could want — fantasy, romance, action and even some humor. The effects in the movie are extraordinary and really make all the children’s talents look real. I advise seeing the film...
