by Brianna Langley | Sep 2, 2014 | Opinion
For the second year in a row, Lipscomb University will be opening up its facilities to the Gospel Music Association as the host of the 2014 Dove Awards. Just as we did before last year’s ceremony, Lumination will be previewing some of the key categories. With categories and genres ranging from southern gospel performance of the year to most inspirational film of the year, perhaps the most unique and controversial award of them all continues to be the Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year accolade. This year, Christian hip hop artist Andy Mineo seems to be sweeping the competition. Two of his songs, as well as one song in which he is featured, have been nominated. The complete list of the 2014 nominees for this category is as follows: • “100” by KB (ft. Andy Mineo) • “Dear Mr. Christian” by Derek Minor (ft. Dee-1 and Lecrae) • “Head Held High” by Rapture Ruckus • “Stop The Traffic” by Andy Mineo (ft. Co Campbell) • “You Can’t Stop Me” by Andy Mineo While all of these artists and songs were certainly deserving of the nominations they were given, only one will be receiving the award on October 7. As far as predictions as to which song will come out on top, my radio and gut instinct are both telling me that I should lean towards “Head Held High” by Rapture Ruckus. Rapture Ruckus’ blend of hardcore rap and poppy hip hop gives them a unique sound that appeals to a wide variety of listeners; from die-hard rap fanatics to a more upbeat, typically younger demographic. Also, their song “Head...
by Cory Woodroof | Aug 13, 2014 | Opinion
If you’re in the film industry and hoping to make a splash at the box office, it never hurts to bring a popular young adult book to the big screen. With post-apocalyptic YA adaptations The Hunger Games and Divergent cashing in with audiences, an adaptation of the legendary novel The Giver couldn’t have been too far behind. Lois Lowry’s Newbery-winning story, a beloved tale about the importance of a vivid life, has been favorite of many since its 1993 bow. Similar to the two titles above (but written far before those two), The Giver centers on a young protagonist (in this case, Jonas) who, within the perimeters of a limiting society, sets off a chain of events that could disrupt the status quo. Even though Katniss and Tris beat Jonas to the cinemas, The Giver stands apart from the stories that followed it. The film’s contemplative ways only serves to push the original ideas of the novel home in a new setting. After an unknown series of events, society has turned into a vanilla world of predestination, paleness and politeness. Children are told what their futures will be, there is no such thing as color and no one ever speaks out of turn or in anger. Even the simplest offenses receive a prompt apology. When he becomes of age, Jonas (Brenton Thwaites), a bright young man, is given his life’s job by a deciding council (anchored by Meryl Streep’s Chief Elder). Jonas is summoned to receive the memories of the past from a man named the Giver (Jeff Bridges) in order to become an adviser to the higher-ups in making...
by Cory Woodroof | Aug 1, 2014 | Opinion
If Marvel Studios’ track record tells you anything, it’s that the company isn’t afraid to roll the dice. By now, it’s almost humorous to think that making Robert Downey Jr. into Iron Man, casting two relative unknowns (Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston) into the roles of Thor and Loki and handing Joss Whedon the keys to the Avengers kingdom were incredible risks at the beginning. But, really, that’s been the studio’s mantra ever since Tony Stark took to the skies – “We’re unafraid to take chances because, most of the time, we’re right.” It’s a formula that’s garnered a conglomeration of critical praise, audience adornment and box office records. As rival comics company DC attempts to play a game of Jenga to get their long-gestated Justice League franchise off the ground (fingers crossed), Marvel coasts across their ‘Marvel Cinematic Universe’ with the self-dubbed ‘Phase 2’ nearly in the rearview mirror (next summer’s Avengers: Age of Ultron will tie the knot on the second part of the overarching Avengers storyline, with vehicles for Ant-Man, Dr. Strange and others on the way). Although, the studio hit a public snag in May when lauded director Edgar Wright bolted his prized Ant-Man adaptation, a project that, according to rumor, went through many failed offers before landing in the hands of comedy vet Peyton Reed. Speculation painted Marvel as a controlling cookie-cutter, afraid to embrace the potentially diverse take Wright had on the character and its universe. “How dare a visionary enter our arena and try to go against the grain that we’ve established?” With a movie like Guardians of the Galaxy now under...
by Logan Butts | Jul 22, 2014 | Opinion, Sports
In the past few months, there was a craze among media outlets and just people in general to make a “Mount Rushmore” of everything, whether sport, entertainment, profession or just about anything else you could think of. The premise is fairly simple; you just have to come up with the four most prominent figures of the group of your choosing for a so-called Mount Rushmore of (fill in the blank). Lumination even took a stab at it with a Mount Rushmore of Lipscomb Professors. Inspired by all the discussions of ranking current and historical notable figures, something I love to do, I decided to make a Mount Rushmore of Lipscomb Sports Figures. There are a few rules I came up with to help narrow down the field of nominees: 1. No current athletes can make the final list of four people. Despite the great success of our current athletes, it would not be fair to include a player whose Lipscomb career is ongoing. 2. Current coaches are eligible for the list, but only if they have coached for five or more seasons. 3. Only one coach or athlete from a single sport is allowed on the final list of four. Otherwise, you could have a single sport taking up half of the spots. Now, on to the list. The first spot should be obvious. Don Meyer: Basketball coach, 1975-1999 The late, great Coach Don Meyer was not only one of the pillars of college sports at Lipscomb, but he was also integral to the college basketball community throughout the country. Meyer’s team went 11-19 during his first season with...
by Cory Woodroof | Jul 19, 2014 | Opinion
As the old cliché goes, all good things must come to an end. On Sunday, July 20, it will be time for me to say a goodbye to all of you, the readers of Lumination – at least in a sense. On that day, I will pass along one of the greatest batons I’ve ever had the chance to carry – the title of Lumination’s Editor-in-Chief. When I took over the position in December of 2012, I really had no idea what to expect. By that point, being editor of Lumination had been one of the main goals I hoped to achieve as a college student. Through all of the experiences I had while working as editor, I can safely say that the days between the one where I took over Lumination to the one where I publish this note have been some of the most important, rewarding days of my life. My time as editor has been a whirlwind of big stories, triumphant Bisons victories, crushing Bisons defeats, fascinating Lipscomb developments and mundane-yet-necessary updates. It’s consisted of late nights in the newsroom, good laughs with friends on staff, precious naps at home and hordes of emails in the inbox. I’ve had to make hard decisions in hard times and applaud brilliant work in times of great joy. Simply put, this has been one of the most hectic-yet-irreplaceable times of my life – one that cannot hold a price but would be worth its weight in gold to relive. While the time has come for me to step away from the editor’s role, Lumination’s future is as bright as...
by Logan Butts | Jul 17, 2014 | Opinion
With many sequels, prequels, reboots and homages hitting the screen this summer, Logan’s Home Video Update is here to help with suggestions to catch you up on what needs to be seen. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (PG-13, 105 minutes- starring James Franco and Andy Serkis) Since Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is one of the best reviewed and highest-grossing movies of the year so far, it is the perfect time to catch up on the first film in the rebooted Apes franchise. Rise is one of the best franchise reboots of the current reboot craze in Hollywood. It smartly infuses nods to the previous films in the series with a solid foundation to kick-off a new story arc. Andy Serkis’ motion capture performance was top-notch as usual. Cars (G, 116 minutes- starring the voices of Owen Wilson and Paul Newman) The upcoming Planes: Fire & Rescue, the newest film in the Cars franchise, comes out on Friday. As a refresher, check out or revisit the original movie in the series: Cars. With inspiring vocal performances and a well-developed universe, usual highlights for a Pixar film, Cars makes for a good family viewing. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (PG, 115 minutes- starring Henry Thomas and Robert MacNaughton) With yet another homage to this classic film (Earth to Echo) in theaters, it is time to pop in E.T. into the DVD player whether it is your first or hundredth viewing. Considered one of the best science fiction films ever made, E.T. is the perfect film to gather the family together and watch. Hope you enjoy the recommendations. Check...
