by Logan Butts | May 3, 2013 | Opinion
“Ever since the guy with the hammer fell out of the sky, subtlety kind of went out of the window.” And just like that, Iron Man 3 had been summed up in one quote from Col. James “Rhodey” Rhodes a.k.a. War Machine a.k.a. Iron Patriot. My job was done. No need for a review. But, seriously, this one quote, delivered with expert comic timing by the cheeky Don Cheadle, had everything you need to know about Iron Man 3. After the enormous success of The Avengers, expectations were high for Iron Man 3. Director Shane Black, new to the superhero genre, decided to respond to those expectations by going for broke. Black took his usual nineties buddy cop action formula and applied it to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There were enough edge-of-your-seat set pieces to indulge any action junkie. All of the action scenes, along with Black’s trademark comedic touch, were not subtle whatsoever, which is exactly what this franchise needed to stand out after the massive box office haul and critical adoration of The Avengers. Robert Downey, Jr. was his usual charismatic self as Iron Man, the role he was born to play. With an array of one-liners and an unexpected touch of feeling, Downey continued his winning streak as the most compelling on-screen Marvel hero. As it has come to be expected from the Marvel movies, the cast was rounded out by a group of highly respectable actors turning in more than capable work. Gwyneth Paltrow’s role as Pepper Potts was expanded to include more vital screen time in this segment of the trilogy, as was Jon Favreau’s...
by Cory Woodroof | Apr 28, 2013 | News Slider, Opinion
The Nashville Film Festival concluded its run on Thursday, and here’s a recap of the four films I saw from the midpoint of the festival to its close. MAGIC CAMP A kindly documentary if there ever was one, Judd Ehrlich’s Magic Camp takes a look at the week-long journey of five aspiring magicians as they try to hone their craft at the legendary Tannen’s Magic Camp. The film offers five strong subjects – a seasoned camper who hopes to once again claim the week’s competition prize, a nine-year-old budding magician who takes his talent very seriously, a teen that uses his magic skills as a way to honor God, an enthusiastic young female magician who tries to stand out in a field of guys and a magician suffering from Tourette’s Syndrome. With Magic Camp, Ehrlich offer up an earnest look at a gifted group of youngsters who use magic as a way to socialize, deal with personal issues and fulfill lifelong dreams. It’s a documentary that champions the idea that kids need outlets like magic to truly be their original selves – a praiseworthy message if there ever was one. A good documentary leaves you hopelessly invested in the focal points, and thankfully, the five kids in Magic Camp were such strong hinges to hang the film’s message on, this documentary is able to elevate itself above what I expected a feature about a magic camp would be like. Simply put, Magic Camp was one of NaFF’s stronger documentaries. THE LAND OF EB A smaller feature that screened at the festival, The Land of Eb took the prize for...
by Cory Woodroof | Apr 23, 2013 | Opinion
The Nashville Film Festival is still currently underway at the Green Hills 16 Theater by school, and I’ve been given the chance to see a few movies as the semester winds down. Here’s a few thoughts on the films that I’ve been screening. LUNARCY! In the chipper documentary Lunarcy!, filmmaker Simon Ennis showcases individuals who, in some way, shape or form, gear their lives in accordance to the moon. Among the film’s many subjects, we spend a great deal of time with Christopher Carson, a lunar devotee with a dream of getting a one-way ticket above, Alan Beam, a former astronaut who now prefers to paint about his time in the sky and Dennis Hope, the supposed ‘President of the Moon.’ For much of its runtime Lunarcy! is a sheer joy to watch. It’s clear that Ennis is fascinated by his subjects, regardless of how naïve or silly their aims may appear. It’s easy to initially write-off the focal points as hollow daydreamers, but Ennis digs deep into why someone would hang their aspirations on something as far-fetched as living on or owning something that’s hundreds of thousands of miles away – which works wonders for the end product. Instead of being a novelty, Lunarcy! turns into something more – an intimate portrait about why we dream. The film fights for the idea that no matter how unobtainable your aims are, they’re justified because they’re a part of you. Lunarcy! is a gem that deserves mainstream attention. DIE THOMANER: A YEAR IN THE LIFE OF THE ST. THOMAS BOYS CHOIR LEIPZIG Die Thomaner: A Year in the Life of...
by Logan Butts | Apr 18, 2013 | Opinion, Sports
After a season full of surprising upstarts, fantastic play, intriguing storylines and the Miami Heat Harlem Shake video, I am more than ready for this year’s NBA playoffs. With an unbelievably talented Western Conference and everyone in the Eastern Conference gunning for the Heat’s throne, this is shaping up to be one of the best playoffs in a decade. Let’s jump right in to my 2013 NBA playoff predictions. All seeds are my projections. Eastern Conference First Round 1. Miami Heat vs. 8. Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings and Monta Ellis will have a game where they catch fire and score a combined 60 points, which will be the only thing keeping this series from being a sweep. 2. New York Knicks vs. 7. Boston Celtics: If Rajon Rondo were still healthy, this series would be much different. The return of all their injured players, combined with the hot streak Carmelo Anthony is on, makes this series a fairly easy one for New York. 3. Indiana Pacers vs. 6. Atlanta Hawks: Josh Smith and company will end their streak of second round exits this year…by exiting in the first round. The Pacers balanced play should win them the series. 4. Brooklyn Nets vs. 5. Chicago Bulls: This Bulls team will not go away. Without the injured Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah, they still somehow managed to capture the fifth seed in the East. I think their toughness will be enough to knock out Deron Williams and the underachieving Nets. Second Round 1. Miami Heat vs. 5. Chicago Bulls: Even though the gritty Bulls ended the Miami Heat’s record-approaching win streak,...
by Erika Thornsberry | Mar 23, 2013 | Opinion
Brentwood’s Sportsman’s Lodge offers a perfect family getaway meal without straying far from the Lipscomb neighborhood. While diners expect a long wait in line on a Saturday night, the large size of the Sportsman’s Grille eliminated that problem, and the four of us were seated as soon as we entered. There is plenty of space to have a large amount of tables. The seating is extremely comfortable and each person has enough space for themselves. But of course there’s more than comfortable seating. There is comfort food. For starters, there are about 12 different food items you can choose from including chicken tenders, fried mozzarella sticks, onion rings, salsa and chips. We selected the cheese-smothered fries, and it did not take long for my table to have two plates completely cleaned. The best word to describe them is mouthwatering. The restaurant’s signature dishes consist of roasted, smoked ribs, hand-breaded catfish, barbecue on Cajun cornbread and large fresh salads. One person in my group tried a salad. She chose the salmon salad, which came in a large bowl giving her more than enough to eat. I tried a dish that I really have never seen at any other place, “Black Jack” Chicken. It is blackened chicken with Monterey Jack cheese and spicy mustard on a toasted hoagie roll. I enjoy the taste of spicy food, and this was the normal spicy that comes to mind, but it has its own taste. The jack cheese and spicy mustard sauce compliment each other well, and the blackened chicken adds its own spice to the sandwich. It definitely has its original taste, and it is something...
by Erica Aburto | Mar 15, 2013 | News Slider, Opinion
Whether it’s going to Key West, FL or serving on a mission trip overseas, spring break is a time college students use to relax, kick back and enjoy the view. However, this is also the time of the year swindlers and crooks come out and prey on potential and unsuspecting victims. To ensure your spring break experience is as safe as possible, Lipscomb Security and Safety’s Patrick Cameron offers a few helpful tips. 1.) Be aware of your surroundings. “You want to make sure that you’re alert. You very much want to be aware of what’s going on around you,” Cameron said. 2.) Travel together “You want to travel in a group. Always take at least a partner wherever you go,” Cameron said. 3.) Keep valuables hidden “You don’t want to flash a lot of valuables. Make sure you keep your money in your purse and safe. You want to limit your exposure,” Cameron said 4.) Always be visible. “When you do travel, travel in well-lit areas. Make sure you travel in safe parts of town,” Cameron said. 5.) Remember Christ in everything you do. “Every Christian can have fun and enjoy his/herself, but remember that everything you do is a reflection upon you, your family, Lipscomb but, most importantly, Christ,” Cameron said. “All your actions should be something that Christ could be proud of. You want everything you do to be an example of Christ, and that everything you do is a reflection of your relationship with...
