by Cory Woodroof | Aug 14, 2012 | Opinion
Shameless cash grab just seems too harsh – even if there is truth in the statement. Those were the words that ran across my mind as I exited the theater of The Bourne Legacy. As a new fan of the original trilogy, I’m quite honestly disappointed by the newest Bourne outing. Sure, there’s nothing too new about the approach – we follow a rouge agent on the run with a girl while government officials use their powers to try and stay one step behind. While the first three films in the Bourne series were engaging, The Bourne Legacy just feels exhausted. Tony Gilroy’s (a writer on the first three Bourne films) first directorial try at the franchise ends up being a muddled piece of seldom entertainment – coasting off the likability of its cast and a few paperback-worthy developments. The story takes in the ripple effects of Jason Bourne’s actions in the third film. As the CIA begins to get rid of their other secret programs, one in particular called Outcome becomes the center of attention. Aaron Cross (Jeremy Renner), the new Bourne, so to speak, is an outcome agent who managed to evade the group’s mandatory terminations (all who were involved got the cut). As Cross begins to wonder why he is being targeted, he comes across a doctor from his past (Rachel Weisz) who helps him on his quest for answers. This time around, Edward Norton’s Eric Byer and Stacy Keach’s Mark Turso are the ones in the control room barking orders – hoping to eliminate Cross to cover their tracks. Franchise players David Strathairn (the villainous Noah...
![[Photos] Student center, other renovations almost complete](http://luminationnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/IMG_0341-300x2241.jpg)
by Emily Snell | Aug 8, 2012 | News Slider
Renovations to the student center, including adding Auntie Anne’s and Zebi along with new tables, chairs, booths and flooring, are almost complete. As previously reported by Lumination, the university bookstore and Uncle Dave’s have moved to the lower level of the student center in the old Arlo’s location. Auntie Anne’s and Zebi, pictured below, are in the former bookstore space. There will also be a lounge area with new carpet, booth seating, extra tables and chairs, and a small performance stage in one corner. According to Tom Wood, director of campus enhancement, the food court area will have new floor tiles, and new tables and chairs by the time classes start. Wood said the changes will give “a wow effect.” “There’s a lot of interior improvements to the student center,” he said. “I think it will be something they will really enjoy. I think there are some great things happening in the student center.” Numerous changes have occurred on campus during the summer, including improvements to McFarland, the Student Activities Center, McQuiddy and Elam. Also, a new track, located at the high school football field, is almost complete, and according to Wood, it will fulfill NCAA requirements. Changes to the track included putting in drainage systems, new asphalt and even reconfiguring the track. The track’s new asphalt was poured about a week ago and has to sit for 30 days before the track surface can be put in place. “We had to reconfigure it because the previous track did not meet NCAA standards, so we changed some slopes and changed some lengths and things like that,” Wood said. “It’s been a pretty...
by Cory Woodroof | Aug 4, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
Per Aberdeen News, a film focused on former Lipscomb men’s basketball Coach Don Meyer is being planned. The filmmakers hope to shoot in both Nashville and Aberdeen, S.D. (home of Northern State University – the school where Meyer coached until his retirement in 2010). The film’s producers were scouting on location in Aberdeen this past week. The independent film, currently going by the working title of My Many Sons, has yet to be fully cast but hopes to secure funding and talent to begin production this year. The project is reportedly attracting notable names and anticipates a release window of 2013. The newly founded Moonglow Films will head up the project, with Hollywood veteran Brad Wilson serving as a producer. Carol Miller will serve as the screenwriter and a co-producer. Director Ralph E. Portillo will helm the project. Miller reportedly interviewed former Lipscomb and NSU players and read the biographical books How Lucky You Can Be: The Don Meyer Story and Playing for Coach Meyer to prepare for the screenplay. She also met with Meyer to discuss the project. The script has completed its first draft and is currently being re-written. Lipscomb alum Casey Bond, a former MLB player who recently starred in the 2011 film Moneyball, will have a role in the film in addition to having a producer’s credit. The idea for the film reportedly came to light when Lipscomb administration told Bond last fall that he should pursue making a movie about Meyer. Bond was very keen on the idea, and he pitched the project to Moonglow Films. “I just had an epiphany on how this movie...
by Cory Woodroof | Aug 1, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
Michael Phelps, the world-renowned Olympic swimmer, won gold during Tuesday’s 4×200 freestyle relay alongside teammates Ryan Lochte, Conor Dwyer and Ricky Berens. Phelps also earned his 19th medal – an honor that solidified him as the most decorated Olympian of all time. Phelps netted his 17th and 18th medals, both silvers, during the 4×100 freestyle relay and 200 meter butterfly races. With 19 medals, Phelps passes Larisa Latynina, who won 18 medals for gymnastics during the 50s and 60s. Latynina was present for the race in which Phelps won his 19th medal. “Phelps deserves the record,” Latynina told the New York Times through an interpreter. “He is such a talented sportsman.” Phelps broke records four years ago when, in Beijing, he received eight gold medals for swimming, breaking Mark Spitz’ long-standing record of seven gold medals accumulated during one set of Olympic games. Phelps was also named Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year in 2008. Phelps has confirmed he will retire from professional swimming after the 2012 London games. Photo courtesy of The Los Angeles...
by Cory Woodroof | Jul 27, 2012 | Opinion
I dare you to find a film released in 2012 that offers more originality, heart and sheer bewilderment than Beasts of the Southern Wild. With Beasts, first time director Benh Zeitlin manages to do what most veteran filmmakers cannot – create a uniquely uplifting story with a realized atmosphere and grand ambition. Honestly, Beasts of the Southern Wild is one of the most staggeringly original products to come out of Hollywood in recent memory (even though it’s an adaptation of a stage play). The film follows Hushpuppy (newcomer Quvenzhané Wallis), a young child living with her hard-drinking father Wink (Dwight Henry, another fresh face) in the Bathtub – a community on the outskirts of Louisiana blocked off from the rest of the United States by a gigantic levy. The citizens of the Bathtub take their community pride to heart, throwing large celebrations with no other reason than to celebrate their existence. To the people of the Bathtub, their pride fuels their way of life – Wink and Hushpuppy being no exception. But when a terrible oncoming storm threatens their home, many residents flee. Wink and Hushpuppy stay alongside a handful of others, believing in the power of their pride. Besides the impending weather, Hushpuppy faces other issues. Wink is slowly dying. Although she’s only a child, Hushpuppy must quickly rise to the occasion, becoming the film’s unsung hero in the midst of her strife. She longs for her long-lost mother but still manages to perk up the enthusiasm to leave behind signs for “scientists in the future” of her and her father’s predicament. As the storm closes in, her...
