by Cory Woodroof | Jul 23, 2012 | Uncategorized
The Dark Knight, Christopher Nolan’s iconic follow-up to Batman Begins, has nothing left to prove. It’s one of the few films of the last decade to solidify its classic status – a film that impacted and influenced cinema in a way that will forever shape the idea of what a superhero movie is and what it can be. When plans were announced for a third installment – a follow-up to one of the most successful films of all time – many wondered if Nolan would be able to create a product that could top The Dark Knight. The idea of a sequel being better than its predecessor isn’t that hard to grasp. Time after time, we’ve seen second installments all but eclipse the films they follow. Third installments, though, are another ball game. Time after time, these efforts are written off as money-grabbing exploits that wring out every last bit of creative zest the said franchises have left. Rare films like Toy Story 3, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi managed to give worthy closes to their franchises – beloved products that honor the films that precede them. Thankfully The Dark Knight Rises has joined that small group of worthy “threequels.” In the grandest sense possible, Nolan wanted to give his Batman series a proper send-off – a definitive end to a story that he has spent over seven years crafting. In many ways, Nolan succeeded in giving the franchise an ending worthy of the first two films. This fact alone is worth celebrating. But did he top...
by Cory Woodroof | Jul 10, 2012 | News Slider, Sports
The Lipscomb men’s basketball team will travel to historic Rupp Arena to play the defending national champion Kentucky Wildcats on Dec. 15. The Wildcats last played the Bisons in Lexington during the 2005-2006 season, resulting in a 67-49 victory for Kentucky. Men’s basketball Head Coach Scott Sanderson expressed his excitement for the upcoming game. “Any team that plays Kentucky is going to be excited about it. There is a difference,” Sanderson said. “We have played at North Carolina, at Memphis and N.C. State. We have played in a lot of places, and by far, that is the best atmosphere I have ever been in for playing a college basketball game.” For Sanderson, this represents a unique occasion for the Bisons. “When people think of college basketball they think of Kentucky,” Sanderson said. “To be able to play those guys in Rupp Arena, like we did in 2005, is a great opportunity for the program and for the university.” The men’s full 2012-2013 schedule is set to be released next week, which will include other non-conference matchups. Those looking for tickets can contact the Kentucky box office at (859) 257-1818. (Quotes and information courtesy of the Lipscomb athletic department. Photo from USA...
by Cory Woodroof | Jun 22, 2012 | Uncategorized
After Cars 2, I began to wonder if Pixar’s magic was on a brief hiatus. Sure, Cars 2 isn’t a horrible film. It has some decent qualities, but the entire film just lacks the usual Pixar flair. As a frequent movie-goer, I have to admit that missing that yearly feeling of Pixar awe and wonder really left a hole in my cinematic heart. There’s just something about Pixar films that give viewers a special feeling. Thinking back on Ratatouille, I remember the flashback sequence to food critic Anton Ego’s childhood – that moment of serene bliss when old Ego remembers the feeling of a home-cooked meal. It’s one of my favorite moments in any movie ever. It’s what I feel when I watch movies that I love – many of them opening with the Pixar logo. So after Cars 2 disappointed, I began to wonder if that feeling would ever come back. Brave, the 13th Pixar film, brought back a few shreds of Pixar’s warmth, but not the entire feeling. The original fairy tale helped me remember some of the magic from Pixar’s past, but at the end, I just didn’t get full closure. Brave is a very well done Disney movie, but is it a great Pixar movie? That’s the question at hand. Brave is both an experiment and a dance in the comfort zone for Pixar. While this is the studio’s first fairy tale, Brave features so many staple features of the studio’s lineage of hits that it almost feels as if Pixar is treading light water. While Brave could have used the fierce stamp of originality...
by Cory Woodroof | Jun 22, 2012 | Uncategorized
Both committed fans and casual shoppers found a special treat awaiting them in the parking lot of the new Walmart by One Hundred Oaks Mall, Thursday afternoon. Nashville became the day’s stop on The Tumbler Tour, a special showcase featuring two vehicles from The Dark Knight trilogy. The tour is currently promoting the upcoming Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises. Fans dressed in Batman attire to greet the vehicles, while other on-lookers also joined in on the fun. Besides getting an exclusive look at some of the most recognizable on-screen wheels in recent cinema, free posters for the upcoming The Dark Knight Rises were made available for those in attendance. A few lucky attendees in Batman regalia were given screening passes for an advance showing of the movie. Those in civilian wear were given a chance to win tickets to the same screening. Some even say that Batman himself graced the event. Jim Johnson, one of the on-site drivers for the vehicles, gets the opportunity to both load and unload the massive Tumbler and Batpod. Johnson said he enjoys getting to see all the fans express their excitement for both the vehicles and upcoming sequel. “It’s pretty nice,” Johnson said. “Everybody gets excited.” One of Johnson’s on-site duties also involves starting the Tumbler, giving the audience an example of its powerful, roaring engine – a job Johnson finds “pretty fun.” The Tumbler Tour will continue to venture across the nation in anticipation for The Dark Knight Rises, which hits theaters and IMAX on July 20. See some pictures below!...
by Cory Woodroof | Jun 11, 2012 | Uncategorized
In the film world, Prometheus has been arguably one of the most anticipated projects in quite some time. Seeing director Sir Ridley Scott return to the genre that made him famous with Alien has been a fanboy’s genie wish for ages. Having Scott return to the Alien universe? Don’t even get some people started. Prometheus initially started out as a straight prequel to Alien. Eventual co-writer John Spaihts created a draft for the prequel, but when the film headed in a different direction, elements of Spaihts’ story remained intact. Lost co-creator Damon Lindelof then took the reins and largely crafted the movie seen today. Both received credit for their work. If I can say anything about Prometheus, I’ll say that this factor looms heavily over the final product. In a brilliantly maddening way, Prometheus lives up to the hype of its ideas but drops the ball when it comes to narrative coherence. A film that tries too hard to be something that it is and probably shouldn’t be (an Alien quasi-prequel), Prometheus suffers from not being able to be its own film, but then again, some of the key plot points would not have received their greatness without a connection to the Alien universe. See where I’m at? Let’s start with what works before I get all flustered. Story-wise, just know a crew of space explorers aboard the Prometheus (led by Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, funded by Peter Weyland – a dying industry titan) head to a new planet to discover answers about the beginning of mankind. Once arrived, the crew finds out certain, terrifying truths that might alter the...
