Brad Pitt knocks one out of the park with Moneyball

by | Sep 20, 2011 | News Slider

I really don’t think there is anything Brad Pitt can’t do. While some uneducated film-goers may write him off as one of Hollywood’s hollow “pretty boys”, most film lovers recognize that Pitt is one of the best actors in cinema right now. In Moneyball (based off the novel Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game), Pitt takes the reigns and delivers a fantastic performance as Billy Beane, the GM of the Oakland A’s. Billy Beane’s life revolves around baseball. He, in his glory days, was a star baseball player who was taken into the major leagues right out of high school. Beane’s journey in the major leagues drives his desire for success. Now the manager for a mediocre organization, he loses  three major players and looks ahead to the future. His world is turned upside down when he meets Peter Brand (Jonah Hill). Brand, a scout for a rival organization, has a method of baseball that will change the method of scouting (and baseball) forever. Beane is quick to take Brand away from his old job and offer him a position with the A’s. The duo work together to craft a great team on the A’s meager budget and prove their naysayers wrong. The film follows the A’s 2002 season, as well as gives a striking character study of Beane. This is not just a movie about baseball. This is an engrossing look into the life of a man who is willing to do everything he can to be successful, even if it means approaching a radical method of carrying out business. The film itself depends on Pitt’s...

Advocate Teresa Williams supports students

by | Sep 14, 2011 | News Slider

Director of Student Advocacy Teresa Williams describes her position as “helping students in any way they need help whether it’s walking them through difficult processes, trying to resolve issues or providing academic coaching and advising.” She sums it up as: “basically meeting the student’s needs, whatever they are.” Her job is to help students meet their full potential while at Lipscomb.  But she also knows that a lot of students aren’t aware that this kind of help is available. In a nutshell, her position allows her to be a liaison between students and faculty to ensure the student’s feelings, issues and opportunities are addressed properly and in a timely manner. Williams says the most important thing she can do for students is to help them get past that “thing” they believe is insurmountable. She says she seeks to relieve stress and to help students enjoy the learning process. During her nine years at Lipscomb, she has spent a lot of time in the academic office working with probationary students, addressing problems and helping them get back on the right track. When the Director of Student Advocacy position became available five years ago, she said it fit ther passions. Her role includes issues ranging from financial counseling for tuition to helping students understand policies in particular classes or possibly mediate between students and faculty if they truly don’t understand each other. The hoped-for result is to promote an environment in which students and faculty can thrive, learn and teach without hiccups. Williams wants students to know that working with them is her favorite part of the job. “It’s hard to know where to go, or what to do,” she said. “I’m...

Redbox Report (Sept. 13-19)

by | Sep 13, 2011 | News Slider, Opinion

REDBOX REPORT (September 13th-19th) As September gives us new weather and an onslaught of sinus infections (seriously…is everyone sick?), here are a few recommendations to consider before you make your trip to the Redbox. THOR (PG-13, 114 minutes-featuring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, and Anthony Hopkins) *BLU-RAY OPTION (If you own a Blu-Ray player/PS3, I’d totally suggest going for the extra fifty cents on this title.) If you are one of the few people who have not yet paid a visit to Asgard, then I’d suggest you go ahead and do so. Thor was one of the summer’s best blockbusters, mixing in a smart script, some great acting, a few moments of humor, and some great action sequences. Hemsworth owned the role of Thor, and Hiddleston made for a wonderful Loki. If you have any desire to be ready for when The Avengers make their mark next summer, then I’d wholeheartedly recommend Thor. It’s a fun ride, and for a dollar, it’s worth every penny. SOURCE CODE (PG-13, 93 minutes-featuring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, and Jeffrey Wright) *BLU-RAY OPTION RECOMMENDED This film has been out for a while now, but if you haven’t yet picked it up, it’s a must. The film could almost be considered a distant cousin of Inception. I won’t spoil anything here, but if you enjoyed Inception (which is nearly everyone who saw it), then you would enjoy Source Code-hands down. The cast is great, the plot is quite ingenious, and the runtime is nothing too overbearing. This is a neat science-fiction film that went under many people’s radars during its initial...