How would one train a dragon? Is it similar to training a dog or cat? Some would think it the most difficult, if not impossible, task to accomplish. Why? Because dragons are fire-breathing monsters; they ravage villages and kill any human that stands in their way. But what if there is more to these monstrous beasts than meets the eye? What if they ... [Read More…]
Followers ‘lost’ after series finale
It's happening. The end of the world is near. Okay, not really, but one of the greatest eras in TV history is coming to a close within the next month, and life as we know it might never be the same again. Judge me if you must, but ABC's hit drama series, Lost, has only four episodes left, and I'm starting to freak out a bit for a few ... [Read More…]
Roller-derby film a heartwarming first effort
If you describe a movie with the words Ellen Page, roller-derby racing and Drew Barrymore, everyone will automatically think, "Chick flick." Don't be too quick to judge. Drew Barrymore's directorial debut, Whip It, is a heartwarming success that surpasses girly and touches on young adulthood dreams and romance. Released this week, Whip It is an ... [Read More…]
Popular alumni group returns to Abilene for show
By Joel Dallas My favorite way to judge a live performance is to observe the interaction between the performers and the crowd. The Hunters and Gatherers, a band of ACU alums based out of Austin, brought in a formidable crowd at Abilene's The Hideaway recently. They lived up to their reputation for putting on a rollicking show, charging the air in ... [Read More…]
‘Aim and Ignite’ provides fun. tunes for Format fans
By David McMichael A fan of The Format? If you're a well-adjusted person who enjoys the good things in life - e.g., puppies, pancakes, bubble wrap - you should be. Take a second to look them up on YouTube if you don't already have some of their music. fun. is The Format's Nate Ruess' new musical odyssey - yes, the lowercase "f" and period are ... [Read More…]
Tarantino film a ‘pleasant’ surprise
By Tara Elzey One comes to expect many things of a "traditional" Tarantino film. For example, it seems guaranteed there will be many gruesome and eye-covering bash scenes, crisscrossing plot lines, several characters played by the usual actors - Samuel L. Jackson has a nifty voice over - new catch-phrases and a Quentin cameo - which is, ... [Read More…]
Adaptation of ‘unfilmable’ novel surprises
By Blake Penfield, Student Reporter The vindication of the comic book nerd continues. While the common folk were piling on the 300 bandwagon and The Dark Knight was smashing every conceivable commercial and critical record, the comic book nerds quietly were blowing a collective raspberry and touting, "I told you so!" to a world that had once ... [Read More…]
Oscar-Wild: One critic’s take on the pomp, politics and popcorn
By Blake Penfield, Student Reporter Allow me to preface this list of summaries, predications and opinions by offering a quick commentary on the Academy's Best Picture nominations for this year. They are, in a word, abysmal. Only two of these films deserve their place on a Best Picture list and, consequently, several more-deserving films have been ... [Read More…]
‘Gran Torino’ showcases Eastwood’s sensitivity, skill
By Blake Penfield, Student Writer Read Comments Getting older brings a lot of changes in your life. You have to squint to be able to recognize the person waving ten feet away. Your hair loses all color and then completely secedes from the scalp union. You begin to feel a growing resentment for all things new and different until, in a state of ... [Read More…]
Stone’s controversial film hits middle mark
By Blake Penfield, Contributing Writer Director Oliver Stone surprised a lot of folks with his willingness to address extremely tender and controversial modern events with 2006's World Trade Center. Most people did not quite know what to think - was it too soon? Was it morally permissible to profit financially from the single greatest tragedy our ... [Read More…]