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movie review: ‘The Host’ a most pathetic film
Dear “Twilight” fans, do not waste your money or time on this sad excuse for a Stephanie Meyer’s book-turned-movie. No, there is no epic love story and no, the guys aren’t nice to look at either. Set in a post-civilized society, “The Host” deals with the idea of alien souls inhabiting human bodies. It’s a strange concept to begin with, but the idea had some remnants of potential. Melanie Stryder (Saoirse Ronan) is one of the last few humans on the planet. After witnessing her father’s suicide, she ventures on a mission for survival with her little brother. Shortly after the film begins, this struggle fails. She is captured and taken over by a Soul named Wanderer. The Soul is an innocent and beautiful being, unaware of the harmful ways of its people, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Arts & Entertainment
Celebrity film critic, Roger Ebert’s living legacy
“Thank you. Forty-six years ago on April 3, 1967, I became the film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. Some of you have read my reviews and columns and even written to me since that time. Others were introduced to my film criticism through the television show, my books, the website, the film festival, or the Ebert Club and newsletter. However you came to know me, I’m glad you did and thank you for being the best readers any film critic could ask for.” Roger Ebert wrote these words April 2, two days before his death. He continued to explain how his health is rapidly declining and he will not be able to review as many movies in the future. Coming from his usual 200 reviews a year, most expected his drop … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
Remembering Aaron: UMKC mourns loss of conservatory student
Instead of wearing black, those whose lives were touched by Aaron Makarian remembered the slain Conservatory student by wearing blue, his favorite color, to his visitation last Friday and a candlelight vigil held Sunday night. Markarian was an aspiring opera singer and senior in the UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance who was murdered in his Brookside Boulevard home on March 21. Markarian sang in many stage plays, including a rendition of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” performed the Sunday four days before his death. “He was complicated, talented, brilliant, funny and fearless,” said Marciem Bazell, the conservatory’s director of opera. “He was the first one to rehearsal, where he would fling himself all over the rehearsal space warming up the physical part of all his roles and looking for a spark that would … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
UMKC announces B.S. in Clownology for fall 2013
Starting fall 2013, the College of Arts and Sciences will be adding a degree in Clownology to its degree options. Dr. Francis Bozo, Professor of Face Painting, first imagined adding a degree aimed toward the study of being a clown in 1963 after a famous television clown hit his peak. “I was just relaxing and watching some television when I saw this show about an unusual red-haired clown,” Bozo said. “I started thinking what all goes into being a clown, so I began researching.” Bozo was working toward his Ph.D at the Clown Conservatory in San Francisco, when he decided to change his thesis paper idea. “I was originally doing my thesis on the abstract study and analysis of painting the face,” he said. “Then the idea hit me. There was so much potential … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Movie Review: ‘Admission’ not worth the price
From the people that brought you “American Pie,” “Mean Girls” and “Knocked Up” comes the failure of a comedy “Admission,” which proves to contain cheesy dialogue and never ending emotions mixed in with nothing out of the realm of average. What’s the secret to getting in? This is the age-old question that has sought answers from both universities and Hollywood, and “Admission” fails to provide a suitable answer. Take two of the funniest people in Hollywood and most would expect the answer to be hilarious, but no. Tina Fey is nothing more than a dull crybaby and Paul Rudd is a completely average human being. Portia Nathan (Fey) is a veteran Princeton admissions officer who leads a relatively ordinary life. She’s been in a stable, but boring, relationship for the past 10 years, … Read entire article »
Filed under: Arts & Entertainment
Movie Review: ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ delves into loss, mental anguish and healing
Yes, “Silver Linings Playbook” is phenomenal by every definition of the word. With an all-star cast, hilarious-yet-serious moments and a touching storyline, this undersold film is the year’s top Oscar-nominated films still playing in theatres. Although it was released several months ago, this film still hasn’t received the recognition it deserves. The only buzz it received was during Oscar season, and still, the moviegoers have overlooked this phenomenal film. Life has rough moments, some worse than others, and Pat (Bradley Cooper) is dealing with the worst of it. He lost everything including his house, his job and his wife after nearly beating her lover to death. He is forced to spend eight months in a mental institution where he is diagnosed with bipolar disorder. After striking a plea bargain, he is able to … Read entire article »
Filed under: Arts & Entertainment
Nursing and Health Studies: School changes its name, dean appointed to Health Commission
The UMKC School of Nursing changed its name on March 4 to the UMKC School of Nursing and Health Studies. The name change was enacted in order to meet greater needs in the community. “We wanted a name that more closely represents the breadth of offerings we are providing,” said Lora Lacey-Haun, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Studies. In 2011, the school added a Bachelor of Health Sciences degree, making the School of Nursing reach beyond just nursing students. The school now trains professionals to direct hospital procedures, lead community outreach operations and manage health records. “The program has become increasingly popular, growing from an initial enrollment of 20 students to more than 200 today,” Lacey-Haun said. “We believe the program will have more than 500 students in the near future.” Last fall, … Read entire article »
Filed under: News
Movie Review: ‘Oz the Great and Powerful’ as the title suggests
With Sam Raimi, Disney and an all-star cast, Oz has no choice but to be great and powerful. Filmed in a world of beauty and magic, “Oz the Great and Powerful” fulfills its legacy in the 3-D fantasy Land of Oz. Oscar Diggs, “Oz,” (James Franco) may seem like just an ordinary circus “wizard,” but fate had another plan. After escaping a mob angered by his less-than-magical abilities and questionable ethics, Oz jumps into a hot air balloon only to be sucked in to the eye of a tornado. For the first time in 3-D, the audience is taken inside a tornado where debris is flying relentlessly. Rubble soars into the theatre aisles as audience members dodge with an almost life-like fear as the 3-D animation takes audience members on an exciting journey. Once Oz … Read entire article »
Filed under: Arts & Entertainment
Oscar reflections
Seth MacFarlane did a wonderful job hosting the Oscars despite his racial comments, sexist remarks and all-around crude humor, but that is what he is known for, after all. When asking the creator of “Ted” and “Family Guy” to host the Oscars, no one expected the content to be enjoyable for the whole family. Besides his R-rated humor, MacFarlane shines with his hilarious snide remarks and brilliant vocal styling. Who even knew he could sing? The show began with William Shatner aka Captain Kirk from Star Trek appearing and telling MacFarlane how the paper will rate him as the worst Oscar host ever. So, of course MacFarlane follows that remark by singing a song about female nudity in film. Although crude, this song was extremely laughable and entertaining. Shatner continued to mention how MacFarlane … Read entire article »
Filed under: Arts & Entertainment
’80s nostalgia registers with students today
I don’t know about all of you, but I’m pretty sick of the 2000’s. The majority of our music is crap and our movies aren’t much better, besides rare exceptions. These last few months, we witnessed the best of the best with Grammy and Oscar season, but unless it’s between the months of October and December, chances are the entertainment value is greatly diminished. The ‘90s weren’t horrible, but they led way to the cheesy boy bands and unrealistic teenage fantasies. Movies were decent, but definitely nothing compared to the preceding decade: the 1980’s. Let’s begin with the music. Although music is not my area of expertise, it deserves a brief mention. Paul Simon, the Clash, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper, Metallica, U2, Nirvana, Madonna, Bon Jovi, Michael Jackson and Prince are just a … Read entire article »
Filed under: Opinion
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