by Cory Woodroof | Sep 24, 2012 | Opinion
While Clint Eastwood has recently been grabbing headlines with his RNC “empty chair” speech, let’s try to remember that this guy is one of the greats. Many believed Eastwood, a master-class actor and director, had made his grand exit from acting with 2008’s deeply affecting “Gran Torino.” But roughly four years later, Eastwood is back in his longtime collaborator’s (Robert Lorenz) first directorial effort. “Trouble with the Curve” suffers from its silly desire to be too much at once. First-time director Lorenz wanted this movie to be a moving sports drama, an affecting story about family and a 90s-era Disney comedy with bite. The film takes an almost Hallmark-ian approach to its material, giving its characters forced relationships, contrived dialogue and eye-rolling sentimentality. It’s a hammy affair, for sure – one anchored in a sea of sap. Eastwood stars as Gus Lobel, a veteran talent scout for the Atlanta Braves who is on the other end of his career. After realizing that his eyesight might be not up to par with that of a younger individual, he decides to make one last trip to North Carolina to see if a highly regarded high school player is worth a top draft pick. Eastwood’s busybody lawyer daughter Mickey (Amy Adams), who doesn’t exactly have a close relationship with her grumbly pop, reluctantly joins her father on the trip to help him with the scouting process (at the behest of John Goodman’s concerned head of scouting, Pete). While there, the duo runs into Justin Timberlake’s affable Johnny Flannigan (a fellow scout and former player), who, naturally, takes a liking to Mickey. Performance...
by Cory Woodroof | Feb 6, 2012 | Opinion, Sports
Last night, yet another football team who beat my precious Atlanta Falcons went on to win the Super Bowl, yet another half time show kept me trying to improve my score at Temple Run, and yet another bunch of commercials aired that require my cold, critical opinion. So, join me in breaking down this year’s best and worst Super Bowl commercials! THE BEST: DORITOS, VW, SKETCHERS, SUZUKI, and CHRYSLER This year, the dogs led the pack of commercials in quality, ranging from a dog with a secret, a dog with a goal, a group of dogs with a new ride and a dog with a nice pair of Sketchers. Doritos has provided viewers with solid commercials over the past few years, and thankfully, they decided to provide yet another gem. The ad, simply entitled “Man’s Best Friend”, featured a sneaky canine who through a package of Doritos, gets away with a crime that would send shivers down any cat lover’s spine. The carmakers VW, whose 2011 ad featured the beloved Vader Kid, gave us the heartwarming plight of a large dog with the goal of slimming down to fit through the doggie-door (to chase a VW, mind you). Through his training, he managed to win the hearts of every viewer in the process. After the ad, viewers re-enter the Star Wars universe to see the loungers at the Mos Eisley cantina debating on whether this year’s lovable commercial matched up with the heartwarming tale of Vader Kid. I loved it. Suzuki offered us an Eskimo who decides to trade in his sled for, you guessed it, a new Suzuki....
by Brynn Watkins | Jan 11, 2012 | Opinion
Once in their life everyone wants to embrace their inner cowboy, or cowgirl… cow person? When I get the sudden urge to lasso up some Western duds, I hop on my mustang or automobile and head to Katy K Designs. This fun western store is button down and boot central with looks that will give a sure fire John Wayne or Clint Eastwood impression. You’ll look like you just wrestled some cattle down on the farm! Who doesn’t want to look that prime? Katy K Designs has vintage western duds, hats and maybe even the occasional spur or two bursting from its rustic shelves. Do you like rock and roll? This store screams for the classics such as the King, Elvis himself. You can pick up some swank rock and roll posters to turn your dorm room from swing low to swing central. Whether you’re a stud muffin or a sassy broad, Katy K Designs is your home front. So hop on your stang, covered wagon, or transportation of choice and check out Katy K Designs, a unique store that will whip you into shape…though not literally. Happy Shopping! Katy K Designs is located at 2407 12th Avenue South · Nashville, Tennessee U.S.A. Hours: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m. / Saturday noon-6 p.m. / Sunday 1 p.m.-5...
by Jadrienne Myhre | Nov 11, 2010 | Opinion
Connecting with the dead may have some appeal, but as far as movies are concerned, it is important to connect to the audience. And in this department, Hereafter is dead on arrival. Why? Because there is no climax or storyline, and no character development. Each of the characters is troubled, but instead of developing the characters or offering a moral lesson, after 129 minutes the movie simply, well, ends. There is nothing. The characters stay confused and simply leave once they get a psychic reading from Matt Damon’s character, George Lonegan. The three characters – Marcus, Marie, Malorie – are troubled by events from their pasts. Marcus’ older brother dies, Marie has a near-death experience, Malorie, who has unresolved conflict with her father in her past, drops out of the story half-way through the film and never surfaces again. Damon’s character is a middle-aged psychic who no longer wants his job, but seems to have no development and no resolution. In the beginning of the film, he is frustrated with his brother for exploiting his psychic ability, and confused about what to do. At the end, he leaves for England, still frustrated and confused. The movie as a whole lacked resolution. It felt more like a snapshot than a story. None of the characters get resolution, just readings. For George Lonegan, there is no indication that his struggle is ever resolved or even justified. Perhaps there was some subtle closure in George getting the “normal relationship” he wanted at the end of the film, but for the average audience member, this is hardly satisfying. Directed by Clint Eastwood, this film is rated...
