by Tia Calvin | Feb 4, 2020 | News Slider, Opinion, Sports
The Kansas City Chiefs stormed back in the last seven minutes to beat the San Francisco 49ers 31-20 during Super Bowl LIV Sunday, but those two teams weren’t the only ones battling for a spot on top. Because of the game’s massive annual viewership, the commercials aired before, during, and after the game can earn brands millions or set them millions behind. According to Fox Sports, some advertisers paid a record-breaking $5.6 million for their spots. But did any of that cash pay off by making connections … or selling products… to viewers? This year, companies used obscure humor and all-star celebrity cameos to make their products pop. In this list, we counted down the best and the worst of 2020’s Super Bowl Commercials. Best of the Best Google: “Remember” Google has an affinity year after year to pull at our heartstrings with age-old themes like love and sacrifice. This year’s ad is no different. Loretta tells the story of an elderly man, who calls on the app’s “Hey Google” feature to recall the moments and memories of his late wife that he never wants to forget. It’s original, creative, and heartfelt with just enough whimsy to make you smile through your tears. In short, it’s a truly well-done love story told with beautiful imagery that will leave you sobbing. Amazon: “Before Alexa” It’s a simple truth that everyone loves Ellen. So when the talk show mogul and her wife, Portia De Rossi, question what life was like before Amazon’s Alexa, hilarity is sure to ensue. The commercial gives us some memorable, historical iterations of Alexa from a medieval...
by LeBron Hill | Apr 12, 2019 | Arts and Entertainment, News Slider, Opinion
Childhood is one of the most memorable times in our life — a time where dreams of becoming princesses, astronauts and cowboys are never questioned — when being a superhero was as easy as climbing up the top of the stairs with a blanket tied to your neck, jumping as far as you can, until being defeated by the ultimate super villain. Gravity. Shazam takes those memories, along with action, humor and childhood antics and then wraps it up all in one for a great time for everyone. Zachary Levi (Shazam) was a dark horse for the role of the Great Wizard once the movie was announced in 2017, but his performance captures the warmness and wit that makes Shazam such a great character in all of comic books. Billy Batson (Asher Angel) has been in the foster care system since he was a young child, and he’s only had one person to look out for — himself. That changes when a family takes in the rebellious teen. While reluctantly adjusting to life with a family, he encounters the Great Wizard, Shazam, who champions Batson and bestows his powers to him when Batson says one word, SHAZAM! The highlight of the film is the accuracy of how it would be should a 14-year-old boy actually be granted super powers. The child in everyone relates to Billy with his decisions while being the Great Champion. Again, Levi does an amazing job of harnessing the joy and newness of youth. Angel also gives a wonderful performance as the rebellious teenager creating a sense of understanding from the audience. Originality of Shazam’s...
by Rachel Pavelich | Jan 14, 2019 | Fashion, News Slider
Hello friends! Happy New Year! To start off 2019, I thought it would be fun to look back at six past decades and the fashion trends of each of them. In addition to seeing the styles shift every decade, there are ways to incorporate aspects of each of these decades into your wardrobe today. I was thrilled about this idea and then became even more excited when I was shopping in downtown Murfreesboro (which is so cute). My friends and I wandered into a store on the square called Sugaree’s, which was filled with vintage-style clothing. I seriously wanted to buy the entire store. So rather than using Pinterest as my inspiration for the styles of each decade, I thought we should look to our fellow Bisons. I spent hours on a quiet, cloudy Sunday sitting in the back of Beaman Library looking through yearbooks from 1939 to 1989 to find fashion inspiration from the classes that came before us. Enjoy these photos, styles and tips on incorporating the best of each decade into your daily look. The Best of 1939 A sweet photo of a couple filled an entire page in the 1939 edition of Lipscomb’s yearbook, The Backlog. Although it is just the backs of the couple, it gives a great depiction of the styles of the time. The girl is dressed in a plaid blazer jacket with a white knee-length skirt. The boy is dressed in a white jacket and dress pants as they stroll across campus. They are simply walking around campus, and they are dressed very nicely, which looks cute and classy. A...
by Savanna Schubert | Nov 20, 2013 | Opinion
While it may only be fall, flu and cold season has already begun. College students are some of the most susceptible to these different types of illnesses. Here are 10 helpful hints so you, as a busy college student, can make sure a common cold or dreaded flu won’t get you down during this semester. 1) WASH YOUR HANDS! It appears that what your kindergarten teachers have told you is actually correct. Washing your hands after using the bathroom, before you eat meals, and after class could come in handy when the sickness on campus is high. 2) AVOID TOUCHING YOUR FACE. This tip does seem odd; however when you touch doors to and from class, cafeteria trays, and many other things, it starts to make sense. There are plenty of germs on the average college campus, and with your eyes, nose, and mouth being some of the most sensitive places on your body, that could mean trouble. 3) DON’T SMOKE! That doesn’t come as a shock to most students when talking about health. However the smoke from cigarettes can block your airways within your system and cause those nasty flu and cold germs to come in and start working. 4) USE DISPOSABLE ITEMS! That’s right, folks. Although we are trying to live in a green world, paper towels could be what saves you from a cold or flu. This prevents accidental spread of those unwanted germs. 5) KEEP SURFACES CLEAN! Whether it be a dorm room or a household kitchen, keep it clean. This is an obvious precaution to take during any season. However, when in close quarters with...
by Logan Butts | Oct 15, 2013 | Opinion
At most music-related awards shows, Artist of the Year is generally one of the biggest awards given out. The Dove Awards are no exception. Each year, the Dove Awards committee nominates the five artists who they believe were the most successful in the past 12 months for Artist of the Year, and this year’s nominees are one of the strongest groups ever. Chris Tomlin: One of the most successful Christian artists of all time, Tomlin received his seventh Artist of the Year nomination. For someone who has been nominated for a staggering 32 Dove Awards, and six Grammys as well, nominations no longer come as a surprise. Tomlin, known for famous worship songs such as “How Great is Our God” and “Whom Shall I Fear,” will be vying for his third Best Artist Dove Award. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x5aEvl6Zdk Francesca Battistelli: After the huge success of her previous two albums, My Paper Heart and Hundred More Years, Battistelli garnered her fourth nomination for Artist of the Year. Battistelli, who previously won the award in 2011, is known for such hits as “Free to Be Me” and “Strangely Dim.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKSQjSdU8VA Lecrae: Lecrae has spent the last few years blowing up in the Christian nd mainstream music scenes. His 14 Dove Award nominations, including eight in the past two years, are evidence of that. Earlier this year, Lecrae won the Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album for his wildly successful album Gravity. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p9BwiOGVj8 Tamela Mann: Thanks to the strength of her recent album Best Days and the lead single “Take Me to the King,” Mann received her first ever Artist of the Year nomination for...
