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Academy Award Predictions
by Justin Velasquez
March 6, 2010
Awards season has come upon the film world again and on Sunday that season will conclude with the granddaddy of them all - The Academy Awards. Last year was the first time I officially made Oscar predictions, and despite the notion that I believe I have decent cinematic knowledge I made only three correct predictions out of the six major categories. For 2009 there were some exceptional, but not extraordinary films, but it doesn't mean that the season was any less memorable. Nonetheless it seems the favorites to win this year are a bit more definite. Let's break down the major categories again so you'll have an idea of what to expect come Sunday evening...
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Academy Award Predictions Awards season has come upon the film world again and on Sunday that season will conclude with the granddaddy of them all - The Academy Awards. Last year was the first time I officially made Oscar predictions, and despite the notion that I believe I have decent cinematic knowledge I made only three correct predictions out of the six major categories. For 2009 there were some exceptional, but not extraordinary films, but it doesn't mean that the season was any less memorable. Nonetheless it seems the favorites to win this year are a bit more definite. Let's break down the major categories again so you'll have an idea of what to expect come Sunday evening... Terps Stun Hokies in Double Overtime; 104-100 When Saturday's game was delayed three hours due to water main breaks, the Hokies should have taken that to be a bad sign for things to come. When the game finally tipped-off, Greivis Vasquez scored 41 points that helped the Maryland Terrapins squeak past the Hokies 104-100 in a double overtime thriller. "It's very tough," a visibly grieving Malcolm Delaney said after Saturday's loss. "We put ourselves in position to win the game plenty of times. We just didn't win it." Movie Review: Crazy Heart There is an air of familiarity in viewing the feature Crazy Heart. It is a very common, yet compelling film that deals with the always reliable theme of redemption. Crazy Heart is written and directed by newcomer Scott Cooper and is based on the 1987 Thomas Cobb novel of the same name. Crazy Heart is a drama that follows the winding music career of Bad Blake (played exquisitely by Jeff Bridges), a country singer who's down in the dumps. At one time a star, Bad is now relegated to playing shows at various bowling alleys and bars. Bad seeks to make a comeback but doesn't have an idea how to accomplish that task. Movie Review: The Book of Eli The Book of Eli? First, it stars Academy Award winner Denzel Washington (Training Day). It also stars well-respected veteran actor Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight) and beautiful young actress Mila Kunis (Forgetting Sarah Marshall). It is the Hughes Brothers' first feature since directing 2001's tauntingly good From Hell. Oh yeah, and the film's good. Hokies Push Past Heels, 74-70 After Sunday's loss to the Virginia Cavaliers, North Carolina head coach, Roy Williams, admitted that this year's tailspin for his squad has been a low point in his coaching career. Despite that challenge and rally cry from Williams, the Tar Heels continued their slide on Thursday with a 74-70 loss to Virginia Tech in Cassell Coliseum. "Carolina is one of the best teams in our league night in and night out," Tech guard Dorenzo Hudson said. " It was a big accomplishment and good win." Last-Second Tip-In Lifts Hokies Over Eagles Whether it's football or basketball, the Boston College Eagles always give the Virginia Tech Hokies trouble. Today was no different as this most recent men's basketball match-up at Cassell Coliseum went down to the wire. With missed calls, bad shots, and lackluster showings on both sides of the ball, the Hokies came away with a tight victory, edging the Eagles 63-62. Movie Review: The Lovely Bones Peter Jackson returns to the director's chair with The Lovely Bones, his first feature film since 2005's King Kong. Fans of the Kiwi filmmaker will have this to tide them over before he unleashes on the world his production work for the highly-anticipated two-part interpretation of The Hobbit. The Lovely Bones is based on the bestselling 2002 novel of the same name, written by Alice Sebold. As a co-writer, Jackson presents a film that celebrates life and isn't simply another thriller. Movie Review: Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire When an individual comes across problems and issues in life things can get magnified to the point that even the least significant issues carry a considerably heavy weight. When it rains it pours: one problem becomes many and that type of compounding can break even the strongest-willed person. Precious, the unflinchingly honest film from director-producer Lee Daniels, is an example of how much more difficult life can be when severe problems are heaped upon you, especially if those problems come from people who are supposed to love you. |
PBTV: Men's Basketball - NC State Recap
PBTV: Cruise Control
Hokies Fend Off Demons at Home (Video Included) In what is starting to become somewhat of a pattern with this year's men's basketball team, the Hokies pulled off another come-from-behind victory over 23rd ranked Wake Forest on Tuesday. "We never quit," junior guard Malcolm Delaney said after the game. "We never thought we were down, and we never thought we were out of the game." Hokies Sweep Hoos, Stay Undefeated at Home (Video Included) Virginia forward, Mike Scott, threw down a wide open dunk with 2:06 to play that gave the Cavaliers a seemingly critical three point lead. Then the Hokies' Jeff Allen responded with six consecutive points over the next 37 seconds that all but sealed the deal in the Hokies 61-55 win over the Wahoos Saturday night at Cassell Coliseum. "We pulled that one out," Allen said of the win. "I have to score, get rebounds and play defense-- I guess you could say I'm a big part of this team." Defense Leads Hokies to Success Against Tigers After each practice, every member of the men's basketball team has to shoot 100 free throws. "I think it helps," said the Hokies' Terrell Bell after the game against Clemson. "We've been doing that since the start of the year." Anyone who watched him and the Hokies defeat the Tigers yesterday knows that it definitely gave Virginia Tech the advantage in the long run. The Hokies, who only made 30% of their field goals and 18% of their 3-point shots, sank an amazing 83% of their foul shots. Movie Review: An Education With An Education, director Lone Scherfig presents a film that teaches not so much in the classroom, but more so in life. An Education is a story about a teenage girl's quest for something more than the routine, safe and incredibly boring life that most people her age have. Uniquely, this young woman is about to receive the opportunity to shake up her current status. Starring newcomer Carey Mulligan (Brothers) as Jenny, the 16-year-old lives in Twickenham with her loving, yet protective, parents, Jack (Alfred Molina, Spider-Man 2) and Majorie (Cara Seymour, The Savages). Jenny is seen as an intelligent, gifted, pretty and (most importantly) innocent when she crosses paths with the 30-something David (Peter Sarsgaard, Orphan). David is a charmer and takes an interest in Jenny that she simply can't deny. Their chance encounter is innocent enough - just pleasant conversation during a car ride home that keeps the focus away from the pouring rain. It's the second "chance" encounter where David makes his move and invites her to join him at a classical concert in town. Men's Basketball: Hokies Crush NCCU (Video Included)
"We had a chance to get a lot of guys in the game," Virginia Tech head coach Seth Greenberg said in regards to his team's last out-of-conference match-up of the season. "It was a great win and now it's on [to ACC play]." Hokie Women Top Heels for First Time Since 1984 It's time to party like its 1984. That's what Virginia Tech women's basketball team is likely doing after knocking off the 10th ranked North Carolina Tar Heels for the first time in more than 25 years on Thursday night at Cassell Coliseum. Fueled by the offensive firepower of senior, Lindsay Biggs, the Hokies managed a 23-point cushion in the second half and eventually ousted UNC, 79-64. "It's great, especially for our seniors," junior point guard Nikki Davis said of the Hokies upset. "I'm so happy they could get a win like that." |
Cruise Control is back for Spring Semester. Kevin James is set to host the Kids Choice Awards, Raven Griffin reports on Coach Carter's visit to Virginia Tech, and we give an upcoming look at this year's Oscar awards. All of this and more on Cruise Control.
The Hokies looked to rebound against North Carolina Central on Monday night following this weekend's close loss to Florida State in Tallahassee. The Hokies succeeded, crushing the Eagles 72-30.