Entertainment
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PBTV: Progeny Film Festival Awards Local Talent
PBTV: Cruise Control
Hokie Idol Finale 2010 Over the course of two months, they have made it through three rounds of private auditions, performed in front of a large crowd, and been voted by the audience to compete for the glorious title. The three remaining finalists wait anxiously in the brilliant blue and red lights as the judges, bent inwards, deliberate. “The results are in,” the lively MCs announce, “the winner of Hokie Idol 2010 is….” Movie Review: Kick-Ass The comic book film genre adds another feature to its quickly-expanding catalog. This time the viewer is treated to a film that is supposed to poke fun at superheroes but inadvertently becomes very much a superhero film itself. Matthew Vaughn, a producer-director with films like Layer Cake and Snatch under his belt, stretches out of those confines to bestow upon us his take on superheroes. Kick-Ass incorporates elements from The Dark Knight, The Punisher, the Kill Bill films, The Incredibles and the aforementioned Layer Cake, and turns all conventionalism on its head. This film is violent, vulgar, outlandish and unbelievable. But it's still fun and enjoyable, as long as you're not too objectionable a viewer. PBTV: Cruise Control
PBTV: Cruise Control
Movie Review: She's Out of My League So, what's your number? According to the new comedy, She's Out of My League, everyone's assigned a number to reflect their beauty - or maybe lack thereof. Kirk Kettner's (Jay Baruchel, Tropic Thunder) buddies deem him only a five, a number assigned to the average guy. At first glance Kirk is just that but early on he seems much lower than the aforementioned five. He works for the TSA at the airport in Pittsburgh, not a bad gig. But his confidence and self-esteem are very low; witness to his prideless efforts to crawl back to his former girlfriend, Marnie (Lindsay Sloane, ABC's The Wonder Years). Marnie, a favorite of Kirk's parents, still hangs out with them, and often brings along her new boyfriend. The disrespect continues through Kirk's brother, Dylan (Kyle Bornheimer), who routinely mocks him as if they're still in junior high. Movie Review: Alice in Wonderland Whether you like Tim Burton or not, you have to admit that the man is one of the most visually creative directors in Hollywood. His trademark offbeat vision was seen early in 1988's Beetle Juice, and he carried that torch with more recent releases, 2003's Big Fish and 2007's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Burton now has tackled the classic Alice in Wonderland and many wondered how his vision would translate onscreen. This interpretation is more of a sequel rather than a re-imagining and is based on a script by Linda Woolverton (Beauty and the Beast, co-wrote The Lion King). Picking up a few years later, Alice (Mia Wasikowska, Defiance) is now in her late teens and her future already looks to be planned out for her. Repulsed by the certainty of an arranged marriage to an incompatible suitor, Alice, who is very absent-minded and aloof, suffers from interesting and unforgettable dreams. Her dreams become reality when she accidently arrives in Underland, the incredible world that she once visited many years ago. She learns that she is to play an important role as she is the key to helping the inhabitants of Underland overcome the evil rule of the Red Queen (played masterfully by Academy Award nominee Helena Bonham Carter). But having grown so much, Alice has trouble regaining the confidence and memory of her younger self that roamed this strange land so long ago. |
Movie Review: Iron Man 2 A quick two years after the surprising success of Iron Man, the sequel is upon us and it promises to be bigger and better than its predecessor. Jon Favreau returns to direct from a script penned by Justin Theroux (Tropic Thunder) and of course, many of the original players are back for this second go-round. There is one change, though, as Don Cheadle plays Tony Starks' friend, Rhodey, thus replacing Terrence Howard. Three new stars join the cast - Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell are along for the ride. IM2 picks up about six months from where the original left off and it's up to Tony Starks (Robert Downey Jr) to deal with his newfound celebrity. His creation has brought forth an era of peace the world hasn't seen in a very long time. Also, a maelstrom of attention from friends, the media, the public and potential enemies has showered the billionaire playboy. All of this interest has made Tony more egotistical and much more reckless than many remember him. His attitude has the viewer wondering when he might lose his edge, his sanity, or even his life. Blacksburg Book Review: Firing God? In his book “Should We Fire God?” Jim Pace aims to answer the very question he asks in the title. Spoiler alert: Pace’s answer is “No.” However, it takes Pace 230 pages of thorough theological discussion to arrive at this conclusion. Pace is a pastor at the New Life Christian Fellowship church in Blacksburg, Va., and a Virginia Tech graduate. Because of this background, one main goal of his book is to begin to dissect the shootings that occurred on April 16, 2007, on the Virginia Tech campus and attempt to answer some of the questions that this date and other tragedies have created for so many people. PBTV: Hokie Idol Finale 2010
PBTV: Cruise Control
PBTV: FMDS Fashion Show
The Fashion Merchandising and Design Society of Virginia Tech held their 2010 fashion show entitled "Free the Beat" on April 8th. Appreciation Dinner Comes With An Alice Theme You’ve got a very important date. With a roasted pig, hedgehog croquet and prizes, you won’t want to be late. On April 8 from 4:30 to 7:00 p.m., D2 will host its "Alice in Wonderland"-themed customer appreciation dinner. The event will consist of the finest traditional Victorian cuisine, Alice-themed games, and potential prizes for attendees, said Dietrick manager Kelvin Bergsten. Movie Review: Hot Tub Time Machine In taking advantage of the iconic 80's figure that is John Cusack, director Steve Pink (2006's Accepted) puts forth a comedy that produces some strong laughs at the expense of that decade, while seemingly presenting a catalyst to wax nostalgic about the same time frame. Hot Tub Time Machine, on the strength of the title alone, is a farfetched comedy involving old friends, plenty of booze, a hot tub and time travel. And for good measure there's Chevy Chase. Three buddies live in 2010 and life has dealt each of them a crummy hand. Adam (Cusack, 2012 & Better Off Dead) walks into his house to find it empty - his girlfriend has just left him and taken her half of their stuff. Nick (Craig Robinson, NBC's The Office & Pineapple Express) is a failed musician and hapless dog groomer married to a woman who controls his every move. Lou (Rob Corddry, Comedy Central's The Daily Show) is in the middle of a midlife crisis - for him the party never ended, even though he's obviously partying alone. Rounding out the group is Adam's nephew, Jacob (Clark Duke, ABC Family's Greek), is a homebody who lives in his uncle's basement since his face is endlessly parked in front of a computer screen. Thanks to a mishap involving Lou and a Motley Crue rock-ballad, the three reunite and take a trip to a ski resort in order to wrestle each other away from their dire situations. PBTV: Cruise Control
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The Progeny Film Festival was held at the Lyric Theatre recently, which gives the opportunity for local filmmakers to show their work and earn recognition. Planet Blacksburg spoke with some of the coordinators and winners of the event.
Rock star Bret Michaels is recovering from his brain hemorrhage, Hilary Duff is getting ready for her wedding, and Alicia Silverstone loves the feeling of being pregnant? This and more on the semester's last Cruise Control.
This week on Cruise Control, Tina Fey wants to double-date with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie but has some rules, a Dancing with the Stars contestant speaks out about a current star on the show, and Jessica Simpson has love advice. Plus, we may have something positive to say about Jesse James!
The Cruise Control crew is back talking the recent Jesse James scandal, rumors that Beyonce may be pregnant, and a film festival is coming to Blacksburg. All of this and more is on this week's Cruise Control.
Kelly Ripa's husband pays his wife to put in clothes, Larry King fights to save his 7th marriage, and stores in the UK are scheming to make women feel they are buying smaller clothes. All of this and more is on this week's Cruise Control!
Lindsay Lohan signs a deal to create her own line of handbags, Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush take a break, and Jessie James gets attention for alledged extra-marital affairs. All of this and more on Cruise Control.