WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.–During one of the most brutal blizzards in the Wyoming winter is when the story of “The Hateful Eight” unfolds. Eight characters, six “chapters,” one lodge, and one goal. It sounds simple, but this Quentin Tarantino trip gets a lot more complicated. The only things left to add are crazy antics, brutal violence, hysterical dialogue, […]
Entertainment
Tale of 2 Countries: "Brooklyn" Review
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.–“Brooklyn” doesn’t have heart-pounding action. It doesn’t feature explosions, car chases, gun fights, or even outstanding special effects. What this film has to offer is a lot deeper than just any film that can be churned right out of Hollywood. Rarely are the films released nowadays able to capture true human emotion and dilemmas […]
Games as Cinematic Experiences
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.–As video games have progressed, they have gone from simplistic, pixelated screens to full-fledged experiences, often with as much effort put into story, music, and visuals as a major feature film. Games often have voice actors, well-thought-out plots, and composed soundtracks to set the mood. But in games themselves, there is something that allows the […]
"Call of Duty: Black Ops 3" Review
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.–Video game developer Treyarch released its third installment of the “Call of Duty” video game franchise, “Black Ops 3,” on Nov. 4. Unlike the first two versions, “Black Ops 3” brings a new story to campaign mode. In a futuristic setting, there is a new cold war and you and your partner […]
Best Games of the Fall 2015 Season
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.–Games come out at an extraordinary rate; at any time of year, there is always an upcoming release of a major title to look forward to. The fall months, however, are primarily known for having multiple big-name releases annually, with classics such as “The Elder Scrolls V: Skryim,” “Borderlands 2,” and most of […]
From the Page to the Silver Screen
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.–In a couple of days, “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2” will be released in movie theaters worldwide. Fans have been awaiting the final movie since the first “Hunger Games” was released on March 23, 2012–and for good reason. Based on ratings and box office numbers, the cast and crew have always delivered […]
Does "Halo 5" Miss the Mark?
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.–“Halo” is a long-running first-person shooter video game series exclusively for Xbox consoles. The first game in the series, “Halo: Combat Evolved,” was released in the fall 2001 and was the start of my relationship with the Halo series. I have played every single “Halo” over the last fifteen years. It is definitely the […]
Comedy Duo Receives MACE
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ–Phil Lord and Chris Miller, producers of “The Lego Movie,” “21 Jump Street,” and “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs,” received the Monmouth Award for Communication Excellence for their achievements in the film industry in Pollak Theater on the evening of Oct. 26. “[The MACE Award] is a great tradition here at the university […]
"Crimson Peak" Piquing Interest
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ–Beneath the new fallen snow, a deep red clay pathway leads to Allerdale Hall, a Gothic mansion closed off from the rest of England. As winter approaches, snow continues to cover the trail until it is hidden from sight–and for good reason. Something about this desolate isolation in this massive estate attracts supernatural happenings and […]
Back to the Future or Reality?
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ—Great Scott! Back to the Future Day is finally among us. This means that the “Back to the Future” film this day is based on will now take place entirely in the past—talk about a time warp. October 21 marks the day that Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox) traveled to the then-future of […]