The eve of the vote for Scottish independence is upon us, and it presents a good opportunity to look back on the rich history of Scotland and Britain. Though one could settle down with a nice thick book and learn all about James VI of Scotland (James I of England) and the gunpowder plot or the centuries of violence between Protestants and Catholics, there exist several engaging movies about this turbulent relationship — and no, not all of them star Mel Gibson.
Entertainment
New avatar-creating app provides fun diversion
High school brings along its own set of troubles, and for most students, elementary school is starting to look pretty enticing. No worries because the new app FaceQ brings back users to the simpler times in life.
Clever, fast-paced novel translates thrillingly to screen
In “Headhunters,” a 2008 novel by Norwegian noir writer Jo Nesbø, corporate headhunter Roger Brown meets his match in a real, deadly headhunter: chaos ensues in the form of car chases, shootouts and more plot twists than are probably strictly necessary in a book of this size.
Memorable works of late comedian revisited
Actor, director, writer, and comedian Robin Williams (1951-2014) was a celebrated figure of the contemporary age. He is credited with over 100 works and an enormous impact on the many generations of the 20th century. In honor of his enormous contribution to some of the best-known films of the last five decades, The Roar revisited and reviewed three of his most iconic works.
“The Giver” shines in details, neglects plot, characters
A flash of red in an apple thrown into the air. A gleam of green on a tree. The stark black-and-white beginning of “The Giver,” punctuated by occasional colors that escalate in clarity through the film, hints at the coming discovery of something essential, something intangible, something pure: emotion.
Nearly 50 years old, Beatles album stands test of time
49 years ago today The Fab Four released Help!, their second movie soundtrack and 5th album. The Beatles certainly don’t need much of an introduction. At the time of its release it was lauded as a critical and commercial success. Being a Beatles album pretty much guarantees it’s sacred to a large portion of music lovers today.
‘Queen’ turns homophobic fears into tools of empowerment
Ominous, industrial sounding synths scream and whir as Mike Hadreas becomes the embodiment of everything America fears from the gay community. “No family is safe when I sashay,” he almost hollers in Perfume Genius’s new single ‘Queen’.
Popular comedian’s witty writings unexpectedly clear, meaningful
by Haley Mitchell, staff reporter In hopes of escaping this year’s 550-page monster of a UIL Social Studies book, I recently picked up a copy of funny-man Bo Burnham’s “Egghead” in hopes of taking a mental vacation away from the politics of 1920. “Egghead: Or, You Can’t Survive on Ideas […]
Star-studded film attempts indie feel, loses charm in details
by Sydney Garrett, staff reporter For many, music is just an enjoyable pastime. However, in musically-inclined director John Carney’s new film “Begin Again,” music defines the lives of many characters by driving wedges into relationships, preserving friendships and even determining fates. The movie centers on the life of Gretta (Keira Knightley), […]
Submarine epic’s realism, perspective remain relevant
Nazism isn’t representative of the entire German population, as German director Wolfgang Petersen makes clear in his 1981 film “Das Boot” (“The Boat”). In fact, Nazism barely makes an appearance in the film. “Das Boot” is not about good and evil: it’s about a lone U-boat, her mission and her crew.
