News

‘I Am Number Four’ succeeds in being trashy fun

By Chase Stevens ’12
THE ROUNDUP

Nine-foot tall aliens with superior technology are attacking Earth, and a super-powered mysterious person must defeat them and save mankind.

While this may be the plot of about a quarter of all modern movies, it is also the story behind “I Am Number Four.”

“I Am Number Four” is based off of a book of the same title. It tells the story of John Smith, played by Alex Pettyfer, who is the fourth of nine alien children blessed with superpowers from the destroyed planet of Lorien.

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News

Dream thieves and discarded toys save a rather lackluster summer

By Sean Harris ’11
THE ROUNDUP

Another summer movie season has come and gone, and now that it’s over it could be classified with a gigantic “eh.”

It’s still better than last summer, a summer that offered “Star Trek”—and not much else. This summer gave us monumentally epic movies such as “Inception” and “Toy Story 3.” Beyond the obvious two, what else was there?

“Iron Man 2” was great, but fell short of expectations. “Scott Pilgrim” was a gem but unfortunately went up against Stallone and Co. in “The Expendables.”

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Entertainment

‘Scott Pilgrim vs. the World’ Movie Review: Oozing with originality, ‘Scott Pilgrim’ earns +5000 points

Within the first minute, “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” proves it won’t be like any other movie.

The Universal logo appears, but pixilated, and a retro NES version of the theme starts to play.

This was the best way to introduce this alternate universe, where video-game logic reigns supreme, and the characters who inhabit it settle their differences by breaking into duels. The loser gets turned into a pile of coins.

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Entertainment

‘The Expendables’ Movie Review: ‘Expendables’ is a rousing tribute to the action genre

If an explosion inside an explosion inside another explosion could have a son with knives and guns, their offspring would be known as “The Expendables.”

“The Expendables”-a film directed, written and starring the action star from back in the day, Sylvester Stallone-serves as a tribute to the machismo, testosterone-filled action movies of yesterday and today.

Stallone has accomplished this feat by bringing in the recognizable faces of action: Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, and adding to his tribute to action stars are Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger who surprise fans with cameos.

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‘Grown Ups’ Movie Review: Five comedy giants shine in ‘grown up’ child film

As a super team of Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James was busy assembling in Miami, a super team of comedy actors had already come together as part of Happy Madison Production’s “Grown Ups.”

Directed by Dennis Dugan, known best for his other comedies like “You Don’t Mess with the Zohan,” “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry” and “The Benchwarmers,” “Grown Ups” brought together some of the elite funny men in Hollywood: Adam Sandler, Kevin James, Chris Rock, David Spade and Rob Schneider.

A group of childhood friends who have grown apart over the years, Sandler and Co. reunite after their childhood basketball coach passes away.

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‘Inception’ Movie Review: Original, innovative and labyrinthine ‘Inception’ is a breath of fresh air

It has not been a good summer for movies.

Aside from very limited exceptions, audiences and critics alike have yawned at the numerous, average-at-best adaptations.

Yet something glimmered in the far-off reaches of July. That movie was “Inception,” an original summer blockbuster brought by the same director of “The Dark Knight,” Christopher Nolan.

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‘The Karate Kid (2010)’Movie Review: Newest ‘Kid’ is the ‘best around’

The lyrics of once little-known artist Joe Esposito’s 1980s mega-hit on “The Karate Kid” soundtrack, “You’re The Best,” echo throughout the fourth addition to the much-beloved series “The Karate Kid,” in theaters since June 11.

Like any classic remake, the plot of “The Karate Kid (2010)” is edited only slightly from the story of the original 1984 film, but is set in China, which adds just enough of a new twist to an old favorite to make it desirable to see.

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‘Toy Story 3’ Movie Review: Final ‘Story’ pulls at heart strings

It’s been a long road, but “Toy Story 3” is finally here and ready to captivate young and old for a third time.

It’s true that Pixar has earned the respect of audiences, never truly making a bad film. Ever. However, the announcement of “Toy Story 3” made some people nervous – and for good reason.

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News

‘Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time’ Movie Review: Generic ‘Sands’ falls below average

he history of videogames and movies is a tale filled with tragedy and heartbreak from fan boys to general audiences around the world.

If it is not Uwe Boll making another horrible videogame movie, usually someone else is stepping up to the plate out of the belief that they have a built-in audience.

But movies based on games never turn out well. What people do not realize is that videogames and movies are two entirely separate mediums; telling a story in one is completely different than telling it in the other.

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News

‘Robin Hood’ Movie Review: ‘Hood’ steals your time, money

If you’re debating whether or not to still see Russell Crowe in “Robin Hood,” in theaters since May 14, your time and money would be better spent elsewhere.
The 2010 film explores the history behind Robin Hood and prequels the legend of the hooded hero of Nottingham that everyone knows from the Disney animated movie of the same name.
But it is this narrative style that destroys the movie.

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