Lancer Spirit Online

‘Blackstar’ David Bowie’s perfect swan song

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | January 11, 2016

Why else would Blackstar reek so thoroughly of death? The jarring imagery of the album, from the dusty, bejeweled skeleton of a lost astronaut in the video for the ten-minute title track to the Biblical-epic-turned-musical-number of "Lazarus," explores death and decay in ways only one close to the end could. If, then, Blackstar is meant to be viewed as Bowie's mournful last goodbye, a reappraisal of its content and message is in order.

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‘The Big Short’ flawed in direction but excelling with performances

Isaac Owens, Broadcasting Manager | January 8, 2016

Overall, The Big Short is quite a good movie; beholding a compelling story and an excellent ensemble cast. The film falters with McKay’s at times sophomoric direction, but it is a compelling and perhaps needed insight into the U.S.’s economy.

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‘Force Awakens’ reinvigorates beloved franchise

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | December 21, 2015

Disney didn't have to do much for this film to be a success. The first new Star Wars movie in a decade, no matter if it's good or bad, will make more money than God. That much is more or less certain. But the aim is not to suck in as much cash as possible in one go - Disney has its eyes on a franchise. As such, the pressure on J.J. Abrams and co. to put out a product with staying power was astronomical. Fortunately, this movie has staying power in spades.

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‘Battlefront’ hollow but enjoyable

Mike Weisse, Reporter | December 16, 2015

The studio nailed the graphics, rendering that small puddle on Endor to the iconic AT-AT Walker on Hoth with equal care. The detailed graphics and the immersive fantasy has a certain quantifiable appeal. The game, in all its glory, is still flawed. With the widely different yet similar multiplayer game styles, the game is lively -- for the first week. The thrill of piloting an X-Wing or charging the shield generator on Hoth is undeniable, but the repetitive nature and lack of content causes the game to start to lose its flare rather quickly.

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Bill Murray, Netflix team up for Christmas trash

Isaac Owens, Broadcasting Manager | December 10, 2015

While it is a musical disaster, its tone is also entirely confusing. Murray plays a lonely and depressed version of himself, but as the special carries on it progressively feels less like an act. Murray (and frankly most of the actors) appear confused to why they are there. While that is partially part of the story’s shtick, there is something genuine about it.

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‘Fallout 4’ an irradiated good time

Derek Rouse, Reporter | December 8, 2015

The core experience is like any other Fallout in the last few years. There are levels to gain, quests to complete, and mutants to kill. Enemies don’t hesitate to bombard you with grenades, or mow you down in a hail of gunfire. Fallout is as unforgiving as it always has been, and to add insult to injury, some enemies have gotten stronger since their last appearance.

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Mockingjay – Part 2: a decent end to a decent franchise

Isaac Owens, Broadcasting Manager | December 7, 2015

While it still has the production feel of a teen dystopian, this last movie loses all of the light of the previous films. With its brooding near two hour and twenty minute run time, the movie can at times be exhausting.

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Fratellis mount an endearing return

Mike Weisse, Reporter | December 7, 2015

The band strayed from their typical repertoire, bringing in a variety of new influences and sounds that give the songs a big boost. Still, there is enough of the familiar Fratellis sound so as to not alienate longtime listeners.

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Kid Cudi should stop making music

'Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven' chronicles Scott Mescudi's decline

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | December 7, 2015

'Speedin' Bullet 2 Heaven' is a snapshot of an artist who wants desperately to be something he can never be, and it's made all the more disappointing because of just how talented Cudi can be with the right material.

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Classic Review: ‘The Social Network’ (2010)

Isaac Owens, Broadcasting Manager | December 7, 2015

With director David Fincher’s effortlessly cool filmography, his gritty dive into the foundations of Facebook, The Social Network, reigns supreme. Beginning with the dark crime thriller Se7en, Fincher...

‘Poison Season’ an enjoyable tenth outing

Destroyer crafts a dreamy, ethereal pop symphony

Conor Battles, Editor-in-Chief, Arts & Entertainments Editor | December 3, 2015

Poison Season is an album that benefits from showing its age.

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‘Spectre’ an enjoyable but empty romp

Riley Walberg, News Editor | December 2, 2015

'Spectre' has almost all of the traits of a classic 007 movie. It has a suave and composed Bond as the focus, well-realized, three-dimensional side characters, and thrilling action scenes throughout it. What 'Spectre' does not have is a compelling villain.

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