Weisz and Renner in “The Bourne Legacy.”

Renner delivers a gripping performance as Cross, the fearless, probing member of Operation Outcome, an American black ops program created by the Department of Defense. He is known as “Number Five” and is provided with a supply of pills which enhance him mentally and physically. On a training assignment in Alaska, the operative crosses paths with “Number Three” and is filled with questions about Outcome. After a series of curious events put into motion by retired United States Air Force Colonel Eric Byer (Edward Norton), Cross discovers that he is the only Outcome operative left. In order to survive the blowback put into motion by Bourne, who does not actually appear in the film, Cross must team up with Dr. Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz) and travel across the world in order to survive.

Weisz’s performance as Dr. Shearing, an Outcome scientist with a high security clearance, is fantastic. The survivor of multiple attacks by the CIA, she is revealed as Cross’ only hope of survival. The film also includes some familiar faces from the first three films, such as Joan Allen, as Deputy Director Pamela Landy and Dr. Albert Hirsch (Albert Finney).

This movie is a creative continuation of the Bourne series, but it does fall a bit short of the hype generated from the superseding films. With gripping music by James Newton Howard and mesmerizing cinematography from Robert Elswit, “The Bourne Legacy” is certainly a must-see.

The post “The Bourne Legacy” Review appeared first on Maryville Pawprint.

Courtesy of www.thedarkknightrises.com.

Despite this terrible event, go see this movie – in IMAX! Based upon revenge and redemption, his 2 hour, 45 minute film offered much more than I thought possible. Director Christopher Nolan delivered a fantastic conclusion to the Dark Knight trilogy. Introduced into the last of three films are two new villains: Selina Kyle/Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) and Bane (Tom Hardy).

“The Dark Knight Rises” begins 8 years after the death of Gotham’s beloved D.A. Harvey Dent and Bruce Wayne’s cherished Rachel. Batman (Christian Bale), who took the blame for Harvey’s death for the greater good of Gotham City, is still considered a villainous threat. Currently in Gotham, criminal activity is low, but Commissioner Gordon is skeptical of this and seems to be constantly expecting something horrible.

Conflict is initiated into the movie with a robbery at Wayne Manor. This seems insignificant at first, but the plot unfolds to show that this is the spark in the chain of events that leads to Bane’s takeover of Gotham. Both Bruce and Batman have been MIA in the community; Batman must resurface to solve the robbery, and with a push from Alfred and Officer John Blake (Joseph Gordon Levitt), Bruce reenters the world, as well. “The Bat Man” is back with all of his old toys, and some new.

Courtesy of www.thedarkknightrises.com.

I had mixed feelings about the new characters introduced into the film. I am not an Anne Hathaway fan, so I was less than pleased to find out that she would be taking on the role of Catwoman. I hate to say it, but she actually pulled it off – despite her tendency to break out in liberal monologues about the separation between the rich and poor, she’s a sassy, capable thief who looks good in leather. It worked.

Bane’s character and storyline were very well conceptualized. Bane is a massive, masked terrorist who sets out to impose anarchy on the entire city. Everything about him makes me shudder: his shear size (how did they get Tom Hardy that big? Seriously.), the sound of his voice coming through that voice box, his UFC-styled fighting moves as he bests Batman (okay, this was really cool), and the fact that he is successful in bringing the people of Gotham to their knees.

Without giving too much away, I give credit to Christopher and Jonathan Nolan for writing such a poignant conclusion to the series. Many critics claimed to have disliked the final moments of the film, and I suppose I can see why, but it was a success for me. It comes together with a few twists and tearful moments that surprised even me, and that made me sad the series was over (with an opportunity of a fourth?). Trilogy co-writer David S. Goyer said to Empire Magazine of the ending scene, “I got a complete lump in my throat.” Guess what? I did, too. You’ll just have to go see it to find out why.

The post “The Dark Knight Rises” Review appeared first on Maryville Pawprint.

Courtesy of Allied Media

The critiques are varied for Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World. Some say it’s terrible, some say it’s merely average, but let’s get one thing straight: you’d be wasting your money if you decided to see for yourself.  For a movie whose production value was above $10 million, it only grossed $3.8 million on its opening weekend. Do I really need to continue?

Here’s the rundown on director and writer Lorene Scafaria’s film.

It’s the end of the world. Dodge, played by Steve Carell (Dinner for Schmucks; Crazy, Stupid, Love.), is an insurance salesman who seems to be the only one still at his day job while the rest of the world is succumbing to the chaos. Dodge’s life is pitiful; his long-time wife leaves him, he can’t help but think of his high school girlfriend (the “love of his life,” the “one that got away”) while the rest of the people around him are living out their desires. Carell tries to bring comedy into the role, but somehow the humor behind Dodge makes it seem even more pathetic.

With twenty-one days left to live, Dodge’s neighbor, Penny, shoves her way into his life. Penny, Keira Knightley (Atonement, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End), offers no qualities or abilities that add to the film only that she is a free-spirited “serial monogamist” who is too lazy to give Dodge his mail. She can’t keep a job, a boyfriend, or even this plotline interesting.

When the community begins to riot, Dodge decides to find his lost love. He enlists Penny help him and she agrees, so long as he can find a way to get her home to England. Their trip takes some unexpected turns (they witness a murder, walk into an orgy, discover love) and resolves with Dodge finding (but not confronting his lost love) and returning home to wait out the end of the world.

The movie was trying too hard to be too many things, and it seemed like Carell and Knightley attempted to make something happen out of nothing. The concluding lines were touching, but the writing preceding the end was so weak that it didn’t matter. There were a plethora of holes in the plot, which left me with a lot of questions, but mostly disappointment. I spent an agonizing 94 minutes in the theater waiting for this movie to be over.

On the whole, it was terrible, but Scafaria did bring to light an interesting question. What would you do if you only had three weeks to live? I definitely wouldn’t waste any of that time seeing this flick.

The post Seeking A Friend Flops appeared first on Maryville Pawprint.

Courtesy of Allied Media

93 minutes

Rated PG

Last week the duo of Disney and Pixar Animation released Brave, a 3-D film about a medieval Scottish princess, the free-spirited daughter of King Fergus, voiced by Scottish actor & comedian, Billy Connolly (The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day) and Queen Elinor, voiced by Emma Thompson (Nanny McPhee, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix). Merida, voiced by Scottish actress Kelly Macdonald (Nanny McPhee, No Country for Old Men), who has wild red hair and a matching disposition, debuts as Pixar’s first female hero.

Merida becomes desperate to choose her own destiny when she finds out that Queen Elinor intends to marry her off to one of three less than desirable suitors. Unable to communicate with her mother, Merida runs away, hoping to find a solution to her problems.

While it was poorly introduced and explained within the movie, magic plays a large factor in Merida’s fate, as she is lead by Wisp spirits to the hidden cottage of a Witch (no, Woodcarver!), voiced by Julie Walters (Harry Potter series). The princess seeks help from the Witch, but instead of getting a potion that will “change her mother” Merida is left with a spell that creates a very large problem. She must rectify the situation before it tears her family – and the people of the kingdom – apart.

Offering outstanding visuals and an impressive voice cast, Brave was a decent enough movie with a few worthy points of high action, quality children’s humor and those Disney-esque “awe moments” viewers have come to expect.

Writers Mark Andrews, Steve Purcell, Brenda Chapman and Irene Mecchi do a good deal of male-bashing, particularly at King Fergus’ expense. Fergus and the other leaders of the clans are seen as, in many ways bumbling idiots. Because of this, although the heroine’s father is not dead, he is somehow incapable of helping her solve her problem. In addition, the movie calls attention to the drinking culture that seems to be relevant in the British Isles. The men in the movie love fighting just as much as they love being drunk. Considering that it was in the sake of comedy, though, I suppose it is justified.

The title implies that there are many acts of bravery within it, but I left the theater feeling as though the movie failed to live up to the title. While Merida is offered to viewers as a fearless, proficient archer capable of exciting exploits, she fails to do what most male protagonists do: go on an actual adventure. Her journey is more of an internally driven one, which makes for a less exciting movie. I heard the title Brave, and I wanted action! While she isn’t out fighting villains, Merida is able to achieve piece between her family, and more importantly, between the lords of the land. Isn’t that the kind of moral we should be relaying to children, anyway? But still, I wanted action!

And, while Brave isn’t necessarily a movie for late teens and young adults, the unexpectedly deep conclusion made even someone like me want to go home and hug my mother.

The post Movie Review: Brave appeared first on Maryville Pawprint.

Inspector Emmet Fields recruits the drunk and broke Poe to catch a serial killer who uses Poe’s stories and poems as inspiration. Many of the horrifying scenes are based upon a Poe story or poem. The film references material such as “The Pit and the Pendulum,” “The Murders in the Rue Morgue,” “The Mystery of Marie Rogêt” and others.

Woven into the plot is a standard love story between Poe and Emily Hamilton, played by Alice Eve, daughter of a Baltimore highbrow who deplores Poe. When the murderer kidnaps Emily and threatens to kill her, Poe becomes desperately invested. He must follow the killer’s demands by capturing the frightening story in a fictional tale to be published in the Baltimore newspaper. Inspector Fields and Poe follow the clues cleverly assembled by the murderer to find Emily and end the killings.

Rated R, the 111-minute mystery is nothing short of what one would assume a Poe story aught to be: bloody. This is one thriller that is too gruesome for the faint of heart. Scenes include slit throats, hacked wrists and carved flesh. McTeigue’s effective filming techniques and employment of light and dark add to the gripping nature of the film.

Cusack delivers a believably sinister performance in “The Raven”. He brings to life a quick-witted Poe that is wonderfully sharp with an insult. Unfortunately, the role of Inspector Fields, played by Luke Evans, is less delightful. Evans, to no fault of his own, has multiple awkward lines, but his acting is, at times, unconvincing and somewhat laughable.

The suspense and gore of the film is coupled with an intelligent, mysterious plotline that keeps viewers entertained until the very end. It seems only fitting to have Poe, the author of the first mystery, placed inside the mystery thriller that is “The Raven”.

The post A Movie Review: “The Raven” appeared first on Maryville Pawprint.

The event was sponsored by the NCAA Choices Grant, which promotes responsible decision-making and alcohol awareness. It allowed student-athletes to participate in an alcohol-free bowling tournament and socialize with members from different teams. A total of 30 athletes were in attendance.

“The night was all about getting athletes to interact with each other in an alcohol-free setting,” said CHAMPS Co-president, Tomi Benney. Benney, who is also a member of the Maryville women’s soccer team, played a large role in planning the event.

The night also provided attendants with drug and alcohol information. An interactive trivia game was conducted with the help of members from Maryville’s HERO’s Program.

“We learned about the affects of alcohol on the body,” said Freshman Hanna Seitter, member of the Maryville volleyball team. “I don’t think most people realize the extent of which alcohol negatively affects athletic performance. We learned that drinking can prevent muscle gain from exercise for up to 48 hours.”

All participating athletes donated $1 or more to a fund that will be given to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Other items that were donated included canned goods, which will be delivered to a local St. Louis charity.

“The greatest part of the event was that all athletes were able to hang out outside of our individual sports. I bowled with two basketball players and a wrestler. It was a cool way to get to know the people I support at games,” Seitter said.

Another mission of the event was to promote camaraderie between athletes. For CHAMPS member, Sophomore Tony Boehmer, being a part of the program has taught him the value of building friendships with other athletes.

Boehmer, a member of the men’s tennis team said, “We support Maryville as a whole. I’ve become friends with people in CHAMPS that I wouldn’t ordinarily get the chance to know.”

Boehmer joined CHAMPS because of what the name stands for: “Challenging Athletes’ Minds for Personal Success.”

According to the director of the program, Tonya Charland, assistant director of athletics for NCAA compliance, CHAMPS is designed to benefit and enrich the lives of Maryville’s student-athletes.

“We are being collaborative in our efforts to be interactive in the community,” Charland said.  “This was our program’s first major planned event. It was encouraging to see the fellowship and interaction between the athletes from our teams. We hope to have more involvement in our future events.”

The mission statement, according to the CHAMPS/Life Skills program, includes commitments to five major components:

• Academic Excellence – to support the academic progress of the student-athlete toward intellectual development and graduation.
• Athletic Excellence – to build philosophical foundations for the development of athletic programs that are broad-based, equitable and dedicated to the well-being of the student-athlete.
• Personal Development – to support the development of a well-balanced lifestyle for student-athletes, encouraging emotional well-being, personal growth, and decision-making skills.
• Career Development – to encourage the student-athlete to develop and pursue career and life goals.
• Service – to engage the student-athlete in service to her/his campus and surrounding communities.

The post Maryville Athletes Join Forces for Good Cause appeared first on Maryville Pawprint.