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The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

“A Christmas Carol”: Heartwarming and bone-chilling

Jim Carrey plays the voice of Scrooge and all three ghosts in "A Christmas Carol," a computer animated version of Charles Dickens' classic novel.
Jim Carrey showcases impressive voice talent in this computer animated version of Charles Dickens' classic novel.
Samantha Aviles, Writer November 4, 2009
Jim Carrey showcases impressive voice talent in this computer animated version of Charles Dickens' classic novel.

“This is It” leaves you wondering

"This is It" documents Michael Jackson's rehearsals for the tour he would have performed had it not been for his death.
"This is It" leaves audiences dreaming about what could have been Michael Jackson's greatest performance.
Job Ang, Writer November 3, 2009
"This is It" leaves audiences dreaming about what could have been Michael Jackson's greatest performance.

“Hello Hurricane” infuses fresh take on the Switchfoot sound

Switchfoot's new album, "Hello Hurricane, will be released Nov. 10.
It’s not often a band can create a sound to call their own while remaining creatively agile, each proceeding record sounding unlike the last.
Job Ang, Writer October 29, 2009
It’s not often a band can create a sound to call their own while remaining creatively agile, each proceeding record sounding unlike the last.

Old story speaks to modern issues in “Astro Boy”

"Astro Boy" is set in a future where the elite upper-class have turned a blind eye to their decaying, polluted planet by building a floating mountain on which to live. The movie is based on a magna comic book series from the 1950s.
"Astro Boy" is charming and thought provoking, but too often stoops to using stereotypes.
Jonathan Hudson, Writer October 27, 2009
"Astro Boy" is charming and thought provoking, but too often stoops to using stereotypes.

“Where the Wild Things Are” misses the mark

"Where the Wild Things Are" is based on the 1963 children's book by Maurice Sendak.
"Where the Wild Things Are" is visually stunning but doesn't expand upon the simple children's story from which it is based.
Jordan Lopez, Writer October 19, 2009
"Where the Wild Things Are" is visually stunning but doesn't expand upon the simple children's story from which it is based.

Paramore’s “Brand New Eyes” fulfills its hype

Paramore's "Brand New Eyes" fulfills its hype
It should be unanimously agreed that Paramore's new album, “Brand New Eyes,” was worth the wait.
October 13, 2009
It should be unanimously agreed that Paramore's new album, “Brand New Eyes,” was worth the wait.

Relient K fails to innovate in new album

Relient K fails to innovate in new album
Relient K's new album is raw and authentic but lacks innovation.
Job Ang, Writer October 13, 2009
Relient K's new album is raw and authentic but lacks innovation.

“Couples Retreat” loses positive message by exploiting sex

"Couples Retreat" loses its underlying positive message about marriage fidelity in a sea of unneeded sex scenes and crude jokes.
“Couples Retreat” may be a comedy, but it disgusts just as often as it entertains.
Harmony Wheeler, Writer October 13, 2009
“Couples Retreat” may be a comedy, but it disgusts just as often as it entertains.

Job shows up in “A Serious Man”

"A Serious Man," the Coen brothers’ latest drama is about a man who wonders if God is conspiring against him as his life falls apart. The movie has shadows from the book of Job.
The Coen brothers’ latest drama asks deep questions about the nature of suffering. Is it bad luck, or is God conspiring against us?
Jennifer Northway, Writer October 7, 2009
The Coen brothers’ latest drama asks deep questions about the nature of suffering. Is it bad luck, or is God conspiring against us?

Lots of guts, little explanation in “Zombieland”

"Zombieland" is a comedy about a paranoid and nerdy loner named Columbus who lives in a world overrun by zombies.
I like zombies — a lot. Well, technically I hate them, but I love the idea of them. Something about the idea of zombies appeals to me for a few reasons.
Nick Shorts, Writer October 6, 2009
I like zombies — a lot. Well, technically I hate them, but I love the idea of them. Something about the idea of zombies appeals to me for a few reasons.

“Surrogates” regurgitates dry sci-fi themes

“Surrogates” revolves around Detective Tom Greer (Bruce Willis) who is finally beginning to feel the effects of living in a Utopia where human beings live through electronic puppets called surrogates.
“Surrogates” tries to make up for its lack of uniqueness with an abundance of standard Hollywood formula.
September 28, 2009
“Surrogates” tries to make up for its lack of uniqueness with an abundance of standard Hollywood formula.

“Toy-Story 3-D” is delightfully nostalgic

"Toy Story 3-D" will be released Oct. 2 for two weeks.
Review of Pixar's new "Toy Story 3-D," to be released October 2.
September 28, 2009
Review of Pixar's new "Toy Story 3-D," to be released October 2.