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The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

The Student News Site of Biola University

The Chimes

“The International” fails to cater to action and political crowds

'The International', directed by Tom Tykwer, is a drama about an Interpol Agent and Manhattan Assistant District Attorney who are determined to bring to justice one of the world's most powerful banks.
**Movie**: "The International" **Director**: Tom Tyker **Release Date**: Feb. 13 **Rating**: Three stars (out of five) “The International” is the latest film in a series of misguided attempts to cater to both the action crowd and the politically-minded crowd. From an economic standpoint, ...
February 16, 2009
**Movie**: "The International" **Director**: Tom Tyker **Release Date**: Feb. 13 **Rating**: Three stars (out of five) “The International” is the latest film in a series of misguided attempts to cater to both the action crowd and the politically-minded crowd. From an economic standpoint, ...

“Fanboys” unlikely to please viewers, “Star Wars” aficionados

'Fanboys', directed by Kyle Newman, is a comedy about four extreme "Star Wars" fans and childhood friends drive across America to Skywalker Ranch in order to sneak a peek at the yet unreleased "Episode 1: Phantom Menace" as one last hoorah for their dying friend.
There are times when you feel almost certain a film is going to be funny and entertaining, but it ends up being a mediocre experience, at best, that cost $10 or more. Such is the new buddy caper, “Fanboys.” “Fanboys” is about a group of four childhood/“Star Wars” obsessed friends, Eric (Sam Hunti ...
February 10, 2009
There are times when you feel almost certain a film is going to be funny and entertaining, but it ends up being a mediocre experience, at best, that cost $10 or more. Such is the new buddy caper, “Fanboys.” “Fanboys” is about a group of four childhood/“Star Wars” obsessed friends, Eric (Sam Hunti ...

“Shopaholic” provides amusement, frivolous fun

'Confessions of a Shopaholic' is one of many in the series by the British author Sophie Kinsella.
Your life won’t be changed as a result of this novel. But you will be uplifted, amused and refreshed. So take the time, allow yourself to relax and enjoy an afternoon with this particular charmer of a shopaholic.
February 9, 2009
Your life won’t be changed as a result of this novel. But you will be uplifted, amused and refreshed. So take the time, allow yourself to relax and enjoy an afternoon with this particular charmer of a shopaholic.

“Taken” features fast action, downplays powerful message

'Taken' is an action thriller movie directed by Pierre Morel about a former government operative Bryan Mills who is on the hunt for the fearsome organization that has taken his daughter.
**Stars**: 2.5 out of 5 **Review**: "Taken" **Director**: Pierre Morel **Release Date**: Jan. 30, 2009 From the get-go, “Taken” sets itself up to be full of intense action with a breathtaking sequence where Kim (Maggie Grace) is abducted and stolen into Paris’ seedy underground. Brian (L ...
February 9, 2009
**Stars**: 2.5 out of 5 **Review**: "Taken" **Director**: Pierre Morel **Release Date**: Jan. 30, 2009 From the get-go, “Taken” sets itself up to be full of intense action with a breathtaking sequence where Kim (Maggie Grace) is abducted and stolen into Paris’ seedy underground. Brian (L ...

“New in Town” not so new after all

'New In Town', starring Renee Zellwegger, is a story about a Miami businesswoman is transferred to rural Minnesota, and while she is there she re-evaluates her big-city values.
"New in Town" **Rating**: 2.5/5 **Cast**: Renee Zellweger, Harry Connick Jr. **Director**: Jonas Elmer **Genre**: Romantic comedy **Running time**: 96 min. **Rating**: PG **Release date**: Jan. 30 It is a trope older than “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Elizabethtown” – the hip and ...
February 3, 2009
"New in Town" **Rating**: 2.5/5 **Cast**: Renee Zellweger, Harry Connick Jr. **Director**: Jonas Elmer **Genre**: Romantic comedy **Running time**: 96 min. **Rating**: PG **Release date**: Jan. 30 It is a trope older than “Sweet Home Alabama” and “Elizabethtown” – the hip and ...

“The Uninvited” barely makes the mark

Directed by Thomas and Charles Guard, 'The Uninvited' is a suspenseful horror film about a girl who is visited by her mother's ghost.
Everyone knows that Hollywood can't come up with original ideas anymore, and Charles and Thomas Guard's "The Uninvited" proves that film studios like to rehash old story lines and make them "unique."
February 1, 2009
Everyone knows that Hollywood can't come up with original ideas anymore, and Charles and Thomas Guard's "The Uninvited" proves that film studios like to rehash old story lines and make them "unique."

“Fiction Family”: Nickel Creek-Switchfoot collaboration results in eclectic tunes

Fiction Family is a new cross-genre collaboration between band Switchfoot's Jon Foreman and bluegrass acoustic performer Nickel Creek's Sean Watkins.
Since Switchfoot and Nickel Creek have both been hard-working live acts over the past few years, neither Foreman nor Watkins had much time to spend recording together in the same room. Because of this, they ended up trading demos to each other via e-mail , piecing the songs together on the fly. What resulted is a surprisingly cohesive, eclectic set of tunes, unique from the sound of Switchfoot or Nickel Creek.
January 30, 2009
Since Switchfoot and Nickel Creek have both been hard-working live acts over the past few years, neither Foreman nor Watkins had much time to spend recording together in the same room. Because of this, they ended up trading demos to each other via e-mail , piecing the songs together on the fly. What resulted is a surprisingly cohesive, eclectic set of tunes, unique from the sound of Switchfoot or Nickel Creek.

Best picture nods in brief

"The Reader," "Milk," "Frost/Nixon," "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" are all in the running for the 2009 Oscar Award.
January 28, 2009
"The Reader," "Milk," "Frost/Nixon," "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" are all in the running for the 2009 Oscar Award.

Biola professor Barry Krammes showcases newest art project

Barry Krammes, Biola art professor and former department chair, greats gallery attendees and reconnects with friends at the opening reception of his show, "Morality," Tuesday, Jan. 27. Photo by Kelsey Heng
Barry Krammes' theatre project titled "Morality" is the first art show of the semester featuring beautiful assemblage artwork. The work on display now features topics of morality, including calamities, earthly delights, longing, innocence, and insanity. All pieces are made from mixed media assemblage and have been in production since 2004. For a closer look at the opening reception of the show check out the gallery.
January 28, 2009
Barry Krammes' theatre project titled "Morality" is the first art show of the semester featuring beautiful assemblage artwork. The work on display now features topics of morality, including calamities, earthly delights, longing, innocence, and insanity. All pieces are made from mixed media assemblage and have been in production since 2004. For a closer look at the opening reception of the show check out the gallery.

“Benjamin Button”: a darker “Forrest Gump”

"Benjamin Button" is darker than "Forrest Gump," but the two films have many similaries, including a deep love for the South, strong "Mama" characters and a romance between a simple-minded man and a constantly-changing woman.
David Fincher's “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” has a sentimental take on the thesis of last year's Best Picture winner, “No Country for Old Men.”
January 26, 2009
David Fincher's “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” has a sentimental take on the thesis of last year's Best Picture winner, “No Country for Old Men.”

Best picture nods in brief

The best of the nominated films, "Slumdog Millionaire" creates a fantasy within the harsh settings of Dickensian poverty, and fills it with uplifting magic and crowd-pleasing sentiment.
"The Reader," "Milk," "Frost/Nixon," "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" are all in the running for the 2009 Oscar Award.
January 26, 2009
"The Reader," "Milk," "Frost/Nixon," "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" are all in the running for the 2009 Oscar Award.

A glance at Sundance

Visit the Chimes blog at http://thechimesonlineblog.blogspot.com.
A group of Biola students spent a week in Utah screening films at the world-famous Sundance Film Festival. The annual trip is a chance for cinema / media arts majors to get inspiration and -- if they're lucky -- funding for their own productions. Follow their experiences and favorite movie moments ...
January 24, 2009
A group of Biola students spent a week in Utah screening films at the world-famous Sundance Film Festival. The annual trip is a chance for cinema / media arts majors to get inspiration and -- if they're lucky -- funding for their own productions. Follow their experiences and favorite movie moments ...