Underworld: Awakening — Twilight's opposite returns for vengeance
Underworld: Awakening is my guilty pleasure. The Underworld franchise is one of those film series that people shouldn’t like, but the over-the-top violence and attractive female lead, played by Kate Beckinsale, make it impossible not to enjoy this horror-action franchise. The Underworld films focus on the war between lycans (also known as werewolves) and vampires. Awakening is the fourth installment in the Underworld franchise and the first in six years to have Kate Beckinsale’s character, Selene, as the film’s lead.
The plot of Underworld: Awakening is very basic. Humans have learned of the existence of vampires and lycans and now seek to eradicate both species from existence. Selene is captured by the humans while attempting to escape with Michael Covin, her husband from Underworld: Evolution. Selene is held captive in a state of suspended animation for 12 years before someone named Subject 1 helps her escape. Selene decides the best way to survive is to protect Subject 1 from the lycans and vampires, as both species are on the hunt to harvest Subject 1’s blood in an effort to use it for themselves to become stronger. Humans are also on the hunt for Subject 1, as they believe she is the key to curing human beings after they have been infected and transform into vampires or werewolves.
| The Artist is Oscar gold
The Artist
(PG-13)
There’s a good chance you’ve heard of The Artist by this point, whether you’re an avid film fan or not. Just a week ago it received 10 nominations from the Academy and last month it came away with the Golden Globe for Best Picture: Musical or Comedy (one of the few films in that category that actually belonged there). Even the dog, Uggie, who stars in the film has been praised and walked the red carpet.
A silent film made today is bound to get attention because it's been a long time since a film of this kind has received a wide release and because it’s a throwback to days long gone when life and movie making was, or at least seemed, a bit simpler. The truth is though that this film deserves all of the attention and accolades it’s receiving because it’s a fine film. It has great acting performances, an amazing score, beautiful cinematography and a solid script. I’d even say that the acting (as an ensemble cast) and the music are the best I’ve seen in a film in the past year.
This is the type of film you want to see on the big screen. And it’s the type of film that you often anticipate and are then frustrated and disappointed that it hasn’t arrived in your town. Thankfully, it has finally has arrived and I have to say it made me nostalgic for a past for which I was never a part.
If you’re not familiar with the plot, The Artist begins in 1927, when George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is the biggest star around. It’s fitting that he won’t say a word in the opening clip of his film that’s premiering at the theater. He waits quietly backstage, behind the screen and amidst the signs that say, “Please be silent behind the screen.” That’s Valentin’s life. He was born to be silent and to make people want to watch him do so. He’s a showman on stage, embracing the spotlight and wallowing in his own vanity. In a way, he’s a star that outshines the film itself. And he’s the only one to do so until Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo) comes along.
Author’s Note: This is the first of what I hope is a series of articles about writing and getting published. Julie Cross’s journey from an aspiring writer punching out story ideas in Borders to becoming a published author is fascinating. The local author and busy mother of three launched her first novel, Tempest, at the Champaign Public Library this past Saturday. The book is about Jackson Meyer, a 19-year-old time traveller, who goes back in time to save his fatally …
Red Tails is a film that has been George Lucas’s passion project for the past two decades. The problem with passion projects is that they can be hard to finance. The other issue inherent with making a passion project like Red Tails is that it stars an all African-American cast, and studio executives don’t believe that a film with minorities as the main characters can appeal to an international audience.
While writing parts one and two of this series, I learned that Chester Street Bar has weekly drag shows, and I hadn’t seen any of them! Well, this could not stand. So, immediately following our long, winter break, I contacted Tommy Williams — the assistant manager and organizer of drag shows at C-Street — and asked to attend a show. He responded with not just a friendly “yes,” but also an offer to comp. my ticket and set me up …
David Wilcoxen practices law by day. At night, however, he creates 7-foot dolls from recycled cardboard. Wilcoxen is one of several local artists and business owners trying to revitalize what might be considered an “ignored part of town.” The group wants to brand the block between Randolph and Neil Streets, south of University Avenue, as SODO, or the South Downtown Arts District. The acronym, however, doesn’t just refer to a physical space — it’s also an idea. At its core, …
Carnage is one of those films that felt simple at first, but underneath each character were layers of thoughts, feelings and ideas that were unexpressed. Carnage is a rarity — it’s one of those experiences that I wish I had more often at the movies. The entire film takes place inside an apartment. Roman Polanski, who directed and co-wrote this film, crafts a story with Yasmina Reza (based on her play) about two children. One child hit the other with …
The Mission Impossible Force makes an incredible comeback in this, the fourth entry of the series. The plotline for this film is very simple. The Russians are in a fight with the Americans because someone fired a nuclear weapon at the Kremlin and blamed Ethan Hunt’s team. Ethan and his team are disavowed and have to work on their own to find out who originally fired the missile at the Kremlin and why that person would seek to insight a …
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great. another TGIF documentary.
This movie is a throwback in the best possible way. Such a delight. By the last scene, I was actually grinning ear to ear!
There are plenty of war movies that do not show one second of fighting or death or blood. There are many feel good war movies. This movie is meant to be inspirational and uplifting. I don’t watch the boondocks because that show is degrading and racist. I…
I think Cameron and scorsese are addicted to the innovations of movies rather than the actual movies themselves. As we saw in Avatar. The look was amazing but the tale was as old as time haha. And as far as Scorsese is concerned he’s made plenty of…
thank gha’al for dan hill
You are right, the Scorsese “vision” of the future is much more horrifying. This actually surprises me because Cameron seems like the MOAR MOAR MOAR TECHNLOGY!!! guy. What does Scorsese even mean “there is no subject matter that can’t absorb 3D?” Yeah a sensitive love story could…
What type of war movie is a “feel good” movie. Look out Hitla, here we come!!!! That doesn’t make them seem as educated men like the Tuskeegee were. Take that Mista Hitla… It was garbage and a the Boondocks creator wrote the script. Have you ever heard…
Speaking of James Cameron…I was going to link this article but decided that the one with Scorsese was much more disheartening: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/specialsections/40th-anniversary/James-Cameron-on-the-Future-of-Cinema.html
This movie is in black and white (although it was shot in color and then postprocessed into B&W), is in a TV-style 4x3 aspect ratio, has nothing in the way of special effects, and nary a sound (beyond the musical score) is heard. Even the frame rate…
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Pamela - Are the roasteries in Seattle as clean as CSR? It always disturbs me a little that it is so clean in there.
Now you will be able to munch on pizza and shrimp cocktails in downtown Urbana (whilst a DJ spins?) after your dissolution of marriage http://www.news-gazette.com/news/business/features/its-your-business/2012-02-05/its-your-business-new-pizza-place-downtown-urban Is this a franchise of a Reno pizza joint, or just a coincidence of name? http://www.blackrockpizza.com
Signs someone is “fishing” for a factual anchor: 1. Starts call to radio with: “I’ve been an Illini fan for (XX) years” or “I’m a diehard fan,” as if somehow that unverifiable claim will justify the 5 minutes of B.S. that follows. 2. Makes reference to KenPom…
That’s what she said.
Black dog and Siam terrace is where I always go after my divorces.
Love CSR. Apart from making my way through the regular roasts in 1/2 pound increments, I also like to pick up some of the little sample packets of the flavored stuff for when the lady and I feel like getting crazy. Sticky Bun is pretty nice.
If you happen to be getting a divorce, or fighting a DUI prosecution, downtown Urbana is a great place to eat.
HUUUUUUGE fan of their Black Velvet roast…It makes up about 75% of my coffee intake. LOL CSR is definitely one of those Champaign institutions that I brag about to people not from here. :-)
We like CSR too! We french press at home and I leave the lid off while it steeps—letting the ground beans bloom. Then, like in your tasting, I scoop off the top layer before pressing. We really need to invest in a burr grinder though, as I…
Confidential? In this state? Hahahahahahahhahahaha
just confirmed: there will be white russians served. the art abides.
big lebowski at the art. mark it, dude.
There’s a great video promo out for “Company” too: http://vimeo.com/36077847
Wow, His Majesty took the time to answer your polite plea. It’s been a while since I spoke fluent arrogance, but allow this attempt at a translation: “I deeply regret the embarrassment…” = I wish we hadn’t got caught and it wasn’t a big deal really. “...and…
I love the Guitars
I had their tea at the Urbana Farmer’s Market when they first started out and it was great! Their tins recently caught my eye at Walnut Street Tea Company and my guests used it all up before I could even try it! Way to go Tiesta, stay…
Im fine with missing ingredients and of course they fixed things what restaurant fights with the customer over things like that anymore. ( the way social media could affect them) My problem is that I am visiting you place of business within the first week of opening.…
Thanks for that, Louis CK.
Your call to stay pissed is precisely why global warming fanatics will fail. Emotion has no place in hard science. The problem with the issue of global warming is that is has been pumped full of emotion and politics, and the science is becoming a by-product. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204301404577171531838421366.html?KEYWORDS=global+warming
Clearly the Postal Officials in favor of this cannot make an economic argument, as this saves the post office $0. What is their rationale?
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Soo is smile politely in the business of editing comments? Interesting. Way to preserve our 1st am.