This Week in Entertainment
All That Echoes Josh Groban: The sixth studio album from the man who returned classical music to pop culture is a collection of both self-penned songs and covers of artists such as Stevie Wonder and Glen Hansard. Preceded by its lead single, "Brave," the album retains the spirit of Groban's previous work by including operatic melodies as well as more traditional ballads. As evidenced by his previous album sales (each of his albums has gone platinum in the United States, including two 5X platinum efforts in Closer and Noel), expect more success for the vocalist.
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters - The film begins fifteen years after the candy-loving siblings narrowly escaped the Witch's gingerbread house. The effects-driven film follows Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) into their adult lives as bounty hunters, determined to rid towns of evil sorceresses. This movie was originally supposed to be released last March, but was pushed back to this weekend. Since considering "shelving" is never a good sign for a film and the early reviews have been putrid, the prospects for this fairy tale movie look to be pretty Grimm. R. 88 min.
Seven Psychopaths - This quirky film follows a struggling screenwriter (Colin Farrell, In Bruges) who becomes inadvertently involved in the criminal underworld of Los Angeles after his friends (including Christopher Walken, Catch Me If You Can and Sam Rockwell, Iron Man 2) kidnap a gangster's beloved Shih Tzu. After receiving positive reviews after its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, the film failed to attract moviegoers in theatres but looks to build upon a cult audience at home. Bonus features include behind-the-scenes featurettes.
Two Lanes of Freedom -Tim McGraw: McGraw's first album on Big Machine Records after 20 years with Curb Records is a more emotional record, containing which contains features from fellow country superstars Keith Urban and Taylor Swift. Taking a more nostalgic approach than he did in his previous work, McGraw reflects on his career with both humorous and wistful tracks. Lead singles "Truck Yeah" and "One of Those Nights," which have found success on Country charts while also receiving minor crossover attention, indicate that McGraw has another hit on his hands.
Movie 43 - Advertised as holding one of the largest main casts in cinematic history, including recent Academy Award nominees Hugh Jackman (Les Miserables) and Naomi Watts (The Impossible), this zany comedy is a compilation of 12 different segments, each conceived by a different director. This anything-goes comedy took over two years to make and looks to maintain the producer Peter Farrelly's track record of gross-out, outrageous humor. R. 97 minutes.
Private Berlin (James Patterson) - The newest novel from one of the best-selling authors of all time, written in conjunction with Mark Sullivan, marks the beginning of a new thriller series. This time, the story is set in a private investigation firm in Berlin. When high-profile agent Chris Schneider disappears, it is up to his ex-lover Mattie Engel to solve the case. Meanwhile, Chris is entangled in a web of treacherous places and horrifying secrets that brings him to the edge of destruction.
More from The Rice Thresher
Rice SJP ‘liberated zone’ ends, university removes artwork in ‘beautification efforts’
The “liberated zone” on Rice campus and associated events ended Friday, April 26, after four days of programming, according to the Rice Students for Justice in Palestine Instagram page. Unlike overnight encampments spreading at college campuses across the country, Rice SJP disassembled the “liberated zone” each night and returned the following morning. And in contrast to clashes and escalating police responses that have led to some 2,000 arrests from Los Angeles to Hanover, N.H., there were “no major incidents and no arrests” at Rice, according to President Reggie DesRoches.
Rice’s Luke McCaffrey selected by Commanders in NFL Draft
The Washington Commanders selected Rice wide receiver Luke McCaffrey with the 100th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. McCaffrey was the final pick in the third round, as well as the final pick on the second day of the draft. He’ll compete for a prominent role in the wide receiver room, potentially slotting in as their starting slot receiver alongside Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson.
Rice Students for Justice in Palestine declares ‘liberated zone’ on campus
As student protests erupt across the country, Rice Students for Justice in Palestine launched a “liberated zone” on Rice campus, announced a two-day series of events and started construction on an “apartheid wall.”
Please note All comments are eligible for publication by The Rice Thresher.