This Week in Entertainment
Life on a rock (Kenney Chesney) - One of the most popular touring artists in the country, Kenny Chesney precedes his annual summer tour with another collection of country-pop songs in the spirit of the upcoming summer season. Life on a Rock is a more personal album for Chesney than his previous records; he wrote eight of the songs, including lead single "Pirate Flag," which already has charted in the top 10 of the U.S. country singles chart. The album, featuring collaborations with Willie Nelson and reggae legends The Wailers, aims to be another hit record from Chesney.
The Impossible - This stirring film, starring Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts, was a critical favorite for 2012, but after a subpar theatrical run, should attract a broader audience through its DVD release. The movie tells the inspiring account of a family caught in the mayhem of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, but the terror is tempered by the unexpected displays of compassion, courage and simple kindness the family encounters during the darkest hours of its members' lives. Bonus features include behind-the-scenes documentaries, audio commentary by the director and deleted scenes.
oblivion - This futuristic sci-fi thriller stars Tom Cruise (Rock of Ages) as a security repairman left on Earth after it is devastated by war in 2077. He only has two weeks before he can join fellow survivors on a faraway colony, but when he rescues a beautiful stranger (Olga Kurylenko, Quantum of Solace), it becomes clear his last few days won't prove uneventful. Also starring Morgan Freeman (Olympus Has Fallen), this ambitious film has a blockbuster-sized budget. PG-13. 125 min.
To Be Loved (Michael Buble) - The eighth studio album from one of America's favorite pop vocalists includes both original songs and classic covers, as well as contributions from Bryan Adams and a cappella group Naturally 7. The album's first single, "It's a Beautiful Day," has yet to find success in America, but it has already become a hit internationally. With his new effort, the Canadian crooner hopes to capitalize on the success of his multi-platinum album Christmas and build a larger stateside fan base.
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.”
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