This Week in Entertainment
GRAVITY
This highly anticipated suspense-drama from acclaimed director Alfonso Cuaron stars George Clooney (The Descendants) and Sandra Bullock (The Heat) as surviving astronauts in a damaged space shuttle with limited means of communication with Mission Control. Having already earned raving reviews for its visual effects and immersive sound at both the Telluride and Venice Film Festivals, this film is certainly an early contender for a bevy of awards and is not to be missed. PG-13. 91 minutes. Also in Imax 3-D and 3-D.
OLD
DANNY BROWN
The newest studio album from the acclaimed alternative hip-hop artist will finally be released after a long delay because of sample clearances. Brown's distinct style of rap is now featured over more electronic, grime-influenced beats, although his traditional sample-heavy, psychedelic sound can be heard on several of the tracks. The album features guest appearances from frequent collaborators such as Schoolboy Q, A$AP Rocky and Ab-Soul from the T.D.E. Collective.
THE HANGOVER PART III
This disappointing end to the most financially successful comedic trilogy of all time fared substantially poorer than its predecessors this past summer. While it reunites the main cast, including Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis, the movie does not follow the same formula as the first two films, with disappointing results. Bonus features include exclusive behind-the-scenes documentaries, deleted and extended scenes, and an outtake reel.
THE PURGE
This surprise horror hit starring Ethan Hawke (Training Day) will be released for home entertainment just in time for Halloween. In a dystopian future, the United States government allows all crime to be legal for a 12-hour period. The film chronicles one family as it struggles for survival, facing the effects of a malicious barrage of murder, theft and other misdeeds. Bonus features include behind-the-scenes documentaries.
More from The Rice Thresher
Jones wins men’s and women’s Beer Bike races, GSA snags alumni
Jones College won both the women’s and men’s Beer Bike 2024 races, while the Graduate Student Association claimed the alumni team win. Hanszen College bike teams were the runner-up in the alumni and men’s races, while Brown College was the runner-up in the women’s race. Martel and McMurtry Colleges did not bike in the alumni race, according to the Rice Program Council’s final report, and the GSA was disqualified from the men’s race for accidentally sending out two bikers simultaneously.
Super Smash Bros. ultimate tournament sees smashing success
The Super Smash Bros. Club held their second annual ultimate tournament Friday, April 12. Club president Jashun Paluru said all Smash players were welcome, regardless of ability, experience or involvement in the club. The event was held in collaboration with Owls After Dark, a late-night activity series headed by the Rice Student Center, at the Rice Memorial Center’s Grand Hall.
‘Off the beaten track’: Commencement speakers through the years
A former American president, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Nobel laureates and the founder of Khan Academy. All may share similar traits or levels of fame, but there’s another, quieter, common ground: They’ve all spoken at Rice’s commencement.
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