This Week in Entertainment
Movies:
Captain America – The Winter Soldier: The newest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the second starring feature for the titular, patriotic superhero Chris Evans, but unlike its predecessor, the film has a modern setting. Determined to expose a conspiracy, Captain America teams up with the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson, Her) to track down an unexpected enemy.PG-13. 136 minutes.
Music:
A Dotted Line – Nickel Creek: After taking a self-described “indefinite hiatus” in 2007, the Grammy Award-winning, progressive, bluegrass and contemporary folk trio returns for its sixth album, coinciding with its 25th anniversary celebration. The collection includes a combination of original tracks as well as covers of songs by Sam Phillips and Mother Mother, and it will precede a “reunion” tour that will stop at several folk festivals across the country this summer.
Blu-Ray, Streaming & DVD:
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – Although its predecessor was more financially successful in theatres, both critics and fans consider the second installment in Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy an improvement on the first of the series. Picking up in the middle of the epic story, the film includes majestic battle scenes, witty dialogue and the first appearance of the mysterious dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch, Sherlock). Bonus features include behind-the-scenes documentaries, a music video and 3-D compatibility.
Video Games:
Titanfall – Developed exclusively for Microsoft by Electronic Arts, this new, first-person shooter game allows players to compete in six-on-six matches as human-piloted robots on a war-torn planet. The game also features fast-paced action and cloud-computing services that allow non-player activity to be offloaded to servers in order to optimize graphical performance. The game has already received numerous awards at the E3 Game Critics Awards and has been praised for its player accessibility. Available for Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC.
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From safe schools to hostile courtrooms: How Betsy DeVos’ new Title IX regulations harm survivors
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Don’t overlook Black lives in pandemic solidarity
The COVID-19 pandemic seems to have given rise to a new phrase that has been thrown around by media outlets and social media users across the country: “We are all in this together.” Don’t get me wrong — I am not denying the fact that every person in this country has been impacted by the virus in some capacity, and I am certainly not denying the rise in local expressions of solidarity. Over the past couple months, we’ve seen students and volunteers across the country donate their time and resources to help their neighbors. Young people have come together on social media platforms to address issues surrounding mental health and online learning, creating a sense of community while also practicing social distancing. I am not denying the presence of solidarity. What I would like to discuss, however, is the fallacy of solidarity in a racialized society.
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