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Arts & Entertainment articles

‘The Grinch’ steals Christmas, but not the show

‘The Grinch’ steals Christmas, but not the show

“The Grinch” was released by Illumination Animation, the same studio that made the “Despicable Me” franchise. (Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures) Owen Johnson Connector Editor It is time for Hollywood to understand that the stories of Dr. Seuss only work as 20 page children’s books, and not in feature length form. As Christmas time approaches

Kurt Russell sleighs in “The Christmas Chronicles”

“The Christmas Chronicles” was streamed 20 million times its first week up. (Photo courtesy of Netflix) Linda Poe Connector Contributor Should a Christmas film contain a high speed car chase and a jailhouse rock number? Apparently for director Clay Kaytis and screenwriter Matt Lieberman, the answer is an enthusiastic, “Yes.” These elements, along with many

Stephen Hillenburg leaves behind a legacy of optimism

Hillenburg was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2017. (Photo courtesy of Consequence of Sound) Jessica Kergo Connector Staff Stephen Hillenburg, creator of the highly acclaimed children’s animated television series “Spongebob Squarepants,” passed away at the age of 57 last Monday, Nov. 26. The cause of his death was a neurodegenerative disease known as amyotrophic

A heartfelt defense of ‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’

Marvel Comics icon Stan Lee makes a nonspeaking posthumous cameo in the movie. (Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) Hannah Manning Connector Editor Beneath the sometimes pandering and relentless references to the Internet of today and the lingering feeling that this film will be almost embarrassingly dated within six months of its release, “Ralph

‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ and the franchise

Imagine Dragons performed the lead single “Zero” for the soundtrack. (Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures) Owen Johnson Connector Editor “Ralph Breaks the Internet” is less “Wreck-it Ralph,” and more “The Emoji Movie.” In other words, yikes. After Ralph’s (John C. Reilly) hijinks in the Sugar Rush arcade game cause the game’s steering wheel

‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald’ is criminally dull

Actors such as Christian Bale and Benedict Cumberbatch were considered for the role of Dumbledore. (Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures) Owen Johnson Connector Editor Magical spells and fantastic creatures might sound fun and interesting, but they are nowhere close to being enough to save “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald” from being a dull

Taylor Swift dove “Fearless” into fame 10 years ago

“Fearless” was Swift’s second studio album. (Photo courtesy of Big Machine) Troy Lafond Connector Staff On Nov. 11, 2008, a little over 10 years ago, now-world renowned country and pop superstar Taylor Swift released her sophomore studio album “Fearless.” At the time, Taylor Swift was fairly well known in the country industry, but not necessarily

‘Civilization 6:’ From sticks and stones to nuclear apocalypse

The first major expansion for “Civilization 6” was released in Feb. 2018. (Photo courtesy of 2K Games) Vernon Gibbs Connector Staff There are countless genres of video games in today’s market, yet one of the least represented is the 4X strategy game: explore, expand, exploit and exterminate. “Sid Meier’s Civilization” series has a long running