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.
More from The Rice Thresher
Rice accepts 13% of record-setting ED applications
Rice accepted 13.2% of Early Decision applicants in its first round of admissions for the class of 2029, said Yvonne Romero da Silva, vice president for enrollment. With 2,970 total applicants, this year saw yet another record-high; a 3% increase from last year’s previous high of 2,886. An additional 100 students gained admission through the Questbridge National College Match program, an uptick from last year’s 77.
Students reject divestment proposals
The student body voted to pass S.REF 01, which asks the Rice Management Company to disclose all of its holdings investments, but rejected the remaining divestment proposals. While every ballot measure gained a majority of votes in favor, the remaining three did not achieve the two-thirds majority required to pass.
Student organizations form coalition to support SA referenda
Four Student Association referenda open for the general student body vote today at noon. The referenda call for disclosure of Rice Management Company holdings and divestment from entities that profit off the Israel-Hamas war. The referenda also ask that Rice release a statement condemning genocide and materially support anti-colonial scholarship. Voting will close Dec. 11 at noon and the results will be published the next day. For the referenda to pass, a two-thirds majority with a 20% student body turnout is needed.
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