The Academy Awards can still regain its fading luster

The snubs. The dwindling ratings. The accusations of racism. Such makes up the public image of the Academy Awards. What was once seen as the Super Bowl for movies has now become a three-hour slog that feels like mandatory job training for filmgoers. The Oscars have definitely lost their luster and prestige as the film market is becoming increasingly oversaturated. However, though the gold doesn’t glitter as it once did, the Oscars are still the premier award show and has a massive influence on i...

Better Man: The Robbie Williams Monkey Movie is What Cinema Needs Right Now

Music biopics are a dime a dozen. You know how they go: a wide-eyed musician finds unlikely fame and the spoils of said fame turn into addiction and tragedy, all culminating in a feel-good moment of redemption (all this while the subject’s iconic catalog is playing in the background).There’s a reason why music biopics usually profit at the box office: we idolize our favorite musicians, so the prospect of seeing their life story — no matter how dramatized — is too much to pass up.But what happens...

Interstellar: From Space with Love

In 2014, Christopher Nolan followed the Dark Knight Trilogy with an intergalactic, time-traveling, sci-fi epic spanning multiple decades and millions of lightyears. It was his most ambitious film yet and unlike any of his other films before or since.Much like his previous films, the lead-up to “Interstellar”’s release came with an insane amount of hype, secrecy, and speculation. Its marketing and subsequent financial success proved that there is an audience for original ideas, free of franchise...

Before Sunset: Saying the Quiet Part Out Loud

Our feelings for a movie rarely stay the same. What was once profound and life-changing can now feel hollow and pretentious, or vice versa. Our tastes and preferences change as we live our lives, our experiences informing our palettes for different stories and narratives. It also lets us see the same story through different eyes, uncovering things that were previously hidden on first watch. That’s how I felt about 2004’s Before Sunset. Don’t get me wrong, I always adored the movie and the Before...

Heretic: The Problem (and Solution) with Christian Movies

Why are Christian movies bad? It doesn’t matter that they’re emotionally manipulative or cater to a very specific and devout audience (they’re literally preaching to the choir). The biggest sin Christian movies commit is that they’re (yawn) boring. It’s rare to find a Christian movie that has something creative to say about faith. It’s even more rare to find one that is willing to tackle legitimate arguments against its own faith without giving paper-thin explanations. Belief is not proof, but i...

Jürgen Klopp and The Psychology of Sports Fandom

“It's not important what people think when you come in, but what they think when you leave.”On Friday, January 26, Jürgen Klopp announced he was leaving Liverpool FC after almost nine years with the club. Almost immediately, tributes and retrospectives came flooding in the television and online airwaves. Fans, analysts, and fellow managers alike from all over the world gave Klopp his flowers as his time with the club was now coming to a sudden end.  After a day (okay, a weekend) of coping, barga...

Cinema Therapy - The Joy of Going to the Movies

“Because we need that, all of us, that indescribable feeling we get when the lights begin to dim, and we go somewhere we've never been before; not just entertained, but somehow reborn.Dazzling images, on a huge silver screen. Sound that I can feel.Somehow, heartbreak feels good in a place like this. Our heroes feel like the best part of us, and stories feel perfect and powerful. Because here, they are.”(You know where this is from.) We all crave connection. We want to belong. We want to experien...

The faith of grieving

After a year of individual and collective tragedies, religion remains a vital part of the country’s moral fabric. The COVID-19 pandemic has tested just about everyone’s physical, mental and emotional limits. For the vast majority of Americans, organized religion remains a strong mechanism and way to make sense of an everchanging world. Regardless of one’s faith, we cannot shy away from the power of belief and how it has helped billions navigate uncertain times. Likewise, submitting to tragedy as...

The woes of doing what you love for a living

A life in academics is a challenging one. No matter what avenue you choose to embark on your undergraduate journey, there will be bumps along the way. Majoring in a field that you have had a lifelong passion for sounds like a match made in heaven – like a declaration that you are meant to do this. The road to a degree would be a romantic and blissful experience full of enlightenment that will only strengthen one’s love for said field. On paper, what could possibly go wrong?The truth is no job is...

Restless juniors, we are almost there

Graduation is but days away, signifying the end for thousands of students’ academic journeys. Going through the gauntlet of online classes and a pandemic that continues to wreak havoc, this year’s grads deserve all the praise and adulation they will surely get this Friday. Seniors have made an incredible example of navigating troubled waters, their accomplishments all the more impressive during this tumultuous day and age.For us juniors, however, the future looks more uncertain than ever. As we...

Amy Zapien And The Art Of Healing Through Writing. | Central Track

Amy Zapien was able to show the world her vision on her terms.

Packed with family and friends in attendance, Zapien, a filmmaker and writer from Pleasant Grove, premiered her new short film La Conjunta at Texas Theatre April 23. The film’s premiere was a long time coming — a process that took months to independently plan, fund, brainstorm and ultimately realize on the big screen.

Now, Zapien is striving for bigger things.

A longtime resident of the Dallas literary art scene, Zapien has enjoye...

'The Batman' is a bleak, faithful reinvention of the caped crusader

To quote film critic Roger Ebert, “Batman isn’t a comic book anymore.”The caped crusader’s cinematic history has repeatedly challenged the status quo of the comic book film genre. Tim Burton’s 1989 “Batman” showed that superhero stories weren’t just campy escapades for kids to enjoy. Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” showed how these stories and characters can provide vital commentary for today’s day and age.This time around, Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” is a dark, violent, brutal and cerebral...

[Q&A] CFTI Is Fire For The 21st Century. | Central Track

Reporters waging war on one another. A bumbling nature documentary crew. A keynote for a sleep app presented by an insomniac. Two tubular product reviewers running around a 7-Eleven in hope of getting a sponsorship. All are characters and situations that make up the first episode of It Just So Happens on Greenville, the newest sketch show from the Dallas comedy group Comedy For The Internet.

Founded in 2020 by Danny Neely, Sallie Bowen and Roger Ricardo, the channel prides itself in its eclecti...

The North Texas Daily stands with the Battalion

On Friday, Feb. 10, Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks informed the university’s student publication The Battalion that they were to cease printing weekly issues immediately. Banks has stated her intent to have the publication’s digital-only status is part of the university’s goal to revamp the college’s journalism department, effectively stifling the publication's independence. Print journalism and student media are mightily important services to the community, and they can only...

Wordle acquisition could mar independent journalism

We really can’t have nice things, can we? Earlier this week, TheNew York Times announced its acquisition of the wildly popular mobile game Wordle. Though it may appear harmless on the surface, this move highlights the concerning growth of the publication’s influence. As one of, if not the most eminent news companies in the country, the Times’ latest acquisition — and its recent history of other purchases — could be a worrisome one, especially in the field of journalism, where independence and tr...

Texas constitutional election deserves your attention

Every election offers something of great importance. Casting a ballot is meant to be an affirmation of how one wants the next two or four years to play out. Most elections end with an elected official assuming office. However, the Constitutional Amendment and Joint General and Special Elections are not preoccupied with slogans or larger-than-life personalities. Instead, the identity of Texas’ premiere piece of legislation is at stake and deserves the care and attention of all state citizens.Amon...

'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' is an exceptional literary debut for Quentin Tarantino

Two years after its initial release, Quentin Tarantino makes his literary debut with an adaptation of "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood." Having a body of work that could only work through the cinematic medium, sticking to the written word presents a unique challenge to both author and reader. The end result is a charmingly irreverent love letter to the industry he calls home.On the topic of the 2019 film, it is one of Tarantino’s very best and most mature pictures. For a filmmaker known for his co...

Jennette McCurdy and the plight of child actors

Television revivals have been all the rage recently. Whether it be an effort to promote a new streaming service or cash in on an already established property, no franchise or series is ever sacred. Hollywood seldom lets well enough alone and the same can sadly be said for child actors.The upcoming revival for Nickelodeon favorite, “iCarly,” is part of a long string of shows given a literal second life after a decade of being done. What is grabbing more headlines and attention is Jennette McCurdy...

We are running on information overload

Ninety percent of the world’s data was generated in two years, according to research organization SINTEF. The tragedy in that finding is it was made in 2013, when social media was the ‘Wild West’ compared to today. We live in a time ripe with easy-to-access information and technology made to empower the user with ease of use.However, it is the simplicity of modern technology and the wealth of information that has resulted in a generation defined by information overload. Simply put, we process so...

How Pharmacies Can Support Populations in Underserved Areas

Access to healthcare is a growing challenge for many Americans, particularly those in groups experiencing disadvantages and pharmacy deserts. These areas lack the resources needed to support basic healthcare needs, leading to worse health outcomes and higher medical costs.But independent and community pharmacies have the power to make a difference. From implementing telepharmacy services to offering delivery options, there are actionable steps you can take to expand access and improve patient ca...

2024 Year in Review: A Landmark Year for RedSail Technologies

A lot can happen in a year, and for RedSail Technologies, 2024 has been a transformative and impactful one. From hosting innovative user conferences to expanding our portfolio of offerings, this year has been filled with remarkable milestones that have shaped the future of pharmacy care.As we prepare for the opportunities ahead, let’s reflect on the achievements of 2024 and explore how RedSail Technologies is positioned to help your pharmacy thrive in the new year.Kicking things off we have our...

Jeffrey Gross and Mickey Fine Pharmacy: A Beacon of Hope Amid LA’s Wildfires

At the time of writing, out-of-control wildfires are ripping across parts of Los Angeles, leading to at least 24 deaths, burning down hundreds of buildings, and the evacuation of more than 179,000 people in the county.If there is any good to come out of events like these, it’s remembering there are always people who are ready, willing, and able to help their communities.Independent pharmacies have always gone above and beyond the call of duty to care for their communities. Since 1962, Mickey Fin...

6 PioneerRx Features to Help Perfect Your Pharmacy’s Inventory

The art of pharmacy inventory management is a delicate one. Your pharmacy provides all kinds of products and services that promote greater health for your community. As such, it’s essential to have a steady and consistent supply of these products.Though some unforeseen events can hamper your inventory management (such as national shortages), you already have the tools to enhance your inventory — you just don’t know it yet.Leverage your pharmacy software with these 6 PioneerRx features to help yo...

Schaffner Pharmacy and Apothecary Coffee

‍The one sure thing about the pharmacy industry is that nothing is for sure. The last two years are a testament to this: an ongoing pandemic that’s changed the global norm and another crisis in the monkeypox scare. It’s hard enough for an independent pharmacist to open their practice and keep their head above water. But to deal with a global health crisis and open a small business? Enter Chris Schaffner’s journey to owning and operating an independent pharmacy. ‍In April 2018, Chris opened Schaf...
Load More