‘Knives Out’ builds a smart, funny mystery
Brian Lang, Film Critic
December 3, 2019
A murder in an ornate mansion, contentious heirs gathering for a funeral, and an off-kilter detective looking for answers. Rian Johnson’s newest blockbuster “Knives Out” sounds like the setup for a game of “Clue,” but its mystery can’t be solved by the powers of deduction alone. When aut...
‘Zombieland: Double Tap’ brings back the gang for more of the same laughs
Brian Lang, Film Critic
October 28, 2019
It’s been a long 10 years since “Zombieland” debuted, but our favorite team of zombie killers has still got it. After making it out of the first film unscathed, redneck Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson), nerdy Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg), jaded Wichita (Emma Stone) and now teenager Little Rock (Abiga...
‘The Good Place’ a heavenly comedy about philosophy
Brian Lang, Film Critic
February 12, 2019
When Eleanor Shellstrop wakes up in heaven, she knows something is very wrong. That is the premise behind the hit comedy series “The Good Place.” Created by Michael Shur, the producer of hits like “Parks and Rec” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “The Good Place” has something for everyone: hilario...
‘Vice’: a case study of corruption
Brian Lang, Film Critic
January 17, 2019
Audiences have always been drawn to stories of corrupt rulers. From Shakespeare’s classic power struggle in "Macbeth" to Frank Underwood in “House of Cards,” there is great entertainment in watching corruption at work. Perhaps no story of corruption and scheming is more compelling than that of fo...
About 600 attend stand-up comedian Chico Beans’ performance
Nathan Martinez, Reporter
October 23, 2018
The UPB Host performance by comedian Chico Bean from Wild 'N' Out TV show at Clark Student Center at 8 p.m. Oct. 23. Eduardo Castañeda, nursing freshman, said, “It was really good the man spoke about the truth of every day college with lessons and things we will experience at some point here at...
‘Night School’ struggles for laughs
Brian Lang, Film Critic
October 4, 2018
The summer hits have come and gone and the Oscar-worthy films are yet to hit the screens, so the box office is left with little to show at the moment. One of the more interesting of the meager offerings this week, however, is the comedy “Night School” directed by Malcolm D. Lee (Girl’s Trip....
‘A Simple Favor’, a glossy, twisted, thriller
Brian Lang, Film Critic
September 26, 2018
Stephanie is a ditzy, insecure, single-mom vlogger who is over-involved at her son’s school. Emily is a powerful PR director a fashion company who dulls the pain of suburban life with strong chilled martinis. When their paths cross a fast friendship ensues, but it’s only when Emily asks her new fr...
G. Yamazawa inspires audience with poetry
Brian Lang, Reporter
April 10, 2018
The room filled with laughter and applause as students absorbed the poetry and stories of National Poetry Slam Champion G. Yamazawa on April 10 in the Legacy Hall Multipurpose Room. UPB coordinated the event and about 30 students attended. George Masao “G” Yamazawa blended funny anec...
‘Urinetown’ provides a night of entertainment
February 27, 2018
With its unconventional title and unusual subject matter, "Urinetown" may seem like a poor choice for a musical, but this zany production by the MSU theater department successfully pulls it off. This hilarious comedy makes fun of conventional theater, criticizes capitalism and bureaucrac...
Prospective students join musical cast
Mekala Conway and Jacob Smith
February 8, 2018
The stage smells of fresh sawdust and wet paint. Dust mites are seen in the bright stage lights, masking the audience and turning the rest of the auditorium into an endless expanse of black. The only thing that lets anyone know there is anyone seated in the audience is the den of people talking and laughing...
‘Thor: Ragnarok’ presents fun space adventure
November 7, 2017
This year has been great for Marvel. "Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2" was a touching character-driven story about what it means to be a family. "Spider-Man: Homecoming" was a nice callback to John Hughes' films. Now there is "Thor: Ragnarok:" a funny, space adventure film. "Thor: Ragnarok" was a ...
Broadway actor brings laughter to Legacy
October 27, 2017
Comedian and Broadway actor Kevin Yee brought laughter, smiles and a bit of satire to about 20 students in the Legacy Multipurpose Room on Oct. 26. Yee, who hails from Vancouver, Canada, travels across the country to perform his self-written, satirical songs. “People don’t expect to walk in...