American Idol Revamped

American Idol is back! After fourteen seasons, what Fox calls, “the original reality competition show” is looking to reinvent itself yet again. While many may read this and let out with an exasperated sigh, “another show with another promise,” I think this season may actually be successful. Having undergone several major formatting changes, American Idol hopes to return once again as the show that discovers superstars.

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Peaky Blinders Review

The BBC has done it again! At least, that's what many of the critics are saying about the newly popular show Peaky Blinders. If the thought of British mobsters circa 1919 excites you, then you better buckle up because it's going to be a bumpy ride (bareback on a racehorse because that's just how protagonist Thomas Shelby does it.) Peaky Blinders centers around the Shelbys, a gangster family living in the foggy industrial city of Birmingham, England. The family makes their money through the black market and illegal bookmaking, the underground business of betting on sports such as horse racing or boxing. The gang has an organized hierarchy headed by the former World War I soldier Thomas Shelby (Cillian Murphy) and while he was away at war, the Jezebel-esque Aunt Polly (Helen McCrory). Peaky Blinders is named after the actual historic gang of Birmingham, the "Peaky Blinders" who were known for sewing razor blades on the peaks of their caps which they used as weapons to blind their adversaries.

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Inherent Vice: An Invitation

Christmas break is prime movie watching time. No classes, plenty of new releases, and hopefully some Christmas money to spend at the theatre, right? Over break, perhaps you saw a non-Covenant rendition of Into the Woods, the new, modern Annie, or The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Or maybe you hit one of the smaller theatres in your area to see a limited-release film called Inherent Vice. But I’m guessing that you probably didn’t, so instead of giving everything away, I’d like to whet your appetite for a wildly interesting, post-modern narrative that you might not have heard about underneath the hustle and bustle of winter blockbusters.

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