THIS WEEK'S TOP MOVIES
Countdown the week's top flicks
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Countdown the week's top flicks
When preparing for a class, one has to buy books, double check the class schedule and find out where the classes are being held. The first week of classes can be draining and hectic, but one of the best parts of preparing for school is picking out what you are going to wear. Many people on campus claim to wear sweatpants and a T-shirt to every class, but there are the few who put time and effort into how they look. The golden rule of dressing for class is the better you look, the better you will perform, and freshman Alison Cooper agrees. \n"Dress affects how your professor sees you," Cooper said. "You should look conservative or at least nice for class."\nCooper said for music for the listener, a class where many people struggle to get a B, she would dress in khakis and a nice shirt. She feels dressing in a more conservative manner would help her get a better grade. \nOne thing many people keep in mind at IU is to dress for the occasion. Ashton Jones, a freshman, said she would dress totally different for chemistry as opposed to dressing a little more laid-back for the infamous hip-hop class. \n"I would wear more formal clothes for chemistry, like a straight skirt or nice pants and something more like a pair of low-cut jeans and a tank top and sneakers for the hip-hop class," Jones said. \nThere are so many different activities and classes to take at IU that dressing in the morning can leave people feeling overwhelmed. Most people find solace in fashion magazines and resources that can guide people in school shopping and trend spotting. Editors at magazines such as Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, and InStyle are swearing by animal prints and over-embellished accessories. According to the Pantone Color Book Report for fall 2004, clothes in shades of purple, blue and magenta are must-haves if you want to obtain this season's look. \nAn article in the Pantone Color Book states: "Fall's heritage shades are expressed in luxurious fabrics such as tweed, boucles, jacquards and embroideries often mixed with antique metallics presented in combinations that are striking and unexpected." \nLauren Davis, a senior and sales representative at Pitaya on Kirkwood Avenue, said there are plenty of different ways to wear fall's new looks even on campus. One of the more popular classes on campus is history of rock 'n' roll, and Davis said she would wear an outfit that is fitting for a class with a such a laid-back atmosphere.\n"I would wear something with more of a vintage style. Something like a vintage rock T-shirt and cuff jeans," she said. \nConsidering cuffed jeans are in this fall, Davis said Pitaya is selling a lot of boot-cut jeans, and as of Sunday, it only had one pair of cuffed denim jeans left.\nThough Cooper is a fan of casual dressing, she said she would dress differently for a literature or political science class where you have to give your opinions on important issues. \n"I would cover up; I wouldn't show a lot of skin," she said. "I always cover up, but for a class like that I would wear pants and a nice shirt." \nDavis also said she would dress up a little more for a literature class. \n"I would probably wear a boot-cut jean with a tank and a nice sweater over it, or a cardigan," Davis said. \nIn the August issue of InStyle, it suggests having an A-line skirt (shaped like the letter A) and at least two blazers. You can dress both pieces up or down. \n"We have a lot of A-line skirts, blazers and short jackets," Davis said. "I think an A-line skirt can be worn really dressy or casual. If you wanted to dress it up for class you could wear them with ballerina slippers or T-line shoes." \nIf you're looking to accessorize, the Pantone Color Book suggests fur and decorative purses. The Color Book states: "By far, fall's strongest trend in accessories is fur, dyed in the season's vintage palette, lending Old World glamour to scarves, shrugs, wraps and muffs." \nIf you're looking for accessories to match this season's vintage trend Cactus Flower on Kirkwood Avenue and the Antique Mall at 331 W. 7th St. are the best bets for purses, brooches and hats in Bloomington. So if you're dressing up for chemistry or are looking laid-back for hip-hop, there are plenty of places for shopping in B-Town.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU Football's first home game is this Saturday, Sept. 4. To get in the spirit of things, Weekend asked our staff and a Hoosier football player to give their picks for great tailgating songs: DOUG EVANS, WRITER AND MUSIC REVIEWER"U Can't Touch This" by MC HammerHammer is the man when it comes to songs that make you feel like you just can't be touched, and our football team needs just that."Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool JWhen you want some intimidation on your side, LL is the man for that, and his grandma will tell you to kick your opponent in the jewels."Eye of the Tiger" by SurvivorThe theme song for "Rocky III." Need I say more?NATE BETHEA, WRITER AND MUSIC REVIEWER"Paradise City" by Guns N' RosesMaybe it's just the fact that throughout my childhood I always wanted to be the guy who blew the whistle at the beginning of the first verse, but this has always been one of my favorite party songs. It's not particularly inventive or observational, but you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't at least know the chorus."Run to the Hills" by Iron MaidenThis song is a lot more terse than any other Iron Maiden smash-up, but rather than being bombastic or Satan-themed, it's just fun. They make a lot of noise, the song is exciting (and the verse's riff is strummed in a way that sounds like a galloping horse), and if you've had enough to drink, you will definitely try (and fail) to sing in that ass-metal falsetto."Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by Big and RichI have never in fact heard this song, but at one point a friend of mine told me if I were ever to encounter a large group of girls with extremely tanned skin and light hair, I should make mention of how this song is my favorite in the world. Well, I did that once (and simultaneously a sudden gust of wind happened to pop the collar up on my polo shirt) and before I knew it, I was the life of the party and my reproductive organs were burned with overstimulation! I'll certainly play this at any tailgates I attend this year!NICK BURTON, WRITER AND MUSIC REVIEWER"Rebel Yell" by Billy IdolWhen tailgating, it's all about picking songs that people are either familiar with or can figure out after hearing once or twice. The fact that you can mumble almost anything and the girl that you're trying to impress will think you know it by heart doesn't hurt either."Boys Are Back In Town" by Thin LizzyAny song that starts off like this one deserves to be heard at pre-game boozefests everywhere. The harmonizing guitar solo at the end will be a sure hit with the guy that already tried to relieve himself in your cooler."Any Way You Want It" by JourneyTruthfully, any Journey song would work because, quite simply, they ruled the world from 1978-1981 and are solely responsible for my conception.JOHN ROGERS AND MATT GLENESK, IDS SPORTS EDITORS"Final Countdown" by EuropeWhether it's the beginning of an NBA overtime game or outside an empty Memorial Stadium, adrenaline races around as the synthesizer beat catches your attention. You get a feeling as if something big is about to happen -- and then there it is. The sausages and burgers are done, and the only pigskin you care about is smothered in relish and mustard."We Will Rock You" by QueenThe song kicks on and the feet start stomping. You can't help it. It just sweeps through you. A sense of "Hey I don't care that we're dead last in the Big Ten, I think we have a chance today" springs into your head. The screaming ensues when the chorus chimes in, and, who knows, maybe we'll only lose by a couple of touchdowns today."You're the Best" by Joe Esposito from "The Karate Kid" SoundtrackThe theme song of any underdog who needs that little nudge to boost their esteem. You're down on your luck, the team is struggling, but wait -- what was that? "You're the best around. Nothing's ever gonna keep you down." Of course, soon after kickoff ...LANCE BENNETT, IU RUNNING BACK AND CO-WRITER OF WILL SMITH'S "BLACK SUITS COMIN' (NOD YA HEAD)""Lose Yourself" by EminemIt specifically gets you in the zone to lose yourself in whatever mission you set out to accomplish. Of course, it has the hip-hop/rock beat to get you charged."In The Club" by 50 CentIt's a smooth song with a nice swagger to it. As intense and serious as the game seems to be, the best athletes must have that calm and cool swagger during the competition."Hard Knock Life" by Jay-ZHard but still smooth at the same time. It reminds you of the struggles that you went through to reach this point.
in honor of weekend's sixth year in print, allow us to introduce our staff and why we love IU
It is amazing that an actor like Ben Kingsley, who is both talented and respected, can jump from Oscar-nominated performances to movies that make you wish you had waited for video.\n"Suspect Zero," the new thriller starring Kinglsey ("Gandhi," "House of Sand and Fog") and Aaron Eckhart ("In the Company of Men," "Erin Brockovich"), has the makings for an interesting and suspenseful film, but is as memorable as Kingsley's previous disaster, "Thunderbirds."\n"Zero" tells the story of agent Thomas Mackelway (Eckhart), the soft-spoken FBI agent who is transferred to Albuquerque, N.M., only to jump into what would, in the real world, probably be one of the biggest manhunts in U.S. history. \nCarrie-Anne Moss ("The Matrix" series), in her worst role to date, plays Agent Fran Kulok who is sent from Dallas to assist her ex-partner and lover, agent Mackelway, in investigating a string of random murders.\nThe film does not bother to build up any of the characters, but instead jumps right into the search for the 'suspect zero,' a serial killer who does not fit the conventional patterns.\nAs the two agents dive deeper into the case they realize the serial killer Benjamin O'Ryan (Kingsley) is in fact hunting down other serial killers and was once an FBI profiler. By channeling the suspect's brain waves, O'Ryan is able to see these killers' every move, ultimately hunting them down. \nFor reasons that are never fully explained, O'Ryan contacts the FBI through faxes and letters with clues for finding a killer who is on a nationwide kidnapping spree. \nThe explanations for O'Ryan's motives are never given, and we only get snippets of information regarding his FBI experience, ultimately leaving us with one boring psychopath.\nWhat truly makes "Suspect Zero" such a mess is how detached the characters are from each other and ultimately, how detached they are from the viewer. There are very few emotional interactions between the characters, especially when the agents interrogate the family members of the victims.\nThe director of "Suspect Zero," E. Elias Merhige ("Shadow of a Vampire"), does, however, bring a certain amount of visual style to this film, something very reminiscent of 2000's "The Cell," another flawed thriller. \nThe cinematography makes good use of shadows and grainy images, giving the appearance of suspense, while the film's simple pan flute soundtrack is eerie at times.\nIn many ways "Suspect Zero" could have been on the same level as David Fincher's masterpiece "Se7en" through the unique style that Merhige brings to it, but in the end falls short due to a poorly-written script and dull characters.
When preparing for a class, one has to buy books, double check the class schedule and find out where the classes are being held. The first week of classes can be draining and hectic, but one of the best parts of preparing for school is picking out what you are going to wear. Many people on campus claim to wear sweatpants and a T-shirt to every class, but there are the few who put time and effort into how they look. The golden rule of dressing for class is the better you look, the better you will perform, and freshman Alison Cooper agrees. \n"Dress affects how your professor sees you," Cooper said. "You should look conservative or at least nice for class."\nCooper said for music for the listener, a class where many people struggle to get a B, she would dress in khakis and a nice shirt. She feels dressing in a more conservative manner would help her get a better grade. \nOne thing many people keep in mind at IU is to dress for the occasion. Ashton Jones, a freshman, said she would dress totally different for chemistry as opposed to dressing a little more laid-back for the infamous hip-hop class. \n"I would wear more formal clothes for chemistry, like a straight skirt or nice pants and something more like a pair of low-cut jeans and a tank top and sneakers for the hip-hop class," Jones said. \nThere are so many different activities and classes to take at IU that dressing in the morning can leave people feeling overwhelmed. Most people find solace in fashion magazines and resources that can guide people in school shopping and trend spotting. Editors at magazines such as Glamour, Harper's Bazaar, and InStyle are swearing by animal prints and over-embellished accessories. According to the Pantone Color Book Report for fall 2004, clothes in shades of purple, blue and magenta are must-haves if you want to obtain this season's look. \nAn article in the Pantone Color Book states: "Fall's heritage shades are expressed in luxurious fabrics such as tweed, boucles, jacquards and embroideries often mixed with antique metallics presented in combinations that are striking and unexpected." \nLauren Davis, a senior and sales representative at Pitaya on Kirkwood Avenue, said there are plenty of different ways to wear fall's new looks even on campus. One of the more popular classes on campus is history of rock 'n' roll, and Davis said she would wear an outfit that is fitting for a class with a such a laid-back atmosphere.\n"I would wear something with more of a vintage style. Something like a vintage rock T-shirt and cuff jeans," she said. \nConsidering cuffed jeans are in this fall, Davis said Pitaya is selling a lot of boot-cut jeans, and as of Sunday, it only had one pair of cuffed denim jeans left.\nThough Cooper is a fan of casual dressing, she said she would dress differently for a literature or political science class where you have to give your opinions on important issues. \n"I would cover up; I wouldn't show a lot of skin," she said. "I always cover up, but for a class like that I would wear pants and a nice shirt." \nDavis also said she would dress up a little more for a literature class. \n"I would probably wear a boot-cut jean with a tank and a nice sweater over it, or a cardigan," Davis said. \nIn the August issue of InStyle, it suggests having an A-line skirt (shaped like the letter A) and at least two blazers. You can dress both pieces up or down. \n"We have a lot of A-line skirts, blazers and short jackets," Davis said. "I think an A-line skirt can be worn really dressy or casual. If you wanted to dress it up for class you could wear them with ballerina slippers or T-line shoes." \nIf you're looking to accessorize, the Pantone Color Book suggests fur and decorative purses. The Color Book states: "By far, fall's strongest trend in accessories is fur, dyed in the season's vintage palette, lending Old World glamour to scarves, shrugs, wraps and muffs." \nIf you're looking for accessories to match this season's vintage trend Cactus Flower on Kirkwood Avenue and the Antique Mall at 331 W. 7th St. are the best bets for purses, brooches and hats in Bloomington. So if you're dressing up for chemistry or are looking laid-back for hip-hop, there are plenty of places for shopping in B-Town.
in honor of weekend's sixth year in print, allow us to introduce our staff and why we love IU
It is amazing that an actor like Ben Kingsley, who is both talented and respected, can jump from Oscar-nominated performances to movies that make you wish you had waited for video.\n"Suspect Zero," the new thriller starring Kinglsey ("Gandhi," "House of Sand and Fog") and Aaron Eckhart ("In the Company of Men," "Erin Brockovich"), has the makings for an interesting and suspenseful film, but is as memorable as Kingsley's previous disaster, "Thunderbirds."\n"Zero" tells the story of agent Thomas Mackelway (Eckhart), the soft-spoken FBI agent who is transferred to Albuquerque, N.M., only to jump into what would, in the real world, probably be one of the biggest manhunts in U.S. history. \nCarrie-Anne Moss ("The Matrix" series), in her worst role to date, plays Agent Fran Kulok who is sent from Dallas to assist her ex-partner and lover, agent Mackelway, in investigating a string of random murders.\nThe film does not bother to build up any of the characters, but instead jumps right into the search for the 'suspect zero,' a serial killer who does not fit the conventional patterns.\nAs the two agents dive deeper into the case they realize the serial killer Benjamin O'Ryan (Kingsley) is in fact hunting down other serial killers and was once an FBI profiler. By channeling the suspect's brain waves, O'Ryan is able to see these killers' every move, ultimately hunting them down. \nFor reasons that are never fully explained, O'Ryan contacts the FBI through faxes and letters with clues for finding a killer who is on a nationwide kidnapping spree. \nThe explanations for O'Ryan's motives are never given, and we only get snippets of information regarding his FBI experience, ultimately leaving us with one boring psychopath.\nWhat truly makes "Suspect Zero" such a mess is how detached the characters are from each other and ultimately, how detached they are from the viewer. There are very few emotional interactions between the characters, especially when the agents interrogate the family members of the victims.\nThe director of "Suspect Zero," E. Elias Merhige ("Shadow of a Vampire"), does, however, bring a certain amount of visual style to this film, something very reminiscent of 2000's "The Cell," another flawed thriller. \nThe cinematography makes good use of shadows and grainy images, giving the appearance of suspense, while the film's simple pan flute soundtrack is eerie at times.\nIn many ways "Suspect Zero" could have been on the same level as David Fincher's masterpiece "Se7en" through the unique style that Merhige brings to it, but in the end falls short due to a poorly-written script and dull characters.
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU Football's first home game is this Saturday, Sept. 4. To get in the spirit of things, Weekend asked our staff and a Hoosier football player to give their picks for great tailgating songs: DOUG EVANS, WRITER AND MUSIC REVIEWER"U Can't Touch This" by MC HammerHammer is the man when it comes to songs that make you feel like you just can't be touched, and our football team needs just that."Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool JWhen you want some intimidation on your side, LL is the man for that, and his grandma will tell you to kick your opponent in the jewels."Eye of the Tiger" by SurvivorThe theme song for "Rocky III." Need I say more?NATE BETHEA, WRITER AND MUSIC REVIEWER"Paradise City" by Guns N' RosesMaybe it's just the fact that throughout my childhood I always wanted to be the guy who blew the whistle at the beginning of the first verse, but this has always been one of my favorite party songs. It's not particularly inventive or observational, but you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone who doesn't at least know the chorus."Run to the Hills" by Iron MaidenThis song is a lot more terse than any other Iron Maiden smash-up, but rather than being bombastic or Satan-themed, it's just fun. They make a lot of noise, the song is exciting (and the verse's riff is strummed in a way that sounds like a galloping horse), and if you've had enough to drink, you will definitely try (and fail) to sing in that ass-metal falsetto."Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)" by Big and RichI have never in fact heard this song, but at one point a friend of mine told me if I were ever to encounter a large group of girls with extremely tanned skin and light hair, I should make mention of how this song is my favorite in the world. Well, I did that once (and simultaneously a sudden gust of wind happened to pop the collar up on my polo shirt) and before I knew it, I was the life of the party and my reproductive organs were burned with overstimulation! I'll certainly play this at any tailgates I attend this year!NICK BURTON, WRITER AND MUSIC REVIEWER"Rebel Yell" by Billy IdolWhen tailgating, it's all about picking songs that people are either familiar with or can figure out after hearing once or twice. The fact that you can mumble almost anything and the girl that you're trying to impress will think you know it by heart doesn't hurt either."Boys Are Back In Town" by Thin LizzyAny song that starts off like this one deserves to be heard at pre-game boozefests everywhere. The harmonizing guitar solo at the end will be a sure hit with the guy that already tried to relieve himself in your cooler."Any Way You Want It" by JourneyTruthfully, any Journey song would work because, quite simply, they ruled the world from 1978-1981 and are solely responsible for my conception.JOHN ROGERS AND MATT GLENESK, IDS SPORTS EDITORS"Final Countdown" by EuropeWhether it's the beginning of an NBA overtime game or outside an empty Memorial Stadium, adrenaline races around as the synthesizer beat catches your attention. You get a feeling as if something big is about to happen -- and then there it is. The sausages and burgers are done, and the only pigskin you care about is smothered in relish and mustard."We Will Rock You" by QueenThe song kicks on and the feet start stomping. You can't help it. It just sweeps through you. A sense of "Hey I don't care that we're dead last in the Big Ten, I think we have a chance today" springs into your head. The screaming ensues when the chorus chimes in, and, who knows, maybe we'll only lose by a couple of touchdowns today."You're the Best" by Joe Esposito from "The Karate Kid" SoundtrackThe theme song of any underdog who needs that little nudge to boost their esteem. You're down on your luck, the team is struggling, but wait -- what was that? "You're the best around. Nothing's ever gonna keep you down." Of course, soon after kickoff ...LANCE BENNETT, IU RUNNING BACK AND CO-WRITER OF WILL SMITH'S "BLACK SUITS COMIN' (NOD YA HEAD)""Lose Yourself" by EminemIt specifically gets you in the zone to lose yourself in whatever mission you set out to accomplish. Of course, it has the hip-hop/rock beat to get you charged."In The Club" by 50 CentIt's a smooth song with a nice swagger to it. As intense and serious as the game seems to be, the best athletes must have that calm and cool swagger during the competition."Hard Knock Life" by Jay-ZHard but still smooth at the same time. It reminds you of the struggles that you went through to reach this point.
Countdown the week's top flicks
Boyakasha! 'Da Ali G Show: The Complete First Season' is finally on DVD, so "check it."\nHBO's hit comedy talk show features Ali G (Sacha Baron Cohen) Britain's finest "hip hop journalist," as he travels around evaluating everything from religion to the U.S. legal system. \nCohen is in many ways the Andy Kaufman of the U.K, with his chameleon-like portrayal of the show's characters including Ali G, Borat, a TV reporter from Kazakhstan, and Bruno, a flamboyant Austrian fashion reporter. \nAli G interviews people as diverse as Newt Gingrich and Boutros-Boutros Gali, and is probably the only host to ever convince both Ralph Nader and James Lipton to rap. Where the show succeeds is not in how ridiculous the characters are, but in how the guests are completely unaware that it is all an act. \nBorat sings a lengthy faux Kazakhstan National anthem at a baseball game and Bruno discusses the Austrian gay community to a right wing patriotic American, while never drifting out of character and always maintaining that they are journalists.\nThe two disc DVD features all six episodes; one commentary, two unseen Borat segments and an A to Z glossary of Ali G's British hip hop slang. While some episodes are funnier than others, the show maintains a unique level of comedy not seen in the U.S.
There comes a time in the lives of all successful musicians when their work is summed up for the dreaded "best of" compilation album. It's difficult to rate these "pop single" friendly discs, because how do you truly sum up an artist's career in a mere 15 songs? In the case of Talking Heads, one of America's most influential and bizarre bands, skepticism was deserved for the new "Best of Talking Heads" album.\nWhat made the Heads such an interesting and successful band was their ability to tread the line of labels and genres. Their sound varied from the kind of bubble gum pop you would expect from the '80s, to complex, rhythm-heavy funk pieces.\nThe "best of" disc surprisingly succeeds in covering all aspects of the Heads career, and sounds great.\nThe album, which was produced by the band, features 18 remastered tracks ranging from all eight-studio albums. The Heads most popular hits, such as "Once in a Lifetime," "And She Was," and "Wild Wild Life," are all here, along with some less known ones, such as "Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town." Like the Heads full catalogue of songs, these tracks all differ in their subtle ways, from the soulful cover of Al Green's, "Take me to the River" to the mellow gem, "This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)"\nWhile nothing beats the Heads' studio albums or "Stop Making Sense," the soundtrack to Jonathan Demme's concert film of David Byrne and the gang, "The Best of Talking Heads" is a great album. Each track reminds us of how amazing the Heads was, and how we may never see another band like it.
Boyakasha! 'Da Ali G Show: The Complete First Season' is finally on DVD, so "check it."\nHBO's hit comedy talk show features Ali G (Sacha Baron Cohen) Britain's finest "hip hop journalist," as he travels around evaluating everything from religion to the U.S. legal system. \nCohen is in many ways the Andy Kaufman of the U.K, with his chameleon-like portrayal of the show's characters including Ali G, Borat, a TV reporter from Kazakhstan, and Bruno, a flamboyant Austrian fashion reporter. \nAli G interviews people as diverse as Newt Gingrich and Boutros-Boutros Gali, and is probably the only host to ever convince both Ralph Nader and James Lipton to rap. Where the show succeeds is not in how ridiculous the characters are, but in how the guests are completely unaware that it is all an act. \nBorat sings a lengthy faux Kazakhstan National anthem at a baseball game and Bruno discusses the Austrian gay community to a right wing patriotic American, while never drifting out of character and always maintaining that they are journalists.\nThe two disc DVD features all six episodes; one commentary, two unseen Borat segments and an A to Z glossary of Ali G's British hip hop slang. While some episodes are funnier than others, the show maintains a unique level of comedy not seen in the U.S.
There comes a time in the lives of all successful musicians when their work is summed up for the dreaded "best of" compilation album. It's difficult to rate these "pop single" friendly discs, because how do you truly sum up an artist's career in a mere 15 songs? In the case of Talking Heads, one of America's most influential and bizarre bands, skepticism was deserved for the new "Best of Talking Heads" album.\nWhat made the Heads such an interesting and successful band was their ability to tread the line of labels and genres. Their sound varied from the kind of bubble gum pop you would expect from the '80s, to complex, rhythm-heavy funk pieces.\nThe "best of" disc surprisingly succeeds in covering all aspects of the Heads career, and sounds great.\nThe album, which was produced by the band, features 18 remastered tracks ranging from all eight-studio albums. The Heads most popular hits, such as "Once in a Lifetime," "And She Was," and "Wild Wild Life," are all here, along with some less known ones, such as "Uh-Oh, Love Comes to Town." Like the Heads full catalogue of songs, these tracks all differ in their subtle ways, from the soulful cover of Al Green's, "Take me to the River" to the mellow gem, "This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)"\nWhile nothing beats the Heads' studio albums or "Stop Making Sense," the soundtrack to Jonathan Demme's concert film of David Byrne and the gang, "The Best of Talking Heads" is a great album. Each track reminds us of how amazing the Heads was, and how we may never see another band like it.
Following what seems to be a common trend, Guillermo del Toro ("Blade II," "Mimic") brings yet another comic book to the big screen. In "Hellboy," the world is being threatened by an evil force, in this case a monk called Rasputin (Karel Roden), and only one hero can save the day.\nThe highly underrated Ron Perlman stars as Hellboy, a lobster red-colored demon, summoned to earth during World War II by the Nazis, and then raised by the U.S. Government's Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. During the present day, Hellboy, alongside a fish-like creature named Abe Sapien (voiced by "Frasier" vet David Hyde Pierce), must stop the resurrected Rasputin from finishing his master plan. The plot is flawed at times, and the action scenes don't carry the same thrill seen in the films like the "X-Men" series or Tim Burton's "Batman." \n"Hellboy," however, does succeed in creating characters that are not afraid of showing emotion. Perlman adds humor and wit to the demon's dialogue, while at the same time depicting his struggle to fit into society's norms.\nThe two-disc Special Edition DVD is packed with a plethora of unnecessary special features, including an overdone two-and-a-half-hour behind-the-scenes featurette and some video comic strips. The bottom line is this, "Hellboy" has the makings of an interesting film but just doesn't pull it off.
Following what seems to be a common trend, Guillermo del Toro ("Blade II," "Mimic") brings yet another comic book to the big screen. In "Hellboy," the world is being threatened by an evil force, in this case a monk called Rasputin (Karel Roden), and only one hero can save the day.\nThe highly underrated Ron Perlman stars as Hellboy, a lobster red-colored demon, summoned to earth during World War II by the Nazis, and then raised by the U.S. Government's Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. During the present day, Hellboy, alongside a fish-like creature named Abe Sapien (voiced by "Frasier" vet David Hyde Pierce), must stop the resurrected Rasputin from finishing his master plan. The plot is flawed at times, and the action scenes don't carry the same thrill seen in the films like the "X-Men" series or Tim Burton's "Batman." \n"Hellboy," however, does succeed in creating characters that are not afraid of showing emotion. Perlman adds humor and wit to the demon's dialogue, while at the same time depicting his struggle to fit into society's norms.\nThe two-disc Special Edition DVD is packed with a plethora of unnecessary special features, including an overdone two-and-a-half-hour behind-the-scenes featurette and some video comic strips. The bottom line is this, "Hellboy" has the makings of an interesting film but just doesn't pull it off.
When most people think of Kilroy's on Kirkwood and Kilroy's Sports Bar, they may envision cool pitchers of beer, colorful mixed drinks and a festive atmosphere. What many people may not realize, however, is that the woman behind these two Bloomington landmarks is more than just a business owner.\n"This is a family run business of more than 30 years," said Linda Prall, owner of Kilroy's on Kirkwood, Kilroy's Sports Bar and Kilroy's Rib Shack. "But we also try to be good citizens."\nPrall is one of many business owners in the city dedicated to helping out the community in as many ways as possible. Through annual donations to a number of local and national charities and organizations, Kilroy's serves as more than just a place of entertainment.\n"I am very strongly committed to children's charities," Prall said. "But mainly we try to stay local when we make donations."\nStarting in 1975 with donations made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Prall and her family now maintain 12 to 15 annual donations a year to a number of different organizations, some bigger than others.\n"I can't even name all the charities we have donated to," said Eric Easton, the manager of both Kilroy's and Sports. "We try to support pretty much any group that comes in here."\nWhile Prall has certain organizations that she supports more than others, she is very open to new groups. In the past, these ranged from the Riley's Children's Hospital in Indianapolis to the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington, Prall said. \nA recent addition to the list was Jill's House, a home-like residence center for patients undergoing cancer treatment at the IU Proton Therapy facility, according to their Web site, www.indiana.edu/~jshouse/index.html.\n"It's comforting to know that there are so many people in the community who support us," said Peg Howard, the president of Jill's House Inc. \nThe house, which works primarily with children ages five and under, is only a couple years old, but thanks to donations like Prall's, has expanded into a great resource for cancer patients, Howard said.\n"To know that this community is behind (the children) will give them the extra boost they need," Howard said.\nWhile Prall tries to help out as much as she can, there is a limit to what she can do for a group. Each year Kilroy's will receive and review an average of 200 to 300 donation requests, but narrows the list down to around 15, Prall said.\n"Each year we try to pick one big group, mainly a children's charity, for a big golf outing in the summer," Prall said.\nThe golf outings started 12 years ago and now serve as one of Kilroy's biggest fundraising events. Through prize auctions and sponsorships from other local business and more mainstream corporations, such as big name liquor companies, Prall is able to raise thousands of dollars for the groups.\nThe 2004 golf outing earlier this summer collected $10,000 for the Boys and Girls Club in Bloomington and featured 25 different teams participating. The outing started as just a small golf tournament, but now is a full-day event including lunch, dinner and other activities, Easton said.\n"We made a day out of it," said Jiiri Lobe, an employee of Kilroy's Sports Bar. "There were free hot dogs and lemonade and we brought a bunch of yard toys in for the children."\nThe 2003 golf outing helped Jill's House immensely, with a donation of $7,000. Since then, more and more community groups and businesses are now aware of Jill's House and their cause, Howard said.\n"The outing was a great thing," Howard said. "The only thing we had to do was accept the check." \nLocal charities are not the only groups receiving donations from Kilroy's. Since their opening, Prall continues to help out with different IU organizations, especially those related to the greek system. \nIn the past Kilroy's raised money for a number of different sororities, including the IU Sing program, the Neal Marshall Black Cultural Center, the IU Dance Marathon and several other groups. For the IU Greek system Prall will often donate half the bar cover charges at Sports to the groups for their events.\n"We work pretty heavily with IU groups, especially IU Dance Marathon," Easton said. "We usually raise several thousand dollars for them."\nPrall also encourages her 150 employees, the majority of them being IU students, to help out with the events and get involved in the community as much as possible. Every year Prall and her Kilroy's family host a large Thanksgiving Day turkey roast for local community homeless kitchens.\n"The kids that work for me really enjoy raising the money," Prall said. "We try to encourage them to do more for Bloomington."\nEven with all the fundraising and donations made, many people in Bloomington still see Kilroy's as just another bar, taking money from college kids. In the past years more and more residents perceive Kilroy's as merely a place of business that promotes irresponsible drinking, a bad wrap that Prall says is due to the fact that they sell liquor.\n"We try to provide a safe entertaining atmosphere," Prall said.\nPrall said she knows that the negative perceptions of her business will always be a part of what she does. As a small-business owner she is aware of the challenges and has worked around them. \n"We do so much for the community," Easton said. "And most people don't know it."\nAs for the future, every year Prall tries to raise the bar on how much she can contribute to her groups and she continues to help out newcomers. She currently has no plans to open new venues or expand her business ventures and will eventually hand the reins over to her sons. She will, however, continue to actively support her charities and the community that she loves.\n"The causes that I support are all very close to my heart," Prall said. "And I am strongly committed to them."\n-- Contact staff writer C. Warner Sills at csills@indiana.edu.
The initial season of "Six Feet Under" introduced us to the Fisher family, giving us fragments of all the characters on the show. Season two takes the show a step further, giving us a deeper look into the characters' lives. \nThis season begins, appropriately, right where the last one left off. The family business is still being tormented by funeral home mogul Kroehner, Nate (Peter Krause) and Brenda's (Rachel Griffiths) relationship complicates further, David (Michael C. Hall) struggles with his love for Keith (Mathew St. Patrick) and Ruth (Frances Conroy) examines the relationships with her children and her life as a whole.\nWhat season two truly succeeds at is giving us a look at some of the other characters in the Fishers' life. Federico (Freddy Rodríguez) and his wife, Vanessa (Justina Machado), tackle their first house and their financial burdens, confrontations arise between Brenda and her mother, Margaret (Joanna Cassidy), and probably the best side story deals with Keith and his niece, Taylor (Aysia Polk). The season also introduces us to Lisa (Lili Taylor,), Nate's crunchy granola roommate from Seattle, and Ruth's hippy sister, Sarah, played by Patricia Clarkson.\nThe five-disc DVD set contains a number of audio commentaries and an interesting, but gruesome, featurette that shows how the makeup artists create the show's signature dead bodies. "Six Feet Under" once again proves that HBO truly knows quality television.
The initial season of "Six Feet Under" introduced us to the Fisher family, giving us fragments of all the characters on the show. Season two takes the show a step further, giving us a deeper look into the characters' lives. \nThis season begins, appropriately, right where the last one left off. The family business is still being tormented by funeral home mogul Kroehner, Nate (Peter Krause) and Brenda's (Rachel Griffiths) relationship complicates further, David (Michael C. Hall) struggles with his love for Keith (Mathew St. Patrick) and Ruth (Frances Conroy) examines the relationships with her children and her life as a whole.\nWhat season two truly succeeds at is giving us a look at some of the other characters in the Fishers' life. Federico (Freddy Rodríguez) and his wife, Vanessa (Justina Machado), tackle their first house and their financial burdens, confrontations arise between Brenda and her mother, Margaret (Joanna Cassidy), and probably the best side story deals with Keith and his niece, Taylor (Aysia Polk). The season also introduces us to Lisa (Lili Taylor,), Nate's crunchy granola roommate from Seattle, and Ruth's hippy sister, Sarah, played by Patricia Clarkson.\nThe five-disc DVD set contains a number of audio commentaries and an interesting, but gruesome, featurette that shows how the makeup artists create the show's signature dead bodies. "Six Feet Under" once again proves that HBO truly knows quality television.
Gov. Joe Kernan granted clemency to convicted murderer Darnell Williams July 2, marking the first time an Indiana governor has granted clemency since 1977. The decision was based on a number of different factors, including recently discovered evidence and was made seven days before Williams was to be executed.\n"We're pleased and proud of the work that (Kernan) has done," said Juliet Yackel, Williams Attorney. "(Williams) was thrilled. He has always maintained his innocence."\nWilliams and Gregory Rouster were convicted of the murder of John and Henrietta Rease on March 25, 1986 and sentenced to death on two counts. Seventeen years later, Williams is now off death row, currently serving a sentence of life without parole. \nThe clemency decision was the first since the death penalty was reinstated in Indiana, and also shows that the original court decision was wrong.\n"The governor feels that there were reasons to back this decision," said Jonathan Swain, the press secretary for Kernan. "He felt that this was the right decision in the end."\nOn June 29, Williams pleaded his case to a parole board, resulting in a recommendation of clemency to Kernan. The decision was based on three main arguments by Williams. \nThe first dealt with Williams' upbringing and his current IQ of 78, which is three points higher than the legal cutoff of mental retardation. Since the Supreme Court ruled that no one who is mentally retarded could be executed, Williams' mental status was a factor in the clemency decision, said Joe Kernan in a press report released July 2.\n"There is now a requirement for someone's IQ to be factored into sentencing," Swain said.\nThe other main factor considered was that the courts granted clemency to Williams' co-defendant Rouster because of his mental capabilities and IQ test results. Also, due to evidence that stated that Rouster was more culpable in the case than Williams, Kernan felt it would be unjust to execute Williams and not Rouster. \n"Williams has a lot of the characteristics of a person who is mentally challenged," Yackel said. "He had brain damage as a kid and graduated from special education classes."\nNew evidence also factored into the decision, specifically regarding who pulled the trigger and Williams' intoxicated state during his arrest. Since there is doubt in Williams' actual role in the crimes, it was considered unfair to sentence him to death, Kernan said in the press release.\nYackel said original jurors of the case found the new evidence to be very convincing and believed that it may have changed their original decision. As for the victim's family members, the decision did not come as a surprise and was not opposed.\n"I'm happy about this decision," Yackel said. "But our (legal) system still needs to be revaluated." \n-- Contact staff writer C. Warner Sills at csills@indiana.edu .