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(09/01/05 4:00am)
As if Steven Spielberg's status as king of the box office hadn't already been established by the summer of 1982, "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" only further solidified said status, while proving Spielberg's ability to dream up note-perfect family fare -- a genre he has occasionally tapped to varying degrees of success over the last 23 years, never outdoing "E.T." in terms of the number of hearts successfully warmed.\nMost everyone already knows the story of E.T., concerning a so-ugly-he's-cute alien accidentally left behind during an experimental trip to Earth. A youngster named Elliott finds E.T., befriends him and they both teach each other some standard life lessons. Then the government shows up, almost killing E.T. Of course he miraculously survives, and finds his way home to the tune of a stirring orchestral score. This was what audiences saw in 1982. What they didn't see were updates to the film made for a 2003 DVD version, with government agents with flashlights in their hands instead of handguns (political correctness gone awry?), and several gratuitous CG shots of E.T. inserted by ILM under Spielberg's guidance, possibly in order to make E.T. seem more real to today's children. In fact, they succeed in making him seem less real, but these minor additions only slightly detract from the overall impact of the film to those familiar with the original theatrical release.\nOf course E.T. wasn't the first or last time Spielberg would deal with aliens. 1977 saw the epic "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" portray life in the rest of the universe, as E.T. does, in a generally benevolent and exploratory light, while this summer's "War of the Worlds," the most viscerally powerful film Spielberg has made since "Saving Private Ryan," portrayed aliens as destroyers and colonizers of our world. Both of these are better films than "E.T.," simultaneously inspiring awe and humility in the face of what is out there to greet us in the rest of the universe, but neither have the same deep emotional impact.\nExtras on this single-disc edition include original on-set photos and early concept drawings, a featurette showcasing John Williams' memorable score, and an interactive for-kids-only tour of our solar system hosted by E.T. himself. Perhaps most valuable, though, is the all-too-brief 2003 reunion of the director and his cast as they reminisce about their experiences during production in 1981.\nWhile one can only futilely hope Spielberg will agree to release "E.T." on DVD in its original form sometime in the future, this slightly revamped version is the best we can expect for the time being, and the time-tested quality of the screenplay, acting and point-of-view cinematography renders this version more than satisfying.
(09/01/05 4:00am)
It's always good when a film comes along that is not only original but also leaves you a bit puzzled when the end credits start to roll. "The Ballad of Jack and Rose" does just this. While this film doesn't leave unanswered questions and doesn't set out to confuse the viewer with lots of twists and turns, it is a film with a very complex look at morality. \nDaniel Day-Lewis stars as Jack Slavin, an aging hippie with a failing heart who lives on an island in his abandoned 1960s commune with his only daughter, Rose. The opening moments of the film show the duo at peace in their little secluded life. They shuffle through the daily chores with smiles; share moments staring up at the clouds and even talk about basic bridge engineering (Jack's idea of home-schooling for his daughter.) Eventually, however, we realize that life isn't exactly perfect and that Jack is sick, and probably doesn't have long to live.\nIn an attempt to think of Rose's future, Jack invites his secret lover Kathleen (Catherine Keener) and her two sons from "the mainland" to come live with him in the commune. Right away there is static as jealousy erupts and Rose begins a rebellious cycle to try and shoo off the unwelcome guests. She hits on Kathleen's oldest son Rodney after spying on her father in bed. Later Rose cuts off her long hair and starts to dress like most rebellious teenagers. The problem is that Rose is not an ordinary teenager.\nAs the tensions grow Jack tries to confront Rose about her behavior but finds it difficult because he sees a bit of himself in her actions. He finds it amusing when Rose brings a loaded gun into his bedroom in an attempt to scare Kathleen, and insists that Rose is perfectly fine when asked if she shouldn't be sent to a psychiatrist. However, as time passes, Jack begins to realize that his idea of a perfect life may not have been right or fair for Rose and his only daughter may be troubled. \n"The Ballad of Jack and Rose" is a film about remorse, knowing your responsibilities, and love. Rose loves her father almost to the point of incest, but does so because she does not know any other kind of love. Jack believes in a pure life without the problems of normal society, but seems to have forgotten the reasons for his choice of lifestyle, not to mention his daughter's well-being. \nThe DVD has no features whatsoever (a commentary track by Lewis and/or his director and wife Rebecca Miller would have been nice.) The film features stellar acting and tells an interesting story. Aspects of the film will not be for everyone due to some scenes that may be perceived as "just too weird," but this shouldn't be discouraging. The characters are fascinating, the storyline is unique and once again Day-Lewis gives a flawless performance.
(08/25/05 5:49am)
It's your first weekend in Bloomington. Instead of sitting in your dorm room staring at your new roommate, get off your butt and do something. Let IDS WEEKEND break it down for you. Here's the fat, the skinny and everything in between.\nRestaurants\nAll corners of the world converge in Bloomington when it comes to food. It doesn't matter if you're craving casual home-cooked meals or something a little more exotic.\nFourth Street from Indiana Avenue to Lincoln Avenue is known for its impressive array of ethnic cuisine. Diners can find food from Turkey, Italy, France, Thailand and Tibet, among other nations, as well as spicy Cajun food from Louisiana.\nThird Street is home to several campus favorites, including Mother Bear's Pizza, a next-to-campus pizzeria that's been around since 1973. The menu at Mother Bear's offers award-winning pizza, salad, pasta, sandwiches and wings.\n"The food is really good (at Mother Bear's) and it's a great place to go to hang out with your friends or if you need a late-night study break," said sophomore Johanna Chang.\nBig Mouth Subs, The Mac Grill, a new Mediterranean restaurant; Dragon Express, a Chinese restaurant; Bear's Place Ale House and Eatery and Domo, a popular Japanese restaurant and sushi bar, also share Third Street. \nOther student favorites include Crazy Horse, Scotty's Brewhouse, Grazie! Italian Eatery, Malibu Grill, Café Pizzeria, Jimmy John's and Dagwood's, which are all located downtown, as well as Lennie's, which is located directly behind Ashton Center on Tenth Street.\n"If you manage to somehow get a girlfriend, take her to the Malibu (Grill)," said senior Rob Weber. "It makes you look really classy even if you actually aren't."\nMalibu Grill and Grazie! are perfect places to kick off a night on the town. They both have a more formal atmosphere and serve more upscale entrées. \nAfter a brain-draining day of classes, nothing beats a cup of coffee and conversation with friends. Soma, Encore Café and Runcible Spoon, which are located downtown, are comfortable cafés that sometimes offer open mic nights and live entertainment. \nArts & Entertainment\nIn Bloomington, the entertainment opportunities are as diverse as the hair colors you might see strolling across campus. Fortunately for the underage crowd, students don't have to be over 21 to enjoy live music and other entertainment. There are plenty of local spots that offer music, dancing, theater, art and movies that are open to people of all ages. Live music can be found almost anywhere in Bloomington. A stroll down Kirkwood always introduces people to local musicians and their unique styles. Restaurants and cafés downtown like Max's Place, Encore Café, Runcible Spoon and Soma are known for providing a variety of live entertainment for free. \nMax's Place on Seventh Street has acoustic music on Thursday evenings and has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. Encore Café has a traditional Irish music session every Friday night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a solo performance by Steve Sobiech, a local jazz musician. Sobiech also performs at Encore on Saturday nights. The café also offers dinner specials on performance nights.\nRuncible Spoon has Irish-themed music nights every Tuesday and Sunday. They are open to anyone who would like to come and play along. The Sunday night session is geared toward those who are "just picking up an instrument" while the Tuesday night session is for more advanced musicians, according to Regen Ton, co-owner of Runcible Spoon. The café, which is located on Sixth Street, also has poetry readings the last two Fridays of every month and welcome the public to participate.\nSoma, which is located on Kirkwood Avenue, has Matrix poetry readings the first Wednesday of every month and sometimes features live musical performances. For students who would rather be on the stage performing the music, Max's Place and Runcible Spoon both have open mic nights once a week. Max's Place has an open mic night every Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Runcible spoon has open mic night every Wednesday at 7 p.m.\n"It's just whoever shows up and they play," Ton said. "People just chill out and listen to music."\nAnother form of free musical entertainment is available right on campus -- student recitals at the music school. Every week the public can hear students from the music school perform at different performance halls around campus. \nThe IU Auditorium also hosts many musical and comedy events, including performers, orchestras and musicals. This season performances include "Chicago," The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and David Spade. \nFor those who prefer a club atmosphere, Rhino's All-Ages Music Club is the place to go. Rhino's is Bloomington's only underage club and is located downtown on South Walnut Street. The club hosts local bands every weekend that cover "every single genre you could think of," according to Bob Nugent, the assistant director of booking.\n"(Rhino's features) a who's who of awesome Bloomington bands," Nugent said. "We're the best place to see music in Bloomington."\nThe Bloomington Playwrights Project has shows almost every weekend during the year. Regular admission is $12 for students, but they also offer tickets for $5 for students who come only five minutes before the curtain time. Mainstage shows run Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The BPP also offers a "Dark Alley Late Night" series which features plays that may contain adult content and sometimes start as late as 10:30 p.m. \nThe Waldron Arts Center, which is located downtown, hosts many dance, music and theater events, as well as art exhibits and classes in the arts. IU is a perfect place to find a variety of theatrical performances as well. The theater department has countless performances each year. Student groups such as Black Curtain also perform on a regular basis. Bloomington is also a movie lover's dream. In addition to its two Kerasotes theaters, Bloomington has several film series. The Buskirk-Chumley Theater is home the "Classics on Kirkwood" film series, which kicks off Monday at 7 p.m. The Ryder film series is popular series in Bloomington. With movies playing at Bear's Place, IU School of Fine Arts rooms and the Cinemat. \nOn campus, the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center hosts a bi-monthly black film series, which starts Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. The City Lights Film series, which is held every Friday night at 7 p.m. in the Radio-TV Center starting Sept. 9, features classic and contemporary movies from around the world. The Mathers Museum of World Cultures on IU's campus is sponsoring the Margaret Mead Film Festival Series starting Nov. 5. The Union Board also sponsors a film series featuring popular movies that have recently been in theaters. A fall schedule is posted on the Union Board Web site.\nMuseums\nBloomington's museums are a favorite with tourists and locals alike. Whether you're looking for local or world history, there are several interesting places to learn outside the classroom.\nWonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology is popular with both adults and children. It has numerous exhibits and daily demonstrations, and gives visitors a hands-on scientific experience. The museum is located on Fourth Street just west of the square. The Mathers Museum of World Cultures has a variety of interesting exhibits, including two that are here for the first semester only -- "The Allure of Clothing" and "Talking Shoes," which feature clothes from different time periods and shoes from around the world. The Mathers Museum also sponsors several cultural events throughout the year. A site that has captured the attention of the entire nation is the Kinsey Institute in Morrison Hall, but the Institute gives public tours only occasionally. Upcoming public tours are Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. and Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. The IU Art Museum is also a popular attraction on campus. \nFun & Games\nAfter a long day of classes or an evening of studying, students need to give their brains a break. Getting out and playing a game of pool or challenging friends to arcade games can be the perfect cure for humdrum of student life. There are plenty of places around town that will help everyone procrastinate. \nThe Back Alley at the Indiana Memorial Union has 12 bowling lanes, 10 pool tables and a large arcade. Students can bowl for $1.75 per game, plus $1.50 for shoe rental during regular hours. Billiards cost $5 per hour. The Back Alley will have fun leagues and bowling, billiards, Dance Dance Revolution and pinball tournaments throughout the semester. \nLazerlite is a popular place for arcade lovers. They have a laser tag area that can accommodate up to 21 players per game and 26 arcade games, including two DDR games. Lazerlite is located on East Third Street across from Sterling University apartments and is close to a Bloomington Transit bus stop.\nSports & Recreation\nExercise is one of the best way to relieve stress in college. While everyone gets the urge to tear up a test or punch a professor, it's best to get away from it all and work off some of that negative energy. Lake Griffy, which is just north of campus, gives students the opportunity to rent boats, canoes and kayaks for $5 an hour and to hike on numerous trails. \nThe Boathouse closes at the end of October, but the trails are always accessible. Laying out and swimming at the IU Outdoor Pool is a great way to spend the first few weeks of school. The pool is open until Sept. 5, and admission for students is $2. The pool will also be hosting Welcome Week events. The pool is sponsoring a "Float & Float" event Aug. 28 1:30 to 6 p.m. Students may bring floating devices and simply relax in the pool during this time. Root beer floats will be sold on deck as well.\nFor freshmen who bring bikes, biking can be a great way to get to know campus and town, according to Weber.\n"Bloomington has some of the best bike routes around," he said. "(There are) plenty of hills and flat areas so it's easy to do whatever you like."\nWhen it gets too cold to do outside activities, there are still plenty of indoor recreation options.\nHoosier Heights is an indoor wall climbing facility. It offers walls and guest passes that are appropriate for every level of climber, as well as a gear shop. Hoosier Heights is located on South Rogers Road.\nRecSports also gives students plenty of opportunities to exercise and participate in sports. They sponsor intramural and club sports, as well as plenty of classes. The SRSC and HPER buildings both have exercise facilities and indoor pools. \nThe rest of the shops in downtown Bloomington are great to explore, too; and College Mall also offers students a variety of popular stores. The C bus makes frequent trips to the mall at no charge to students since city buses are free to students if they can show their student ID.\nSo grab your new friends and hit the streets, because the time of your life starts now.\n-- Writer Carrie Ritchie has been on the VIP list at most fraternities since her freshman year. Get ahold of her at ccritchi@indiana.edu.
(08/25/05 4:26am)
I talk to a lot of different people about music. These conversations can go in any direction, but there is one question that really floats my boat and is always good for a few laughs: What was the first cassette tape or CD you ever owned? \nIt can wrack more than a few brains, but it speaks volumes about people. I find that a majority of people don't even listen to first tapes or CDs anymore, and that's if people can even remember what they were.\nIf guilt accompanies the answer, then you know at least the person's musical tastes have matured. And if the reply is nonchalant, then you know music doesn't play a large part in that person's life. And if the music on a first tape or CD isn't even in the same ballpark as the music a person likes now, then you know that person has made a musical discovery over the years. \nFor instance, my friend's first CD was Boyz II Men's Cooleyhighharmony. Not bad, but judging from a chuckle that followed and looking at what he plays now, I could tell he wasn't glowing with pride. But it's understandable because, like many of us when we purchased or received our first CD, he was a 10-year-old fledgling. More than likely, he heard all the hits on the radio, liked the grooves and the quartet's range of vocals, and decided to go for it. \nAnother friend's first tape was New Kids on the Block's Hangin' Tough. Nostalgia works its magic when she remembers being in kindergarten and rocking out to Jordan Knight and Co. during the holidays. But in all honesty, today she admits only listening to NKOTB and other early childhood favorites like Ace of Base after she's had a few drinks (just to have a musical change of pace). \nPersonally, when I look back at my past CD purchases (and burns), I have endured a fair share of pitfalls (Elastica!?!). But I don't cringe when I recall my first CD (I skipped the cassette phase). In third grade I bought Nirvana's In Utero, followed by Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream and Pearl Jam's Vs. Of course I've branched out from the grunge scene, but for some inexplicable reason, I listen to songs from those albums almost daily now, 12 years later. Why is that? Luck, I guess. Maybe I knew what I liked all along. But this isn't the case for most people. \nWhether or not you're proud of your first CD or cassette is irrelevant. Most people see them as a joke anyway. The point is that listening to your own music on your own music player for the first time proves to be very memorable. Everyone I've talked to seems to remember the exact context under which they heard their first "owned" tune. Some even know what they were wearing, what color the headphones were and what the weather was like that day. \nI'm not trying to be an experienced psychologist or anything, but it seems like the brain has designated "vaults" that retain primary childhood memories like listening to music. The same can probably be said about a first baseball glove, a first board game or a first video game. \nAnother moral to be learned from these stories concerns the development of our musical tastes. Obviously, kids don't put a lot of thought into their first CD or cassette. They hear DJs and classmates talk about the newest hits. Soon everybody is singing the catchy lyrics, and a natural reaction at such a young age would be to join in the hoopla. \nFortunately the bandwagon approach wears thin with age among music fans. Eventually most people realize where their interests lie and pursue them. Though not always true, I like to think most college students have a strong personal preference when it comes to music. Thanks to friends, record stores, magazines, concerts and Web sites, recommendations come easy today and help people find their way through the jungle that is the music industry.\nSo for those of you who turn red when you think about your first CD, don't worry, because I'm sure you have found your musical niche now.
(08/25/05 4:25am)
In this unlikely love story, both Debra Messing (TV's "Will and Grace") and Dermot Mulroney ("My Best Friend's Wedding," "About Schmidt") give a fairly flat performance, but not for lack of trying. In fact, the movie in itself tries too hard ... without producing results. \nWith no real character definition the director tries to speedily introduce Kat (Messing) as a neurotic, heart-broken, career-driven woman -- all in a couple of minutes. She is preparing to travel to her sister's wedding, where the best man is her ex. With no beau she decides to hire the perfect man, Nick (Mulroney).\nFrom there the director begins to portray a calculated relationship that, while hopeful, is quite unbelievable. And calculated it is. All of this hampers viewers from experiencing the movie as a story but rather an attempt at a blockbuster. \nPerhaps one problem is that director Clare Kilner hasn't had much experience. Her last and only true feature film was "How To Deal," a Mandy Moore vehicle. While that movie was aimed at teens, it did have some adult appeal. "The Wedding Date" seems to be the opposite of her last attempt. It is supposed to appeal to adults but seems more likely to be appreciated by a younger crowd.\nWith story gaps and omissions along the way the character of Nick (Mulroney) is never really explored. He mentions that he graduated from Brown with a degree in comparative literature. That's literally the only thing we as viewers know about him. The explanation of his journey from Brown graduate to hooker is never described, nor is any other aspect of his character. And for a romantic comedy the movie could've been funnier. The wacky parents of Kat and the bride-to-be were underutilized. The mother, Bunny, is portrayed by the hilarious Holland Taylor from TV's "Two and a Half Men." \nThe movie wasn't the best but I guess it's possible that I (and other viewers) are a bit harsh because on the screen is Grace and a copy of the male lead from "My Best Friend's Wedding." Both actors seem to be playing roles that they've already successfully done.\nAs for the DVD there are the usual extras. Included is a feature commentary with Debra Messing, a bit with her talking about working on the movie and a selection of deleted scenes ... though nothing to write home about.\n"The Wedding Date" is actually a fun and funny movie, just don't expect too much.
(08/25/05 4:23am)
Writer and artist Frank Miller's original seven-part graphic novel "Sin City" shook the comic-loving throngs to its collective knees when it was gradually released throughout the 1990's, and filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, a huge Miller fan himself, took notice. He'd wanted to make the stories into a film (or films) for some time, but the technology to make them accurately resemble the original works simply wasn't available until recently. Once it was, \nRodriguez went to work.\nWorking alongside the author and artist of the books himself, as well as longtime pal and \noccasional collaborator Quentin Tarantino, Rodriguez fashioned three of the original seven "Sin City" stories ("The Hard Goodbye," "The Big Fat Kill," and "The Yellow Bastard") into the most accurate and faithful comic-to-film adaptation imaginable, taking few if any artistic liberties with the material, aside from the fact that the film is in motion and not on the page. The result is one gut-buster of a movie, moving along at a frantic pace and, as with all its characters, it takes no prisoners.\nAs a visual document alone, "Sin City" is a wonder to behold. Gritty black and white is predominant, with only splashes of color here and there meant for emotional or visceral effect. Select characters' eyes show up in vibrant tints while the rest of their bodies remain faded. Vehicles adopt an otherworldly feel, and the film's prevalent brutal violence takes on an almost Looney Tune tone, which benefits and detracts from the vignettes in equal amounts.\nMiller's graphic novels are rooted deeply in classic film noir and hard-boiled crime fiction at its pulpiest, and the dialogue and acting follow suit. The male actors (Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Benicio Del Toro) paint their lines on a canvas with the superficial introspection and subtle ferocity of Fred MacMurray in "Double Indemnity," while the female leads (Jessica Alba, Jamie King, Brittany Murphy, Rosario Dawson) purr and pout like so many Claire Trevors. The dialogue is rather frequently stilted, this being the film's lone Achilles' heel, but all actors (with the possible exception of Dawson and a brief appearance by Michael Clarke Duncan) manage to rise above the level of camp to truly inhabit and seemingly revel in their roles.\nThere are almost no special features on this disc aside from a scrawny making-of featurette, but the abundance of features on small-screen editions of all of Rodriguez's other films (even "Spy Kids 3") assure that a beefed-up special edition can't be too far away, most likely dropping around the same time as Tarantino's "The Whole Bloody Affair" edition of "Kill Bill" this winter.\n"Sin City" will thrill fans of the original graphic novels with its faithfulness, fans of film noir with its tone and visual style, and fans of "Pulp Fiction" with its non-linear, narrative-refracting structure. Rodriguez has already announced a sequel set for next year, assuring Frank Miller's "Sin City" will remain in the pop-cinema forefront for some time to come.
(08/25/05 4:10am)
If the first half of 2005 is any indication, Death Cab for Cutie is on the crest of becoming the coolest and most recognizable indie rock band on the planet. Seth Cohen of Fox's "The O.C." dubs the foursome his favorite band. DCFC played the show this spring, plexifilm recently \n released a DVD documenting their 2004 spring tour and the four boys from Bellingham, Wash., currently grace the covers of Spin, Paste and Under the Radar. But it is their decision to ditch their long-time partnership with indie label Barsuk earlier this year and record their fifth album Plans on major label Atlantic that will perhaps bring them the most attention in the long run.\nDeath Cab cut Plans from much the same wood as 2003's critically-acclaimed Transatlantacism, with its sharply-produced layered sound and nifty looped beats (both discs are produced by DCFC's guitarist Chris Walla). Plans comes off as a less cohesive effort than its 2003 predecessor and although it features many hits, they don't quite strike the same emotional chord as those on Transatlanticism. \nDeath Cab's horn-rimmed glasses and cardigan-wearing frontman Ben Gibbard (perhaps best known for lending his somber voice to his electronic-pop side project the Postal Service) employs smart, descriptive lyrics ranging in topic from the frustration of being abroad in "Different Names for the Same Thing" to the predictable songs about love lost in "Summer Skin" and "Someday You Will be Loved." But the theme most prominent on the album seems to be death, both coming to terms with the fact that someday someone you care about will die and seeing it first hand.\nDCFC's layered sound drops out halfway through the album on "I Will Follow You into the Dark," a Gibbard solo acoustic track in which he croons "love of mine/someday you will die/but I'll be close behind/I'll follow you into the dark." It's a wonderfully melodic tune fit for the end credits of a romantic drama to make the audience feel as if everything is going to be okay.\nIn "What Sarah Said," a piano ballad near the end of the disc, Gibbard cleverly describes the anxiety of watching a loved one near death in the hospital. "Each descending peak on the LCD took you a little further away from me/amongst the vending machines and year-old magazines/in a place where we only say goodbye," he sings. \nThe disc's first two tracks, "Marching Bands of Manhattan" and single "Soul Meets Body," flow in classic Death Cab fashion -- building up from the start until they crash into a repeated lyric at their finish. The upbeat "Crooked Teeth" bumbles around a sharp Nick Harmer bass line. \nSomewhere in Southern California, Seth Cohen is smiling.
(08/25/05 4:08am)
Wes Craven's newest feature, "Red Eye," starring Rachel McAdams, Cillian Murphy and Brian Cox, offers few thrills, hot and cold dialogue and, at best, a decent plot.\nThe story follows Lisa Reiser, a manager of the Lux Atlantic, where Homeland Security Director Keese is staying. Murphy plays Jackson Ripner, a mercenary hired to assassinate Keese, who is seated next to McAdams on her flight back to Miami. McAdams is forced to comply when it is revealed her father is in danger if the plan fails. \nBoth McAdams and Murphy give their second better-than-average performances of the summer. Unfortunately, "Red Eye" is nothing compared to McAdams' "Wedding Crashers" nor is Murphy's performance as good a showcase of his acting abilites as it was in "Batman Begins." \nThe film's plot is more interesting than other recent thrillers as it draws on socio-political fears and ideas that are imbedded in today's social consciousness. Terrorists aboard planes and the assassination of political figures are topics of debate, interest and fear in our post-Sept. 11 America. Instead of a masked madman, seemingly indestructible aliens or zombies, "Red Eye" gives viewers a villain much more realistic and disturbing: an American mercenary working for terrorists. \nA lot of the movie's problems are due to the casting of the films supporting actors. The strong acting from Murphy, McAdams and Cox become lost in the overacting of the rest of the cast. The movie spends too much time developing the supporting cast who offer little more than "ah-ha!" moments and stale one-liners, but do little to drive or advance the plot in any significant way. \nThe film works well within its own limitations and never tries to be anything more than what it is: a cheap thriller. The movie's above-average actors and interesting plot are marred by the sub-par dialogue and overacting supporting cast. The movie offers average entertainment. With its short runtime and not-too-complicated plot, Wes Craven offers a simplicity that will wash over the viewers, making "Red Eye" perfect to watch on a Sunday morning when recovering after a night on the town.
(08/25/05 4:06am)
In recent weeks, I have \nwitnessed much promotion for the movie "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," and what stands out most prominently are the most well-known stars in the cast: Steve Carell and Paul Rudd. Seeing these two together this soon after "Anchorman" easily gives the impression that "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" will be in a similar style, maybe even featuring a cameo like "Wedding Crashers" did.\nDon't assume you're walking into another "Anchorman," \n"Wedding Crashers," "Old School" or any other movie featuring either Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell or any combination of the four. In fact, it is more unique than any of these. The primary reason for this is Judd Apatow.\nDirected and written by Apatow (with writing credit also given to Carell), the film features a solid screenplay and plot. Carell plays Andy Stitzer, an awkward electronics store employee who has never had sex. Once his friends -- played by Rudd, Romany Malco (of "Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story" fame) and Seth Rogen ("Undeclared," "Donnie Darko") -- find out about his secret, it becomes their mission to get Andy laid.\nThe plot primarily focuses on Carell's awkward encounters with women that his friends set him up with, and Trish -- a single mother that he falls for (played by Catherine Keener, "Being John Malkovich"). The comedy culminates in the chest-waxing scene, which everyone has seen on the commercials, but nevertheless is still probably one of the funniest scenes in the movie (it was Steve Carell's actual chest hair actually being waxed for the first time).\nApatow, who was the creator and primary writer of the short-lived cult series "Freaks and Geeks" and "Undeclared," clearly has a knack for screenwriting, whether it be on the big or small screen. The most impressive aspect of the film was that, in addition to being hilarious, it's extremely well-written. Carell's character is well-developed and realistically relatable, while also combined with the right amount of exaggeration to add humor. Apatow creates an awkward, asexual being -- who in reality is a nice person who's just a bit weird -- living in an exaggerated society focused only on sex.\n"The 40-Year-Old Virgin" is witty, smart, interesting and in the end a bit long at 116 minutes (the only sign of Apatow's difficulty shifting from TV to movies). The plot is well developed and interesting, and the character development and great acting makes the film deeper than the title suggests. In the end -- for everyone in or watching the movie -- it's all worth it.
(08/25/05 4:00am)
In recent weeks, I have \nwitnessed much promotion for the movie "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," and what stands out most prominently are the most well-known stars in the cast: Steve Carell and Paul Rudd. Seeing these two together this soon after "Anchorman" easily gives the impression that "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" will be in a similar style, maybe even featuring a cameo like "Wedding Crashers" did.\nDon't assume you're walking into another "Anchorman," \n"Wedding Crashers," "Old School" or any other movie featuring either Vince Vaughn, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Will Ferrell or any combination of the four. In fact, it is more unique than any of these. The primary reason for this is Judd Apatow.\nDirected and written by Apatow (with writing credit also given to Carell), the film features a solid screenplay and plot. Carell plays Andy Stitzer, an awkward electronics store employee who has never had sex. Once his friends -- played by Rudd, Romany Malco (of "Too Legit: The MC Hammer Story" fame) and Seth Rogen ("Undeclared," "Donnie Darko") -- find out about his secret, it becomes their mission to get Andy laid.\nThe plot primarily focuses on Carell's awkward encounters with women that his friends set him up with, and Trish -- a single mother that he falls for (played by Catherine Keener, "Being John Malkovich"). The comedy culminates in the chest-waxing scene, which everyone has seen on the commercials, but nevertheless is still probably one of the funniest scenes in the movie (it was Steve Carell's actual chest hair actually being waxed for the first time).\nApatow, who was the creator and primary writer of the short-lived cult series "Freaks and Geeks" and "Undeclared," clearly has a knack for screenwriting, whether it be on the big or small screen. The most impressive aspect of the film was that, in addition to being hilarious, it's extremely well-written. Carell's character is well-developed and realistically relatable, while also combined with the right amount of exaggeration to add humor. Apatow creates an awkward, asexual being -- who in reality is a nice person who's just a bit weird -- living in an exaggerated society focused only on sex.\n"The 40-Year-Old Virgin" is witty, smart, interesting and in the end a bit long at 116 minutes (the only sign of Apatow's difficulty shifting from TV to movies). The plot is well developed and interesting, and the character development and great acting makes the film deeper than the title suggests. In the end -- for everyone in or watching the movie -- it's all worth it.
(08/25/05 4:00am)
Wes Craven's newest feature, "Red Eye," starring Rachel McAdams, Cillian Murphy and Brian Cox, offers few thrills, hot and cold dialogue and, at best, a decent plot.\nThe story follows Lisa Reiser, a manager of the Lux Atlantic, where Homeland Security Director Keese is staying. Murphy plays Jackson Ripner, a mercenary hired to assassinate Keese, who is seated next to McAdams on her flight back to Miami. McAdams is forced to comply when it is revealed her father is in danger if the plan fails. \nBoth McAdams and Murphy give their second better-than-average performances of the summer. Unfortunately, "Red Eye" is nothing compared to McAdams' "Wedding Crashers" nor is Murphy's performance as good a showcase of his acting abilites as it was in "Batman Begins." \nThe film's plot is more interesting than other recent thrillers as it draws on socio-political fears and ideas that are imbedded in today's social consciousness. Terrorists aboard planes and the assassination of political figures are topics of debate, interest and fear in our post-Sept. 11 America. Instead of a masked madman, seemingly indestructible aliens or zombies, "Red Eye" gives viewers a villain much more realistic and disturbing: an American mercenary working for terrorists. \nA lot of the movie's problems are due to the casting of the films supporting actors. The strong acting from Murphy, McAdams and Cox become lost in the overacting of the rest of the cast. The movie spends too much time developing the supporting cast who offer little more than "ah-ha!" moments and stale one-liners, but do little to drive or advance the plot in any significant way. \nThe film works well within its own limitations and never tries to be anything more than what it is: a cheap thriller. The movie's above-average actors and interesting plot are marred by the sub-par dialogue and overacting supporting cast. The movie offers average entertainment. With its short runtime and not-too-complicated plot, Wes Craven offers a simplicity that will wash over the viewers, making "Red Eye" perfect to watch on a Sunday morning when recovering after a night on the town.
(08/25/05 4:00am)
If the first half of 2005 is any indication, Death Cab for Cutie is on the crest of becoming the coolest and most recognizable indie rock band on the planet. Seth Cohen of Fox's "The O.C." dubs the foursome his favorite band. DCFC played the show this spring, plexifilm recently \n released a DVD documenting their 2004 spring tour and the four boys from Bellingham, Wash., currently grace the covers of Spin, Paste and Under the Radar. But it is their decision to ditch their long-time partnership with indie label Barsuk earlier this year and record their fifth album Plans on major label Atlantic that will perhaps bring them the most attention in the long run.\nDeath Cab cut Plans from much the same wood as 2003's critically-acclaimed Transatlantacism, with its sharply-produced layered sound and nifty looped beats (both discs are produced by DCFC's guitarist Chris Walla). Plans comes off as a less cohesive effort than its 2003 predecessor and although it features many hits, they don't quite strike the same emotional chord as those on Transatlanticism. \nDeath Cab's horn-rimmed glasses and cardigan-wearing frontman Ben Gibbard (perhaps best known for lending his somber voice to his electronic-pop side project the Postal Service) employs smart, descriptive lyrics ranging in topic from the frustration of being abroad in "Different Names for the Same Thing" to the predictable songs about love lost in "Summer Skin" and "Someday You Will be Loved." But the theme most prominent on the album seems to be death, both coming to terms with the fact that someday someone you care about will die and seeing it first hand.\nDCFC's layered sound drops out halfway through the album on "I Will Follow You into the Dark," a Gibbard solo acoustic track in which he croons "love of mine/someday you will die/but I'll be close behind/I'll follow you into the dark." It's a wonderfully melodic tune fit for the end credits of a romantic drama to make the audience feel as if everything is going to be okay.\nIn "What Sarah Said," a piano ballad near the end of the disc, Gibbard cleverly describes the anxiety of watching a loved one near death in the hospital. "Each descending peak on the LCD took you a little further away from me/amongst the vending machines and year-old magazines/in a place where we only say goodbye," he sings. \nThe disc's first two tracks, "Marching Bands of Manhattan" and single "Soul Meets Body," flow in classic Death Cab fashion -- building up from the start until they crash into a repeated lyric at their finish. The upbeat "Crooked Teeth" bumbles around a sharp Nick Harmer bass line. \nSomewhere in Southern California, Seth Cohen is smiling.
(08/25/05 4:00am)
Writer and artist Frank Miller's original seven-part graphic novel "Sin City" shook the comic-loving throngs to its collective knees when it was gradually released throughout the 1990's, and filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, a huge Miller fan himself, took notice. He'd wanted to make the stories into a film (or films) for some time, but the technology to make them accurately resemble the original works simply wasn't available until recently. Once it was, \nRodriguez went to work.\nWorking alongside the author and artist of the books himself, as well as longtime pal and \noccasional collaborator Quentin Tarantino, Rodriguez fashioned three of the original seven "Sin City" stories ("The Hard Goodbye," "The Big Fat Kill," and "The Yellow Bastard") into the most accurate and faithful comic-to-film adaptation imaginable, taking few if any artistic liberties with the material, aside from the fact that the film is in motion and not on the page. The result is one gut-buster of a movie, moving along at a frantic pace and, as with all its characters, it takes no prisoners.\nAs a visual document alone, "Sin City" is a wonder to behold. Gritty black and white is predominant, with only splashes of color here and there meant for emotional or visceral effect. Select characters' eyes show up in vibrant tints while the rest of their bodies remain faded. Vehicles adopt an otherworldly feel, and the film's prevalent brutal violence takes on an almost Looney Tune tone, which benefits and detracts from the vignettes in equal amounts.\nMiller's graphic novels are rooted deeply in classic film noir and hard-boiled crime fiction at its pulpiest, and the dialogue and acting follow suit. The male actors (Bruce Willis, Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Benicio Del Toro) paint their lines on a canvas with the superficial introspection and subtle ferocity of Fred MacMurray in "Double Indemnity," while the female leads (Jessica Alba, Jamie King, Brittany Murphy, Rosario Dawson) purr and pout like so many Claire Trevors. The dialogue is rather frequently stilted, this being the film's lone Achilles' heel, but all actors (with the possible exception of Dawson and a brief appearance by Michael Clarke Duncan) manage to rise above the level of camp to truly inhabit and seemingly revel in their roles.\nThere are almost no special features on this disc aside from a scrawny making-of featurette, but the abundance of features on small-screen editions of all of Rodriguez's other films (even "Spy Kids 3") assure that a beefed-up special edition can't be too far away, most likely dropping around the same time as Tarantino's "The Whole Bloody Affair" edition of "Kill Bill" this winter.\n"Sin City" will thrill fans of the original graphic novels with its faithfulness, fans of film noir with its tone and visual style, and fans of "Pulp Fiction" with its non-linear, narrative-refracting structure. Rodriguez has already announced a sequel set for next year, assuring Frank Miller's "Sin City" will remain in the pop-cinema forefront for some time to come.
(08/25/05 4:00am)
In this unlikely love story, both Debra Messing (TV's "Will and Grace") and Dermot Mulroney ("My Best Friend's Wedding," "About Schmidt") give a fairly flat performance, but not for lack of trying. In fact, the movie in itself tries too hard ... without producing results. \nWith no real character definition the director tries to speedily introduce Kat (Messing) as a neurotic, heart-broken, career-driven woman -- all in a couple of minutes. She is preparing to travel to her sister's wedding, where the best man is her ex. With no beau she decides to hire the perfect man, Nick (Mulroney).\nFrom there the director begins to portray a calculated relationship that, while hopeful, is quite unbelievable. And calculated it is. All of this hampers viewers from experiencing the movie as a story but rather an attempt at a blockbuster. \nPerhaps one problem is that director Clare Kilner hasn't had much experience. Her last and only true feature film was "How To Deal," a Mandy Moore vehicle. While that movie was aimed at teens, it did have some adult appeal. "The Wedding Date" seems to be the opposite of her last attempt. It is supposed to appeal to adults but seems more likely to be appreciated by a younger crowd.\nWith story gaps and omissions along the way the character of Nick (Mulroney) is never really explored. He mentions that he graduated from Brown with a degree in comparative literature. That's literally the only thing we as viewers know about him. The explanation of his journey from Brown graduate to hooker is never described, nor is any other aspect of his character. And for a romantic comedy the movie could've been funnier. The wacky parents of Kat and the bride-to-be were underutilized. The mother, Bunny, is portrayed by the hilarious Holland Taylor from TV's "Two and a Half Men." \nThe movie wasn't the best but I guess it's possible that I (and other viewers) are a bit harsh because on the screen is Grace and a copy of the male lead from "My Best Friend's Wedding." Both actors seem to be playing roles that they've already successfully done.\nAs for the DVD there are the usual extras. Included is a feature commentary with Debra Messing, a bit with her talking about working on the movie and a selection of deleted scenes ... though nothing to write home about.\n"The Wedding Date" is actually a fun and funny movie, just don't expect too much.
(08/25/05 4:00am)
I talk to a lot of different people about music. These conversations can go in any direction, but there is one question that really floats my boat and is always good for a few laughs: What was the first cassette tape or CD you ever owned? \nIt can wrack more than a few brains, but it speaks volumes about people. I find that a majority of people don't even listen to first tapes or CDs anymore, and that's if people can even remember what they were.\nIf guilt accompanies the answer, then you know at least the person's musical tastes have matured. And if the reply is nonchalant, then you know music doesn't play a large part in that person's life. And if the music on a first tape or CD isn't even in the same ballpark as the music a person likes now, then you know that person has made a musical discovery over the years. \nFor instance, my friend's first CD was Boyz II Men's Cooleyhighharmony. Not bad, but judging from a chuckle that followed and looking at what he plays now, I could tell he wasn't glowing with pride. But it's understandable because, like many of us when we purchased or received our first CD, he was a 10-year-old fledgling. More than likely, he heard all the hits on the radio, liked the grooves and the quartet's range of vocals, and decided to go for it. \nAnother friend's first tape was New Kids on the Block's Hangin' Tough. Nostalgia works its magic when she remembers being in kindergarten and rocking out to Jordan Knight and Co. during the holidays. But in all honesty, today she admits only listening to NKOTB and other early childhood favorites like Ace of Base after she's had a few drinks (just to have a musical change of pace). \nPersonally, when I look back at my past CD purchases (and burns), I have endured a fair share of pitfalls (Elastica!?!). But I don't cringe when I recall my first CD (I skipped the cassette phase). In third grade I bought Nirvana's In Utero, followed by Smashing Pumpkins' Siamese Dream and Pearl Jam's Vs. Of course I've branched out from the grunge scene, but for some inexplicable reason, I listen to songs from those albums almost daily now, 12 years later. Why is that? Luck, I guess. Maybe I knew what I liked all along. But this isn't the case for most people. \nWhether or not you're proud of your first CD or cassette is irrelevant. Most people see them as a joke anyway. The point is that listening to your own music on your own music player for the first time proves to be very memorable. Everyone I've talked to seems to remember the exact context under which they heard their first "owned" tune. Some even know what they were wearing, what color the headphones were and what the weather was like that day. \nI'm not trying to be an experienced psychologist or anything, but it seems like the brain has designated "vaults" that retain primary childhood memories like listening to music. The same can probably be said about a first baseball glove, a first board game or a first video game. \nAnother moral to be learned from these stories concerns the development of our musical tastes. Obviously, kids don't put a lot of thought into their first CD or cassette. They hear DJs and classmates talk about the newest hits. Soon everybody is singing the catchy lyrics, and a natural reaction at such a young age would be to join in the hoopla. \nFortunately the bandwagon approach wears thin with age among music fans. Eventually most people realize where their interests lie and pursue them. Though not always true, I like to think most college students have a strong personal preference when it comes to music. Thanks to friends, record stores, magazines, concerts and Web sites, recommendations come easy today and help people find their way through the jungle that is the music industry.\nSo for those of you who turn red when you think about your first CD, don't worry, because I'm sure you have found your musical niche now.
(08/25/05 4:00am)
It's your first weekend in Bloomington. Instead of sitting in your dorm room staring at your new roommate, get off your butt and do something. Let IDS WEEKEND break it down for you. Here's the fat, the skinny and everything in between.\nRestaurants\nAll corners of the world converge in Bloomington when it comes to food. It doesn't matter if you're craving casual home-cooked meals or something a little more exotic.\nFourth Street from Indiana Avenue to Lincoln Avenue is known for its impressive array of ethnic cuisine. Diners can find food from Turkey, Italy, France, Thailand and Tibet, among other nations, as well as spicy Cajun food from Louisiana.\nThird Street is home to several campus favorites, including Mother Bear's Pizza, a next-to-campus pizzeria that's been around since 1973. The menu at Mother Bear's offers award-winning pizza, salad, pasta, sandwiches and wings.\n"The food is really good (at Mother Bear's) and it's a great place to go to hang out with your friends or if you need a late-night study break," said sophomore Johanna Chang.\nBig Mouth Subs, The Mac Grill, a new Mediterranean restaurant; Dragon Express, a Chinese restaurant; Bear's Place Ale House and Eatery and Domo, a popular Japanese restaurant and sushi bar, also share Third Street. \nOther student favorites include Crazy Horse, Scotty's Brewhouse, Grazie! Italian Eatery, Malibu Grill, Café Pizzeria, Jimmy John's and Dagwood's, which are all located downtown, as well as Lennie's, which is located directly behind Ashton Center on Tenth Street.\n"If you manage to somehow get a girlfriend, take her to the Malibu (Grill)," said senior Rob Weber. "It makes you look really classy even if you actually aren't."\nMalibu Grill and Grazie! are perfect places to kick off a night on the town. They both have a more formal atmosphere and serve more upscale entrées. \nAfter a brain-draining day of classes, nothing beats a cup of coffee and conversation with friends. Soma, Encore Café and Runcible Spoon, which are located downtown, are comfortable cafés that sometimes offer open mic nights and live entertainment. \nArts & Entertainment\nIn Bloomington, the entertainment opportunities are as diverse as the hair colors you might see strolling across campus. Fortunately for the underage crowd, students don't have to be over 21 to enjoy live music and other entertainment. There are plenty of local spots that offer music, dancing, theater, art and movies that are open to people of all ages. Live music can be found almost anywhere in Bloomington. A stroll down Kirkwood always introduces people to local musicians and their unique styles. Restaurants and cafés downtown like Max's Place, Encore Café, Runcible Spoon and Soma are known for providing a variety of live entertainment for free. \nMax's Place on Seventh Street has acoustic music on Thursday evenings and has shows on Friday and Saturday nights. Encore Café has a traditional Irish music session every Friday night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. followed by a solo performance by Steve Sobiech, a local jazz musician. Sobiech also performs at Encore on Saturday nights. The café also offers dinner specials on performance nights.\nRuncible Spoon has Irish-themed music nights every Tuesday and Sunday. They are open to anyone who would like to come and play along. The Sunday night session is geared toward those who are "just picking up an instrument" while the Tuesday night session is for more advanced musicians, according to Regen Ton, co-owner of Runcible Spoon. The café, which is located on Sixth Street, also has poetry readings the last two Fridays of every month and welcome the public to participate.\nSoma, which is located on Kirkwood Avenue, has Matrix poetry readings the first Wednesday of every month and sometimes features live musical performances. For students who would rather be on the stage performing the music, Max's Place and Runcible Spoon both have open mic nights once a week. Max's Place has an open mic night every Wednesday at 7 p.m. and Runcible spoon has open mic night every Wednesday at 7 p.m.\n"It's just whoever shows up and they play," Ton said. "People just chill out and listen to music."\nAnother form of free musical entertainment is available right on campus -- student recitals at the music school. Every week the public can hear students from the music school perform at different performance halls around campus. \nThe IU Auditorium also hosts many musical and comedy events, including performers, orchestras and musicals. This season performances include "Chicago," The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and David Spade. \nFor those who prefer a club atmosphere, Rhino's All-Ages Music Club is the place to go. Rhino's is Bloomington's only underage club and is located downtown on South Walnut Street. The club hosts local bands every weekend that cover "every single genre you could think of," according to Bob Nugent, the assistant director of booking.\n"(Rhino's features) a who's who of awesome Bloomington bands," Nugent said. "We're the best place to see music in Bloomington."\nThe Bloomington Playwrights Project has shows almost every weekend during the year. Regular admission is $12 for students, but they also offer tickets for $5 for students who come only five minutes before the curtain time. Mainstage shows run Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The BPP also offers a "Dark Alley Late Night" series which features plays that may contain adult content and sometimes start as late as 10:30 p.m. \nThe Waldron Arts Center, which is located downtown, hosts many dance, music and theater events, as well as art exhibits and classes in the arts. IU is a perfect place to find a variety of theatrical performances as well. The theater department has countless performances each year. Student groups such as Black Curtain also perform on a regular basis. Bloomington is also a movie lover's dream. In addition to its two Kerasotes theaters, Bloomington has several film series. The Buskirk-Chumley Theater is home the "Classics on Kirkwood" film series, which kicks off Monday at 7 p.m. The Ryder film series is popular series in Bloomington. With movies playing at Bear's Place, IU School of Fine Arts rooms and the Cinemat. \nOn campus, the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center hosts a bi-monthly black film series, which starts Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. The City Lights Film series, which is held every Friday night at 7 p.m. in the Radio-TV Center starting Sept. 9, features classic and contemporary movies from around the world. The Mathers Museum of World Cultures on IU's campus is sponsoring the Margaret Mead Film Festival Series starting Nov. 5. The Union Board also sponsors a film series featuring popular movies that have recently been in theaters. A fall schedule is posted on the Union Board Web site.\nMuseums\nBloomington's museums are a favorite with tourists and locals alike. Whether you're looking for local or world history, there are several interesting places to learn outside the classroom.\nWonderLab Museum of Science, Health and Technology is popular with both adults and children. It has numerous exhibits and daily demonstrations, and gives visitors a hands-on scientific experience. The museum is located on Fourth Street just west of the square. The Mathers Museum of World Cultures has a variety of interesting exhibits, including two that are here for the first semester only -- "The Allure of Clothing" and "Talking Shoes," which feature clothes from different time periods and shoes from around the world. The Mathers Museum also sponsors several cultural events throughout the year. A site that has captured the attention of the entire nation is the Kinsey Institute in Morrison Hall, but the Institute gives public tours only occasionally. Upcoming public tours are Aug. 26 at 2 p.m. and Sept. 16 at 2 p.m. The IU Art Museum is also a popular attraction on campus. \nFun & Games\nAfter a long day of classes or an evening of studying, students need to give their brains a break. Getting out and playing a game of pool or challenging friends to arcade games can be the perfect cure for humdrum of student life. There are plenty of places around town that will help everyone procrastinate. \nThe Back Alley at the Indiana Memorial Union has 12 bowling lanes, 10 pool tables and a large arcade. Students can bowl for $1.75 per game, plus $1.50 for shoe rental during regular hours. Billiards cost $5 per hour. The Back Alley will have fun leagues and bowling, billiards, Dance Dance Revolution and pinball tournaments throughout the semester. \nLazerlite is a popular place for arcade lovers. They have a laser tag area that can accommodate up to 21 players per game and 26 arcade games, including two DDR games. Lazerlite is located on East Third Street across from Sterling University apartments and is close to a Bloomington Transit bus stop.\nSports & Recreation\nExercise is one of the best way to relieve stress in college. While everyone gets the urge to tear up a test or punch a professor, it's best to get away from it all and work off some of that negative energy. Lake Griffy, which is just north of campus, gives students the opportunity to rent boats, canoes and kayaks for $5 an hour and to hike on numerous trails. \nThe Boathouse closes at the end of October, but the trails are always accessible. Laying out and swimming at the IU Outdoor Pool is a great way to spend the first few weeks of school. The pool is open until Sept. 5, and admission for students is $2. The pool will also be hosting Welcome Week events. The pool is sponsoring a "Float & Float" event Aug. 28 1:30 to 6 p.m. Students may bring floating devices and simply relax in the pool during this time. Root beer floats will be sold on deck as well.\nFor freshmen who bring bikes, biking can be a great way to get to know campus and town, according to Weber.\n"Bloomington has some of the best bike routes around," he said. "(There are) plenty of hills and flat areas so it's easy to do whatever you like."\nWhen it gets too cold to do outside activities, there are still plenty of indoor recreation options.\nHoosier Heights is an indoor wall climbing facility. It offers walls and guest passes that are appropriate for every level of climber, as well as a gear shop. Hoosier Heights is located on South Rogers Road.\nRecSports also gives students plenty of opportunities to exercise and participate in sports. They sponsor intramural and club sports, as well as plenty of classes. The SRSC and HPER buildings both have exercise facilities and indoor pools. \nThe rest of the shops in downtown Bloomington are great to explore, too; and College Mall also offers students a variety of popular stores. The C bus makes frequent trips to the mall at no charge to students since city buses are free to students if they can show their student ID.\nSo grab your new friends and hit the streets, because the time of your life starts now.\n-- Writer Carrie Ritchie has been on the VIP list at most fraternities since her freshman year. Get ahold of her at ccritchi@indiana.edu.
(08/04/05 4:00am)
If you trace the evolution of rock music from its early days of Chuck to the present, there have been a few facelifts. Since rock turns 50 this year (the first assumed rock 'n' roll song is Bill Haley & His Comets' "Rockin' Around the Clock," released in 1955), maybe it's time for a reassessment of the family tree. \nMany critics and fans believed that rock music died around the late 1970's. This statement is understandable as disco was dominating the charts and hip-hop was gaining popularity in the streets. Additionally, a number of monumental rock bands were crumbling, including the Who and Led Zeppelin, while others like Aerosmith and the Rolling Stones seemed to be running out of steam. Facing genres like punk and glam, most people assumed the worst -- that the tree had branched out too far from the roots. \nTo some degree, I buy into such a theory. Rock music did indeed experience a drought. Everybody loves the 80's, but let's be honest, if we're talking about good wholesome rock music, that decade didn't bring much to the table, save AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, U2 and maybe a few others that I'm forgetting. And I don't care what anyone says; hair metal does not qualify as real rock music. \nIn the 1990's, there seemed to be a light at the end of the tunnel when grunge got big. That all changed, however, when Kurt Cobain died, and Soundgarden and Alice In Chains disbanded. Yes, Pearl Jam's pistons are still turning, but they can't carry the torch forever. \nThe mid-to-late-90's was a very dark chapter in rock music. One-hit wonders filled the airwaves (does anyone remember Spacehog?), and songs by boy bands and Britneys and Jessicas were heard five times a day. Legitimate bands like Foo Fighters, Oasis and Beck have managed to find their way out of this mess, but the point is that rock music has long been in the shadows until recently. The good news is that it will get better.\nThe reason why classic rock was so good is because bands wrote songs out of complete originality. They had no predecessors to show them the ropes. The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Doors, Eric Clapton and the like broke new ground by being innovative. Who knew what feedback would sound like when George Harrison used it on "I Feel Fine"? Nobody. But he was willing to fall on his face. \nAs members of the Baby Boom generation, our parents grew up with classic rock. It was a way to identify themselves as a generation. As children of the Baby Boomers, many of us had no choice but to listen to our parents' music when they turned it on. I can remember listening to the Beach Boys' "Help Me, Rhonda" in my dad's Buick when I was young and thinking, "I like this." Given that many new rockers today are close to our age (college folk), they probably shared such experiences. So when it comes time to jot down some material, they base it off of classic rock. \nTo demonstrate my hypothesis, I will mention a few bands that have exemplified characteristics of a classic rock band: Jet, The Darkness and The White Stripes. The first two have released very promising debut albums and have tested their work on the road. I've been told that The Darkness sends crowds into a frenzy, and I'm sure that Jet does the same. Their music is filled with balls-to-the-wall attitude, relentless talent and face-melting guitar solos (a rarity today). I would lend an ear to them if you haven't already. \nThe White Stripes have a different format -- one guitarist and one percussionist. Nonetheless, Jack White is a rock fundamentalist with a great sound and lyrics that spin your mind. Meg White beats the hell out of her kit, too. With five albums under their belt, they seem to be leading the march towards rock utopia. \nA number of other noteworthy bands have been brought to my attention and could definitely have staying power. Franz Ferdinand, The Killers, The Strokes and Arcade Fire could function as a generation identifier like the classic rock bands of the Baby Boomers. And, of course, let's not forget the restructured, hybrid rock bands like Audioslave and Velvet Revolver whose members have proven themselves in the past. \nThe future of rock music is optimistic. This revelation came to me about a year ago, and I still hold it to be true. And as always these young guns will have moral support from mentors like Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, U2 and R.E.M.\nIn the eloquent words of Neil Young, "My my, hey hey/Rock and roll is here to stay ... Hey hey, my my/Rock and roll can never die"
(08/04/05 4:00am)
At a recent party a buddy of mine and I were discussing horror movies, particularly the "Evil Dead" collection, when I was informed that the original "Evil Dead," an instant cult classic, was to be remade. Now at first this puzzled me as those familiar with the films are aware that the original "Evil Dead" was essentially remade/updated by the same director, Sam Raimi, with the superior sequel "Evil Dead II: Dead By Dawn." Having grown up on these films (father Sills was never much one for censorship) the news still intrigued me, so I did some follow up research.\nIt turns out a remake of the original is in the works with Sam Raimi overseeing, but not in the directors chair, and Bruce Campbell (Ash) also said to be involved. Now, while this news may tickle some fans of the genre (i.e. those who indulge in magazines like Fangoria), I have to wonder why there is a need to remake this already perfect, classic campy horror/comedy flick? In fact, why does it seem like lately Hollywood is out of ideas for films and instead seem to be turning to remakes for the solution?\nDuring this summer alone there have been a number of mediocre film remakes ranging from "The Amityville Horror," and "House of Wax" to the highly unnecessary remake of "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner," "Guess Who," with Bernie Mac as Spencer Tracy's character. And with the upcoming film renditions such as "The Pink Panther," and of course the fairly anticipated remake of "King Kong" (the second large ape remake) by mega director Peter Jackson, it is apparent that Hollywood has a lot of faith in movie remakes. \nIf you think about it, remakes do make sense, financially at least. Take horror films, a genre that has truly embraced the "remake" with updated versions of films like "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Dawn of the Dead," "The Haunting," not to mention a list of future horror remakes including "The Hills Have Eyes," "The Fog," "Suspiria," and even the horrible Jamie Lee Curtis flick "Prom Night." These movies, often based on originals that were unsuccessful to begin with, have done wonders at the box office. This said, the question still stands: Why do remakes? Is there a loss of creativity right now? Is originality dead? \nI am not preaching that remakes as a whole are all horrible, I just believe it is important to pick your winners carefully. In fact, some of the greatest films ever made were actually remakes of previous films. Take for example the Akira Kurosawa classic "Seven Samurai" which I believe was remade twice: once in the form of a western with "The Magnificent Seven," and later with Pixar's animated classic "A Bug's Life" (think about it, seven Japanese samurai saving a village from bandits, versus seven loveable bugs saving an ant farm doomed by grasshoppers.)\nRemakes have also been very affective in introducing American audiences to films from abroad. Before helming "Batman Begins," director Christopher Nolan followed up his hit "Memento" with a dark, quiet remake of the Norwegian film "Insomnia." While "Crying Game" director Neil Jordan took the wonderful Jean-Pierre Melville classic, "Bob le Flambeur," and gave it a nice little modern touch with 2002's "The Good Thief."\nNow in my mind, there is nothing wrong with taking a great story, whether from a book or film, and taking it in a different direction. After all, art has been imitating art for thousands of years. However, the key word here is art, and with that how does one warrant what is worth being remade and what should be left alone?\nI mean could you imagine a remake of the Martin Scorsese classic "Raging Bull" for the MTV generation. Vin Diesel takes on the role of boxer turned glutton Jake LaMotta. You could have Jessica Alba as LaMotta's lover, Topher Grace could shine as his brother/trainer, and Chris Columbus would take the helm as director. Or what about a new rendition of "Casablanca" with Vince Vaughn taking on Humphrey Bogart's memorable role, Tara Reid as Ilsa, and Cedric The Entertainer as Sam. McG would direct. Obviously you see where this is going.\nIt's a shame to see Hollywood go down such an easy route. Sure these remakes are making tons of money, and sure some can be fun (I did rather enjoy the "Dawn of the Dead" update mainly because, although it's a cult classic, the original is so dumb and poorly acted) but I believe ultimately this trend is hurting film as a whole.
(08/04/05 4:00am)
When Joan Allen was making "The Contender," she jokingly asked co-star and screenwriter Mike Binder to write a movie for her. After tossing the idea around, Binder started writing "The Upside of Anger." This is one of the many anecdotes featured in a behind-the-scenes look at the movie on the recently released DVD. \nAllen has always been known for her wide acting range and strong supporting roles, and it is wonderful to see her in such a well-written lead in "Upside." She plays Terry Wolfmeyer, an abandoned wife, mothering four grown daughters, in the early stages of what could turn into severe alcoholism. Kevin Costner plays her drinking buddy Denny, a former baseball star who falls in love with both Terry and her daughters. The story grows from this premise, adding rich layers of family dramedy to Allen's stunning performance. \nIn the making-of featurette, all of the film's main characters are interviewed extensively and discuss how they came to the project and its meaning for them. The feature is excellent, giving much background detail and history of the project. Fans of Mike Binder will find his interviews particularly interesting as he talks about his writing style and comedy past. \nOther DVD highlights include several deleted scenes, a Binder/Allen commentary, some New Line trailers and well-designed menu screens. \nThe Binder/Allen commentary was informative and very interesting, however, I wished throughout that Allen would give more input on her evolution in the role and Binder's writing. Binder talks enough for both of them though, mostly on production aspects and how he came to write the screenplay. Film critic Rod Lurie moderates the conversation and is a close friend of Binder's, adding a few tidbits on Binder's previous films. In its casual nature, there are few lapses in dialogue, which makes the commentary a lot more fun to listen to. \nThe film quality is well-intact and the film is presented in widescreen format, which allows the viewer to see the extensive production value that went into the shoot. \nThe standard features and commentaries available on most new releases are all present here, with good sound and visual transfers. I was very satisfied with the movie and felt the DVD extras served well to enhance the experience.
(08/04/05 4:00am)
What do you get if you take HAL 9000, put him in a really fast plane, and blow a bunch of crap up in lieu of a plot? You get "Stealth," the newest, brainless action flick by Rob Cohen ("xXx," "The Fast and the Furious"). The bottom line is if you are prepared to abandon all logic, intelligence and good taste, then this movie truly begins to flourish in its resplendent idiocy. And in a weird "Huh huh, they blowed it up real good" kind of way almost becomes enjoyable. On the other hand, if you are unable to get past gaping plot holes and stilted dialogue then maybe this isn't the movie for you.\n"Stealth" is the story of an elite team of pilots played by Jamie Foxx ("Ray"), Jessica Biel ("Blade: Trinity") and Josh Lucas ("Sweet Home Alabama"). These pilots make up some sort of anti-terrorist squad, but of course it is never quite explained how three jets going Mach 2 are going to be an effective tool against a terrorist riding a pack mule. But then again the movie also features a satellite that can analyze fingerprints from orbit, so it is best not to think while watching this movie. The three pilots are joined by a jet piloted by a computer named EDI whose creators outfitted it with hyper-intelligence but not a surge protector. EDI goes haywire after being hit by a bolt of lightning. The computer then goes on a renegade mission to destroy something in Russia -- that is never quite explained -- and the pilots have to bring it down before it starts World War III.\nAt this point logic takes a vacation. In the second half of this movie one of the pilots makes friends with the computer as they team up to take down an evil Naval officer who teaches an even more evil politician what it is to be a soldier by killing himself. All the while, Jessica Biel is trying to escape from an evil North Korean death squad that has no desire to capture the American soldier, only shoot her or blow her up for what reason I can't quite gather. Throw in copious amounts of explosions and a love story that is about as useful to the plot as running shoes are to a fish, and you have that little slice of heaven that I call "Stealth."\nPossibly the greatest thing about this movie is the abundance of unresolved story points. For example, they destroy Russian airplanes, blow up a large section of the North Korean demilitarized zone and detonate a nuclear weapon in a populated section of Tajikistan, and yet none of these politically catastrophic events are even alluded to after they occur.\nThis movie has the weakest plot imaginable and very little going for it aside from a bunch of pointless special effects and stuff gettin' blown up. On the other hand, if that is what you are in the mood for, then you could do a lot worse than "Stealth." Well, not a lot worse.