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(05/25/04 2:58pm)
Ah, New York City. Home of Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty … and two very obnoxious twin girls who run through the city on a "wacky" adventure and, throughout the course of their crazy day, learn to better understand each other. Hugs all around!\nMary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who were cute as baby Michelle on "Full House" but now just serve to annoy the hell out of anyone over 12, star in "New York Minute," which follows the two polar-opposite twin sisters through a crazy day in the NYC. Ashley plays Jane Ryan, a top of her class cheerleading captain that is competing for a fellowship to study at Oxford, and has to give "the biggest speech of her academic career" at Columbia University in order to receive it. Mary-Kate plays punk-rock chick Roxy, a chronic truant trying to get her band a break by attending another band's video shoot. As they're trying to get to their respective places on time, they end up in the middle of a scheme having something to do with microchips and pirated music. Andy Richter plays a limo driver that's helping to orchestrate the whole thing, but his role is neither vital nor funny, as the filmmakers apparently planned.\nTo add to the "hilarity," the talented and often hilarious Eugene Levy plays a truant officer desperately trying to catch Roxy. Obviously reminiscent of the character of Ed Rooney in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," the filmmakers dropped the ball and gave Levy very little to work with. Even he couldn't do much to save this film, try though he might.\nOf course, throughout the day, the girls end up doing a lot of crazy things that have been tried in countless movies about New York: walking through sewers, getting kidnapped, standing on the narrow ledge of a high-rise hotel building.\nThrough it all, though, the big questions stay strong: will Jane make her speech and get the fellowship? Will Roxy and her band get the recording contract?\nThe ending is predictable and stupid. Of course Roxy gets the recording contract! And Jane doesn't make it to Columbia in time to make her speech, but of course she gets the fellowship! The judges find her note cards, and since of course it would have been a great speech, she gets the fellowship. \nThere's nothing offensive or vile about this film. It's just one big piece of cinematic trash that the world probably could have gone without.
(05/24/04 7:56pm)
Love makes people crazy," claims Quincy Watson (Jamie Foxx) in "Breakin' All the Rules." That may be true, but the characters in this movie act as crazy as people in almost any run-of-the-mill romantic comedy ever created. \nWatson seems to have it all: a good job, a wonderful girlfriend named Helen (Biana Lawson) whom he is about to become engaged to and an all-around good life. Suddenly, on the night the happy couple is planning on announcing their engagement, Helen dumps Quincy in favor of flying to Paris with another man. \nMost people, after being dumped so suddenly and unceremoniously, would cry into their pillows for a couple of days or punch a wall. Instead, Quincy becomes a best-selling author after writing a "how-to" guide on dumping your lover.\nThe fun is just beginning, however. Soon, Quincy's buddy, Evan (Morris Chestnut) breaks up with his lover, Nicky (Gabrielle Union). Quincy, not knowing who she is, hooks up with her. Evan, meanwhile, hooks up with Quincy's boss' girlfriend (Jennifer Esposito) by telling her that he's Quincy. Quincy, meanwhile, is coaching his boss (Peter MacNicol) in how to break up with said girlfriend. Confused yet? When Helen returns from Paris wanting to reunite with Quincy. Of course, everything blows up in everyone's face.\n"Breakin' All the Rules" breaks no romantic comedy rules. It's highly predictable, and the whole time the audience knows that everything will work out peachy. The film is funny, and has its hilarious bits. Foxx and company work together wonderfully on film: there's a lot of chemistry between the actors. There are also some really cute running gags, especially one involving a pug dog and alcohol. The movie leaves no subplot unfinished, and no loose end not neatly tied up. Every good character finds love, and every bad character gets their comeuppance. \n"Breakin' All the Rules" is, by no means, a cinematic masterpiece. It's not even a great movie, but it doesn't need to be. There are absolutely no surprises, but it delivers an entertaining story with a good dose of good-natured comedy. "Breakin' All the Rules" is a fun, entertaining flick to catch when the tickets are sold out for the latest blockbuster epic, or when there's an hour and a half to kill and nothing to do.
(05/20/04 4:00am)
Love makes people crazy," claims Quincy Watson (Jamie Foxx) in "Breakin' All the Rules." That may be true, but the characters in this movie act as crazy as people in almost any run-of-the-mill romantic comedy ever created. \nWatson seems to have it all: a good job, a wonderful girlfriend named Helen (Biana Lawson) whom he is about to become engaged to and an all-around good life. Suddenly, on the night the happy couple is planning on announcing their engagement, Helen dumps Quincy in favor of flying to Paris with another man. \nMost people, after being dumped so suddenly and unceremoniously, would cry into their pillows for a couple of days or punch a wall. Instead, Quincy becomes a best-selling author after writing a "how-to" guide on dumping your lover.\nThe fun is just beginning, however. Soon, Quincy's buddy, Evan (Morris Chestnut) breaks up with his lover, Nicky (Gabrielle Union). Quincy, not knowing who she is, hooks up with her. Evan, meanwhile, hooks up with Quincy's boss' girlfriend (Jennifer Esposito) by telling her that he's Quincy. Quincy, meanwhile, is coaching his boss (Peter MacNicol) in how to break up with said girlfriend. Confused yet? When Helen returns from Paris wanting to reunite with Quincy. Of course, everything blows up in everyone's face.\n"Breakin' All the Rules" breaks no romantic comedy rules. It's highly predictable, and the whole time the audience knows that everything will work out peachy. The film is funny, and has its hilarious bits. Foxx and company work together wonderfully on film: there's a lot of chemistry between the actors. There are also some really cute running gags, especially one involving a pug dog and alcohol. The movie leaves no subplot unfinished, and no loose end not neatly tied up. Every good character finds love, and every bad character gets their comeuppance. \n"Breakin' All the Rules" is, by no means, a cinematic masterpiece. It's not even a great movie, but it doesn't need to be. There are absolutely no surprises, but it delivers an entertaining story with a good dose of good-natured comedy. "Breakin' All the Rules" is a fun, entertaining flick to catch when the tickets are sold out for the latest blockbuster epic, or when there's an hour and a half to kill and nothing to do.
(05/13/04 4:00am)
Ah, New York City. Home of Times Square, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty … and two very obnoxious twin girls who run through the city on a "wacky" adventure and, throughout the course of their crazy day, learn to better understand each other. Hugs all around!\nMary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who were cute as baby Michelle on "Full House" but now just serve to annoy the hell out of anyone over 12, star in "New York Minute," which follows the two polar-opposite twin sisters through a crazy day in the NYC. Ashley plays Jane Ryan, a top of her class cheerleading captain that is competing for a fellowship to study at Oxford, and has to give "the biggest speech of her academic career" at Columbia University in order to receive it. Mary-Kate plays punk-rock chick Roxy, a chronic truant trying to get her band a break by attending another band's video shoot. As they're trying to get to their respective places on time, they end up in the middle of a scheme having something to do with microchips and pirated music. Andy Richter plays a limo driver that's helping to orchestrate the whole thing, but his role is neither vital nor funny, as the filmmakers apparently planned.\nTo add to the "hilarity," the talented and often hilarious Eugene Levy plays a truant officer desperately trying to catch Roxy. Obviously reminiscent of the character of Ed Rooney in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off," the filmmakers dropped the ball and gave Levy very little to work with. Even he couldn't do much to save this film, try though he might.\nOf course, throughout the day, the girls end up doing a lot of crazy things that have been tried in countless movies about New York: walking through sewers, getting kidnapped, standing on the narrow ledge of a high-rise hotel building.\nThrough it all, though, the big questions stay strong: will Jane make her speech and get the fellowship? Will Roxy and her band get the recording contract?\nThe ending is predictable and stupid. Of course Roxy gets the recording contract! And Jane doesn't make it to Columbia in time to make her speech, but of course she gets the fellowship! The judges find her note cards, and since of course it would have been a great speech, she gets the fellowship. \nThere's nothing offensive or vile about this film. It's just one big piece of cinematic trash that the world probably could have gone without.
(05/13/04 2:15am)
A new report issued by the Institute for Higher Education Policy, a non-partisan research group, and Scholarship America, an organization distributing student financial aid, reports not all qualified high-school students from low-income backgrounds may be able to obtain aid to help them attend college.\nBased on a cost-benefit analysis of student-aid financing, authors of the report titled "Investing in America's Future: Why Student Aid Pays Off for Society and Individuals," linked increased student aid to many societal benefits, including higher tax revenue, lower unemployment, greater productivity, reduced reliance on public assistance, decreased crime and increased quality of health. \nThe report says although the societal benefits can best be achieved through need-based grants, in the past 30 years, need-based financial aid has gone from 61 percent of all federal student aid to 22 percent. \nJamie P. Merisotis, president of the Institute for Higher Education Policy, said in a press release there is no problem with promoting academic merit, but if merit grants replace need-based aid, "we are doing a disservice to low-income populations. That support is important because we all benefit as a society from that investment. It's not about them -- it's about our collective interest as a nation."\nThe report also shows during the past 20 years, the gap in college-going rates between affluent and needy students has hardly moved. The report also predicts, if current levels on need-based aid financing continue, the gap will continue to widen.\nThis phenomenon has been occurring at major universities all over America, including IU, said Bill Erich of the IU Student Financial Aid Office.\n"We are getting, especially at main-line institutions, a wealthier student body," he said. "In 1990, over 18 percent (of college students) were eligible for Pell Grants (a major need-based financial aid). Today it's less than 15 percent."\nErich also emphasized the lack of choice of schools for low-income students. \n"The last year that anyone could go to the school of their choice, provided they could get in, was 1980-1981," he said. "Choice is being more and more limited. Whether you have a choice is based far more on family income."\nThe report suggests to remedy the current trend, the federal government double the maximum Pell Grant to $8,000 from the current $4,050. They also suggest student aid be refocused toward need-based grants and policy-makers work more closely with the private sector to secure revenue for scholarships. \nJunior Ann Stone failed to obtain financial aid because her family income was too high. However, Stone feels need-based aid is more important and should be emphasized. \n"I can afford (to attend college), and I wouldn't want to take money away from people who need it," she said. "I would feel really selfish."\n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.
(05/10/04 1:44am)
The IU School of Music will be adding two new faculty members.\nCelebrated pianists Arnaldo Cohen and Andre Watts will begin teaching at IU in the fall. Watts has been selected to fill the new Jack I. and Dora B. Hamlin Endowed Chair in music.\nWatts began his career as a musician in 1963 at the age of 16 when Leonard Bernstein chose him to debut with the New York Philharmonic, which was broadcast on CBS. Soon he began to perform concerts and recitals at festivals and on television. \nWatts has also performed for royalty and heads of state. He received the Avery Fisher prize in 1988. He became the youngest person to receive an honorary doctorate from Yale University and has since earned many other awards and honors. He spent four years as artist-in-residence at the University of Maryland before deciding to come to IU.\n"It seemed to be the right thing at the right moment," he said. "(IU) is known worldwide as a great institution."\nBrazilian-born pianist Arnaldo Cohen will also join the IU School of Music faculty in the fall. Cohen began playing piano at the age of five. The child of Persian and Russian immigrants, Cohen won the Busoni Piano Competition in Italy in 1972. \nCohen burst onto the world scene when he replaced Argentinian pianist Martha Argerich at a concert in Amsterdam. Since that time, he has performed with numerous renowned groups in the United States, including the Philadelphia Orchestra and Cleveland Orchestra. At press time, Cohen could not be reached for comment.\nThe addition of the new faculty members is being met with much excitement at the School of Music.\n"This is an exceptional day, to say the least, for Indiana University, the School of Music and the city of Bloomington," said School of Music Dean Gwyn Richards in a press release. "The appointment of musicians of such outstanding caliber is a tribute to our school, our faculty and our reputation as a worldwide leader in music education and performance. We are delighted and honored that André and Arnaldo have chosen Bloomington as the place to continue their distinguished careers and look forward to them greatly enhancing the artistic lives of our students."\nEvelyne Brancart, chair of the Piano Department, agrees with Richards.\n"I am absolutely delighted to welcome these two wonderful individuals," she said in a press release. "They are not only on top of the pianistic and musical world, but they are both great human beings."\n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.
(04/30/04 3:11pm)
After discovering that her classmates don't like her quite as much as she would like, young Jenna Rink gets the bright idea that being "thirty, flirty and thriving" would be a much better alternative to the pains which come with the age of 13. After being sprinkled with some "wishing dust," Jenna (embodied by Jennifer Garner) wakes up with a famous hockey-playing boyfriend in a posh New York apartment as an editor of a swanky fashion magazine which she loved to read as a 13-year-old. \nJenna quickly realizes, however, that as she clawed her way to the top of her field, she befriended some bad friends and left behind some good ones, including her childhood next door neighbor, Matt (Mark Ruffalo). \n"13 Going On 30" is a cute, enjoyable movie, but doesn't the plot sound a little familiar? Wait … replace Garner with Tom Hanks, and instead of being a magazine editor have the main character wake up as a toy tester, and suddenly it's the 1988 classic "Big." \nIn fact, "Big" has an edge over "13 Going On 30." Jennifer Garner is adorable and believable as a 13-year-old girl trapped in a 30-year-old's body, but Hanks blew everyone away with his Oscar-nominated performance. In "Big," the dialogue is wittier, the supporting cast is better and the overall experience of the film is more satisfying.\nThat is not to say that "13 Going On 30" is not worthy of a lazy Sunday afternoon matinee. The movie may not be "Big," but it's still a sweet, funny and ultimately very touching little movie. Garner fabulously catches the manic energy and awkwardness of a 13-year-old with a wide-eyed innocence. However, she also succeeds at the obligatory tear-jerking romantic scenes and touching moments, especially with Ruffalo. The romantic tension and chemistry was believable and added a lot to the experience. There are times of high hilarity, especially a dance scene featuring a mass of New York fashion people dancing in unison to Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Songs like "Thriller" and Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl," as well as other '80s favorites, pop up throughout the movie.\nSure, "13 Going On 30" is no "Big." And Jennifer Garner is no Tom Hanks when it comes to playing kids magically transformed into adults. However, the film is a fun piece of cinematic fluff, perfect to check out for a distraction on a rainy afternoon or a lazy Sunday.
(04/29/04 4:00am)
After discovering that her classmates don't like her quite as much as she would like, young Jenna Rink gets the bright idea that being "thirty, flirty and thriving" would be a much better alternative to the pains which come with the age of 13. After being sprinkled with some "wishing dust," Jenna (embodied by Jennifer Garner) wakes up with a famous hockey-playing boyfriend in a posh New York apartment as an editor of a swanky fashion magazine which she loved to read as a 13-year-old. \nJenna quickly realizes, however, that as she clawed her way to the top of her field, she befriended some bad friends and left behind some good ones, including her childhood next door neighbor, Matt (Mark Ruffalo). \n"13 Going On 30" is a cute, enjoyable movie, but doesn't the plot sound a little familiar? Wait … replace Garner with Tom Hanks, and instead of being a magazine editor have the main character wake up as a toy tester, and suddenly it's the 1988 classic "Big." \nIn fact, "Big" has an edge over "13 Going On 30." Jennifer Garner is adorable and believable as a 13-year-old girl trapped in a 30-year-old's body, but Hanks blew everyone away with his Oscar-nominated performance. In "Big," the dialogue is wittier, the supporting cast is better and the overall experience of the film is more satisfying.\nThat is not to say that "13 Going On 30" is not worthy of a lazy Sunday afternoon matinee. The movie may not be "Big," but it's still a sweet, funny and ultimately very touching little movie. Garner fabulously catches the manic energy and awkwardness of a 13-year-old with a wide-eyed innocence. However, she also succeeds at the obligatory tear-jerking romantic scenes and touching moments, especially with Ruffalo. The romantic tension and chemistry was believable and added a lot to the experience. There are times of high hilarity, especially a dance scene featuring a mass of New York fashion people dancing in unison to Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Songs like "Thriller" and Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl," as well as other '80s favorites, pop up throughout the movie.\nSure, "13 Going On 30" is no "Big." And Jennifer Garner is no Tom Hanks when it comes to playing kids magically transformed into adults. However, the film is a fun piece of cinematic fluff, perfect to check out for a distraction on a rainy afternoon or a lazy Sunday.
(04/15/04 5:07am)
Owning a house is just one facet of the American Dream. Now, a community-wide program will make that step easier for four needy families in Bloomington.\nThe city of Bloomington's Housing and Neighborhood Development purchased land on Ninth Street and Fairview Avenue with the intent to build housing for low to moderately-low income families. One house has already been moved there, and the rest of the land has been divided into four lots. HAND then requested proposals from various builders, both for-profit and not-for-profit. \nBloomington Mayor Mark Kruzan was present at the groundbreaking, and has expressed his commitment to the project.\n"Mayor Mark Kruzan has made it a mission to build affordable neighborhoods," said HAND director Susie Johnson. "This is the first step in that endeavor."\nAfter obtaining the contract for one of the lots, Habitat for Humanity is planning to build a three-bedroom home for a family in need. \n"Habitat is a hands-up program, not a hand-out program," said Lori Denker of Monroe County Habitat for Humanity. "The family buys the home from Habitat at zero percent interest. They pay us back somewhere between 15 and 30 years, depending. And Habitat doesn't get any profit from it."\nIn addition, every member of the family who is 18 and over must pay a "sweat equity" by assisting in the building of other homes and of their own home.\nThe South Central Community Action Program obtained the other three building contracts. According to www.sccap.monroe.in.us, "The South Central Community Action Program, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit corporation which provides services to the low-income residents living in Monroe, Morgan, Owen and Brown Counties. It serves as an advocate, guide and leader in providing opportunities for the low-income population to obtain services that will help them in becoming self-sufficient."\nThe groundbreaking ceremony took place Tuesday.\n"We're very excited about receiving this award because it's the first of it's kind for us," Denker said. "It's a great honor."\nHabitat for Humanity was also excited to obtain land on which to build.\n"Taking into consideration that land is a priority, being able to receive a grant like this helps us and families in need," Denker said. There are currently 14 families on the Habitat for Humanity waiting list, with an average of a two-year wait for housing. "The timing was perfect."\n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.
(04/02/04 5:33am)
Sexual Assault Awareness Month started Thursday, and the Middle Way House is taking advantage by sponsoring a month-long show of community art at the Indiana Memorial Union Gallery throughout April. Middle Way House provides a safe place for women and children who have been victims of domestic and sexual abuse and assault. The presenting of artwork based on sexual assault is a way for Middle Way House to reach out to the community of Bloomington about this "silent epidemic."\nThe artwork is being used to educate the community about sexual assault and how the Bloomington community feels about the sexual assault in general. \n"This is a culmination of a year-long community art project," said Marabai Parsons, a coordinator of the show. "(Co-coordinator) Leila Voyles and I have been coordinating workshops and doing artwork that raises awareness about sexual assault."\nVoyles and Parsons were having a cup of coffee one day when they got their vision: they wanted to ask random people to create artwork representing their thoughts on sexual assault.\n"We held several sessions, both on and off-campus," Voyles said. "We collected about 40 to 50 pieces of art, from people aged 10 or 12 to 55 or 60."\nThe show will feature images, many of them collages, by residents of Bloomington and IU students. \n"We didn't get everyone's names," Parsons said. "Many are anonymous pieces by community members who attended a workshop."\nMany of the pieces in the show are paired with statistics.\n"(The art) brings the statistics to a personal level," Parsons said. "Each piece is very unique. These aren't gross or violent images. They're very powerful."\nAlthough the pieces are unique, Voyles said they all have a central theme. \n"The pieces are about imagining a world without rape and sexual assault," Voyles said. "This art has been collected to say, 'We are taking a stand against sexual assault and envisioning a world that's safe.'"\nThere was an opening reception Thursday in the Indiana Memorial Union Gallery with artists on hand to provide a dialogue on the pieces.\nLara Weaver, a prevention coordinator at Middle Way House, emphasizes the show is to make the Bloomington community aware of the safe havens and support groups for victims of sexual assault. She said sexual assault is a public health crisis and is an issue the community should be open to discuss. \n"One in 10 boys before the age of 18 is sexually assaulted. One in three women is raped. According to the U.N., over half of (the) women in the world have experienced sexual assault," Weaver said. "There are services (in Bloomington) for anyone who thinks they might need to talk to someone."\nMiddle Way House has a crisis line for people who have experienced domestic violence or sexual assault. They can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 336-0846.\n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.
(04/01/04 5:54am)
IU students are lucky: Rather than having to travel to Indianapolis or Chicago to experience a great jazz concert, students can stay right in Bloomington and experience jazz magic from IU's top jazz band. Monday night, the IU jazz band, directed by world-renowned jazz musician, composer and music professor David Baker, performed its final single concert (it is slated to appear in a concert with IU's other jazz bands later this semester). \nThe impressive first set consisted of three songs: "Sunfest" and "Miami Nights," from Baker's Miami Suite and "Eye of the Hurricane," by Herbie Hancock. The band was on top of its game Monday. The saxophone, brass and rhythm sections were tight. Rather than a crew of approximately 20 playing basically the same music with some variations, this group actually gave the impression that the entire jazz band was one instrument. Rising above the one big instrument were numerous impressive soloists. Especially notable was drummer Bryson Kern, a senior majoring in jazz studies and percussion. Many times, drum solos begin to sound static. Still, Kern utilized various textures from the drums and cymbals to create a tasteful solo that never got dull. \nAlso impressive was the incredible composition by Baker on "Sunfest" and "Miami Nights." The pieces were driving and exciting, and both have a very good, well-established feel. Baker is truly a great jazz composer.\nAfter a brief intermission, the band returned to the stage for the main event -- "West Side Story" by Leonard Bernstein, as played by Stan Kenton and his orchestra.\nMany musicians know the music to "West Side Story" is some of the most difficult 20th century music. The music is intricate, with so many subtleties and it makes an impressive performance hard to come by. Each part, which is generally only covered by one person, is very exposed and the atmosphere of the entire piece depends on each person. The creative arrangement by Johnny Richards made these old standards even more interesting, and provided many surprises along the way. \nThe jazz band successfully performed the piece with style and grace. The music was emotional, capturing the feel of each scene from the stage musical. Especially impressive was "Taunting Scene," one of the most intense scenes in the stage musical. The "Taunting Scene" involves the rape of Anita, a Puerto Rican girl, by white gang members. Between Richard's arrangement and the band's emotional performance of the movement, the piece captured the rage, fear and panic audiences feel during that scene on stage.\nThe arrangements of the music were intriguing and offered a new twist to old standards. "I Feel Pretty," also from "Westside Story," was played at breakneck speed, which would have caused many jazz bands to fly off the handle and fall apart. But this band barely blinked an eye. \nThe most emotional moment probably came at the end, however. "Somewhere (Finale)" captured the beauty of the tragic love story told in "West Side Story." The music was heart-wrenchingly sad, yet hopeful and beautiful. The band captured that perfectly and it was a beautiful end to a wonderful concert by a phenomenal jazz band.
(04/01/04 5:00am)
Many action movies appear to have only loose traces of a plot. The Rundown is no exception, but the incredible action, coupled with impressive DVD extras, is enough to merit any action fan's interest.\nThe Rundown has an almost Indiana Jones-esque feel. Beck, played by The Rock, is hired to find his boss' son Travis (Seann William Scott), who is apparently some sort of archeologist looking for some type of treasure. After Beck finds Travis with the treasure in tow, they have to keep the treasure safe from bad guy Hatcher, played wonderfully by the deliciously evil-acting Christopher Walken.\nThe action sequences, which take up most of the movie, are exciting and thrilling. The Rock is incredible and poised to take over for Schwarzenegger while he's off governing California. Seann William Scott is a pleasant surprise: he defies his typecasting as the idiot from Dude, Where's My Car? and the American Pie trilogy by playing a fairly intelligent young man who, incidentally, fights pretty well.\nThe DVD extras were also impressive. There are two separate commentaries: one from director Peter Berg and The Rock, and another from producers Kevin Misher and Marc Abraham. There are also eight deleted scenes, although they are spliced together into one long string instead of allowing viewers to pick which one they want to watch on a separate menu screen.\nProbably most impressive, though, are approximately 40 minutes of documentaries, focusing deeply on fighting, special effects, characters and settings.
(04/01/04 4:27am)
Many action movies appear to have only loose traces of a plot. The Rundown is no exception, but the incredible action, coupled with impressive DVD extras, is enough to merit any action fan's interest.\nThe Rundown has an almost Indiana Jones-esque feel. Beck, played by The Rock, is hired to find his boss' son Travis (Seann William Scott), who is apparently some sort of archeologist looking for some type of treasure. After Beck finds Travis with the treasure in tow, they have to keep the treasure safe from bad guy Hatcher, played wonderfully by the deliciously evil-acting Christopher Walken.\nThe action sequences, which take up most of the movie, are exciting and thrilling. The Rock is incredible and poised to take over for Schwarzenegger while he's off governing California. Seann William Scott is a pleasant surprise: he defies his typecasting as the idiot from Dude, Where's My Car? and the American Pie trilogy by playing a fairly intelligent young man who, incidentally, fights pretty well.\nThe DVD extras were also impressive. There are two separate commentaries: one from director Peter Berg and The Rock, and another from producers Kevin Misher and Marc Abraham. There are also eight deleted scenes, although they are spliced together into one long string instead of allowing viewers to pick which one they want to watch on a separate menu screen.\nProbably most impressive, though, are approximately 40 minutes of documentaries, focusing deeply on fighting, special effects, characters and settings.
(03/29/04 4:20am)
IU's jazz band will perform its final single concert tonight at the Musical Arts Center. The band will be performing music from "West Side Story" and other pieces. The group, which is led by world-famous IU Professor David Baker, will also perform "Eye of the Hurricane" by Herbie Hancock and "Sunfest" and "Miami Nights" from Baker's "Miami Suite."\nHowever, 10 selections from "West Side Story," including favorites like "Maria," "Tonight," and "I Feel Pretty," are the focus of the concert, said Baker. The music, which was written by Leonard Bernstein, was arranged by Johnny Richards for the Stan Kenton orchestra in the 1960s.\n"I am amazed at how Johnny Richards was able to evoke the emotion (of the music)," Baker said. "You can really hear the words (from the song) in your mind."\nThis year's top jazz band is one of the few Baker has worked with that he believes can pull off a piece as difficult as "West Side Story."\n"I thought we'd do something a little spectacular," he said. "This piece is very demanding. This was the first band in a long time capable of this music."\nThe band contains the most talented jazz musicians on the IU campus. A small from within the band was recently the co-winner of the Downbeat small group award. Downbeat is a magazine featuring jazz and jazz musicians. \nMembers of the band are also very excited to be performing "West Side Story" for their concert, despite the challenges that come along with playing the music.\n"It is extremely challenging. I don't know another group at IU that's done something this big," two-year member, baritone sax player senior Jeff Suzda said. "The brass players are definitely being put to the test. They sound amazing. It's just so exciting … I'm at a loss for words."\nOther members of the band are also excited to be able to play under the direction of Baker.\n"It's quite an honor," said lead trumpeter and senior Joesph Auty. "David is very famous, both in Bloomington and worldwide … he's a top-of-the-run guy and a class act."\nBaker urges people to attend the concert.\n"This is a golden opportunity for anybody who likes "West Side Story" or (Stan) Kenton's band or is a supporter of our band," he said. "It's a very, very good band, and it's been a good season for us. We're just very excited about closing the season with this piece."\nThe concert begins at 8 p.m. tonight in the Musical Arts Center and is free and open to the public. \n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.
(03/25/04 5:00am)
"21 Grams" tells the story of a terminally ill man (Sean Penn), a grieving mother (Naomi Watts) and a fundamentalist Christian ex-convict (Benicio Del Toro) whose lives are intertwined through a fatal accident.\nThe film could have been an intriguing look into the way that people are connected throughout the world, but director Alejandro González Iñárritu decided instead to make the most confusing artsy film ever created. Rather than telling the story in a direct manner, he apparently decided to cut up the film and splice it together in random order. In some movies, like "Pulp Fiction," this technique is very effective; in "21 Grams" the effect is a confusing mass of loosely connected scenes featuring the same characters.\nThe acting was superb, especially on the part of Del Toro. His portrayal of Jack Jordan, the fundamentalist Christian ex-convict, was sometimes disturbing, sometimes heart-wrenching and always very impressive. Unfortunately, he was caught in a movie that just didn't make sense.\nThe DVD didn't have any special features, at least not ones which could be found by the common viewer. The package brags a behind-the-scenes featurette, but it was apparently hidden so no one could ever watch it. Perhaps it's just artfully disguised on the menu screen? Wherever it was, the common audience member wouldn't be able to find it -- just like the plot of the movie.
(03/24/04 9:27pm)
"21 Grams" tells the story of a terminally ill man (Sean Penn), a grieving mother (Naomi Watts) and a fundamentalist Christian ex-convict (Benicio Del Toro) whose lives are intertwined through a fatal accident.\nThe film could have been an intriguing look into the way that people are connected throughout the world, but director Alejandro González Iñárritu decided instead to make the most confusing artsy film ever created. Rather than telling the story in a direct manner, he apparently decided to cut up the film and splice it together in random order. In some movies, like "Pulp Fiction," this technique is very effective; in "21 Grams" the effect is a confusing mass of loosely connected scenes featuring the same characters.\nThe acting was superb, especially on the part of Del Toro. His portrayal of Jack Jordan, the fundamentalist Christian ex-convict, was sometimes disturbing, sometimes heart-wrenching and always very impressive. Unfortunately, he was caught in a movie that just didn't make sense.\nThe DVD didn't have any special features, at least not ones which could be found by the common viewer. The package brags a behind-the-scenes featurette, but it was apparently hidden so no one could ever watch it. Perhaps it's just artfully disguised on the menu screen? Wherever it was, the common audience member wouldn't be able to find it -- just like the plot of the movie.
(03/24/04 4:18am)
Critically-acclaimed cimbalom player Kalman Balogh and the Gypsy Cimbalom Band will present a concert titled "The Music of Gypsy Spirit" tomorrow. According to www.gypsyspirit.org, the show will feature exotic Turkish music and dances, Spanish Flamenco, Bulgarian footwork and melodies, Romanian tunes performed at breathtaking speed and refined csardases from Hungary and Transylvania. This particular tour of America started in February, and the group has five performances left after its trip to Bloomington.\nLynn Hooker, an IU faculty member in Central Eurasian Studies, attended the band's show in Toronto earlier this month. \n"I'm so glad we could get him to come to Bloomington with his band," she said. "They're a really fun group … they're fantastic."\nOne of the band's biggest appeals is Balogh and his cimbalom. The cimbalom is an instrument resembling the hammer dulcimer, only bigger, according to Hooker. Balogh has traveled to remote locations and studied the indigenous music of the Roma, or Gypsy, people. \nBalogh and his band are finishing their American tour, bringing their unique style of Gypsy music with them. The band plays traditional and folk music from Central Eastern Europe, including Hungary, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia and Macedonia.\nThough the music is international, the band integrates jazz and other styles into the music. The show will trace the route of the Gypsy traditions, depicting some of the styles of music and dance, according to www.gypsyspirit. org. \n"This is a living music," said Kalman Magyar, the band's agent. "It is very creative. Even today, you may hear something new."\nThe band has been together for over 10 years, and this is its fourth time in the U.S. Most members are Gypsies, and many are from musical families. The group has been touring with the Budapest Dance Ensemble, but the ensemble recently returned to Europe. \n"The Music of Gypsy Spirit" will be presented at 8:30 p.m. Thursday at the IU School of Music Recital Hall. More information about the group and its tour with the Budapest Dance Ensemble can be found at www.gypsyspirit.org.\n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.
(03/11/04 5:16am)
The IU Ceramics Guild will hold the National Council on the Education of the Ceramic Arts Pre-Conference Friday through Tuesday. \nThe Pre-Conference, "Tangents: Ceramics and Beyond," will highlight ceramic work of IU faculty and staff, as well as local Bloomington ceramists. Events include kiln firings, demonstrations, lectures and panel discussions on various topics in ceramics. The artists holding the event include people from all over the country and a special guest from Shigaraki, Japan, as well. \n"It's amazingly exciting," said senior Marissa Minelli, a fine arts major. "We get to interact with people in the field."\nStudents are excited to have the opportunity to meet with other ceramists, including the people who may one day give the students jobs. \n"We get to interact with peers and future employers," said fine arts graduate student Bob Graf. "We hope to attract some of the people. Everyone gets together in one location."\nSenior Dave Helrich, a fine arts student, is also excited about the event.\n"I think it's fantastic. It's a good opportunity for us to show off our program and get exposure for our school," he said. \nIU is the No. 5 ceramics program in the nation, Minelli said.\n"(The pre-conference) will give people the opportunity to check out the facilities," she said. "We are raising awareness of an amazing program."\nIn addition to highlighting student art, local ceramists will also get an opportunity to show off their art at downtown venues such as the Mathers Museum, Fuller Projects, The Gallery, Gallery North, the Waldron Arts Center and Fossil Rain. Graf is curating a show at Gallery North. \n"It's not just an academic thing, but it's local," he said. "It's like a carnival for ceramics."\nThe Pre-Conference leads up to the 38th annual NCECA National Conference, which is taking place from March 17 through March 20 in Indianapolis this year. The conference draws between 3,000 and 5,000 students, academics, professionals and industry representatives. \n"I've been to the National Conference," Graf said. "It's like the one time a year ceramicists have to get together."\nThroughout the pre-conference, there will be a kiln-firing symposium, open to students, faculty and the public at no cost. \n"Come and see some fantastic work," Minelli said.\nVisit www.fa.indiana.edu/nceca/ for more information on the pre-conference. \n-- Contact staff writer Jenny Kobiela at jkobiela@indiana.edu.
(03/11/04 5:00am)
Alex (Ben Stiller) and Nancy (Drew Barrymore) are a young married couple, who decide to move into a beautiful new duplex. Unfortunately, living upstairs is a crazy, obnoxious old woman named Mrs. Connelly (Eileen Essel). Interesting things begin happening as Alex and Nancy try to deal with Mrs. Connelly's annoying quirks and obnoxious requests for help.\nThe movie itself is decently amusing. There are very few laugh-out-loud moments (a notable exception includes Stiller dancing to "Riverdance"). Barrymore and Stiller have chemistry, but a lot of the comedy seems kind of forced, especially on Barrymore's part. The ending is pretty interesting, as it's definitely a twist. \nUnfortunately, the special features have no twists. There is one three minute "behind the scenes" special. There's nothing special about it, though. Basically, audiences get to see three minutes of director Danny DeVito, Barrymore and Stiller preparing to shoot a scene. There isn't even a voice-over explaining what they're doing. Instead, people get to guess what's going on.\nThere are also the obligatory deleted scenes -- only three on this DVD. They aren't particularly good, but at least they're more interesting than on most DVDs.\nFinally, the fact that it's a "two-disc" set is a real rip-off. One DVD contains the widescreen version with special features and the other features the fullscreen version. Don't pay for two copies of the same movie: in fact, don't even pay for one.
(03/11/04 12:50am)
Alex (Ben Stiller) and Nancy (Drew Barrymore) are a young married couple, who decide to move into a beautiful new duplex. Unfortunately, living upstairs is a crazy, obnoxious old woman named Mrs. Connelly (Eileen Essel). Interesting things begin happening as Alex and Nancy try to deal with Mrs. Connelly's annoying quirks and obnoxious requests for help.\nThe movie itself is decently amusing. There are very few laugh-out-loud moments (a notable exception includes Stiller dancing to "Riverdance"). Barrymore and Stiller have chemistry, but a lot of the comedy seems kind of forced, especially on Barrymore's part. The ending is pretty interesting, as it's definitely a twist. \nUnfortunately, the special features have no twists. There is one three minute "behind the scenes" special. There's nothing special about it, though. Basically, audiences get to see three minutes of director Danny DeVito, Barrymore and Stiller preparing to shoot a scene. There isn't even a voice-over explaining what they're doing. Instead, people get to guess what's going on.\nThere are also the obligatory deleted scenes -- only three on this DVD. They aren't particularly good, but at least they're more interesting than on most DVDs.\nFinally, the fact that it's a "two-disc" set is a real rip-off. One DVD contains the widescreen version with special features and the other features the fullscreen version. Don't pay for two copies of the same movie: in fact, don't even pay for one.
