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(07/25/02 8:23pm)
NBA 2K2\nRating: E for Everyone\nFor: Playstation 2, X-Box\nBy: Sega Sports\nFor me, when it comes to sports games, the winner without a doubt is EA Sports. But that doesn't mean I'm not looking out for the next best thing. There is always a 'next best thing' when it comes to video games. If there wasn't, there would only be a Nintendo, not a Super Nintendo, etc.\nWith that in mind, I picked up "NBA 2K2" by Sega Sports for the Playstation 2. A game that has been heralded as the 'next best thing' by other publications. After a good once over, I'm not sure what all the raving is about.\nTo start with, the visuals are amazing, no lying about that. While the players' faces lack a little similarity to the actual faces of the players, the look of the stadium and everything else is quite good, right down to the colored streamers the fans wave when the visiting team is shooting free throws. The gameplay is also silky smooth, leaving not a moment of hesitation when you are playing. It's also a nice touch that rosters are up to date and every single rookie is in the game, right down to the high school phenoms that rocked the top of the draft. \nThat being said, this game is not without its negatives. Most noticeable: the difficulty of playing defense. If you play on any level other than rookie, the computer can pretty much score at will. The different difficulty levels in the game are not staggered very well. Rookie is pretty easy, pro is pretty hard and all-star is a little harder. The difference between rookie and pro needs to be less dramatic, as simply stepping up a level can turn a 20-point victory into a 20-point loss. \nThis game also features a franchise option, giving you the ability to take a team and build them into a contender, or maintain their status at the top already. I love features like this on sports games, so this excited me when I saw the option on the box. Unfortunately, it's not easy to understand and is often frustrating. Hopefully they can improve it for next year. \nAll in all, "NBA 2K2" is solid, with smooth gameplay and amazing rim rattling dunks. Yet, the difficulty in defense and confusing franchise features keeps this game from being a champion. At best, it's just a conference semifinalist.\n
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
The Indiana Supreme Court recently overturned a decision made by a Court of Appeals that had previously ended police checkpoints for drivers who are under the influence of alcohol. This decision, while good at heart, was the wrong one to make. \nIt is important to crack down on drunk drivers. Many people don't see driving drunk as a problem, but every time they do it they are rolling the dice. One of these times, they will lose their gamble and will pay with either their own lives or the life of others. But the way to crack down on this is not by stopping drivers on their way about the town at night.\nThis crackdown will end up affecting and bothering many people who have no need to get stopped, as they drive soberly on their way to wherever their destination may be. In the long run, the number of citizens bothered will far outweigh any actual arrests made at these checkpoints.\nAn alternative might be to have more policmen on patrol on nights when drinking is typically heavier than normal, New Year's Eve and St. Patrick's Day to name a few. The drunk drivers will be obvious in their lack of driving ability. At least this is a start.\nThere has to be a better option to curb drunk driving than police checkpoints, and the Indiana Supreme Court's decision to reinstate them was a bad idea.
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
(07/25/02 8:23pm)
Live From Bloomington Project 2002\nVarious Artists\nFor 17 years, Live From Bloomington has been doing its best to help the Hoosier Hills Food Bank by getting donations of money and canned food. The project has also provided a place for local bands to get their songs on CD and possibly generate a bigger fan base other than just those that can go to the bars. This year's album, Live From Bloomington Project 2002, features some solid contributions from some of the bands, but none that really jump out as outstanding. \nBlue Moon Revue's contribution, "Time" is interesting and melodic, and as the second song on the album, does a good job of getting the listener into the album after "Armageddon Blues," a mediocre opener from Spread and the Infections.\n"LA Lindsay Goodbye Remix" from YOU is an entertaining track that is easy to groove to. It's nice in its difference from the original that was featured on YOU's album that they released in the fall. "Everlasting," the song from Kirkwood, shows that the band has segued from a cover band to a solid rock-pop band. It's not a song that will make you say "wow," but it's still catchy in the pop mold. \nTwo of the later tracks on the album, "Mood" from Epic and "Somedays" from Tintern Abbey, both stand out when compared to the rest of the songs that surround them at the end. Part of what makes these two more memorable than some of the others is the usage of different instruments such as the electric violin on Epic's song and the keyboard on Tintern Abbey's. \nLive From Bloomington Project 2002 is a solid album from start to finish, though probably not an album that many would call outstanding. But what matters is that in the end, it helps out others, and isn't that what is important at the end of the day?\n
(04/23/02 5:30am)
Four years ago, I came to IU, a wide-eyed freshman, ready for the world. A week from Saturday, I'll graduate (God willing) with a degree from a Big Ten University, a suffering liver and no job. But who am I to worry? I hear living on your parents' couch when you're 30 is a great way to get a girl, so I should be set. Who knows what's to come in the real world?\nBefore I leave the Bloomington area, there are some things I'd like to say to some people before I go. And since I have the power of the written word, I can say these things, so deal with it. Whether or not people read them is another thing, but here's hoping they do. So without further ado, here I go:\nIU President Myles Brand\nPresident Brand, how ya doin? Interesting tenure you've had during my couple of years. Managed to make a fool of yourself and the University in your attempts to rid the Assembly Hall sidelines of a certain coach with a red sweater. I'm not gonna say Bob Knight shouldn't have been fired. I think his leaving was the best thing for both IU and him as evidenced by his new love of coaching and IU's success with Mike Davis. My problem was that you handled the situation very poorly. If you have to fire someone again, try to just fire them instead of coming up with some lame experiment like 'zero tolerance.'\nOne more thing. While I may not agree with your 'Academics First' program, I'm gonna take a wild guess that going to Atlanta on a Monday night (generally a SCHOOL night) to watch a BASKETBALL game will not generate much support for your program.\nState Government and the Administration\nSo, the administration decided to raise tuition for next year by 9 percent. This comes after raising tuition 7.5 percent for this school year. It now officially costs an arm and a leg to attend IU for four years, as well as your first born child.\nI know the large tuition raise is due in part to the state government giving state universities less money for next year. So here's a thought. State legislature, do what you have to in order to give more money to the state universities. If tuition keeps getting raised, the universities are going to have fewer and fewer students from out of state, and soon enough in-state students won't even be able to go to IU. And administration, instead of constantly building new buildings and making new schools, take a break and focus on keeping money around so such an emergency as this year doesn't directly affect the students. I know its probably more complicated than I am aware, but as I said, soon enough no student will be able to afford IU, and all these buildings won't even be filled. So work together. I'd hate to come back to IU and see only five thousand students walking the campus.\nFuture residents of the house at \n511 N. Grant St.\nI don't know who is living here next year, but I have spent the past two years of my college life here with my roommates. Jared, Chris, Josh, Todd, Wes and I have created quite a good tradition and reputation for that house, something you must maintain. Ask anyone who knows; the 511 was the place to be for the past two years. \nYou all have been fairly warned. Though I'm out of here, I will be watching you. Keep IU as the place I love, not some place I can't recognize.
(04/18/02 5:17am)
Tuesday, 32 of the 33 men's Little 500 bike riders put down their bikes in protest to Team Major Taylor being allowed to race Saturday. \nIt was a protest in regards to freshman Joshua Weir being allowed to race despite once being ruled a Category I by USA Cycling. It was a protest that was pointless.\nWeir being allowed to race now is a moot point. The arbitrators who ruled on the case said that there was inconclusive evidence concerning Weir and if he had ever been a Category I rider. They said that Weir and Team Major Taylor could ride, and that all sides agreed the decision was final and binding. Despite the fact that conclusive evidence came a mere day later, saying Weir was in fact at one time a Category I rider, he and his team could still ride. No protests can change that now.\nThe other riders have gone so far as to write a letter submitted to IUSF, and then of course there was the bike incident on Tuesday, but none of it matters. Weir is going to race. Life doesn't always go as you want it, and this is a lesson all the other riders need to learn. Stop protesting, because nothing is going to change. Everything you are doing now is detracting from the one event you have been training for all year. But hey, if that's not more important, feel free to continue to protest. Nothing's going to change anyway.
(04/10/02 4:00am)
Live From Bloomington Project 2002\nVarious Artists\nFor 17 years, Live From Bloomington has been doing its best to help the Hoosier Hills Food Bank by getting donations of money and canned food. The project has also provided a place for local bands to get their songs on CD and possibly generate a bigger fan base other than just those that can go to the bars. This year's album, Live From Bloomington Project 2002, features some solid contributions from some of the bands, but none that really jump out as outstanding. \nBlue Moon Revue's contribution, "Time" is interesting and melodic, and as the second song on the album, does a good job of getting the listener into the album after "Armageddon Blues," a mediocre opener from Spread and the Infections.\n"LA Lindsay Goodbye Remix" from YOU is an entertaining track that is easy to groove to. It's nice in its difference from the original that was featured on YOU's album that they released in the fall. "Everlasting," the song from Kirkwood, shows that the band has segued from a cover band to a solid rock-pop band. It's not a song that will make you say "wow," but it's still catchy in the pop mold. \nTwo of the later tracks on the album, "Mood" from Epic and "Somedays" from Tintern Abbey, both stand out when compared to the rest of the songs that surround them at the end. Part of what makes these two more memorable than some of the others is the usage of different instruments such as the electric violin on Epic's song and the keyboard on Tintern Abbey's. \nLive From Bloomington Project 2002 is a solid album from start to finish, though probably not an album that many would call outstanding. But what matters is that in the end, it helps out others, and isn't that what is important at the end of the day?\n
(04/09/02 5:49am)
I had envisioned the headlines we might have seen a year from now already. They were great, they were wonderful, they are probably not going to happen anymore. Well, after what the basketball team has proven this year, I guess they might, but I'd feel a lot better about it if one simple decision wasn't made. \nThe headline, for those of you that are wondering, read something like this: "Champions."\nFor those of you who read my columns regularly, or read the paper over the summer, you know a similar event happened this time last year. Former Hoosier Kirk Haston took off for the NBA and greener pastures, and I wrote a column asking him to stick around for one more year. I got ripped pretty well from different readers, saying he should be allowed to make his decision, and I shouldn't make him feel bad about what he wanted to do. \nI've learned from my mistakes, or matured, I don't know, but I'm not here to say Jeffries' decision is wrong. He has the right to do what he wants. Far be it from me to tell him to stick around and avoid the potential millions of dollars he's projected to make next year and years after -- assuming he is a first round draft pick and has a guaranteed contract. \nMy thoughts lead more to the possibilities of what next year could have brought for our basketball team if Jeffries was here. The team had only two seniors this year, and while Dane Fife's defensive prowess and Jarrad Odle's steady post presence were important, these were contributions that other players currently on the roster appeared able to fulfill. \nThis was a team that made it to the NCAA championship game. The experience this year could have been enough to send this team the extra step they were unable to take to win the title next year. It's a similar path Maryland took the past two years, and Michigan State a few years before that. \nWith Jeffries leaving though, this becomes a different team. Will they be good? Yes, I'm pretty sure of that one. Returning the court leadership and sweet shooting of Tom Coverdale and Kyle Hornsby, as well as the tenacity and feistiness of A.J. Moye and inside shot blocking ability of Jeff Newton, fans shouldn't expect a drop off in wins next year. Especially when you consider that the roster will be adding two more big men in Mike Roberts and Sean Kline and recruits such as Bracey Wright, who ripped up the McDonald's All-American game. \nSo the future is bright for these Hoosiers. The simple fact is, though, Jeffries could be the linchpin in a title run. The superstar who takes the pressure off the rest of the team, scores the big buckets, shuts down the opposing star, etc. Just listening to head coach Mike Davis all season talk about how Jeffries, even when he didn't have a big game, helps make life easier for the rest of the team, makes you realize the role he played this season. And you'd have to think he'd get better with another off season to work on his game and get stronger. \nBut alas, these thoughts are mere wonder now, a future that is not possible. Such is the pain of loving a college basketball team. The players are only around for a couple years, and then they move on.\nJared, thank you for these two years. I wish you the best. And the rest of the team, good luck next year in continuing to prove the rest of the country wrong. Maybe one day you will receive the respect deserving of a Big Ten champion and title game participant.\nThe Hoosier faithful witnessed an unbelievable run this year, hopefully we will see another one next year, even if it's sans a 6-foot-10 forward who hails from Bloomington, Indiana.
(04/03/02 5:12am)
I feel funny. \nSomething isn't right, and I haven't been able to figure out exactly what it is. This feeling started about three weeks ago, right around the end of spring break. And no, it wasn't alcohol poisoning.\nIt started about the time the NCAA tournament started, specifically when IU began playing. I was out in LA with my roommates enjoying the nice California sun, and Thursday night we headed out to watch all the Hoosier action at a local pub. \nMuch to my surprise, we were not the only IU contingents in the bar. Throughout the weekend and IU's berth in the Sweet 16, the cheers and camaraderie were evident.\n The next weekend, we were back in school, but the team was headed to Lexington for the daunting task of dethroning the defending national champion, Duke. Being my senior year, of course I had to be there, so I ordered some tickets with my friend and we were off to Lexington. \nStanding among the IU faithful, we watched as IU came back from 17 points down to tie, then defeat Duke. The fans around me, as well as myself, went crazy with every Hoosier basket, defensive stop and rebound. And when the clock read all zeroes, the pandemonium in the stands and on the streets around Rupp Arena matched the craziness of the players on the court. \nThe Kent State game was more of the same, with the crowd cheering and chanting Kent State and its fans right out of the building, and in case that wasn't enough, IU shot the lights out from behind the three-point line. All of the sudden, it was on to the Final Four.\nThat weekend in Lexington, was amazing, but I still needed my fix of IU basketball. So, after selling that pesky second kidney of mine, I bought a ticket for the Final Four and headed down to Atlanta. What I found there was more than I could have ever imagined. \nThe streets were full of Hoosier fans. Everywhere you looked, you saw red and white. IU was finally back where it belongs, and the students, alumni and fans were there to cheer them on. Whether it was around the Georgia Dome itself, or over at the ESPNZone and the other bars in Buckhead, a popular nightlife region of Atlanta, they were there. Long into the night Saturday and Sunday, you could hear chants of "Here we go Hoosiers" and "IU". \nAnd before the game Monday, the streets around the arena were filled up hours before the game, with happy Hoosiers finding it hard to believe they and their team were even there.\nThe Georgia Dome was electric during both the Oklahoma and Maryland games. Easily half of the thousands in attendance were there to cheer on the team no one thought would be there. Every Hoosier basket was met with cheers and you couldn't even hear the final buzzer after the game against the Sooners because of the roar from the crowd.\nTruly amazing. \nIt's true that the outcome of Monday's game wasn't what any IU fan would have wanted. This doesn't diminish the accomplishments of the team, though, as making it to the championship game was more than anyone could have hoped for at the beginning of the season. \nBasketball is back at IU in a big way, and the fans are ready for it, especially if these last few weekends are any indication. \nWait, I've got it. I know why I feel different. \nI'm proud.\nProud to be a Hoosier, and knowing that wherever I go after I graduate in May, I will not be far from a fellow Hoosier to root on our team.
(04/03/02 5:00am)
(03/07/02 12:05am)
NCAA Final Four 2002\nRating: E for Everyone\nFor: Playstation 2\nBy: 989 Sports \nWith March Madness upon us as another college basketball season winds to a close, basketball junkies of the world are united with glee. It's a month full of single elimination basketball where every shot can make the difference between going on to play again or going home for the summer. Yet, even with all the possible games available to watch between the conference championship games as well as the NIT and the NCAA tournament, sometimes you still just can't get enough basketball. If you are one of these people, hopefully you own a video game system so you can get your fix.\nThe most recent entry in to the college basketball realm from 989 Sports, "NCAA Final Four 2002," has lots of elements that will make the college basketball fan go wild, such as more than 300 Division One teams, conference tournaments and All-Conference and All-American teams. And, I'm always a big fan of the franchise/dynasty mode. This game has that, so you can lead your team up from the lower end of the conference to national superpower rankings, if you are so inclined. \nThis being said, there are also several downfalls to the game. Shooting is a bit odd as every time you do it a little meter pops up that you use to determine how the shot will go in. The first time I played, I was a little taken aback by this and didn't know what to make of it, but after a while I got the hang of it. While it's true that there is a dynasty mode in the game, the recruiting leaves a ton to be desired. In fact, it's pretty much the worst recruiting set up that I have played in any game. Finally, while the rosters are kept as close to reality as possible, there are some differences that are bothersome to a true fan. For example, A.J. Moye, my favorite Hoosier, isn't even on the game, Jared Jefferies is number "00" and doesn't have any hair and Tom Coverdale doesn't have his trademark red hair. The game also lacks the option of changing the appearance of the players, so you can't remedy these problems. \nForemost among the problems with this game is the incredible ease with which you can defeat your opponents. My roommate and I went through a season with the Hoosiers completely undefeated and won the national title, defeating teams like Duke (best team in the game) by about 30 points. So, this game doesn't provide a whole lot of challenge. It is somewhat entertaining in a two-player form, though, since it evens out the talent level. \n"NCAA Final Four 2002" can be entertaining at times, but all in all, the game leaves a little to be desired. To describe this game in basketball terms, it's the guy on the end of the bench who comes in for garbage minutes, nothing more. But at least it's getting of the bench, right?\n
(03/06/02 5:00am)
NCAA Final Four 2002\nRating: E for Everyone\nFor: Playstation 2\nBy: 989 Sports \nWith March Madness upon us as another college basketball season winds to a close, basketball junkies of the world are united with glee. It's a month full of single elimination basketball where every shot can make the difference between going on to play again or going home for the summer. Yet, even with all the possible games available to watch between the conference championship games as well as the NIT and the NCAA tournament, sometimes you still just can't get enough basketball. If you are one of these people, hopefully you own a video game system so you can get your fix.\nThe most recent entry in to the college basketball realm from 989 Sports, "NCAA Final Four 2002," has lots of elements that will make the college basketball fan go wild, such as more than 300 Division One teams, conference tournaments and All-Conference and All-American teams. And, I'm always a big fan of the franchise/dynasty mode. This game has that, so you can lead your team up from the lower end of the conference to national superpower rankings, if you are so inclined. \nThis being said, there are also several downfalls to the game. Shooting is a bit odd as every time you do it a little meter pops up that you use to determine how the shot will go in. The first time I played, I was a little taken aback by this and didn't know what to make of it, but after a while I got the hang of it. While it's true that there is a dynasty mode in the game, the recruiting leaves a ton to be desired. In fact, it's pretty much the worst recruiting set up that I have played in any game. Finally, while the rosters are kept as close to reality as possible, there are some differences that are bothersome to a true fan. For example, A.J. Moye, my favorite Hoosier, isn't even on the game, Jared Jefferies is number "00" and doesn't have any hair and Tom Coverdale doesn't have his trademark red hair. The game also lacks the option of changing the appearance of the players, so you can't remedy these problems. \nForemost among the problems with this game is the incredible ease with which you can defeat your opponents. My roommate and I went through a season with the Hoosiers completely undefeated and won the national title, defeating teams like Duke (best team in the game) by about 30 points. So, this game doesn't provide a whole lot of challenge. It is somewhat entertaining in a two-player form, though, since it evens out the talent level. \n"NCAA Final Four 2002" can be entertaining at times, but all in all, the game leaves a little to be desired. To describe this game in basketball terms, it's the guy on the end of the bench who comes in for garbage minutes, nothing more. But at least it's getting of the bench, right?\n
(02/20/02 6:14pm)
The Simpsons Road Rage\nRating: T for Teen\nFor: Playstation 2, Gamecube, XBOX\nBy: EA Games\nWhen it comes to college culture, certain icons have left an indelible mark on vocabulary, attitude and lifestyle. Head and shoulders above all other icons is probably "The Simpsons," the longest running show on TV.\nThe stories, characters and catchphrases are favorites of almost any college student you talk to. Video games are also popular with college students. Rarely, other than a solid arcade game, have these two items crossed paths with any success. "The Simpsons Road Rage" for the Playstation 2 triumphs in mixing the two. \nThe idea is simple, if not easy. Using any of the large roster of players, navigate through six different courses, taking various residents of Springfield to their chosen destination. By doing this you earn money with which you can buy more characters and more boards. But this is not the attraction of the game, which lies instead in the voices, graphics and boards themselves.\nAll of your favorite characters are here from the show. Of course there is the Simpson family themselves, but also you'll find Chief Wiggum, Apu, Snake and Barney, just to name a few. And among your different passengers is my personal favorite, Ralph Wiggum, the chief's son who always has a great bit of wisdom to dispense, which is another great feature of the game. All of the characters are voiced by the actual actors in the show, saying some of the actual lines that the fans have come to know and love. \nThe courses themselves are great too, in that each depicts a different part of Springfield that you see in the show. From the Simpson house to the Kwik-E-Mart to Moe's Tavern, all the hangouts are here in great detail. And the graphics are fantastic. While it's obvious that you aren't in the show itself, the casual observer might be fooled by the vivid depictions of the boards and characters.\nYou don't buy games like this for their challenge, you buy them for the entertainment value. And this game delivers that in spades. Whether you are driving solo or going head to head with a friend, "The Simpsons Road Rage" is sure to leave you and your buddies having a good time. Now if you excuse me, Homer and I have to make it to the Bowl-o-Rama on the double. \n
(02/20/02 5:00am)
The Simpsons Road Rage\nRating: T for Teen\nFor: Playstation 2, Gamecube, XBOX\nBy: EA Games\nWhen it comes to college culture, certain icons have left an indelible mark on vocabulary, attitude and lifestyle. Head and shoulders above all other icons is probably "The Simpsons," the longest running show on TV.\nThe stories, characters and catchphrases are favorites of almost any college student you talk to. Video games are also popular with college students. Rarely, other than a solid arcade game, have these two items crossed paths with any success. "The Simpsons Road Rage" for the Playstation 2 triumphs in mixing the two. \nThe idea is simple, if not easy. Using any of the large roster of players, navigate through six different courses, taking various residents of Springfield to their chosen destination. By doing this you earn money with which you can buy more characters and more boards. But this is not the attraction of the game, which lies instead in the voices, graphics and boards themselves.\nAll of your favorite characters are here from the show. Of course there is the Simpson family themselves, but also you'll find Chief Wiggum, Apu, Snake and Barney, just to name a few. And among your different passengers is my personal favorite, Ralph Wiggum, the chief's son who always has a great bit of wisdom to dispense, which is another great feature of the game. All of the characters are voiced by the actual actors in the show, saying some of the actual lines that the fans have come to know and love. \nThe courses themselves are great too, in that each depicts a different part of Springfield that you see in the show. From the Simpson house to the Kwik-E-Mart to Moe's Tavern, all the hangouts are here in great detail. And the graphics are fantastic. While it's obvious that you aren't in the show itself, the casual observer might be fooled by the vivid depictions of the boards and characters.\nYou don't buy games like this for their challenge, you buy them for the entertainment value. And this game delivers that in spades. Whether you are driving solo or going head to head with a friend, "The Simpsons Road Rage" is sure to leave you and your buddies having a good time. Now if you excuse me, Homer and I have to make it to the Bowl-o-Rama on the double. \n
(02/13/02 5:17pm)
NHL 2002\nRating: E for Everyone\nFor: Playstation 2, X-Box, PC\nBy: EA Sports\nLast year, EA Sports created what is possibly one of the greatest video games of all time in "NHL 2001." It utilized all the graphic capabilities of the Playstation 2 as well as being fun to play. So, when "NHL 2002" came out, you can guess how much I anticipated the release, imagining more terrific gameplay and sweet visuals centered around one of my two favorite sports. And while it's fair to say that "'02" is a quality game, it doesn't quite measure up to the previous year's version. \nTo start with, once again the visuals are great. The players look reasonably like their real life counterparts, the stadiums are well done and the crowds are pretty amazing. The gameplay is pretty smooth as well -- the only down part being the somewhat long periods of time that occur when there is a puck out of play. But once it's back in action, there are no hang-ups whatsoever. \nThe game also features a franchise mode, complete with drafts, retirements and free agent signing. Another nice feature is the added option of choosing between all the national teams, especially with the Olympics upon us now, and all the various jerseys that you can pick before you play your games. There's something that just seems right about playing as the Phoenix Coyotes while donning their former Winnipeg Jets jerseys.\nAll this being said, there are some differences from "'01" that are not for the better. The color commentator is different for this season, and he is downright horrible. Nothing that he says is either informative or funny. You might want to go ahead and turn off the color commentary before the game starts and save yourself a headache. Another somewhat annoying feature is the newly installed is the Breakaway Cam and the Big Hit/Big Save Cam. The idea is kind of cool, showing replays from several angles of an outstanding save or giving a new angle when you are all alone going in on the goalie, but in fact they take away from the gameplay. These features are probably better for those watching instead of playing the game. I turned these features off, and you might want to do the same. \nFinally, the other difference between "'01" and "'02" is the style of play. Last year's was an offensive game, without question. My roommates and I would churn out 9-8 and 11-10 games with great regularity. The new version on the other hand, is more of a defensive game. You have to work hard for your goals, and they are by no means high scoring games. The computer also has a knack of scoring goals quickly after two and a half periods of shutout hockey by your goalie. But that happens all the time, doesn't it?\nAll in all, "NHL 2002" is a pretty solid game. The gameplay is smooth and fun, even if the goals are not as frequent as in its predecessor. While "'01" still holds a special place in my heart, "'02" is a worthy game to play.\n
(02/13/02 5:00am)
NHL 2002\nRating: E for Everyone\nFor: Playstation 2, X-Box, PC\nBy: EA Sports\nLast year, EA Sports created what is possibly one of the greatest video games of all time in "NHL 2001." It utilized all the graphic capabilities of the Playstation 2 as well as being fun to play. So, when "NHL 2002" came out, you can guess how much I anticipated the release, imagining more terrific gameplay and sweet visuals centered around one of my two favorite sports. And while it's fair to say that "'02" is a quality game, it doesn't quite measure up to the previous year's version. \nTo start with, once again the visuals are great. The players look reasonably like their real life counterparts, the stadiums are well done and the crowds are pretty amazing. The gameplay is pretty smooth as well -- the only down part being the somewhat long periods of time that occur when there is a puck out of play. But once it's back in action, there are no hang-ups whatsoever. \nThe game also features a franchise mode, complete with drafts, retirements and free agent signing. Another nice feature is the added option of choosing between all the national teams, especially with the Olympics upon us now, and all the various jerseys that you can pick before you play your games. There's something that just seems right about playing as the Phoenix Coyotes while donning their former Winnipeg Jets jerseys.\nAll this being said, there are some differences from "'01" that are not for the better. The color commentator is different for this season, and he is downright horrible. Nothing that he says is either informative or funny. You might want to go ahead and turn off the color commentary before the game starts and save yourself a headache. Another somewhat annoying feature is the newly installed is the Breakaway Cam and the Big Hit/Big Save Cam. The idea is kind of cool, showing replays from several angles of an outstanding save or giving a new angle when you are all alone going in on the goalie, but in fact they take away from the gameplay. These features are probably better for those watching instead of playing the game. I turned these features off, and you might want to do the same. \nFinally, the other difference between "'01" and "'02" is the style of play. Last year's was an offensive game, without question. My roommates and I would churn out 9-8 and 11-10 games with great regularity. The new version on the other hand, is more of a defensive game. You have to work hard for your goals, and they are by no means high scoring games. The computer also has a knack of scoring goals quickly after two and a half periods of shutout hockey by your goalie. But that happens all the time, doesn't it?\nAll in all, "NHL 2002" is a pretty solid game. The gameplay is smooth and fun, even if the goals are not as frequent as in its predecessor. While "'01" still holds a special place in my heart, "'02" is a worthy game to play.\n
(02/06/02 5:00am)
NBA 2K2\nRating: E for Everyone\nFor: Playstation 2, X-Box\nBy: Sega Sports\nFor me, when it comes to sports games, the winner without a doubt is EA Sports. But that doesn't mean I'm not looking out for the next best thing. There is always a 'next best thing' when it comes to video games. If there wasn't, there would only be a Nintendo, not a Super Nintendo, etc.\nWith that in mind, I picked up "NBA 2K2" by Sega Sports for the Playstation 2. A game that has been heralded as the 'next best thing' by other publications. After a good once over, I'm not sure what all the raving is about.\nTo start with, the visuals are amazing, no lying about that. While the players' faces lack a little similarity to the actual faces of the players, the look of the stadium and everything else is quite good, right down to the colored streamers the fans wave when the visiting team is shooting free throws. The gameplay is also silky smooth, leaving not a moment of hesitation when you are playing. It's also a nice touch that rosters are up to date and every single rookie is in the game, right down to the high school phenoms that rocked the top of the draft. \nThat being said, this game is not without its negatives. Most noticeable: the difficulty of playing defense. If you play on any level other than rookie, the computer can pretty much score at will. The different difficulty levels in the game are not staggered very well. Rookie is pretty easy, pro is pretty hard and all-star is a little harder. The difference between rookie and pro needs to be less dramatic, as simply stepping up a level can turn a 20-point victory into a 20-point loss. \nThis game also features a franchise option, giving you the ability to take a team and build them into a contender, or maintain their status at the top already. I love features like this on sports games, so this excited me when I saw the option on the box. Unfortunately, it's not easy to understand and is often frustrating. Hopefully they can improve it for next year. \nAll in all, "NBA 2K2" is solid, with smooth gameplay and amazing rim rattling dunks. Yet, the difficulty in defense and confusing franchise features keeps this game from being a champion. At best, it's just a conference semifinalist.\n
(01/09/02 5:00am)
Ali - R\nStarring: Will Smith, Jamie Foxx\nDirected by: Michael Mann\nShowing: Showplace West 12\nGoing into the winter, one of the more talked about movies that wasn't based on a book was "Ali," starring Will Smith. Making a film about the greatest boxer and one of the most electrifying sports personalities of all time certainly piqued a lot of interest. Would Smith be able to accurately portray Ali? What parts of Ali's life would be covered in the film? What would the fight scenes look like? Upon seeing the film, these questions were finally answered, but with varying degrees of satisfaction.\nFirst and foremost, what needs to be pointed out about this film is the acting. It is superb. Smith does a great job taking on the role of the champ. At the start of the movie I was waiting for him to say something like "parent's just don't understand" but by the end of the movie, I saw him more as Ali and less as the Fresh Prince. He was very believable. Jamie Foxx shows that he is more than just a comedian in portraying Ali's cornerman, Drew "Bundini" Brown. \nThe fight scenes are also well done doing as good a job as possible to show the viewer what is going on as well as trying to convey the ferocity and craziness that occurs in the ring during a fight. The fight scenes very well might have been the best aspect of the movie.\nPraise aside, there are also some down parts to this movie. The movie is 157 minutes long, and it makes sure you are aware of every one of them. The movie takes a long time to get going, and many scenes feel like they drag on for much longer than needed. Director Michael Mann tried to show a different side of Ali than many were probably expecting, focusing less on the man in the ring and in the spotlight and instead on his quest to find himself and his struggles with the Vietnam War when he could not fight and was stripped of his title. In all, you only see Ali fight in five fights, leaving viewers more time to see Ali outside the ring.\nWhile this idea to show Ali for the man that he was instead of the boxer we all know was an interesting angle and could have made an interesting film, Mann fails to follow through with his view, instead presenting us with a rambling slow moving film that fails to really entertain and hold the viewers' attention. See this movie for Smith's portrayal of Ali, but wait till it's on video.
(01/09/02 5:00am)
Music from Vanilla Sky\nVarious Artists\nReprise Records\nI don't know Cameron Crowe. Therefore it's hard for me to say a whole lot about him, but I do know that the man sure does know how to direct a movie, and additionally, he knows how to pick songs to assemble one hell of a soundtrack for these movies. Recent examples, such as "Jerry Maguire" and "Almost Famous," simply stand as examples to prove my point. You can add "Vanilla Sky" to this list.\nThe movie itself is a crazy mind-bender, and the soundtrack is chock full of songs that are found in the movie and that add ambiance to the story. The roster of artists on the soundtrack is practically a who's who of quality musicians. Included are REM, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley and Bob Dylan, just to name a few. \nSome of the more notable pieces of music on the album are both REM tracks, "All the Right Friends" and "Sweetness Follows," Buckley's "Last Goodbye" and Peter Gabriel's "Solbsbury Hill." The beauty of the two REM songs is that each is different in pace and feel, one is upbeat while the other is more melancholy, yet both are quality pieces of music and provide examples of to why they are one of the better bands of our time. Dylan's entry, "Fourth Time Around," starts off with his signature harmonica to the point where any listener could pick out the song after only a couple of notes without knowing what number it is. Yet that is the beauty of Dylan, he knows what works and keeps making it work, time after time after time.\nOf course, there are a few songs on this album that leave a little to be desired. All of these songs have a place in the movie so they make sense, yet on this soundtrack they just seem a little out of place. "Mondo '77" by Looper, "Afrika Shox" by Leftfield and Afrika Bambaataa and "Svefn-g-englar" by Sigur Ros all just seem like songs that would be better found on a different album than this. \nAlso, in terms of poor songs, the "Porpoise Song" by The Monkees just seems to be a bad unused track from the Beatles Sgt. Pepper sessions. I wonder why these guys were never able to shake the reputation as a bad Beatles rip-off?\nAll in all, this soundtrack is quality and is a good purchase. From start to finish, you will find yourself only wanting to pass up maybe one or two songs, and by the time it's done you'll want to start it all over again. When an album can do that, you get your money's worth.\n
(12/10/01 5:36am)
There are just a few things I want to talk about, and since this may be the last sports column I write, I wanted to touch all the bases. I might not get the chance to do so again.