Region

Two reissues from the master

By Chris Wisner and compiled by Chris Wisner · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 10:26 p.m.

Many years ago when I purchased the "Akira Kurosawa: Four Samurai Classics" boxset released by the Criterion Collection, I figured here were four films I'd never have to double-dip on. I was wrong. Last year's "Seven Samurai" three-disc set was one of the best DVD releases of the year and now Criterion has re-issued Kurosawa's most potent double-shot, "Yojimbo" and "Sanjuro," in deluxe editions sold individually ($39.99 apiece) or as a boxset ($69.99 -- My advice: Order the boxset from dvdplanet.com for less than $46).

Where's the commentary?

By C. Warner Sills and John Barnett · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 10:23 p.m.

If the initial media reaction to Ang Lee's "Brokeback Mountain" was any indication, you'd think homosexuality was as foreign a concept in 2005 Los Angeles as it was in early-1960s Wyoming. Tune out the faux-horror gasps at the story of two part-time cowboys finding unspoken affection on the range and what you get is an essential human drama where the oft-clichéd concept of forbidden love is updated for a new era.

Potential cult classic

By C. Warner Sills and Craig Shank · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 10:19 p.m.

Ever wondered what a science fiction rock-opera about a Marie Antoinette robot would sound like? I hadn't either, but Waking the Mystics by Sophe Lux features a track that is, in fact, a seven-minute rock opera that tackles that outlandish scenario. Miniature rock operas aside, this album is a serious departure from almost anything you can imagine.

Pick this Lily

By C. Warner Sills and Brian J. McFillen · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 10:15 p.m.

Pop stars don't have a reputation for possessing much in the way of brains. This might be somewhat unfair -- Madonna, for example, has a reputation for savvy-ness (at least, before she started getting weird). I suspect most of us think of Britney Spears' and Jessica Simpson's profound dimness. Or the "American Idol" formula, where folks with vocal talent get ahead by singing others' songs -- where they're automatons shaped and controlled by producers and Svengalis. "Who cares what they're singing," the thinking seems to go, "as long as they sigh on the beat?"

'Road' goes nowhere

By C. Warner Sills and Wes Jakacki · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 10:12 p.m.

In the past year, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and Bob Dylan have all released albums to much critical acclaim. Now Indiana legend John Mellencamp follows suit with his first album since his 2003 cover album, Trouble No More. This album is standard Mellencamp in that it sounds like what he is, a Midwest baby-boomer singing in the name of America's heartland.

Police: No extra plans for Super Bowl

By Shannon McEnerney · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 10:10 p.m.

City and campus police are not making special preparations for their enforcement on Super Bowl Sunday, despite the large Colts and Bears fan base in Bloomington.

Not dead yet

By C. Warner Sills and Ryan McLaughlin · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 10:09 p.m.

Built in 1941, the Cow Palace, originally known as the California State Livestock Pavilion, functioned as a home for cattle before becoming a popular indoor arena. The venue has seen numerous legendary musical acts, including The Beatles, The Doors, Pink Floyd and Nirvana, and developed a lustrous history for hosting legendary shows. (Neil Young's 1978 Live Rust album was recorded at the Cow Palace). Rhino Records' official release of the Grateful Dead's 1976 performance at the Cow Palace shows the Dead playing one of the best New Year's shows of their career.

Jonesin' for Norah?

By C. Warner Sills and Andy Shore · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 10:07 p.m.

Not Too Late, the third release from Norah Jones, which hit shelves Tuesday, is everything one would expect from the sweet-singing Jones. The album is once again centered on Jones' beautiful voice. The combination of jazz, blues, country and pop overtones in her voice provide for an incredible sound that these tracks put on showcase. The album has a more mature, full sound than Jones' two previous albums, 2004's Feels Like Home and 2002's Come Away With Me.

Around the World

Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 10:06 p.m.

US Airways dropped its hostile $9.8 billion bid for Delta on Wednesday after Delta's creditors threw their support behind the airline's plan to emerge from bankruptcy on its own. Delta Air Lines Inc.'s official unsecured creditors committee said in a statement it reached its decision after a lengthy review of both Delta's proposal and US Airways Group Inc.'s proposal.

A 'Veil' of gray

By Chris Wisner and compiled by Chris Wisner · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 10:05 p.m.

Much like 2005's "The White Countess," "The Painted Veil" takes an excellent cast of actors and places them in tumultuous China during the late 1920s, somehow managing to make the story as bland and boring as possible. Edward Norton and Naomi Watts star as Walter and Kitty Fane, a doctor and his wife who leave their London setting to battle a cholera epidemic that breaks out in Shanghai. Upon their arrival, Kitty, bored to tears and disappointed with her marriage, has an affair with local diplomat Charlie Townsend (Liev Schreiber), which Walter is all too aware of. And so Walter declares a proposition to his wife: Come with him to a cholera colony deep in the Yangtze Valley in an attempt to redeem herself or suffer a painful divorce that will leave her in ruins. Obviously, she takes the first offer.

Another awful parody

By C. Warner Sills and Matt McConnell · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 10:02 p.m.

"Epic Movie," the sixth installment in the "Movie" series, uses the familiar formula of loosely basing the plot off a popular movie and then parodying dozens of other films along the way. Going into "Epic Movie," you already know it's not going to have the best acting in the world, and you can be pretty certain it won't snag any Oscars for best director either. So, really there is only one way to judge it: Is it funny? Unfortunately for me and about 100 other paying customers that night in the theater, it isn't. In fact, "Epic Movie" finds a way to make "Scary Movie" look like a cinematic masterpiece.

Fathers and mothers

By Abram Hess · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 9:28 p.m.

I have a Super Bowl prediction: At half-time the Colts and their cheerleaders will switch roles. Peyton Manning will spend the second half prancing about the sideline half-naked, while the cheer squad blows a double-digit lead over the Bears.

Talk English; you're in America

By Thomas Wachtel · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 9:20 p.m.

There's a scene in one of my favorite books ("Ball Four," if you're wondering) in which a person says to a group of people speaking Spanish: "Talk English, you're in America now." I'm sure that the irony of that sentence was lost on him.

I love lobster

By Colin Dugdale · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 9:12 p.m.

My grandmother and I have dramatically different tastes. She likes Republicans; I like Democrats. She likes hugging my little brother Sean; I like duct-taping him to the walls. I like partying at Pi Kapps; she likes partying at Acacia.

Pimp my protest

By Edward Delp · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 9:09 p.m.

Much has been made about the recent rally for "peace" in Washington, D.C. According to the group organizing the event, United for Peace and Justice, the rally drew more than half a million people. According to news reports celebrities including Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn and Tim Robbins were there. Wow. I guess President Bush ought to be intimidated.

Buying our diplomas

By Aparna Venkatraman · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 9:08 p.m.

Recently, the Indiana Attorney General's office shut down a Web site for producing and selling fake IU law degrees for $59.95. In addition, the Web site, www.noveltyworksdegrees.com produced "authentic-looking" degrees from any university in 45 majors. It is estimated the site sold as many as 300 degrees before it was reported to the attorney general's office and shut down -- though the owner is not facing criminal charges.

Miss Indiana not in America's top 10

By Allie Townsend · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 5:20 p.m.

Perfectly poised and positioned on stage, Miss Indiana Betsy Uschkrat, an IU graduate student, stood in a sea of 52 of the country's most accomplished young women during the 76th Miss America Pageant Monday night.

Hoosiers focus on stopping Wisconsin star Alando Tucker

By Matt Mattucci · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 12:30 a.m.

He scored a season-high 32 points against No. 7 Pittsburgh on Dec. 16, 2006. Fifteen days later he dropped 29 on Georgia. Then, last week, he scored 27 against the Iowa Hawkeyes and was named the Co-Big Ten Player of the Week. There are many reasons why the media named Wisconsin's Alando Tucker to the preseason first-team All-Big Ten team and why he's second in the conference in scoring.

Women discuss new HPV vaccine

By Shannon McEnerney · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 12:30 a.m.

The IU Women's Student Association sponsored a discussion on HPV and the new vaccine Tuesday night, as part of the ongoing V-Day Campaign.

The legacy of Rex

By John Wustrow · Wednesday, Jan. 31,2007 12:30 a.m.

It's nearly 2:30 p.m., almost the end of another school day at Bloomington High School South. As the afternoon announcements are wrapping up, the approximately 1,800 students at the school are left with a message. "Remember to pride yourself and the Panthers," the woman giving the announcement says. The high school certainly has something to take pride in this week. One of Bloomington South's former students, Chicago Bears quarterback Rex Grossman, is preparing to lead his team Sunday in Super Bowl XLI.