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Mayer continues the maturation proccess

By C. Warner Sills and John Barnett · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

John Mayer narrowly avoided being a teen pop idol in 2001 by virtue of the fact that he actually wrote and recorded a set of great songs on Room for Squares. He distanced himself even further from the teen fandom cesspool with his sophomore album, Heavier Things, on which he matured beyond his years to deliver a truly great record. His third album, Continuum, falls somewhere between the previous two, finding Mayer's wide-eyed soul and competent lyricism both at odds and in harmony with his nearing age 30.

Don't make this your last

By Olivia Morales · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

I have not, unfortunately, seen "L'Ultimo Bacio," the Italian film upon which the recently released "The Last Kiss," starring Zach Braff, was based. I am sure, however, that the original foreign film is better than its successor. Directed by Tony Goldwyn, "The Last Kiss" tries hard to be poignant, succeeds frequently, but fails in the grand scheme.

The Indiana Daily Student

Less than Stellar show

By C. Warner Sills and Zack Teibloom · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

The Stella shorts are hilarious: A couple dozen absurd short films by David Wain, Michael Ian Black, and Michael Showalter, in which the three run around in suits playing with dildos, simulating gay sex, and sing and goof around. Sadly, the show couldn't capture the freshness and absurdity of the shorts.

More 'Office,' less productivity

By Chris Wisner and compiled by Chris Wisner · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

In the wake of the demise of "Arrested Development," easily the best comedy on TV in recent times, one might say that it was "The Office" that grabbed the torch and just kept running toward the finish line, while collecting Golden Globe and Emmy accolades along the way.

Too poignant for a jail flick

By C. Warner Sills and Doug Evans · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

Based on the true story of Sean Porter, 'Gridiron Gang' chronicles the workings of a detention camp probation officer who starts a football program in a youth jail. In his pursuit, Porter had to overcome disapproval from all sides: his superiors, coaches of opposing football teams, and even the community at large. Ultimate ly, his program was successful -- so much so that a documentary was made in 1992 detailing his exploits with his youth prisoner football team (Clips of the documentary are shown during the closing credits).

Band pushes limits but falters

By C. Warner Sills and Will Hernandez · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

George Orson Welles once said, "The enemy of art is the absence of limitations". The Mars Volta is certainly a band that knows no musical limitations. They recognize no conventions, and no image, word, note or instrument that isn't subject to its numerous artistic pursuits. The absence of limitations is the enemy of art in several cases, and when it comes to The Mars Volta, the enemy of its art is musical excess and overproduction.

'Dahlia' blooms and withers

By Chris Wisner and compiled by Chris Wisner · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

The return of Brian De Palmais is something the film community has eagerly anticipated for quite some time. Consider it nearly a decade; after all, he's spent 10 years of making movies like "Snake Eyes" and "Mission to Mars," which have no real place in his filmography. "The Black Dahlia" is De Palma's return to form.

Music reviews from a nut and a novice

By C. Warner Sills and weekend staff · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

* Editor's note: At WEEKEND we think it is important that the reviews you read each week are the best possible. This feature, where a CD is reviewed by one writer familiar with the artist and one who isn't familiar with them, will run alongside the other reviews in the coming weeks. We hope you enjoy the diversity of opinions.

'Slevin' luckier than you might think

By C. Warner Sills and Alyson Brodsky · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

The Kansas City Shuffle -- when everybody looks right, you go left. Simple enough, eh? Writer Jason Smilovic does a great job writing a screenplay that, without the audience's awareness, revolves around the simple technique. Touché, Jason, for scoring on your first big screenplay. With the help from director Paul McGuigan (Wicker Park), "Lucky Number Slevin" turned out to be a connect-the-dots crime thriller that, partially thanks to its all-star cast, is enjoyably entertaining.

Bittersweet opening

By C. Warner Sills and Associated Press · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

- From Associated Press reports LOS ANGELES -- There is an irony to a movie about a little boy whonever gives up being made by a couple who themselves worked together to overcome the odds. The opening this week of the animated baseball film "Everyone's Hero" marks the final project -- and message -- from Christopher and Dana Reeve, who both died during the making of the movie. The film's message mirrors the final years of their lives, say those who worked with the couple. Reeve, paralyzed in a horseback riding accident, and his wife worked tirelessly to find a cure for spinal-cord injuries, always believing the actor would walk again.

When bad is good

By C. Warner Sills and Bryan Lufkin · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

It's time to play everyone's favorite game: "Name that cinematic triumph!" Which 1990 classic features a soundtrack nearly entirely created by a Casio synthesizer, goblin costumes made from burlap potato bags and paper mache masks and a steamy love scene in an RV overflowing with popcorn? If you're one of the proud few who were able to immediately yelp, "Troll 2," then congratulations, you have mastered the art of watching bad movies. You have become one of millions around the world who unite to bask in the glory of cinematic detritus that is so bad, it's good.

Justifi -- ably another hit album

By Sam Nissen · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

Justin Timberlake makes hosting successful parties simple. Female attendance lays the groundwork for party host reputations, but retainment relies on grindin'. They've gotta hit the dance floor. FutureSex/LoveSounds, just like JT's last effort, Justified, is the perfect CD to draw and retain party-goers.

Clothing NOT optional

By Mallory Simon · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

As I scanned TV channels this weekend to find something to watch, I stumbled upon "Parent Trap." I don't care what anyone says, its a great movie. When the movie came out in 1998 it was many people's introduction to Lindsay Lohan -- and a good first one at that. She was a cute little freckled girl who screamed innocence. She caught the eye of directors and producers in the industry and landed more teen-tacky movies in the 90s. Then came Mean Girls -- probably one of the most-owned DVDs by females -- second to The Notebook. It was hysterical and I loved Lindsay Lohan in it. I should have known it was the SNL-inspired writing, directing and cast that made it funny. Still, I respected the redhead and bought the DVD too.

The Indiana Daily Student

(Next) generational angst

By C. Warner Sills and Chris Freiberg · Thursday, Sept. 21,2006 12 a.m.

It's no secret that I'm a huge gamer. And it's also no secret that I prefer what Nintendo and Microsoft have done with the original Xbox and Gamecube over what Sony has done. The Xbox has some great exclusive action in the "Halo" and "Project Gotham Racing" series. Nintendo has the best, most creative programmers on the planet and a truly legendary library of games based on Mario and "The Legend of Zelda."

The Indiana Daily Student

Bittersweet opening

By C. Warner Sills and Associated Press · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:58 p.m.

- From Associated Press reports LOS ANGELES -- There is an irony to a movie about a little boy whonever gives up being made by a couple who themselves worked together to overcome the odds. The opening this week of the animated baseball film "Everyone's Hero" marks the final project -- and message -- from Christopher and Dana Reeve, who both died during the making of the movie. The film's message mirrors the final years of their lives, say those who worked with the couple. Reeve, paralyzed in a horseback riding accident, and his wife worked tirelessly to find a cure for spinal-cord injuries, always believing the actor would walk again.

The Indiana Daily Student

'Urinetown' actor finds humor in his roles

By Lindsey Landis · Wednesday, Sept. 20,2006 11:58 p.m.

Senior Kevin Anderson is not a bad guy. He just plays one in most of his productions. The theatre and drama major tackled the role of Batboy's evil mother in the fall 2004 production of "Batboy -- The Musical," which he described as "ridiculous," because he had to dress up in women's clothing.

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