Region

Party Police

By IDS staff and Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, March 22,2006 10:21 p.m.

Jarrod Thuener is otherwise known as "Captain Artie" to friends such as Scott Freedman. "It differentiates him much like his mustache," Freedman says about Thuener's nickname. "It's more enjoyable." But what Thuener is best known for is a work van he received from his father; a boxy, white Ford E150, which he and his friends converted into what they call the "The Fun Vehicle," "Fun Police Van" or for short, "The FUV."

Oscars 'crash' and burn

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett and Chris Wisner · Wednesday, March 22,2006 10:17 p.m.

Does anyone remember "Crash?" It won the Best Picture Oscar three weeks ago. No? Don't worry. You'll soon see it overflowing bargain bins next to "Shakespeare in Love," "The English Patient" and "Million Dollar Baby." But what doomed it to end up there? How did this self-described "little film about race in America" end up winning the Best Picture Oscar over such substantial cinematic offerings as "Good Night, and Good Luck" and "Munich?"

Seminal Sentinel

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Green · Wednesday, March 22,2006 10:08 p.m.

There are a lot of underground bands that hail from Bloomington. One band that is quickly rising to the top in popularity is Sentinel, it's a metal band that is turning heads and slashing its way through town, consistently playing shows everywhere it can. Sentinel was formed out of the ashes of a band called Section 8, which was a four-piece band for about two or three months. The band started by vocalist Zach Norris and guitarist Cody Burgess. They then picked up Jacob Benson on bass and Caleb Caudill on guitar.

The Need For Speed

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Green · Wednesday, March 22,2006 10:05 p.m.

Tired of walking to class and wondering about the shiny things that speed past cars everyday down 10th Street? Wish your bicycle had a motor? Motorcycles are becoming an extremely popular form of transportation on campus. There's the tough-guy Harley; the street-racer crotch-rocket, which is a type of sports bike; and then the casual-riding Vespa, a type of motor scooter that originated in Italy. All can be seen on campus zipping around while other students walk.

No first place finish here

By Alyson Brodsy and Josh Garfinkel · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:55 p.m.

The tagline of "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" ("the true story of how a mother raised 10 kids on 25 words or less") suggests a much different plot than we are actually given in the film. Expectations are that Evelyn Ryan (Julianne Moore), the mother of 10 children, will turn to television and radio prize contests when money gets tight for her and her family. However, director Jane Anderson makes an interesting choice: instead of focusing the main conflict of the film on the family's poverty (this is dealt with, but only as the secondary conflict), Anderson decides to focus on the relationship between Evelyn and her husband, Kelly (Woody Harrelson).

Brilliant film, lackluster DVD

By Alyson Brodsy and Greg Schoenbaechler · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:52 p.m.

Nominated for six Academy Awards including best picture, "Good Night, and Good Luck" is an extraordinary film fully deserving of all the hype. Unlike in previous films, superstar George Clooney wrote, directed and acted in this gem, which is different from movie that has come out in years. Based on a true story, "Good Night, and Good Luck" brings America back to the time when the thought of Communism struck fear in all Americans. In this era, even members of the media were afraid to take on the subject with the fear that Sen. Joseph McCarthy would target them as members of the Communist party.

Acclaimed film not worthy of praise or a rent

By Alyson Brodsy and Tony Sams · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:48 p.m.

Never have I struggled the way I did with "A History of Violence" to figure out what the big damn deal is. David Cronenberg's film is the definition of a "critical darling," passionately landing on more than 150 top ten lists. But even after a second viewing I can't seem to piece together much of a logical explanation as to why anyone should see this movie. For starters, when I first saw this movie in the theater, the audience was laughing hysterically. And this isn't a comedy. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) owns a quaint diner in a small Midwest town, has a beautiful wife (Maria Bello) and some cute kids and is generally a well-respected man in his community.

The suck hits DVD

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:40 p.m.

"Jarhead" is not a war movie. It's even less of a war movie than "Three Kings," "Apocalypse Now," "The Deer Hunter" or "Full Metal Jacket" (which it most resembles). "Jarhead" is a movie about military indoctrination, conflicting moralities and under British director Sam Mendes' deft direction, it's a poignant statement about the current state of our military and its follies in the deserts of the Middle East. Based on former Marine Anthony Swofford's book about his experiences in bootcamp, Kuwait and Iraq in the first Gulf War, "Jarhead" nimbly avoids preachy politics, instead focusing on the effect the military, during wartime, has on the mind of the individual. Jake Gyllenhaal, capping off a red-letter year which included an Oscar-worthy performance as Jack Twist in "Brokeback Mountain," embodies Swofford with a bewildered fire in his eyes, a man forever scarred by his actions and lack of action in a war he doesn't fully understand.

This 'Block' is hot

By Alyson Brodsy and Eric Smith · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:38 p.m.

Michel Gondry's documentary of the Brooklyn block party may have been disappointing for those of you hoping to hear two hours of that Rick James impression you do so well. Thankfully, the music-focused film is available in a portable audio format for the rest of us. The Block Party Soundtrack is a relatively comprehensive account of the September 2004 event. The performances of hip-hop saviors like The Roots, Common, Blackstar and Erykah Badu on the same stage make a formidable reunion. It seems as though Dave Chappelle is about the only personality with the power to bring together this collection of superstars who used to play with one another in New York-area hip-hop clubs.

Gilmour's great gig 'On an Island'

By Alyson Brodsy and Jeffrey O'Reilly · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:36 p.m.

Even with David Gilmour and Roger Waters setting aside their differences for last summer's Pink Floyd reunion, the Floyd stigma unfairly haunts Gilmour on his latest solo effort, On An Island. Graceful, contemplative and spiritually rewarding, On An Island finds Gilmour in top form. For Floyd enthusiasts, the album will leave the listener salivating -- undoubtedly coping with the notion of what could be. Baggage aside, On An Island is a testament to the longevity of one of rock's true shaman, still guiding his audience through some of the deepest, most blissful moments of the rock idiom.

Formulaic film somehow fails to be a dud

By Alyson Brodsy and Jonathan Daugherty · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:34 p.m.

They're referred to as 'adultescents,' 'the boomerang generation' and 'kidults.' Their situation is called 'failure to launch.' A new movie, "Failure to Launch," is based on this real-life trend and it stars Matthew McConaughey as Tripp, a 35-year-old living with good ol' mom and dad. Emmy Award winner Sarah Jessica Parker plays Tripp's love interest, Paula, in only her second starring role since finishing "Sex and the City." Parker's character, a professional consultant/interventionist/girlfriend hired to get Tripp out of his parents' house, is a bit off-putting for this "lovely" star, but hey, we still love her.

Sex, smut and Johnny Depp

By -Kehla West and Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:33 p.m.

It took more than a year for "The Libertine" to make it to American screens, and the buzz that built during that time was dead-on. It's a darkly satisfying character sketch, but it's not for the faint of heart. The film tells the story of John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester, who famously embraced every temptation life could throw his way. As he descends to an early death of syphilis, he manages to romance a whore, write some fabulously filthy poetry and piss off the king by portraying him as a giant dildo. Wilmot may not have been a nice guy, obviously, but he was an infinitely interesting one.

Horror remake gets lost in the 'hills'

By Alyson Brodsy and Matt McMullan · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:32 p.m.

Let me tell you why "The Hills Have Eyes" sucked. You start off with an idea. In this case, that idea is "remakes are produced because those involved -- producers, directors, screenwriters, actors -- loved the original film." They want to pay homage to it and add their unique interpretation to a cool story. What they reproduce could be anything: a love story, comedy, drama, or yes, a horror film. Ah, the horror film. Nothing seems to be more often "reinterpreted" than the horror film. Every year, some new jackass director fresh off of filming a Sprite commercial gets the rights to remake a classic. Happens all the time.

Root for the terrorist

By Alyson Brodsy and Tristan Mathews · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:29 p.m.

Fans of Alan Moore who were rightfully disappointed by adaptations of his graphic novels "From Hell" and "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" (the latter of which being the only movie I have ever walked out of the theater) can breath a sigh of relief: the Wachowski Brothers (of "Matrix" trilogy fame) produced it, James McTeigue directed it and "V for Vendetta" is sure to excite. The film acts as a retelling of the graphic novel, that thankfully doesn't attempt a straight adaptation. The Wachowski's, who wrote the script and produced the film, have a keen understanding for the characters and their world.

Tap Dogs dancing onto stage tonight

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, March 22,2006 1:17 a.m.

Tap Dogs, a group of performers from around the world, will be on stage at 7:30 tonight in the IU Auditorium to perform a family-friendly show, according to a press release. Tickets are $19.50 to 37.50 for the general public and $13.50 to 27.50 for students with their IDs.

Cosmetics queen comes home

By Kathleen Quilligan and Kathleen Quilligen · Wednesday, March 22,2006 12:40 a.m.

Before meeting their boyfriends, Jean Ford's sorority sisters always stopped by her room in the Kappa Alpha Theta house. Ford was a vendor for Holiday Magic Cosmetics, but she said she had more fun giving her friends makeovers and wasn't concerned about making money.

Little 500 teams forced inside

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, March 22,2006 12:39 a.m.

While Tuesday morning's snowfall darkened the first full day of spring for most IU students, Little 500 and Kappa Delta rider Lauren Ziemba was even more anxious about the precipitation.

Profs: Ban students from A,C lots

By Allie Townsend · Wednesday, March 22,2006 12:36 a.m.

Some professors think a lack of parking spots is adversely affecting their job performances. So a faculty plan, were it ever enacted, would discontinue the sale of A and C parking permits to most students.

Hospital room evacuated

By Kevin Dwire · Wednesday, March 22,2006 12:36 a.m.

Half of Bloomington Hospital's emergency area was evacuated Tuesday after two injured men with a potentially explosive component on their cots arrived by ambulance from nearby Crane Naval Base, a hospital spokeswoman said.

Getting to know the man behind the SHOES

By Ryan Corazza · Wednesday, March 22,2006 12:36 a.m.

His signature resides on the ankle patch of perhaps the most popular shoe in American history. He's a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame and mingled with such basketball legends as John Wooden, Red Auerbach and Dean Smith. But up until now, nobody knew the true story of Chuck Taylor. Enter Abe Aamidor.