Region

Are you experienced?

By Alyson Brodsy and David A. Nosko and Mike Wilson · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 9:46 p.m.

College life is often portrayed as an "Animal House" of beer swigs and panty raids in between exam days, which results in wild-eyed freshmen roaming about campus in search of so-called thrills. But in between bouts of party hopping and furniture smashing, many IU students have discovered the inspiration and stimulation of college life in Bloomington.

Artistic Outlet

By Alyson Brodsy and Bryan Lufkin · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 9:39 p.m.

Bloomington has proven itself as a cultural oasis. Streets lined with international restaurants, music festivals and an IU affiliated cultural center for almost every ethnic background are all only the beginning. The arts continue to be celebrated around the city with its fine selection of galleries featuring the creations of local and regional artists, giving Bloomington a decided artistic flair that rounds out the college town's already impressive cultural resume. Galleries not only showcase paintings, sculptures and photography in Bloomington, but some of the best venues have the most unique exhibitions one could find in an art gallery.

Go with the 'flow'

By Alyson Brodsky and Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 9:16 p.m.

"Hustle & Flow" was poorly advertised and might not have scored No. 1 one in the box offices, but that's a shame. "Hustle & Flow" is a perfect example that although a film might have had a low budget, it can still turn out to be a great movie. Craig Brewer directs a cast that could not have been better for this film. Terrence Howard ("Crash") stars as DJay, a hardworking pimp, who spends his days sitting in his car trying to sell his hookers. DJay begins to wonder whether the life of a hustler is really for him. He dreams of becoming a well-respected rapper, yet his dreams seem far from, reality as he is barely able to make enough money to get by.

Lynch's surreal debut is back

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 9:15 p.m.

It's long been a cliché to call David Lynch's ("Blue Velvet," "Wild At Heart") work dreamlike, but I suppose if there were any better adjective, my hours spent watching and re-watching his films would have already rendered it obvious. I'll suggest 'phantasmagoric' as a more vivid word, and one that works quite well when discussing "Eraserhead," Lynch's 1977 film debut. Attempting to tease a conventional plot out of the film is basically pointless, because while "Eraserhead" deals with fear of fatherhood, fear of commitment, fear of non-acceptance, and a hundred other commonplace fears, it's impossible to truly categorize it as simply a film about fear.

Overlooked Kurosawa on DVD

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Wisner · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 9:13 p.m.

Director Akira Kurosawa's love for the works of Shakespeare was no hidden affair. Within the jidai-geki (period piece) setting he was capable of turning "Macbeth" into his own "Throne of Blood," while taking "King Lear" to epic proportions with "Ran." Yet in between those two works there was "The Bad Sleep Well" -- a loosely adapted version of "Hamlet" set in the corporate confines of post-WWII Japan. And just like Kurosawa's love was no secret, neither is Criterion's appreciation for the director's work as "The Bad Sleep Well" is the 14th addition to the collection in support of Japan's finest filmmaker.

Return film to sender

By Alyson Brodsy and Evan Ross · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 9:09 p.m.

The success of Louis Leterrier and producer Luc Besson's "The Transporter" took many people by surprise. Its silly plot, fast cars and innovative fight sequences breathed some fresh air into an otherwise stale genre. But no good film goes "unsequalized." Last year saw the release of the imaginatively titled "Transporter 2," a prime example of all the bad ideas franchise pictures can stumble into. Instead of expanding its crowd-pleasing stunt work, the film falls into "been there, done that" genre.

Craven's 'Red' hot thriller

By Alyson Brodsy and Ash Cartwright · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 9:07 p.m.

There are several things that make "Red Eye" worth watching, most of all is actor Cillian Murphy ("28 Days Later", "Batman Begins"). Murphy is one of the more interesting up-and-coming actors and is perfectly cast as the appropriately named Jackson Rippner. In the film, Rippner psychologically and physically terrorizes the film's protagonist, Lisa Reisert, played by Rachel McAdams ("Wedding Crashers", "The Notebook"), while attempting to use her in the implementation of a sinister plot.

Politics dug deep

By Alyson Brodsy and Michael Mellini · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 9:04 p.m.

In "The Constant Gardener" Ralph Fiennes ("The English Patient," "Spider") plays Justin Quayle, a British High Commission member living in Kenya. After Quayle's civil rights activist wife, Tessa (Rachel Weisz), is brutally murdered, he begins a search to discover what happened to her. As Quayle investigates, he learns his wife was involved in uncovering the workings of a corrupt pharmaceutical company who might be testing deadly products on poor, HIV-positive Africans. Quayle decides to continue his wife's work despite rumors of her unfaithfulness and other risky reports. But it's not long until he becomes the hunted and is warned to stop his search, or he will meet the same fate as his wife.

An alternative to typical holiday music

By Alyson Brodsy and Diana Glozman · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 9:01 p.m.

For everyone who has just experienced the eight days of wonderful Hanukkah you might be wondering how you managed to live so many years listening to Sister Berry and numerous versions of Sandler's "Chanukah Song". Well, it might have taken more then 5,766 years -but finally there is indie Hanukkah music! Now you can take the playful tunes of They Might Be Giants and Adam Sandler, mix in Adam Gardner of Guster and Dave Schneider of the Zambonis together, throw in Peter Katis, the producer of Interpol, and you literally can't go wrong with the LeeVees Hanukkah Rocks.

Got 'Wood'?

By Alyson Brodsy and Patrick Hurley · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 8:58 p.m.

I generally favor the singer/songwriter whose focus is on the acoustic guitar or the piano. I'm not known to listen to the harder rocks or the ghetto raps. We all know that there's generally no way to justify pumping a DMB or Hootie song at a party: enter Morningwood. At first listen, one may liken their sound to the one-hit wonder style of bubble gum rockers, however, it's after listening to a third or fourth track where you start to realize, these guys (& gal) have talent. When your band's front-man is a woman and the members go something like, vocals, guitar, bass, drums, it's hard not to compare that lineup to Gwen Stefani's band. Although there's 'no doubt' that they paved the way for a band like Morningwood, they're trying to influence their fans in the same way. The album

A love story best suited for video

By Alyson Brodsy and Tristan Mathews · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 8:55 p.m.

"Tristan and Isolde" is a film about forbidden love and as the trailer claims, "a story older than the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet." The film itself is neither as strong as the comparison made, nor the love between the title characters, but is better than anticipated. Tristan (James Franco) is the adopted son of King Marke (Rufus Sewell) who is wounded in battle and thought dead. He is given a warrior's burial, put aboard a boat and sent to sea. He washes ashore in Ireland and is found by Isolde (Sophia Myles) daughter of the king of Ireland Donnchadh (David O'Hara). Knowing he is English, therefore an enemy of her father and country, she nurses him to health in secret, during which the two fall in love. To avoid exposing herself, she tells him her name is Bragnae. Tristan recovers and flees back to England to rejoin Marke. The two lovers meet again after Tristan unknowingly wins a tournament on Marke's behalf for Isolde's hand in marriage.

The Queen's 'last' fling

By Alyson Brodsy and Rob O'Connor · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 8:49 p.m.

"Last Holiday" might not seem so bad on the surface, but after closer examination it becomes clear that it is an entity of pure evil. That is the only possible explanation for why a poignant dark comedy staring Alec Guinness ("Bridge over the River Kwai," "Star Wars") would be remade into a honey-dripping, predictable mess staring Queen Latifah ("Chicago," "Barbershop 2"). Who on earth watches Guinness movie and says, "Well this guy is OK, but you know who would be better is a big, fat lady rapper."

Red Riding Hood film brings yawns

By Alyson Brodsy and Greg Schoenbaechler · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 8:36 p.m.

In their first animated movie, directors Cory and Todd Edwards took on a large task, trying to surpass the many great animated movies of modern cinema. They might need another shot to conquer that feat as "Hoodwinked" did not live up to expectations. Despite a great trailer, the newest CGI movie was not as funny as suggested. "Hoodwinked" is a movie branching off the old story of "Little Red Riding Hood." The movie starts from the end, working backwards to unveil the motive for charges drawn at Granny's (Glenn Close) cottage, which includes breaking and entering, disturbing the peace, intent to eat and wielding an axe without a license.

'Road' already traveled

By Alyson Brodsy and Matt McMullan · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 8:29 p.m.

Jerry Bruckheimer (producer "Pirates of the Caribbean") is one slick son of a bitch. His movies always look good. Production value is always high. No one ever goes cheap on his films. You've gotta give him that, at least. In his latest endeavor, he's decided to tackle the genre "inspirational semi-historic sports movie" that Walt Disney Pictures seems to like so much. But doing that isn't so hard, because the story you're working with is already written out with a fairy tale ending. I mean, it's historic. Somebody already did it.

FULL-COURT PRESS

By Brian Janosch · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 12:45 p.m.

A Bloomington court storming was long overdue. Gray-haired women standing courtside, holding strands of yellow string were no match for more than 17,000 fans after a 62-60 upset of No. 7 Illinois.

Axis changes name, shifts concept

By Elisha Sauers · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 12:48 a.m.

What you wore on Walnut Street used to say a lot about where you were going. Those who moseyed down the sidewalk in hooded sweatshirts and jeans would most likely scale the steps of the Video Saloon or hover at the door of The Bluebird. The cavalries of black pants and flashy tops often marched their way to the nightclub formerly known as "Axis."

As University chancellor, Gros Louis follows icon Herman B Wells

By Adam Aasen · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 12:45 a.m.

Interim IU-Bloomington Chancellor Ken Gros Louis has been following in former IU President Herman B Wells' footsteps for years.

IU searches questioned after high turnover rate

By Michael Zennie · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 12:39 a.m.

Dozens of top IU administrators have retired or taken positions at other schools and dozens more are expected to do the same in the next two years. While all say job turnover is unavoidable at a large university, some faculty and trustees disagree about how candidates should be selected.

Polian looking for more power running, corrections on line

By Alyson Brodsy and Michael Marot · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 12:39 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS — Colts president Bill Polian is going right back to work. After his team's latest playoff failure, Polian is spending this week evaluating what went wrong, what must be corrected and how to turn the Colts from Super Bowl contenders into Super Bowl champions.

Head coach set to begin end

By Josh Sacks · Wednesday, Jan. 18,2006 12:37 a.m.

After missing last season to take a sabbatical, IU hockey coach Rich Holdeman is coaching in his 13th and final season behind the bench for the Hoosiers. As the Hoosiers' all-time winningest coach in IU Hockey history, compiling 243 victories and a .685 winning percentage, Holdeman has served as a fixture for the IU hockey program and has developed it into one of the elite Div. II club teams in the nation.