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Not quite the 'Lord' of movies

This tale of moral bankruptcy gives us a window into the world of a private, international and illegal arms dealer, Yuri Orlov (Nicolas Cage). The Ukrainian born, American Yuri is good at his chosen profession, and it has allowed him to rise above the poverty of his youth. He sells indiscriminately to anyone with the ability to pay and Yuri's only concern is for himself and his family. He attempts to keep his trophy wife relatively in the dark as to the true source of the income that allows her and their young son to live more than comfortably.

Examining the role of family

Few films truly exemplify life in 'small town' America, and very seldom do films do the miraculous task of showing the thin line between city folk and small town folk. Cameron Crowe's "Elizabethtown" tried hard to master this feat, but ultimately was lost in a sea of incoherent plots and sappy, melodramatic songs. Enter "Junebug," an indie sleeper from 2005 that works not only as a wonderful character study, but also a fascinating and complex examination of small town life, clashing with big city social politics.

Delectable Delicacy

Stacey Matavuli, a Bloomington Hospital registered dietician, says because chocolate comes from a plant it contains plant compounds that help protect the body against chronic diseases like cancer or heart disease. But during the Week of Chocolate, from Jan. 28 through Feb. 4, chocolate isn't only good for the body and the taste buds, but also for the community. In fact, the Week of Chocolate began nine years ago as Chocolate Fest, a community-wide sampling of goodies, says Melissa Copas, development director of Options for Better Living and Citizens Advocacy.

A flashy, but poor action sequel

It's hard to say what exactly made "Underworld" a worthwhile film. Bits of action mixed into a Gothic-horror-thriller, a chilling cinematographic palette of blues and grays, an interesting storyline depicting the war between vampires and werewolves (called "lycans" in the film), or maybe all of this was an impressive mark for first-time writer/director Len Wiseman.

'Hell No' to Beck remixed

Maybe it is just my music ADD, but with Beck's Guero CD from last year I would usually stop listening or tune out by the sixth or seventh song ("Earthquake Weather" or "Hell Yes," depending on my mood). If approached randomly and asked if I listened to Beck, I'd answer with a resounding yes. I even listed him under music I like in my Facebook profile. So when the opportunity was offered to review Beck's new CD Guerolito, a remix of Guero, I volunteered immediately.

Jesus walks in the jungle

As an amateur movie critic, I give very few points for trying. If you put a lot of effort into your film and it still sucks, then I'll call it as I see it. No hard feelings. Someone, you know, might value my opinion and base whether they see it themselves on what I have to say. It's possible. I can't, in good conscience, give a movie a decent grade because the people involved meant well. That's how I feel about "End of the Spear." Good intentions will only get you so far, and then you're stuck with a hokey movie about Jesus in the jungle.

Show Your PRIDE

On Jan. 26, the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., will play host to Bloomington's third-annual PRIDE Film Festival. Started in 2004 by IU arts administration students, the festival has quickly gained popularity in Bloomington. Tickets can be purchased at the Sunrise box office at the Buskirk-Chumley. Tickets are $8 per screening or $25 for a festival pass. Student-priced tickets are sold for $2 per screening or all films can be seen with the discounted $10 festival pass. The pass gets the holder into all screenings and also into the exclusive PRIDE dance party, to be held on Jan. 27.

An open note to Hollywood

January is almost over, but it's never too late for New Year's resolutions. Here's what Hollywood should consider trying in 2006. First, can we get rid of those unrated edition DVDs of R-rated movies? They're only like two minutes longer and not any funnier. Let's also get rid of celebrity couple name combinations. "Bennifer" made sense, but "Bradgelina" and "Vauniston" is overkill. Until we figure out a way to combine my name and Lindsay Lohan's, these celebrity blends need to stop. And speaking of Hollywood's fantastic four ... Brad and Angelina, don't give the baby a weird name, but do give it up for adoption. Brad, yes, you've been dying to be a dad, but that's going be one damn good looking kid, and once it's older it'll be a famous star like Mommy and Daddy. It won't be fair to poor Maddox and Zaharah.

A failed look at 'Comedy in the Muslim World'

If you think you're going to learn something from Albert Brooks' ("Mother," "Taxi Driver") new film, "Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World," you've got another thing coming. This movie is a distinctly no-learning zone, despite a premise chock full of creativity and a trailer that seems to suggest the possibility of a hilarious quasi-documentary.

One of years 'smartest' documentaries

Any political documentaries in the past few years have compromised their presentation of the truth in order to promote a partisan agenda -- most notably Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11." Thankfully, "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" does what it can to avoid politics. Instead, it tells a story about morality, lost in a haze of unchecked ambition. Jeffery Skilling was proud of Enron once. As the film tells it, Skilling believed he was a "fucking smart" man. He saw Enron as a company full of smart people. It seemed to be a symbol of how dreams can conquer the constraints of reality.

Alternative Ways To Rock'N'Roll

The Jacobs School of Music at IU is highly regarded throughout the world for its in-depth instrumental and performance programs, as well as experienced and knowledgeable professors from prestigious schools of music all around the world. "It is considered the third best music school in the world, behind Berkeley and Juilliard," says Garrett Baker, a music major. "If you get a degree from this music school, you should pretty much be set for whatever you want to do."

'Two for the Money' is a good gamble

The business of sports gambling has no rules, except to win. Inspired by a true story, "Two For the Money" took audiences for a ride when it came out in theaters back in October, and now plans to do the same with it's recent release on DVD. Matthew McConaughey ("Sahara," "A Time To Kill") stars as former hotshot quarterback Brandon Lang, who works a lousy job making sports picks in Las Vegas until Walter Abrams (Al Pacino) comes a calling. In a matter of days, after getting a job offer from Abrams, Lang hops on a plane to New York in order to act as a gambling advisor making large sums under Abrams while also picking up a posh new life.

A songwriter's minor album

Releasing three albums in eight months is no easy task. Maybe that's why Ryan Adams sounds so tired on 29, the final album of his 2005 trilogy. After the breezy country-rock of Cold Roses and the more traditional twang of Jacksonville City Nights, 29 comes off as excessive and unnecessary, even for a guy who is known for being overly prolific.

Fayard Nicholas of famed brothers dancing duo dies at 91

LOS ANGELES - Fayard Nicholas, who with his brother Harold wowed the tap dancing world with their astonishing athleticism and inspired generations of dancers, from Fred Astaire to Savion Glover, has died. He was 91. Nicholas died Tuesday at his home from pneumonia and other complications of a stroke, his son Tony Nicholas said. "My dad put heaven on hold and now they can begin the show," the younger Nicholas said Wednesday. The Nicholas brothers were still boys when they were featured at New York's Cotton Club in 1932. Though young, they were billed as "The Show Stoppers" and despite the racial hurdles facing black performers, they went on to Broadway, then Hollywood.

Britney's man debuts rap album

NEW YORK - The rap debut of Kevin Federline -- known as K-Fed to some but to most as Mr. Britney Spears -- features only a snippet of his lyrical prowess. Given the response to it, even less might have been better. "PopoZao,"a Brazilian-inspired groove which features Federline rapping about large posteriors in-between a few yelps and a gruff-voiced chorus, made its debut on the Internet earlier this month. Though the track is three minutes long and Federline's rap lasts for less than a minute, it has already become a popular music track circulating on the Web.

Being fashionable is being logical

Sushi Bar offers more than fish

Hesitant to walk in because of its gloomy exterior appearance, we were pleasantly surprised to see a modern, well-decorated restaurant on the inside of Sushi Bar, 2522 E. 10th St. The dining room had an intimate feel with bamboo on the walls, accent lighting, private rooms and decorative wall coverings. The room also contained plasma televisions showing various sports games. We had never thought of combining sushi with a sports bar, but the fusion worked well and actually enhanced our experience. Our host greeted us warmly and seated us promptly, even though many patrons filled the dining room. When our waitress came back with our drinks, she awkwardly answered our questions about the contents and descriptions of each dish, not completely knowledgeable on the menu.

Artest meets with Pacers' officials, decides he's ready to be traded

INDIANAPOLIS - Ron Artest might be headed to Sacramento after all. ESPN reported Wednesday that a deal sending the volatile Indiana Pacers forward to the Kings for sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic was back on, pending approval of Sacramento owners Gavin and Joe Maloof. The report that Artest had agreed to the deal came a day after a reportedly "imminent" trade between the teams fell apart. Artest met with Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh on Wednesday at Conseco Fieldhouse and apparently agreed to go to Sacramento.

Pride films breakthrough onto the big screen

Keith Romaine, a Bloomington resident since 1991, attended last year's PRIDE Film Festival party and decided that, while it was nice, he could do better. With improvement in mind, he went to work, taking on the position of party coordinator for this year's festival. Romaine has hand-sewn more than 60 banners and silks, which he will use during the after-party to decorate the auditorium of the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, located at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., the site of this year's festival. Using fabric, food, drinks, music, dancing, and a man covered in chocolate Romaine hopes to "generate a queer celebratory space where creativity, play, acceptance, vitality and the carnivalesque are available to everyone."

An open note to Hollywood

January is almost over, but it's never too late for New Year's resolutions. Here's what Hollywood should consider trying in 2006. First, can we get rid of those unrated edition DVDs of R-rated movies? They're only like two minutes longer and not any funnier. Let's also get rid of celebrity couple name combinations. "Bennifer" made sense, but "Bradgelina" and "Vauniston" is overkill. Until we figure out a way to combine my name and Lindsay Lohan's, these celebrity blends need to stop. And speaking of Hollywood's fantastic four ... Brad and Angelina, don't give the baby a weird name, but do give it up for adoption. Brad, yes, you've been dying to be a dad, but that's going be one damn good looking kid, and once it's older it'll be a famous star like Mommy and Daddy. It won't be fair to poor Maddox and Zaharah.