Region

Tempers flare in Alito hearings

By Alyson Brodsy and Jesse J. Holland · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 11:12 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito was aggressively questioned Wednesday by Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee who accused him of inconsistencies dealing with issues ranging from voting rights to ethics to his membership in a conservative organization. On the third day of confirmation hearings, Democrats also expressed frustration as Alito described the landmark 1973 ruling legalizing abortion as "an important precedent" but declined to echo Chief Justice John Roberts, who has called it settled law. Republicans on the panel dismissed the criticism and defended Alito, President Bush's choice to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, as a conservative jurist with a solid 15-year record on the federal appeals court.

Bush defends spying progams

By Alyson Brodsy and Deb Riechmann · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 11:11 p.m.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- President Bush said Wednesday that congressional hearings to investigate his domestic eavesdropping program will be good for democracy as long as they don't give secrets away to the enemy. Bush was initially opposed to having the program investigated in a public format, but made it clear he is resigned to open hearings scheduled to begin in coming weeks. Bush's decision to authorize the National Security Agency to monitor -- without warrants -- people inside the United States has sparked a flurry of questions about the program's legal justification.

Facing the numbers

By Alyson Brodsy and Amy Obermeyer · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 11:09 p.m.

After the Jack Abramoff business we've been (rightfully) inundated with, government scandal has been a hot topic for pundits and the media. A recent CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll shows that 81 percent of voters find government corruption extremely or very important in the upcoming election. In a rare case of voter realism, the poll also showed that in the past month, 40 to 50 percent of respondents believe that most members of Congress are corrupt. I flirted with idealism for the briefest of moments, but I've resigned myself to the fact that, like always, more than 90 percent of them will be re-elected.

Sharon's last stand

By Alyson Brodsy and Brian Stewart · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 11:07 p.m.

In Jerusalem one day last summer, a Palestinian chauffeur drove me past the infamous security fence that divides Israel proper from the West Bank. Passing through the barbed wired no-man's-land into the Palestinian-controlled sector, I reflected on Ariel Sharon's historic sacrifice of Greater Israel to ensure that Israel remains great.

Horse sex and politics

By Alyson Brodsy and Ayesha Awan · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 11:06 p.m.

Five of The Seattle Times' Top 20 most read stories of 2005 had to do with ... Can you guess? Iraq? Supreme Court Nominee Samuel Alito? Terrorism? The torture of prisoners in the War on Terror? Nope. Reasonably intelligent guesses, but the sad truth is the No. 1 story on that list -- as well as four others -- had to do with horse sex. Yes, you read it correctly. They had to do with a man having sex with a horse. On July 2, 2005, police were called to investigate a man who died of a perforated colon from having sex with a horse at a farm outside of Enumclaw, Wash. This led them to a farm in the area which was a popular destination for people wanting to engage in bestiality, or sexual activity with animals.

busting out block from buster

By Larry Walters · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 9:28 p.m.

It has been an exhausting week of no longer being able to sleep in, being out late to catch up with friends and getting back into the daily grind of class. And now, all students want to do is relax. What better way to unwind by renting a movie? To avoid pricey rentals and hidden late fees here are some alternative places to rent your favorite movies without the hassle or venture beyond your favorite genre and try something new.

A triumphant love story

By Alyson Brodsy and Olivia Morales · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 8:52 p.m.

There are typical love stories and then there are actual love stories. Every once in a great while, someone makes an actual love story into a film. Ang Lee's ("The Ice Storm," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") "Brokeback Mountain" is the type of actual love story that might leave you breathless. Lee has been a filmmaking acrobat from day one of his directing career, leaping from genre to genre with the fluidity of a professional gymnast. His films have explored people in love in different eras, countries and social circumstances.

Weekends on the rocks

By Michael Mellini and Mike Mellini · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 8:35 p.m.

As winter approaches many IU students become more hesitant when it comes to going out at night into the cold. And while the Bloomington bar scene may not be far from most off-campus housing, there is often a walk involved for the weekend bar-hopper. But when the temperature drops lower than the legal drinking age, some begin to question whether or not it's worth enduring the brrr for the beer. Some students believe coat checks would be convenient at bars throughout the winter months.

"Stone" hits rock bottom despite great cast

By Alyson Brodsy and Greg Schoenbaechler · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 8:32 p.m.

Ripping off the famous "family meets the significant other" story plot, "The Family Stone" is about Meredith Morton's (Sarah Jessica Parker) attempt to win over her boyfriend's family over the Christmas holiday. Through the many tests the family throws at them, Meredith and her boyfriend, Everett (Dermot Mulroney), question whether they are made for one another. While "The Family Stone" features a great cast anyone can appreciate, there isn't another aspect of the film to compliment the stars. The writing is poor at best as it never establishes some of the character's personalities. This winter I would recommend one to take a trip to see their own family rather than to see this family bomb.

Carrey comedy is anything but fun

By Alyson Brodsy and Doug Evans · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 8:30 p.m.

As far as Jim Carrey comedies go, "Fun with Dick and Jane" is not one of his finest. While there are moments of classic Carrey slapstick humor, the film relies too heavily on cheap laughs and practical jokes to be truly funny. 'Dick and Jane' is the story of a middle class family living the American dream, until one day when Dick Harper's (Carrey) company takes an Enron-esque plunge. He and his wife (Leoni) then decide to rob banks in silly costumes and set up Carrey's filthy rich ex-boss (Alec Baldwin).

Beauty over substance

By -Kehla West and Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 8:28 p.m.

For fans of Arthur Golden's sumptuous book, "Memoirs of a Geisha" offers up a virtual smorgasbord of eye candy -- it's simply beautiful to look at. But unlike the artfully coy geishas, under the film's beauty, there's not a lot of substance. Trying to cram the epic novel into a two-and-a-half-hour long movie is understandably difficult, but the screenwriters focused more on hitting all the appropriate plot points rather than providing depth of feeling. It would have also been more useful to newcomers had the touching end line not been given away in the trailer.

A puzzling, but worthy film

By Alyson Brodsy and Tony Sams · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 8:27 p.m.

On first viewing, it might take you a little while to figure out what's going on in writer-director Stephen Gaghan's "Syriana," but once the seams come off and the film becomes whole, it's a worthwhile experience. It's a complex, fascinating and sobering movie with stories about American interests in oil abroad, and the various interlocking lives of the many different people affected. George Clooney, Matt Damon, Chris Cooper and Jeffrey Wright all give strong performances as players absorbed into the wildcard game.

Spielberg reinvents self with 'Munich'

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Wisner · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 8:25 p.m.

Despite its lengthy pacing and somewhat underdeveloped characters, Steven Spielberg's "Munich" allows the director to finally reinvent himself and break free of the Frank Capra-esque mold which encased so much of his work. Spielberg's take on the Israeli backlash towards the 1972 Olympic murders is one visceral gut-punch of equally mixed tightrope thriller and paranoia-laden plight, where the hunters quite possibly have become the hunted.

Jackson's latest epic stuns

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 8:15 p.m.

Not since Boris Karloff's performance in 1935's "Bride of Frankenstein" have audiences felt such sympathy for an intimidating movie monster. Andy Serkis and WETA Digital surpass those heights in Peter Jackson's ("The Lord of the Rings Trilogy") latest three-hour-plus opus, and Naomi Watts deserves praise for portraying Kong's muse so delightfully and convincingly.

Advanced Holiday Gifts

By Alyson Brodsy and Mary P. Hansel · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 8:01 p.m.

How was break? We've all been asked this question. For most, it ends with an "eh…it was alright. And you?" There is no reason to go into specifics. Explaining how we spent hours with our parents, hung out with old friends and ate too much cheesecake just isn't really necessary. But what happened to the time where the first day back to school was exciting? When seeing our friends was something we looked forward to. Well it could have something to do with those lovely presents!

Revisiting a 'broken' life

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 7:57 p.m.

Jim Jarmusch, the writer/director of such indie darlings as "Stranger Than Paradise," "Down By Law" and "Dead Man," tries his hand at quirky self-exploration in "Broken Flowers" with intriguing results. Bill Murray ("Lost in Translation," "Caddyshack") stars as Don Johnston, a fifty-something former Casanova who was once rich in women and technology money, but now faces a lonely existence in his cold, modern abode. One random day he receives an anonymous letter from an old flame telling him he has a 19-year-old son who is now looking for him. This news sparks his Ethiopian amateur sleuth neighbor (Jeffrey Wright) to assist Don in seeking out all five women he dated approximately 20 years ago.

Foxx brings the naughty

By Alyson Brodsy and Cordell Eddings · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 7:53 p.m.

Next up to attempt entertainment industry domination? Jamie Foxx. With an Oscar already on his mantle, and the success of "Golddigger," the amazingly successful collaboration with Kanye West, a solo album seemed inevitable. Funny how things change. In a former life Jamie Foxx played himself on a TV sitcom about a struggling singer living and working at his families hotel to make ends meet. Sadly the show was canceled seemingly sending Foxx into the ocean of obscurity that has swallowed up the careers of so many promising talents starved for exposure.

Mary J's 'Breakthrough' Gospel

By Alyson Brodsy and Cordell Eddings · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 7:51 p.m.

The Queen of soul and R&B is back in her latest release which unleashes a fiery ball of raw emotional honesty, brutal truths, headbangers and tear wrenching tales of hope. Mary J. bares her insecurities, joys and soul on her newest release The Breakthrough, showing she still has the guts and the will to give herself to the public. Few female R&B stars have been able to achieve legend status without gimmicks, constant club jams or the occasional booty shaking.

Third Strokes album falls short

By Alyson Brodsy and Ty Schrock · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 7:49 p.m.

With all that has been said and written about The Strokes, it's hard to blame them for becoming the most self-conscious band in rock. The crush of expectations, hype and backlash surely has to weigh on their minds, and being branded the "saviors of rock" has always been an impossible label to live up to. Up to this point, none of that talk has really mattered though. The only thing that did matter was that The Strokes were a fresh and exciting young band that put out two great records.

Dysfunctional family, dysfunctional film

By Alyson Brodsy and Tony Sams · Wednesday, Jan. 11,2006 7:46 p.m.

The trend to make characters in films wholly unlikable is one that I'm not sure I'll ever understand. There is a lot of ground to be gained by making characters 99 percent unlikable, with a glimmer of hope or redemption. But if a writer or director can't reel the audience in, all could be lost, as it is in Noah Baumbach's ("Mr. Jealousy," co-writer "The Life Aquatic") insufferable "The Squid and The Whale." I suppose "likable" is in the eye of the beholder.