Community Arts

COURTESY PHOTO
Trigorin (junior Josh Hambrock) and Nina (junior Justine Salata) share their love in "The Seagull" presented by the IU Department of Theatre and Drama in the Ruth N. Halls Theatre.

Think 'Jumanji' in space

By Alyson Brodsy and Olivia Morales · Thursday, Nov. 17,2005 12 a.m.

Chris Van Allsburg is quite possibly one of the most inventive children's authors of all time. His stories combine artistry with fantastical story elements in a way that is breathtaking. "Jumanji," a 1994 Robin Williams vehicle based on Van Allsburg's book, was a special effects bonanza featuring a board game that sucked its players into an African jungle. It is fair to say that Jon Favreau's adaptation of Van Allsburg's "Zathura" is basically "Jumanji" in space.

Japan's movie masterpiece

By Chris Wisner and compiled by Chris Wisner · Thursday, Nov. 17,2005 12 a.m.

Kenji Mizoguchi's "Ugetsu," a film often treated as the "Citizen Kane" of Japan's cinematic history, is quite possibly one of the longest overdue DVD releases since the technology was created. Originally released by the Criterion Collection on laserdisc many years ago, Criterion now releases "Ugetsu" on DVD.

Is it supposed to hurt?

By Alyson Brodsy and Diana Glozman · Thursday, Nov. 17,2005 12 a.m.

Are you ready to listen to some serious growling mixed in with a few soothing lyrics about suicide? From Autumn to Ashes, self-proclaimed "metalcore" music takes a hybrid approach to mix metal, rock and emo. Get ready to bang your head into some concrete walls. The album starts out with distorted riffs which bleed into Benjamin Perri's screaming in "Where Do You Draw the Line." What's really amazing about this band is that the drummer actually does the main vocals. Francis Mark manages to cool down the growl fest by throwing in some emo vocals.

Couldn't be better if it were made of chocolate

By Alyson Brodsky and Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Nov. 17,2005 12 a.m.

Tim Burton strikes gold by bringing back to life the world of Willy Wonka. But unlike the original, Burton creates the story through his eyes. And because it showcases the bizarre signature style of its director, Burton once again delivers. At the same time, he also creates a film, unlike his others, that is optimistic. And what would a Tim Burton film be without over-the-top imagery and bizarre characters?

Satire city: Kill, kill, kill

By Alyson Brodsy and Evan Ross · Thursday, Nov. 17,2005 12 a.m.

Last month, satire as we know it ended. The ability to joke at other's expenses died with a whisper out in California with the stroke of a pen. Why, you may ask? Because California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed bill AB1179 into law. That bill will make it illegal to rent "violent video games" to children. This includes game that features "the range of options available to a player includes killing, maiming, dismembering or sexually assaulting an image of a human being."

Faculty vote to review Herbert as IU president

By Mike Malik · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 8:26 p.m.

The continuing tension between IU President Adam Herbert and the Bloomington campus faculty escalated Tuesday night at the first special session of the Bloomington faculty in almost 20 years as members approved resolutions to have the trustees review Herbert's job performance. Documents Letter from President Adam Herbert to faculty Opening remarks from professor Theodore Miller Open letter to the faculty from professor Kevin Brown

TORNADO WARNINGS disrupt CAMPUS

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 7:49 p.m.

Tornado warning sirens blared three times Tuesday, sending students scrambling into bottom floors and basements throughout campus. Sirens sounded in the afternoon and early evening because of tornado warnings for Monroe County issued by the National Weather Service throughout the day. The NWS issued the first watch for severe storms and tornadoes at 3:30 p.m., according to a severe weather statement. Tornado warnings later prompted sirens at about 4 p.m. Doppler radar reports at 6:50 p.m. indicated a tornado over northwestern Lawrence County, moving toward eastern Monroe County. A tornado watch for the county was issued until 10 p.m. Tuesday.

Fired campus bus driver had history of auto accidents

By Michael Sanserino · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 7:28 p.m.

The IU bus driver arrested Nov. 5 for allegedly driving while under the influence caused two accidents in two weeks prior to her arrest, according to an IU Police Department accident report and Campus Bus Service Director Jim Hosler. According to the IUPD report, IU bus driver Robyn C. Griffith sideswiped a car in Memorial Stadium's White Lot the evening of Oct. 24. She also hit a tree Nov. 4 on Indiana Avenue, causing extensive damage to IU bus No. 647, Hosler said.

Fasting for the First Time

By Grace Low · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 7:26 p.m.

Euphoric. That's how Laila Prescott felt when she put on the hajab for the first time. The hajab, or head-covering, is central to the identity of many Muslim women and represents Islam's overwhelming respect for women and reverence of modesty.

Pujols tops Lee, Jones for NL MVP

By Alyson Brodsy and Ronald Blum · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 7:25 p.m.

NEW YORK -- Albert Pujols started his career with four startling seasons, equal or better than those of many Hall of Famers. Only Barry Bonds always did better -- until this year. Pujols won his first National League MVP award Tuesday, beating Andruw Jones in a close vote that didn't include Bonds, who missed most of the season because of a knee injury.

Socializing, snow bring IU Ski Club together

By Joel Sanders and Joel Sansers · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 6:57 p.m.

Although southern Indiana isn't known for its ski and snowboarding communities, the IU Ski Club manages to bring together winter recreation and social activity. "I love the Ski Club because everyone's so chill," sophomore Kiri Crane said. "It's just an awesome, laid back group of people that are all brought together by something we love: snow." The club always tries to have some type of an event, whether it is a barbecue, social party or a lake outing every two weeks. In addition to the events, the club also plans weekly outings to nearby ski resort Paoli Peaks. However, for the members of the club, nothing tops the yearly trip they take to a major ski and snowboarding resort.

Department holds meetings across state to discuss time zones

By Jamie Ward · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 6:56 p.m.

TERRE HAUTE -- The Department of Transportation is visiting Indiana this week gathering information to help determine the appropriate time zone for 17 counties. In the second of four hearings Monday night at Indiana State University's Hulman Center in Terre Haute, the DOT heard arguments from proponents of both Eastern and Central time. In keeping with Hoosier history, impassioned rhetoric was offered on both sides of the debate concerning a highly contentious statewide issue -- the correct time for Indiana.

Davis sets desired return dates for 3 Hoosiers, adds recruit

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 6:55 p.m.

IU coach Mike Davis set tentative return dates for all three of his sidelined players Tuesday after practice. Pending any unforeseen complications, Davis said he hopes to have sophomore guard A.J. Ratliff back in uniform by the Nov. 26 game at Western Illinois University. Ratliff has been shooting, dribbling and passing in practice for more than a week with the assistance of a protective cast on his right hand. Junior guard Rod Wilmont will be out of street clothes by Friday night's season opener and should see court time by Monday's game against Florida A & M University. Wilmont hasn't played in either of the Hoosiers' two exhibition games because of "in house" issues. But as Davis joked at practice, he has "taken the braces off (Wilmont's) ankles."

Hoosiers retool, earn No. 10 preseason rank

By John Wustrow · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 6:54 p.m.

After a successful season, many teams use the offseason to rebuild and repeat the success they had the previous season. The IU wrestling team, which finished ninth in last season's NCAA tournament is different. Rather than rebuilding, it has renovated its team in an attempt to finish stronger and has earned a No. 10 preseason ranking. "We have good talent back and some good young talent coming in," IU coach Duane Goldman said.

The new Cold War

By Patrick Schoettmer · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 6:53 p.m.

On Veterans Day, President Bush spoke before the nation. The topic of his speech was, perhaps unavoidably, Iraq and his "War on Terror." Our president decided to use the opportunity to formalize what seems to be our new cold war. President Bush spent about a third of his speech directly comparing what he terms "Islamic radicalism" with communism and the regimes of Maoist China, Soviet Russia and the Khmer Rouge of Cambodia. He went to great lengths to tie the ideology of al-Qaida and affiliated organizations with the ideology of our cold war nemesis. Even setting aside what I believe to be errors in the president's assessment of the situation, I find characterizing this conflict as "Cold War II" to be deeply problematic.

Senate GOP rejects call for Iraq war pullout plan

By Alyson Brodsy and Liz Sidoti · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 6:52 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- The GOP-controlled Senate rejected a Democratic call Tuesday for a timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops from Iraq but urged President Bush to outline his plan for "the successful completion of the mission" in a bill reflecting a growing bipartisan unease with his Iraq policies.

Super senior times ... nine?

By Megan Robb · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 6:51 p.m.

The New York Times last week ran a front-page article on Johnny Lechner -- an undergraduate in his 12th year at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater who doesn't plan to graduate any time soon. Although he has earned enough credits to graduate with four majors, Lechner has never applied for graduation. Not only that, but companies like National Lampoon are supporting the super senior by paying his tuition, hoping to capitalize on his image as a figurehead of the party-hard philosophy.

173 detainees found tortured in Bagdad

By Alyson Brodsy and Bassem Mroue · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 6:50 p.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraq's prime minister said Tuesday that 173 Iraqi detainees -- malnourished and showing signs of torture -- were found at an Interior Ministry basement lockup seized by U.S. forces in Baghdad. The discovery appeared to validate Sunni complaints of abuse by the Shiite-controlled ministry.

Alito plays down abortion statements

By Alyson Brodsy and Jesse J. Holland · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 6:49 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- The Samuel Alito who argued against abortion rights in 1985 was "an advocate seeking a job" with the conservative Reagan administration, the Alito who is now a Supreme Court nominee told Democrats Tuesday.

Yay for Turkey Day

By Matt Peyton · Wednesday, Nov. 16,2005 6:49 p.m.

You know what's so great about Thanksgiving? Everything. Think about it, a holiday (+50 points) where you get together with family and friends (+/- 5 points, depending on the circumstances), eat a ton of food (+20 points) and feel all sentimental about what you're thankful for (+20 points). You don't have to agree with my point system, but anyway you slice it, Thanksgiving leaves you wanting seconds.