Community Arts

'Amityville' one 'Horror' of a film

Some people believe that the spirits of the dead who have yet to atone for past crimes still stalk the Earth, bound until they make up for their sins. Maybe "The Amityville Horror" is evidence of this phenomenon. It all started with a less than tolerable 1979 film based on an allegedly true story of a Long Island family moving into a good old haunted house.

Almodóvar's erotic 'Education'

Pedro Almodóvar's (of "Talk to Her" fame) newest film, "Bad Education," is a campy noir thriller told through three interwoven stories. The first is the story of Enrique (Fele Martinéz), a film director, who is paid a visit by Ignacio, his grade school friend and first love. Ignacio (Gael García Bernal), now an actor, has a script he wants Enrique to read partially based on their relationship in grade school. The second story takes place in the imagination of Enrique as he reads the script.

'Hotel' boasts great acting, so-so DVD extras

The 1994 genocide of the Tutsis minority by the Hutu extremists in Rwanda is the central focus of Irish filmmaker Terry George's "Hotel Rwanda," a film of significant emotional power undercut by made-for-tv conventions.

Who stole all the special features?

"Ocean's Twelve," Steven Soderbergh's recent follow-up to the 2001 remake, "Ocean's Eleven," was a box-office hit and now it's looking to gain some more cash on DVD. The hype and familiarity of a sequel always guarantees a good audience, and "Ocean's Twelve" didn't disappoint; mainly because Soderbergh didn't try to stray from the formula that proved successful in the first film.

Film salvaged from house fire gets cut to needed length

After spending Easter weekend with his family in New Albany, Ind., Adam Carroll returned to Bloomington to find every homeowner's nightmare: His house caught fire. "I should be really upset," Carroll said. "But what does being upset get me?"

The same old Garbage

Garbage formed in 1993 amidst a flurry of similar established acts like Sonic Youth and My Bloody Valentine, but while those bands relied totally on their minimalistic walls of sound and brooding lyrics, Garbage infused their tracks with serious pop hooks that, while radio-friendly, didn't insult their fans' intelligence. With producer extraordinaire Butch Vig controlling the boards and edgy Scottish chanteuse Shirley Manson's come-hither vocals everpresent, Garbage's self-titled debut became an MTV staple during the "Buzz Bin" era. Their two following discs, Version 2.0 and Beautiful Garbage, had their hits, but were generally panned.

An all-student spectacle in "Pal Joey"

Moribund metal music

Back when I was a freshman in high school, Mudvayne and I had a rocky start. I can remember listening to L.D. 50 and thinking it was boring and uninspired. I gave them a second chance, taking the advice of a friend who said to listen more closely to the music, and somehow it all clicked.

Iraqi officials walk out of session in protest

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Iraqi lawmakers adjourned in protest Tuesday and demanded an apology after a Shiite legislator linked to a radical anti-American cleric tearfully said he was handcuffed and humiliated at a U.S. checkpoint. It was the third consecutive day that Iraq's interim parliament was sidetracked from its job of setting up a government and writing a constitution.

Oklahoma bombing victims remembered

OKLAHOMA CITY -- With 168 moments of silence and the message that good can overcome evil, victims of the worst act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history were remembered Tuesday at the Oklahoma City National Memorial. About 1,600 people inside the First United Methodist Church fell silent for 168 seconds at 9:02 a.m., the moment the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was destroyed exactly 10 years earlier. Some brought teddy bears and flowers to be placed at the memorial, which includes 168 empty chairs symbolizing the human cost.

Bill requires ultrasound before abortion

INDIANAPOLIS -- Abortion providers must tell women about the availability of ultrasound imaging before ending their pregnancies under a bill Gov. Mitch Daniels signed into law Tuesday. The bill requires healthcare providers to present a pregnant woman with information on ultrasounds and the ability to hear fetal heartbeats. Daniels signed it into law at the Statehouse before going to Evansville for an anti-abortion banquet Tuesday night.

Pop star Spears' prego pandemonium

Britney Spears has done it all -- sold millions of records, traveled across the world and back, gotten married (twice) and kissed Madonna. But as the pop princess has said in tabloid rags she hasn't done the one thing that will put her close to God and give her what every little girl dreams of -- have a baby. Well thank the Lord above, Brit and her hubby of almost nine months, Kevin Federline, have been blessed with a bun in the oven. According to what Britney has been saying to the media she's now at the perfect age to be a mommy.

Democrat: GOP must resolve budget differences to gain bipartisan support

INDIANAPOLIS -- Republicans who rule the House and Senate must resolve their own differences on a new two-year state budget plan before seeking support from Democrats, House Minority Leader Patrick Bauer said Tuesday. "First there has to be partisan support," the South Bend Democrat said, suggesting that current GOP budget plans would have difficulty winning any support from House Democrats.

New delivery car cuts emissions

Pizza Express has bought into a "big" advancement in environmental technology -- and they don't seem to mind that its dwarfed by virtually all vehicles with which it shares the road. The campus store has introduced a zero-emission electric car for food deliveries, one that in size more resembles a go-cart.

Royale with cheese

As an American currently living in Spain, I have become very perceptive to the differences between the United States and Europe. Sure, most people in my position will tell you their horror stories about being fed weird exotic dishes, or how they had a run-in with some crazy locals. (I might add that since being here I have tried almost every part of the pig imaginable, and encountered numerous crazy locals, who enjoy taunting Americans with obscenities and chasing pigeons in the plaza on a regular basis.) But I've decided to write about the subtle differences across the Atlantic, mainly those regarding popular culture. To quote Vincent Vega, "It's the little things."

Kick me while I'm down

Since the IU board of trustees announced Thursday its intention to allow the continuation of the athletics fee, I've been struggling somewhere between hurt and bitter. It's like the athletics department has punched me in the stomach, and then, not only asked me to smile about it, but to comfort it on its sore knuckles.

Bugs Bunny and potatoes

Toby is a rabbit. Toby has furry ears. Toby likes to eat carrots. Toby is going to die. If you go to the Web site www.Savetoby.com, you can learn all about this cute rabbit, which, unless his owner is paid $50,000 by June 30, will be "[taken] to a butcher and slaughtered."

Another one bites the dust

Last weekend, I was victimized by the sidewalk along Seventh Street. There I was, an innocent civilian, walking along, having a jolly good time. But I never had a chance. I never saw it coming, the evil menace to pedestrians everywhere: uneven terrain. My usual grace failed me, and I knew I was going down. Within a matter of seconds, I was face-to-face with concrete.

Show us the wasted money

If it seems like IU gets more expensive every year, you're not imagining things. Administration officials revealed at a forum last week that tuition for the 2005-2006 school year will be raised. This comes on the heels of a 4-percent raise for the 2004-2005 school year. The exact amount of the tuition hike is uncertain at this point, but it will be anywhere up to 4.9 percent for undergraduates. The increase might be even more for graduate and professional students.

Union studios offer artistic classes

When the day ends and students head home to do homework, some head to the Indiana Memorial Union's Studios, formally known as the Creative Learning Center. Students like senior Megan Barchet come to the Union Studios to express their artistic side in a classroom setting. Though these classes do not provide credit, they offer a fun and relaxing atmosphere.