Community Arts

'Tears' shed as timely war movie dies hard

By -Alec Toombs · Thursday, March 13,2003 12 a.m.

Tears of the Sun" is one of the worst movies I've seen in sometime. The only real compliment I could bestow upon this ethnocentric, feature-length, militaristic recruitment ad is that it's timely. But that is also its greatest drawback. In attempting to embrace issues pertinent to an audience on the verge of war, while simultaneously eschewing such matters in favor of poorly executed sequences of mindless combat, "Tears" squanders what little credibility it had.

Robocop needs to recharge

By Jason Gaddis · Thursday, March 13,2003 12 a.m.

Some franchises just need to die. What was once an exciting and innovative silver-screen trilogy is now delegated to the ranks of a low-budget television miniseries. It's about time Alex Murphy (aka Robocop) hung up the helmet once and for all, or at least turn the series over to someone younger who can put a new twist on the series. "Robocop Dark Justice: Prime Directives" is the first part in a miniseries unofficially dubbed "Robocop 4." But calling it that is an insult to the movies that came before it. Set in Delta City, the story follows the struggle of a corporate-controlled police department.

Music police should arrest rap-rock album

By Jason Gaddis · Thursday, March 13,2003 12 a.m.

Sex, drugs and more sex: Hot Action Cop's schtick gets old after about thirty seconds. While some genres improve over time as artists try to do more with it, rap-rock doesn't. It's been a commercial genre from the beginning and each new artist is consistently worse. Hot Action Cop's sound is stolen straight from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, with simpler, heavier guitars and no bass talent whatsoever.

Fighting terrorism on PlayStation 2

By -Mitch Nelson · Thursday, March 13,2003 12 a.m.

When Sony Computer Entertainment created "SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALS" they wanted to produce a flagship game that was so realistic and fun that every video game fan wanted a copy -- and they succeeded. This game for the Playstation 2 console is an ultrarealistic first-person-shooter that gives gamers the command of four Navy SEALS on 12 top secret missions to rid the world of terrorism and protect America from our nation's enemies. This game is unparalleled in its realism, and with over thirty weapons and the remote exotic locations it never loses its flair.

An exchange of virtues

By Ryan Allen · Thursday, March 13,2003 12 a.m.

I had a socio-musical epiphany over winter break. And with spring break rapidly approaching, I feel it is now an appropriate time to share this insight. Unlike most of my realizations, which usually occur in the bathroom, this one came to me under slightly different circumstances. I believe it hit me approximately five minutes after I got off the ship in Jamaica on the last day of the year 2002. As Americans, we are truly out of our element in most foreign countries. To put it bluntly, we are often parodies of ourselves when surrounded by these environments. Musically, we are even more inept, for often we fail to realize how useful a tool music can be.

Sex and the Cinema

By by Isaac Edwards and Isaac Edwards · Thursday, March 13,2003 12 a.m.

It brings a blush to some and a twinkle of mischievousness to the eyes of others. It can be colorblind in the most beautiful ways and is something shared by all races. Its versatility in emotion is unmatched. It can be soft and tender. It can be rough and raucous. It can be purely divine or it could be tragically hellish. It drastically affects the world in which we live and if you're reading this article, it's because people you know partake in the process. From the most feeble minds to our greatest thinkers, sex is something that has intrigued the entirety of humanity. Artists have used sex to explore the never-ending intricacies of the human condition, ranging from a comedy of errs to the pinnacle of passionate expression. The world of film, which is no exception, has had an interesting, if not convoluted history concerning human sexuality.

Comedic acting saves 'House' from cliché

By -Paul Straw · Thursday, March 13,2003 12 a.m.

"Bringing Down the House" is the typical fish-out-of-water story about two characters who try to exist outside their elements. Lonely in love after his divorce, Peter Sanderson (Steve Martin) takes to the internet and finds Charlene (Queen Latifah). But the picture that is sent to Peter features a white female lawyer in the foreground and Charlene getting arrested is in the background. Thus the appearance of Charlene upon their first meeting takes Peter by surprise.

Band blends Russian roots with bluegrass

By K James Sward · Thursday, March 13,2003 12 a.m.

Let's say six Russian kids, all in their twenties, flew into Nashville with dreams of making country music and performing at the Grand Ole Opry. What would you say? Unlikely? Absurd? For the six members of Bering Strait, these dreams have already come true. The group was nominated this year for a Grammy for "Best Country Instrumental Performance."

Bloomington bowling alleys develop community, skill

By -Brandon Tucker · Thursday, March 13,2003 12 a.m.

Some come for the sport, some come for the camaraderie, but all come for a good time. Bloomington's bowling lanes have been home to just about everything the sport of bowling could offer, and Bloomington residents have been enjoying its unique mix of sport and camaraderie for years.

Return of the 'Modfather'

By Seth Forster · Thursday, March 13,2003 12 a.m.

Paul Weller's latest release seems to have gone tragically unnoticed. This time out, the former frontman of '70s/early '80s "mod" rockers The Jam has combined his love for soul music and early British rock with the punk flavorings of his former band. Illumination stands out by itself as being one of the best straightforward rock albums of the past few years. On the title track, Weller delivers a pure, simple love song and later an instrumental track proves that he's learned to use his voice as an instrument as well as a vehicle for his great songwriting.

Hersh once again finds her 'muse'

By -Val Tsoutsouris · Thursday, March 13,2003 12 a.m.

If Kristin Hersh has used her solo career to further show off her pensive, spooky side, she uses her band Throwing Muses to show off her rocking side. The Muses are one of those bands that actually got better once they signed to a major label, as their work became less esoteric and more accessible. 1992's Red Heaven was darn near a hard rock record with Bob Mould wailing away in a guest spot.

Brehm addresses diversity

By Adam Aasen and Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, March 12,2003 11:47 p.m.

Complete Copy of Speech Nearly a year after students protested a controversial Benton mural panel, IUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm reported Tuesday on the problems and successes in diversity as part of the campus's first annual "State of Diversity" address.

Let the madness commence

By Joe Ptak · Wednesday, March 12,2003 11:27 p.m.

I'm in a state of ecstasy. I feel as if my arms are spread and Leonardo DiCaprio's clenching me tightly at the bow of the Titanic. And it's all because March Madness has finally arrived! It's the most wonderful time of the year.

Supporting the attack

By Pedro Pontual · Wednesday, March 12,2003 11:25 p.m.

When Hitler helped put the ruthless Franco in power in Spain, nobody complained. Hitler occupied Austria and annexed Czechoslovakia, and people were still trying diplomacy. Only when Hitler invaded Poland was war declared by France and Britain.

Iraq the Casbah

By Rory Starks · Wednesday, March 12,2003 11:24 p.m.

When I heard last week about Stephen Downs being arrested for refusing to remove his anti-war T-shirt, I was appalled. I read several stories about the event because I just couldn't believe it was true.

Nuclear Korea needs attention

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, March 12,2003 11:23 p.m.

On a routine surveillance mission March 2, a U.S. aircraft flew in international airspace about 150 miles off the Korean peninsula when four armed North Korean MiGs approached and flew within 50 feet of the plane for 20 minutes, U.S. officials said.

Rumors spread of bin Laden capture

By Alyson Brodsy and Kathy Gannon · Wednesday, March 12,2003 10:50 p.m.

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- The United States and its allies have intensified searches along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan for terrorists they fear may respond to war against Iraq with attacks, intelligence sources say.

Leader of Milosevic opposition killed in Belgrade

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, March 12,2003 10:49 p.m.

BELGRADE, Serbia-Montenegro -- Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic -- a key leader of the revolt that toppled former President Slobodan Milosevic in October 2000 -- was assassinated Wednesday by gunmen who ambushed him outside the government complex, police sources said.

Residents out of gas

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, March 12,2003 10:45 p.m.

Indiana's natural gas utilities have warned thousands of customers across the state that they face having their service cut off because of overdue balances.

State senator bids for governor

By Alyson Brodsy and Mike Smith · Wednesday, March 12,2003 10:44 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Promising to make openness, accessibility and consensus-building the hallmarks of her administration, Democratic state Sen. Vi Simpson formally announced her candidacy for governor Wednesday. "Hoosiers want a governor who knows how to get things done," Simpson told more than 150 cheering supporters at the Statehouse. "And you know what?