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The Indiana Daily Student

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The Indiana Daily Student

This 'Block' is hot

By Alyson Brodsy and Eric Smith · Thursday, March 23,2006 12 a.m.

Michel Gondry's documentary of the Brooklyn block party may have been disappointing for those of you hoping to hear two hours of that Rick James impression you do so well. Thankfully, the music-focused film is available in a portable audio format for the rest of us. The Block Party Soundtrack is a relatively comprehensive account of the September 2004 event. The performances of hip-hop saviors like The Roots, Common, Blackstar and Erykah Badu on the same stage make a formidable reunion. It seems as though Dave Chappelle is about the only personality with the power to bring together this collection of superstars who used to play with one another in New York-area hip-hop clubs.

The Indiana Daily Student

Horror remake gets lost in the 'hills'

By Alyson Brodsy and Matt McMullan · Thursday, March 23,2006 12 a.m.

Let me tell you why "The Hills Have Eyes" sucked. You start off with an idea. In this case, that idea is "remakes are produced because those involved -- producers, directors, screenwriters, actors -- loved the original film." They want to pay homage to it and add their unique interpretation to a cool story. What they reproduce could be anything: a love story, comedy, drama, or yes, a horror film. Ah, the horror film. Nothing seems to be more often "reinterpreted" than the horror film. Every year, some new jackass director fresh off of filming a Sprite commercial gets the rights to remake a classic. Happens all the time.

The Indiana Daily Student

Formulaic film somehow fails to be a dud

By Alyson Brodsy and Jonathan Daugherty · Thursday, March 23,2006 12 a.m.

They're referred to as 'adultescents,' 'the boomerang generation' and 'kidults.' Their situation is called 'failure to launch.' A new movie, "Failure to Launch," is based on this real-life trend and it stars Matthew McConaughey as Tripp, a 35-year-old living with good ol' mom and dad. Emmy Award winner Sarah Jessica Parker plays Tripp's love interest, Paula, in only her second starring role since finishing "Sex and the City." Parker's character, a professional consultant/interventionist/girlfriend hired to get Tripp out of his parents' house, is a bit off-putting for this "lovely" star, but hey, we still love her.

The Indiana Daily Student

No first place finish here

By Alyson Brodsy and Josh Garfinkel · Thursday, March 23,2006 12 a.m.

The tagline of "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" ("the true story of how a mother raised 10 kids on 25 words or less") suggests a much different plot than we are actually given in the film. Expectations are that Evelyn Ryan (Julianne Moore), the mother of 10 children, will turn to television and radio prize contests when money gets tight for her and her family. However, director Jane Anderson makes an interesting choice: instead of focusing the main conflict of the film on the family's poverty (this is dealt with, but only as the secondary conflict), Anderson decides to focus on the relationship between Evelyn and her husband, Kelly (Woody Harrelson).

Chris Pickrell

Root for the terrorist

By Alyson Brodsy and Tristan Mathews · Thursday, March 23,2006 12 a.m.

Fans of Alan Moore who were rightfully disappointed by adaptations of his graphic novels "From Hell" and "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" (the latter of which being the only movie I have ever walked out of the theater) can breath a sigh of relief: the Wachowski Brothers (of "Matrix" trilogy fame) produced it, James McTeigue directed it and "V for Vendetta" is sure to excite. The film acts as a retelling of the graphic novel, that thankfully doesn't attempt a straight adaptation. The Wachowski's, who wrote the script and produced the film, have a keen understanding for the characters and their world.

Ryan Dorgan

Brilliant film, lackluster DVD

By Alyson Brodsy and Greg Schoenbaechler · Thursday, March 23,2006 12 a.m.

Nominated for six Academy Awards including best picture, "Good Night, and Good Luck" is an extraordinary film fully deserving of all the hype. Unlike in previous films, superstar George Clooney wrote, directed and acted in this gem, which is different from movie that has come out in years. Based on a true story, "Good Night, and Good Luck" brings America back to the time when the thought of Communism struck fear in all Americans. In this era, even members of the media were afraid to take on the subject with the fear that Sen. Joseph McCarthy would target them as members of the Communist party.

David E. Corso

The suck hits DVD

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett · Thursday, March 23,2006 12 a.m.

"Jarhead" is not a war movie. It's even less of a war movie than "Three Kings," "Apocalypse Now," "The Deer Hunter" or "Full Metal Jacket" (which it most resembles). "Jarhead" is a movie about military indoctrination, conflicting moralities and under British director Sam Mendes' deft direction, it's a poignant statement about the current state of our military and its follies in the deserts of the Middle East. Based on former Marine Anthony Swofford's book about his experiences in bootcamp, Kuwait and Iraq in the first Gulf War, "Jarhead" nimbly avoids preachy politics, instead focusing on the effect the military, during wartime, has on the mind of the individual. Jake Gyllenhaal, capping off a red-letter year which included an Oscar-worthy performance as Jack Twist in "Brokeback Mountain," embodies Swofford with a bewildered fire in his eyes, a man forever scarred by his actions and lack of action in a war he doesn't fully understand.

Sentinel plays at a local venue. The local band will be playing at Rhino’s this Saturday.

Seminal Sentinel

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Green · Thursday, March 23,2006 12 a.m.

There are a lot of underground bands that hail from Bloomington. One band that is quickly rising to the top in popularity is Sentinel, it's a metal band that is turning heads and slashing its way through town, consistently playing shows everywhere it can. Sentinel was formed out of the ashes of a band called Section 8, which was a four-piece band for about two or three months. The band started by vocalist Zach Norris and guitarist Cody Burgess. They then picked up Jacob Benson on bass and Caleb Caudill on guitar.

Students can choose from a wide variety of bikes at Bloomington Power Sports on South Walnut Ave. Anne Rebeck

The Need For Speed

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Green · Thursday, March 23,2006 12 a.m.

Tired of walking to class and wondering about the shiny things that speed past cars everyday down 10th Street? Wish your bicycle had a motor? Motorcycles are becoming an extremely popular form of transportation on campus. There's the tough-guy Harley; the street-racer crotch-rocket, which is a type of sports bike; and then the casual-riding Vespa, a type of motor scooter that originated in Italy. All can be seen on campus zipping around while other students walk.

Chris Pickrell

Party Police

By IDS staff and Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, March 23,2006 12 a.m.

Jarrod Thuener is otherwise known as "Captain Artie" to friends such as Scott Freedman. "It differentiates him much like his mustache," Freedman says about Thuener's nickname. "It's more enjoyable." But what Thuener is best known for is a work van he received from his father; a boxy, white Ford E150, which he and his friends converted into what they call the "The Fun Vehicle," "Fun Police Van" or for short, "The FUV."

The Indiana Daily Student

Party Police

By IDS staff and Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, March 22,2006 10:21 p.m.

Jarrod Thuener is otherwise known as "Captain Artie" to friends such as Scott Freedman. "It differentiates him much like his mustache," Freedman says about Thuener's nickname. "It's more enjoyable." But what Thuener is best known for is a work van he received from his father; a boxy, white Ford E150, which he and his friends converted into what they call the "The Fun Vehicle," "Fun Police Van" or for short, "The FUV."

The Indiana Daily Student

Oscars 'crash' and burn

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett and Chris Wisner · Wednesday, March 22,2006 10:17 p.m.

Does anyone remember "Crash?" It won the Best Picture Oscar three weeks ago. No? Don't worry. You'll soon see it overflowing bargain bins next to "Shakespeare in Love," "The English Patient" and "Million Dollar Baby." But what doomed it to end up there? How did this self-described "little film about race in America" end up winning the Best Picture Oscar over such substantial cinematic offerings as "Good Night, and Good Luck" and "Munich?"

The Indiana Daily Student

Seminal Sentinel

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Green · Wednesday, March 22,2006 10:08 p.m.

There are a lot of underground bands that hail from Bloomington. One band that is quickly rising to the top in popularity is Sentinel, it's a metal band that is turning heads and slashing its way through town, consistently playing shows everywhere it can. Sentinel was formed out of the ashes of a band called Section 8, which was a four-piece band for about two or three months. The band started by vocalist Zach Norris and guitarist Cody Burgess. They then picked up Jacob Benson on bass and Caleb Caudill on guitar.

The Indiana Daily Student

The Need For Speed

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Green · Wednesday, March 22,2006 10:05 p.m.

Tired of walking to class and wondering about the shiny things that speed past cars everyday down 10th Street? Wish your bicycle had a motor? Motorcycles are becoming an extremely popular form of transportation on campus. There's the tough-guy Harley; the street-racer crotch-rocket, which is a type of sports bike; and then the casual-riding Vespa, a type of motor scooter that originated in Italy. All can be seen on campus zipping around while other students walk.

The Indiana Daily Student

No first place finish here

By Alyson Brodsy and Josh Garfinkel · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:55 p.m.

The tagline of "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" ("the true story of how a mother raised 10 kids on 25 words or less") suggests a much different plot than we are actually given in the film. Expectations are that Evelyn Ryan (Julianne Moore), the mother of 10 children, will turn to television and radio prize contests when money gets tight for her and her family. However, director Jane Anderson makes an interesting choice: instead of focusing the main conflict of the film on the family's poverty (this is dealt with, but only as the secondary conflict), Anderson decides to focus on the relationship between Evelyn and her husband, Kelly (Woody Harrelson).

The Indiana Daily Student

Brilliant film, lackluster DVD

By Alyson Brodsy and Greg Schoenbaechler · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:52 p.m.

Nominated for six Academy Awards including best picture, "Good Night, and Good Luck" is an extraordinary film fully deserving of all the hype. Unlike in previous films, superstar George Clooney wrote, directed and acted in this gem, which is different from movie that has come out in years. Based on a true story, "Good Night, and Good Luck" brings America back to the time when the thought of Communism struck fear in all Americans. In this era, even members of the media were afraid to take on the subject with the fear that Sen. Joseph McCarthy would target them as members of the Communist party.

The Indiana Daily Student

Acclaimed film not worthy of praise or a rent

By Alyson Brodsy and Tony Sams · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:48 p.m.

Never have I struggled the way I did with "A History of Violence" to figure out what the big damn deal is. David Cronenberg's film is the definition of a "critical darling," passionately landing on more than 150 top ten lists. But even after a second viewing I can't seem to piece together much of a logical explanation as to why anyone should see this movie. For starters, when I first saw this movie in the theater, the audience was laughing hysterically. And this isn't a comedy. Tom Stall (Viggo Mortensen) owns a quaint diner in a small Midwest town, has a beautiful wife (Maria Bello) and some cute kids and is generally a well-respected man in his community.

The Indiana Daily Student

The suck hits DVD

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:40 p.m.

"Jarhead" is not a war movie. It's even less of a war movie than "Three Kings," "Apocalypse Now," "The Deer Hunter" or "Full Metal Jacket" (which it most resembles). "Jarhead" is a movie about military indoctrination, conflicting moralities and under British director Sam Mendes' deft direction, it's a poignant statement about the current state of our military and its follies in the deserts of the Middle East. Based on former Marine Anthony Swofford's book about his experiences in bootcamp, Kuwait and Iraq in the first Gulf War, "Jarhead" nimbly avoids preachy politics, instead focusing on the effect the military, during wartime, has on the mind of the individual. Jake Gyllenhaal, capping off a red-letter year which included an Oscar-worthy performance as Jack Twist in "Brokeback Mountain," embodies Swofford with a bewildered fire in his eyes, a man forever scarred by his actions and lack of action in a war he doesn't fully understand.

The Indiana Daily Student

This 'Block' is hot

By Alyson Brodsy and Eric Smith · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:38 p.m.

Michel Gondry's documentary of the Brooklyn block party may have been disappointing for those of you hoping to hear two hours of that Rick James impression you do so well. Thankfully, the music-focused film is available in a portable audio format for the rest of us. The Block Party Soundtrack is a relatively comprehensive account of the September 2004 event. The performances of hip-hop saviors like The Roots, Common, Blackstar and Erykah Badu on the same stage make a formidable reunion. It seems as though Dave Chappelle is about the only personality with the power to bring together this collection of superstars who used to play with one another in New York-area hip-hop clubs.

The Indiana Daily Student

Gilmour's great gig 'On an Island'

By Alyson Brodsy and Jeffrey O'Reilly · Wednesday, March 22,2006 9:36 p.m.

Even with David Gilmour and Roger Waters setting aside their differences for last summer's Pink Floyd reunion, the Floyd stigma unfairly haunts Gilmour on his latest solo effort, On An Island. Graceful, contemplative and spiritually rewarding, On An Island finds Gilmour in top form. For Floyd enthusiasts, the album will leave the listener salivating -- undoubtedly coping with the notion of what could be. Baggage aside, On An Island is a testament to the longevity of one of rock's true shaman, still guiding his audience through some of the deepest, most blissful moments of the rock idiom.

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