IUPD

Hollywood addresses politics as usual with 'The Contender'

It was only a matter of time before Hollywood addressed the concept of sex scandals and the U.S. presidency -- or in the case of Dreamworks' new film "The Contender," the vice presidency.

'Ladies Man' soundtrack smooth

It's basically a given that there is little good to be had out of any movie starring a "Saturday Night Live" character made famous through short skits on the aforementioned television show. "Ladies Man," starring Tim Meadows as Leon Phelps, might or might not break that mold.

Williams transcends pop music

In a year when pop music is dominating the American music industry and Brit band Radiohead has claimed the top spot on the Billboard charts, it is mind-boggling that Robbie Williams is not doing as well as he should be in this country. After all, he's got the best of both worlds -- the looks of a pop star and the substance of a serious rock star. While Williams continues to make headlines in other territories, the recent release of his latest album, Sing When You're Winning, made little splash in America.

A journal of a film festival

Although I am a college student with more than just movies on my mind and no transportation at my fingertips, I had the opportunity to attend the opening weekend of the 36th Chicago International Film Festival, Oct. 5-8. During these four days, I saw 13 movies, shook hands with some of the best directing talent and had a crash course in the world of big league film criticism. The following is my account of this overwhelming celluloid experience.

Around the arts

Union Board's annual Live From Bloomington project will take musical submissions until 5 p.m. Friday. Applications are available in the Union Board office and at the Indiana Memorial Union activities desk. Completed forms should be submitted at the activities desk.

Auditorium concert opens String Cheese Incident tour

Many concerts today are note-for-note replications of the artist's studio efforts, making the shows little more than a live performance of the album. Artists seem afraid to stretch their musical creativity on stage. These types of shows are entertaining, but since every show is similar, there is little reason to see the artist perform again.

30 years later Raitt still rocks

If the measure of a performer's longevity is the age range of the audience, then Bonnie Raitt is still rocking well into her third decade of performing.

Local politicians square off in forum

Four sets of county government candidates met last night at the Monroe County Public Library for an open debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce.

Undecided voters quiz Bush, Gore

ST. LOUIS -- The town hall format in Tuesday night's presidential debate not only allowed the candidates to walk around, but gave more room for swinging a few punches.

Green Party protests exclusion from St. Louis debate

Nader didn't get in. Despite the efforts of hundreds of chanting, banner-waving protesters, Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader didn't get his chance to debate with Vice President Al Gore and Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

The monolithic myths

Columbia City, Ind., has always prided itself on its Christmas decorations. Each year of my young life, I was shunted off to the Whitley County Courthouse on Christmas Eve to sit on Santa's lap and receive a bag of oranges and a bag of haystacks (those vanilla creamy things covered in chocolate). The line would be long because everyone did the same thing. When the ritual was fulfilled, we'd go the four blocks home to find that Santa had arrived. In a Christmas Eve family, the whole set-up was a little hard to believe.

Exhibits

Redsteppers channel school spirit on the field

It's 4 p.m. Women wearing snug black pants with flared legs wander into the Gladstein Fieldhouse in groups of two and three, joining the rest of the group in a jumble on the floor. As more women file in, the noise level in the fieldhouse rises and the reverberation of the echo makes the chatter nearly indecipherable. "Alpha block, please!" says Janis Cooper Parker, Redsteppers' coach, addressing the dancers. The women switch on a tape and begin to stretch and twist themselves into contortions resembling pretzels, warming up to a Dave Matthews Band song.

Perry argues medical issues

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat agreed to end the violence that has plagued the Middle East for the last two weeks. While a lasting peace is still uncertain, Paul Perry, Democratic challenger for the 8th district congressional seat, said the United States should support Israel.

Attorneys' settlement efforts fail

Despite a teleconference attempt last week, IU and the Genocide Awareness Project haven't reached a compromise to settle group's civil rights lawsuit against the University.

Citizens' lawsuit shapes up

A lawsuit filed by Indiana citizens and IU alumni against the University for avoiding state laws is beginning to take shape. The plaintiffs now know who will defend the University, what judge is likely to hear the case and what is likely to happen next.

BPD Blotter

Hoosiers look to avenge Penn State victories

Amanda Welter just wants to beat Penn State -- once. In Welter's four years in Bloomington, IU has knocked off the perennial power Nittany Lions in only one game. One game in 19 tries.

Golfers take team, individual titles at Legends

It could have been a long, depressing winter. As the last tournament of the Hoosiers' fall season, the Legends Intercollegiate would decide whether the next five months would be spent celebrating their success or dwelling on missed opportunities. As it turns out, they won't have much time for the latter.

Soccer team expects tough match

The men's soccer team earned itself a No. 1 seed in the Big Ten Tournament Sunday when it beat Northwestern in its final home game. Next order of business: ensuring more home games come NCAA tournament time.