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Debut album of Brooklyn's finest

By Alyson Brodsy and Cordell Eddings · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

With Reasonable Doubt he knew he was on to something. He had to know. Maybe not about the career that would usher him from Dope Man to a CEO, certainly not transforming his business from selling kilos of cocaine to purchasing ownership shares of professional sports teams. But before the mainstream, the button up shirts, the Neptunes and the big pimping he had to have some idea of the power of his words, his persona, his message. Enter Reasonable Doubt: the genesis of a career that reads like the beginning of so many Horatio Alger rags to riches stories, with a twist.

Unlucky wannabe cult classic

By Alyson Brodsy and Tristan Mathews · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

With "Lucky Number Slevin" director Paul McGuigan ("Wicker Park") tries to become a contemporary of Quentin Tarantino and Guy Richie but outright fails to hit his mark. More boring than clever, "Lucky Number Slevin" stars Josh Hartnett as Slevin, a man who arrives in New York City to visit his friend Nick (Sam Jaeger) after being fired from his job, losing his apartment and walking in on his girlfriend with another man. Nick is missing while a case of mistaken identity places Slevin in his place forcing him to deal with Nick's gambling debts and landing him in the pocket of two of the cities warring gangsters: The Rabbi (Ben Kingsley) and The Boss (Morgan Freeman).

'Brokeback' opens hearts, minds

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Wisner · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

Sitting back after watching "Brokeback Mountain" again since seeing it in the theater, I contemplated whether or not all that can be said about the film has already been said. Since its initial record-breaking theatrical release, "Brokeback" has become a cultural phenomenon and targeted by close-minded masses that reduce the film to three words: gay cowboy movie. I can take the simple three-word route too: cowboy love story.

The Indiana Daily Student

Mo'Nique takes on the fast food nation

By Alyson Brodsy and Matt McMullan · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

First off, I'd like to think that I'm well placed to review "Phat Girlz." I'm not a woman, and I'm not 350 lbs, so I've got plenty of separation to look at this movie objectively. I just wanted to make that clear: I'm your guy for black chick-flick comedies about weight. Now, onward. So, Mo'Nique is huge. She's a very large person, and -- oh yes, this is great news -- she's decided to make a movie about it. "Phat Girlz" (that's girlz with a "z") opened last weekend, and it sucks. I want to dislike it completely, I really do, but I can't. I can't because it tries. Half heartedly, it tries to say something meaningful about body image in America. But it falls flat because it's not very funny, it looks horrible and it's not convincing.

The Indiana Daily Student

Eighth wonder? I beg to differ.

By Alyson Brodsy and Joe Poenisch · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

While sitting back and watching Peter Jackson's "King Kong," I started thinking. Thinking being a rare occurrence for me, it kind of stuck out. What I began to notice as this story was coming to life on the silver screen, was that Hollywood, through subtle nuances, wants me to feel sorry for this gigantic gorilla. This threw me for a complete loop because I had seen the original film and can't recall it invoking such crazy of a notion. Now let's get something out of the way first, although I like Peter Jackson, and I think he's come a long way from his first film "Bad Taste," I think this multi-million dollar remake should not have been made.

Indie band "At War' with themselves

By Alyson Brodsy and Evan Ross · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

According to the traditional pop music formula, the Flaming Lips are an aberration. The band formed in 1983 but only achieved mainstream success in the new millennium. The Lips have released 10 albums in that time, some of which include the most bizarre and un-radio friendly pieces of music ever put to tape. (The four-CD album Zaireeka is intended to be played on four separate players at once.) Now that respectability and moderate commercial success are theirs, the Lips attempt to capitalize on it with the long awaited At War With the Mystics. After a two decade long career of redefining what is and is not pop music, the Lips may have eventually run out of weirdness. At War With the Mystics follows in the path of the two previous Flaming Lips' efforts in that the lyrics focus on and explore one or two concepts.

All About Me:

By IDS staff and Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

Megan Tillinghast, a senior majoring in apparel merchandising and minoring in business, already has her future mapped out since she signed with Macy's Central doing sales/management and has even bought a house in Cincinnati's Hyde Park. "It's known as the hot spot for young professionals. This is the next step to begin my career, and it's really making me look forward to life after college." She's a sports fanatic, enjoys dining out at Malibu Grill, will listen to any genre of music that makes her dance and most importantly loves going hiking in the woods at Griffy Lake with her dog Sayde.

The Indiana Daily Student

The little Rascal gang is back

By Alyson Brodsy and Maggie Bozich · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

The pop/country group Rascal Flatts is at it again. Me and My Gang, the group's fourth album to date, is still jam packed with the love ballads and inspirational "keep fighting, there's a better day tomorrow" type songs, however, there is still something missing from this album. Gang starts off with "Stand," a song similar to the title track from the group's last album, Feels Like Today. The song calls listeners to persevere despite obstacles placed in front of them with lyrics like, "Cause when push comes to shove / You taste what you're made of / You might bend, till you break." Songs like this seem like they are becoming a staple for Rascal Flatts releases.

Banderas stands and delivers

By Alyson Brodsy and Josh Garfinkel · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

It is not often that a tagline can ruin a movie, but it is possible (i.e "They're making memories tonight!" for the forgettable "It's a Wonderful Life"), and "Take the Lead" qualifies. The tagline is "Never follow." Interesting, considering this is a film about a teacher who struggles throughout the entirety of the film to get his inner-city students to follow his lead. Also interesting given the fact that Antonio Banderas says at one point, "A man leads. It is the woman's job to follow." So, never follow … unless you're a woman.

The year's best hits DVD

By Alyson Brodsy and Greg Schoenbaechler · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

One of the most controversial and society testing films has come to the movie store with a two-disc director's cut DVD. 2005's Best Picture Oscar Winner, "Crash," is back in the spotlight shining on shelves at movie stores across the nation. Despite the heat this film gives off it is a movie with a very dark and powerful story. "Crash" is a sensational drama about the real life prejudices that society goes through every time we step out the front door. This movie focuses on the lives of many strangers trying to overcome their fears of one another as each story weaves in and out of the other.

Don't take these meds

By Alyson Brodsy and Will Hernandez · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

Placebo's professional career has spanned a full decade now and in that time they've released five studio albums, a greatest hits compilation, two DVD's, numerous B-sides and have been featured on various movie soundtracks. Through their unique combination of glam and synth rock, they've established fan bases all across the globe, as well as established themselves as one of the more significant bands to come out of the UK in the late '90s. I love Placebo and everything they've done, which is why it was difficult to give their fifth and newest album, Meds, negative praise.

'Benchwarmers' should've never left the bench

By Alyson Brodsy and Doug Evans · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

"Three grown men form a baseball team to play against little league bullies." With a tagline like this, the only way "Benchwarmers" was able to see the light of day was likely because Adam Sandler was attached to produce. Because Sandler has apparently moved on to more ambitious roles (see: "Punch Drunk Love" or "Spanglish"), he sat this film out and recruited his old pals Rob "Deuce Bigalo" Schneider and David "Joe Dirt" Spade to star. Also along for the ride is Jon Heder, who in this film takes his "Napoleon Dynamite" character and plays it to unending stupidity.

Hip hop hooray

By Alyson Brodsy and Bryan Lufkin · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

"There's something for everyone at IU," is a common tagline for the University. Incoming freshmen are constantly reassured that there will be some club, organization or group of people that will share their interests - or broaden them. IU's "Hip Hop Congress" chapter is no exception. According to the organization's official Web site, www.hiphopcongress.com, it has over 18 chapters nationwide with five in development.

TO MAKE IT OR BREAK IT

By Alyson Brodsy and Stephanie Susman · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

As graduate student Teresa Olsen prepares for her own upcoming graduation this May, she faces a challenge similar to one she faced five years ago when she received her undergraduate degree at Colby College in Maine. Not only was Teresa job searching, but she was also trying to find a way to stay with her partner, Patrick Olsen, who had one year of school left. Now, five years later, she and Patrick are married and again face the challenge of finding jobs in the same location.

A film that's hard to idolize

By Alyson Brodsy and Michael Mellini · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

"American Dreamz" is an ambitious, yet underachieving movie. It's not every day a big studio movie so explicitly parodies public figures like the president and TV personalities. That's territory mostly crossed by late night comedy sketch and talk shows. And that's pretty much all "American Dreamz" is; a drawn out "Saturday Night Live" skit. After being re-elected into office, President Stanton (Dennis Quaid doing a surprisingly good Bush impression) is having an identity crisis. He confines himself to his bedroom reading newspaper after newspaper and refuses to make any public appearances.

The Indiana Daily Student

An American beauty comes to an end

By C. Warner Sills and Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, April 13,2006 12 a.m.

The beauty of HBO's beautiful, often surreal family drama, "Six Feet Under," has always come from its actors and writers. Its brutally realistic ensemble cast and team of talented scribes truly gave the show its prolific backbone that set it apart from the more conventional television dramas outside HBO's realm. The show dealt with themes of death, both the sadness and humor behind it, but also served as a realistic and fascinating look into a family of not so uncommon Californians.

The Indiana Daily Student

TO MAKE IT OR BREAK IT

By Alyson Brodsy and Stephanie Susman · Wednesday, April 12,2006 9:08 p.m.

As graduate student Teresa Olsen prepares for her own upcoming graduation this May, she faces a challenge similar to one she faced five years ago when she received her undergraduate degree at Colby College in Maine. Not only was Teresa job searching, but she was also trying to find a way to stay with her partner, Patrick Olsen, who had one year of school left. Now, five years later, she and Patrick are married and again face the challenge of finding jobs in the same location.

The Indiana Daily Student

All About Me:

By IDS staff and Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, April 12,2006 8:51 p.m.

Megan Tillinghast, a senior majoring in apparel merchandising and minoring in business, already has her future mapped out since she signed with Macy's Central doing sales/management and has even bought a house in Cincinnati's Hyde Park. "It's known as the hot spot for young professionals. This is the next step to begin my career, and it's really making me look forward to life after college." She's a sports fanatic, enjoys dining out at Malibu Grill, will listen to any genre of music that makes her dance and most importantly loves going hiking in the woods at Griffy Lake with her dog Sayde.

The Indiana Daily Student

Eighth wonder? I beg to differ.

By Alyson Brodsy and Joe Poenisch · Wednesday, April 12,2006 8:48 p.m.

While sitting back and watching Peter Jackson's "King Kong," I started thinking. Thinking being a rare occurrence for me, it kind of stuck out. What I began to notice as this story was coming to life on the silver screen, was that Hollywood, through subtle nuances, wants me to feel sorry for this gigantic gorilla. This threw me for a complete loop because I had seen the original film and can't recall it invoking such crazy of a notion. Now let's get something out of the way first, although I like Peter Jackson, and I think he's come a long way from his first film "Bad Taste," I think this multi-million dollar remake should not have been made.

The Indiana Daily Student

Hip hop hooray

By Alyson Brodsy and Bryan Lufkin · Wednesday, April 12,2006 8:13 p.m.

"There's something for everyone at IU," is a common tagline for the University. Incoming freshmen are constantly reassured that there will be some club, organization or group of people that will share their interests - or broaden them. IU's "Hip Hop Congress" chapter is no exception. According to the organization's official Web site, www.hiphopcongress.com, it has over 18 chapters nationwide with five in development.

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