Longform

Center Stage

By -Kehla West · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

She takes the microphone and taps it with her finger to make sure it's on. She pushes her hair behind her shoulder, takes a deep breath and nods to the man at the soundboard. She looks down at her shoes, grits her teeth and when the words pop up onto the screen, she opens her mouth and starts to sing the first few words of "Like a Virgin." She's hesitant at first, but soon the cheers and whistles start. Her bravery grows. Someone in the crowd lets loose with a catcall, and she rewards them with a little shimmy. The audience goes wild. She starts a little strut, a little dancing comes over her, and soon, she's channeling Madonna. Before long, she isn't just singing -- she's doing karaoke.

'First Daughter' chases 'Liberty'

By Ash Cartwright · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

Samantha Mackenzie's frustration with the pressures and scrutiny that come from being the president's daughter reach a new level when she finds leaving home to start college only makes her situation more complicated rather than offering an escape.

Acting, story left in the 'Dark'

By Matt Waters and Matthew Waters · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

"Alone in the Dark" will easily be one of the worst movies made this year, and it's only the first week of February. From director Uwe Boll, the mastermind who hasn't failed in bringing us the same caliber of crap that he did with his last release, "House of the Dead," this is another flick adapted from a video game which should have stayed firmly within the gaming world.

Beneath the surface, 'Creek' offers plenty

By Adam Aasen · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

Sometimes the most overdone of premises can still make for an interesting movie. In his debut film, "Mean Creek," writer/director Jacob Aaron Estes starts you off with the concept of a young boy (Rory Culkin) getting revenge on a bully (Josh Peck) by stripping him naked and dumping him into a river.

Bloomington's Best Pub Grub

By Stephanie Sims · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

People go to bars mainly to socialize with friends over a few casual drinks. The main attraction of a bar, especially bars in college towns such as Bloomington, is its drink deals. It's a known fact that college students have little money, and bars that offer cheap drafts or mixed drinks will get a lot of business. But cheap food is another story. Sure, there's Taco Bell and Wendy's, and pizza places are open as late as 4 a.m. But what if your stomach starts grumbling while out at the bar, and your friends aren't quite ready to leave? Which bars have menus that can satisfy the craving and hush the growling? Which menus have options that are easiest on the wallet?

Swept away and seemingly lost

By -Nate Bethea · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

It's a barely-perceptible line that separates expression from histrionics. It's a dangerous undertaking to attempt a follow-up to a resounding success, almost as dangerous as it is to reach far beyond your grasp. Worlds Apart, the new release from 2002's skull-cracking indie werewolves ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead is a flawed achievement that runs afoul of these lines.

Fine Arts Benefit Show rocks, crowd doesn't

By Nate Gowdy · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

Four bands performed at the IU Fine Arts Student Association Benefit Show at Rhino's Saturday night, a gig organized by Christina Porfidio. The Polly Castros, the Tribute, the Bloodstream and the Swell were featured, and it was a top-notch, if a little too varied, lineup of bands.

The Paris Hilton guide to internships

By Joanna Borns · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

Rich celebrities are as much a part of American culture as -- who am I kidding? -- rich celebrities are American culture. The rich and famous are even beginning to deny ordinary people the sacred right to be on reality television, but in doing so they're teaching the rest of us important life lessons.

Directing 'Off the Beaten Path'

By Derek Smith · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

What makes a good film? Some may say the acting, others the plot. There are countless answers to this question, but when it comes down to it, no one would deny that the story, and consequently the story-telling, is a vital element of good filmmaking. Director Scott Schirmer, 30, of Bloomington couldn't agree more. This is why when he wants to get a point across in one of his films, he's sure to make it secondary to the story he's telling.

Robert De Niro plays father to a disturbed Dakota Fanning in “Hide and Seek.”

'Seek' out this horror flick

By Amanda Trost · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

The first completely believable horror movie produced in quite a while, "Hide and Seek" is more a psychological thriller than a gore flick. It explores the deep trauma behind the suicide of a loved one and paints a horrifying picture of the outcome.

'Rwanda' shows honor, horror of humanity

By -Alec Toombs · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

In 1994 genocide ran rampant across Rwanda. It came about in wake of Belgian colonists leaving the country after having elevated the minority Tutsis to an elite, ruling class status, relegating Hutus to the background. Soon thereafter, a propagandistic radio station, RTML, encouraged the eradication of the "lighter skinned, taller and more elegant" Tutsis, turning what might've been skirmishes fueled by revenge and/or resentment between neighbors into mass murder.

Music talk makes my brain explode

By -Nate Bethea · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

I'm envious of sports fans. Seriously, I know very little about sports, but I'm envious of the fact that you can strike up conversations on things that have right and wrong answers. Even if you know nothing, it doesn't take much to know that the Yankees win a lot and that the Colts frustrate and upset. "How about them Colts?" you can say, and people will have something meaningful to say back to you.

'Tomorrow' comes today on DVD

By Eamonn Brennan · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

We live in the age of computer-aided filmmaking. Rare is the modern blockbuster that doesn't at least enjoy a small touch from the loving hand of graphical design. Oftentimes, directors go overboard, sapping life away from their movies by adding unnecessary mechanical flourishes. "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," one of 2004's most critically successful films, is not one of these movies.

Two new discs from a musical genius

By John Barnett · Thursday, Feb. 3,2005 12 a.m.

Each of the past three decades has had its own Dylan heir apparent; someone the critics call a 'boy genius,' 'lyrical mastermind,' or the far more intimidating 'voice of their generation.' Springsteen carried that burden in the '70s, a number of since forgotten New Wave frontmen held the position in the '80s and Kurt Cobain held the title all the way down both barrels of a shotgun in the '90s. Now we have Conor Oberst, the creative force behind Bright Eyes, garnering such praise, as well as teeming throngs of rabid fans known as "Conorites" for better or for worse.

Jordan River Forum

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 11:08 p.m.

To the protesters: My father's name is Joe, he's 42 years old and a Democrat. He's been in Iraq for a month now, and he should return home in November. My step brother's name is Scott, he's 35 years old and should be coming home from Iraq in three months or so.

Around The Campus

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 11:08 p.m.

Screenings educate about eating disorders Students who believe they might have eating disorders can stop by tables set up in the School of Education Atrium and the SRSC today to help identify if they have a problem. Interested individuals can fill out a survey and speak with a professional counselor who will score the survey with them. There will also be information packets available for students to take and an interactive activity on messages the media sends to students about their bodies.

IU plays host to 9th annual internship fair

By Ryne Shadday · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 11:06 p.m.

Students across campus are polishing their resumés, throwing on decent clothes and preparing to head over to the IMU for IU's ninth annual Internship Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in Alumni Hall. With more than 50 businesses participating, chances are high that interested students will find an internship -- whether for this summer or in a year or two.

We are all Iraqis

By Alyson Brodsy and Charlie Szrom · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 11:05 p.m.

A week ago, the world solemnly commemorated the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Northwest of Krakow, Poland, representatives of the world's most powerful countries gathered to mourn the millions murdered by fascism.

Donors look to do the 'Wright' thing

By -Kehla West · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 11:05 p.m.

Blood flowed Wednesday at Wright Quad, but there was no disaster at hand. The Wright formal lounge was the site of the second Red Cross blood drive of the year. Freshman Emily Rose Wenrich is the vice president of environmental affairs at Wright. Because Wright currently does not have a vice president of philanthropy, Wenrich took it upon herself to organize the blood drive. The drive also has a deeper, more personal meaning for her.

Freedom: It's what's for dinner

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 11:05 p.m.

There's an old Soviet joke in which a teacher extols to her class the virtues of the Soviet Union. In her words, it's a place where there's no crime, no poverty, no hunger and everyone lives there happily and in peace.