Longform

Fall TV preview: Born to suck

By Tony Sams · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 1:04 p.m.

It's that time again: lots of new crap on television. But with all your classes, required sleep, occasional homework, flagrant drunkenness and finding time for your significant other, you just don't have time to watch all the new shows. Never fear -- this is what they pay me for.

What Jackson shouldn't have done

By Amanda Trost · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 1:04 p.m.

It's generally a pretty bad sign when you skip the first track on a new album. The first track should draw you in, get you excited, turn you on, not push you away. But Alan Jackson seems to have missed out on this principle when putting together his new album, What I Do.

Smith grows up, audience doesn't

By -Alec Toombs · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 1:02 p.m.

Kevin Smith's "Jersey Girl" never had a chance in wake of "Gigli" and the whole Bennifer media fiasco. This is unfortunate, as the film, Smith's first departure from the View Askewniverse, is not only good; it's his most mature work since "Chasing Amy."

Punishment is well-deserved

By Benjames Derrick and Benjamin Derrick · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 12:59 p.m.

With the help of comic legend executive producer Stan Lee, Marvel Comics produces a fine production better than "Daredevil." Though this movie is about as good as "Spiderman," "The Punisher" veers from the blockbuster route as it portrays a gritty tale of this disturbed character.

Game pumps up the crowd

By -Mitch Nelson · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 12:57 p.m.

As technology and resources increase in the video game field, there comes a point when games reach the apex of entertainment.

10 years later, 'Clerks' still rocks

By John Barnett · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 12:55 p.m.

Kevin Smith's "Clerks" was one of the first films to represent Generation X so astutely dead-on. In honor of its 10th anniversary, "Clerks" has been given the royal DVD treatment, including two versions of the film, both unmuddied and clarified for the best picture and sound ever to spring from a couple cheap microphones and a 16mm black and white camera.

Buckley left quite a legacy

By Nick Burton · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 12:52 p.m.

I downloaded the song "Grace" when I was a junior in high school, but for some reason it never really clicked. I had always heard how great this guy was, but it wasn't until the summer after my freshman year that I finally got the album.

Zombie flick a mindless affair

By -Alec Toombs · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 12:51 p.m.

What's one to think of a horror movie if the idea of seeing the God-forsaken mess a second time is scarier than whatever took place onscreen? Obviously, very little.

'80s band still 'Shout'ing

By Melissa Harrold · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 12:49 p.m.

They've been out of the game for a while, but '80s synth-pop group Tears for Fears have broken out of their hiatus with an album that's as "sweet as homemade apple pie," as they call one song in their liner notes.

(Literally) Underground Rock

By George Lyle IV · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 12:46 p.m.

Four up-and-coming rock bands played to a packed venue last Friday night. Holy Bible, Verktum, Lords and Raiders of the Lost Sparks came, saw and rocked the house. Literally.

Anatomy of a mosh pit

By Benjames Derrick and Benjamin Derrick · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 12:46 p.m.

Nowadays, guttural vocals, double bass drumming and mosh pits are not only common but expected elements in the world of heavy metal and punk rock. Moshing is a form of dance interpreting angry, loud, rebellious and masculine music.

Hang up on reality to like this thriller

By Jake Wheeler · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 12:37 p.m.

Rule number one when watching any Hollywood movie: Suspend reality. In fact, don't just suspend reality, throw it out the window and run it over as you drive off. "Cellular" is a thriller for which this rule fits perfectly.

Herbert delivers State of University speech

By Mike Malik · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 2:05 a.m.

As IU President Adam Herbert approached the podium in the Frangipani Room of the Indiana Memorial Union, more than 200 pairs of eyes watched him intently while just as many sets of ears waited to hear what would be his first State of the University address since he took office last year. The title of Herbert's speech was "Strengthening the Foundations for Distinction," and that is exactly what he did by proposing numerous goals to improve the University.

Annual event extends to community

By Maggie Bozich · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 2:05 a.m.

Philanthropy is a major part of greek life, and Greek Week is an important aspect of the charity work and social life in which sororities and fraternities participate. Greek Week began Monday with a barbecue in the Tundra, the grassy area between Foster Quad and Kappa Delta. A Children's Carnival in Dunn Meadow was held Tuesday for local children's organizations. Four members of each greek chapter worked and participated in the games.

Kernan trailing Daniels in 2 polls

By Tony Sams · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 2:05 a.m.

Two polls released in the last week show Republican challenger Mitch Daniels leading Democratic Gov. Joe Kernan in the contest for the Indiana statehouse, but both campaigns say the election is still contentiously neck-and-neck and too close to judge through a poll.

Oracle bids to take over PeopleSoft company

By Annie Tasker · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 2:05 a.m.

PeopleSoft has been causing problems for many IU students since it was implemented last spring. But the company has been dealing with problems of its own for more than a year, as Oracle, a California-based software company, has attempted to buy PeopleSoft without its consent. A takeover by Oracle would mean great expense to the thousands of higher learning institutions using PeopleSoft software, said PeopleSoft spokesman Steve Swasey.

Report card flunks U.S. colleges on affordability

By Alyson Brodsy and Justin Pope · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 1:18 a.m.

A new, independent report card flunks America's colleges in a key subject for many students and parents: affordability. While noting progress in areas such as student preparation, the biennial study by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education drops the country to an "F" in affordability from the "D" it received in the nonprofit group's report two years ago.

Just like NFL, flag football season opens

By Evan Harris · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 1:10 a.m.

The time of year has arrived: the semester is finally in motion and the influx of football into students' daily routines is here. The National Football League has just completed its first week of regular season play, while the college football season officially kicked off during the preceding week. But one of the more significant football varieties that directly affect the lives of roughly 3,700 students this fall is the start of the intramural sport -- flag football.

Mr. Morley goes off the deep end

By Alyson Brodsy and Brandon S Morley · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 1:08 a.m.

Alright world, come at me and watch the smack down get slapped on you!" That's the feeling I leave the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation with three mornings a week after I swim for an hour. I like splashing around in the Royer Pool with its 250,000 gallons of chlorine-tinted blue water because its an energizing workout that doesn't make me sweat like I just ran a marathon -- and I don't throw up like I just did, either.

Cubs, Astros win to remain in tight race

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Sept. 15,2004 1:08 a.m.

CHICAGO -- Corey Patterson hit a tying, two-run homer in the eighth inning and a game-winning shot in the 12th, giving the Chicago Cubs a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night. The Cubs remained a half-game behind the San Francisco Giants in the NL wild-card race.