Longform

Keepin' the faith alive

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, March 31,2004 11:43 p.m.

The Wells-Metz Theatre will receive some unwelcome guests this weekend -- anti-gay protester Pastor Fred Phelps and his faithful followers from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan. The IU department of theatre and drama's production of "The Laramie Project," a play about the murder of Matthew Shepard, brings Phelps to town. From the beginning, Phelps has interfered in the Shepard case, protesting outside the hospital as Shepard lay dying and picketing at his funeral. He has protested productions of "The Laramie Project" throughout the nation, claiming the show is an attempt to "promote the satanic sodomite agenda."

'The Grey Album' and civil disobedience

By Greg O'Neill · Wednesday, March 31,2004 11:37 p.m.

Dearest Record Distributors, Thanks a sarcastic butt load for the $13.68 I received in the mail as compensation for any albums I bought between January 1, 1995 and December 22, 2000 as per your settlement with my state and 42 others regarding artificially fixing prices of new CDs, tapes and records at major retail outlets.

A modest state of the nation address

By John Barnett · Wednesday, March 31,2004 11:33 p.m.

It always happens when I see an R-rated movie in the theater. A parent will inevitably bring their child in tow, most likely in lieu of hiring a babysitter. Last week, during a screening of Dawn of the Dead, I couldn't stop watching the interaction between a mother and her son who looked about 8 years old.

Mermaid flick a charming tale

By Amy Hamblen · Wednesday, March 31,2004 11:30 p.m.

Ron Howard's "Splash" is a charming film with a delightful story full of bubbly characters.

'Rundown' to your local video store

By -Jenny Kobiela · Wednesday, March 31,2004 11:27 p.m.

Many action movies appear to have only loose traces of a plot. The Rundown is no exception, but the incredible action, coupled with impressive DVD extras, is enough to merit any action fan's interest.

Baseball sim a videogaming 'MVP'

By -Mitch Nelson · Wednesday, March 31,2004 11:25 p.m.

For those die-hard baseball fans who have finally realized that their dream of playing in the Big Leagues will never work out, "MVP Baseball 2004" is the next best thing. EA Sports took a great thing in last year's "MVP" title and improved upon it. Yes, like stretching a double into a triple, this game has been ironed out and damn near perfected to the point of near frightening realism.

They're 'Bad Boys for Life'

By -Brandon Tucker · Wednesday, March 31,2004 11:22 p.m.

For ten years, nobody has run the city quite like Diddy. Of course, Bad Boy Records' golden years will always be considered in the mid- '90s when Biggie Smalls was the co-king of rap, and rapper-turned-preacher Mase owned the party airwaves.

Pop-punk 'Descendents' take note

By Mattew Seremet and Matthew Seremet · Wednesday, March 31,2004 11:20 p.m.

Twenty-two years after Milo Goes to College changed the face of punk forever, the Descendents have returned to take punk rock to school once again. The Good Charlotte's of this world should grab a desk, as the professors of pop-punk offer a 30 minute course in perfection.

Paul Simon's 'Songbook' shines

By -Kehla West · Wednesday, March 31,2004 11:18 p.m.

The Paul Simon Songbook couldn't really be bad, could it? Originally released in 1965, Songbook is a collection of Simon's finest songs, including classics such as "I Am a Rock," "A Church is Burning" and "The Sound of Silence."

Snow Patrol warm with emotion

By -Nate Bethea · Wednesday, March 31,2004 11:13 p.m.

If Doves and Nada Surf got together and churned out 12 well developed and memorable (albeit brief) tracks, it might sound something like what Snow Patrol has managed to accomplish on its newest album Final Straw.

Usher's 'Confessions' should remain unheard

By Diana Tychsen · Wednesday, March 31,2004 11:11 p.m.

Speaking of confessions, it's only appropriate that all the ladies admit to our obsession with Usher, frequently referred to as the "Michael Jackson of Generation Y."

N.E.R.D. 'In Search Of ...' something new

By -Alec Toombs · Wednesday, March 31,2004 11:08 p.m.

N.E.R.D. broke out from behind the boards two years ago with its critically acclaimed (and rightfully so) debut, In Search Of…. The group comprised of super-producers du jour the Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo) and fellow Virginian vocalist Shay have issued a follow-up, Fly or Die, and while very good, it may not be dug by the masses.

Size matters in Macdonald's 'Void'

By by Isaac Edwards and Isaac Edwards · Wednesday, March 31,2004 11:03 p.m.

Oscar-winning documentarian Kevin Macdonald's most recent and critically lauded film is an interesting blend of genres and styles, combining documentary narration with narrative recreation, in a similar vein to Robert Pulcini and Shari Springer Berman's American Splendor.

X gonna give it to ya ... sort of

By -Alec Toombs · Wednesday, March 31,2004 10:58 p.m.

DMX's film career has essentially been what one might assume it'd be. Uninspired. He made his debut in hip-hop video stalwart Hype Williams' visually arresting if conceptually vacant hood saga Belly.

Risky movie for Smith: Way too cautious outcome

By Jenny Mancino · Wednesday, March 31,2004 10:52 p.m.

Writer/director Kevin Smith is most famous for edgy cult films along the lines of Chasing Amy and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. With Jersey Girl he spins headfirst into mainstream filmmaking of the overly sentimental dramady sort. Smith stuck to his technique of combining drama and comedy (see Amy), but other than that this movie is completely different from his past works and not necessarily different in a good way.

Tom Hanks shanks with 'The Ladykillers'

By Jack M. Silverstein · Wednesday, March 31,2004 10:48 p.m.

Perhaps better than any other filmmakers, the Coen Brothers are adept at creating unique comedic worlds which operate with their own brilliant yet skewered logic. Raising Arizona, Barton Fink, The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou? are all films with bizarre characters and situations -- which are believable within the worlds the Coens create.

HOUSEPARTY 101

By -Brandon Tucker · Wednesday, March 31,2004 10:47 p.m.

When Friday rolls around, books are thrown aside and exams are forgotten. Planning and organization are the last things weekend partiers are worried about. But for the ones actually hosting the big, gotta-be-there bash, it's important to keep clear heads on their shoulders.

BOOTSCOOTIN' B-TOWN

By Annie Tasker · Wednesday, March 31,2004 10:31 p.m.

Bloomington seems like it should be the Hoosier country fan's dream. At five hours and 47 minutes away, B-town is near enough to Nashville, Tenn. to have all the country music you can shake your spurs at, while far enough to keep the country capital of the world from being fierce competition. But when's the last time your cowboy boots saw the light of day?

Bodies & Bucks

By Jenny Davis · Wednesday, March 31,2004 1:01 a.m.

Rent is due -- yesterday. Your credit card seems to be malfunctioning. Angry notices from the electric company line your walls with threats of darkness, your girlfriend left you for some guy with a BMW, and your parents quit returning your calls. You're broke. Short of begging door-to-door, how can a 20-something with no time for a job come up with cash when even the couch fails to turn up change for the laundromat? Take a deep breath, rally some courage and look in the mirror. There, in the reflection, lies a veritable goldmine for the non-squeamish, the extremely giving or the very desperate. More and more students and non-students alike are beginning to realize and take advantage of the potential income involved with selling one's body -- everything from hair to sperm -- for science.

IU officials have worked to eliminate illegal file sharing

By Michael Zennie · Wednesday, March 31,2004 12:57 a.m.

Many colleges have not yet adopted official policies to help prevent illegal file sharing on their networks, the Joint Committee of the Higher Education and Entertainment Communities reported Friday.