Longform

Flick loses nothing in DVD 'Translation'

By Melissa Harrold · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12 a.m.

Nominated for four Academy Awards and winner of the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy), Best Actor (Musical or Comedy) and Best Screenplay, "Lost in Translation" has generated a lot of buzz lately, and it does not disappoint.

'Sun' and sentimentality

By Amanda Trost · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12 a.m.

The themes of every country album are simple: nostalgia, love and plenty of beer. But Kenny Chesney manages to put a new spin on the same old country boy ideals. Distinctive reggae and rock sounds give When the Sun Goes Down an edge among all those sappy country records.

Give me KISISS

By Holly Johnson and Holy Johnson · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12 a.m.

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, we at Weekend want to help make your V-Day as spicy, romantic and fun as possible. To do this, we asked reporter Holly Johnson to sit down with the sexually knowledgeable researchers at the Kinsey Institute's Sexual Information for Student Services, the most comprehensive source for sexual tidbits, suggestions and advice in the area.

The Shermometer says: HOT HOT HOT!

By Phil McLaughlin · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12 a.m.

In wake of other DVD releases such as "Family Guy" and "The Simpsons," it comes as no surprise "The Critic" made its DVD debut. The short-lived cartoon series about film critic Jay Sherman can now be seen outside of its 1:30 a.m. timeslot on Comedy Central's Sunday lineup.

'Barbershop 2' a cut above most sequels

By Jennifer Whalen · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12 a.m.

In a world full of shoddy sequels, "Barbershop 2: Back in Business" not only generates laughs constantly throughout, but stands to be one of the best comedic sequels ever.

Racism wrongly crowned Elvis king

By Ryan Whirty and Ryan Wirty · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12 a.m.

Elvis Presley the King of Rock and Roll? Bullshit. Saying Elvis is the King of Rock and Roll is like saying Ronald Reagan was the greatest president of the 20th century or that Babe Ruth is the greatest baseball player ever -- a lot of people believe it, but it just ain't true.

Jackson puts the boob in the tube

By Natalie A. Trout · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12 a.m.

Who in the world would have thought that the adorable little girl from Gary, Ind., who endeared herself to millions of Americans on the '70s sitcom "Good Times," would grow up to expose her right breast during a Super Bowl halftime show? Certainly the not the NFL. But are they crazy?

Pitch Black shines on major debut

By -Brandon Tucker · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12 a.m.

It's been a long time coming for the Brooklyn-based Pitch Black, having awaited its first major release since forming in 1994.

SHOOTIN' POOL

By -Brandon Tucker · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12 a.m.

Billiards, pool, 8-ball, sticks. . . whatever you may call the game, students can be thankful for the abundance of good shootin' in Bloomington.

'Ocean's Eleven' + 'Full House' = 'Catch That Kid'

By Doug Evans · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12 a.m.

Finally a crime caper for the kiddies and any fan of "Ocean's Eleven." This movie is pretty similar, except 12-year-olds are committing the crime, and they're not nearly as flashy as Brad Pitt and company.

Five for Fighting, Ten for repetition

By -Nate Bethea · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12 a.m.

Right off the bat, Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik sets himself apart from nearly any modern singer-songwriter just on the strength of his voice. This man can SING, which you'd probably expect from someone with a significant background in opera. It's a shame that his awe-inspiring vocal cords can't carry The Battle for Everything, an album that winds up being relatively unremarkable.

If you want respect, learn to act

By Mike Ley · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12 a.m.

Back in 1984, "Breakin'" took the breakdancing craze off the street and put it onto the big screen. Over-the-top choreography barely overshadowed the amateur acting and undeveloped plot of the old-school cult classic. In this respect, "You Got Served" is a case of cinematic déjà vu.

It's a 'Miracle' this isn't an ESPN original

By Cassidy Flanagan · Thursday, Feb. 12,2004 12 a.m.

If Oscars were given for the year's best feel good movie, "Miracle" would be a shoo-in for a nomination. Based on the true story of the 1980 Gold Medal-winning U.S. Olympic Hockey team, "Miracle" takes you on a journey through all the pain and glory of building champions out of ordinary boys and achieving the impossible dream.

Half-steps to reform

By Paul Musgrave · Wednesday, Feb. 11,2004 11:51 p.m.

Even most people who closely follow Indiana state politics rarely think about the state's Constitution. When the subject does come up, the reaction is most often a resigned shrug. Nobody really likes it, but what can you do? The document, adopted in 1851 to replace the state's first Constitution following the state's bankruptcy in the 1840s, has few fans. In particular, many critics point to Indiana's cumbersome and inefficient county and township governments. Designed for an age when crossing Monroe County might take a full day's travel, Indiana's local governments -- particularly its hundreds of townships -- are harder to justify in the age of the automobile and Internet.

Former Slavic studies professor dies at 89

By Gavin Lesnick · Wednesday, Feb. 11,2004 11:42 p.m.

Hannah Edgerton used to enjoy coming to Bloomington for Christmas and summer vacations to play checkers and listen to the stories from her grandfather, William B. Edgerton. Edgerton, who was a retired professor and former chair of the Department of Slavic Languages and Literatures, died Sunday at 89 years old, leaving behind stories of a life as a prominent international figure and a personable raconteur among his friends and colleagues.

Grow up

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

For the second time, the Monroe County Alcoholic Beverages Board has delayed its decision about whether it will issue an alcohol permit to the current owners of the Von Lee Theater on Kirkwood Avenue. We understand the controversy, but not the delay -- a decision just simply has to be made soon. Jay Michener, new owner of the Von Lee and owner of Artemis LLC, has petitioned for an alcohol permit and says he intends to use the permit to establish an "upscale" bar and restaurant.

Georgian, Russian presidents meet

By Alyson Brodsy and Jim Heintz · Wednesday, Feb. 11,2004 11:28 p.m.

MOSCOW -- Russia and Georgia have agreed to renew discussions on Abkhazia, a Georgian separatist region bordering Russia, Georgia's president said Wednesday after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Abkhazia broke away from Georgia in a war in the 1990s and has been de-facto independent since then, under pro-Russian leadership. Ethnic Georgians fled the fighting en masse, and the region's status is among the biggest problems confronting Georgia, which is wracked by poverty and corruption.

15 Palestinians die in Israeli raid

By Alyson Brodsy and Ibrahim Barzak · Wednesday, Feb. 11,2004 11:26 p.m.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Israel sent troops and tanks into a densely populated neighborhood and a refugee camp Wednesday to search for Palestinian militants, setting off the bloodiest day of fighting in the Gaza Strip in 16 months. Fifteen Palestinians were killed and more than 50 were wounded. Hamas, the militant Islamic group, responded with an ominous vow of retaliation, urging all its cells throughout Gaza and the West Bank to attack. Similar calls in the past have been followed within days -- sometimes hours -- by suicide bombings in Israel.

Bush appeals for tighter WMD control

By Alyson Brodsy and Jennifer Loven · Wednesday, Feb. 11,2004 11:18 p.m.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Bush, pointing to a black market weapons network led by the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb, said Wednesday no new countries should have the ability to enrich or process nuclear material. He argued international efforts to combat the spread of weapons of mass destruction have been neither broad nor effective enough and require tougher action from all nations. "The greatest threat before humanity today is the possibility of secret and sudden attack with chemical or biological or radiological or nuclear weapons," Bush said.

Shooting injures boy, crossing guard

By Alyson Brodsy and Joann Loviglio · Wednesday, Feb. 11,2004 11:17 p.m.

PHILADELPHIA -- An 8-year-old boy was shot in the face on a school playground Wednesday, and a crossing guard was wounded, caught apparently in the crossfire between two groups of men, police said. Children were arriving for class and some were playing in the schoolyard when dozens of shots rang out about 8:30 a.m., police said. Youngsters ran screaming toward the building as teachers and parents frantically tried to pull them inside to safety. Police searched for the gunmen and a gray Lincoln Continental.