Longform

Different city, same nothing

By Ben Warden · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 4:51 p.m.

Over the course of the first 10 episodes of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," Larry David manages to offend everyone from Ted Danson to an Incest survivors group. In his first major project since being co-creator of the '90s best sitcom, "Seinfeld," Larry David again revels in the minutia of daily life. David plays himself on the show, living in Los Angeles, presumably off his "Seinfeld" money. He does occasional work as a writer and stand-up comic, but more or less this is the diary of a permanent pessimist with too much time and money on his hands.

And you thought a weekend at LT's was tough?

By Phil Kijak · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 4:48 p.m.

NFL Street is a 7-on-7 arcade-style experience that celebrates laterals, hard hits and some strategy in order to create high-adrenaline match-ups featuring your favorite NFL stars on beaches and backyards. All seven players play both offense and defense, which adds a lot of strategy to a surprisingly deep game.

Trio forgets why the blues exist

By Ryan Whirty · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 4:44 p.m.

At its inception, the blues was usually about the individual. Whether it was Blind Lemon Jefferson with his guitar or Ma Rainey in the Harlem spotlight, the blues, at least in the beginning, was a solo effort.

'Indiana Toombs and the Temple of Boom'

By -Alec Toombs · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 4:42 p.m.

The Crystal Method came onto the electronica scene in the mid-to-late '90s as America's response to England's infinitely superior the Chemical Brothers. Seven years have passed since the duo, comprised of Ken Jordan and Scott Kirkland, dropped its debut, Vegas (the city from which they both hail) -- nothing has changed.

Fear of a Phantom Planet

By Greg O'Neill · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 4:39 p.m.

Phantom Planet is back, and you hardly knew they were here; that is, unless you watch "The O.C.," for which they provide the nauseatingly catchy theme song. If you dig deeper, you would find a band that relies on little more than a near-celebrity drummer (Jason Schwartzman), the already risen tide of new rock and a chorus consisting of an endlessly repeated warning to California (namely, "Here we come," which is odd because they're from L.A.). This, their third album, improves on the weaknesses while still retaining that anonymous flavor just like Candlebox and Seven Mary Three did in times of grunge.

DiFranco delivers an 'Educated' album

By -Kehla West · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 4:37 p.m.

Ani DiFranco's newest release Educated Guess is amazing in the way a country church might be beautiful -- its austereness amplifies the beauty of the material. Simple, stripped-down and fresh, DiFranco's latest is a mature reflection on love and life's trials and tribulations.

Biker flick between moped and Ducati

By -Alec Toombs · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 4:35 p.m.

Torque is a tough movie to review. By calling it a movie I'm already giving this rubbish too much credit. Though, it's certainly entertaining rubbish. As directed by Joseph Kahn, who cut his teeth lensing videos for acts as diverse as U2 and Eminem, Torque plays out as an hour and a half exercise in MTV-style quick cutting and crass commercialism. Product placement has never been this blatant -- biker chicks fight before Mountain Dew and Pepsi banners and every character drinks beer, that is, so long as it's Budweiser.

Kramer's 'Cooler' more on the mediocre side

By by Isaac Edwards and Isaac Edwards · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 4:33 p.m.

They are the ruthless ones, the ones that revel in their own inspired grotesqueness. They are the ones that actually have a pair and aren't afraid to slap you in the face with them. They are the ones whispered in cryptic corners between your co-workers, the ones about dead babies and airplanes plunging into towers. They are jokes with a wicked sense of humor. Dark comedy is a carefully crafted witches' brew that, when served correctly, has the ability to strip us down to the nasty little demons we all harbor inside, self-righteous objections coming from the peeled lips of a curdling smile.

Romantic comedy's head in the toilet

By Hannah Holt · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 4:30 p.m.

When big celebrities convene in one film, expectations are high. With all the unbridled star power busting through it's hard not to expect something grandiose and amazing. Take Along Came Polly for example -- you've got Ben Stiller, a comedic giant; Jennifer Aniston, favorite of the "Friends;" Philip Seymour Hoffman, a Paul Thomas Anderson favorite; not to mention Hank Azaria, Debra Messing and Alec Baldwin. This should be the formula for success. However, Along Came Polly falls short of fantastic and settles for cute.

Indiana-born fashion guru remembered by community

By Cassidy Flanagan · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 12:35 a.m.

Eleanor Lambert, first lady and patron of the fashion industry, was known for her keen ability to turn any event into a fashionable affair.

Beyond the 'Hood

By Colin Kearns · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 12:33 a.m.

In the 1980s, Pillsbury tried to reach a different audience when it featured a commercial in which a 'ghettoed out' Doughboy wore dark glasses and rhymed about pie crust. "It's a pie thing," rapped the high-pitched pastry icon. The audience didn't buy it, and the Doughboy dropped the rapping gig and went back to his trademark giggle. This style of ineffective, hip-hop-influenced commercials reappeared a decade later when M.C. Hammer pointed to a Pepsi and sang, "U Can't Touch This." But despite these early failures, hip-hop's popularity soared as groups like Run-DMC and the Beastie Boys reached gold-figure sales in the rap industry.

Indiana company helps mad cow problem

By Sarah Schwimmer · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 12:30 a.m.

An Indiana company has made great strides in helping deal with America's mad cow disease problem. David Lovenheim, Group Chief Executive for Waste Reduction by Waste Reduction, Inc., is part of a team that developed a new method of waste disposal believed to completely break down any diseased proteins in infected carcasses.

Business school dean to resign

By Dan Patrick · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 12:30 a.m.

After one of its most prosperous eras, the Kelley School of Business needs a new leader. Dean Dan Dalton, who created the Graduate and Executive Education Center and raised more than $150 million for the school, will step down from the position and return to a professorial role at the end of the semester. A new interim dean will be selected before Dalton's resignation goes into effect June 20.

Kelley School professors react to announcement

By Dan Patrick · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 12:29 a.m.

As Kelley School of Business Dean, Dan Dalton, prepares to step down at the end of the semester, new leadership will be sorely needed to continue the level of prestige the school has come to be known for.

Council discusses budget

By Brian Janosch · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 12:27 a.m.

In IU-Bloomington Interim Chancellor Ken Gros Louis' first time back heading the Bloomington Faculty Council since June 2000, IU President Adam Herbert sat down for an hour and a half discussion about administrative and budget issues.

SRSC thefts up this winter

By Alli Stolper and Writer Alli Stolper · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 12:27 a.m.

Weight isn't the only thing students venturing to the Student Recreational Sports Center are losing this year. The SRSC has reported increased incidents of the theft of personal belongings during the winter months. According to the Division of Recreational Sports Annual Report, from 2002-2003, a total of 23 incidents of theft were reported during the last school year in the months of December, through February. A total of 33 incidents of theft were reported for the entire year.

Bush sets campaign themes

By Alyson Brodsy and Terence Hunt · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 12:27 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush, wrapping the themes of his re-election campaign in his State of the Union address, asserted Tuesday night America is strengthening its economy and successfully combatting terrorism. "We have not come all this way -- through tragedy and trial and war -- only to falter, and leave our work unfinished," he said. In a stay-the-course appeal to a joint session of Congress, Bush said the nation faced important challenges and choices.

Holidays mean working days for Hoosiers

By Colin Burns · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 12:16 a.m.

The holiday break is a time for rest, relaxation and being lazy. Students travel away from Bloomington to distance themselves from the responsibilities of the past semester. The IU wrestling team had a different schedule.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T the P-A-T-R-I-O-T

By Dan Cohen and Daniel Cohen · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 12:15 a.m.

Aikman, Irvin and Smith. Ring a bell? Of course it does. These are recognizable names from the dominant Dallas Cowboys squad that earned the label of America's Team, but Brady, Bruski and Law? Are most people aware these are names representing the AFC in this year's Super Bowl?

Backcourt tandem helps lead IU into middle of Big Ten season

By Natalie A. Trout · Wednesday, Jan. 21,2004 12:14 a.m.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There are two players on the IU men's basketball roster who have become quite the pair on the court -- at home, and away. Sophomore guards Bracey Wright and Marshall Strickland are IU's backcourt, and in the team's 69-61 road victory over Ohio State (9-8, 1-3 Big Ten), the two had a combined 47 points. The two guards were also the top scorers in Saturday's victory over Northwestern.