Longform

McDormand steals 'Canyon' with rockstar role

By by Isaac Edwards and Isaac Edwards · Wednesday, April 30,2003 10:41 a.m.

Following on the distantly echoing footsteps of her critically-acclaimed film "High Art," writer and director Lisa Cholodenko has delivered to us another film chronicling the collision between high society, upscale bohemia and true love. "Laurel Canyon" is a seemingly cliché story of reactionary generations, the free-loving, substance-abusing baby-boomer and the rigid, high-achieving offspring and the inevitability of what happens when their worlds are thrown into one another. Cholodenko manages to breathe fresh life into a burnt-out formula with an exceptionally written script, excellent direction, and some amazing performances. She presents us with a simple set-up, one that we've all seen before, but her intricate weaving together of simplicity with character complexity is what makes "Laurel Canyon" feel new, alive and important.

Hoffman shines as 'Confidence' falls hard

By Jack M. Silverstein · Wednesday, April 30,2003 10:39 a.m.

In a movie about how people con other people out of their money, "Confidence"'s biggest con is pulled off at the expense of the viewing public who was conned into thinking that this movie is some kind of brilliant cross between "Pulp Fiction" and "The Sting." It is really more of an overly complex and less entertaining episode of "Scooby-Doo." Narrated by Edward Burns, at the behest of the man standing behind him with a gun, "Confidence" feels like it was written by a second-grader using the "Hamburger" paragraph technique.

Solid cast, direction foster 'Identity'

By -Alec Toombs · Wednesday, April 30,2003 10:38 a.m.

"Identity" is a tricky flick to review. The less you know about this slasher-soaked whodunit the better, and as such, this write-up will be fairly nondescript.

Hey, at least they're not Dogstar

By -Alec Toombs · Wednesday, April 30,2003 10:37 a.m.

Boomkat, comprised of brother-sister duo Kellin and Taryn Manning, has made a debut album that's equal parts tricky trip-hop and overproduced pop pap. Boomkatalog One is entertaining when left to its own devices, but also grating with overly shimmery pop sensibilities that'd make Pink blush.

Rigby's quirky vision carries album

By -Val Tsoutsouris · Wednesday, April 30,2003 10:36 a.m.

Amy Rigby's 1996 album was called Diary of a Mod Housewife, which also happens to serve as an accurate description. On her new Til the Wheels Fall Off, she sings a song where she hopes to fit in her man between the PTA and CNN. Though Rigby has a certain wit and a unique voice about her, her style puts her in a competitive music genre. Maybe there have been so many fine singer-songwriter records this year -- The Go-Betweens, Kristin Hersh and Lucinda Williams to name three -- that my standards have risen.

Album promises mix of folk, goth and techno

By Michael Tapscott · Wednesday, April 30,2003 10:35 a.m.

Xiu Xiu takes on the American pastime of going over the top, being so immediately commercial and recognizable that the emotions expressed are undeniable. It's new album plays in this aesthetic, but with a grain of salt. Though the songs rush up from quiet, folky strumming beginnings to the unadulterated crescendos of techno beats and gizmo flailings, they all include a deconstructive element of what Lester Bangs once called "horrible noise."

Country-rock in a plastic bag

By Michael Tapscott · Wednesday, April 30,2003 10:34 a.m.

Three on the Tree's debut album could be a recording of Wayne Coyne and Townes Van Zandt sitting in front of a nighttime fireplace trying to beat each other in a snoozing, country songwriting competition. So, obviously it's pretty music.

Material Girl stumbles over her own words

By K James Sward · Wednesday, April 30,2003 10:33 a.m.

Twenty years ago, America was graced with the presence of an iconoclastic, yet seemingly heaven-sent musician. Her very name was a paradox in itself, a woman whose nationally televised, rosary-clad homage to virginity would go on to stir the religious community into an uproar, while at the same time revving male libidos everywhere. On a pedestal of materialism and sex, Madonna lay the foundation for her inevitable status as an American icon. American Life could destroy the very pedestal that the artist has so depended on throughout her decade-spanning career.

Bless the Impossible Shapes

By Jessica Palmer · Wednesday, April 30,2003 10:31 a.m.

Local Bloomington favorites The Impossible Shapes are back with their fourth album, a more pristine sound and the world at their feet. Bless the Headless, the newest effort from the four-piece group, promises an exciting new era for the band and aptly captures the Shapes in their finest hour thus far. To the dedicated listener, the album is a deviation from the Shapes listeners know and love, albeit a moderate one.

Creative Concoctions

By Melanie Hayes · Wednesday, April 30,2003 10:29 a.m.

David Wilkerson tosses a can of pineapple juice behind his back and catches it above his shoulder with his other hand. He pours it into a plastic cup, adds half a shot of coconut rum and melon liqueur, and splashes it with grenadine.

Disc golf: A basket in one

By Adam Aasen · Wednesday, April 30,2003 10:28 a.m.

Golfer Jason Nawrot, a Bloomington resident, eyes his target as he begins to tee off. He pulls his arms back, twists his hips and releases across the course. But there is no nine iron in his hand, or any sort of golf club. Nawrot is one of thousands of Americans who choose to play golf with a frisbee instead of a ball.

Flip Down South

By Jamieson Hawkins · Wednesday, April 30,2003 10:26 a.m.

With 16 songs under its belt and about 20 in the works, Flip Down South is well on its way to becoming a staple in the ever-changing Bloomington music scene. Combining influences from bands such as Incubus, 311 and Blackalicious, its music provides an energetic mix of funk, melody and lyrical rhyme.

'Pardon the Interruption' stinks

By -Val Tsoutsouris · Wednesday, April 30,2003 1:54 a.m.

I watched enough NFL Draft last weekend to make me wonder if a button on my remote control was stuck. A commercial promoting "Rome Is Burning," a new talk show starring Jim Rome, ran often. Meanwhile, "Pardon the Interruption" hosts Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon often interrupted coverage of the draft with their thoughts on the proceedings, a sign of the increased pervasiveness of the duo whose show airs weekdays.

IU makes regionals

By Matt Glenesk · Wednesday, April 30,2003 1:51 a.m.

The NCAA Division I Women's Golf Committee has announced the teams and individuals selected to participate in the 2003 NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championships Regionals.

Big Ten win a big relief

By Dan Patrick · Wednesday, April 30,2003 1:48 a.m.

April 26, 2003. This is a date that will be burned into the minds of the Hoosier faithful as it was the date the softball team snapped a 33-game long winless streak in the Big Ten. Just 48 hours short of making the winless streak exactly two years old, sophomore Ashley Griffiths brought some power to the plate and sent a ball over the left field fence in the seventh to steal a 5-4 decision from the Michigan State Spartans, ending the streak and sending the team into elation. "It was like a Toyota commercial, we were jumping up and down," coach Sara Hayes said. "We celebrated with ice cream afterwards and we're still in the process of absorbing the emotion from the win."

O'Bannon signs anti-spam bill

By Jenny Davis · Wednesday, April 30,2003 1:46 a.m.

Say goodbye to porn, special deals and super savings. Indiana Governor Frank O'Bannon signed an anti-spam bill recently that will go into effect June 1, which means your inbox may be a little less cluttered by unwanted e-mail advertisements this summer.

Puccini's provides dessert worth the money

By Adam B. Steer and Adam Steer · Wednesday, April 30,2003 1:45 a.m.

A few nights ago, I wanted to treat my girlfriend to a romantic evening. To start things off, I figured a good Italian restaurant would set the mood for the whole night. When I say a good Italian restaurant, I am not just referring to the food. Food is essential, but I was also looking for a restaurant with the perfect ambience.

Lobbyists realize casino dream

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, April 30,2003 1:44 a.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- After logging hundreds of miles traveling to the Indiana Statehouse in the past decade to plead for a casino, citizen lobbyists from southern Indiana made their last trip Tuesday to watch the governor sign into law a bill authorizing a riverboat. Orange County residents, known affectionately around the Statehouse as "orange shirts" for the T-shirts they wear, have for 10 years been pushing for a riverboat casino they believe will save two historic hotels in French Lick and West Baden Springs.

Education funds to rise

By Colin Kearns · Wednesday, April 30,2003 1:42 a.m.

Indiana's newly passed spending plan is giving higher education some attention and funding after administering massive cuts to universities in last year's budget. But the current instability of the state economy has some worried about when and if the funding will arrive. Earlier this week, lawmakers passed a two-year budget of $22.7 billion that will go into effect in July. Although the budget is not exactly what Gov. Frank O'Bannon was looking for, he said he will sign the bill. The new spending plan allocates $540 million for economic development -- less than half of the amount O'Bannon wanted in his "Energize Indiana" plan.

US soldiers return fire from Iraqi protest; 13 dead

By Alyson Brodsy and Niko Price · Wednesday, April 30,2003 1:39 a.m.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- U.S. soldiers fired on protesters in a town near Baghdad after the troops took automatic weapons fire, U.S. officers said Tuesday. A hospital director said 13 Iraqis were killed and 75 wounded.