Longform

Now that\'s what I call overplayed

If ever a pop album had a fighting chance with an IDS reviewer, it was this album with this reviewer. My tolerance and enjoyment of the pop genre has been a long-standing joke in the newsroom, and when Now That's What I Call Music 5 drifted into the IDS, it immediately found its way into my waiting hands. I tried to play it off like I wasn't that excited to review it, but I was in heaven.

\'Grinch\' a steal

\"How the Grinch Stole Christmas," by Dr. Seuss;(Or Theodore Geisel, if one must know the ruse)Was published in the year of the Sputnik launch;A time when America had not yet discovered raunch.

WIUS Sponsors Songwriting Contest

\'Bounce\' a good, cheesy date movie

The true test of love is how you deal with the truth. This is the premise behind "Bounce," the latest film starring Ben Affleck and Gwyneth Paltrow. While a cheesy script bogs down the movie, the performances make this film worth seeing.

Hitchcock masterpiece double feature hits City Lights

To finish out the semester, City Lights is offering up quite a cinematic treat. It will screen two of Alfred Hitchcock's greatest works -- "The Thirty-Nine Steps" and "Notorious."

Bad memories and a backwards cap

Have you ever had one of those moments where something reminds you of something dumb you did? Like the time you were six, got drunk at your cousin's wedding and tried to breakdance?

Sequel flops

Two wrongs do not make a right. Tell that to Everclear, which has tried to overcompensate for the mediocre Songs From An American MovieVol. One: Learning How to Smile with Vol. Two: Good Time For A Bad Attitude.

\'The 6th Day\' not worth two hours

The previews for "The 6th Day" give a good case for wanting to like this movie. It shows a likeable star (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and a great plot concept, but what a horrible disaster.

Offspring tries too hard on new album

Since the band broke into the pop music market with its smash single "Self Esteem," The Offspring has struggled to overcome the "sell-out" label that has overshadowed its career. The band's latest release, Conspiracy of One, will do nothing to aid that struggle.

'Grinch' soundtrack a grab bag

The soundtrack to Theodor Geisel's classic holiday yarn turned hit motion picture unfolds much like the reviews to the live action incarnation have: rather mixed.

From Fire to Farce

In the mid-1970s, the Royal Library of the Netherlands sent a delegation to the United States with a goal to witness "one of the five most distinguished libraries in the world." They were here to see the IU Main Library.

Study: Consumers not that interested in technology

A study released last week by the Kelley School of Business and KPMG, a professional services firm, finds that consumers have definite views on what they are looking for in the ideal shopping experience -- both online and in the store -- and more complex technologies are not at the top of their wish list.

Indiana Society to host dinner

The Indiana Society of Chicago will honor IU at its annual reception and dinner Dec. 2. The society's event will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the International Ballroom of the Chicago Hilton and Towers Hotel, 720 S. Michigan Ave.

Contestants to perform for charity

For those who have always wanted to perform on MTV's "Say What Karaoke?" Sigma Delta Tau is giving several IU students a similar opportunity.

Holiday blood drive held at IMU

The American Red Cross and the co-ed community service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega held a holiday blood drive in the Indiana Memorial Union Tuesday and Wednesday. The organizations' goal was to receive at least 300 blood donations. As of 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, 281 people had participated.

Ceremony honors University staffers

For 30 years, lab attendants Tom Hacker and Michael Jackson have worked behind the scenes together in the Chemistry Building, preparing and cleaning the lab rooms and "doing the things that have to be done for the labs to actually go on," Hacker said.

Letting the student voice be heard

In 1976, then senior Les Shively became a voting member of the University's highest governing body -- the board of trustees -- without a rulebook, without knowing what to expect and without welcome reception from the rest of the board. This was the first time a student trustee was appointed to the board. "I recall the other members of the board of trustees were not very happy about it," Shively said of the student trustee position. "Shortly after my being appointed, I had a meeting with the then president and he gave me a rather cool reception. Over time, though, I think I developed a pretty good rapport with the rest of the board."

Panic worth another chance

The Union Board seems to be doing its best to please IU's jam band fans this fall. Between the String Cheese Incident show Oct. 19 and Tuesday night's Widespread Panic concert, one might expect the next show to be jam band supreme Phish. (Too bad this group has suspended touring next year.)

Gratzi! needs improvement

This is my last restaurant review for the IDS. I figured as it should be my last, I'd do a review of a new restaurant, which in my mind is what my job really is about.

Fate on local band's side

With its enthusiastic and youthful atmosphere, Bloomington has long held the tradition of being a breeding ground for original music. From the reputable School of Music to legendary venues such as the Bluebird, the area is rich in artistic resources and has spawned more than a few bands in its day. Rich Hardesty enjoys the success of being called Indiana's top independent artist and will soon make the move from Bloomington, where he has spent most of his successful musical career.