Longform

Too much boy, too little knowing

Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:52 p.m.

Lebanon-born, London-based singer-songwriter Mika took the world by storm in 2007 with his debut album, “Life in Cartoon Motion,” and rightly so – he struck gold in finding the balance between Freddie Mercury theatrics and pure pop hooks. For all its bubblegum goodness, that album maintained a level of sophistication that set him apart from his contemporaries.

A Pandora’s box of plot problems

By Thomas Miller · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:52 p.m.

“Pandorum” stars Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster as two astronauts stuck inside a dying starship in deep space and a plot that dies even quicker.

Ind. DNR prepares for hunting season

By Kevin Doran · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:51 p.m.

With the leaves changing and the air beginning to cool, outdoor enthusiasts and others can enjoy the rich natural resources Indiana has to offer. And starting today, in addition to camping and boating, outdoorsmen can take part in the sport of hunting.

Keep the monsters at bay

By Alex Benson · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:50 p.m.

The joining of folk powerhouses M.Ward, Yim Yames of My Morning Jacket, Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes to make an album sees sees results similar to the 2004 U.S. Olympic men’s basketball team – they fail. And for the same reasons.

Police arrest 3 in Peoples Park

By Alex Benson · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:49 p.m.

Three suspects were arrested at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Peoples Park after the Bloomington Police Department responded to a call about a robbery.

We probably won’t remember ‘Fame’

By Brent Williamson · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:47 p.m.

Remember “Fame,” that hit movie musical of 1980 about kids who went to New York’s High School for the Performing Arts? It was good, wasn’t it?

‘Your Song’ will appeal to few

By Brian Marks · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:46 p.m.

The inclusion of super-producer Clive Davis on Harry Connick Jr.’s “Your Songs” would seem like a sure step toward garnering a wider audience and greater commercial success. Unfortunately, Connick’s new album relies on tired standards and lethargic covers that are likely to please few.

Robot flick with robotic acting

Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:43 p.m.

If most of the characters in a movie are basically robots, is robotic dialogue acceptable? While it probably isn’t intentional, “Surrogates” puts this question to the test.

Business as usual

By Alex Rast · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:43 p.m.

Anyone who loved Three Days Grace before and did not want them to change will still love them now. The popular Canadian band’s new album, “Life Starts Now,” has the same angst-ridden style as their old albums. For all those Three Day’s Grace fans, there are no surprises here.

Crunchy, clunky and prickly

By Cory Barker · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:40 p.m.

Long labeled the heroes of the scene after their 2003 album “Deja Entendu” became a life-changing and seminal release for so many fans, Brand New has done all they can to avoid that responsibility ever since. After the intended follow-up to “Deja” was derailed by the leaking of all the demos online and a series of personal tragedies for the members, it was late 2006 before any official new material hit. That album, “The Devil and God Are Raging Inside Me,” was exponentially darker, heavier and less personal – but still pretty amazing. Now another three years have passed and Brand New has become more detached from the excessively fervent fans that follow them, while mentioning this new album, “Daisy” might be their swan song. And if it is, it’s one hell of a way to go.

HEALTHY EATER

By Jenna Blumenfeld · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:39 p.m.

Senior Utam Moses was not always a healthy eater. When she was growing up, her family had quite a sweet tooth.

SPICY EATER

Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:37 p.m.

It’s often said that some like it hot. But some, like Peter Kidane, like it even hotter. Kidane, a freshman in the pre-pharmacy program, calls himself the “Hot Tamale” and has grown up acquiring a taste for heat. On a scale of one to 10, with 10 being the hottest, Kidane definitely likes his food sizzling at level 10.

TV Surveillance

By Cory Barker · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:35 p.m.

We all know that cable television is a little different than broadcast network television. Usually better written, more artistically free and slower-paced, cable television always gets labeled as “something more” like HBO’s “it’s not TV, it’s HBO” slogan. Though recent years have been unkind to cable power HBO, its failures allowed for other cable outlets like USA, Showtime and AMC to develop amazing content. And with HBO on the up-and-up and those other cable networks chugging along, cable TV is in a great place right now.

HOMESTYLE EATER

Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:35 p.m.

When you first walk into FARMBloomington, smells of fresh flowers and homegrown ingredients overpower the senses. FARMBloomington is one of many local restaurants that offer down-home cooking – that is, comfort food made from scratch.

FANCY EATER

Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:33 p.m.

It isn’t difficult to eat well in Bloomington. There are restaurants catering to sophisticated tastes all over town, but the most obvious response when asked for a fine dining establishment is the Scholars Inn Gourmet Cafe & Wine Bar, located at 717 N. College Ave.

University Eats

By Megan Clayton · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:32 p.m.

In my first column of the year, I admonished readers to step away from their microwaves, get out into Bloomington and try some of our wonderful local restaurants. After poring over this issue’s restaurant guide, I’m sure you’re all going to take my advice and sample some of what our town has to offer.

‘30 Rock’ no longer rock solid

By Megan Clayton · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:26 p.m.

Even though it just won an Emmy for Best Comedy Series, “30 Rock” was not at the top of its game for the third season.

Second Amendment Love

By Waddell Hamer · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:25 p.m.

You want to talk about an abuse of an amendment? Say what you will, but having hopeful government officials and former army veterans showing people how to shoot and giving them bullets isn’t what the founding fathers thought of when they came up with the Second Amendment.

Wrongfully terminated

By Thomas Miller · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:23 p.m.

Season Two of “The Sarah Connor Chronicles” follows the world’s most badass single mom (Lena Headey) as she tries to protect her son, the world’s future leader, John Connor (Thomas Dekker). Following a similar formula as the “Terminator” movies, the Connors are protected by a terminator, this time a female robot named Cameron (Summer Glau).

Quirk gives flavor to local dining scene

By Allison Tyra · Wednesday, Sept. 30,2009 10:22 p.m.

Like any college town, Bloomington has plenty of places to get pizza or a burger. While those are perfectly acceptable options, the town also offers many more adventurous choices for food and atmosphere.