Longform

IU spokesman threatened

Christopher Simpson, vice president for public affairs and government relations, said he has been receiving harassing phone calls and e-mails since former coach Bob Knight was fired. Simpson is the spokesperson for the University. "Mr. Simpson is one of the visible people," IU Trustee Dean Hertzler said. "He's the one who everybody sees and people associate him with the decision." Knight was fired as head coach of the basketball team Sunday for violating the University's "zero-tolerance" policy. Knight said Simpson was one of the major contributors in the decision to fire him.

'Godfather II' not Coppola's only great work from 1974

Rarely has a director achieved what Francis Ford Coppola did in 1974 - the direction of two powerful, acclaimed pictures in one year. His "The Godfather: Part II" received the Best Picture Oscar, while "The Conversation," which might just be a better film, won the coveted Palme d'Or at Cannes and showed the film world that Coppola knew about more than just mafiosos.

Zellweger puts pulse into humorous 'Nurse Betty'

Fort Wayne auteur Neil LaBute's new film "Nurse Betty" has the most original and ingenious premise since last year's "Being John Malkovich." A modern-day "Wizard of Oz" meets "Don Quixote," "Betty" is an outrageous story in which the borderline between fantasy and reality ceases to exist, as the heroine's sheltered world faces the confrontation between romantic illusions and violent reality. The film itself is as sweet and funny as it is unnerving.

'Way of the Gun' heads in a confusing way

Bullets, blood and bag men compete for top billing in the dusty, craggy landscapes of California and Mexico as several equally malevolent criminal factions battle it out in "The Way of the Gun."

'Kings of Comedy' more than the court jester

The title of the movie is pretty sketchy. To call these four men, who went on tour in the winter of 2000 and who have had moderate success on television "The Original Kings of Comedy," is a stretch to say the least. Even if the definition were narrowed to the original kings of black comedy, one wonders who gave them permission to steal the title from Richard Pryor or even Eddie Murphy.

Baring for the Bursar Bill

Shay dances naked in a dark little bar filled with big talk, small talk, smoke and music. It's a place where half-naked women smile at red-faced men. It's a place where money, lots of money, is pushed between boobs, under g-strings and hidden in bras. Some love it, some hate it and a few who work or go there never admit it. Regardless, dancing at Night Moves pays Shay's bursar bill.

Don't Watch

Some people were led to believe from the trailer that Keanu Reeves could actually be decent as the strangling serial killer in "The Watcher." Too bad they were wrong. This movie is so predictable viewers will be wondering where their two hours went, and not the least bit scared.

Bloomingtonfest promoter stands behind his bands

This year's Bloomingtonfest marks Steve Duginske's most intense effort to bring together a unique mix of music and community. Although the third annual festival kicks off tonight, Bloomingtonfest's story starts more than 10 years ago in Carmel, Ind., Duginske's home town.

Bloomingtonfest

Bloomingtonfest offers up a weekend when no one can grumble: "There is nothing to do." The fest ' now in its third year ' brings in bands and musicians from all over the country and provides an entire weekend experience.

TV's better to read

With the exception of soaps and now "Survivor," summer television is usually a vast wasteland of reruns, clip shows, reality specials and brand new episodes of programs that were officially canceled after two shows in the fall. Consumed by boredom and needing something to fill some of my taste for quality comedy, drama and admittedly attractive men, I decided to turn myself over to a higher power: this summer I stopped watching TV.

'Oz' details human nature

HBO's prison drama "Oz" is depressing enough to make Kathy Lee Gifford stick a .357 Magnum in her mouth. It's more violent than Miss Piggy on crack, and it has more man-on-man rape than a Gore Vidal novel. It's also one of the best shows on television.

Chapman: All he needs is love

Myles Brand and Kent Harvey are near the top of the "People I really don't want to be this week" list. But both pale in comparison to number one ' our humanitarian friend Mark David Chapman.

The yuppification of nudist arson

There are a few things in life that I'd like to do. I'd like to convince the editors at the Village Voice to allow me to report on the Mets. I'd like to discover a cure for sickle cell anemia, feed and clothe the homeless, find inner peace and come up with a really great recipe for beef cannelloni.

Night of Decades

So what parties are we going to be fashionably late to this weekend? Why not have a party themed after a certain decade?

This week in music

Band of the Week

Coyote Kilroy

The line of students snakes down the street and around the corner. As they get ready to enter the bar, it's easy to see why it is the second largest in Indiana. It's not even the weekend yet, and tonight 17 Kilroy's Sports bartenders will serve 1,500 people.

Alumni donations in question following Knight termination

Bob Knight not only help the University on the courts, but off the courts as well. Knight made an effort to raise money for athletics and academics. Not only is the basketball program almost completely funded by outside donations, but Knight made large yearly personal contributions to the Main Library as well.

Harvey said he meant no disrespect, wants normal life

It was the house of cards that coaching legend Bob Knight built. And all it took to knock it down was a slip of the tongue. Kent Harvey said he didn't mean any disrespect. He saw Knight as he and three friends were walking through a corridor in Assembly Hall.

Thousands present for Coach's departure

Thousands of IU students turned out Wednesday night to show enthusiasm for Bob Knight, who said he has always prided himself on supporting and representing the student body.