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Brosnan trades in the tux, but keeps the gun

By Alyson Brodsky and Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, July 13,2006 12 a.m.

It's hard to star as the famous James Bond and then successfully move on to a different role. Yet, Pierce Brosnan seems to have done it with "The Matador" and he is able to prove that he is not just James Bond. Brosnan stars in this dark comedy as Julian Noble, a hit man who is on assignment in Mexico. While there, Julian begins to realize that he has no one- no friends, no family and no place he can call home. Desperate to find some sort of companionship, Julian befriends Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear), a normal guy who is just in town for regular business. Although, at first Julian comes off hard and as a jerk and he scares Danny away. The following day, Julian expresses his apologies and insists that Danny accompanies him to a bullfight. At the fight, the two get to talking about their lives and jobs, and Julian decides to tell Danny about his job. As both of their stays in Mexico come to an end, the two go their separate ways with no intentions of ever seeing each other again.

Wild at Heart

By Alyson Brodsy and Carrie Ritchie · Thursday, July 13,2006 12 a.m.

One of the state's best-kept secrets borders a tiny gravel road off of Highway 46 in Center Point, Ind., about an hour west of Bloomington. The entrance, almost hidden, leads to a stretch of land with some unexpected inhabitants -- almost 200 exotic cats. Exotic Feline Rescue Center owner Joe Taft walked slowly up a grass path between an enclosure with two servals and another with three lions. Even with his baseball cap on he squinted into the sun as he approached the chain link fence, the only thing that separates the cats from the humans at the center.

Protest!

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett · Thursday, July 13,2006 12 a.m.

Pearl Jam's "VH1 Storytellers" installment that aired the week before last was typically poignant for said series, but there was one moment that overshadowed all the rest. Near the end of the program, Eddie Vedder introduced a cover of Phil Ochs' "Here's to the State of Mississippi" that tore the Bush Administration a new asshole and brought a tear to my eye. Independence Day wasn't far off, and understanding that nothing was more inherently American than dissent, I was inspired to piece together my list of the top 12 protest songs ever sung.

A Dog's Life

By Alyson Brodsy and Meghan Lucas · Thursday, July 13,2006 12 a.m.

Masters of slobber. Companions without question. Fetchers of all things imaginable. Dogs have been hailed as man's best friend and if the true test of a friend is who loves you when you're broke, tired, and testy, then our furry companions take the cake (and sometimes our favorite shoes). As a special treat for their canine companions, some dog enthusiasts have found a special space for their pooch to run free and socialize with other dogs at the Griffey Lake dog run. "Where I am from in Washington D.C, the dog park is the hub of social activity," Allison, the mom of two playful pugs, said. "People stand around and talk about their dogs. It's pretty great."

Rising to the occasion

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Green · Thursday, July 13,2006 12 a.m.

When I think of modern day punk rock, a few names come to mind. Bad Religion, NOFX, Anti-Flag, The Bouncing Souls and Rise Against. Rise Against is back with a new one entitled The Sufferer and the Witness, their second release on major label Geffen after jumping from Fat Wreck Chords (owned by Fat Mike of NOFX). What we have is 13 punk rock anthems that mash high-energy punk rock with melody and emotion to create a stunning record. Rise Against are not new to the punk scene. Formed from the ashes of punk stalwarts 88 Fingers Louie, Rise Against put out their debut The Unraveling on Fat Wreck Chords in 2001. What would result is a fast, raw and catchy punk gem that would push these Chicago natives forward to become a huge band in the punk world. The Sufferer and the Witness is Rise Against's fourth album, and it is a polished bit of punk rock greatness.

Counting down to the 'Metalocalypse'

By Alyson Brodsy and Rob O'Connor · Thursday, July 13,2006 12 a.m.

This summer could certainly be considered a transitional period for Brendon Small. The fourth and final season of his first series, "Home Movies," came to DVD in June. And on August 6, his newest series, "Metalocalypse," will premiere on the Cartoon Network programing block [adult swim]. Brendon agreed to an interview with the Weekend to discuss the end of Brendon, Jason and Melissa, and the beginning of Dethklok.

Everyone loves Pirates

By Alyson Brodsy and Derek Kagemann · Thursday, July 13,2006 12 a.m.

I have a confession to make. As a child, Pirates of the Caribbean was my favorite Walt Disney ride. The animatronic pirates were a swarthy and rum-soaked lot who drank, wenched and sang raucously from every stretch of sand and plank. Though the spectacle was arranged with tongue-in-cheek wit, a somber mood of grim piracy pervaded everything. There was cannon smoke in the air, the chill damp of sea caves and the flickering of prison torches. I walked away chewing on gunpowder grit and happily brandished my souvenir pistol all the rest of the day.

An intimate but weak testimony

By C. Warner Sills and Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, July 13,2006 12 a.m.

India.Arie is one of a handful of recent artists who are keeping R&B music alive and well. Similarly to counterparts such as Jill Scott, Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu, to name a few, Arie blends her beautifully tuned voice with modern day hip-hop rhythms and instrumentation to create a unique style that is still reminiscent of Motown and R&B artists of the past such as Minnie Riperton or Tammi Terrell. Arie's first two albums, Acoustic Soul and Voyage to India, were both very enjoyable records that toyed with an array of different styles and sounds, while also featuring very intimate lyrics by Arie. Although her new album, Testimony: Vol. 1, Life & Relationship, is similar to its predecessors, it falls below average due to a lack of musical diversity (even with a number of musical guests including electric bass maestro Vic Wooten and folk rockers Rascal Flatts) and a reliance on overly heavy, often uninteresting lyrics.

Eight-letter word for crossword puzzle movie.

By Alyson Brodsy and K. A. MacDonald · Thursday, July 13,2006 12 a.m.

Let's play a word game: Give me an anagram of INTERCOASTAL that means fights. "Wordplay" is a documentary about a crossword puzzle tournament. If you are still reading after that last sentence, then you just might enjoy the film. The movie is full of wordplay and clever language and people who know far too much. But there is also a pretty intense competition with some edge of your seat suspense. There is even a crossword related soundtrack. The theme song includes the chorus "If you don't come across, I'm gonna be down." Get it…Across and Down…crossword puzzles…Anyways.

Launch delayed

By Alyson Brodsy and Michael Mellini · Thursday, July 13,2006 12 a.m.

Yeah…so when your movie sucks it's probably not such a great idea to put "failure" in the title. Matthew McConaughey plays eligible bachelor, Tripp, who at 35 years old, still lives with his parents. Frustrated by their situation, and jealous of their friend's sex lives (which brings back bad memories of Kathy Bates' "About Schmidt" hot tub scene), Tripp's parents (Bates and Terry Bradshaw) hire Paula (Sarah Jessica Parker) to date their son and get him to move out for good. Just like with McConaughey's "How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days," (in which both leads have hidden agendas for why they want the relationship to falter) a premise that could make for a decent romantic comedy is wrongly executed, resulting in crap. It'd make more sense if Paula had found the man of her dreams, only to learn he still lives at home. And then maybe with some help from the parents, works to get him to leave; not because she is being paid to do so. Paula calls herself a "professional interventionist," which sounds more like a fancy term for hooker.

Dylan's revelatory comeback

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett · Thursday, July 13,2006 12 a.m.

Bob Dylan's John Wesley Harding is one of the most fascinating albums in the history of rock and roll for one simple reason. Dylan had released five of the most important and influential albums imaginable from 1963 to 1966, and ended up in self-imposed exile after a near-fatal motorcycle accident 40 years ago this month. Instead of dying in the crash; after which his mythologized status would've grown exponentially with the likes of Hendrix, Lennon, Shakur, Cobain, Wallace, Joplin and Morrison; Dylan survived, heading back into the studio less than a year after the crash.

Cheaper than crack and just as addictive

By Alyson Brodsy and Fryburg84 · Thursday, July 13,2006 12 a.m.

"UNO" on Xbox Live Arcade is exactly like the card game. That's the best compliment I can give it and also the biggest complaint that I have. For those of us who never played the game when we were kids, the object of "UNO" is to empty your hand of cards by filling your opponents' hands by using special cards, skipping their turns and just by all around screwing them over. Since all the shuffling and dealing is handled by the computer and the interface is extremely clean and easy to use, the gameplay is fast and furious, almost too fast to plan out any kind of strategy, but this also keeps the game from getting boring.

Coming soon: Simon Hall

By Sarah Walden · Wednesday, July 12,2006 8:30 p.m.

When chemistry professor David Clemmer conducts his labs, his students are in two different places. Some are in a lab that is connected to his office, and others are in a lab down the hall. "Everything I do is split between these two labs," Clemmer said. Luckily, the former head of the chemistry department will not have to deal with an awkward set up for too much longer. Currently nearing completion and set to officially open its doors to classes by February 2007, Simon Hall will give Clemmer -- as well as many more professors and researchers -- the needed space to teach and carry out their experiments. "For the first time I'll be able to interact with everybody at the same time," Clemmer said.

Teter blood drive hopes to quell shortage

By Trevor brown · Wednesday, July 12,2006 8:27 p.m.

Local American Red Cross officials announced a critical blood shortage Tuesday and appealed for donors as a scheduled blood drive was held in Teter Quad in an effort to bolster dangerously low supply. "We have less than a one-day supply of all negative types as well as O-positive," said Don Creek, the Bloomington Red Cross donor recruitment representative. "The bottom line is that we are well below our ideal three-day supply for all types." Working as the Red Cross's head nurse during the Teter drive, Susan Machon said by about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, with an hour and half left in the day-long drive, progress in getting donors was going "slow" as only 18 successful contributions were drawn. However, that number is expected to rise slightly as traffic of potential donors picked up near the end.

IU signs deal with Tsinghua U.

By Trevor brown · Wednesday, July 12,2006 8:27 p.m.

A landmark agreement was reached Monday as University officials created a joint partnership with the prestigious Tsinghua University in China during the current IU delegation's trip led by Interim Provost Michael McRobbie. The pact, which was signed at a ceremony in Beijing by McRobbie and Tsinghua Vice President Chen Jining, will establish a cooperative research program that includes student exchanges and collaborations targeting improvements in information technology, said Larry MacIntyre, IU director of media relations.

World Cup fever sweeps IU

By Josh Bagriansky · Wednesday, July 12,2006 8:12 p.m.

Once every four years, IU senior John Dabkowski is a nervous wreck. But the native of Sittingbourne, England has no exams to take, no papers to write and no projects to submit. He's worried about something much more important to him, the World Cup. "The World Cup is such an important event in England," Dabkowski said. "The emotional roller coaster that it puts me through is unexplainable. But I love it."

Hoosiers fill last spot on staff

By Joel Sanders and Joel Sansers · Wednesday, July 12,2006 8:09 p.m.

IU women's basketball coach Felisha Legette-Jack added the final piece to her staff Monday when she announced the hiring of Cheri Hogg as an assistant coach. Hogg spent the previous two years as an assistant coach under Legette-Jack at Hofstra University. "(Hogg) brings continuity," Legette-Jack said. "She knows my system and is a hard worker. She knows our goal is to win championships. It's great that she decided to join me at IU." Legette-Jack now has a full staff that includes Vera Jones, Marc Wilson and director of operations Jeana Finlinson. "I think we have one of the best staffs in the country," Legette-Jack said. "They all have a complete commitment to success."

Enterprising junior urges students to get baked

By Joseph S. Pete · Wednesday, July 12,2006 8:04 p.m.

While riding out a shift as a Circuit City floor salesman his senior year of high school, Jared Schneider realized he'd like to be able to wear shorts to work if he felt so inclined. He realized he wanted to work for himself. He's not waiting on a bachelor's degree. By late July, the 19-year-old junior plans to open Baked! of Bloomington, a downtown cookie delivery store. Schneider touts freshly baked cookies straight out of the oven as an alternative to yet another pizza or sub. To be open until 3 a.m. weekends, the store offers as its signature special the "Hot Box:" a baker's dozen with a quart of milk for $11. Selling freshness, Schneider promises that dough won't touch tin until the order is completed.

Behrman trial postponed

By Sarah Core · Wednesday, July 12,2006 7:59 p.m.

The upcoming trial of Ellettsville resident John R. Myers II, charged with the murder of 19-year-old IU student Jill Behrman who was killed six years ago, has been postponed by a month. Tuesday Morgan Superior Court Judge Christopher Burnham set the new trial date for Oct. 10, at the request of the defense's attorney Patrick Baker of Indianapolis. Baker initially asked for a continuance at a scheduled pre-trial hearing Monday afternoon, requesting more discovery time be allowed for research regarding the witnesses who will be presented at the trial.

Dozens more evacuated as wildfire tears through communities in California desert

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, July 12,2006 7:51 p.m.

YUCCA VALLEY, Calif. -- Firefighters evacuated dozens more people from their homes early Wednesday as a wildfire raced across the desert and destroyed several homes in an area where dozens of Hollywood Westerns were filmed. Wind exceeding 40 mph fanned the flames, and officials said they didn't expect the weather to change anytime soon. The fire had covered more than 17,000 acres. Dozens were evacuated from communities in Little Morongo Canyon and Burns Canyon. Up to 1,000 fled the flames Tuesday, authorities said.