Region

Pop culture becomes transparent

By Michael Tapscott · Wednesday, June 25,2003 10:16 p.m.

It's hard to fault a movie that offers nothing less than what it promises. "From Justin to Kelly," the movie made-for-profit and starring the original "American Idol" stars Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson, is a non-stop barrage of product placement, good-looking young people, dance scenes and finely-crafted pop tunes.

Crouching scientist, hidden monster

By Robert Mixner · Wednesday, June 25,2003 10:15 p.m.

"Hulk" is an action movie. "Hulk" is a drama. Does the movie, like its protagonist, have a split personality? No. "Hulk" is both action and drama, blending together to form one fine movie.

Finally, a Radiohead backlash

By Michael Tapscott · Wednesday, June 25,2003 10:13 p.m.

If all the things I could be rallying my efforts toward in the world of popular music, Radiohead would seem to be the least likely of targets. That's absolutely wrong though, Radiohead is the perfect mark for animosity and chagrin not only for its devoted breed of know-nothing know-it-alls, but for its own pretensions of the musical variety.

The importance of the music you hate

By Seth Forster · Wednesday, June 25,2003 10:13 p.m.

Someone once asked how it all started for me. "What was that one song that made you want to be a musician?" or "Why is it that all you ever seem to talk about is music?" OK, to be fair, 'someone' is a little less accurate than 'just about everyone who knows me.'

Local film distributors seek space and beyond

By -Alec Toombs · Wednesday, June 25,2003 10:12 p.m.

It's an unseasonably cool summer night. Ascending upon a local Chinese eatery following an endless car ride, I'm tired and not the least bit hungry -- Starbucks is needed, not Schezuan. The purpose: interviewing Colleen Jankovic and John Landis (no, not the director of "Animal House"), the brainchildren behind Sprocket to the Moon -- Bloomington's brand-new, first of its kind independent film distributor.

Illegal street racing minus Paul Walker

By -Alec Toombs · Wednesday, June 25,2003 10:11 p.m.

Rockstar Games has become a major player within the video game industry these past few years, as its "Grand Theft Auto" series has blown-up into a full-fledged cultural phenomenon. "Midnight Club II," the sequel to one of its lesser, but nonetheless entertaining games, continues the proud, deviant tradition set forth by the label. "MCII" is edgy fun, but it lacks the grit and perversity that made "GTA III" and "Vice City" so damned cool.

'Narc' pulls the big guns on DVD

By -Alec Toombs · Wednesday, June 25,2003 10:10 p.m.

"Narc" is one of the best cop flicks I have ever seen. As such, it went woefully ignored during its all-too-brief theatrical run this past winter. Now that the film is available on a jam-packed DVD, it'd be a crime for any cineaste worth his or her salt to miss it.

Artists to redefine art with competition

By Kelly Phillips · Wednesday, June 25,2003 9:59 p.m.

When art takes to the skies, the birds are not the only ones that notice. If they were, then a woman driving by wouldn't pull over suddenly because she was so affected by the artwork. If they were, then a flood of artwork from all over the state wouldn't be pouring into Bloomington right now. And if the birds truly were the only ones that noticed, then a deluge of positive comments never would have reached the ears of the four founders of Your Art Here, letting them know that their point had been made.

Weekend festival to celebrate end of slavery

By Patrice Worthy · Wednesday, June 25,2003 9:40 p.m.

The Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center will present its annual Juneteenth "Celebration of Freedom" on Saturday. The celebration will take place at Bryan Park and will last from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Gloria Gibson, associate vice chancellor of multicultural affairs, will give the opening remarks, followed by the keynote speaker, Paulette Paterson Dilworth, from the IU School of Education.

Trusteesto vote on new building

Wednesday, June 25,2003 9:40 p.m.

Today, the IU Board of Trustees will vote on the approval of phase two of a new 65,000-square foot Multidisciplinary Science Building on the IU-Bloomington campus. The new building will be part of the newly created science district on campus and "is primarily to be able to address the idea of providing additional lab space and classrooms for various science efforts," IU spokeswoman Jane Jankowski said.

Court upholds affirmative action

Wednesday, June 25,2003 9:40 p.m.

The Supreme Court announced its decision in Grutter v. Bollinger Monday, deeming the affirmative action admissions policies of University of Michigan School of Law to be within constitutional boundaries. The final decision in the case was a close 5-4 vote. Daniel O. Conkle, professor at IU School of Law-Bloomington, explained that by looking at past cases with similar subject matter, the close split of this case was not hard to predict. However, he said it was never certain which side would take the slim majority.

IUPD Blotter

Wednesday, June 25,2003 9:21 p.m.

The IU Police Department reported the following activity: June 20 • Non-student Christopher Savoldi, 20, resident of East Hillside Drive, was arrested near the Student Building for trespassing. • Non-student, Michael Shugart, 44, was arrested at Second and Walnut streets for public intoxication, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct.

Lilly Endowment offers millions to plug brain drain

Wednesday, June 25,2003 9:19 p.m.

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Lilly Endowment will offer public and private universities up to $40 million to find ways to keep graduates from leaving Indiana. It is the latest in a series of Lilly grants over the past several years aimed at bolstering the state's colleges. The program announced Tuesday is aimed specifically at plugging Indiana's so-called "brain drain."

Professor's license revoked by state

Wednesday, June 25,2003 9:19 p.m.

TERRE HAUTE -- The state nursing board has temporarily suspended the license of an Indiana State University psychology professor accused of sexual misconduct with a student. The Indiana State Board of Nursing voted unanimously last week to suspend Jerome Cerny's license for 90 days, giving the state attorney general's office time to conduct its own investigation.

Summer enrollment reaches record high at IU

By Aaron Uslan · Wednesday, June 25,2003 9:18 p.m.

Summer enrollment has hit record levels at six out of the eight IU campuses. IU summer enrollment has reached an all-time high of 33,276 students, a 3.5 percent increase from last summer. IU campuses also experienced a 4 percent increase in the number of credit hours taken. Record highs in enrollment were set at IU-Purdue University at Indianapolis, IU East Richmond, IU Northwest Gary, IU South Bend, IU Southeast New Albany and IU-Purdue Fort Wayne.

Where are you from?

By Brad Fletcher · Wednesday, June 25,2003 9:14 p.m.

As freshman orientation begins at IU and incoming students struggle desperately to walk eight to 10 feet in front of their parents to appear independent and cool, it is also a time for these students to make new friends. I recall my days at orientation and remember trying to run through the cycle of questions.

Nothing 'sits' well in America

By Brian McFillen and Brain J. McFillen · Wednesday, June 25,2003 9:13 p.m.

The French city of Strasbourg might not be Europe's heart, but it's at least a ventricle. Walking distance from the Franco-German border; headquarters of the European Parliament; home to medieval, half-timbered houses and global corporations, it provides an ideal vantage point from which to observe the face of the new and improved Europe as it enters the 21st century.

British demand killers of U.K. troops to surrender

By Bassem Mroue · Wednesday, June 25,2003 9:09 p.m.

MAJAR AL-KABIR, Iraq -- British forces gave civilian leaders in this town 48 hours to hand over gunmen who killed six military policemen after a violent demonstration that left four Iraqi civilians dead, a municipal official said Wednesday. The ultimatum came a day after Iraqi gunmen -- enraged by the deaths of their countrymen at the hands of British soldiers -- killed two British military policemen during the demonstration and then stormed a police station, killing four more, local police and witnesses said.

Bonds might be only one in 500-500 club

By Greg Beacham · Wednesday, June 25,2003 9:07 p.m.

SAN FRANCISCO -- A long moment passed before Barry Bonds recognized his latest achievement. It will be a whole lot longer before anyone matches it. By stealing second base in the 11th inning of the San Francisco Giants' game Monday night, Bonds founded the 500-500 club. Bonds was focused on a tied game, but the steadily rising cheers from the crowd at Pacific Bell Park alerted him: he had just become the first player to hit 500 homers and steal 500 bases in his career.

Feeling the draft

By -Val Tsoutsouris · Wednesday, June 25,2003 9:06 p.m.

The NBA Draft might be the main symbol of how the Information Age affects modern professional sports. As the talent pool increases to include more foreign and high school players, we seem to know less and less about them. That makes it more of a crapshoot. Fans get tongue-tied, as if finally getting their courage to approach their secret admiree.