Women's Golf

A truly epic achievement

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:10 p.m.

Every so often, Sony's in-house game developers cough up a polished gem, "God of War" being a recent example, that puts most other games out at the time to shame. Their latest epic offering is "Shadow of the Colossus," which follows a nameless warrior and his brave steed on a quest to destroy the mythical creatures that inhabit a beautiful but cursed land devoid of any humans except our warrior and his recently deceased lover.

Not quite 'perfect'

By Alyson Brodsy and David Antognoli · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:09 p.m.

When Satoru Iwata, the president of Nintendo, delivered his keynote address at E3 2005, he demonstrated Mario Kart DS to punctuate Nintendo's emphasis on innovation and fun as opposed to impressive hardware specifications. But as I watched his speech, I wondered just how a new iteration of a franchise that hasn't missed an entry in each successive Nintendo console since the SNES could bring anything interesting to the table -- especially on the heels of the only lukewarm and largely superficial innovations of the GameCube's Mario Kart: Double Dash.

'Hoffmann' marries opera and cinema

By Chris Wisner and compiled by Chris Wisner · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:09 p.m.

Directing duo Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger's love affair with cinema and the stage knows no bounds, especially when it came to conducting Jacques Offenbach's opera "The Tales of Hoffmann" for the screen in 1951. Captured in vivid Technicolor with a cast of epic proportions, "Hoffmann" is yet another high point in the careers of two of England's finest filmmakers. Dreamer Hoffmann (Robert Rounseville) is surrounded by drunken bar mates as he waxes poetic about a fantasy trip across Europe in search of love as told in three acts.

The Tripods are coming -- to your TV

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:08 p.m.

No more cute and cuddly extra-terrestrials for Steven Spielberg. His latest take on visitors from space, based on H.G. Wells' 1898 sci-fi novel, finds "E.T." and the "Close Encounters" aliens taking a back seat to a race of invaders bent on vaporizing every human on Earth and fueling themselves with our blood. Roy Neary and Elliott beware. From a technical standpoint, "War of the Worlds" is Spielberg's most accomplished film since "Saving Private Ryan" (narrowly surpassing "Minority Report").

Broadway sound on screen

By Alyson Brodsy and Larry Walters · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:08 p.m.

Nearly ten years have passed since the original "RENT" debuted on Broadway, and now, it's gathering momentum as an old and new favorite among many people. A soon-to-be, if not already, beloved musical, "RENT" was written by Jonathan Larson and in 1996, it went to Broadway. If you begin listening to the soundtrack and expect it to sound something along the lines of "Chicago" or "Les Mis," you'll be greatly surprised. "RENT" is a rock opera, and Larson's lyrics amplify the theme of love. Based on Puccini's "La Bohème," the musical, movie, and lyrics are about love and making it through life with the most miniscule resources.

System wrap-up double disc

By Alyson Brodsy and John Barnett · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:07 p.m.

Picking up from where last May's installment left off, System of a Down commence part two of their double disc oeuvre, Mezmerize/Hypnotize, with "Attack!", a literal attack on our fragile ears. Vocalist Serj Tankian's atonal yelps fade in and out as guitarist and songwriter Daron Malakian's more radio-friendly voice chimes in on the leisurely bits. Meanwhile, bassist Shavo Odadjian and drummer John Dolmayan mostly try and match pace with the dueling leads. System of a Down has never been shy about employing complex prog-rock song structures on most of their tracks, which makes it all the more surprising that Hypnotize is the more immediately accessible disc of their 2005 output.

A royal live album

By Alyson Brodsy and Ryan McLaughlin · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:07 p.m.

The Queens of the Stone Age's live CD/DVD Over The Years and Through the Woods, released November 22nd, came a short eight months after the band's fourth studio album Lullabies to Paralyze. The first QOTSA's album since bassist and co-founder Nick Oliveri's departure from the band, Lullabies peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard charts and proved that frontman and guitarist Josh Homme was completely capable of leading the band himself.

'Hung up' on 'Confessions'

By Alyson Brodsy and Larry Walters · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:06 p.m.

Returning once again to her roots, Madonna again surprises the world with a CD worth listening to. Flaunting the title "diva" in more ways than one, she co-writes and co-produces every single song on the album. Madge takes over the airwaves with her new single, "Hung Up." It's the first single from the album, and one of the most memorable songs you'll ever hear. Borrowing music from ABBA's "Gimme Gimme Gimme," this song will keep dancers and clubbers wanting more.

The next best thing to a concert

By -Sam Johnston and Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:06 p.m.

Are you a Basket Case? Does the word "Dookie" excite you? Have you ever classified yourself as an "American Idiot"? If any or all of these words mean something to you, then you should be all already familiar with the crazy antics of Green Day.

Harry Potter -- all grown up

By -Kehla West and Alyson Brodsy · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:05 p.m.

The charm of the "Harry Potter" series is that they bring to life what so many have read. "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" is certainly no exception, but as the fourth movie in the series had to pack 734 pages of story into a little more than two and a half hours of film, imagination takes a back seat to sheer plot-driven action. The first 200 pages of the book go by in the first 10 minutes of the film.

From stage to screen

By Alyson Brodsy and Mary Hansell · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:04 p.m.

After filling my belly with a load of mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce, I took myself to the movies! Admittedly, I entered the theater with a bit of hesitation. This was one of my favorite musicals being brought to the big screen. I own the original cast recording, had seen the show live and have been known to randomly burst into "One Song Glory." I love film, and I love theater, but that does not mean I think they should always get together.

The Man in Black is back

By Tony Sams · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:03 p.m.

Artists rarely get the biographical films they deserve. Ed Harris splattered the story of Jackson Pollock; Christine Jeffs' attempt at Sylvia Plath's career was suicidal; and while Jamie Foxx shone as Ray Charles, the faltering film "Ray" couldn't find its way out from its star's spotlight. Fortunately, music legend Johnny Cash gets his due in "Walk the Line." On the surface, it's a simple tale of the artist known as the Man in Black. But a surface film this is not; rather, it's a deeply lyrical and finely crafted film from director James Mangold.

A little love, a lot of fat suit

By Alyson Brodsy and Greg Schoenbaecheler · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:02 p.m.

Ever since Ryan Reynolds' first theatrical success, "Van Wilder," people have been waiting for him to top it with some outstanding instant classic. People are still waiting. While "Just Friends" wasn't bad, it did get a little repetitive and predictable in its pursuit to make audiences laugh. Directed by Roger Kumble, "Just Friends" is much better than "The Sweetest Thing," his last try at a romantic comedy, but it does fall short of Reynolds' movies "Van Wilder" and "Waiting."

A kiss, a bang, it's great

By Alyson Brodsy and Chris Wisner · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 2:02 p.m.

Shane Black must've been sick of being stuck behind the typewriter for nearly 20 years because he finally makes his directorial debut with "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang." Black, who debuted as the screenwriter of "Lethal Weapon" in 1987 (which resulted in three more Gibson/Glover pairings), stuck with the buddy comedy on "The Last Boy Scout" and even penned the schlocky "Last Action Hero," is still sticking to the buddy structure -- but this time with more bang for your buck.

Kwanzaa founder to introduce holiday at IU

By Andrea Alumbaugh · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 1:35 p.m.

The inventor of a winter celebration recognized by students around the world is visiting IU to be a part of the Hoosier holidays. Kwanzaa founder Maulana Karenga will lecture, meet with guests and sign books tonight as part of the pre-Kwanzaa celebration beginning at 6 p.m. in the Ruth N. Halls Theatre in the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center. All events are free and open to the public. "He has many words of wisdom to share. He is a great scholar, a great professor and a community leader," said Oyibo Afoaku, director of the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center.

Despite Marco's 34, IU can't hold off No. 1 Duke

By Andy Romey · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 1:35 p.m.

Senior forward Marco Killingsworth won the battle on the inside, but IU couldn't capitalize. Killingsworth put up a career high 34 points and 10 rebounds in the Hoosiers 75-67 loss at Assembly Hall Wednesday night, outshining Duke forward Shelden Williams, who went for 13 points and nine rebounds. "I feel I was out there to prove myself," Killingsworth said. "He might have been guarding me like I was just another guy."

Works might be exposed to asbestos

By Audrie Garrison · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 1:35 p.m.

West Virginia University settled a class-action lawsuit last week with 5,000 employees regarding potential asbestos exposure, according to an article in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Although WVU did not admit fault in its handling and maintenance of the asbestos, it agreed to provide medical monitoring for employees for the next 20 years. Tom Beauchamp, a former employee of IU's Office of Environmental, Health and Safety Management who began work on an asbestos management plan before he was fired from his job in September, said some worker areas at IU, such as steam tunnels and crawl spaces, also provide the potential for asbestos exposure to employees.

Ohio lawsuit has Indiana implications

By Kacie Foster · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 1:35 p.m.

Ohio State Rep. Tom Brinkman, R-Cincinnati, is suing Miami University of Ohio, claiming the school's domestic partner benefits policy violates the state constitution. Like Indiana law, the Ohio constitution defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, but the Ohio provision also prohibits state institutions from giving partners the same legal rights or benefits given to married couples. The legal dispute involves whether Miami of Ohio, which is a public university, falls under those restrictions.

Landmark vote puts 2 Saudi women on board of Jiddah chamber of commerce

By Abdullah AlShihri · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 1:17 p.m.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Two businesswomen have become Saudi Arabia's first female elected officials, a historic step in a deeply conservative country where women are largely barred from public life. Saudi officials said Wednesday that Lama al-Sulaiman and Nashwa Taher had won election to the board of Jiddah's chamber of commerce. Little information was available about the two women, who could not be reached for comment. The chamber's weekend elections were the first polls in Saudi Arabia in which women were allowed to run and to vote.

Former coach named to Indiana Hall of Fame

By Aaron Beard · Thursday, Dec. 1,2005 1:13 p.m.

NEW CASTLE, Ind. -- Tom McKinney, who coached Bloomington North to the last single-class boys tournament championship in 1997, has been named to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame. He and 13 others will be inducted in Indianapolis on March 22, three days before the 2006 four-class tourney finals. The new group of Hall of Famers also includes 1964 Mr. Basketball Dennis Brady of Lafayette Jeff and Steve Hollenbeck, a high school teammate of McKinney in 1964 at No. 1-ranked Columbus.