Women's Golf

Beneath the surface, 'Creek' offers plenty

By Adam Aasen · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 12:08 a.m.

Sometimes the most overdone of premises can still make for an interesting movie. In his debut film, "Mean Creek," writer/director Jacob Aaron Estes starts you off with the concept of a young boy (Rory Culkin) getting revenge on a bully (Josh Peck) by stripping him naked and dumping him into a river.

Rudy Tomjanovich considering resigning as Lakers coach after only 1 season

By Alyson Brodsy and John Nadel · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 12:08 a.m.

LOS ANGELES -- Rudy Tomjanovich is considering resigning as Los Angeles Lakers coach because of health reasons, a team spokesman said Tuesday. ESPN.com reported that Tomjanovich would step down following Tuesday night's game against Portland. Spokesman John Black said that would not be the case. "He's considering several options and resigning is one of them. That decision has not been made," Black said. "There won't be an announcement tonight.

Owens says he 'will play on Sunday'

By Alyson Brodsy and Paul Newberry · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 12:07 a.m.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Terrell Owens strolled onto the field, claiming a podium near the 25-yard line. It would have been more appropriate to put him right in the middle of the field. T.O. was clearly in his comfort zone Tuesday at the Super Bowl's media extravaganza -- the center of attention, the star of the show, the guy making all the news. And say this about the Philadelphia Eagles' All-Pro receiver: He didn't leave anyone in suspense.

Parents of murdered Ball State student satisfied with plea deal

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 12:06 a.m.

MUNCIE, Ind. -- The parents of a Ball State University student fatally shot during a robbery say they are satisfied with the plea agreement under which a man admitted to being the triggerman. Damien Sanders pleaded guilty Monday to murder and armed robbery charges for the March 7, 2004, death of 20-year-old Karl Harford of Carmel. In exchange for Sanders' guilty plea, prosecutors dropped other charges and agreed they would not seek a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

'Tomorrow' comes today on DVD

By Eamonn Brennan · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 12:06 a.m.

We live in the age of computer-aided filmmaking. Rare is the modern blockbuster that doesn't at least enjoy a small touch from the loving hand of graphical design. Oftentimes, directors go overboard, sapping life away from their movies by adding unnecessary mechanical flourishes. "Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow," one of 2004's most critically successful films, is not one of these movies.

Emmitt Smith denies report that he will retire from league this week

By Alyson Brodsy · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 12:06 a.m.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Emmitt Smith denied a report Tuesday that he will retire later this week. ESPN.com, citing unidentified "confidants" of the star running back, reported that Smith will retire Thursday in Jacksonville, site of this year's Super Bowl. Smith spent the last two seasons with Arizona after 13 years with Dallas.

Religious activist sparks debate

By Brian Janosch · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 12:04 a.m.

A lone sign stands above a crowd of enraged students. The man holding the sign is no longer visible, but his message is crystal clear. "I'm here to preach the word of God," 21 year-old Nathan Lewis said. "What these young people do with it is up to them." The message seems simple enough, but Lewis' choice of delivery in the heart of campus Tuesday drew more than 100 students. And the young people decided to take the message and throw it back in his face.

Florida ripe for IU recruiting

By Dan Click · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 12:04 a.m.

The Sunshine State continues to smile on football coach Terry Hoeppner and his coaching staff as running back Demetrius McCray is the latest to join the cream and crimson for 2005. McCray, a Seffner, Fla., native, marks the fourth commitment from Florida for the Hoosiers thus far. The six-foot 180-pound running back starred at Armwood High School, leading his team to class 4A back-to-back state championships.

All-star cast anchors Eastwood's latest

By Tony Sams · Wednesday, Feb. 2,2005 12:04 a.m.

The problem with reviewing Clint Eastwood's dark and powerful film, "Million Dollar Baby," is that I'd have to talk a lot about its ending for you to understand how I really feel about the movie.

DiFranco's latest one of her greatest

By Nate Gowdy · Tuesday, Feb. 1,2005 11:58 p.m.

Ani DiFranco's latest, Knuckle Down, is a traffic jam of emotion. As usual, she drives the album home by moving the listener with two instruments — her voice and guitar. Of the 17 self-released albums on her Righteous Babe label since 1990, it's not a stretch to call this one the urban folksinger's strongest to date.

Around The State

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Feb. 1,2005 11:55 p.m.

CROTHERSVILLE, Ind. -- The search for the killer of a 10-year-old girl continued Tuesday as investigators fanned out from a command post at the southern Indiana town's fire station to chase leads.

Democrats criticize proposed benefits

By Alyson Brodsy and Robert Burns · Tuesday, Feb. 1,2005 11:47 p.m.

WASHINGTON -- Democrats argued Tuesday that President Bush's proposal to boost government payments to families of U.S. troops killed in Iraq, Afghanistan and future war zones should extend to all military personnel who die on active duty.

Violent protests explode during Kashmir elections

By Alyson Brodsy and Mujtaba Ali Ahmad · Tuesday, Feb. 1,2005 11:46 p.m.

SRINAGAR, India -- Violent protests erupted Tuesday as thousands of people voted in municipal elections held for the first time in 25 years in Indian-controlled Kashmir amid threats by rebel groups to attack those who participate in the polls.

'Seek' out this horror flick

By Amanda Trost · Tuesday, Feb. 1,2005 11:45 p.m.

The first completely believable horror movie produced in quite a while, "Hide and Seek" is more a psychological thriller than a gore flick. It explores the deep trauma behind the suicide of a loved one and paints a horrifying picture of the outcome.

Acting, story left in the 'Dark'

By Matt Waters and Matthew Waters · Tuesday, Feb. 1,2005 11:42 p.m.

"Alone in the Dark" will easily be one of the worst movies made this year, and it's only the first week of February. From director Uwe Boll, the mastermind who hasn't failed in bringing us the same caliber of crap that he did with his last release, "House of the Dead," this is another flick adapted from a video game which should have stayed firmly within the gaming world.

If I had a hammer ...

By Colin Dugdale · Tuesday, Feb. 1,2005 11:40 p.m.

A hammer is good if you build a birdhouse with it. A hammer is bad if you kill a bird with it. A protractor is good if you measure angles with it. A protractor is bad if you jam it into someone's foot. The Bible, like the aforementioned tools, has both creative and destructive powers. It is the individual's interpretation of scripture and subsequent use of Christian principles that determines whether this religious tool has been used appropriately.

Back-handed tax logic

By Edward Delp · Tuesday, Feb. 1,2005 11:40 p.m.

A tax increase on certain, wealthy Hoosiers is proposed to fix the state economy. Those Democrats are at it again! Wait. That wasn't from the Democrats. That was from our new Republican governor. I'm not generally one to criticize a Republican, but after watching Gov. Mitch Daniels' State of the State address, I feel compelled to speak out.

Give us a break on textbooks

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Feb. 1,2005 11:34 p.m.

As if tuition, rent, utilities, groceries and parking fees (not to mention athletic fees) weren't enough, every semester, college students have to cough up hundreds of dollars for textbooks. It's a burden for students all across the country, but some Maryland politicians may have a solution. Maryland Delegate Peter Franchot (D-Montgomery) would like to see textbooks exempted from sales tax to help students retain a few extra dollars.

North Korea wages 'hair war' on people who grow it long

By Alyson Brodsy · Tuesday, Feb. 1,2005 11:31 p.m.

SEOUL, South Korea -- The order to shaggy-haired North Korean men couldn't be clearer: Get a trim like Kim. The reclusive communist country is waging a hair war, telling its male population to lose the long locks, cut the coiffures and mow the mane to conform to the "socialist style," which is no longer than 2 inches. Even hair-challenged, authoritarian leader Kim Jong Il has trimmed his famous pompadour. One exception, however: Comradely comb-overs are OK for older men.

Swept away and seemingly lost

By -Nate Bethea · Tuesday, Feb. 1,2005 11:31 p.m.

It's a barely-perceptible line that separates expression from histrionics. It's a dangerous undertaking to attempt a follow-up to a resounding success, almost as dangerous as it is to reach far beyond your grasp. Worlds Apart, the new release from 2002's skull-cracking indie werewolves ...And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead is a flawed achievement that runs afoul of these lines.