IUPD

'ER' still provides suspense

The season premiere of "ER" tried hard to recapture the show's pressure-cooker aura, showing how people's lives can come unglued. But in order to compete with ABC's \"Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,\" the show now has to be more optimistic, undermining its edginess.

Tim Meadows fights the ladies off with a bat in 'Ladies Man'

"The Ladies Man" has broken a stigma among many a Saturday Night Live movie (excluding "Wayne's World") because it doesn't completely and utterly suck.

The 'Secret' is out

"Joe Gould's Secret" is a surprisingly intimate, moving and profound recount of the friendship between two literary legends of mid-1900s New York City. There's Joe Gould, an eccentric panhandler who claimed to have written a million-word account of "The Oral History of Our Time." Then there's Joseph Mitchell, the brilliant New Yorker reporter who profiled Gould.

Variety the spice of Portuguese band's style

Cut in with moving bass line. Then layer vocals and drums with syncopated rhythm, and Primitive Reason breaks into the U.S. airwaves for the first time. Primitive Reason's domestic debut, Some of Us, marks the band's third sum effort.

'Ladies Man' soundtrack smooth

It's basically a given that there is little good to be had out of any movie starring a "Saturday Night Live" character made famous through short skits on the aforementioned television show. "Ladies Man," starring Tim Meadows as Leon Phelps, might or might not break that mold.

WIUS Pick of the Week

It is rare in today's music climate to have a record that embraces both sonic power and quiet beauty. With the double disc Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven, Montreal's Godspeed You Black Emperor! has created an album of emotional power that stems from a roller-coaster ride of powerful highs and somber lows.

Williams transcends pop music

In a year when pop music is dominating the American music industry and Brit band Radiohead has claimed the top spot on the Billboard charts, it is mind-boggling that Robbie Williams is not doing as well as he should be in this country. After all, he's got the best of both worlds -- the looks of a pop star and the substance of a serious rock star. While Williams continues to make headlines in other territories, the recent release of his latest album, Sing When You're Winning, made little splash in America.

Virginwool too pop for their own good

Emerging from the house that Hootie built, Breaking Records, comes Orlando-based rockers Virginwool and its freshman effort, Open Heart Surgery. While the band doesn't "blow" as much as a majority of Orlando's musical sons, i.e. most of the boy bands inundating pop music, they aren't entirely good.

Good 'Soul'

Yes, it's official, Collective Soul has finally reached the point in its career where it can perform with Elton John. But is Collective Soul worthy of such an honor? Considering the band is one of the most successful modern rock acts of the '90s with three platinum albums and countless radio hits, it most certainly is. With Blender, Collective Soul continues to do the same thing it's always done; make great rock tracks in many different ways. Blender is much more enthralled in rhythm guitar beats and the occasional sampling than any other Collective Soul album to date. While it is a far cry from the group's traditional rock debut, Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid, it is the next logical step from 1998's Dosage.

Surreal message comes through in \'Los Olvidados\'

Also known as "The Young and the Damned," this film's canvas is filled with the depressing brushstrokes of a juvenile named Pedro, who transforms from delinquent into an accessory for murder in an impoverished hell in Mexico. A far cry from Luis Bunuel's famed comedies, "Los Olvidados" earned Bunuel the best director prize at Cannes.

\'Winter\' all beauty, no substance

All of the attention-grabbing flyers and ads of "Winter Sleepers" that are currently plastered all over campus tell you that the film is made by the director of last year's art house hit, "Run Lola Run." What it doesn't tell you is the fact that German director Tom Tykwer actually made "Winter" one year prior to "Lola."

\'The Tao of Steve\' satisfying

So guys, are you a Steve or a Stu? This is the question that Jenniphr Goodman's hilarious "The Tao of Steve" asks the male viewers to answer. Do you want to be a smoothie with the ladies (a la Steve McQueen), or do you want to be horribly awkward and never get the girl (a la Stuart Smalley)?

'Souls' lost

Remember the bookend scenes of "Edward Scissorhands" where Winona Ryder, then 19 years old, attempted a falsetto accent underneath mounds of latex? Her voice still had a youthful vigor that made this portrayal seem awkward. 10 years later, she stars in "Lost Souls" as a teacher who battles Satan's human host. This time her tone of voice suits the wary dimensions of the role, even if it does not validate her choice of scripts.

District 60 candidates share common ground

State Rep. Peggy Welch and John Shean have a lot in common. Both agree on many issues ranging from abortion to cutting property taxes. Both are also running for the Indiana House in District 60.

Rolling out the red carpet for Homecoming

As the days to the crowning of the Homecoming king and queen quickly tick by, members of the Student Athletic Board scurry around, making sure the last minute details of carefully made plans for the Homecoming pep rally fall into place. Their goal is to see as many students as possible taking advantage of the opportunities of Homecoming Week.

Graduate student formally indicted for murder

Democrats president new to party

President of IU College Democrats Cassidy Cloyd, bleeds blue, but it took her 19 years and a Y103 course with Professor Gerald Wright to realize it. The junior from Indiana grew up in a proudly red Republican family in a proudly Republican community, she said.

Interfaith panel shares diverse religious views

Five speakers representing different faiths were the focus a panel discussion on positive aspects of religion Tuesday.

Professor's departure a blow to chemistry department

For the fifth time in as many years, a chemistry professor is leaving IU for another institution. George Christou, who specializes in inorganic chemistry and the use of metals in biology, is moving his research and teaching to the University of Florida after 18 years at IU. He will leave his post at the end of the academic year.

Harvey triplets withdraw, hope to return

Freshman Kent Harvey and his brothers have officially withdrawn from IU, the Office of the Registrar confirmed.