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'Beautiful' gets ugly

\"Beautiful" is the story of Mona Hibbard (Minnie Driver), a woman from Naperville, Ill., obsessed with winning the fictional Miss American Miss pageant despite the threat of being disqualified for having a child (Hallie Kate Eisenberg). "Beautiful" is also actress Sally Field's first time out as director, and it's more than a little depressing that the woman who uttered the now-famous phrase "You like me -- you really like me!" should, at age 54, still be mucking about with the tiresome women's themes of acceptance and self-esteem. That she goes about doing so with a script about beauty pageants makes her work here that much more dubious.

'Girlfight' deserves praise

Sundance winner for "Grand Jury Prize" and "Best Director" as well as Cannes winner for "International Young Cinema Award," it's no surprise that Karyn Kusama's "Girlfight" turns out to be one of the best American films this year. The biggest achievement of Kusama's directorial debut is the fact that the film is so genuine and affecting despite some really generic plot elements (for example, "Love & Basketball" meets "Rocky" and "Raging Bull"). The film also boasts an Oscar-worthy screen debut of Michelle Rodriguez.

'Pay it Forward' works better as theory than movie

Paying it forward -- it's such a great idea if we could only put it into practice. Help three people with something extremely difficult and ask nothing in return but that they spread the message to three different people.

Bewitching

Some movies are like cotton candy -- you don't expect any substance from them, but they're sweet and enjoyable nonetheless. Harold Ramis' remake of the 1967 film "Bedazzled" takes a plot that's been recycled for hundreds of years (since Goethe's "Faust," in case you were wondering) and makes it fun and playful. With two delectable stars in Brendan Fraser and Elizabeth Hurley, this is a film worth watching just for the eye candy, regardless of your preference.

Hip-hop album re-release much improved from original

The Bay Area collective, known as Anticon, has recently been blowing up in the "underground" world of hip-hop. The crew, comprised of artists from all over the United States and Canada, has been led by the thriving determination of its leading man, Tim Holland. Known as "Sole" to his fans, Tim has recently dropped his first LP for Anticon, entitled Bottle of Humans.

Latin ska band eclectic

\"Rude boy thing with a Latino style" makes a champion sound, according to Latin ska band King Changó. Its self-description pinpoints the strength of ska super-fusion on The Return of El Santo. The mostly Spanish language album uses elements from ska, banda, drum 'n' bass and electronica, along with other Caribbean and Spanish influences.

Solo album proves Iommi\'s still got it

Tony Iommi can make anyone sound good. With Black Sabbath finally broken up, again, the former lead guitarist has embarked on a new adventure: a Santana-esque solo project featuring well-known names in rock and heavy metal.

Pearl Jam live albums capture atmosphere of concerts

On what is a first for the music industry, mega-rockers Pearl Jam released 25 live albums on the same day, chronicling every show from its summer European tour, except for the tragic show at Roskilde, where nine people were killed in the crush of the crowd. While not expected to be major sellers, the band planned the release to combat massive bootlegging of poor quality recordings.

Bad 'Water'

I'd like to say that I have officially created a brand new drinking game. It's called "Drink to Durst." Every time Fred Durst says "f**k" in "Hot Dog," everyone takes a shot. I recommend light beer, because after 45 "f**ks," everyone is guaranteed to be f**ked up. I would also like it to be known that Durst cannot count, as he mistakes the amount of times he says f**k in his own song. Believe me, I counted.

Greens and Libertarians: Head to head on the issues

In a two-party machine, campus volunteers are quickly learning that it\'s not easy being Green (or Libertarian)

Life is full of choices, but where many Americans feel they lack choices is the political spectrum. Often it's a choice between the lesser of two evils, a choice between two candidates whose platform doesn't match up to a voter's preference.

Indy band\'s new release an assault on the senses

Indianapolis' Burn it Down is now unarguably the biggest "local" band happening in the state. The band is doing its first full U.S. tour this fall with metal giants In Flames and plans to tour Europe and Japan next year.

Burn it down

After more than three years of intense friendship, dedication and sacrifice, Burn it Down is standing on the brink of a new world. With the release of its debut full-length CD, Let the Dead Bury the Dead, this Indianapolis quartet has risen above its status as one of the city's better hardcore bands. The band now stands at the edge of the unknown.

Ritual or Treat?

The mother's motions are delicate and graceful as she picks up a can of carrots from an aisle in Kroger. Her curly brown hair twirls and springs off her shoulders encompassing her small round face with big brown eyes that mesmerize every passerby. The daughter wears a flowing ankle-length blue flowered skirt with a white T-shirt and short blonde hair. Her eyes sink into her face, and her thin crimson lips rarely speak.

City Lights Review

"The Bride of Frankenstein" (James Whale, USA, 1935), "King Kong" (Merian C. Cooper and Ernest B. Schoedsack, USA, 1933)

'dancing star' reaches milestone

\"You must have chaos within, to create the dancing star." - Friedrich Nietzsche When Jan Susina read that quote as a student at Samford University 25 years ago, he knew he had the title for a literary magazine. First, he needed an environment that would foster that kind of creative project.

One-on-one with Vi Simpson

One-on-one with Mark Kruzan

Indiana House Majority Leader Mark Kruzan, R-Bloomington, is running unopposed in his re-election bid for House District 61. Here are his responses to questions the IDS posed:

Campaign Ideals: Jean Shean and State Rep. Peggy Welch

Throwing away dollars

My boyfriend loves the Indianapolis Colts. In fact, he loves them so much I know that, when Sunday rolls around, I have to be quiet for the afternoon, or go over to his apartment later, because nothing keeps him from watching Marvin Harrison run for a touchdown.