Delivering American University's news and views since 1925

Monday, Nov. 11, 2024

Scene

'Freakshow' debuts, certain to ignite debate

By Chris Moreno · Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006

It's fall and for many television audiences that means channel surfing through a bunch of terrible new sitcoms. With the upcoming fall television season, Comedy Central looks to improve upon its already fine animated programs such as "South Park" and "Drawn Together" with the hilariously disturbing animated sitcom, "Freakshow.

Positive first impressions important for school, sex

By Blair Bryant Nichols · Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006

Our parents always told us, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Well that is just plain stupid. Obviously you don't get a SECOND chance to make a FIRST impression, but we all understood what it meant. People are eager to judge and thus construct their entire opinion of you based on your initial meeting.

'Mr. Smith' revisited

By Neora Luria · Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006

It's easy to give up a marathon when people are trying to break your legs. Peace seems impossible, stardom unattainable, and ideals hard-won. However, imagine the mere sound of your voice and the weight of your reason are powerful enough to inspire people and give them hope Jeffery Smith, the hero of "Mr.

News

Nonplussed in Normandy

By Miro Nikolov | October 5

Last Friday, several of my classmates and I had the opportunity to escape from the "metro, boulot, dodo" (metro, work and sleep) routine of Paris and head to the provinces of Normandy and Bretagne for the weekend. While most of Paris still slept, we boarded a bus and set off for Normandy in the gloomy, overcast dawn.

James Conover and Grant Matthews star in 60-year-old portrayal of campaign manipulation.

News

Pulitzer winner remains relevant

By Andrew Gardner | October 2

'State of the Union' Ford's Theatre 511 10th Street N.W. Metro: Metro Center Tickets: $25-$52 Through Oct. 22 Grade: A- Howard Lindsey and Russel Crouse couldn't predict the modern significance of their political satire when "State of the Union" was first performed more than 60 years ago.

Yo La Tengo's new album made a less-than-stellar impression on Monday's crowd.

News

It takes three to Yo La Tengo

By Chris Moreno | October 2

Fresh off the release of the critically acclaimed "I'm Not Afraid of You and I Will Beat Your Ass," indie legends Yo La Tengo came to the 9:30 Club last Monday in hopes of stirring up the crowd and sending them into a dance frenzy. Unfortunately, the crowd had other plans, and except the sporadic drunkards dancing throughout the audience, there were hardly any signs of excitement.

News

Raw new look at legendary Smith

By Rebecca Shillenn | October 2

"Patti Smith: American Artist" Frank Stefanko Govinda Gallery 1227 34th St. N.W. (202) 333-1180 Grade: B+ Patti Smith's shaggy dark hair gently fans out behind her, while her unsmiling face and searching eyes give the impression of an artist who is coming to terms with her pain and problems.

News

Tech bits

October 2

New 'Halo,' 'Grand Theft Auto' exclusives coming to Xbox 360 Microsoft showed its hand for next-generation gaming last week at its X06 show in Barcelona, and it's full of aces. A real-time strategy "Halo" spin-off is on its way via "Age of Empires" developer Ensemble Studios.

News

Spy Museum perfect haven for aspiring sleuths

By Ryan Williams | October 2

The International Spy Museum 800 F Street N.W. Metro: Chinatown-Gallery Place (green line) Admission: $15 It seems as if no one has ever gone to the Spy Museum, but everyone knows where it is. Everyone has seen it after leaving the Chinatown-Gallery Place Metro station on the way to get some Chinese food or to check out one of D.

News

U.C. program succeeds in 2nd year

By Rebecca Shillenn | October 2

Twenty-two students sit pinched side-by-side in a room lit only by a projector and dreary 9:30 a.m. sunlight. At the beginning of a freshman biology and chemistry session in only the third week of class, these University College students are animatedly gossiping and joking with each other.

News

Music notes

October 2

Bedroom Walls "All Good Dreamers Pass This Way" (Baria Records) Sounds like: An emaciated interpretation of Sufjan Stevens and The Shins. Grade: C The L.A.-based quintet Bedroom Walls would like listeners to believe they've inadvertently created music so original it could only be defined by a pretentiously invented genre label: romanticore.

News

Napoleon, Jesus experience rebirth

October 2

"School for Scoundrels" Directed by Todd Philips With Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Heder Rated PG-13 Now playing Grade: C+ Comedy is hard. "School for Scoundrels" writer/director Todd Philips had two straight laugh riots with "Road Trip" and "Old School," but stumbled with the film remake of "Starsky and Hutch.

Beatles cover band 'Rain' prove that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

News

We all live in a yellow submarine

By Vanessa C. Mueller | October 2

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, "Rain: the Beatles Experience" is one big compliment. Beatlemaniacs should be sure to check out "Rain" when it comes to the District. The show makes its Washington debut Oct. 6 at Warner Theatre, and according to the Denver Post it is the "next best thing to seeing The Beatles.

Max Brooks offers a unique perspective of the underground world of brain-eating in his new book.

News

Brooks puts brains in print for zombie fanatics

October 2

Everyone knows the rules of zombies. They are horrifying beings, unstoppable except by brain damage, who crave human flesh and who infect other humans with their curse. We know this because zombie films are numerous and terrifying, from "The Night of the Living Dead" to "28 Days Later.

News

Reading sheds new light on Latino lit

By Ruben Luong | October 2

Award-winning authors Ana Men?ndez and Luis Alberto Urrea read their writings at the Folger Shakespeare Library last Friday as part of a series of book readings presented by the PEN/Faulkner Foundation. The readings were in conjunction with National Hispanic Heritage Month.

News

Sex advice for confused, scorned

By Blair Bryant Nichols | October 2

Dear Blair Bryant, I am very confused and don't know what to do. Numerous times I have come into my room and seen my roommate naked. He gives me very sexual looks and I think he kind of has a thing for me. On multiple occasions I have walked in on him masturbating, and he continues over in the corner as I try to get some work done, or I just hang outside.

News

Predictable plot renders 'Open Season' lukewarm

By Heidi Davis | September 28

Fans of animated features such as "Madagascar" and "The Wild" will likely experience a bit of d?j? vu while watching Sony's new release, "Open Season." The film, which comes to theatres on Sept. 29, is everything one can expect from animated movies of late: furry creatures, clever one-liners, a stacked cast and an all-too-familiar plotline.

Italians and non-Italians came together in Chinatown to enjoy making pastries.

News

Street festival showcases Italian community, food

By Natalie Harris | September 28

The eighth annual Festa Italiana took place this past Sunday on Third and F streets near Chinatown. Each year the Festa focuses on a specfic region of Italy, and this year, it concentrated on Torino, the location of the 2006 Winter Olympics. Among the volunteers at the event were some of AU's own.

Guillermo del Toro's new movie 'Pan's Labyrinth' is certain to pack surreal fun into every bite.

News

Trailer Park: Rocky, Buffy, Barrymore make comebacks

By Chris Patriquin | September 28

Welcome back. We have a couple brilliant films for you this time around, as well as some of the usual schlock put out by the studios as they clear their slate for the holiday season. Also this week, we have a special guest writer reviewing a movie everyone should be lined up to see on opening day.

News

Cracking the 'Code'

By Hilary Crowe | September 28

If The Clash are considered the CNN of punk, then Code of Honor are the C-SPAN of hardcore: a little less respected by the masses and a little more relentless with the political content. The San Francisco punk band disbanded after only two years of touring restlessly, but not before recording enough material for a discography, "Complete Studio Recordings 1982-1984," released in July of this year.

The UFL and Why it's Good for the Sport

Section 202 hosts Connor Sturniolo and Gabrielle McNamee are joined by fellow Eagle staff member and phenomenal sports photographer, Josh Markowitz. Follow along as they discuss the United Football League and the benefits it provides for the world of professional football.

Solutions by The State News