Wednesday, October 9, 2024

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FEATURES

Critic reviews currently playing holiday movies

"THE FAMILY STONE" Rating: PG-13 Director: Thomas Bezucha Running Time: 102 minutes Starring: Diane Keaton, Sarah Jessica Parker What seemed like a funny movie along the same lines as Ben Stiller's "Meet The Parents" turned out to be a predictable family drama.

FEATURES

Art that 'swings'

It's not just a solid black print. Creep in and notice six veiled geometric squares. Kresge Art Museum curator April Kingsley says she included the Ad Reinhardt piece as a challenge in the new Blast From The Past exhibit, which opened today.

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The competition

In the battle for her boyfriend's attention, Lindsay Cosens fears only one foe. It's not other girls or his friends, but one many other girlfriends are facing — video games. First-person shooter games — Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 for Xbox, the Microsoft game console — are commanding the attention of many boyfriends while other girls have lost their men to the online computer game World of Warcraft. Cosens, a graduate student, first came into contact with Halo when her boyfriend, who she says has been "obsessed with video games forever," became determined to beat it. The couple has been together for more than six years, but the game did cause a few problems, Cosens said. "We've gotten into little spats where maybe I want to watch TV and he's using it, but we solved that by getting a second TV," she said. Cosens isn't alone in her struggle against video games.

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Family band produces unique, enjoyable country-folk album

Potato Moon's third album "Carnival" is more fun than a line dance at the fair. The Grand Rapids-based band combines knee-slapping country riffs with sassy lyrics to kindle a wholesome enthusiastic sound. All of the band's core members are related by blood, which may be a reason for the uplifting demeanor the group gives off.

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Washed-up celebs don't need reality TV shows

We're living in a crazy world these days where Flavor Flav, formerly of Public Enemy fame, is the newest "Bachelor;" Ashley Parker Angel (who?) used-to-be heartthrob now washed-up boy band member, has his own reality show; and Hulk Hogan shows us how to raise a family.

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Five favorites

Every week, The State News presents five things going on in the world of pop culture that might make your life a little bit better.

FEATURES

Nature, bodies focus of gallery exhibits

Hawks, deer, owls, bears and moose graced the walls of the East Lansing Public Art Gallery in the Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbott Road, as patrons make their way from forest to mythological Greece at the First Sunday Gallery Walk.

FEATURES

Local band produces dreamy alt-country

If the puffy clouds of springtime made music together, it would sound something like The Pantones' latest CD — "Sleepless Nights, Silent Mornings." There's a dream-like feeling to the six-piece's tunes, grounded in reality with bittersweet lyrics.

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One-man show comes to BoarsHead

Dave Jones has a fascination with Thomas Jefferson and has spent four years perfecting his presentation of the former president. Now the actor and writer will present a one-man play based on most of Jefferson's own words to the public at BoarsHead Theatre.

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Eminem's hits unnecessary

It's interesting that Eminem chose a greatest hits album to possibly be his last. The album was released Tuesday, but many people probably already own most of the songs collected on "Curtain Call." Eminem's breakout hit "My Name Is" was released in 1999, just more than six years ago.

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Five favorites

The State News presents five things going on in the world of pop culture that might make your life a little bit better. 1.

FEATURES

SN style: Getting classy for the holidays

The holiday season is upon us, and regardless of the occasion, a celebration is always in order. From here to New Year's, chances are there's at least one gala, bash or some no-holds-barred party that requires some finer touches.

FEATURES

Making music together

Writing and performing original songs for a class grade might be normal for a music major, but others interested in music could only dream about having that option — until recently. Music Professor John Kratus wanted to give MSU students who weren't music majors an opportunity to take a music class and got his chance when the Integrative Studies Department was asking for ideas for new courses.

FEATURES

Students can learn from celeb mistakes

Celebrity gossip was rampant this year, with so many breakups, hookups, pregnancies and scandals you had to look out for whiplash — especially if you're Lindsay Lohan and you actually risk whiplash by crashing into paparazzi. Since this is college, here's what we can learn from the top five celeb scandals that disprove the old saying, "any publicity is good publicity:" 1.