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Features

FEATURES

Activities keep MSU bubbling, never dull

I can't believe I've ever said "I'm bored" in my three years here in East Lansing. I didn't realize how many things — art shows, concerts, lectures — go on daily within a very small radius around campus. A friend turned me on to the MSU events calendar, and as an entertainment reporter, I'm constantly checking bulletin boards, the City of East Lansing Web site, the University Activities Board Web site, the Breslin Center Web site and anywhere else I can to see what's going down in the entertainment sphere in East Lansing. I can't fathom how many events I've missed in the past two years because I didn't bother searching for them.

FEATURES

'King of the Corner' director to visit E.L. for special film showing

Don Jordan
November 8, 2005

Promoting a film can be tough work. Just ask actor/director Peter Riegert, who is busy plugging the DVD for his 2004 feature film directorial debut "King of the Corner," a deadpan comedy about a middle-aged man named Leo (played by Riegert) and the day-to-day chaos that surrounds his life. On Saturday, he left his home in New York City to promote the film in Tucson, Ariz.

FEATURES

Julie Andrews' 'Boy Friend' premieres at Wharton today

Jacqueline Wayneguite
November 8, 2005

Actress Julie Andrews, most famous for her roles in "Mary Poppins" and "The Sound of Music," made her Broadway debut as a 19-year-old actress in 1954 in "The Boy Friend." Tonight, Andrews will be in East Lansing to direct the same production, which opens at the Wharton Center and runs through Sunday. "She directs from the inside of a person out," said Michael Price, executive director of Goodspeed Musicals based in Connecticut.

FEATURES

'Freakonomics' author visits MSU

Lauren Phillips
November 7, 2005

The authors of the book "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything" didn't intend to write a New York Times best-seller. "It was surprising," co-author Stephen Dubner said of the success of his and co-author Steven Levitt's book. "It was a chance to write the kind of book we both wanted to read.

FEATURES

The sky is falling as well as Disney's ability to make humor

Ryan Mccormick
November 7, 2005

What transpires when you notice the sky falling and no one believes it's happening but you? Chicken Little has to deal with this dilemma in his recently released movie — named after the undersized, crafty leghorn. And the misfortunes for Little only become more complicated when he discovers aliens are involved in the plunging atmosphere problem.

FEATURES

'Shopgirl' lacking in substantial plot

Lauren Phillips
November 4, 2005

Boy meets girl. Girl meets older man. Boy goes on the road, older man turns out to be a jerk. What's a girl to do? "Shopgirl" is based on the 2001 New York Times Bestseller book of the same name — both the novel and the screenplay were written by Steve Martin. In the movie, Claire Danes is 20-something Mirabelle Butterfield, who moved to Los Angeles from Vermont.

FEATURES

Madden 2006

Steve Highfield
November 2, 2005

When Electronic Arts Inc., makers of the "Madden NFL" football series, signed a five-year deal with the NFL in 2004 granting it exclusive rights to the NFL's teams, players and stadiums, there was worry that without competition the Madden games would become lazy and unimaginative. But in the latest installment of the video game chain, "Madden 2006," EA Sports introduces just enough innovation to accompany the same game play and style that has made Madden the most successful football video game franchise ever. The main on-the-field change in "Madden 2006" is in the passing game.

FEATURES

Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects

Chris Barsotti
November 2, 2005

Electronic Arts hit a gold mine once again, but this time it was with something other than a sports game. "Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects" for the Xbox system is one of the better games I have played in a long time. For comic book lovers this is a must-have game.

FEATURES

NCAA March Madness 06

Brian Feeny
November 2, 2005

Full-court press, 2-3 zone, chanting crowd, cutting down the nets — it must be March Madness. EA Sports' latest installment to the college basketball series provides the excitement and thrills of the annual tourney.

FEATURES

Rosa Parks deserves a worthy dedication

I bet Fantasia Barrino, Celine Dion and Diddy are already lined up. They're all licking their chops for a chance to perform on the Rosa Parks tribute song. Even though no official plans have been announced, you know it's coming.

FEATURES

SSX on Tour

Ethan Conley
November 2, 2005

EA Sports Big is back with the fourth installment in its SSX series of snowboarding games, "SSX on Tour." The game is true to the SSX formula: big jumps, ridiculous tricks and plenty of style. It's the style aspect that sets "SSX on Tour" apart from its predecessors.

FEATURES

'Wasteland' proves to be waste of time for Tony Hawk gamers

Chris Barsotti
November 2, 2005

Just when gamers thought Activision could not come up with a new way to present the same Tony Hawk game, they surprise us all once again and put out a new and improved game out on the market, "Tony Hawk's American Wasteland." I will admit I was a little skeptical when starting this up because the past games, while fun, haven't exactly been the most creative. It seemed as though the key to this game was the overused free-roaming ability that just about all games are turning too.

FEATURES

ASPIRE inspires MSU art awareness

By Holly Klaft Special to The State News The blazing blue eyes of a child gaze out from a colorful canvas in front of Kresge Art Museum, contrasting the shadows of the trees.

FEATURES

Outlets offer options for budding local artisans

Jacqueline Wayneguite
October 31, 2005

For an upcoming artist, it might be a challenge to get started in the art community. Artists might need a hand gaining a reputation, getting their artwork noticed or learning new skills. Here are a few upcoming opportunities student and local artists should check out: • Lansing Art Gallery, 113 S.

FEATURES

Hip-hop flick makes its way to Celebration

Ryan Mccormick
October 31, 2005

Not only is the future of "G" uncertain but its trajectory toward a national audience mirrors that of the gatling gun — not automatic. The hip-hop version of "The Great Gatsby" has finally rolled up to the Lansing area — but it may not be chillin' for long. The cinematic take-off of F.