Crowe's crowning achievement

The road trip movie is not a new concept. In fact it has been beaten into the ground in every possible way. There has been the "I'm-a-female-and-my-opinion-counts" film "Thelma and Louise," the gross-out college comedy "Road Trip," the action-comedy-drama "Midnight Run" or the killers on the run film "Natural Born Killers." With so many films about road trips why would anyone want to write and direct another one?



Delusions of soapy stardom

"Nurse Betty" is a misanthropic dark comedy tracing the emotional breakdown of an amiable small-town waitress. Playing more like an independent film than a major studio release, "Betty" provides sharp, edgy commentary on an America that takes its cues from television shows. Both daring and fantastical, "Betty" is a surprisingly successful film that alternately offers laughter, disgust and philosophy without skipping a beat.



'The sublime and the ridiculous'

Awards shows are massive, sprawling, self-indulgent paeans to wretched excess. From the $8,000 gift baskets given to presenters to the ridiculously expensive scraps of fabric barely concealing siliconed flesh, the 52nd Annual Emmy Awards were no exception.



Dixie Chicks rock Coliseum

After garnering a host of Grammys and releasing a multi-platinum album, the Dixie Chicks are the newly anointed idols of country music. The only question left was whether the Chicks would have the same draw on tour as they did on the Billboard charts. If last Thursday's packed house at the Hampton Coliseum had any say in the matter, the answer is a resounding yes.



Get into the Groove

The sticker on the front of Groove Armada's "Back to Mine" proudly declares it to be "the chill-out album of the year." It just might be right.



Reva-disappointment

Third time's the charm Š usually. For Reveille, one of the College's 11 a cappella performing groups, the third time is something less than charmed. The group's third CD "Reva-what?" doesn't succeed in showcasing the group's talent. Instead, it leaves an unfavorable impression on the listener.



The 'Way' of McQuarrie

"The Way of the Gun," Christopher McQuarrie's first writing project since "The Usual Suspects," and first-ever attempt at direction, is filled with the same plot twists, anti-heroes and the amazingly realistic gun violence that has been the trademark of his earlier success. However, "The Way of the Gun," despite its best efforts, cannot live up to "The Usual Suspects" as far as ingenious storyline and amazingly developed characters.