Scene

Speak Now': Taylor Swift gets personal

3 and 1/2 shamrocks

Irish pay tribute to Sullivan

For the members of the Notre Dame football team, attendance at Thursday night's Mass of Remembrance for Declan Sullivan was optional. But the entire team was there when Mass began, sophomore linebacker Manti Te'o said.

Scene Style Spotter

Catfish' Falls Flat as a Social Networking Film

Twenty minutes into the new viral-sensation documentary film "Catfish," I had shivers running up and down my back as I sat on the edge of my seat. I was entranced by the film's intriguing story and a shocking revelation I could feel coming. Twenty minutes after the movie ended, I felt a bottomless pit in my stomach — the kind you get after you see something very unsettling.

Weekend Events Calendar

Thursday: "Dinner for Schmucks"

Red's' Retirees Save the Day and the Movie

"Red" is, at its most basic, exactly what you expect it to be — an excuse for a bunch of aging (but still great) movie stars to wield big guns and prove they've still got "it." And is there anything wrong with that? "Red" isn't likely to be on anyone's Top 10 list this year, but it's the type of cheesy cinematic thrill that deserves a little appreciation. It's a fun movie. It's fun to watch Bruce Willis keep doing his tough guy thing, even at the age of 55. It's fun to watch Morgan Freeman pretend to be a French diplomat. It's fun to watch John Malkovich put on his paranoid-neurotic-but-deadly persona. And it's really fun to watch Dame Helen Mirren shoot a machine gun.

ARTgenda: November

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to enroll as an MFA student here at Notre Dame? Or are you just curious to find out more about the art that is created here on campus? If so, you can learn more about both the MFA program and the arts from current MFA students Friday at the Fall Walkthrough event.

The Observer remembers Declan Sullivan

"Enthusiastic" best describes Scene contributor Declan Sullivan.

Phoenix's hoax isn't quite all there

Joaquin Phoenix's self-indulgent, at times head-scratching documentary, "I'm Still Here" is, as many suspected, one big lie. But that's part of its fun and mystique, because the documentary, directed by Casey Affleck, plays it straight the whole time.

Now & Then: Legends & the 'Senior Bar'

Every current Domer has undoubtedly stepped into Legends of Notre Dame at least once. Whether you've attended the infamous "Hip Hop Night" at the Night Club, sat down for dinner with a visiting family member or listened to a student band play on the weekend, you've experienced the venue in one of its many forms.

Scares flattened by 3D in 'My Soul to Take'

Wes Craven, the writer of classic horror movies like "Scream," "A Nightmare on Elm Street" and "The Hills Have Eyes" once again proves his prowess in the genre with a fresh and original plot in "My Soul to Take." The new film stands out from the regular slew of horror movies coming out in time for Halloween, such as "Saw 3-D" and "Paranormal Activity 2" (more like "Seen It Six Times Before" and "ParaBOREmal Activity").

Paranormal Activity 2': Bigger budget, less horror

After hearing that a sequel was in the works for last year's surprise horror hit "Paranormal Activity," expectations of many were low. After all, part of the appeal of the original film was the fact that it was made on a shoestring budget of $11,000, yet still managed to scare audiences more than most horror films in recent years. A sequel with amped-up funding, studio supervision and a different director could not possibly live up to its predecessor, right?

The baby steals the show in 'Life As We Know It'

1.5 out of 4 Shamrocks

Mellencamp at The Morris

Heartland Rocker and Indiana native John Mellencamp will play Nov. 13 at South Bend's Morris Performing Arts Center, as the Grammy Award winning artist embarks on his "No Better Than This" tour. Tickets that were previously on hold have recently been made available.

Break in the Bend: Alternatives to the dining hall

North and South Dining Halls close their doors and turn off their ovens after the post-game candlelight dinner on Saturday. Students have a few options for food: stocking up on Grab ‘n' Go, limited-hour establishments in LaFortune or perhaps the restaurants at Eddy Street Commons. For those with the means to go off campus, there are many options for a taste of South

Break in the Bend: On-campus movies

If you're looking for an action-packed adventure with dynamic characters, intense plot and violence then stop by DeBartolo Performing Arts Center on Fall Break to see "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" and its sequel, "The Girl who Played with Fire." The Los Angeles Times called "Dragon Tattoo" a "mind-bending and mesmerizing thriller that takes its time unlocking one mystery only to uncover another, all to chilling and immensely satisfying effect."

Fouling out

What do LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett have in common? All three played on Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) teams before rising to stardom. But the path to NBA greatness is far from smooth, with greed, corruption and crushed hopes along the way. "Play Their Hearts Out: A Coach, His Star Recruit, and the Youth Basketball Machine," a new book by George Dohrmann, sets out to expose the dark underbelly of the AAU system.

Break in the Bend: Off-campus movies

Back in the day, they only had one theater in this town and it only showed "Bridge Over the River Kwai" and "The Alamo." And they had to walk five miles uphill both way in the snow with no shoes or socks.

Sneak peek at Scene Around the World: London

Truly "The World's City," London is a place like no else, from its glittering skyscrapers to the majesty of Parliament, London takes the cake as one of the world's most beautiful cities, and Notre Dame students have taken full advantage of all the city has to offer.

Now & Then: Fall Break

Notre Dame is unique for a number of reasons: its strong Catholic identity, an unusually supportive alumni network and Fall Break. Each year, students are granted one week off right in the middle of October, comfortably situated after most midterms and before Halloween.